Chapter 182
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 182
Chapter Title: A Duel with a Royal Knight
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There are two main routes from the Empire to Alfrsen.
One is to take a ship from the Altriark March and cross Lake Baikan. The other is to take a ship from the territories at the western edge of the Empire and cross the sea.
This is because the land route connecting the Empire and Alfrsen is the Taklakan Desert, one of the five largest deserts in the Empire.
While not impossible to cross, no one recommended it, as it was teeming with desert tribes and monsters.
Pernyan had chosen one of those two paths. Specifically, the route from Altriark to Alfrsen by ship.
He had tried to pass through Altriark as discreetly as possible, but he was not in luck.
“I'm hurt. To think you'd pass through Altriark without coming to see me.”
While waiting for the ship, he happened to run into Katrina Altriark.
The Royal Knight's senses instantly picked up on Pernyan's familiar presence, and she snatched him by the scruff of his neck.
“I didn't want to be a bother…”
“None of that between us. How is Alkmion doing?”
“He’s doing well all around. He seems to have made quite a few friends…”
“He isn't running wild like an angry boar, is he?”
“There are hints of it, but he’s keeping it under control.”
“That’s a relief.”
Thanks to her, they were temporarily held up in the city.
Katrina Altriark poured tea.
“Have a drink. It’s Herse leaf tea, recently arrived from the Hainburg Kingdom.”
“It seems every time I visit, you pour me tea yourself.”
“You’ve earned it.”
She held out her hands, palms up.
“What do you think?”
“Not a single callus. They're immaculate.”
While she couldn’t completely erase the scars, the calluses were noticeably fewer than before.
“The new product you gave me works quite well. I liked it so much that I bought more and have been recommending it to the other ladies.”
“Thank you very much.”
Free promotion from a Royal Knight.
That had been his intention when he gave it to Katrina Altriark first, but he was all the more grateful that she had actually done it.
“This is Ruina Bercefe, but I haven’t seen this child before.”
Katrina crossed her legs and leaned back against the sofa. Startled by her words, Gismond replied.
“I-It’s an honor to meet you, Royal Knight. My name is Gismond Erdt! I’m a fourth-year at the academy!”
Her gaze swept over Gismond from head to toe.
“A decent accomplishment.”
“Th-Thank you.”
“So, where were you headed?”
“To Alfrsen.”
“Alfrsen? I heard the public sentiment there has been rather grim lately. Is your trip related to that?”
Pernyan nodded.
“Yes.”
“Record-breaking rainfall, the likes of which haven't been seen in centuries. A truly unfortunate event.”
She rested her chin on her hand leisurely.
“It’s not so unusual for a merchant’s son to rush to a flooded area, but the children accompanying you seem quite out of place.”
A pale white hand poured fresh tea into an empty cup. Her piercing blue eyes stared at Pernyan.
“Is it difficult to talk about?”
A strange tension filled the air.
“Not particularly.”
“And yet you tried to go in secret.”
It was because of the Vile Breed. Nothing good would come from rumors spreading that Pernyan was on his way.
“Well…”
“Enough. I’m sure you have your reasons.”
She smiled faintly.
“But I can’t let you go just yet.”
“What do you mean by that…?”
“Ruina, I heard our family’s trainees were quite indebted to you last time.”
“Ah, that was…”
She was talking about the time when monsters and demonic beasts overran the Taklakan Desert.
Back then, as a student of the Armian Imperial Academy, Ruina had utterly defeated all of Altriark’s trainees.
“The cries of the children you defeated echo throughout Altriark. As their leader, I can hardly ignore them.”
“That is…”
“How about it? Would you care to indulge me in a match this time?”
At Katrina’s words, Ruina gasped.
A heavy pressure bore down on her.
“…May I?”
Yet, she finally spoke. A flicker of interest appeared in Katrina’s eyes.
“Albinus raised his child well.”
The oppressive aura that had dominated the room vanished in an instant.
“I was joking.”
She offered Ruina a cookie.
“How adorable. I wish I had a daughter.”
“She is not just adorable, but also an outstanding knight,” Pernyan, who had remained silent, having noticed Katrina’s jest early on, added a word.
“I know. That’s why my offer to have a match wasn’t a joke. It’s been a long time since I’ve felt a competitive spark for someone who isn't a Royal Knight. So, what will you do?”
At those words, Ruina’s eyes widened.
“…Competitive spark for me?”
A Royal Knight felt competitive toward her.
Her father always said she was exceptional, but Ruina believed a considerable part of that was paternal love.
That was why Katrina Altriark's words made her heart swell even more.
“I don’t tell pointless lies.”
Ruina looked at Pernyan. Understanding her meaning, Pernyan shrugged.
“We have about a day to spare. Do as you wish.”
“…May I request a duel with Lady Katrina?”
At his words, Ruina took the bait without a moment’s hesitation.
“This should be fun for a change.”
Katrina beamed a brilliant smile.
***
To those who dreamed of becoming Royal Knights, they were objects of aspiration. Yet, among them, each knight had a style they pursued and a Royal Knight they respected more.
For Ruina, the greatest Royal Knight was her father.
How her father fought, how he protected his people, and how he stood tall in the face of danger.
She had always grown up watching her father’s back.
And right after him was Katrina Altriark.
At first, it was simple curiosity. Because the Bercefes and Altriarks had their commonalities, a certain rivalry, and because they were both Royal Knights.
Her investigation into Katrina’s swordsmanship and fighting style gradually grew into admiration.
The destructive power with which she cut through the desert, crushing monsters and enemies, was quite different from the Bercefe style, but it possessed a beauty of its own.
“You admire the Countess?”
“Yes, so I didn’t want to miss this opportunity. I never imagined I would receive sword instruction from her directly…”
“Well, if you’re happy, then it’s a good thing.”
Seeing Ruina’s excited state, a rare sight that appeared only a few times a year, Pernyan was satisfied.
It wasn’t a lie that they had a day to spare, and if Ruina could duel Katrina in exchange, it was more than a worthwhile trade.
*Who knows? She might even have an epiphany through this duel.*
Hoping for an epiphany from a single duel might be greedy, but her opponent was a Royal Knight.
Her father, Margrave Albinus, was also a Royal Knight, and they had dueled countless times, but just as no two people are the same, every Royal Knight was different.
Their personalities, physiques, swordsmanship, combat methods, and enlightenments.
Pernyan sat in his own special ringside seat.
On the dueling ground, Ruina and Countess Katrina stood facing each other.
“I suppose Countess Katrina will win, right?” Gismond asked, adding sugar, milk, and ice to his bitter black coffee.
“Of course. The outcome is obvious.”
No matter how much Ruina had improved, she wasn't yet at the level of a Royal Knight.
Moreover, Katrina was one of the strongest among the Royal Knights.
“However, that’s not what’s important.”
What mattered was what Ruina could gain from this duel.
Even the smallest clue for improvement would make this an absolute gain.
“Hyde, when is the next ship?”
“In three hours.”
“Did you make a reservation?”
“Yes.”
“Cancel it and get tickets for tomorrow morning. She’ll need to rest after the duel.”
“Yes, sir.”
Hyde disappeared.
And in that time.
“Here I come.”
Ruina steadied her racing heart.
The woman before her was her idol, but right now, she was just a dueling opponent.
Fight, and win. Even if I can’t win, I will fight to win.
She stood with that resolve.
She raised her sword with that resolve.
She lowered her stance and controlled her breathing.
Entrusting her body to a suitable level of tension, she focused her mind completely.
The rest of the world faded away, leaving only Katrina and herself.
“That’s a sharp gaze.”
A corner of Katrina’s mouth twisted at her fighting spirit.
“I’ve wanted a child like you. It’s been a while since anyone has shown such a challenging spirit toward me.”
Not the knights, not even her sons or her husband.
Katrina lifted a greatsword as large as her own body with one hand.
“Come.”
The moment Katrina’s word fell.
Ruina’s body shot forward. The distance between them closed in an instant.
Her sword aimed for Katrina’s neck.
But a shadow fell over her before it could land.
—!
The moment their swords clashed, Ruina twisted her wrist to deflect the blow. Even so, a breathtaking shock coursed through her.
But her stance didn’t break. She slid sideways, aiming for a blind spot.
A wide-open gap.
But just before her sword could connect, the massive greatsword became a shield, batting Ruina’s blade away.
—!
“…Hah!”
The impact was heavier than she expected, and she almost lost her grip on her sword.
Enduring the pain from her torn palm, she steadied her ragged breath.
Her opponent was a Royal Knight. This much was expected.
Aura flared from her sword. She swung. The blade slash shot through the air.
—!
The aura shattered, scattering blue sparks. But it forced her opponent to move.
In that brief opening, Ruina was already in front of her.
“……!”
But she hastily changed direction as a greatsword came to meet her. The blade grazed the tip of her shoulder.
Feeling a few strands of hair being cut off, she stepped deeper inside. This time, a fist came to meet her.
Judging it was too late to dodge, she raised an arm to protect her face.
With a thunderous crack, as if a firework had exploded, Ruina was thrown back ten paces.
“Huff, huff…!”
She regulated her ragged breathing.
Katrina didn’t move until she had regrouped.
“Come at me again.”
Ruina gripped her sword tightly. Despite her opponent’s relaxed demeanor, she was like an iron wall. Every angle she aimed for was defended.
Every attack was met with a counter of even greater force.
What should I do?
She looked at the left arm that had blocked the punch; it was already turning a deep shade of blue. Had she not protected it with aura, the bone would have shattered.
Yet, rather than fear, she felt a surge of competitive spirit.
This was fun. This battle, so different from fighting her father, stimulated her desire to win.
*A little stronger.*
This time, she drew aura through her entire body. Her bones and muscles strengthened, and her sword became sharper.
A keen aura sword erupted along her blade.
“I can’t just brush that off.”
A tan-colored aura flared to life on Katrina’s greatsword in response.
Ruina kicked off the ground once more. A moment later, Katrina moved.
———!
Blue and tan light tangled together.
They clashed again and again, unleashing massive shockwaves.
Fragments of shattered aura scattered. The floor of the dueling ground cracked, and fierce winds swept past them.
Dozens of exchanges occurred in an instant.
To say they were ‘exchanging’ blows wasn’t accurate. She was only receiving them.
Barely holding on was the best Ruina could do for now.
However, it was not without meaning. In the heat of the fierce battle, she realized one thing.
She was outmatched in power and speed.
But in flexibility, and only in flexibility, she had the upper hand.
It wasn't that her opponent lacked skill, but rather a difference stemming from their swordsmanship. Still, an advantage was an advantage.
“The Bercefe swordsmanship is different from those that rely on brute force. Feel the flow.”
Her father’s advice came to mind.
Amidst the waves of yellow aura, she focused on the flow. Finally, she found it.
“Once you feel it, find the gap between the flows.”
She thrust her sword into that gap. Supremely soft, supremely natural.
In the next instant.
————!
A massive repulsive force, incomparable to anything before, slammed into her.
Her body was launched into the air and sent flying far away.
*Are my ribs broken?*
The throbbing pain was undoubtedly a serious injury.
And yet, Ruina’s eyes were filled with ecstasy.
The sensation lingered at her fingertips. The tip of her sword had clearly made contact.
“…Incredible.”
Katrina’s voice, filled with admiration, reached her.
“It’s been a while since I’ve been wounded.”
There was a hole in Katrina’s shoulder.
Like a wounded beast that was enjoying itself, she smiled.