Chapter 54
Chapter 54
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 54
Chapter Title: Dragon Demon Prince (1)
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1
Luredia, the royal capital of the Lurein Kingdom.
After rising as an independent nation in the twilight of the Nadik Empire, Duke Lurein became the first king and designated his residence, Lurein Castle, as the royal palace. Through repeated expansions to imbue it with the dignity befitting a capital, it had become far more grand and beautiful than its origins.
A group had emerged from the capital. Composed of twenty knights, three mages, and two healers, their formation didn't seem suited for mere reconnaissance.
After camping overnight outside the capital, they now approached their destination.
The middle-aged veteran knight leading them spoke.
"We should rendezvous with the princess's group without issue by afternoon."
"Indeed."
"Personally, I'm quite looking forward to it. I can't fathom what wind brought the Dragon Sword Duke out here..."
"As am I."
Not just the responding knight—everyone shared the same anticipation. Though unspoken, their eyes lit up at the mention of the "Dragon Sword Duke."
They were the escort dispatched from the capital to welcome Dragon Princess Arietta's group. Upon hearing of the shady attempts to abduct her along the way, the royals had assembled a sufficiently capable force.
Arietta hadn't particularly wanted such a welcome. As the capital drew near, she'd sent word of her safe arrival along with a brief report of events. The palace, however, could only react with alarm.
Rumble...
"Hm?"
The group's relaxed chatter on horseback turned to tension. A distant explosion echoed.
Boom...
It didn't end there—more booms resounded in succession. The veteran knight asked,
"What do you make of it? Any nearby units conducting such training?"
Armies everywhere trained with magic, so passersby often heard such blasts.
The mage replied,
"Please hold a moment."
He cast a far-sight spell. The explosion's epicenter was too distant for details, but a general sense of the situation should be possible.
Soon, the mage's expression changed.
"It's no military drill. It's happening along the main road."
"Damn! Could it be the princess's group?"
If so, Arietta's party—whom they were rushing to meet—might be under attack again. The veteran knight shouted,
"Full gallop, everyone!"
"Yes!"
They spurred their horses at maximum speed toward the blasts, which continued unabated.
Boom...! Bang...! Kaboom...!
Sounds of fierce combat. As they closed in, the intense mana waves from the explosions prickled their senses.
'Just who are they fighting?'
The veteran knight tensed. A Quadruple Master himself, the power erupting there exceeded what he could handle.
Yet upon hasty arrival, they could only stare in astonishment.
"Princess?"
Some distance from the explosions stood two figures. One was a beautiful girl with long white hair and sunset-hued eyes—Dragon Princess Arietta. She stood leisurely observing with a young maid at her side.
"Hm? Sir Berang, isn't it?"
Arietta recognized the veteran knight and tilted her head in surprise. Dismounting in haste, Berang forgot royal etiquette in his fluster and blurted,
"My apologies, but what in the world is happening?"
"That's what I'd like to ask. What brings you here?"
"We've come from the palace to escort Your Highness."
"Ah, because of my message? Unnecessary trouble."
Arietta let out a wry chuckle. She'd sent word without much thought, but it was a natural response from the palace.
Berang cautiously asked,
"Princess, over there..."
Boom!
Another explosion. Berang startled toward the source.
Arietta answered from beside him.
"My companions, Sir Azel and Duke Tarantos, are sparring. As long as you stay back, there's no danger—don't worry."
"Sparring?"
Berang echoed. Arietta nodded.
"Yes."
"..."
Berang was speechless. What unfolded in her line of sight utterly surpassed his imagination.
'Sparring? That?'
It was too intense and grandiose for a spar.
"Still running away so well!"
Kairen shouted in frustration. His twin swords danced furiously, slashing the air over ten times in a blink.
Shiiiik!
But nowhere near the air's screams did his foe appear. He'd struck at what felt real, yet an afterimage faded mockingly, a threatening presence emerging beside him.
Clang!
Swords clashed with a clear ring. But it was fleeting—the rebound at his fingertips proved illusory as the opponent vanished. Inevitably, Kairen's stance faltered, and from behind appeared the red-haired youth Azel.
Kairen roared without turning, thrusting back.
"How many times do you plan to reuse that trick!"
"Until it stops working."
"Urk?"
Kairen faltered. Convinced he'd caught the real one, he'd twisted acrobatically—yet Azel's voice emerged from the front?
A blade pressed to Kairen's throat. Azel grinned triumphantly.
"Heh. That's my win today."
"Damn."
Kairen's face crumpled.
"Triple entity clone shattered, so quadruple now? Not a child stacking them blindly each break."
"Tsk, no whining after losing. And not quadruple entity clone—far from the truth."
"What? Then what did you do?"
"A secret, naturally. Figure it out yourself. Or win next time, and I'll tell. That makes me three wins ahead. Quite the haul in the capital."
Azel whistled, sheathing his sword.
After their first swordfight spar, Kairen had dueled Azel daily en route to the capital—a full affair employing Dragon Spirit Arts and Spirit Order.
Constraints were set as spars, yet the aftermath remained devastating. Thus, in villages, they'd limited to pure swordplay or low-impact techniques.
Their record thus far: from Azel's view, 7 wins, 4 losses, 2 draws. Three wins ahead.
Kairen grumbled, sheathing his twinswords.
"My reputation as Dragon Sword Duke is in tatters. No one would believe it."
"Quite."
Azel smiled inwardly.
'My acquaintances wouldn't believe I took four losses.'
Impressive, given Azel's frail state. Yet no cause for Azel to gloat dominance. He held the edge in constrained pure sword spars, but full-power clashes exposed an overwhelming gap hard to bridge. Today's win came from every hidden trick up his sleeve.
'In real combat... hm. At 3-7 odds against me now.'
Azel coldly analyzed their power disparity from experience, appraising Kairen highly.
Azel bantered.
"Well, believe it or not, doesn't matter. I'm not doing this to steal Your Grace's honor."
"Insolent brat."
They'd wagered bets on spars—mutually agreed demands fulfilled per win.
Kairen suddenly noticed the palace group. Leader Berang and all gaped in shock, jaws slack.
"Hm. From the palace? A pleasure. I am Duke Tarantos, Kairen Tarantos."
"An honor to meet the Dragon Sword Duke, sir."
Berang barely composed himself to greet.
2
Joining the palace escort, the group reached Luredia in three days.
The capital's scale and grandeur dwarfed other cities. Even Azel was impressed.
'Size aside, its facade rivals the imperial capital?'
Before his long sleep, the Nadik Empire had nearly unified the continent. Having seen its capital, Luredia's didn't seem vast—but its meticulous aesthetics lent royal dignity, striking an impression.
Far surpassing cities seen thus far, its bustle was a delight. Crowds and vitality everywhere charmed.
'The Nadik Empire must've been like this after I slept.'
Even post-Dragon Emperor War, scars lingered deep. Azel recalled only the era of collective struggle despite hope.
The group drew capital citizens' gazes everywhere, Arietta cheers most of all.
"Arietta! Arietta!"
"Kingdom's valiant flower!"
Blushing praise poured from all ages and genders, evidencing her adoration.
Azel murmured sidelong.
"...So that's why the floral attire?"
"Appearing shabby in the capital stains royal honor—must endure the hassle."
They could've arrived last eve, but Arietta delayed overnight in a nearby village, emerging morning-gloried and adorned. Duty to show beauty to welcomers.
Azel asked.
"What if Enora weren't here?"
"Er..."
Leaving the Western Border Guard, Arietta tried detaching Enora but yielded to her stubbornness. Travel revealed Arietta's lack of self-adornment skill.
Arietta wryly smiled.
"Tricky, but it'd work out somehow."
"...Doubtful."
"Worst case, borrow a maid from a local noble. Not as unprepared as you think."
Azel eyed Enora. Unspoken, she puffed proudly.
"Royal maids are impressive, Miss Enora."
"Of course—not just anyone. Jealous?"
"Always thought you amazing—what's new?"
"Oh my, your honeyed words rival veteran knights'."
Enora showed no displeasure.
Parading confidently to announce Arietta's safe return, they entered the palace. The king, informed, had cleared his schedule.
En route to audience, Azel eyed Zail.
"Sir Zail, what's wrong?"
"Uh, hm?"
"Stiff like a rookie on first assignment."
"...Was I?"
Resonant to soldier Zail. Azel pressed.
"You were. Why?"
"W-Well... facing His Majesty, can't help tensing."
"Normal. You're the odd one, Sir Azel—so nonchalant?"
Boer asked. As royal knight, he'd audience-experienced, yet tensed like Zail initially—and still. Azel was utterly calm.
Azel replied.
"Hm, well? Great honor, sure, but we're not stars. Just sit by princess, then exit."
"True, but still..."
"Indeed, Sir Azel—you were casual with princess and duke too. Gutsy or fearless?"
Zail wryly smiled.