How to Live as a Swordmaster of the Enemy Nation

Persuasion

"Something you wish to tell me... Though I doubt you'd have any real business with me, first, since this place is for the award ceremony, why don't we move elsewhere?"

Radian suggested that they change locations, and Gregory also concluded that this was not the place to bring up his business, so he nodded.

"Yes, understood."

The official kept watching Radian for his cue and, at his gesture, quickly wrapped up the award ceremony. Gregory was confirmed as the winner, and the martial arts tournament came to an end.

The other participants, who had watched with lingering excitement, were filled with burning emotions, but since the tournament schedule had ended, all they could do was go home.

Gregory, to his surprise, was guided by Radian's uncharacteristic (?) kindness to the reception room. That very kindness made Gregory, all the more, suspicious—was this not the plotting of an enemy? Yet, surely, no matter how much they were burning with fighting spirit, would they really murder a distinguished guest from another country?

If he had sensed such hostility, he would have already noticed. Besides, Gregory knew better than anyone that Radian was not that kind of person.

A short while later, they arrived at the reception room. A thick layer of sticky dust covered the desk, and the bookshelves were packed with various volumes. Judging by the state of things, it seemed nobody had entered here for quite some time.

Gregory was weighing how to break the silence when Radian spoke up first.

"It's been a while since I've been here."

"It looks like you don't use this place much."

"I suppose so. I've held numerous martial arts tournaments, but has anyone ever willingly come to speak with me?"

Radian let out a bitter smile.

Indeed, the word was that Radian's grim appearance and formidable rank made him unapproachable for most. He had, most likely, been lonely all this time. Gregory had read, in his previous life, a book chronicling the entire life of Radian.

According to that account, Radian was so widely shunned that everyone avoided him.

Those are the sorts of people who are most prone to loneliness.

In contrast, here was what Radian thought: for someone from a noble house, there was no way they hadn't heard the rumor that 'Radian is a difficult man', and yet here was someone choosing to ignore that and speak his mind freely.

The reason Radian engaged with Gregory at all was that he genuinely enjoyed Gregory's straightforwardness.

Furthermore, Radian had become intrigued by the boy known as 'Gregory'.

The results Gregory had shown thus far were enough to pique his curiosity, but even more, he was a youth bolder than even Radian, who himself was considered daring.

Radian's bitter expression soon morphed into one of satisfaction, and with his curiosity aroused, he asked Gregory,

"So, then—what is it you wish to say? I'll do my best to listen seriously."

Gregory stared at Radian for a moment, then spoke bluntly.

"Please reconsider the war with Arme."

The subject of war was an incredibly sensitive one. Perhaps because of this, the atmosphere in the room instantly cooled. Radian looked off into the distance, and after a long pause, muttered to himself,

"Reconsider... I see. So that's it."

"Pardon? What do you mean?"

He muttered as if some long-standing question had finally been answered, bowing his head deeply.

"You mean to say this boy participated in the martial arts tournament to prevent war..."

Gregory nodded up and down to affirm it. Radian continued,

"But what to do... Sadly, the war has already been decided."

Decided? That meant the matter had already been settled internally. Gregory had, of course, suspected that he would not be able to prevent a war with just a martial arts tournament, but he hadn't expected matters to progress so quickly.

No, if he thought back to the timeline, things were actually progressing more slowly than in his previous life—the war should have already broken out by now. Was it his involvement in this world that was shaping these events?

A flood of complex emotions overwhelmed him. It felt as if the whole world was crumbling.

Radian looked at Gregory with pity.

Was it already too late? This was a completely unexpected turn. What was he supposed to do now? Was he really fated to experience that hellish war all over again? With the enemy nation closing in, where could he even flee?

He did, after all, want revenge against the Blandi Kingdom. But did that mean everyone had to be placed in danger? He was only now realizing what true comradeship meant, only now learning the value of his companions—was he to accept that at any moment, they might be injured or killed?

'What can I do right now? I've read everything there is to know about Radian—surely there is a way. Is there truly nothing left?'

A patriot boy, who had traveled all this way to protect his kingdom. Radian must know how turbulent and empty Gregory must be feeling.

In a way, Radian's willingness to talk so kindly was his final act of grace. As Gregory's thoughts raced, an idea suddenly flashed through his mind.

Gregory's gaze sharpened, and with eyes wide, he spoke out loud.

"The war may be decided, but it can still be postponed, can't it?"

A chill seemed to run through Radian, as if something foreboding had wrapped around him. He masked it with an awkward laugh.

"Ha! Hahahaha! You're even bolder than I thought. You think simply delaying the war will mean victory for Arme? We clearly are not on the same page."

His sudden change in attitude did not escape Gregory—he knew this was not Radian's true nature.

"I expected as much."

Gregory observed the now prickly Radian and pondered.

He knew, unlike the rumors, that Radian was gentle at heart, and even understood the backstory behind his eccentricity.

He remembered now that Radian had been the kind of person who would bring peace to those around him.

Thus, Gregory decided to play his hand to negotiate.

"If you postpone the war, I'll find and eliminate the entire Stria Group."

The Stria Group—a faction targeting both Radian and his entire family. Shadows moving under cover of Blandi, perpetrating every act of wickedness imaginable.

Radian had done all he could up until now to turn his swordsmanship into one of substance.

Holding martial arts tournaments, his passion for others' battles—it all served to analyze and refine his own skills by mimicking others.

In his previous life, Radian had been universally condemned as the main instigator of the war.

But after his death, the truth finally came out.

Behind nearly all the unsavory rumors about Radian was the hidden hand of the Stria Group.

He a battle maniac? No, that was just a fiction spread by Stria to fuel gossip among the populace. Radian was, more than anyone, someone who thirsted to learn how to fight and become stronger.

Major incidents were covered up by causing uproar about unrelated incidents, then burying the real news altogether.

In fact, the decision for war had been spurred on by the Stria Group manipulating Radian from behind the scenes. The Blandi Kingdom was already falling under their sway.

Gregory knew all of this from the biography about Radian he'd read in his past life.

At the mention of 'Stria Group', Radian's expression immediately hardened. Actually, no—it was more an expression of terror than seriousness.

His entire family being threatened, their lives in danger—it was only natural.

Because of this, Radian's voice began to shake.

"How do you...?"

Bull's-eye. Seeing Radian's reaction, Gregory judged this to be his one and only chance to at least delay the war, and let his confidence shine through.

Radian's attitude swiftly recovered.

"If it's Ashborn, the famed swordsmanship house of Arme, grasping the current state of affairs is child's play."

Normally he would never mention his family's name like this. In his previous life, this truth didn't become public until long after Radian's death, but who would believe it now?

Saying he was reincarnated and possessed this body was even less convincing.

By revealing he was privy to all the information while exuding confidence, any suspicion Radian held would be replaced by trust.

After much deliberation, Radian spoke again.

"Your method?"

The concise question carried many underlying meanings.

Ultimately, to persuade, he would need sound reasoning. So it was when he'd convinced Walter and Hemingway.

But just the fact that Radian was reacting this way was already a partial victory. There's that old saying, "you're in the same boat together in misfortune."

Regardless of whether he failed or succeeded in winning Radian over, the decision for war was unchanged. By buying time, he could at least reduce Arme's casualties.

"Now that the Stria Group has its eye on you, saving you is impossible."

"Sa-save me? D-Do you think I'd delay the war even so?"

Radian's face showed his distress.

"No, your true wish is that, even at the cost of your own life, at least your family will be spared—to carry on your line, isn't it?"

"You've done quite the thorough research on me. Are you trying to trick me? Do you think such a ploy would work on me?"

He was highly guarded. Of course, anyone would be, when a scion of a famed swordsmanship house from a future enemy nation sought a secret talk while holding every bit of his information.

Maybe thinking trust would replace suspicion was delusional, but there was one last resort.

Appeal to his emotions, show empathy.

"All I have to say to you is this... What mattered to you was simply having time with your family, those happy moments, wasn't it? You forged your swordsmanship to protect them; doesn't it seem a waste if you can't?"

A sentiment that no one else could have known. Radian's heart wavered at Gregory's persuasion. He closed his eyes, let out a low sigh, then after a moment—as if making a firm decision—opened them and spoke gravely.

"Four months. That's all. I can postpone the war for only four months. But know this—during that time, the kingdom will not sit idle."

"Of course. If the war has already been agreed upon, everyone will be sharpening their blades. In any case, thank you for agreeing to delay the war."

The moment he had Radian's consent to postpone the war, Gregory immediately gave a hint about how to deal with the Stria Group.

-------------= Clacky's Corner -------------=
I just remembered... Who's that girl that came to Gregory's room?
Is she Radian's daughter by chance?
【ദ്ദി(⩌ᴗ⩌)】