Chapter 130

“Princess! Princess!”

The princess Delia smiles gently as she sees the young noblewoman running in a flurry.

As the black-haired princess smiles, Alice who has rushed over with loud steps catches her breath slowly.

“What is it?”

“Right now, at the banquet…”

“Hmm.”

“I don’t know where or how to start…”

Alice freezes up, unsure how to organize the complex events that have intertwined.

“Take your time and explain.”

“It started with Lord Armory’s rudeness!”

“Hmm.”

“That guy started trouble with Baron Meolone… then Lord Marco stepped in and stopped it.”

“Marco did?”

At this point, the princess shows a flicker of interest before nodding again with slightly cooled eyes, encouraging her to continue.

“Yes! And he cut off someone’s arm on the spot for being rude and drawing a weapon!”

“Hmm. You must’ve been shocked.”

“It’s not over!”

“Eh?”

“Then they suddenly summoned Marquis Multein under the pretense of an initiation ceremony to embarrass him!”

“Marco did?”

“Yes! And Marquis Multein claimed memories can be distorted while spouting nonsense, challenging Baron Meolone to a duel…”

“That sounds like an interesting development.”

“Interesting? Isn’t Baron Meolone in serious danger? The banquet is falling apart!”

“Hmm.”

The princess’s “Hmm” carried quite a bit of meaning. It would be more accurate to say they’re enjoying themselves excessively rather than ruining the banquet.

This brings us back to the purpose of the banquet. What began as a subtle way for the royal family to monitor nobles has evolved into its current form.

While it carries the name of a royal banquet, it’s essentially an annual playground for the nobility to have fun freely.

Even with the royal name attached, some management is necessary – hence formalities like noble promotions or new titles are used as excuses. Longstanding customs like initiation rites or hazing have continued through the years.

Though directly cutting off someone’s arm and seeing blood isn’t common, historical records show such incidents do occur every decade or so. When nobles fight among themselves, it often benefits the royal family by naturally reducing noble power without their intervention.

“The story sounds intriguing. Tell me more about the arm-cutting incident and Marquis Multein’s antics.”

The princess’s curiosity focuses on the sequence of events. As she listens to Alice’s account, an image forms in her mind.

Marco, being his usual reckless self, likely acted first and planned to respond based on the results. While he has some calculating tendencies, he tends to focus on the big picture rather than details. Cutting off the arm was probably done in a fit of anger.

As for Multein, it’s different…

“Hmm, quite cunning.”

By raising his hand, we can sense he’s already secured support. This indicates premeditated planning to guide events toward a predetermined outcome.

Considering who initiated the conflict, it seems Baron Meolone was the target all along. Even with Marco’s unexpected interference, cutting off an arm was likely within their expectations. If Meolone’s arm had been cut…

‘Then it would be natural for nobles to step in.’

It’s highly possible that after appearing righteous, they would’ve held a duel and cut off Armory’s arm as well.

Ultimately, events unfolded according to their plan despite Marco’s intervention.

“To think he’d sacrifice his own subordinates for entertainment…”

There should be limits even when pursuing enjoyment. Laughing while cutting off someone’s arm isn’t something that should be easily overlooked, even if it’s for amusement. Just seeing Alice rush in alarmed shows not all nobles indulge in such behavior.

Moreover, such actions weaken their own forces. The decline of decadent nobles is inevitable.

“The royal family could intervene if they wished.”

However, there’s no need to. Rotten things naturally attract and gather more rot.

Trash will keep accumulating no matter how much you clean. It’s better to let it collect in one place. The royal family has reasons for secretly distinguishing between good and bad nobles.

Let the trash gather.

This has been the royal family’s secret policy passed down through generations.

“We should pray for Baron Meolone’s safety.”

“How could they not?”

“You fell in love with his face.”

“Beauty is national power!”

“What an amusing story.”

With that, the princess simply continues walking, hoping no deaths will be reported. If someone does die…

“That would be quite entertaining.”

“Huh?”

“Never mind. I was talking to myself.”

A small show permitted by the royal family. An annual playground for the nobility.

Even decadent nobles aren’t that stupid. It’s just their methods of play that are distasteful.

When mild entertainment reaches its limit, it turns into this.

Multaen wasn’t originally one of those foolish decadents. That’s why the princess didn’t bother going to the banquet hall.

* * *

“Ho.”

“Who shall I face?”

“Brave of you. We’ll see if it’s recklessness or courage.”

Hm. Is this recklessness?

Or just something I can handle? There’s no tension.

No overwhelming pressure like when facing a dragon. No chilling life-threatening sensation like meeting the Fairy King. I don’t see any opponents capable of making my legs go weak.

I’ve always wondered how far my skills reach. Where does my current ability stand in this world?

Now might be a chance to glimpse that.

“Garibu.”

“Yes.”

“Handle it appropriately.”

Responding to Marquis Multein’s call, Knight Garibu appears. He’s a solidly built knight exuding压迫感. Still, nothing truly overwhelming.

A circular space forms. Excited nobles watch with interest. Others sneer. Some look worried.

Nobles of various types observe us with different gazes. Feeling like a performer on stage, it’s not a pleasant sensation.

“Don’t hold too much grudge. I’ll finish this quickly.”

So knights are different. Knight Garibu raises his sword straight up to show respect. His courteous manner makes me feel it’s wasted serving someone like Multein. Not that I intend to take him away. I simply mean to reciprocate his courtesy.

“Huff!”

His target is obvious. One of my arms or legs.

Incredibly slow. No magic power involved. Just an ordinary sharp sword strike.

Clang!

I deflect his sword. Since we have no personal enmity, I have no intention of killing a knight merely following orders.

“!”

An unexpected victory in one exchange shocks everyone, including Multein whose eyes widen comically. What a splendid view from the stage where all attention is focused.

“I lost.”

Aware of my leniency, Garibu sheathes his cleanly cut sword and bows respectfully. I return the gesture with a short bow.

“Hold on. Hold on.”

Marquis Multein steps forward to stop the action.

“What is it?”

“Tsk. You ridiculous fox… No, the duel trial isn’t over yet.”

Rather, I’m glad to hear that. The faint flame of unspent anger burns steadily. Having failed to fully punish those who challenged me.

My combat skill’s influence cannot be denied – it changes my personality when wielding a sword.

Previously, I would suppress these emotions, keeping them calm like ripples in a still lake. Now, I no longer try to restrain the burning passion.

“Gladly.”

“What?”

“Bring whoever you want.”

My words cause deep lines to appear on Multein’s face, clearly showing something is wrong. This pleases me, bringing a smirk to my lips.

“Ah. Look at that.”

“Hahaha! That’s my friend alright.”

Marco laughs loudly, mockingly applauding Multein. The sound of grinding teeth follows as Multein clenches his jaw.

“Min.”

“Shall I step in?”

A somewhat careless attitude. Confident in his abilities perhaps. Quite different from Garibu’s previous appearance.

“Go ahead.”

“Lost? Free to act?”

“I’ll handle the aftermath.”

“You promised.”

Min approaches me with a sly smile, drawing his thin rapier while casually stepping closer.

“Well. What to do. It’s come to this.”

He taps his rapier on the floor twice before pointing it at me.

“Starting.”

Unlike before, this thrust intends to toy with me. A lazy overhead strike like dealing with an inferior opponent. Targeting my shoulder, then curving toward my thigh. A confident attack giving two choices.

Since he started recklessly,

I can showcase my own growing flames.

“Ku…”

I infuse magic power. A faint blue flame begins to burn. Infusing magic power enables impossible feats. Gracefully dodging the incoming blade, cutting off his attacking arm is not difficult.

I prepared for countermeasures in case he tried to twist things with magic power, but no such result occurred.

Ultimately, just one move.

If it’s going to be this boring,

Why make such a fuss?

The delayed bloodline. Min, a light-hearted knight, screams as his arm falls cleanly off.

“Kuaaaaaaaaaaaak!”

Knights vary greatly in nature and skill. The type of knight I imagined was closer to someone like Garibu. Someone like Min feels more like a mercenary than a true knight.

Similarly, the duel concludes in one exchange. As I take a single step forward, Min retreats several steps in fear. He struggles to stop the bleeding from his severed arm while trying to distance himself from me.

“Hmm… Ugh…”

I glance at Multein’s expression. His face contorts with concentrated rage, quite amusing.

“Next?”

“…”

“Is that it?”

“Hmph.”

Watching his trembling expression is incredibly entertaining.

Just as the silence fills the stage, footsteps approach.

Breaking through the silence with steady rhythm and pace, the sound of a warrior’s steps approaches.

Not as powerful as a dragon.

Certainly not comparable to the Fairy King.

But definitely stronger than me at present.

“Hey, why are you picking on people?”

The old man chuckles leisurely, appearing carefree and elegant. He looks unfamiliar, with unkempt hair and beard, wearing tattered clothes.

This marked my first encounter with the legendary Sword Master.

* * *

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