54 – 14. Duel of the Women (3)
Shien is not a pure-blood aristocrat.
He was not even born between an aristocrat and a commoner.
He is a half-blood born with half the blood of the demon tribe, which is divided in opinion.
I would rather not know if her status was low.
However, Lichtenauer is famous for its swordsmanship.
The family head of such a place had a relationship with the demons who were pointed out as the culprits of the demonic scene.
And in the meantime, the children inherited the heir position.
I don’t know if my son became the head of the household.
He said that he fought alongside his former family head and father since he was a child.
Because he didn’t get scared and run away to the center of the empire like Shien did.
However, that young man was killed in action, and the current head of Lichtenau is Shien.
Of course, it was natural for the nobles to try to stay away from her.
“Lord Lichtenau!”
“It was really great. It was great.”
However, that evaluation changed 180 degrees after the duel with Etria ended.
All the nobles who looked suspiciously at Shien disappeared.
Among them, there were those who had a close relationship with Fiore.
All of them applaud Cien and exclaim.
It wasn’t that Xien won, even though it ended in a draw.
Even though he was fighting a duel with a little more difficulty compared to Etria.
“ah… thank you Thank you all so much.”
“As expected, Lichtenau is different. There is nothing but admiration.”
It is Shien who has not received much systematic training, let alone actual combat experience.
However, she was considered far superior in terms of experience and proficiency.
Fiore’s Sogaju and Etria had tremendous propaganda.
At first glance, Etria was a bit more advantageous, though.
If Xian goes through more effort and experience then the story will be different.
The nobles also flocked to Shien for that very reason.
“Thank you for your hard work, Lichtenau.”
Etenberg’s family also applauds and smiles.
As the owner of this banquet, he gave up some of his pride.
I gained confidence by leading to a duel between Shien and Etria.
Contrary to what Fiore was talking about.
That Lichtenauer can make another leap forward.
No, it means that it can go beyond that and revival to a greater extent.
‘If I had only listened to Fiore, I would have been in trouble.’
Ettenberg is very close to Fiore, there’s no denying that.
So, you can agree with them to some extent.
But pretending to be with another family is a completely different thing.
If it’s not a particularly dangerous place, it might be fine.
If only it had a good chance of becoming a great place.
From Etenberg’s point of view, it’s like buying and making enemies.
Lichtenauer did just that.
The former head of the family died in battle, and one young lady became the head of the family.
So I thought she was just a woman with no talent.
Seeing it in person today, it became clear that it was rather an amazing gemstone.
‘Fiore’s sogaju will burn your stomach.’
Recently, Fiore has received a lot of attention as he has made many achievements.
Since he received congratulations even from the imperial family, his prestige will increase even more.
So Etria, who was certain to be the next head of household, had no choice but to be even more arrogant.
‘I bet he never thought he wouldn’t be able to defeat it.’
The Head of Etenberg turned her head and looked at Etria.
Some of those who were celebrating Shien were there too.
Or, there are nobles who have been by Etria’s side from the beginning.
They surrounded Etria and comforted her with kind words.
Even though it was a draw, if there was no restraint, victory was certain.
Unlike Shien, who is breathing hard right now, aren’t you fine?
However, Etria’s expression had already completely hardened.
Are you angry, or are you feeling humiliated?
I couldn’t tell if it was him or if it was a big shock.
‘I hope that child learns the lesson properly.’
Sometimes in the world, inexplicable geniuses appear.
* * *
From nob le mt l. co m
Meanwhile, Shien broke through the nobles who surrounded him.
“Wait a minute, everyone. for a moment.”
Originally, while talking about this and that with them.
He deserves to invest in strengthening his position with Lichtenauer.
But Shien had more urgent matters than that.
This flame that should have been extinguished during a duel.
However, Shien, feeling that it was still burning, went to find the reason.
“You worked hard, Sien.”
At the place where Shien arrived, her escort, Adele, stood there.
Seeing her, Adele bowed her head and said hello.
Looking at him, Shien took a step closer.
“Adele.”
“Yes, Shien.”
“Never do that again.”
“… yes?”
“Don’t do that again.”
At Shien’s words, Adele couldn’t help but blink.
What does she mean now and why does she say that?
It was a situation that Adele couldn’t understand at all.
“Shin. what… .”
What I mean, I don’t even know. Adele was about to say.
I confirmed that Shien’s eyes were shining more than I could have imagined.
Thanks to that, he was taken aback for a moment, if his former colleagues or someone who knew him saw it.
I ended up showing an upside-down reaction saying that it was nonsense.
“Hey, Shien. therefore… What are you talking about… .”
Even Adele herself was shocked by her stutter.
Why the hell are you doing this, even if it’s ridiculous.
When I look at Sien standing right in front of me, I can even think of that.
All that remains is to wonder why this woman is doing this.
“… Adele.”
“Yes, Shien.”
“Do you think positively about Etria Sogaju’s words?”
“What are you talking about… .”
“A servant can change his affiliation at any time. If the conditions are met, he could move on to Fiore. Is it okay for me to think like that?”
“No, no. I don’t think so… .”
“Then why are you silently listening? Why do you keep answering me?”
That’s just what the other person said and heard it.
It’s just that the other person asked and answered.
Adele tried to say that, but she couldn’t part her lips.
As if something invisible was holding my lips tightly.
It was not easy to open his mouth.
“Don’t do that. Do not do more than necessary.”
“… .”
“Especially Etria, that woman is no good. As for that woman, never. Got it?”
“… yes. All right.”
What doesn’t work, and what do you want to know?
Without knowing anything, Adele responded reflexively.
Only then did Shien’s face slightly return to normal.
“… .”
“… .”
A slightly awkward silence lingers between the two men and women.
It’s Adele, it’s because Cien’s reaction just before that was so surprising.
The reason was that Shien was surprised at his own nonsense.
‘What did you just say… ?’
Etria, who had been so ignoring herself as no other woman.
I remember being upset the moment she approached Adele.
Plus, Adele didn’t even push Etria away.
So I even asked for a ridiculous duel, and fortunately I won.
It was stupid enough even up to that point.
What did he say when he suddenly came to Adele!
Despite the advice of his vassals that he shouldn’t be so emotional.
He was himself only doing what he wanted to do.
“… Adele.”
“… Yes, Shien.”
“I… How was it?”
Originally, originally, I was going to ask that.
Instead of telling Etria not to talk so calmly with other women.
I was going to tell you what my duel was like today.
“So, I was a bit lost… Still lacking… still… .”
“It was great, Shien-nim.”
“is it so… ? thank god. thank god… .”
Shien sighs in relief and sweeps his chest.
Would you like to receive a point out on a point that you are lacking in?
It seemed that he was nervous without realizing it.
“… .”
Looking at Shien, Adele involuntarily continued.
“and.”
Why are you nervous, on the contrary, it was so great.
No matter how much he taught, he showed more than that.
As I was trying to pay tribute to that effort, there was a word that suddenly came to my mind.
These were the words the imperial knights once said to the princess.
To be precise, it was what the princess used to say when she showed off her swordsmanship.
“beauty… You have been generous.”
“… yes?”
At Adele’s words, Shien said in a slightly silly tone.
Blinking his eyes, he raises his voice and asks in return.
What I heard now, can you say it again?
Shien’s eyes were clearly shouting like that.
Then Adele, without even realizing it.
As Shien wished, he repeated what he had just said.
“You were beautiful. Shien.”
* * *
The banquet hosted by the Etenbergs was finally over.
At a banquet that lasted for several days, someone was convinced.
Another returned to his family with worries on his back.
And Shien, too, is ready to return to her own family.
“Thank you very much for your hospitality, Lord Etenberg.”
“no. Rather, I wanted to treat him better, but I was not prepared. I wish you to return safely, Lord Lichtenauer.”
“I’ll just go.”
After greeting, Shien gets on the carriage.
Adele then closes the door of the carriage and quickly climbs onto the horse.
Looking at the procession of Lichtenauer, who soon receded, the head of Ettenberg was lost in thought.
‘Anyway, the first-team system that Fiore dreams of must be difficult.’
The higher the name of the family, the more important the ability of the head of the household is.
That’s why everyone was concerned when the former Lichtenau family died in battle.
When that woman became the next head of household, she was quietly ignored.
But looking at it this time, it seems that it was useless.
“Lord Etenberg.”
“Ah, are you going back to your family now? Etria Sogaju.”
“yes. We should start on time.”
After suffering a shocking draw in a duel with Shien.
Etria did not say a single word even after entering the banquet hall.
He only had cold, sunken eyes.
“Thank you for the hospitality. I’ll just go.”
“I would like you to send my regards to the head of the Fiore family.”
“All right. The head of the family will be happy too.”
After those words, Etria also climbed into the carriage.
Karad, who quietly followed his little master, speaks quietly.
“Are you okay?”
“… Captain.”
“yes.”
“When you get back, can you do sparring right away?”
Red flames blazed in Etria’s eyes.
Karad, who confirmed that appearance, nodded slightly.
‘I hope you take this opportunity to grow one step further.’
Whether it’s anger, shame, or competition.
Anything is fine, but I hope it serves as a foundation for growth.
The commander of the knights of Fiore thought so and mounted his horse.