Regressing as the Reincarnated Bastard of the Sword Clan

Translator: FenrirTL

Editor: Doodle

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< Chapter 167: White Tower Ruins (2) >

Thump, thump, thump-  

Theo barely managed to suppress his pounding heart.  

“My squad, you say? Wasn’t the White Armored Dragon Cavalry originally limited to five squads at most?”  

“That’s correct.”  

‘That’s correct?’  

“But Evelyn recently expressed her intention to resign from her position as a squad leader.”  

“...!?”  

Theo was startled by something he hadn’t anticipated at all.  

“She said she wanted to focus on the current promotion test to become a Dragon Gate Swordsman for the time being.”  

“...She hasn’t passed the test completely yet?”  

“Becoming a Dragon Gate Swordsman isn’t that easy. Skill is only one part of it.”  

It was a given, but the promotion tests became exponentially more difficult as one progressed.  

Particularly for the Dragon Gate Swordsman, a position that represented Ragnar itself, the examination process was notoriously rigorous.  

Some people even spent more than three years taking the promotion tests.  

It was for this reason that Evelyn had declared her desire to concentrate on the test.  

Above all,  

‘It might be partly because of me.’  

Evelyn was the first sword who had sworn loyalty to Theo.  

Naturally, she must have believed that the squad leader position she held belonged to Theo, and she would have had no regrets in passing it on.  

Moreover, if she became a Dragon Gate Swordsman and stood beside Theo?  

She probably believed she could become an even sharper sword.  

‘I always seem to be on the receiving end from Evelyn.’  

“Evelyn recommended you as her successor. Based on her recommendation, I convened the squad leaders as the commander to gather their opinions.”  

Amore, It, Gorito.  

The gazes of the three squad leaders were firmly fixed on Theo.  

“Among the four voters, there were two in favor, one against, and one abstention, so it didn’t pass the majority. Thus, we also considered the opinions of other squad members, particularly Selperd Gardner and Arin Negatives, who completed this mission with you.”  

Theo hurriedly turned to Selperd and Arin.  

When did they...!?  

Selperd and Arin simply waved silently in his direction.  

“So, the conclusion we reached was a conditional approval. There are two conditions in total.”  

“What are they?”  

“The first is passing the promotion test for Advanced Swordsman, a basic qualification for squad leaders. Retaking the test is not allowed.”  

Julius folded his first finger, then his second.  

“The other is earning merits in the war against Troyban. Prove that, despite your young age, you have the leadership to guide your squad members.”  

Although they were conditions, they were challenges Theo was bound to face anyway.  

Julius’s lips curled into a smirk.  

“What do you say? Will you give it a try?”  

“Do you happen to remember what I said when I joined the White Armored Dragon Cavalry last year?”  

A seemingly random remark.  

But Julius hadn’t forgotten Theo’s bold proclamation back then.  

“You said you’d take my position within five years, didn’t you? By my count, you’ve got four years left now.”  

It and Gorito turned to Julius with startled expressions.  

That rumor was true? It wasn’t a joke?  

The two no longer saw Theo as just an impressive young recruit.  

Only Amore, who already knew the truth, looked at Theo with an intrigued gaze.  

“Yes. It seems I won’t be able to keep that promise, after all.”  

“What do you mean?”  

“At this rate, I think it’ll only take two years.”  

“What? Pahaha!”  

“Thinking about what you might do after retirement could be an entertaining pastime for you.”  

Julius’s laughter rang loudly through the barracks.  

It and Gorito scratched their cheeks awkwardly, while Amore chuckled in amusement.  

Julius’s eyes gleamed with a playful curve.  

“Alright then, have it your way. As I’ve always said, it won’t be easy.”  

“If it’s tough, that only makes it more rewarding after reaching the top, doesn’t it?”  

“You’ve got quite the slick tongue. Fine, I’ll consider your proposal accepted. Everyone, get ready.”  

With a gesture from Julius, the three squad leaders quietly left.  

“What does the promotion test entail?”  

“It’s too soon to tell. But the Central Hall has approved it, and the test will take place in three days. Given the current circumstances, the timeframe will be short, but it’ll be brutal. You’d better prepare yourself.”  

“I’m already looking forward to it.”  

“Puhaha! Good. At least you’re not complaining about the short preparation time.”  

Theo smiled quietly.  

But inwardly, he replied,  

‘No, it’s more than enough. That much time will allow me to retrieve the relic as well.’  

The relic, the squad leader position, and even the title of the youngest Advanced Swordsman—Theo intended to use this opportunity to solidify his standing as one of the Six Candidates.  

*         *         *  

“A toast to our Squad Leader Theo Ragnar!”  

“Cheers!”  

“And another toast to our youngest Advanced Swordsman!”  

“Cheers!”  

“And one last toast to our cheeky youngest recruit!”  

“Cheeerssssss!”  

Theo’s declaration, “I’ll become the commander within two years,” had turned into a meme circulating wildly among the White Armored Dragon Cavalry.  

The White Armored Dragon Cavalry fostered a familial atmosphere while never losing sight of Ragnar’s identity.  

In fact, they took pride in considering themselves the very foundation of Ragnar, which is why they enthusiastically supported the ambitions and talents of younger members.  

What if Theo truly succeeded in taking Julius’s position?  

It would make for an interesting turn of events.  

Julius would undoubtedly become the target of jokes.  

Holcus, understanding this unique atmosphere of the White Armored Dragon Cavalry, wished to fit in with them.  

However, because of the ripple effect caused by Ray’s earlier statement, it was impossible for him to do so this time.  

As Erika sighed, wondering what to do with that moody giant sulking in the corner—completely mismatched with his large frame—there came a sudden knock.  

“May I enter?”  

The members instinctively turned their eyes toward the door, their expressions hardening.  

For a moment, silence descended upon the barracks.  

“My, my. I hope I’m not interrupting your lively gathering?”  

“What brings a filthy ground-rat like you to this esteemed sparrow’s nest?”  

Arin’s sharp comment made Pattaya’s eyebrow twitch, but he reminded himself of his role as a messenger and bowed his head toward Julius.  

“Our captain has sent a letter addressed to Theo Ragnar, and I’m here to deliver it.”  

“‘Addressed to,’ you say?”  

“Yes. Theo Ragnar is not just a member of the White Armored Dragon Cavalry but also an heir.”  

The implication was clear. Torkel, in his capacity as an heir, not merely as the captain of the Black Iron Cavalry, had sent a letter to Theo, his equal as another heir.  

It was also a veiled message to the White Armored Dragon Cavalry—who had no connection to the inheritance rights—to step aside.  

Arin flared up momentarily, but Selperd grabbed her arm to hold her back.  

First, they needed to figure out what their intentions were.  

“You’re Theo Ragnar, correct?”  

“Yes, that’s correct.”  

“Here you go.”  

Theo took the letter Pattaya handed him and opened the envelope.  

The contents were simple.  

It was an invitation to a gathering of the Five Candidates, asking him to join.  

In essence, it was an acknowledgment of Theo as the Sixth Candidate.  

‘If their goal was to annoy the White Armored Dragon Cavalry, then they’ve certainly succeeded... but it doesn’t seem to be just that. What’s their plan?’  

Theo knew Torkel was not someone who acted impulsively.  

He was a strategist who embedded multiple layers of intentions into every move.  

The arrogant smirk on Pattaya’s face conveyed his thoughts clearly: “Do you dare refuse this invitation?”  

Even though he spoke respectfully, it was clear that this was out of necessity, not genuine admiration for Theo.  

Perhaps, despite referring to Theo as an heir, they still regarded him as a rookie recruit.  

Even the choice to send someone like Pattaya as a messenger seemed deliberate, likely with a specific intention behind it.  

If that were the case, Theo had only one answer to give.  

He folded the letter back and returned it.  

“Thank you for the proposal, but I’ve only just returned to the unit. Please convey that I’ll pay my respects once I’ve settled in after my journey.”  

Pattaya’s expression hardened.  

“Are you saying you’re rejecting Torkel’s proposal?”  

“If you explain my circumstances properly, I’m sure Torkel will understand.”  

“It’s not just Torkel who will be there. Lezé, Kishar, and Ansio will also be present.”  

Theo’s eyes sparkled momentarily.  

Kishar and Ansio.  

The fraternal twins who both ranked among the Five Candidates and were considered monsters.  

With Lezé there as well, it meant that, excluding the highest-ranked heir known as ‘Kinkarnon,’ nearly all the key players among the heirs would be gathering.  

“Four of the Five Candidates in one place? As I thought, this isn’t just a casual social gathering.”  

Though these individuals were like oil and water—more likely to aim for each other’s lives than cooperate—it was curious why they were convening together.  

Still, Theo’s answer remained unchanged.  

“That’s even better. I believe the others will also understand my circumstances.”  

“You’ll regret this...”  

Pattaya’s face flushed bright red as if personally insulted. He stormed out of the barracks with irritation in his steps.  

The members of the White Armored Dragon Cavalry watched him leave, feeling a mix of satisfaction and curiosity as they turned their eyes to Theo.  

“Are you sure it’s okay to decline that invitation? It’s not as if you’re obligated to stay here.”  

“No, it’s just…”  

“Just?”  

「If I go to their board without knowing anything, I feel like I’ll end up being dragged along by them.」  

Julius chuckled softly after hearing Theo’s telepathic response.  

As expected.  

This boy was playing his own game.  

Theo instinctively understood how crucial it was to maintain control in a competitive environment.  

*         *         *  

“He rejected my invitation?”  

“Yes! Such insolence from someone of lowly birth! Just give the order, Captain. If it were up to me, I’d take my men and...”  

“What? Crash their drinking party?”  

“N-no, that’s not what I meant!”  

“Infighting on the battlefield, regardless of the reason, is punishable by immediate execution. No exceptions. No matter how deep your grudge against the White Armored Dragon Cavalry, I’d prefer if you distinguished between public and private matters.”  

“I-I’m terribly sorry!”  

“You’ve done your job. You’re dismissed.”  

“Y-yes, sir...!”  

Torkel sighed as he watched Pattaya leave the barracks, still gauging his superior’s reaction.  

Lezé, who had been quietly sipping her drink nearby, chuckled.  

“You’ve got your hands full with that foolish underling of yours, don’t you?”  

“I… have no excuse, Sister.”  

“Well then, it’s time for the fun part—collection time. What’s everyone waiting for? Hand it over.”  

Lezé spread her hand wide and extended it to the side.  

A young man with messy short hair and a sharp-eyed woman both clicked their tongues, reluctantly pulling cash from their wallets and placing it into Lezé’s palm.  

The wager had been on whether Theo would accept or decline Torkel’s invitation.  

The sole winner of this bet was none other than Lezé.  

“Didn’t I tell you? Theo might be young, but his wits are far sharper than ours. If you underestimate him, you’ll end up like I once did.”  

“Are the rumors true, Sister? That you lost to Theo… in the royal faction—or rather, the Prophet’s struggle?”  

“They’re true.”  

“That’s absurd…”  

Kishar, the "Celestial Hidden Divine Beast," looked at Lezé with an incredulous expression.  

Who was Lezé?  

She was the ruler of the shadows, the foremost figure of the underworld, with the Reaper Division—the deadliest assassins—as her personal guard.  

Even Kishar, despite his strength, couldn’t confidently claim he could beat her.  

And yet, here she was, openly admitting to having conceded to Theo.  

It was nearly incomprehensible, especially when considering that Theo was only sixteen.  

But Lezé, unconcerned about any damage to her reputation, acknowledged it without hesitation.  

“He’s refusing to be dragged into the game we’ve set up for him, that’s all.”  

“Are you saying…”  

Lezé nodded.  

“That’s right. Theo has already started setting up his own board to counter us. To capture us.”  

“...!”  

“...!”  

Kishar and Ansio’s faces hardened.  

Only Torkel remained, looking at Lezé with an absolute expression.