Chapter 34
Chapter 34
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 34
Chapter Title: Duel
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'Huu.'
Over a hundred wyverns came into view as they reached the airspace above the Sky Corps.
A powerful blue signal light from the Sky Corps' signal tower pierced the sky, and in that instant, wyverns swarmed in from all directions.
'They must be dying to eat me alive.'
All of them were Sky Knights, nobles no less.
It was only natural they'd hold a grudge for being put through dog-training exercises in the dead of night.
"Don't worry. I'll take responsibility for everything."
Aegis, who had shed her girl-next-door guise and returned to her imperial princess self.
She spoke with dignified authority from behind him.
"Land!"
The lead Guard Sky Knight beside them issued the order to land.
'That raging-mad crown prince must be here too, huh?'
The others could be handled with the princess's authority, but there was one wildcard: the utterly rotten crown prince.
He guided Bebeto to the central clearing of the brightly lit Sky Corps runway, illuminated by fully operational magic lamps.
For some reason, Bebeto complied obediently.
It was heartbreaking.
This flight might well be his last.
*Flutter, flutter.*
The central clearing was packed with heavily armored knights and soldiers.
He slowly attempted to land, soothing the excited Bebeto.
'Like monkeys at the zoo.'
At least a thousand pairs of eyes on him.
As Bebeto descended slowly, the wyverns circling nearby were also landing in front of their hangars.
All except the twenty-odd ones kept airborne in case of escape.
*Thud.*
Bebeto's massive body touched down.
"We're here, Your Highness."
"Good work. Sir Kayer."
He had a strong heart, but so did Aegis.
They exchanged polite bows.
"Escort Her Highness!"
An order rang out, and Guard Knights rushed over to protect the princess.
*Groooar!*
As the Guard Knights approached aggressively, Bebeto reacted with irritation.
"Easy now...."
He gently stroked Bebeto's neck to calm him.
'Bunch of cowards.'
The Guard Knights, intimidated by the murderous aura of the taboo wyvern.
Only after he soothed Bebeto did they cautiously approach.
*Slide.*
Aegis unfastened her harness and slid down Bebeto's wing.
*Click.*
He unbuckled his own and leaped off Bebeto's body.
*Thud!*
His feet hit the ground.
"Arrest the criminal who kidnapped Her Highness! Lethal force authorized if he resists!"
*Shing!*
'Kidnapped? Give me a break.'
The princess had kidnapped him, yet here they were painting him as the shameless villain.
The Sky Knights who had landed their wyverns hurried over and surrounded them.
"Everyone, stop!"
But he had an ace up his sleeve.
Aegis stepped forward with unwavering dignity and majesty.
"Sir Kayer has done nothing wrong. Everything that happened today was by my design."
She halted the knights with a clear, resolute voice.
Those advancing with swords drawn froze at the sight of her.
No one, no matter who, could ignore the authority of an imperial princess.
"Seize that scum!"
But there was one person her power couldn't touch.
That person was none other than—
'That shitstain! Poltbiran!'
The crown prince of this empire, cursed with a thousand years of bad luck.
"Halt!"
Aegis blocked his path, undaunted by the crown prince.
"Aegis...."
Poltbiran, flanked by his Guard Knights, advanced toward her with his fierce square jaw leading the way.
"Do you have any idea what you've done? Because of you, the Sky Knights—who should be resting and protecting the imperial capital at night—have been chasing shadows all over! Do you?!"
He grilled her with murderous eyes.
"Brother, I sincerely apologize for that. But...."
*Slap!*
"Ow!"
'No! You bastard!'
"What excuses do you need?! For unleashing a taboo hybrid wyvern and turning the Sky Corps upside down! Even as an imperial princess, this is a crime unforgivable! Do you understand that?!"
The ignorant beast cub struck without hesitation before countless nobles, knights, and soldiers.
He reprimanded her harshly in a voice thick with rage.
'He's smiling.'
But he could see it.
The crown prince's madness-glazed eyes were grinning with ecstasy.
"Guard Knights!"
"Yes, sir!"
"Slaughter that cursed wyvern! And bind that criminal!"
"Understood!"
The empire's and imperial family's sharpest blades, clad in red cloaks—the Guard Knights.
*Shing.*
At the crown prince's command, every knight drew their sword.
*Fwoosh.*
Blue blade auras poured from their swords like starlight.
"St-stop! I said stop!"
Aegis's left cheek bore a clear handprint, her lip split and bleeding.
With a voice laced in sorrow, she blocked the Guard Knights' path.
"Aegis! You dare defy my orders?! Me, the crown prince of this empire!"
"This is unjust! I've confessed it was all my plan, yet you're killing the empire's valuable asset—a wyvern—and arresting an innocent trainee knight! This oversteps your bounds, brother! Imperial law states clearly that wyverns may only be killed by His Imperial Majesty's direct edict!"
"Overstep?! You... you dare?!"
The crown prince's eyes spun at Aegis's cold rebuke.
He looked like a rabid dog foaming at the mouth.
"Yes! Overstep! If I've sinned, Father will judge me—not you, the crown prince!"
Aegis's calm, bold proclamation.
"Kuhahaha!"
The crown prince threw his head back in mad laughter.
*Shing!*
He suddenly drew the ornate sword at his waist.
"For a mere princess to tarnish the honor of the next emperor of this empire... I won't forgive you!"
'Danger!'
The utterly deranged crown prince might escalate things.
No, he absolutely would.
*Swish.*
He pulled Aegis behind him by the arm.
"Heh heh. Now a puny trainee dares block my path?"
Poltbiran glared at him with madness-flickering eyes, radiating killing intent.
"Restrain yourself, Your Highness."
'Marquis Mermos.'
The Sky Corps commander and deputy leader of the Imperial Guard Sky Knights made his appearance.
"Marquis Mermos, stay out of this!"
Even the madman vented his fury at Marquis Mermos.
"This incident may be trivial, but it could enrage His Imperial Majesty. Please, Your Highness, sheath your anger for now."
*Tremble.*
The crown prince shuddered at the mention of His Imperial Majesty.
Even this lunatic feared the emperor.
"F-fine. But I can't forgive this one!"
'You think I'm an easy mark?'
Wyverns and the princess required the emperor's command to prosecute, but a mere trainee knight like him? Not so much.
'Screw it, smash him?'
These fools knew him only as a knight, not the multi-class mage and spirit user he was.
And the crown prince bastard was right in front.
He could end him with his fists alone.
"Sir Kayer moved at my request."
"Shut up! You expect me to believe he controlled a wyvern on your say-so? A hybrid breed that's even hard for Sky Knights, and he's just a trainee?!"
'Who'd want to do that?! And I didn't control it—the damn thing did it itself!'
He felt wronged.
But he couldn't voice it.
No one here would believe him.
"Your Highness, even a trainee knight is treated as a probationary knight under imperial law. Prosecuting without evidence...."
"Marquis Mermos, this is your warning. Interfere with my authority again, and you won't be spared either."
"....."
Poltbiran bared his madness even to a marquis, a top imperial official beyond common nobility.
The clearing fell deathly silent in an instant.
"Your Highness's words are dangerous!"
But justice doesn't yield easily.
'Irene!'
His Sailor Moon, Irene, who always showed up in crises, stepped forward.
"Retract that statement ignoring the imperial laws that uphold this empire. As a noble sworn to protect the empire, I cannot accept it."
*Grind.*
Poltbiran ground his teeth instead of replying.
"Countess Irene, do you grasp the gravity of this gathering to interfere?!"
Other nobles stepped forward in the crown prince's stead.
Most Sky Knights held noble titles.
"What gravity?! It's a matter of honor on a knight's name!"
Rosero, aligned with Irene, advanced.
"No, you—!"
'Good! Keep it up!'
Not just for him—the deep-seated noble factions erupted into the open.
Many backing the crown prince, a few Sky Knights behind Irene, and a fair number neutral.
'It's spinning nicely. Tsk tsk.'
The moment Poltbiran ascended to emperor, this minor issue would spread across the empire.
"Fine. I'll grant you a chance to prove yourself. But per knightly custom on honor restoration. Heh heh."
'Knightly custom on honor restoration?'
"N-no. For a mere trainee knight...."
"Quiet! Then who compensates my honor—the next emperor—with their life?!"
"....."
Poltbiran's voice turned icy blue.
Even Irene fell silent.
'A duel?'
The honor duels from medieval movies flashed in his mind.
"Kayer, was it? Heh heh. Prove your innocence with that vaunted skill of yours."
'You bastard, one rainy day I'll beat you till dust flies!'
The crown prince was blatantly violent, despicably vile and lecherous to boot.
'Wait, a plain duel would be boring. The guy's pride seems huge—time to bait him?'
The true secret technique taught by Master Gandalf: the art of baiting.
He racked his brain.
"Your Highness, if my innocence is proven false, I'll accept punishment gladly. However...."
He bowed, emphasizing innocence and punishment.
"However?"
The crown prince bit the bait, his voice heavy with anticipation of outburst.
"I won't make excuses. But a knight's honor is more precious than life—it's his soul. To suffer your mockery and retreat... I'd be a living corpse."
"Mockery? Puhaha! A commoner who's studied knighthood well, eh? So what will you do?"
The bastard burst into laughter at his words, reveling.
'This prick is full of shit.'
But twist or not, he was the empire's crown prince.
If he became emperor, everything in the empire would tremble.
"If I lose, I'll take my own life. But if I win and restore my honor, I request commensurate compensation!"
He went bold.
"Take your life? Fine, saves me the trouble. You've been an eyesore anyway. A real thorn."
Before other nobles, knights, and soldiers, Poltbiran spat vile words without shame.
He wouldn't know.
Days like this repeating would surround him with rotten flatterers.
"Though my lowly life falls short as payment, I beseech Your Highness to pledge on your name!"
"Done! Any terms. You won't win anyway. Hahaha!"
'Yes! Hooked!'
The carp-headed fool took the bait perfectly.
"If I win, grant me this hybrid wyvern here!"
" Gasp!"
"A hybrid wyvern?"
The unexpected demand stunned those around.
"This mutt? Heh heh. No big deal. Marquis Mermos, for my honor, can we stake this hybrid wyvern as duel proof?"
"How dare we compare Your Highness's—the crown prince of the Great Vazran Empire—honor to such a mongrel wyvern? I follow Your Highness's honor alone."
Unlike before, Marquis Mermos treaded carefully.
He knew better than to intervene further.
"But...."
Aegis tried to step in.
*Swish.*
He shook his head at her.
Now it was a knights' clash of honor, beyond princess or anyone.
Even the emperor couldn't stop it.
'Irene, don't look at me like that. I won't die.'
Irene watching him from behind Aegis.
No trainees visible—likely confined to barracks.
"Sir Hildey! Will you wield your sword for this crown prince's honor?"
"My sword shall serve Your Highness's honor with my life!"
Impatient Poltbiran summoned one of his Guard Knights.
'Hmph! Coward.'
True honor is defended by one's own hand.
The crown prince prattling about honor via proxy knight looked despicable, unfit even for a lady.
'One of the strongest Guard Knights, no doubt.'
Guards for the next emperor.
One called out would rival a master.
'Can't use magic or spirits. Shame.'
His true power, still hidden.
Revealing it here might brand him a spy.
"Countess Irene, may I borrow your sword?"
She nodded silently, handing over her longsword.
"With all here as witnesses, I challenge for honor's sake."
He pointed at the knight called Sir Hildey, but his eyes fixed on the crown prince.
'You ten-thousand-year bastard!'
"Permitted."
The crown prince struck a stern pose, uttering gravely.
'Watch close, Bebeto. This is your master's fight for your freedom!'
Bebeto observed with golden eyes.
Dozens of knights encircled him, blessed spears trained to prevent flight.
*Shing!*
Sturdy-framed Hildey drew his sword.
*Fwoosh.*
His blade blazed brilliant blue.
*Whish.*
He aimed Irene's longsword at Hildey's heart.
'You're done!'
"Hyah!"
Hildey lunged without yielding initiative.
'Hmph!'
He snorted inwardly, drawing up mana.
*Fwoosh!*
Blue mana waves surged from his sword.
His body's cells awakened.
He swung full force at Hildey's cleaving strike.
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'Kayer....'
A princess of the Vazran Empire, yet she'd never tasted such humiliation and thrill at once.
She knew her brother was violent, but not that he'd strike her.
Born without ever being hit once.
And that humiliation before countless nobles, knights, and soldiers.
She wanted to cry.
Had the emperor been there, she'd wail aloud.
But a princess's seat was too noble for tears at will.
She clenched her teeth, swallowing rage.
Then Poltbiran's tyrant acts continued.
Unable to vent on her, he turned on innocent trainee knight Kayer.
'Of all people, Sir Hildey, who's on the verge of master rank....'
Aegis knew the name Hildey well.
A Guard Knight fanatically loyal to the crown prince.
In his mid-thirties, nearing master realm—rumors swirled in the palace.
When Poltbiran ascended, a knight commander post was certain.
Kayer had to duel such a knight to the death.
No fear showed.
Utterly composed before crown prince and knights.
Now drawing sword before her.
'Goddess of Victory Ormion! I fervently pray this knight triumphs!'
Aegis clasped hands in prayer to the goddess.
"Tyah!"
Before her prayer ended, they clashed.
Swords aimed at throats, cloaked in brilliant blue flashes.
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*Boom!*
Swords met, yet thunderous explosion instead of clash.
"Huh?!"
Mana shards scattered like sparks; onlookers near the duel hastily retreated from their ferocity.
*Boom boom boom!*
Sword shadows traced vivid trails even under magic lights.
Sky Knights of solid skill broke sweat at the monstrous duel.
Fast.
*Slash—* Air screamed with afterimages; ere long, the sword sought throat, defender parried then slashed waist.
Eyes spun.
Some Sky Knights and knights imagined entering—shuddered.
And marveled simultaneously.
All knew the crown prince's right arm: Baron Hildey.
Born a knight's son, earned barony by pure skill—a swordmaster.
Not a Sky Knight, but equal skill and the crown prince's trust—common knowledge.
A mere trainee knight blocking such Hildey's sword.
All eyes turned to the black-haired trainee who boldly demanded duel before the crown prince.
To Kayer.
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*Boom!*
'Strong!'
Reason for crown prince sending proxy.
No openings.
Power, speed, mana—all top-tier.
Swift offense-defense shifts, tongue-like thrusts at gaps.
'Might lose if careless.'
He focused, parrying each move precisely.
Blade wrapped in deep blue.
One hit meant death.
"Not bad."
After a dozen assaults, Hildey withdrew leisurely, tossing a line.
"Me too."
".....?"
Short English reply puzzled Hildey, who flushed red, presuming insult.
*Crackle.*
'Going for the finish.'
Climax neared.
Hildey poured mana into sword for ultimate move.
He considered magic or spirits.
'Ah! Right!'
A scene flashed.
'Let's try it!'
The master technique of mad dog Count Kaldein.
Endless mental rehearsals of that technique.
Limited chances to train magic and sword openly.
Nights with focus spells for virtual battles in mind.
Fruit: confidence in 5th-circle magic and sword freely.
And recently theorized: Count Kaldein's move.
Snake Phantom—shadow swordsmanship.
'No loss if fails!'
Fearless.
No high-circle mages nearby.
Worst case: magic, spirits, escape.
*Fwoosh!*
Drew mana into sword.
'Need tangible mana blades!'
Not illusions—real secondary mana swords.
Couldn't match count's six.
But two or three? Confident.
'Infuse mana at utmost speed.'
Theory simpler than thought.
"Hyah!"
Hildey charged.
*Slashhh.*
'Huh! Him too!'
Fan-like waves from Hildey's sword.
Amateurish, yet reeked of master's shadow sword.
'Shatter it!'
Willed fury at oppressors into sword's mana.
He unleashed.
Full-power swings, each infused with mana.
"Gasp!"
"Mana Shadow!"
Onlooker knights cried in shock.
'Got it!'
All effort yielded three mana shadows.
One half-complete.
*Crunch boom!*
'Hmph!'
Shadows shattered on Hildey's blade, shockwave surged.
*Crack!*
Second shadow crumbled on clash.
"Guh!"
Hildey barely blocked unforeseen assault, groaning in strain.
'Opening!'
Panicking at sloppy half-shadow after two.
As he raised sword to block, an invincible wall breached—Hildey's body exposed.
*Boom!*
*Stab!*
"Gah!"
Three sounds simultaneous.
Third shadow flicked aside, his thrust piercing right abdomen via gap, and scream.
All in a blink, no sequence.
*Clang.*
Hildey's sword hit stone floor.
"Call a priest!"
"Th-this can't be."
"A t-trainee knight won."
Knights stunned by gushing blood.
*Swish.*
*Schlurp.*
He withdrew sword casually.
Duel's right: victor's alone.
"Heal!"
Sky Knight mages rushed, casting heals.
Mana wounds.
Unlike blade cuts, untreated meant death.
"Y-youuu!"
Poltbiran raged at trusted knight's defeat.
Injured knight's life secondary to his shattered honor.
"I win by Sir Hildey's grace."
He saluted pained Hildey with sword in knightly fashion.
"L-lost. Guh...."
Heal stemmed blood, but agony peaked.
Knightly pride held him upright, admitting defeat.
"Hmph!"
Crown prince eyed Hildey coldly.
Sneered and turned away.
'Where do you think you're going!'
Not letting him off.
"I sincerely thank Your Highness for granting the wyvern. I pledge utmost loyalty to empire and His Imperial Majesty!"
Free false oath.
Bowed deeply, thanking(?) the departing crown prince sincerely(?).
"Sir Kayer...."
*Hug.*
'Ugh! Jackpot!'
Aegis, who watched breath held, rushed and embraced him suddenly.
*Zap!*
Male knights' eyes fired laser beams of shock.
Female knights' eyes welled with emotion.
'Either way, this guy's popularity.... Uwahahaha!'
A flower deer hugged unexpectedly.
Unlike pure exterior, inner joy exploded.
'Ah, Irene.'
Until spotting one woman's peculiar gaze....