Chapter 19
Chapter 19
Translator: True Detective
Chapter 19
Duel Without Honor (3)
As Leohar's words ended, a heavy silence flowed in the Audience Chamber for a moment.
Bam! Soon Barg slammed the table and stood up.
"Just what kind of reckless remark is that right now! Is such diplomatic discourtesy a daily occurrence in the Kingdom!?"
"What are you saying. The one who wanted a person first was Lady Yuria. Since Lady Yuria will also designate an important figure of our Kingdom, we should naturally do so too."
"Th-Even so! If it's like this, it would be better not to duel rather..."
At that time, Yuria grabbed his collar and stopped him. He looked at her with an expression saying he couldn't understand at all. And that was the same for other warriors. They wanted to quit this kind of ridiculous condition right away.
She also felt the same, but she couldn't take it back now. The hand holding Barg was trembling. Seeing that, Leohar sneered inwardly.
He still remembered the humiliation he suffered in the market yesterday. At first, he thought she simply stepped up to handle the situation. But after realizing that was all to help Carmil, he kept looking for an opportunity to pay back this disgrace.
'While you stay in this Royal Palace, I will forcefully violate you and leave a stigma on your life. I will play with you as a concubine for the rest of your life, so you better not even dream of returning to your hometown.'
Meeting eyes with that endless malice, Yuria flinched and shuddered. Surely a terrible intention must be hidden inside there. Thinking that, she wanted to run away from this place right away.
Watching her back like that, Barg shouted urgently.
"Please act appropriately. Currently, our North is at war with demons, yet you say you will keep the Grand Duchess!"
"Then isn't it better. Where would there be a safer place than here for Lady Yuria? Rather, it will only be an opportunity to build a solid relationship between the North and the Kingdom. Staying here will be good in many ways."
"Kuk...!"
"Do not worry. Later when the time comes, we will personally escort her well to the North."
Of course, at that time, her belly will be quite full though. I hope she doesn't get kicked out from the North again. Along with that terrible imagination, Leohar leaked a lewd laugh.
On the other hand, Yuria couldn't say anything more.
The board she painstakingly set up, the promise she made with Carmil, was all crumbling.
'I was too complacent. I told him I would help...'
She looked around at the Kingdom's knights. It wasn't that she wasn't confident in winning, but it was on a different dimension from when betting Ice Crystals.
If by any chance they lose to them, what will happen to her. While confined here, will the North be safe?
Thinking that, words didn't come out at all. Saying I will do it. Saying I will accept that trivial bet.
I wanted to say it coolly and boast to Carmil. But thinking that not only herself but also the future of the North hung on this one word, her vision went dark.
Seeing her like that, Leohar worried mockingly.
"Hmm? Lady Yuria. Why are you like that? Is there any problem?"
"Ugh, uugh..."
Hands and feet trembled, and she couldn't breathe properly. She couldn't even distinguish whether she was standing or sitting right now.
Only rough breathing came out between hesitating lips instead of an answer. Amidst everyone waiting for her words, someone tapped the table with a finger instead of her and spat out casually.
"Just do it. What's the problem."
"Uh?"
A familiar voice heard from right next to her. Only then did she realize she had been bowing her head all along.
Lifting her head and looking to the side, a familiar knight was standing there.
"Warrior Carmil. I will participate in this duel representing the North."
At those words, tears filled up in her eyes before she knew it.
Arriving at the Audience Chamber, I looked around.
Amidst everyone including the King looking at me, I swore on the spot.
"Warrior Carmil. I will participate in this duel representing the North."
With those words, I looked at Yuria next to me. Although hidden by her hair, tear marks were stained around her eyes.
"Ugh. Heuk."
As she was sobbing with only her shoulders shaking, I patted her shoulder with a sigh.
'I knew it would be like this.'
It was good that I came straight from the tavern. No matter what, there's no way this shallow strategy would work on the King and that guy Leohar.
Above all, there is no way she, who grew up on the battlefield, would be skilled in diplomacy. Being her, I had to take over from now on.
"Captain Carmil. Just what does that mean? Representing the North, you say."
One of the listening nobles stepped forward as if absurd. Others also had the same expression, but my answer didn't change.
"Just as you heard. In this duel, I will represent the North and become the sword of the Grand Duchess here."
"Ha. Just what..."
Nobles looked at me speechless. Then Leohar, who had been glaring at me all along, intervened.
"Look here, Captain Carmil. Just how did you enter this Royal Palace?"
"Well. They just let me in. Or did I come to a place I can't come?"
"Ha. You seem not to understand my words, but I'm asking with what qualification you entered here despite being under house arrest."
Some nodded at Leohar's sarcastic remark. I sneered at those words and retorted.
"Right. You spoke well. Since I am under house arrest, I am not the 4th Knight Order Captain right now. So I am just standing here as a representative of the North."
As long as the King suspended my authority, my knight's oath was currently in a reserved state. As I became unable to stand on the Kingdom's side, there was no problem standing on the North's side either.
Of course, I would receive some criticism, but that much was daily life.
"How is it, did that become a sufficient answer?"
"Such cheeky..."
I ignored him and looked at the King.
"Your Majesty. Currently, as a body under house arrest, I dare not call myself a knight of the Kingdom."
"..."
"So even if I put down the title of War Hero for a moment and represent the North, no one will have the right to stop me. Of course, this is a story already agreed upon with the Grand Duchess here."
As I said that and looked, Yuria nodded diligently. Probably when they accepted the duel, she also intended to bring me making this and that excuse.
So there was no more story to share here. Now only replacing with the sword at my waist remained.
"Leohar and knights. Do you need further explanation?"
I looked at Leohar and pointed at his sword.
"Or as expected, was that sword for show?"
"Fufufu. Captain Carmil. Don't tell me you think I got scared by what you showed yesterday? With just that trivial performance?"
"Really? That's good then."
I looked around. The knights were already full of motivation, and the nobles were also still convinced of victory. Only the King made a disapproving expression, but he couldn't stop this flow now.
"Is there anything to weigh. Let's start right away."
I declared towards them.
After the morning negotiation ended, the news of the duel between the North and the Kingdom spread throughout the city soon. At that sudden news, citizens still immersed in the afterglow after watching yesterday's duel. And even those who had lingering regrets for not seeing that duel all gathered in the square. Thanks to that, the square was filled with spectators without room to step.
"Wow. To think we would be able to see such a match today following yesterday."
"Really looking forward to it. Just who will win?"
"Of course, the Kingdom. On this side, there is Captain Leohar and even that Captain Carmil!"
Citizens predicting the result full of excitement. They were waiting for the match without even dreaming that Carmil would step forward representing the North.
Like that, while the first match was being prepared, Carmil and the people of the North were waiting behind the arena.
Yuria approached him hesitantly.
"Umm, sorry. And thank you..."
"What is it. Where did all that confidence from yesterday go?"
"S-Sorry. If I knew it would be like this, I shouldn't have stepped forward..."
Carmil stroked her head and cut off her words.
"Don't worry. From now on, I will set up the board entirely. There won't be an occasion where you will be left in the Kingdom."
"...Yeah."
Strangely hearing those words, the anxiety from earlier was no longer felt.
He headed to the arena with those words.
As he went up, the surrounding cheers grew louder in an instant.
"Waaaaaaah!"
"Captain Carmil!!"
Since the practice sparring with the 1st Knight Order spread, the rumor that he attacked the 1st Knight Order at the castle gate was also terminated at once. As much as they were swayed by groundless rumors in the first place, the bad reputation about him also subsided in an instant.
Of course, there were still citizens fearing him, but they were enthusiastic about his swordsmanship more than that.
"Soon we will start the friendly duel between the North and the Kingdom!"
"Uh? But why is Captain Carmil coming out from over there?"
"Tell me about it. Isn't that the Northern camp?"
While citizens were confused, Carmil came up on the stage. And Ruan was glaring at him and smiling mockingly.
"Kukuk. Carmil, you bastard. A guy without Aura dares to stand in front of me."
Just in time, such a stage was arranged as soon as training finished, he couldn't be happier than this.
Originally Carmil's opponent was the Royal Guard Captain, but Ruan volunteered himself. In the first place, his skill didn't lag behind even compared to other Captains. There was also the 1st Knight Order Captain's recommendation, everyone accepted that decision.
"Even the Goddess is helping me. Seeing that she arranged a chance to end your career like this."
I don't know why his popularity among citizens increased so much, but it rather worked out well. If he loses in this place, the disgrace will be that much bigger.
Like that, before going up, Ruan looked around at his subordinates who came to cheer him on.
"By the way, where did all the other guys go? Did they go out on a mission or something."
He tried to show the result of training with much effort, but only two members were visible now among over fifty.
To him, who had been shut in the training room for three days straight, a member answered carefully.
"Ah, that is, everyone is receiving treatment at the cathedral."
"Hmm? Just what does that mean. Everyone is at the cathedral."
"Yesterday, they were all defeated by the 4th Knight Order Captain, so they are currently under treatment."
"...What?"
Ruan couldn't understand what he meant for a moment. He asked again with an expression as if he heard an outdated joke.
"So, you mean the 4th Knight Order swarmed in a group and defeated our 1st Knight Order?"
"N-No. Captain Carmil alone dealt with our members all at once and won."
"..."
Ruan stood blankly for a moment. He couldn't understand no matter how many times he heard. So, he won dealing with all the Kingdom's elite 1st Knight Order at the same time? And Carmil alone at that?
Ruan slowly turned his head and looked at Carmil in front of his eyes.
Then just who is the man standing without a single scratch in front of me right now?
"What are you doing. Not coming up."
Looking at such Carmil, Ruan believed something must have gone wrong for sure.