21 – 6. Banquet (3)
“Did you say it was a duel?”
“yes. you’re right. Lord Lichtenau.”
What Etria was aiming for was clear.
To suppress Shien, who suddenly draws the attention of nobles.
After a duel and victory, Lichtenau is disgraced.
It was obvious even to Shien’s eyes.
It’s called a light duel, but victory is victory and defeat is defeat.
From nob le mt l. co m
Moreover, Lichtenau and Fiore are places called famous swordsmanship.
Even the people of the Empire know that the relationship between the two families is not good.
What if one loses in a duel between the two forces?
It was self-evident that all sorts of rumors and contempt would follow.
‘That woman is a nose!’
I want to run right now and grab the collar.
Do you really have to do it this way, or do you have to do it this way to get out of your intuition?
Even though I admit that we don’t get along well.
When to at least touch and when not to.
Wouldn’t it be polite to distinguish that much?
Shien’s desire to shout was like a chimney.
“I want to go out on my own, but… . It’s kind of like coming in a dress.”
“It’s too bad. Etria Soga. I wanted to see why he is called Fiore’s prospect.”
“That is what I mean. This is a pity.”
It could have been that he was simply trying to float Etria.
That was how Shien heard it.
Unlike you, Etria is already incredibly strong!
If the two of them had a duel, the winner would have already been decided!
As the head of a famous swordsmanship family, you should be ashamed!
“So, each one has an escort, right? I want them to have a proxy duel. I want to ask what the head of Lichtenauer thinks.”
“… ?”
uh, wait a minute. What is that woman saying now?
Are you asking me to get Adele out?
Unknowingly, Shien turned his head backwards.
There, he used to slaughter level 3 monsters by himself.
There was a man who stuck out his tongue even among the knights of the family.
“Let’s have a duel between escorts… . Is this?”
“yes. That’s right, Lord Lichtenauer.”
“… .”
Shien looked at Adele again.
At first, I wanted to put him out right away.
Because I wanted to build the honor of Lichtenau.
Because I wanted to flatten that Etria’s nose.
But soon, many thoughts piled up and hesitating.
‘I’m sure Adele will win. But when that happens, everyone will be curious about Adele, and you might be rude by going after her. Investigating those horrible childhoods you want to forget… .’
A tragic life in which I had to fight demons from childhood.
Adele endured that hell to the end and barely escaped.
A terrible past that I don’t even want to dream about, I definitely want to forget.
I don’t want to have to go through the whole thing being dug up.
Even if it’s because of you, you’ll feel even more guilty.
“Why are you hesitating, Lord Lichtenauer?”
“that… .”
“Escort is a position bestowed upon an outstanding person within a family. Of course, you must have good skills, so there is no need to worry about losing, right?”
Etria said so in a coy tone.
The nobles sympathize with the words of Fiore’s Sogaju.
Anyway, they have nothing to lose.
It’s just a very interesting spectacle.
Furthermore, a few weeks left only something to talk about.
“Lord Liechtenauer.”
“What do you plan to do?”
Even nobles who are friendly to Shien seem to want a duel.
From their point of view, may Liechtenau defeat Fiore.
It was only natural that Shien wanted to press the bridge of Etria’s nose.
There is nothing good about worrying for a long time.
Do you feel burdened by the duel?
Even more so when you can hear such words.
‘Rather, would I rather do it?’
yeah, that would be better
Adele is my escort, but she is also my benefactor.
You can’t ask him to do this.
If she steps forward, Etria will step up on the other side as well.
In terms of skill, the odds of winning are extremely low.
Nonetheless, Shien was determined to let Adele go.
“I’ll do it.”
“Adele?!”
“Hoo.”
Adele, who had been silent until now, opens her mouth.
Thanks to that, Shien was startled and tried to stop him.
On the contrary, Etria drew a full smile.
“You don’t have to, Adele. rather… .”
“I’ll do it. Shien.”
Stern tone, deeply sunken eyes.
Because of that, Shien couldn’t stop Adele.
“This, the escort has more determination than the Lichtenau family.”
Etria subtly puts Shien down once again.
Was it even that he was preparing for a duel?
He had already received permission from the imperial family to use the gymnasium.
The main characters of the duel would just have to go to their bodies.
I was just laughing and saying that.
“… I’m sorry, Adele.”
Those who eventually moved to the gymnasium.
In the meantime, Shien said so in a very low voice.
I got caught up in strange things just because of myself.
I didn’t expect it to come out like this.
As if she was sorry for that part, she tried to apologize again.
“It’s what I chose.”
Adele, however, had a nonchalant expression.
“No escort, no duel. Lichtenau and you too. It’s okay because I chose it.”
* * *
stupid year. After all, low-level mixed blood can’t be helped.
Etria smiled inwardly while staring at the person standing in front of her.
“Remember, Lord Geon. Winning is important, but more important is to embarrass yourself as much as possible.”
“I know, Lord Soga.”
“The disgusting demon lineage dared to set foot in the imperial family. Side by side with our Fiore.”
“I know very well that this is impossible. Who caused this tragedy to start?”
Demons set foot on this continent to seek refuge.
Upon smelling it, the demonic beasts opened the demonic realm and rushed in.
There were still many people on the continent who thought this way.
Because of this, of course, he hates the demons, the culprits, as much as his enemies.
Whether they shed blood or fought alongside them, they just had to be kicked out.
I think that all cursed things should be swept away.
And Fiore was an aristocratic family that belonged to the hardliners.
“Nothing to worry about. He’s a kid who doesn’t look like he’s in his 30s at all.”
“Still, don’t let go. According to rumors, when the half-breed of Lichtenauer destroyed the third-class demonic realm, the man named Adele was also there.”
To keep Adele from being exposed as much as possible.
It was Shien who leaked false information that the knights were active.
Thanks to that, Etria said that Adele was only there.
I couldn’t help but think that he was just a lucky man.
“Then let’s go.”
Together with Etria, her escort and senior knight of Fiore.
Geon marched proudly to the gymnasium.
Several aristocrats were already there.
“That knight must be Lord Geon.”
“Do you know who he is?”
“It is said that he is one of the five most talented people in the Fiore family.”
A knight escorting Etria, the future owner of Fiore.
Of course, there is no need to attach a weak or inexperienced person.
In terms of strength, he was the escort of the current head of state, and right below the knight commander.
It could be said that it was almost on the same level as the vice-captain.
“Compared to that, the Lichtenauer side… .”
“I am hearing the name for the first time. My name is Adele.”
“You look so young. At least he looks like he’s in his early to mid-twenties.”
“There will be a lot of difference in experience, but I don’t know if it will be okay.”
Age is a measure of the maturity of experience.
In the eyes of the aristocrats, Adele’s appearance was that of a pale blue youngster.
It was nothing more and nothing less.
Even more amplifying the anxiety of the nobles occurred.
“everyone. The news just arrived, but the imperial family has allowed a real sword duel.”
“You mean the duel with the real sword?”
“yes. It was suggested by Fiore, and Lichtenau also accepted it. And finally, I even got permission from the imperial family. It feels like things have suddenly grown.”
At first, it was just a light pride fight.
Suddenly, the plate suddenly grew several times larger.
The losing side will not simply end up laughing for a day.
Losing in a real sword duel is tantamount to tarnishing the honor of the entire family.
Not to mention, the two families are famous for swordsmanship.
If defeated, it was obvious what the consequences would be.
‘It seems that there is a corner to believe in something.’
Etria looked at Shien standing on the other side.
Enough to accept a sudden real sword duel.
That young man named Adele seems to be a decent person.
Of course, you will be defeated today.
‘The difference in depth of experience is very large. Not much more with a wooden sword, in a true sword duel like now. It’s because you can’t easily calm down in a situation where weapons that could take your life come and go.’
Watching Geon step forward.
Etria painted a deep smile on her lips.
Shien, who is the same age as you.
In addition, it seems that each of them has come to lead the family.
That part, Etria was very disgusting.
To think that a half-blood child born between a demon and a human is similar to himself.
I didn’t even like that b*tch to have the name of a famous swordsman.
I want to bring it down as soon as possible so that it never rises again.
And that feeling was the same for her escort, Geon.
‘Did a low-class half-blood choose an escort just by looking at his face? It’s absurd.’
He is a very handsome young man.
It would be more appropriate for a noble to be called Confucius rather than a knight.
“It’s the Geon of Fiore.”
“… This is Adele from Lichtenau.”
“I hope you will fight an honorable duel.”
“It is the same.”
After exchanging brief greetings, the two men turned around.
And after each other moves ten steps to increase the distance.
Turn around again and face each other.
Chaeeng!-
visor!-
Both Adele and Geon drew their swords at the same time as if they had promised.
“… .”
“… .”
As shown in Fiore’s swordsmanship and Lichtenauer’s swordsmanship, respectively.
Holding the sword, aiming it at the opponent, waiting for the signal.
‘Do not forget it. I’m going to embarrass myself as much as possible.’
Remembering his master’s words, Geon glared at his opponent.
It looks fine so far, but the bottom line will be revealed soon.
Inexperienced kids get scared after only a few bumps into the real sword.
Its heavy weight and its radiant brilliance.
Because of the fear that my neck might fly off.
Handling a real sword is more difficult than you think.
‘I guess I’ll have to play with it in moderation and then make the ground crawl.’
Geon finished his thoughts and took a stance.
Knock-.
Finally, the handbell rings, announcing the start of the duel.
Right after that, Geon pulled his body as much as he could and tried to take the lead.
Whoops!-
Tuduk!-
“… ?”
A strange sound hits Geon’s ears.
What is the identity of this sound that is somehow familiar?
Then, suddenly, I noticed that the sword was not visible in my field of vision.
For some reason, I turned my head to the side where I was holding the sword.
push. Push-.
What Geon saw was an upper arm spurting red blood.
And it was my right arm rolling on the ground.