Chapter 100

Fake Prince.

The moment I returned the words I heard from Seron right back at him.

Ergo’s face was contorted more painfully than ever.

“Ugh.”

A ridiculous sigh escaped his lips just like when he was with Seron. At the same time, his eyes bubbled with rage.

“I thought I’d let it slide since you’re the younger cousin of the 3rd Princess.”

The boiling anger radiated from him.

He wasn’t called a promising talent known as the six stars for nothing. The golden bloodlust flowing from him tightened around my body.

“You’ve crossed the line.”

But the bloodlust was already tired of him.

Starting with Isabel, who once looked at me with eyes filled with rage, to Nikita’s bloodlust as she was swallowed by the Remnants of the Ice Dragon.

At this point, Ergo’s level of bloodlust was laughable to me.

So I smiled sweetly even in front of his bloodlust.

“What’s wrong? Are you scared?”

Provocation followed provocation.

“You want this, don’t you?”

I then held up the sword of Paradon. Ergo’s eyes naturally followed the sword.

The sword of Paradon was something I obtained after suffering through various hardships during the summer break. It had originally been my goal to exchange swords with Ergo as I was aiming for the White Dream’s sword.

But knowing the value of Paradon’s sword, I decided to use it for something extra in this instance.

“Do you think I would just let today’s rudeness slide?”

“I don’t look down on you, Ergo Paradon. Especially since I know you excel in matters of politics.”

I handed Paradon’s sword to Iris. She caught on to my intention and accepted the sword.

“I just transferred Paradon’s sword to Lady Iris.”

Ergo’s eyebrows twitched.

“So the parties involved in this transaction are you, Ergo Paradon, and Lady Iris.”

The historically valuable sword of Paradon. That very sword was handed over by the 3rd Princess of the Empire to Prince Ergo.

This deal would go down in history. It signifies the good relations between the Haishirion Empire and the Paradon Kingdom, as well as a chance for the prince who’s reclaimed Paradon’s sword to solidify his position with the people.

I wonder if Ergo would want any disruptions during such a historic moment.

I can say with certainty that he absolutely does not.

Naturally, today’s rudeness would not be mentioned in history and would be kept quiet. As much as it should be hushed in history, Ergo wouldn’t have any reason to punish me.

Moreover, this transaction today would overshadow Seron’s rude statement about me being a “fake prince.”

He made that remark in reference to a prince who was supposed to inherit a kingdom. That statement would surely become a problem for Paradon.

While Ergo may act out of emotion, he isn’t dumb.

He must have realized there’s intent behind my words to bury Seron’s remark alongside this story.

“…Do I look like a fool to you?”

But regardless of that, Ergo’s rage only burned brighter.

“You mentioned a duel? I’ll gladly oblige. But.”

Ergo ground his teeth.

“If you’re okay with losing your life in that duel, then I’ll fight.”

“Sounds good.”

His immediate agreement caught him off guard.

“Instead, all you have to do is apologize to the girl you fought today.”

He looked at me with a blank expression.

“Are you seriously saying you’d pull this stunt just to ask for an apology from that girl and wager Paradon’s sword?”

It’s a situation that’s utterly incomprehensible by common sense. Hence, Ergo directly questioned his doubts.

I smiled again sweetly.

“Yes, that’s right.”

Ergo stared at me as if he had never encountered such madness before.

“It’s a simple matter for you, Ergo Paradon. Just duel me, exchange the White Dream’s sword for Paradon’s sword, and go home. Oh, of course, I have no intention of taking your life.”

What do you think? Are you still scared?

Ergo remained silent as he continued to stare at me. His mouth began to break into a wry smile.

“Alright.”

Ergo’s defining traits are [Self-Esteem] and [Sadism]. These two traits ignited the fire within him.

The fire that told him he had to smash me for sure.

“When you die, tell the god of the underworld that it was me, Ergo Paradon, who killed you.”

And thus, the duel with Ergo was set in motion.

***

There was no need for a lengthy setup.

Ergo wanted to smash me right then and there, and so did I.

So we moved to a nearby forest clearing, away from the professors’ prying eyes.

“Hanon.”

As I walked alongside Ergo, Iris called out to me.

It was all sudden for her, so I thought maybe she was concerned for me.

“If Ergo Prince seems to be in danger, I’ll step in.”

So it’s basically a green light to go all out.

Iris didn’t assume for a second that I would lose to Ergo. After all, she knew I had matched up against Nikita, who bore the Remnants of the Ice Dragon.

Nikita was someone who, aside from Eve, could compete with the six stars. With the Ice Dragon’s magic, she was that strong.

Having taken down Nikita, I had rescued Iris. Therefore, my standing in Iris’s eyes was exceptionally high.

“Yes, I’ll trust you, Lady Iris. I might go a little hard on him.”

“Leave it to me.”

As I wrapped up my conversation with Iris, Ergo suddenly came to a halt.

We were in a clearing surrounded by just the right amount of trees to obscure our vision. It looked like a recent lightning strike had caused a fire, leaving it vacant.

Perfect ground for a fight.

“Again, I say.”

Ergo raised his hand swiftly.

In that moment, swords flew from his waist, filling the air.

His belt was a special treasure known as the ‘Space Seal.’

Because he could store swords infinitely, all his fine blades were kept in there.

“I’m going to fight to kill you.”

Those words came directly from my mouth.

I had no complaint about dying at Ergo’s hands today.

“That’s a responsibility you’ll have to bear.”

Ergo looked toward Iris.

The judge for this duel, Iris, raised her hand above her head.

“Start.”

The instant her hand fell, Ergo’s Celestial Swordsmanship unfolded.

Swords filled the sky, all charging towards me in unison.

Every single one resembled sharp beastly teeth, sharply flying at me.

I stood there doing absolutely nothing, looking like someone ready to accept death.

Ergo stared at this scene with confusion etched on his face.

Yet he did not cease his Celestial Swordsmanship.

If I had given up, he would have just finished me off.

If he had a shot, it was a straight-on clash.

Swords whizzed from all directions, attempting to pierce through me.

It was truly like a rain of swords pouring down.

Yet, even with all of that, I didn’t flinch.

Ka-ka-ka-ka-ka-kang!

Soon after, Ergo’s eyes widened as he processed the scene before him.

All the swords he launched were within inches of me.

From the side, one might picture my situation like a hedgehog bristling with quills.

However, out of all those swords, not a single one was lodged in me.

[Mystical]

[Steel Body]

No blade could inflict any harm upon me.

My clothes may have torn slightly, but there wasn’t a scratch on me.

Ergo widened his eyes.

He must have realized now.

Ergo and I were the worst match-up for each other.

“Ergo Paradon.”

I casually brushed aside the swords surrounding me with my hand.

“You said you were going to kill me?”

A taunting smile spread across my face.

Sorry, but you will never kill me.

With a stomp, I lunged forward.

Seeing this, Ergo began to pull his swords back.

Swords chasing closely behind me and swords thrown ahead, I swung my palm.

Ka-ang! Kank!

As the swords clashed against my palm, they all ricocheted back.

Ergo furrowed his brow at my unarmed approach.

This manner of combat was likely new to him.

Charging in with bare hands without using a weapon.

It was practically a suicidal act.

Yet, with every sword I deflected and every step I took closer, Ergo’s expression grew rigid.

I was an unstoppable battering ram.

This feeling squeezed a tight grip around Ergo’s entire being.

If I were to reach him, could he stop me?

Pure killing intent exuded from my physical form.

That aura set him into a whirlwind of doubts, never allowing him a moment to settle.

I wouldn’t give him a chance to reach a conclusion.

I tightened my steps even more, channeling power throughout my lower body.

I raised my guard even more meticulously.

Closing the distance is my specialty.

I had bewildered many during my past and current careers with this.

I pressured him to narrow his thoughts even further.

The killing intent pouring from my whole body engulfed Ergo.

Ka-ang! Kank! Kank!

The number of swords rebounding increased steadily.

As the distance between Ergo and I diminished, the intensity of his Celestial Swordsmanship escalated even more.

Yet despite that, he still couldn’t leave a single scratch on me.

The moment Ergo’s face completely stiffened.

I had finally reached him.

It was my opening.

A line followed from Ergo’s head and hand.

Following that line, my palm shot through the air.

Ka-ka-ka-ka-kang!

At Ergo’s nose.

My palm came to a halt abruptly.

The swords that closed in on me quickly crossed, forcefully obstructing my path.

The swirling swords looked like flowers blooming around me.

Their overwhelming strength kept my hand from moving an inch.

As expected of renowned swords, each one exuded an extraordinary aura.

Through the gaps in the blades, my gaze locked onto Ergo’s.

“Remember this.”

At that moment, the swords gripped around my wrist suddenly felt heavy.

With the drastic increase in weight, my arm drooped downward.

Boom!

My body followed suit and was pulled toward the ground.

Then, the swords charged at me like wolves pouncing on an incapacitated prey.

Thunk! Thwack! Thunk!

Swords pierced deep into the ground, binding me at every joint.

In an instant, I was rendered immobile.

“It seems you’re wrapped in some special force that prevents you from being cut.”

In that moment, Ergo swung a massive sword savagely.

The blade headed for my face.

“If you can’t cut me, just beat me to the point of unconsciousness.”

Just before the weighty blade of the massive sword struck my face,

A shine flickered from my arm wrapped in swords.

Boom!

An explosion erupted as the magic seal activated, freeing me from the restraints of the swords.

The blade was almost at my face now.

I extended my right hand and swung it directly at the blade.

Ka-grra-a-a-a-a-aang!

I heard something like metal crumpling.

Ergo’s eyes went wide as he froze in place.

Why?

Because my fingers had slipped right through the blade he swung.

Of course, those fingers belong to me.

“You said there’s an insurmountable gap between us.”

I clenched my fingers tightly.

[Crack!]

In that instant, the blade of the massive sword bent dramatically.

Between the twisted sword’s edges,

I glowed with red eyes.

“Let’s see if you can still say that after your swords end up like this.”

Clang!

That was the moment I shattered Ergo’s massive sword.