Chapter 126
Chapter 126
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 126
Chapter Title: Duel and Banquet
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10
“…I acknowledge it. The victor is you.”
Jeno Wolvern let go of the broken sword hilt and raised both hands.
Sheathing my sword in response to his surrender,
“You’re impressive for someone so young. To think you’d be faster than my blade.”
“I appreciate the praise, but now that you’ve acknowledged it, why not head back? You have a long way to go, and plenty of people to round up.”
“…….”
Jeno Wolvern didn’t reply.
He simply clenched the hand that had held his sword and furrowed his brow deeply.
“As you said, I engaged in an honorable duel. To not accept the outcome would tarnish a knight’s honor.”
The moment he started prattling on like that, it was clear no sensible conversation was coming.
Striking his chest with his fist, Jeno Wolvern roared.
“But before being a knight, I am a soldier who swore loyalty to my homeland! Even if it costs me my honor for life, I cannot return like this for the sake of my country!”
Ah, I knew it would come to this.
From the Federation’s perspective, winning the duel meant easily swallowing Balamut whole, and losing just meant invading outright anyway.
A duel staked on honor has fewer safeguards than one might think.
If it were within one nation, that’d be one thing, but when knights from enemy nations clash like this, it’s truly just about each other’s honor.
Of course, Jeno Wolvern is a knight who values honor.
That’s why in the original story, he cleanly withdrew after losing to Leon in single combat.
But the situation now is different from then.
In the original, Leon and Jeno Wolvern encountered each other at the border between Balamut and Wolverhelm.
Leon was simply searching for desert ruins there, but Jeno judged him an illegal immigrant and challenged him to a duel.
Since Leon won, they talked it out and parted without issue.
There was no Federation command involved in that.
At the time, Jeno Wolvern wasn’t acting as a soldier but as a knight leading his own legion.
But now, he’s chosen to be a soldier over a knight.
The difference is simple but absolute.
“If you’d just gone back, it would’ve been so much easier….”
I’d held out a sliver of hope and tried, but you really can’t expect anything from humans.
Hah, a situation that naturally drew a sigh, but it was unfolding as expected.
The best choice doesn’t always bring the best result.
This time too, the ideal outcome of the Federation quietly retreating wasn’t in the cards….
But that’s why I had insurance prepared.
That insurance is what made this duel possible in the first place.
“Can you handle the consequences? If you don’t withdraw peacefully, a few heads will roll right here.”
I tilted Deathwise diagonally.
Sensing the ominous air, Leon drew his holy sword.
Noel immediately swung her muzzles around, and Ethan, with bandages and a patch on his face, protected her.
Outnumbered as we are, the four of us can’t take down the entire Federation army.
But if we go all out, dropping the knights here wouldn’t be hard.
A headless legion would weaken their forces that much, boosting Balamut’s chances.
Tension snapped taut in an instant.
The scorching heat pouring from above scorched our skin.
Sweat dripped down cheeks, but no one moved carelessly.
The standoff in the desert heart was broken by a single urgently arriving messenger.
“Lord Legion Commander Jeno! Tekat Kingdom forces are approaching from the rear!”
“What…!? That’s impossible!”
“It’s true! A force of 20,000 from the Tekat Kingdom has been confirmed! They’re marching straight this way!!”
Jeno Wolvern’s face filled with shock.
Only then did I relax my shoulders.
Ah, right on time.
Ludwig’s the only one I can rely on, after all.
When I learned Nestor was the Federation’s plant, I contacted Ludwig and requested he mobilize.
With no real pretext, I asked him to station troops near Agrit territory under the guise of training, ready to move the moment a Federation invasion was confirmed.
Even on such short notice, he mustered 20,000.
Ludwig’s political footing may be narrow, but his resourcefulness is top-notch.
Far off, sand dust rose along the horizon.
The fiercely advancing Tekat Kingdom army looked like sturdy saviors to us, but to the Federation forces, like the grim reaper approaching.
“…It doesn’t matter! A body sworn to loyalty for the homeland—even if I perish here, for the glory of my country!”
“Don’t make me laugh! Jeno Wolvern! If you want to die, do it alone!”
Beside Jeno Wolvern, who bellowed with madness-tinged fervor, a curly golden-haired man raised his voice.
Jeno Wolvern grabbed the man’s collar with a betrayed expression.
“Stone Oldinew! As lord of Newcastle, are you betraying the Federation now!?”
“It’s not betrayal—it’s rational judgment! What do you plan to do, invading Balamut now? We’ll be crushed by the Tekat Kingdom army from behind before we breach the gates! If you hadn’t wasted time on that duel…!”
A debate rooted purely in hindsight.
From the start, it was a plan where I couldn’t fail, win or lose the duel.
Thinking they could breach Balamut’s walls in just 2-3 hours was laughable anyway.
But with no rebuttal possible, Jeno stayed silent.
“Even for the Federation’s sake, minimizing losses is the priority now. Understood?”
“Damn it… Full retreat! Fall back to the terminal!”
Honorless but not incompetent, Jeno Wolvern quickly decided.
Though the army was already in disarray….
Still some pride left, he turned his back to us and added,
“See you next time, young one.”
I’d rather not.
Before I could say that, the Federation army fled as swiftly as they’d appeared.
11
“I express my gratitude for your valiant aid and bestow upon you the Desert Flower Medal.”
The dignified middle-aged man who descended from the throne pinned a flower-shaped medal to my chest.
This man was Balamut’s king, Marlon Cassius.
Unlike his seasoned appearance, he was actually narrow-minded and shallow.
Hardly a great king, but… not all kings are sages.
History’s wheel sometimes turns up tyrants, sometimes incompetents.
I turned my gaze from Marlon Cassius, who smiled contentedly.
The medal on my chest was a flower with six metal petals.
“The Desert Flower doesn’t bloom easily. It hunkers in the sand for years, only briefly flowering when rain falls. Yet even if its bloom is short, the Desert Flower lives in the sand. Like a hero who harbors valor in his heart and blooms amid adversity.”
Marlon loved his explanations too.
I had no interest in that backstory.
Truth be told, I didn’t even want the medal.
But… I couldn’t refuse this time.
The moment I claimed to be Ludwig’s envoy, slipping away alone became impossible.
This merit would help Ludwig too… so call it an IOU to the prince.
“Anything to say?”
“I merely did what needed doing, so nothing much.”
“As expected of the Agrit Count Family’s blessing. Heh heh.”
Marlon Cassius stroked his beard and chuckled benevolently.
Elevating me like this, he must want to strengthen ties between Balamut and Agrit territory.
I smiled back, considering it filial piety.
I’d rip the medal off the moment I got home.
Wearing this around would advertise me as a hero.
Wearing it in Balamut would get good treatment most places… but doubtful I’d return.
“I’ve prepared fitting rewards for the new heroes.”
At Marlon’s words, attendants brought small boxes.
One per person—opening the luxurious box,
The inside was lined with smooth red silk, atop which lay a single pure gold button.
I picked up the button and felt its weight.
Hefty—definitely pure gold.
“A modest token of appreciation—please accept.”
Modest for saving a kingdom, sure….
Not that I did it for rewards; I could sell the gold for emergency funds if needed.
“Thank you. A fine gift.”
Smiling, I pocketed the button.
Pocket lined, heart secured.
“Then please enjoy the banquet.”
Marlon spread his arms wide with a satisfied smile.
At the gesture, the orchestra waiting in the hall began playing.
A melody similar yet somehow different from Tekat Kingdom’s.
Probably different instruments.
Not just lutes, but ones resembling haegeum too.
Different instruments, but still courtly music all the same.
To the refined tune, banquet guests danced or chatted.
The palace interior overflowed with vivid colors.
Especially striking was the fountain dominating the hall’s center, a symbol of wealth.
Most wore Balamut traditional garb over typical dresses and tuxedos—refreshingly novel.
Ah, envy.
Looked comfier than uniforms.
Buy one for lounging at home?
Felt like I’d dropped into a Bollywood movie.
The overflowing energy everywhere made me step back a bit.
Get caught in that, and my energy would drain.
I might never get used to it, but Ethan probably would and join right in.
Though Ethan was nowhere in that lively crowd—surprising.
He must be enjoying himself elsewhere.
I turned to the food first.
Rice stuffed with lamb in broth full of dried milk, rolled grilled lamb filled with minced onions, nuts, rice, and raisins.
All on large platters, eaten by hand with flatbread.
Rice is the best.
Stuffed contentedly with rice and meat, next waited smoked lamb roast wafting savory scents.
Balamut’s staple must be lamb.
In four days wandering the city, hadn’t seen many other livestock.
Desert limits farmable breeds.
Hydroponic onions, easy-to-import dried fruits, desert-harvested cacti, date melons, etc.
Limited ingredients led to diverse cooking methods, perhaps.
“Desserts are on point, though.”
Chewing kunefe layered with pastry, clotted cream, pistachios, soaked in syrup—head spun.
Hot climate needs sugar replenishment, maybe.
Efficient dessert in that sense.
Speculating while eating was honestly fun.
Never thought I’d visit pre-ruin Balamut; in Broken World, I’d invested most time wandering landscapes.
This Balamut view was an unprecedented spectacle.
“Pardon the intrusion. I’m Toti, heir to the Farhan family. Might we speak briefly?”
To cut the kunefe sweetness, I added goat cheese when a young man approached.
Nodding while chewing dessert, he lit up and closed in.
“Thank you! Our Farhan family trades with Agrit territory, but….”
“Ah, there you are. I’m Mimond, heir to the Sala family. I heard you’re starting new ventures in the territory recently. Might the Sala family invest?”
Mimond cut in boldly on Toti, smiling with his eyes.
Veil-like fluttering mask hid his mouth, hard to read.
Meanwhile, Toti glared.
“Mimond, interrupting a conversation? Rude much?”
“Oh, were you there? You’re so small, I missed you.”
Mimond feigned surprise at “discovering” Toti.
Actually, Mimond towered two heads over him.
Button properly pressed, Toti raged, but Mimond brushed it off with an eye smile.
Why are they bickering in front of me?
I slipped away with kunefe, letting them have their moment.
Checking around, Leon, Ethan, and Noel had long been cornered by others.
Sorry, guys.
Chat up the people for me!