25-228

EP.228. [Victoria, Who Possesses Eugene’s Father Ulysses Schneider’s Sword.] 

“So that’s what you wanted to ask-it was about that sword.” 

Victoria responded with a subtle expression to Eugene’s negotiation. 

“Yes. You got your weapon inventory early because your younger sister is a mage, but as far as I know, there are almost no swordsmen who use two swords. And I didn’t think you were that type of person, Victoria.” 

Eugene smoothly explained his reason for asking. 

For a swordsman, their sword is like an extension of themselves. All classes cherish their weapons, but for ego-driven swordsmen, it’s even more so. That’s why it’s rare to see someone use two swords. Those who do are often considered heretics, and among noble families, it’s especially taboo. So Eugene’s curiosity was justified. 

‘Hmm… That’s a perfect negotiation face. I can’t read what she’s thinking.’ 

Despite his outward composure, Eugene felt slightly intimidated. Honestly, he was pushing his luck. Even though they’d fought together as comrades, they weren’t close enough for such a sensitive question. Still, he asked-because he wanted to see Victoria’s reaction. 

‘As far as I know, that sword was my father Ulysses Schneider’s.’ 

The reason he wanted to see her reaction was because the sword in question was Ulysses Schneider’s. More precisely, it was Ulysses’s old sword, the one he used before becoming a Swordmaster. Eugene had seen it briefly as a child, but it had disappeared at some point. 

‘There’s almost no chance she got it by coincidence. According to Vivian, she was very interested in my father. That makes it even less likely to be a coincidence.’ 

Eugene suspected Victoria had learned some of Ulysses’s swordsmanship from her father Constantine, who was Ulysses’s close friend. But knowing the sword style and actually possessing the sword are very different. To pursue a sword style is one thing, but to go out of your way to obtain a missing sword implies a direct connection or special interest. 

“......” 

At that moment, Victoria looked at Eugene in silence for a while. 

“That sword is the sword of the Sword Saint Ulysses Schneider. As far as I know, it’s the sword he used before he became a Swordmaster.” 

She then revealed the sword’s identity directly, without any concealment. 

‘Wow… she’s really formidable!’ 

It was unexpected. Eugene thought she’d just say it was a friend’s sword, like last time. But she openly mentioned Ulysses Schneider. 

‘At this point, doesn’t she know-or at least suspect-that I’m Ulysses’s son?’ 

What made Victoria formidable wasn’t just her directness. It was the sense of calculation-she seemed to be testing Eugene, not just being honest. 

‘She either knows, or suspects. If I take the bait, I could be caught.’ 

Eugene was at a crossroads. If she knew, he could boldly declare himself Ulysses’s son, but it could also be a trap. 

“Ulysses…?” 

But Eugene wasn’t the type to take risks, so he just reacted as if he’d heard of a famous person. 

“That’s right. The greatest Swordmaster in imperial history, called the Sword Saint. And, after his fall, erased from imperial history. That’s Ulysses Schneider’s sword.” 

Victoria explained in even more detail and directly who the original owner of her other sword was. 

“Are you trying to point out that I, Servant Victoria of the Imperial Knights, am disobeying Commander Kaiser Grand Duke Antoine’s orders?” 

She then asked with a serious, almost confrontational expression. 

“Not at all. If I were going to do that, I’d have no right to, since I also lied to the Imperial Knights’ audit team. It would only hurt me. The truth is, as someone who pursues the sword, I have an admiration for Ulysses Schneider. So I can’t help but be curious. Someone in the Imperial Knights still carrying Ulysses’s sword.” 

Victoria had the composure and cunning to spar with Antoine. But Eugene wasn’t someone to be easily pushed around either. He was a man leading a harem, after all. Where else would you need as much GM skill? On top of that, he had over 50 years of experience, including his past life. So, while he was inwardly impressed by Victoria, he responded appropriately on the surface. 

“I see. I apologize for the misunderstanding.” 

Victoria slightly bowed her head in response. 

“The swordsmanship I learned from my father’s friend is that of the Sword Saint Ulysses Schneider. They were close enough to share sword techniques. From what I heard from my father, you can’t judge a man’s whole life by his final moments alone.” 

She then explained why she learned Ulysses’s swordsmanship and why she possesses his sword. 

“I thought the intent and meaning embedded in his swordsmanship were refreshing, and after studying it deeply, I found the utility of the sword he used before becoming a Swordmaster was truly exceptional. What could be more meaningful for a swordsman?” 

Victoria’s character was usually meticulous, but that was just her method. What she truly sought was simple: to become the greatest swordsman. And for her, the greatest sword was not a killing sword, but the concept of swordsmanship itself. In her view, before he went mad, Ulysses was the Swordmaster who most embodied that ideal. 

‘Damn…’ 

Hearing her answer, Eugene felt a strange surge of emotion. 

‘Why does this make me feel good?’ 

He felt good. 

‘Even I kept quiet about my father’s existence, but Victoria acknowledges and admires him, and it makes me emotional.’ 

People have many sides. Yesterday is different from today, a year ago from now, childhood from adulthood. Ulysses Schneider was the same. He had many paths. But now, all that remains of Ulysses in the world is the dishonor of being the fallen Sword Saint, the cult leader of the fallen sword, Sophist, and one more-his hidden son, Eugene Schneider. 

Even Eugene himself had focused on his father’s final image and was haunted by it, chasing his mysterious other side. In a way, Eugene was also indirectly denying Ulysses’s brighter legacy. But Victoria was looking at and learning from that bright legacy. Eugene felt almost ashamed and deeply grateful. 

“That’s incredible. It’s admirable to pursue the sword so purely.” 

But Eugene couldn’t fully express his feelings. So he stepped back and mentioned his pride in his father. 

“You’re amazing too, Captain Eugene. And I feel my judgment was right. I thought you’d understand my answer.” 

Victoria smiled-a rare, genuinely emotional smile. 

“Then, may I make my request now, Captain Eugene?” 

But, as expected from the sharp negotiator Victoria, she quickly returned to business. 

“Of course. With such a great swordsman’s mindset, I doubt you’d ask for anything unreasonable. I’ll gladly hear your request.” 

But Eugene no longer disliked Victoria’s thoroughness. Even though she was hard to read, she acknowledged and admired his father, Ulysses Schneider, who had been cast out by the world. So Eugene responded almost as if welcoming her with open arms. 

“Then, let me tell you my request.” 

Victoria began to speak again. 

“I’d like you to be the bait for an unofficial special mission of the Imperial Knights.” 

The price Victoria demanded was truly bold. 

“Unofficial? And bait…?” 

At those two weighty words, Eugene’s expression sharpened. 

“So that’s what it was.” 

A middle-aged man with brown hair nodded as he looked over documents stamped with the Imperial Knights’ seal. He was Antoine de Sel Oblaing, commander-in-chief of the Imperial Knights and the true power in the empire. 

“I saw that greatsword strike with my own eyes. It really split the boulder in one blow, just like the report said. There was no error in Saber Victoria’s report.” 

This was the audit report from the Imperial Knights. After the Drake quest, there had been a lengthy investigation, which was formally concluded by Eugene’s visit to the Imperial Knights’ arena. In fact, given the quest’s importance, the Drake quest shouldn’t have required such a long investigation. If it failed, it could be quietly covered up as unofficial; if it succeeded, they planned a massive publicity campaign. But the appearance of an unknown mercenary had thrown off the plan. 

“As expected. Servant Victoria is thorough.” 

So, although Antoine should have been annoyed, he was surprisingly calm. That’s why the audit team could submit their report without fear. 

“He’s quite an interesting fellow, using the greatsword, the symbol of the demon tribe.” 

Antoine’s reaction was dry. 

A faint smile appeared on his lips. 

“I’m sorry, Captain Eugene Schneider. As I said, this is an unofficial operation within the Imperial Knights, so I had to inform you in this way.” 

A few days later, Eugene Schneider and Victoria met in a remote area outside the capital, Helios. 

“Well, let’s hear it. I’ll keep my word, so at least satisfy my curiosity quickly.” 

With a resigned look, arms crossed, Eugene replied. 

“Our unofficial special quest is to infiltrate the headquarters of the Sophist cult.” 

Victoria revealed the plan for Eugene: she would strike the Sophist cult headquarters without Antoine’s knowledge.