48. The day before the duel
Early in the morning, newspapers spread throughout the empire’s capital had a rather interesting article on the front page.
The leader of the Imperial Knights secretly inspects the academy!
Leader of the Imperial Knights of Linda West Harbor continues to take unconventional steps, such as emphasizing the strengthening of the capacity to continue peace through the academy inspection.
The leader of the Imperial Knights encouraged the academy students that day and also visited the academy training grounds to personally inspect the training situation.
A surprise visit to the academy that was not on schedule for Linda West Harbor, the leader of the Imperial Knights and the First Sword of the Empire.
Most people thought it was just that they went to the academy to see the students, but there were definitely people who took it differently.
“This… It’s a country thing..!!”
One of the Five Pillars Edward Lemnos, the current head of Lemnos, was one of them.
As soon as he saw the newspaper, he crumpled it up and threw it on the desk.
“This is clearly a provocation..!! My son goes straight to the academy he never went to after graduating!!”
As his name suggests, Edward, who was angry with fire, struck down several times.
Expert As the head of Lemnos with top-notch skills, a sound like thunder echoed through the mansion, but no one was taken aback.
As much as he often gets angry, the sturdy desk endured, but the papers and ink on top fell to the floor, and it was very funny to see the butler sweating out to fix it.
“The Marquis… Don’t worry too much. The captain of the knights was also from the academy, so you can go, right?”
“Strange! It’s a surprise inspection without saying anything, and Edgar is preparing for the next duel!!”
In Edward Lemnos’s mind, a grinning Linda’s face came to mind.
As soon as Linda, who had become a gear nose master, was appointed as the leader of the Imperial Knights, she glanced down at Edward…
He still couldn’t forget the look on Linda’s face he saw then.
Her eyes are solemn, but that strange expression with only the corner of her mouth slightly raised…
Her teeth gnashed every time she recalled that expression as if she was laughing at herself for not being able to break through her wall and remaining an expert.
“I need to get ready to go out. Get ready!”
“Marquis, are you sure you want to go to the academy?”
“Yes, schedules are postponed! I will accept that provocation..!!”
——————————
Last time it was the same, but this time the board was bigger.
Originally, it was titled Lemnos’ Punishment, so it was a duel that drew attention from students who had watched the previous duel.
In addition, the head of the Imperial Knights said that he would see it straight away, so his eyes were focused on the official promise of a duel.
It can’t be anything but annoying.
Me and Edgar stood opposite each other and coordinated the duel.
To be objective, I was looking up and Edgar was looking down.
There was no sign of looking down on me in the eyes of Edgar, who had already been severely beaten, but I don’t like the fact that he’s just looking down.
Around us, several people, including the headmaster and Professor Buckingham, flocked to watch, and in the center was the principal, Morgan Frisch, standing with his back to his back.
As the bottom plate grew, the principal stepped forward as an observer.
“Edgar Lemnos, what do you want from this duel?”
“… I will prove that the sword of Lemnos is the best.”
Edgar said confidently.
If that’s the reason, he’ll just say sparring. He’s a guy who makes things big.
“Atlas Nemea, what do you want in this duel?”
“Hey, Lemnos, it’s annoying to have people gather every time we duel, so if I win this time, don’t say we’re dueling any more.”
“…I will accept it.”
It is still distasteful that many people’s eyes are focused on it as if it were a spectacle.
It’s a duel with each other betting one thing on each other, but compared to the rarely open game, it seemed like there was little to lose in this duel.
Lemnos has to win to prove himself, and I have to win to stop Lemnos from bothering to challenge me to a duel… It’s very simple compared to the duel that took place just yesterday over a woman.
“The duel is one-on-one, the date is tomorrow at noon, and the venue is a special stadium. I am an observer, Principal Morgan Frisch… Then, by mutual agreement, we will approve the duel. “
As the duel took place in earnest, cheers were heard from around.
It seems that the exciting duel is back again.
It has been a long time since a ‘duel’ was held in a special arena rather than an ordinary amphitheatre.
The special arena is a stadium that can create a special environment, so it was only used during exams.
“Seeing that you just applied for a re-duel, did you realize something?”
“Yes… I’ll show you what I saw this time..!”
I don’t know where the confidence came from, but Lemnos was very energetic.
From far away, seeing the momentum of Lemnos, I heard the voices of the arguing that they would trust Lemnos and bet this time.
I can’t lose my faith even after suffering like that…
I thought it would be nice to have a reverse double again this time.
——————————-
One of the Five Pillars, Rainy Albion is the closest family to Lemnos.
Every time a war broke out, Lemnos, who was at the forefront, and Albion, a famous magician who supported him from the rear, had long-term exchanges on a family basis and always maintained a friendly relationship.
Albion’s eldest son Zeke Albion and Edgar Lemnos have also been friends since childhood.
Edgar was assisted by Zeke, who had been taught that it was Albion’s duty to look after Lemnos on the battlefield.
“Prygia was right. If it’s simply a matter of winning or losing, there’s no need to go into a duel again.”
Zeke still remembers the day Edgar lost the duel.
The moment when Edgar, who was so strong, was unilaterally beaten in front of many people,
The moment you collapse from exhaustion,
I remember all of those nightmarish moments.
To Zeke, Lemnos was invincible.
Edgar had never lost a duel against his peers, and Zeke thought Edgar would win that duel as well.
It was an undoubted truth and a belief.
But once Edgar was defeated by the dwarfs, the faith in Zeke’s heart was shaken.
‘It is Albion’s job to look after Lemnos.’
I could understand why such education was given.
Lemnos is also just a human being.
There is no such thing as invincibility.
So he had to support himself so that he wouldn’t collapse.
Zeke didn’t want to see Edgar defeated.
I would not be able to stand it if I saw Edgar, who always thought he was above him, being horribly defeated by such a dwarf and becoming a laughing stock.
Only then did Zeke understand Phrygia’s meaning.
Of course, Lemnos would win at first, but why did Phrygia say such an unpleasant thing… She always argued coldly.
‘If you lose even one thing, what will you do with that loss?’
The pride of Lemnos, once broken, can be restored by winning again against the dwarfs.
Assuming you win, it’s better to win in front of everyone…
But Zeke’s faith, once shaken, could be defeated again, so wouldn’t it be better to do it in a sparring rather than a duel, where others can’t see it? Made me think the same.
I knew that it would be very disrespectful to Lemnos, who was burning with fighting spirit, but I couldn’t help it.
When Lemnos is broken, he feels like he is also broken.
“It was rather good that the Imperial First Sword was watching the match. I will show you that the burning sword of Lemnos is still strong.”
“Even if you don’t do that, everyone knows that Lemnos is strong.”
Lemnos sighed at Zeke’s continuing dissuade.
For Zeke, it was the first face he had ever seen.
Edgar Lemnos looked disappointed at Zeke.
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“Sounds like Phrygia.. Don’t you believe me too..”
After saying that, Edgar made a face that looked terribly lonely.
“… Yes, you were a wizard, and you who do not raise a sword will not understand.”
“… !”
“At that time, I looked down on Atlas. Don’t worry, this time it’s different. I’ll bet my all… I’ll definitely win.”
With those words, Edgar left the bar.
Zeke Albion couldn’t move as he watched Edgar leave.
Edgar’s eyes were burning.
He expressed his determination to win without fail, burning his pride and fighting spirit.
If Edgar wins, there is no problem.
If you win.
If you lose one more time….
But even having these thoughts made me feel sorry for Edgar.
To think that the friend you should trust the most is worried about him losing at a moment like this….
“… Edgar, you cannot be defeated.”
But he is also a person.
Not invincible.
It’s not all about just trusting him, it’s about helping him win.
If Edgar wins, no one will be held accountable.
——————————
River and Amy were preparing to leave the hospital.
He said that he recovered faster than expected after feeding him a lot of good things.
River’s eyes twinkled at the exciting news.
“Atlas, are you dueling Lemnos again?”
“Looking at his expression, he seemed a bit confident, but he must have realized something.”
“Let me smash it again. It’s teaching me, but that’s enough!”
When the subject of a duel came up, River put on an expression like an innocent boy.
On the bed next to River about to knock down five pillars or whatever, Amy said, leaning on her crutches because of her one leg that was still crippled.
“Atlas.
“Are you worried?”
“Yes..”
It’s true that dealing with nobles like the Five Pillars is annoying.
If you win, you will lose as much as you win, because you will hate that power. If you lose, you will lose as much as you lose.
But it was already entangled, and although it was a slip of the tongue, I had no intention of backing down as long as I had approved it.
“So… I’m going to sleep tonight.”
“Why?? It’s a duel tomorrow, so I’m going to take a good rest today and do my best!”
When he was told to stay up all night, River put on an expression of disapproval.
If it’s a normal duel… It’s just right to get a good night’s sleep and make your body feel better.
But this duel is not a normal duel.
After the duel was approved, I chewed over the numerous gazes directed at me once again.
This duel will take place in a special arena, not just an amphitheatre.
The special stadium assumes a special situation….
It’s not a place where you compete one-on-one, it’s a place where variables are generated.
It is a state-of-the-art arena where monsters appear and landmarks are transformed with magic.
It seems that the principal thought that Lemnos would not be an opponent with pure skill, so he thought of adjusting it by introducing variables.
That doesn’t matter.
If you’re going to compete purely with your skills, you’d just pick up each other’s swords and engage in sparring.
But….
Is it really a completely random variable that comes out of the special stadium?
It’s not another duel, it’s a duel between me and Lemnos.
The brawlers who lost their money because of a bad fight, the followers of Lemnos, those who had their ankles cut off who had a personal grudge against me, etc… There are too many people who will do tricks.
No matter how much Russell watches over me, reason cannot stop ‘personal grudges’.
It is clear that someone will try to trick you.
In order to fix the environment of the special stadium, you have to directly enter the control room located inside the stadium.
Remote operation is not possible.
In other words, in order to play tricks, you must come into the arena.
It doesn’t suit my personality to whine about being cowardly after being beaten.
“Today, all the bastards who wander around the special stadium will be beaten.”
Just walk around, they’ll all take care of you in the hospital.