Self-Binding
The semi-final match between Licht and Luke had concluded.
The noble viewing gallery on the upper level of the tournament venue was in a stir.
The cause was the miraculous and beautiful sword dance displayed by the two participants.
Some were pouring out their admiration for how concise and sharp Licht's sword strikes were,
while others praised Luke's overwhelming talent.
How was this possible?
A first-year student at the Academy who had only just become an adult was capable of displaying such brilliant swordsmanship.
And the one who had defeated him, Licht, who exactly was he?
Amidst the swirling questions in people's minds, the conversation naturally turned to the backgrounds of the two individuals.
“That boy Luke. I heard he's the eldest son of the Starrail Barony, a noble family of swordsmanship. He took first place at the Academy right from his enrollment.”
“As expected. Noble families prove their name through skill.”
“A family that has produced Sword Graduates for generations will soon have a Sword Master born.”
“But is there anyone who knows about this swordsman Licht? It's unbelievable that a swordsman of that caliber has remained unknown until now.”
In the midst of the noisy atmosphere, someone raised a question, and others nodded in agreement.
Who exactly was the swordsman wearing the mask?
He had silenced the knights who were famous across the empire with a single step.
He had reached the finals without using aura consistently.
If not a Sword Master, his power was beyond comprehension.
As everyone voiced their speculations, a noble offered a small opinion.
“Could it be... His Highness the Grand Duke Behirit?”
“!”
The name of the man known as the Grand Duke with iron-blooded aura and Sword Master status caused the people to shudder.
Indeed, when one saw the swordsman Licht, the Grand Duke was the first to come to mind.
The red eyes visible behind the mask.
The overwhelming presence that naturally emanated from his entire body.
The skill to toy with Sword Graduates.
At this point, it was a reasonable speculation.
“But the Grand Duke is sitting right there in the gallery.”
“Cough. That's right. I spoke out of turn.”
The noble who had first spoken, glancing at the black-haired, red-eyed man sitting with a blank expression looking down at the tournament venue, apologized.
Yes, if it were the Grand Duke, he would be sitting there fine.
Licht could never be the Grand Duke.
Perhaps it was a Sword Master who had been in hiding for some reason and had now revealed himself.
In the meantime, while no one could provide a proper answer regarding the identity of the swordsman Licht,
the young man with golden hair who knew the truth glared fiercely at the stage of the tournament venue.
'Damn it! You keep interfering with me, Behirit Divelion!'
The second prince Albireo swallowed the boiling rage he felt while looking at Licht, who was receiving cheers from the crowd.
When he had identified the name Licht in the initial list of the Demon Sword Festival, he had thought it impossible, but the Grand Duke was actually participating.
People hadn't noticed because of the Grand Duke's replica that looked so lifelike,
but through Tower Master Bahamut, it was confirmed that the swordsman Licht was indeed the Grand Duke.
'Damn it. What am I supposed to do about this.'
Albireo furrowed his brows at Behirit's unexpectedly active moves.
If this continued, the plan to have Gawain win and challenge the Sword Master Friedrich might fizzle out.
Clutching his trembling knees, Albireo reassured himself.
'Hah. It's fine. For this plan, I prepared the Awakening Elixir with Tower Master Bahamut. Since he consumed it, Gawain has a chance against a Sword Master.'
The Awakening Elixir made by Tower Master Bahamut by distilling human sacrifices, which dramatically boosts the user's mana to Sword Master levels.
Since Gawain had consumed it, he was on par with Sword Masters now.
Although it was a pity to hold back before the duel with Friedrich, if he could defeat the Grand Duke, it would be a satisfying result.
Soon, Albireo regained his composure and looked at the stage, where Gawain was facing his opponent for the semi-final match.
'Hmph. That knight... was he the vice commander of the Imperial 1st Knight Order.'
Albireo sneered towards the red-haired woman on the stage.
A fool who couldn't recognize the man who would become the sun of the empire and was loyal to his brother.
He had heard his skill was decent, but that was all; he couldn't be a match for Gawain.
He was probably aiming for the title of Sword Master.
Well, it was fortunate. It was an opportunity to watch a fool who was loyal to his brother break.
So, I should enjoy it.
After a moment, the two knights distanced themselves on the stage and faced each other.
In the heavy silence that descended,
The gong sounded, and the match began.
Kwaaaah-!
Almost simultaneously with the start, the red-haired Fiora unleashed a fierce attack.
A domineering momentum befitting the vice commander of the Imperial 1st Knight Order.
However, the sword strike was repelled by Gawain's blue aura without piercing it.
Tung!
“Oh. As expected of Gawain. Truly impeccable defense.”
“Although the opponent Fiora's attack is not to be underestimated, it seems insufficient to break through Gawain's defense.”
The nobles sitting next to Albireo, who had the upper hand in the match, said excitedly.
Dogs lying on their bellies to please their master.
While Albireo smirked at the sight, Gawain continued to press his opponent.
Kwang! Clang!
“Ah. Fiora's center has been disrupted. This, this, the match is essentially over.”
“Now Gawain will reach the finals. In that case, winning is a given, isn't it?”
“Indeed. A swordsman like Licht, whose name we haven't even heard of, can't possibly match Gawain, haha.”
Albireo's subordinates, who were already talking as if they had won, were gleeful.
The nobles around them frowned, but since it was in front of the second prince, they didn't protest.
During the match, the tide of the game didn't turn.
Soon, the protective artifact activated, signaling the end of the match.
Beep-
“Ah. It's over. It's a shame about Fiora. She probably wanted to get the title of Sword Master after succeeding her father Friedrich.”
“But what can you do? Gawain is stronger. Fiora must rise again from defeat. Losing to the strong is not shameful, hehe.”
“Indeed, that's right. Hahaha.”
With Gawain's victory in the semi-finals, the nobles under the second prince subtly mocked the opposing side.
An attitude that couldn't be found anywhere in terms of respect.
Some nobles under the first prince frowned, but Friedrich didn't say anything.
He just stared at the defeated vice commander.
Watching this series of scenes, Albireo had a satisfied expression.
'Huhuhu, how wonderful.'
How much he had hated seeing his brother's lackeys, led by Sword Master Friedrich, swaggering.
But now look at them. They look dejected like wet rats.
It was so satisfying that he thought it was enough to kill just one slave tonight.
Once the Grand Duke and his sister are dealt with, the plan will be perfect.
While thinking about the upcoming success, Albireo had a cheerful face,
'......'
As time passed,
A crack began to appear on the smile on his face.
“Haa... In the end, Her Highness the Imperial Princess has advanced to the finals. I suppose there are no talents in the Magic Tower this year?”
“Cough! It seems because Countess Raphaela didn't participate, the most likely winner.”
“Well, even so, this isn't the end of the anomaly, is it? The final opponent is the third stone of the Magic Tower. A newly enrolled Imperial Princess would have a hard time against her.”
Albireo's subordinates said while looking at Eustia, who was receiving cheers from the audience on the stage.
Eustia, who was expected to be eliminated, had fought fiercely and ended up in the finals.
Ignoring the nobles who were watching her every move, Albireo washed his hands.
'Damn it. Damn sister. Why are you ruining my plan.'
The semi-final match with Eustia earlier. The opponent was the fourth stone of the Magic Tower, a man under his command.
He had expected to kill his younger brother since he was evaluated slightly higher than Robus.
But for some reason, his younger brother had defeated him.
'...Even my blood is rotten.'
The transcendent talent he and his brother possessed.
Eustia must have inherited it too.
Even so, her fierce fighting was beyond calculation, but that's fine.
The third stone of the Magic Tower who will face Eustia in the finals is also under his command.
'Sister will be dealt with in the Magic Department finals. More importantly, the Knight Department finals that will open soon are important.'
A serious aura settled on Albireo's face more than ever.
He admits. The Grand Duke is a very difficult opponent.
But the one who wins at the end is himself.
And now he can confirm that.
After a little time, amidst the booming sound of a great drum that vibrated even the heart,
Piercing through the cheers and noise of the people,
On the stage of the tournament venue, which showed a grander atmosphere than ever,
Two knights with an unmatchable aura rose up.
The swordsman Licht, who appeared like a comet, easily defeated skilled opponents and advanced to the finals.
Gawain Calinant, who showed the power befitting the name of the Imperial 2nd Knight Order Commander.
Mana that could swallow the entire tournament venue flowed from the two knights.
People held their breath in the atmosphere as if walking on a blade.
“......”
Who would win?
Hundreds of thousands of spectators, newspaper reporters gathered from across the continent.
And the nobles seated in the venue, all focused.
After a short while,
The gong sounded, signaling the start of the Demon Sword Festival finals.