Chapter 8
Chapter 8
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 8
Chapter Title: Lion's Feast (5)
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That day, Ariel was utterly flustered.
An unplanned duel. Unplanned attention.
Originally, unlike Kline, she had no intention of stepping down from the spectator seats.
She had to stay put.
Because Leonhart Duke—Ariel's father—had been hoping for that.
But that woman, the captain of the White Wing Knights, had ruined it all.
Right in front of everyone present, she had openly declared she wanted to see Ariel's skills.
It was actually an absurd statement.
What skills could a mere six-year-old girl possibly show?
But the audience was already caught up in excitement.
Just moments ago, eleven-year-old Kline Leonhart had defeated a White Wing Knights member in a mere ten exchanges.
So surely, even the young Ariel could display some impressive talent.
The crowd's silent pressure demanded a glimpse of that talent.
"……."
Leonhart Duke—Gerard—glared at Ruin once.
Then he ultimately permitted Ariel's duel.
And so Ariel's heart was pounding like mad right now.
Thump. Thump. Thump.
It wasn't because the sword felt unfamiliar.
Nor was it fear of harming someone or being cut.
She wasn't anxious—she was excited.
This sudden event might actually turn out well.
What if she showed off her brilliant side here?
Maybe her big brother would start treating her kindly again?
Maybe he'd smile at her softly like before?
Maybe... he'd call for her ocarina again?
Grip—
So Ariel gripped her sword tightly.
One exchange.
She would win in just one exchange, no matter what.
Then maybe big brother would acknowledge her.
She faced off against the White Wing Knights member.
The moment "Duel begin!" rang out—
Claaang!
An unbelievable sword strike shot forward at ridiculous speed, felling the knight.
Unconscious.
In just one exchange, she had defeated someone several times her size.
The surroundings fell silent.
No one could open their mouths.
Ariel paid it no mind.
Her only concern was her big brother, Kline.
Her sparkling pupils, brimming with anticipation.
She directed them straight at him.
"......Ah."
Ariel froze solid in an instant.
The expression on Kline's face as he watched his little sister win in one exchange...
Was smeared with jealousy and inferiority.
I sent Yoru off and washed up.
I had to sit at the feast as direct kin—couldn't do that all grubby.
So I made time to clean up, but this thing called the status window popped up again.
Along with some cryptic message.
'Perk unlocked?'
Does that mean it twisted the fact that I'm the protagonist?
I tilted my head, but nothing specific came to mind.
What did I even do today?
Woke up, ate, trained alone, dueled Yoru.
......Nothing special?
Does this just unlock from anything?
Whatever.
The intriguing part was that it reinforced vision among the five senses.
Especially the bit about seeing the Flow of All Things and precisely targeting weak points.
This has to be referring to what I felt during the duel with Yoru earlier.
"Hm."
So was that the result of this perk's power?
Makes sense.
Yoru went on about seeing with the mind's eye or whatever—basically transcending the five senses with a sixth sense.
If I can visualize that now, yeah, the perk must've played a role.
Though it's thanks to my talent anyway!
'And it says Level 1 reinforcement.'
So there's an even greater level beyond this?
My heart started racing for some reason.
Looks like I might have the talent to reach the pinnacle of this world.
Ah, but Ariel's here, so that won't happen.
Fine, second strongest under heaven it is.
"Young Master! We must hurry. The tournament's about to start."
"Ah. Be right there."
Hearing the servant's urging, I quickened my steps.
The tournament grounds were already packed with people.
Family knights, territory folk, visiting swordsmen.
And White Wing Knights members too.
All seated, eyes fixed on the arena.
I hustled to the direct kin seats.
Up front in the center: Father Gerard and White Wing Knights Captain Ruin.
Slightly off to the side and down: seats for me and Ariel.
'Who'd have thought Father would show Ariel to the world.'
He'd never exposed her to outsiders before.
Was this always the plan?
Or because I've been looking after Ariel lately?
Don't know the reason. Good is good.
"Ariel. You doing okay?"
"Yeah."
I plopped down next to Ariel.
Just as I'd told her before, she was fully dolled up with floral accessories.
Her silver hair neatly swept back, adorned with a golden hairpin.
"You look great. Suits you."
"Do... I match it?"
"Perfectly. And that outfit's spot-on too. A kimono? Traditional Aonia wear."
"Yeah. The servants said I should."
"Gotta give those servants a bonus. You'll steal more attention than the tournament, kid."
"You think so too, big brother? Your eyes keep drifting to me?"
"Huh? Of course. You're my little sister."
Think of Aonia as an Eastern nation from my past life.
Ariel was wearing its traditional kimono—pure white styling that was super charming.
Though she's only six.
"Alright, shall we watch? See how the others do?"
"Yeah."
We finished chatting and quieted down.
Soon the announcer took the stage and blabbered something.
Basically, the tournament starts now.
After that, it was smooth sailing.
Swordsmen paired up, entered the arena.
Bowed to each other, then clashed at "Duel begin!"
I still can't judge skills just from watching.
But spectating was entertaining enough.
Watching the participants with interest, a familiar face appeared.
"Oh. Yoru."
Gleaming black hair, black eyepatch.
Yoru headed to the arena with her sword.
Yoru stood calmly in the arena, looking around.
Then she spotted me and waved.
'I'll do my best! Cheer for me!'
Her lip movements were a cheer request.
I chuckled and nodded.
What a fun person.
"Big brother."
Then Ariel asked with a blank face.
"You know her?"
"Huh? Yeah. Met her recently. Kinda weird, but fun. Nice too."
"......Yeah. If you say so."
What was that subtle reply?
I checked Ariel's expression, but couldn't read her emotions.
Even I can't grasp all my little sister's feelings.
I shrugged and watched the duel.
"Duel begin!" from the announcer.
Yoru and her opponent clashed instantly.
Her opponent was much bigger than Yoru.
Maybe three years older.
Perhaps that's why—he went for a straight-line attack.
Charging at Yoru, slamming down his sword to crush her with sheer mass.
But—
Swoosh!
Yoru sidestepped at an angle, thrusting her sword up like a snake.
'It's over.'
Can't block that.
One point scored. Her opponent retreated, skin gashed.
He tried to reset, but too late.
Yoru's relentless assault continued—for a total of fifteen exchanges.
-Kurotsuki Yoru wins!
Yoru had won.
'Oh.'
I could definitely feel Yoru's earlier advice clicking into place.
Her opponent was just overconfident.
Yoru was way smaller, plus the eyepatch.
Perfectly understandable.
Wouldn't excuse the loss, though.
'Yes!'
At victory, Yoru spun toward me, pumping her fist.
Begging for praise.
I mouthed back.
'Good job.'
She nodded eagerly and left the arena.
......But can she see this?
Blind or not, who knows.
Time passed.
Finally, as all participants finished...
The main event began.
-Today, we have a special duel prepared.
At the announcer's words, the arena lights dimmed.
Spotlights hit two spots.
My seat. And the White Wing Knights members' seats.
-A duel between Leonhart Family's eldest son, Young Master Kline Leonhart, and a White Wing Knights member. Give them a round of applause!
-Woooah!
Clap clap clap...
The unexpected event heated up the venue.
Bathed in the territory folk's expectant gazes, I slowly walked to the arena.
'Kinda nervous.'
My first public duel.
I did one with Yoru, but not in front of others.
First time with this many watching.
But...
'Not bad at all.'
My heart raced with excitement instead.
Fun, right? Revealing my talent, my skill to the world.
Wonder what acclaim it'd bring.
I faced him with a confident smile.
Across from me stood what looked like an apprentice knight.
Age around fifteen.
Only four or five years older than me.
Four or five years 'only' difference.
"Pleased to meet you."
The knight greeted with a slightly weary face.
"Likewise. Let's have a good duel."
"A good duel."
I greeted back cheerfully, but he looked unimpressed.
Obviously displeased, making it clear.
"Young Master seems naive to the ways of the world. This is all scripted. I'm supposed to lose nicely to you, and you'll become a celebrity here."
"Oh. Really?"
"Yes. So don't get too serious. I'll make it look pretty. Sigh. Why do I have to do this? Well, apprentice knights get stuck with this stuff..."
"Hmm."
Got it.
I understood his feelings.
He's pissed thinking he's been dragged into a rigged game.
Sees himself as cannon fodder for my shining life moment.
But hey.
'Kinda funny?'
Who decided that?
"That's interesting. So you're saying I don't have what it takes to beat you for real. Right?"
"Pardon? No, I didn't mean it like—"
"What do you mean no? You said it in a way that can't be taken otherwise."
I gripped my sword tight.
Yeah.
It's been a while since I got pissed.
I don't anger easily or get offended much.
But I'm no saint who laughs this off.
"Do it for real."
"Pardon?"
"Fight properly. See if I can beat you or not. Let's make a bet."
"A bet? I'm not in a position to bet with Young Master—"
"Winner gets one favor from the loser. No big deals. Fine, right?"
"Uh......"
He shrugged awkwardly.
Finally nodded like he had no choice.
"Very well. Let's do that."
Good. No backing out.
You misjudged me.
'Scripted game?'
No.
This'll be a scene from an epic saga.