Chapter 52
Chapter 52
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 52
Chapter Title: Reward Acquisition (2)
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Federback cut Soleil off.
"Sorry to interrupt, but the expedition was a success."
"Good, as your father, I'm fine with any outc— What?"
Soleil's expression went blank in an instant.
"What did you say was a success?"
"The expedition. We completed it properly. We identified and subjugated the source of the disaster beasts that had turned the Beauvoir Mines into a no-man's-land for humanity. The Ice Dragon Adara."
At those words, Soleil, Cardina, Rorshah, and everyone else widened their eyes in shock.
But that wasn't all.
"And in the process, we discovered new veins of ore. The Beauvoir Mines and the surrounding area are rich in gold and mithril. We need to send miners there as soon as possible to start extraction."
"W-Wait a minute. There's too much to be shocked about. What? The disaster beasts were an ice dragon, you subjugated it and reclaimed the mining zone? And in the reclaimed area, there's gold and mithril?"
"Yes. On the way back, we also subjugated the yetis, sasquatches, and other snowfolk monsters. The knights and soldiers at the border have earned merits and deserve promotions. I'm formally requesting their recognition."
"I can't believe it. No, it's not that I doubt you, but how on earth did you manage all that alone..."
Soleil's reaction was only natural.
Killing an ice dragon and reclaiming the snowy mountains it ruled, opening new mines and uncovering vast quantities of gold and mithril—none of it was easy.
How could a fifteen-year-old boy accomplish what even hundreds of knights and soldiers would struggle with?
"I didn't do it alone. I mobilized about a hundred prisoners."
"What happened to the prisoners?"
"Unfortunately, they all perished. Except for one."
Federback glanced at Sancho, who was being carried on a stretcher to the infirmary.
The cause was exhaustion, frostbite, and a fever.
He also had some light bruises from a few punches.
"He never joined the rebellion and stuck by my side until the end. We've already recovered the embezzled funds he hid, and he's served enough hard labor and punishment. I think it's fine to pardon him now."
"So be it."
Soleil nodded with a dazed expression, officially granting Sancho's pardon.
Thus, among the prisoners who had set out for Meurso Mountain, only Sancho received the amnesty as originally promised.
Soleil grabbed Federback's shoulder.
"I want to hear more details. Come inside."
"Yes."
After answering, Federback turned to the side.
Cardina and Rorshah stood there.
Both wore expressions full of things they wanted to say.
Right after, a grand banquet was held.
It celebrated Federback Meursault, the second son of House Meursault, successfully subjugating the no-man's-land and returning safely.
The modest family gathering had ballooned hundreds of times over due to rumors of "the Beauvoir Mines reopening" and "the discovery of new gold and mithril veins."
The gentlemen and ladies from nearby houses, already eager to marry off their daughters to him, flocked to the Meursault estate in full splendor.
"My daughter wants to ask Young Master Federback for a dance!"
"Save that for after you draw a number! My girl's been waiting for six months!"
"Heh heh—I've come to give Young Master Federback a welcome-back gift. It's a portrait of him drawn by my daughter herself. Since he has an eye for art, he'll love it."
"Out of the way, everyone! I brought artworks he loves so much! A statue that was on display in the central imperial palace!"
"Oh please, when did our future son-in-law quit playing with art? You know nothing. My daughter and I brought jewels for his sword hilt. By the way, the tassel connecting the jewel and hilt is made from my daughter's hair—a beautiful northern tradition wishing for safe return from battle..."
The adults competed fiercely to claim Federback as their son-in-law.
Meanwhile, the young noble ladies crowded into the hall craned their necks to catch a glimpse of his stunning looks.
"They say Young Master Federback is incredibly handsome."
"I heard he's even more beautiful than a woman."
"No wonder his epithet includes the lily flower."
"I've seen him from afar once, and it was shocking. My heart nearly stopped."
Surprisingly, Federback's popularity among young noblemen was huge too—ever since word spread that he'd single-handedly slain the Ice Dragon Adara.
"Did he really kill a dragon alone?"
"If he's that strong, he'd make a great big brother."
"I still doubt it. How could a human take down a dragon solo?"
"We'd know if we sparred. Clashing swords gives you a sense of the man."
Thus, the name Federback became the firewood heating up the banquet hall.
Right then.
"Oh! There, he's coming!"
"Where? Where? Where!"
"Agh, don't push! I'm falling!"
At the news of Federback's arrival, all eyes turned to the hall's entrance.
Soon, a boy entered the banquet hall.
Snow-white hair, ruby-red eyes, a sharp nose, slender face, and defined jawline.
His face could pass for a lovely girl's, but his shoulders, back, and waist screamed northern warrior.
As the freshly returned Federback appeared, a few girls fainted from dizziness.
"That dizzying beauty mixed with savage wildness... No canvas could capture it..."
"He looks even more striking than last time. He wasn't this tall before."
"No wonder the number of maids wanting to work at Meursault Castle has exploded lately."
"My maid suddenly quit and went to Meursault Castle. Pay's even less, but now I get it. I should do the same."
After a thorough wash and fine clothes, Federback's looks shone even brighter.
Before the expedition, he had the pure, innocent beauty of a fifteen-year-old boy. Now, decadent allure and feral intensity poured out in equal measure.
Not even older ladies dared approach easily.
They could only stamp their feet from afar, yearning.
...Right then.
"Are you Young Master Federback?"
Someone greeted the entering Federback.
He was a young man three or four years older.
"I'm Envis, the eldest son of House Zhil."
He led a group of young masters.
At a glance, he exuded strength and leadership.
Federback asked in a languid tone.
"What is it?"
"Ah, yes. We wanted to verify the rumors."
Envis cleared his throat and asked.
"Did you really slay the dragon on this expedition?"
"Yes."
"...!"
Such an effortless answer.
Envis's mouth fell slightly open at Federback's reply.
He pressed once more.
"Is it possible for a human to slay a dragon? Alone, no less."
"It was possible."
"..."
His casual tone, like returning from a stroll, had Envis and the young masters whispering among themselves.
"He's awfully confident."
"Guess it's true."
"Eh, probably exaggerated a bit."
Finally, Envis spoke.
"My apologies. It's just hard to believe a human could slay a dragon..."
"If it's hard to believe, don't."
Federback replied nonchalantly again.
A faint vein pulsed on Envis's forehead.
"As the rumors say, you don't care for gossip."
"People not believing won't reattach the dragon's head I severed."
"So... you really cut off the dragon's head?"
"I said yes. What answer do you want to hear?"
As Federback asked, Envis bowed quickly.
"It's not that. Many doubt the rumor you slew the dragon. Not me, of course."
"I said it doesn't matter if you believe it."
"But too many doubting eyes aren't good for you. How about proving it to the masses now? Fools only learn that way."
Federback understood Envis's intent.
They wanted to test his strength through a duel.
'Not bad. To recruit spirited soldiers, I need to boil the lukewarm blood of these youngsters.'
Federback nodded readily.
"Anyone who wants to test my skill, step forward. I'll give you a lesson."
"Then I'll receive your guidance first."
Envis stepped up eagerly.
The crowd's eyes sparkled.
"Finally, we'll see our future son-in-law's skills!"
"But that Envis isn't ordinary. He was scouted by the imperial knights."
"Envis is the leader of all the youths around here. His house can't match Meursault, but his personal prowess is top-tier."
"Envis beat a bear barehanded at ten. Can't imagine him losing."
"I think it'll be even, or Envis slightly ahead."
Amid the gossips' chatter, Federback and Envis faced each other.
Federback held a decorative rapier without an edge; Envis, a blunted longsword.
Envis asked.
"...Shall we begin?"
"Whenever."
Federback shrugged.
The duel at the social ball—flower of high society—began.
Envis.
He doubted Federback's skills.
'The dragon rumor isn't entirely false... but probably exaggerated.'
Maybe a tiny hatchling, or a dying old dragon.
Or he struck the killing blow while prisoners fought it.
Such thoughts swirled as his sword tip danced wildly.
Envis measured the distance, swinging his blade this way and that.
But Federback stood bored, motionless.
Envis bit his lip.
'That arrogance won't last.'
The mysterious Federback who'd heated society.
As leader of local noble youths, Envis had watched the rumors closely.
'I'll verify it thoroughly today.'
Envis raised his sword.
"I'll count to three before moving."
"Just come at me."
"..."
Envis bit his lip at Federback's reply.
"Then, without holding back!"
Envis's blade traced a flashy arc.
Thwack!
Incredibly, it plunged into Federback's chest without resistance.
"Urk!?"
Envis was shocked, as if his heart might leap out.
His probing strike hit the opponent's bare body squarely.
On the solar plexus, a vital point.
Even blunted, it was like an iron club.
Full force, against the host no less—he'd caused serious injury. Disaster.
'Why! Why no defense!'
Envis's face crumpled unwittingly.
Starting a brawl at someone else's banquet and crippling the host? Catastrophic.
...But.
"That all?"
"...!"
His darkened vision cleared.
Federback stood before him.
Incredibly, unfazed by the full-force blunted strike.
Then.
...Crack!
Federback grabbed the blade with his bare hand.
'!?'
Envis yanked in surprise, but.
Grrrrrind—
The sword didn't budge in Federback's grip.
'W-What? Impossible! Such grip strength...'.
As Envis reeled, denying reality.
"Your stance is a mess."
A cold voice from Federback's lips.
Then.
...Thwack!
The blunt rapier smashed Envis's crown.
"Guh!?"
Stars exploded in Envis's vision.
No time to scream.
...Thwack! ...Thwack! ...Thwack! ...Thwack! ...Thwack! ...Thwack! ...Thwack! ...Thwack!
Federback's sword relentlessly struck neck, shoulders, chest, sides, thighs, knees, calves, ankles.
"...! ...! ...!"
Invisible speed.
Immense force per hit.
Envis nearly dropped his sword to shield his head.
But Federback's next words snapped him alert.
"Grip the hilt's top firmly. Keep the tip as far from your body as possible. Hold short, thrust long. Fade into shadows when evading, shed them when attacking. Advance sharp, retreat swift—like a mountain still, thunder moving."
Amid the beating?
Yet Federback's voice pierced deep into Envis's heart.
Like seasoning sinking into tenderized meat.
Unconsciously, Envis moved per the advice.
He blocked some strikes now.
'It works! It... works! Really works!'
Envis's joy was brief.
Thwack!
A slight stance shift shattered his defense.
"Attack and defense aren't separate. Attack is defense, defense attack. Every motion has intent; any purposeless move is a gap."
Federback's voice continued.
Envis followed, entranced.
His blade slithered side to side—then counterattacked Federback.
At that moment.
Thud!
Federback's kick slammed Envis's side.
"Kuhak!?"
Envis dropped his sword and tumbled across the floor.
"..."
"..."
"..."
All the watching youths gaped.
Envis, strongest local youth, scouted by imperial knights.
Couldn't even clash once.
Excluding instruction time, he lasted zero seconds.
Federback set his rapier on a table.
"Anyone curious about the moves I used to behead the northern dragon, step up. I'll demonstrate."
"..."
No one moved.
As silence blanketed the hall.
"Young Master Federback!"
Envis shot up from the floor.
The burly man knelt on one knee.
"Thank you for the lesson!"
Having gained crucial insight, no humiliation showed.
Only joy at martial truths months of pondering couldn't yield.
Federback waved it off casually.
"No big deal."
"..."
Seeing Federback claim no credit, Envis's mouth hung open.
'Magnanimous.'
Age didn't matter.
The man before him was a mountain.
Envis realized.
Society's rumors understated it.
'He is far greater.'
Envis bowed again.
His followers did the same.
Clap clap clap clap clap—
The crowd applauded the two youths who'd ignited the hall.
"As expected of Federback!"
"So cool. I'm totally falling for him."
"I'll marry him somehow. Watch me."
The marriageable noble ladies' gazes burned hotter than before.