Chapter 41
Chapter 41
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 41
Chapter Title: The Secret Honor Duel
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“That’s really true!?”
“I have no reason to lie, Lord Jebin.”
“Hmm!”
If not for the massive scar slashing across his left cheek in an ‘X’ shape, it would have been hard to believe this was the same man. Jebin’s brow furrowed deeply at the sight of Galpredic, whose very impression had transformed.
“Sir Rugates… told you it was the wrong path?”
“Yes. He said it was the passage where the Cyclops appeared, so the exploration had been halted after confirming the safe area. Just in case, he told me to check it myself.”
“You entered, encountered the Cyclops, your team was wiped out? And you barely escaped and hid ever since?”
“Yes. I…”
In truth, he had been captured by the Minotaur and stored as its food supply, but following Eugene and Romari’s advice, Galpredic lied without hesitation.
“Hmm, I see. Yes, indeed. That makes sense.”
Galpredic was the first knight to enter the Morrison Mountain Labyrinth, and since Jebin wasn’t a knight himself, he wasn’t well-versed in the details of the demon realm subjugation.
Thus, he took Galpredic’s vivid and convincing testimony at face value.
“In the end, if not for the Templars of Saint Lagren Monastery, I would have been killed by the Cyclops that relentlessly tracked me. It’s all thanks to God’s mercy and their bravery.”
Galpredic’s voice trembled slightly when he mentioned God, but Jebin interpreted it as emotion from deep faith.
“You’re right. Sir Eugene’s testimony as well—if not for the Templars’ sacrifice, it would have been disastrous.”
Though he had little actual connection to the monastery, Jebin, ever the skilled self-promoter befitting a high noble, even made the sign of the cross to commemorate the Templars.
“But Sir Galpredic.”
“Yes, Lord Jebin.”
“I’m sorry to say this, and I’m certainly not doubting your honor, but you have no proof for your claims. On the other hand, Sir Rugates is a knight of our house. I have no choice but to trust his honor. However…”
Jebin glanced back and forth between Galpredic and Eugene, who sat neatly beside him, before continuing.
If Galpredic’s claims were true, it wouldn’t end with Rugates—the honor of the Evergrow Count’s family would suffer greatly as well.
For Jebin, that was something he absolutely had to prevent.
But even as the count’s heir, he couldn’t completely ignore the two knights who held great prestige in the region.
‘I’ll knight Galpredic, and for this one, lavish him with gold to shut his mouth.’
“Anyway, what I’m saying is, I’ll speak to my father right away and have you knighted…”
“I’m sorry, but please forget about the knighting, Lord Jebin. Instead, grant me permission for an honor duel with Sir Rugates.”
“...!”
Jebin’s eyes widened at Galpredic’s demand.
“What do you mean? An honor duel?”
“No matter the intent, Sir Rugates tried to kill me. Issues between knights must ultimately be settled with the sword.”
Jebin knew Galpredic’s temperament well, and his expression twisted slightly.
But unable to simply lash out in anger, he spoke coaxingly.
“Still, isn’t that going too far? Everyone’s glad you survived—making a fuss over this won’t benefit you or our house.”
His tone was gentle, but the words were half-threat in the end.
Just as Galpredic’s face began to darken fiercely, Eugene stepped in.
“You’re right, Lord Jebin. There’s no need to stir up trouble and put you in a difficult position.”
“Sir Eugene’s magnanimity is truly admirable.”
“But Sir Galpredic is my friend, and I respect his wishes.”
“Hmm.”
As Jebin’s brow furrowed again after having relaxed, Eugene continued in a subtle tone.
“So here’s my suggestion—how about a private duel?”
“Private?”
“Yes. Just the two principals, witnesses from each side, and you, Lord Jebin—five people total. And regardless of the outcome, only those five know about this duel, and it stays buried.”
“Hmm.”
He feigned reluctance outwardly, but inwardly, Jebin was impressed.
If they did as Eugene suggested, the Evergrow Count’s house would suffer almost no loss.
Rugates, whom they had carefully selected and knighted, was a concern, but the honor of one territorial knight didn’t compare to that of the count’s family.
‘It’s fine for me, but will Galpredic accept?’
As Jebin thought that, Eugene spoke to Galpredic.
“Sir Galpredic. After all, it was Sir Rugates who toyed with your life. It’s better not to do anything that harms Lord Evergrow or Lord Jebin’s honor.”
“Hmm…”
“Just do as I say. I’m sure Lord Jebin and Lord Evergrow want that too. Isn’t that right?”
“I’d like to follow Sir Eugene’s proposal.”
Catching Eugene’s subtle glance, Jebin nodded immediately.
Galpredic, pretending to ponder gravely(?), finally nodded.
“Very well. If you permit the duel, I’ll bury everything regardless of win or loss. I swear it on my honor as Galpredic.”
“You’ve thought it through well. Then when do you want it?”
“Tonight.”
“Already? Your body isn’t fully recovered yet—is that alright?”
Jebin asked with feigned concern, though he felt like he’d been handed a gift from the heavens.
“Even in my current state, it’s more than enough for a coward like that. And the location…”
As Galpredic pretended to think for a moment, Eugene interjected.
“The castle’s rear garden seemed quiet—how about there? After sunset, it’ll be easy to control access. Perfect, don’t you think, Lord Jebin?”
Not only agreeing to a private duel with penalties, but even suggesting a secluded time and place away from prying eyes.
Suppressing his urge to dance for joy, Jebin spoke sternly.
“Then the honor duel will be held tonight at 7 PM in the castle’s rear garden. I’ll inform my father right away.”
* * *
“As expected of a vampire. Isn’t it a bit too cunning, Master?”
“Your acting was pretty good too. Anyway, glad Lord Jebin permitted it.”
Eugene and Galpredic looked at each other and laughed.
“Tch. I wanted to publicly execute that bastard Rugates if possible. A bit disappointing.”
“No gain in it. You wouldn’t want to make enemies of the nobles you once sought knighthood from.”
“True enough.”
Bringing up the honor duel to pressure Jebin, then steering it toward a private one—it was a plan Eugene and Galpredic had prepared in advance.
As vampires, night was far better than day, but suggesting it outright might arouse Jebin’s suspicions.
“Anyway, you’re confident?”
“Of course. I told you before, right? If I hadn’t been injured in the semifinals, who knows what would’ve happened. And that guy I fought then—he ignored the win or loss, just tried to slash my legs.”
Galpredic ground his teeth, recalling last year’s swordsmanship tournament hosted by Count Evergrow.
“That bastard was definitely bribed by Rugates. Didn’t you get the sense when you saw Rugates, Master? Between me and that guy, who seems stronger?”
“Hmm.”
Even to Eugene, Rugates didn’t seem stronger than Galpredic.
Still, one must prepare for the worst.
“Romari, how’s Galpredic’s condition now?”
“He’s recovered almost all his human strength. Drinking the Cyclops’s blood had a big effect.”
Romari answered in her listless voice, then glanced at Eugene before speaking up.
“But Sir Eugene. Now that the subjugation is over, do I really need to stay? You’ve gotten everything you wanted.”
‘Plus, thanks to me, you even got a vassal!’
But she couldn’t say that in front of a confirmed Origin vampire, so Romari tried not to offend Eugene.
“Well, true.”
Eugene stared silently at Romari, who blinked her dead-fish eyes, and thought for a moment.
Indeed, this mage could leave now. She’d helped find Galpredic and quite a bit in turning him into a vassal.
And in return, she’d gotten the Cyclops’s claws and blood.
Eugene had slain the Cyclops in the Morrison Mountain Labyrinth but lied to Entler about it.
‘She seems useful, but no reason to keep her. Forcing a mage to submit would surely bring backlash.’
“Fine. Tomorrow, go your own way.”
“Thank you! You’ll be blessed, my lord! I’ll go pack now. Rest well.”
Romari bowed deeply, echoing words Eugene had heard before.
“But Master. After we take that Rugates’s head, what do we do?”
Galpredic, now fated to follow Eugene for life, asked.
“We have a contract left with the Feilin Merchant Group, so we’ll be doing demon realm subjugations for a while. I need to hunt high-tier monsters due to circumstances.”
With Galpredic as his vassal, there was no need to lie to him, so Eugene stated some truth.
At that moment, Romari, who had excitedly started toward the door, froze.
She slyly turned her face toward Eugene.
“Once every one or two months. At least twice, up to four times for demon realm subjugations. Oh, and you know Count Winslon? Planning to enter the demon realms in his territory too. Got a letter of recommendation… Huh? Why aren’t you leaving?”
Eugene tilted his head at Romari, who had stopped, turned back, and quietly sat down.
“Upon second thought, our Pilgrim School’s magic would be a great help to a noble Origin like you, Sir Eugene.”
“…”
Wondering what this sudden change was, Eugene stared at her blankly.
Feeling pressured by just Eugene’s gaze now, Romari hurriedly confessed the truth.
“T-truth is, my research and chimera creation require a lot of mid- and high-tier monster byproducts. But my intent to help you isn’t false! I swear on my name, our school, and magic.”
“Fine by me, but don’t you swear too much?”
“…”
“Eugene! All the hotshot Night Clan folks keep one or two mages around. This raccoon girl’s pretty capable, so she’ll be useful!”
Mirian chimed in excitedly.
Having gained Galpredic as a vassal, and now a mage swearing fealty and volunteering to join.
Though he hadn’t gotten the red mana stone, this subjugation had been quite fruitful.
* * *
As the sun nearly set, a small group gathered in the rear garden of Evergrow Count’s castle.
Once the servant lit the bonfire and lanterns and left, Jebin scanned the surroundings solemnly.
“Then let the honor duel begin. Since it’s private, the outcome must not be revealed anywhere—not even before God. Do you all agree?”
“I agree.”
“I swear on my honor.”
Led by the duelists Galpredic and Rugates, Eugene and Entler, as witnesses, answered in turn.
“Good.”
Nodding in satisfaction, Jebin looked at Eugene.
‘Yan Eugene, was it. Regardless of the outcome, he’s thinking of our house’s honor—a fine knight.’
According to Entler, who had entered the labyrinth with him, his skills matched his reputation, and he’d neatly resolved the issue with the dead Templars.
‘If I’d known sooner, we’d have knighted him in our house. What a shame.’
Looking at Eugene with regret, Jebin’s gaze shifted to Rugates, who was loosening up. He couldn’t help but frown.
‘If you lose, you’re fired immediately. If you win, I’ll send you running all over without rest.’
He hadn’t believed it at first, but now he trusted Galpredic’s account.
When he relayed what Galpredic had said, Rugates had at first made excuses.
But when promised the matter would be buried regardless of outcome, he’d finally accepted with feigned honor.
‘Mistake to knight a guy like that. Anyway, Sir Eugene said he’ll stay in Maren for a while? Once this is sorted, I’ll work on him slowly.’
True to the count’s house that didn’t knight just anyone, its heir Jebin burned with determination to recruit Eugene.
Meanwhile, Galpredic and Rugates, fully warmed up, faced each other.
Both wielded longswords as main weapons, but while Galpredic wore plain plate mail, Rugates was armed in sturdy plate armor bestowed by Count Evergrow.
“Defiling my honor with your sly tongue? Sir Galpredic, I didn’t think you were such trash.”
“Shut your trap and come at me. I’ll smash your skull.”
Galpredic didn’t even flinch at Rugates’s taunt.
“Heh heh! Don’t you remember last year’s swordsmanship final? And you think you can pierce my plate armor with that blade?”
“You’re not even a sparrow, yet you yap endlessly. If you won’t come, I will!”
Shwaaak!
With red energy flickering in his eyes from within his helmet, Galpredic charged.
(To be continued next time)