21
Chapter 21
It's an unwritten rule not to interfere in matters decided by a duel between nobles.
While it's difficult to reverse the outcome of a duel, it's not entirely impossible.
A rematch.
A result decided by a duel can be overturned by another duel.
Technically, one could simply refuse the challenge, but avoiding a duel is dishonorable.
Most nobles have too much pride to decline a rematch.
At first, I considered fighting as Baron Marius's representative.
But knowing Viscount Giltain's cunning nature, he might have refused, so I had to act a bit defeated.
As I drew the dagger from my waist and slowly approached Viscount Giltain, he stumbled back and fell flat on his back.
Thump—
"S... Stay back! This is void!"
What kind of guy is this?
I started to wonder if he really won his duel against Baron Marius.
Baron Marius doesn't seem particularly strong, but he shouldn't have lost to a pig like this.
"Imperial Law, Article 47, Section 3. A duel agreed upon by nobles cannot be stopped until one side declares defeat. Will you surrender?"
"Surrender my foot! I told you it's void!"
"Imperial Law, Article 40, Section 2. In a duel by mutual agreement, no one is held liable for injury or death."
Of course, I have no intention of actually killing him.
Back in my active days, killing was the cleanest way, but I'm not a Black Agent anymore.
Even with the law on my side, the death of a noble as high as a viscount would be a hassle.
I'd have to face an investigation by the Justice Department, and with the viscount's men already unconscious, things could look bad for me.
Above all, the viscount's children might come after me for revenge.
Not that I'm afraid, but it's just tedious.
So, the best approach is to show such an overwhelming difference that they wouldn't even dream of revenge.
I concentrated magic power into my dagger as usual.
Soon, a blue Sword Qi... wait, what is this?
I pushed my magic power in with the same feeling as always, but the energy consumption felt higher, and the blue Sword Qi grew denser.
It soon completely enveloped the blade and extended its length nearly twofold.
"An... Aura Blade!"
"Is that really an Aura Blade?"
"Didn't they say he's the academy instructor teaching Young Lady May?"
"Young Lady May attends the academy in the Capital. I guess that's the caliber of people who teach there."
"Still, for someone who can use an Aura Blade to be an instructor..."
The surrounding soldiers were whispering, and I was just as bewildered as they were.
My original plan was to just leak some Sword Qi to intimidate them...
Did I actually become a Sword Master?
An Aura Blade is the symbol of a Sword Master.
I felt my magic power increase after eating the wild ginseng, but I didn't expect it to be this much.
'The effect of Ark's wild ginseng is seriously amazing.'
'Don't get too excited. A realm reached through brute force without enlightenment is worthless.'
What does that even mean?
'It means you're currently a half-measure, so you'll lose every time you face someone at a similar level.'
It's a bit disappointing, but thinking about it, it doesn't really matter.
I'm not even active anymore; why would I ever have to fight a Sword Master?
Besides, no one except Ark knows about this.
"I... I'm just a Baronet! Please... please spare me!"
Viscount Giltain, who had been stubbornly insisting that the duel was void, changed his tune in an instant.
He knelt and begged for his life, which was only natural since rank no longer mattered here.
In the Beluga Empire, only the eight Dukes are Sword Masters.
Of course, those Dukes were granted their titles through various merits in addition to being Sword Masters.
Becoming a Sword Master wouldn't make someone a Duke overnight, but a Marquis title would be easily within reach.
"So, are you admitting defeat?"
Honestly, it was a question that didn't need answering.
The only ones who can face a Sword Master are other Sword Masters... or so I thought, but there is one other way.
I've heard that wizards of the 7th Circle or higher can hold their own, provided they aren't in close quarters.
Well, it doesn't matter.
A pathetic provincial viscount like this couldn't possibly be close with people of that caliber.
"Y... Yes, that is correct. I will return the mine immediately and never step foot near the Levi Territory again."
Terrified out of his wits, he folded instantly.
"You forgot the apology."
"Ah, of course! I apologize! Baron Marius, I sincerely apologize!"
He scrambled up and bowed deeply, but I wasn't satisfied.
I couldn't feel any sincerity in his voice.
"Then I shall leave at once and gather my troops from the mine..."
"Wait!"
"W... Why? What is it?"
"Everything you just said was exactly what I proposed at the beginning, wasn't it?"
As I smirked, a look of utter bewilderment crossed Viscount Giltain's face.
"Huh?"
"You've wasted my time and my magic power, so don't you think that's no longer enough?"
He frowned, clearly unhappy with my words.
I swung the dagger, enveloped in the Aura Blade, through the air a few times, and his attitude shifted again.
"Y... You are absolutely right. I will also pay compensation for the unauthorized occupation of the mine."
He really is a quick study.
They say a single word can pay off a thousand gold debt, but when there's a real debt and a wrong to right, material compensation is only fair.
I asked Baron Marius if he wanted anything else, but he said no.
May said she wanted to climb the social ladder, but this man has no ambition at all.
If I were the Lord, I would have squeezed him for everything he's worth.
Perhaps he's just too shocked to think straight.
"If the compensation isn't satisfactory enough, I might just pay a visit to your territory."
"...Y... Yes, sir!"
Even if I did, he'd likely refuse another duel, but that's fine.
I have absolutely no intention of actually going.
"T... Then may I leave now...?"
"You may."
"What about my men...?"
"They aren't dead, so take them with you. They'll wake up in about three days."
I could have woken them up, but I decided to let them struggle a bit.
Watching them pant for breath while hauling away the knights, I figured it would take them hours at that pace.
I debated whether to wake them, but when Baron Marius asked if he could have his soldiers help, I told him to do as he pleased.
Once the soldiers stepped in, preparations were finished in no time, and Viscount Giltain fled the territory as if he were escaping.
He had looked proud enough to be a conquering general when passing through the castle gates, but as he left, his slumped shoulders made him look like nothing more than a defeated soldier.
Baron Marius, watching the Viscount's retreating figure, bowed his head urgently.
"Thank you so much. I don't know how I could ever repay this kindness..."
He bowed again and again to express his gratitude, but seeing a man in such frail health do so made me feel uneasy.
"As I mentioned, I only stepped in because I happened to hear the news, so please don't let it weigh on you. You're unwell, so it would be best to focus on your recovery."
"Still, if there is anything at all that you desire..."
For a moment, I thought about asking for a share of the profits from the newly discovered gold vein, but I decided against it.
It felt a bit off to act all cool and then immediately ask for money.
Besides, I already have plenty of money.
"If you insist, I have one request. Please make sure that what happened here today does not leak to the outside world."
If the skill I displayed here became known, quitting the academy would be the least of my problems.
"I would have agreed even if you asked me to build a monument in the territory to praise Bio's righteousness, so why do you make such a request?"
A monument? Give me a break.
"I have no desire for fame or success. I'm happy with how things are."
Because if the Imperial Family found out, there's a hundred percent chance they'd give me a title and work me to the bone.
Of course, I wouldn't be able to escape the gaze of the Intelligence Agency.
But as for them, I could just settle things by having a word with Old Man Daph.
"Ah, I understand. We will do as you ask within our territory, but as for Viscount Giltain's side..."
"You don't need to worry about them."
In the end, the only one who saw me was the Viscount himself.
Would he really go around bragging about how badly he was crushed?
It's possible, but it doesn't matter either way.
I plan to send a letter to Duke Carlos sometime next weekend.
Regardless of me being his benefactor, the Duke isn't the type of man to stay quiet once he learns his administrator was bribed by Viscount Giltain to participate in illegal activities.
Since May was at home, we stopped by for lunch before leaving the Levi Territory.
I wanted to hurry so that May could return before the dormitory roll call, but I had no choice when the Baron insisted on hosting a meal.
Arin and Sia sobbed uncontrollably seeing Baron Marius in such poor condition, and even May's eyes welled up.
In that situation, I couldn't bring myself to tell them we had to leave immediately.
Though we departed later than planned, it was fine since Baron Marius had prepared a separate carriage for us.
It wasn't luxurious, but it was spacious for just the two of us, and with a skilled coachman, it was far more comfortable than a transport carriage.
It was convenient, but it bothered me a bit that Baron Marius had called May aside before we left.
"What did you and your father talk about at the end?"
On our way home, I told Baron Marius he could mention that I helped May, but I asked him not to reveal my skill level.
I don't think May is loose-lipped, but if she were to make a slip and someone else at the academy found out, the rumors would spread in an instant.
"He praised you a lot, just like he did during the meal, Instructor. Thank you again for helping my father."
"I've already received enough thanks, so that's quite alright. Anything else?"
"Anything else? Hmm, oh! He told me that since you're truly an amazing person, I should study hard."
"I see. Got it."
"I heard you took down five of Viscount Giltain's knights in an instant. And that you won the duel against the Viscount himself... I wish I could have seen it. What a shame."
"What exactly would be so great about that?"
"Since I might have learned something by watching..."
"Even if you had watched, it wouldn't have been at a level helpful to you."
An Aura Blade isn't something you can just mimic by watching, and as for the acupuncture used against the knights, May wouldn't have even noticed it if she were there.
"I guess I'm still too lacking... I'll work even harder!"
I hadn't meant it that way, and she completely misunderstood, but since she was eager to work hard, I didn't see any reason to correct her.
I took a short nap in the carriage and before I knew it, we had arrived at the Peyton Viscountcy.
We moved through the gate, waited for about thirty minutes, and then crossed into the Capital.
Checking my pocket watch, it was 4 o'clock.
I had plenty of time.
"Instructor, are we returning to the academy now?"
"Haven't you bought a weapon yet? Follow me."
I took May to the moving carriage stop and boarded a carriage heading toward the southern part of the Capital.
"Um, Instructor? Aren't most of the blacksmiths that deal in weapons located in the West?"
"There is a smithy in the South that's the second best in the Capital."
"Second best?"
"Are you disappointed that we're going to the second best instead of the first?"
"N... No, it's not that."
"You couldn't buy from the first one even if you tried."
The best smithy in the Capital is, obviously, the Imperial Palace Blacksmithy.
After a twenty-five-minute carriage ride and a five-minute walk, we finally arrived at our destination.
[Flame of Parma]
"I guess the owner's name is Parma."
"Parma is... forget it. I'll explain once we're inside, so let's go in."
As we entered, various weapons were on display from the entrance, just like any other smithy.
"It's not that I don't trust you, Instructor, but is this place really the second best in the Capital?"
"What makes you think that?"
"The weapons are covered in dust, and the owner is napping. Most importantly, I don't see a workshop. It looks like they just resell gear from other smiths. Usually, places like this are overpriced and low quality..."
Ho, she knows her stuff.
May wasn't wrong, but she wasn't entirely correct either.
Some places keep their workshop and retail store completely separate.
"You'll find out soon enough."
With those words, I approached the employee who was nodding off.
Smack—
"Yikes! Who... urgh?"
After receiving a knuckle rap, he scowled, but the moment he saw my face, he looked utterly shocked.
"Still as sleepy as ever, I see, Hans."
"Bio Hyung! It's been so long. I seriously thought you were dead..."
"Why would I be dead? Stop talking and just open the way."
"Oh, right!"
As Hans pressed down on a nearby piece of armor, the floor sank, revealing a set of stairs.
"In... Instructor? What on earth is this...?"
"Parma's real weapons are down here, so follow me."
We walked for about five minutes.
Just as I felt the intense heat and thought we were almost there, a massive figure suddenly lunged at me.