Chapter 402

I got my weapon sorted and even downed some strong drink, so all that’s left is the duel.

I may have had a drink, but there’s no hangover in sight. In fact, the booze was so good I almost wanted more.

I heard it was a drink made from fermented jujube fruits. That’s why it leans more towards sweetness than bitterness, tasting a lot like wine.

But the catch is that the hangover can hit hard, so overindulgence could be a problem. That’s what Kara explained to me.

“You’re not going to go causing any trouble after drinking, are you?”

“Nah. People liked me!”

“Well, anywhere you go, a good drinker is welcomed. Especially in rough places.”

Eli added to Grace’s point. It’s not a dig at Tartar, just stating facts.

In reality, places known for their toughness or severe cold often have a heavy drinking culture.

Frozen isn’t any different; the brutal weather means they keep their drinks close at hand, even the high-ranking folks.

You could compare it to Russia, where folks wander around with vodka in hand at any opportunity.

I suspect Reina drinks quite often, though she stands out more for her taste in unusual food.

“So, who’s going?”

“Following the order: Antonio, me, Elvin, Luna, and lastly Sivar. So that’s five of us.”

“Is Grace going too?”

Now that’s unexpected. I blinked in surprise.

Grace is more suited for backline support rather than facing off head-on.

That makes it tough for her to score big points in a duel, especially since her opponents are actual warriors.

These guys have wielded weapons in real combat and even fought to unite their tribes. So it’s hard not to raise an eyebrow.

“Heh, I can’t just keep playing support every time, can I? Plus, I’m pretty strong myself.”

Grace said this with her arms crossed, looking quite confident. Has she been secretly training without my knowledge?

Just as I was giving her a skeptical look, Luna, who had been quiet for a bit, suddenly dropped a fact.

“You’re weaker than Eli in terms of stamina.”

“Th-that’s…! I’m working hard on it!”

“You nearly passed out during the desert crossing.”

Luna wasn’t spouting chaos; she was hitting hard with facts. It was almost like a heavy wallop.

In truth, Grace’s stamina has always been her Achilles’ heel. So, I could see why those words were said.

If the opponent decides to make it a war of endurance, she’s got no chance. It’s like a glass cannon.

“It was just too hot during the desert crossing! Still, thanks to that, I decided I need to work harder, so you don’t have to worry about me.”

“I’m worried… what about switching now?”

“I have pride, you know. Luna.”

Grace shot me a glance as she trailed off in her sentence. I stared blankly back.

Then, with a trustful expression, Grace placed a hand on my shoulder.

“Even if we lose, we’ve got Sivar, right? He’ll win for sure, though I’m not too sure about King Hector.”

“……..”

“……..”

“……..”

None of us—me, Luna, or Eli—said anything. And looking back, Grace truly didn’t know.

After all, Hector was the one who initiated the attack first, and to Kara, it was a humiliating event.

All of us kept quiet to spare Kara from the painful truth. Perhaps it’s natural Grace isn’t aware.

What’s more, we’d never even brought up that topic in the first place.

“……..Why the silence?”

Grace, realizing the awkward quiet, asked with a frown.

Eli just smiled and let it slide without a word. I merely nodded along.

And then there was Luna… her lips were twitching like she couldn’t keep quiet anymore.

It felt like she wanted to unleash a flood of chaos right then and there. But doing that would surely earn her a good scolding from Kara.

“Grace.”

“Yes?”

“Do you think I could win against Hector?”

I posed a question to Grace to ease the awkward atmosphere. What did she think about it?

Grace seemed to mull over my question for a while, glancing around as if worried someone might overhear.

Considering how sensitive this topic is, it makes sense.

Hector’s martial prowess is the image of Tartar’s strength, and his pride is Tartar’s pride.

“To be honest… I think it’ll be tough to win.”

“Right?”

“Yeah. In a fight where life is on the line, maybe, but in a duel… plus, I’ve heard the Lord of Destruction’s power is practically monstrous.”

Looks like Grace knows how to hit with facts too. I nodded in agreement.

Dueling usually falls into two categories. There’s the duel for honing one’s skills, and then there’s the one with everything on the line to determine the winner and loser.

I’m mostly focused on the first type. So, it’s no surprise I keep losing to Kara in these duels.

But the second type is a different story. During the freshman duels, I once gave Kara a real thrashing.

That win was largely due to my overwhelming physical ability. Hector is a different beast altogether.

‘But hey, I’m definitely in better shape than back then.’

No one knows how the match will swing. The Tartarians will probably bet on Hector’s victory.

But one thing’s for sure; this is going to be a major showdown.

Especially since I heard the chieftains feel their pride wounded due to my defeating Queen Sand Scorpion.

So, I wouldn’t be surprised if Tartar has some serious preparations lined up. The students will get wiped out like autumn leaves.

‘Maybe Elvin or Luna will put up a fight?’

I was excited to see how things would unfold. But more than anything, I was set on focusing on the other guy.

I had no clue when he’d show up, but I was certain of one thing. He must be flapping his gums like there’s no tomorrow.

‘He’s probably already running his mouth by now.’

******

While the academy was buzzing with duel preparations, Tartar was just as busy.

This duel was practically a matter of pride. Tartar was in a rather disadvantageous position.

The academy students were still greenhorns who hadn’t seen proper combat, whereas Tartar warriors had seen plenty of action.

However, Tartar had their own points to make. Paradoxically, it was their seasoned warriors who had weathered real battles.

Rather than sharing various techniques, it was about passing down the know-how gained from actual combat.

They planned to send out young warriors who had received that know-how.

[The world will no longer look down on us!]

[Our youth are just as strong as the academy students!]

[Let me show you the strength honed from sand and sweat!]

By the way, the above statements were nicely packaged.

[Let’s crush the arrogant bastards who think we’re savages!]

Most came in with that mindset.

Indeed, many Tartarians were striving to slap the world’s smugness down a peg.

These folks weren’t entirely deaf and blind. Especially since Tartar had evolved into a trade hub since its founding.

As a result, they encountered foreign dignitaries frequently, which occasionally led to conflicts of varying scales.

Most of these conflicts involved the disdain of being labeled ‘savages,’ which left scars on the Tartarians’ hearts. Some even led to clashes and became issues.

So, with academy students arriving, the Tartarians sincerely wanted their warriors to win the duel.

“You’ll be losing. I guarantee it.”

In the audience chamber of Tartar’s palace, made of various stones, Hector addressed the chieftains, now leading lords.

Right before a major event, the lords who’d come in at Hector’s call couldn’t help but feel flustered.

Usually, in such cases, a morale-boosting speech is the norm. But here he was stating outright they’d lose.

‘Could it be he’s poking at our pride?’

‘This is strange. He’s not the type to say such things.’

‘Did he drink a bit yesterday?’

As the lords scrambled to make sense of it, Hector, perceiving their thoughts, rested his chin on one hand.

He had a face that radiated confidence, a stark contrast to the uncertainty of the lords.

“There’s a student named Sivar. He’s known for his red eyes, like a berserk monster. Anyone heard of him?”

“Can I speak?”

An elderly man, the oldest looking of the bunch, raised his hand carefully. Hector nodded, allowing him to proceed.

“Please, go ahead.”

“I’ve heard he’s a student who managed to score a win against Princess Kara. Additionally, he single-handedly defeated the Queen Sand Scorpion.”

“Very knowledgeable.”

As soon as those words left his mouth, the lords began to murmur. It was quite a well-known tale in Tartar.

The story of the student who defeated Kara and opened up trade routes.

Each detail was a blow to Tartar’s pride. However, the latter was a monumental accomplishment, so no one could harbor bitterness over it.

The fact that he defeated Kara also felt the same; even if a Tartar loses in a duel or dies, they hold no resentment.

What mattered was that they fought bravely, and that’s how it ended. In fact, they tend to admire strong competitors.

“My daughter claims he’s strong enough to be described as nearly mindless.”

“However, Your Majesty, it’s just a duel, right?”

“Anyone here could raise their hand if they think they can beat my daughter in a duel.”

Hector rebutted the lord’s claim. Nobody dared raise their hands.

Indeed, it was a fact that Kara was strong. Along with Hector’s own talents, she also enjoyed Gulrak’s favor.

As silence blanketed the chamber, Hector smiled. He had already prodded them; now it was time to dangle the carrot.

“I propose this: If anyone can defeat that student, I will personally bestow a reward.”

“And what kind of reward would that be…?”

“If wanted, I could even provide the Ragnarok.”

“Your Majesty?!”

A chorus of shocked exclamations erupted. At the same time, countless gazes shot at Hector.

Most of those looks reflected a mix of astonishment and disbelief. It symbolized just how iconic Ragnarok was.

Thus, it was no wonder the lords reacted with surprise at the thought of being able to claim such a prize from the king.

“Isn’t your reaction a bit over the top? To claim Ragnarok, you’d not only need to defeat me but even take down my very self.”

“That’s… an extravagant jest.”

“I’m no jester. Anyone who breaks our pride deserves a reward of such magnitude.”

If Kara had been present, she would have shot him a death glare. Alas, she was absent, off at the dueling arena.

Furthermore, Hector hadn’t just blurted this out thoughtlessly. The assumption was that Sivar would need to win first.

While the lords muttered and debated among themselves, someone boldly spoke up.

“Your esteemed King Hector, may I have a word?”

With tousled blonde hair—no, a quintessential symbol of golden sunlight.

A young man with a well-defined body and a prominent tattoo stepped into view.

Uro, the chief of the Bouar tribe, a young lord making a name lately for controversial remarks.

Yet, he was simultaneously a well-supported figure among the younger Tartarians. He was politically tricky for Hector.

Hector gave a cautious nod, allowing him to speak.

“Please, go ahead.”

“You mentioned that if someone beats that student, you’d grant them a reward. Even a potential Ragnarok as well?”

“Are you envious?”

“Not at all. How could I possibly surpass Your Majesty’s stronghold? I merely…”

Hector couldn’t read the young man’s expression, as Uro was keeping his head low.

But his instinct told him something. That sly youth was sporting a serpent-like smile.

And just as Hector sensed it, Uro’s outrageous proposition spilled out.

“I desire the most beautiful dancer in Tartar, Princess Kara.”

“What?!”

“How outrageous!!”

“What nonsense are you spewing right now!”

Naturally, a wave of criticism poured forth. Yet Uro remained defiantly unyielding.

Hector now met Uro’s gaze. A smile that radiated the confidence of someone who could not imagine being defeated.

They say when a person becomes too angry, they can end up in disbelief. Hector found himself bewildered by the situation.

“Didn’t I just say my daughter was defeated by him, that student? You were listening, right?”

“Yes. But skill isn’t solely measured by that single battle. I have confidence.”

“On what grounds?”

“First of all, I doubt he truly defeated the Queen by himself. How could someone manage that when even you struggle against her?”

“………”

The room fell silent. The Queen Sand Scorpion is indeed a cunning beast.

When sensing danger, it can burrow into the sand to escape. Hector had also missed those chances multiple times.

Perhaps that’s why his words held persuasive weight. So Hector posed another question.

“Then how do you explain claiming victory over my daughter? I specifically witnessed her losing to him.”

“If I win against that student, it would mean I’m stronger than Princess Kara. Wouldn’t it be?”

“Such arrogance.”

Hector smirked softly. It was a clear scoff.

But did Uro somehow misread that smirk? He appeared self-assured.

“Very well. I shall entertain your requests.”

“Your Majesty!”

“Enough. I’ve made my decision. However, Chief Bouar…”

“Command me.”

“You’ve just placed my daughter on your tongue. Do you understand what that means?”

According to Tartar law, such an insult carries a punishment of cutting off the tongue. Thus, Uro had essentially wagered his own tongue.

Of course, if he defeats Sivar, this won’t be an insult but rather a show of confidence. Given he had made a promise, backing out would be impossible now.

For the Tartarians, “promise” is a value entailed with utmost importance. Even Hector could not cancel it.

“You’d best think about what happens after your proud nose gets broken. A wise one will come to their senses; those who aren’t will surely resist harder.”

“You needn’t worry. My pride won’t break.”

Uro’s words sounded very much like arrogance, leaving the lords in confusion rather than anger.

If he was this confident, it surely meant he had some kind of skill. He wasn’t just bluffing.

But for Hector, it held no meaning. Whether it was a bluff or not, the outcome was already decided.

‘What a fool. I lost too, and I feel sorry for him.’

Hector clicked his tongue internally, feeling a bit of pity.

‘Still, I’m kind of excited.’

I can’t wait to see what he’s going to say next.

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