Chapter 132
Chapter 132
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ace
Chapter: 132
Chapter Title: Unwelcome Companions
-----------------------------------------------------------------
While most of our young masters froze, I realized, surprisingly, that his words weren't born of mere arrogance.
'He's not bluffing?'
To put it bluntly, the only ones on our side who could face him would be Hector or Karon.
He looks about my age, maybe a year or two younger. What's his story?
"..."
Seren seemed to have an inkling of something, but this wasn't the time to casually ask.
Just then, Varter called out to Seren.
"Seren."
"Yes, brother."
Brother... It didn't seem like a fitting title for such an unruly guy.
He seemed like the type to just shout 'Hey!' at his older siblings, regardless of gender.
"Sister, so you were there."
Nabi, who had been indifferent all day, looked at Seren with a slightly changed expression.
Varter said.
"Seren, I'll ask you now. Won't you come with us?"
"I am currently on my way to the academy as a graduate of the training retreat. Since we started together, it is only right that we finish together."
She spoke as if reciting a prepared script.
Though he could have been offended, Varter instead let out a low chuckle.
"I knew you'd say that. Then let's do this. If Nabi wins, you'll return without another word."
"That is..."
"Your brother is going this far. You should concede at least a little."
"..."
At his soft yet strangely coercive voice, Seren let out a subtle sigh and nodded.
'Look at these guys.'
It's annoying how they're talking as if they've already won.
The thought of just forgetting about the Goodsprings and beating them up crossed my mind... and in that moment, I startled myself.
My way of thinking was frighteningly similar to my master, Baek Rogwang.
'This is a bit...'
Let's calm down.
At this rate, I'll really become a little Baek Rogwang.
I'm supposed to be a good and patient person... This is all Karon's fault.
Meanwhile, Hector nodded and said.
"Very well. I accept."
'Oho...'
Despite being so openly disrespected, Hector remained composed.
It was surprising for a guy who practically worships the Iron-Blooded Duke like a god and holds immense pride in the Bednicker name.
He's probably far more furious than I am on the inside... which means he's learned how to hide his true feelings.
It might be an exaggeration, but could this training retreat have been a turning point in Hector's life?
Seeing how he's grown, both physically and mentally, to an unrecognizable degree.
"However, I alone will be enough to fight."
At those words, Nabi paused and asked.
"...You'll fight alone?"
"Yes."
"I heard the Bednicker training retreat gives out ranks. What was yours?"
"Second."
"Who was first?"
"Karon Woodjack."
"Oh."
At that, Nabi looked around, soon spotting Karon and smiling.
It was a distinctly belligerent smile.
"Lord Hyde's only son, I see. I've heard many rumors about you. I think you'd be a worthy opponent."
"Perhaps."
Karon replied in his usual blunt tone.
"Let me tell you something. When it comes to one-on-one combat, Hector Bednicker is stronger than me."
"What?"
"In one-on-one combat, that is."
Karon emphasized it again, but Nabi's gaze was fixed on Hector.
Hector, in turn, wore a surprised expression as he looked at Karon for readily acknowledging him.
And for some reason, Karon looked at me and gave a subtle thumbs-up.
"..."
What does he want me to do about it?
Anyway, it was a ridiculous sight, with everyone looking at someone else in a chain.
I almost felt like I should look at someone else to continue the trend.
"Well, fine. If you're really at that level, it won't be boring."
Nabi drew the sword from his waist.
Both were real swords, but of course, this wasn't a duel to the death, and they couldn't inflict serious injuries.
That was because they were a Bednicker and a Goodspring.
"..."
"..."
A slightly inclined slope.
As the two young masters faced each other, the battle began immediately.
Hector struck first.
Drawing his sword in the same motion as taking a single step, Hector instantly closed the distance to Nabi, unleashing a beast-like aura.
"Huh?"
I tilted my head slightly.
Karon, who had appeared beside me, seemed to have a similar thought and muttered.
"I haven't seen that footwork before..."
"He must have learned it from his family."
As I've said many times, the Iron-Blooded Duke is strict with rewards and punishments.
This meant that Hector, having achieved second place in the training retreat, had also received some kind of reward.
In any case, Hector's footwork was fast.
Not as fast as my Thunder Steps, but it seemed to be the type that could produce an explosive burst of speed.
His speed seemed to be faster than Nabi had anticipated, as he had to react hastily to Hector's sword closing in on him in an instant.
Clang!
The moment their blades met, Nabi's expression hardened further.
He had realized his opponent was not inferior to him.
Immediately after, any trace of carelessness vanished from Nabi Goodspring's demeanor.
'He's quick to accept it.'
One of the most important things in a real fight is to quickly accept unexpected situations.
Nabi didn't look very old, but he probably had as much real combat experience as Karon.
The difference was that unlike Karon, who had spent most of his time in the swamps struggling to hunt and survive, Nabi Goodspring seemed to be a specialist in one-on-one combat.
Perhaps the Hector from before the training retreat would have been defeated helplessly.
'Truthfully, that guy still has the upper hand in physical ability...'
That's what's strange.
He doesn't have a large build or a naturally strong frame, yet his physical strength and reflexes are unusually exceptional.
Because it was a spar, they weren't using mana, but I had a feeling a guy like that would have an extraordinary amount of mana as well.
'Is he some kind of trump card for the Goodsprings?'
Of course, that didn't mean Hector would be pushed back.
No matter how impressive he was, he was still at the level of a young master... and Hector had fought the Hunting Master throughout the training retreat.
Thwack.
A kick landed on his shin from a blind spot.
"...!"
The moment Nabi's face contorted in pain, the hilt of Hector's sword struck Nabi's wrist.
Clatter... The moment the pure white sword fell to the ground, the tip of Hector's blade was aimed at Nabi's throat.
The match was decided in an instant.
"Do you wish to continue?"
It was at that moment.
Gritting his teeth, Nabi's expression changed as a certain energy began to rise from his entire body.
It felt similar to Seren when she was enveloped in the Blessing of the Silver Moon.
'A divine beast?'
Just then, Varter shouted.
"Nabi-!"
"...!"
Nabi, who had just been drawing up his energy, was startled, and the concentrating aura dissipated like mist.
Then Varter looked our way and spoke.
"The spar... is our loss. I admit it, Lord Hector. You've grown to an unrecognizable extent in the time we haven't seen you."
Without sheathing his sword, Hector looked at Varter and spoke in a calm tone.
"Pardon me, Lord Varter, but you shouldn't speak so carelessly."
"What do you mean?"
"One cannot gauge the precise measure of growth without crossing swords. I was not using my full strength in that spar."
At those words, Nabi's expression twisted further, but Hector continued, unconcerned.
"Lord Nabi of your esteemed family said it himself. A joint attack or consecutive matches were both fine."
"And so."
"My own level is still shallow, so I doubt I could handle a joint attack with you, Lord Varter..."
And then, for the first time in a while, Hector twisted his lips into a smirk, just like in his old, arrogant days.
"But a consecutive match shouldn't be too difficult. What do you say?"
'Heh... well done, my brother.'
I couldn't help but give a thumbs-up to Hector's eloquent vocabulary, paying them back exactly as he'd received.
It was a truly aristocratic way of handling things.
Varter's face stiffened slightly under Hector's gaze, but he soon smiled again and said.
"...Let's postpone that for another time."
"A pity."
Only then did Hector cleanly sheathe his sword.
"Since this is the outcome, I'll entrust our family's young lady to your care. Also, since we're heading the same way, I was wondering if we might travel together to the capital."
"As you wish."
"Thank you for your consideration."
"Don't mention it."
"Then we'll be on our way."
And with that, Varter Goodspring surprisingly retreated without protest.
Though Nabi Goodspring continued to glare at Hector until the very end.
Unlike his rich experience in one-on-one combat, he didn't seem to possess the social skills to hide his emotions.
'What was their purpose?'
They had the pretext of Seren, but I had a feeling there was another, real reason they were sticking to us.
It felt like bringing up Seren was just an excuse.
Of course, it's just a hunch for now...
But it was clear that we had gained some unwelcome companions for our journey to the capital.
To be honest, I just wanted to close my eyes and beat them up.
But unless they started something first, it would be awkward for me to cause a scene.
Hector had already resolved the situation cleanly as a Bednicker.
'We'll reach the capital in three or four days at the earliest, anyway.'
Nothing should happen until then, right?
* * *
Immediately after returning to the Goodspring carriage, before he even sat down, Nabi spoke.
"I'm sorry. Because of me, that bastard got cocky and even disrespected you, brother..."
"Enough. How's your injury?"
Varter asked, pointing to the shin that had been kicked quite hard, and Nabi replied.
"It seems to be slightly bruised, but I'm fine."
"That's a relief."
"..."
Nabi fell silent, then spoke in a slightly strained tone.
"If we fight again, I will win."
"Of course you will. But you're not meant to bare your fangs at the likes of Hector Bednicker. Your opponent should be, at the very least, Hiiro Bednicker, or perhaps Nero Bednicker."
"But still-!"
"Are you going to be stubborn? Father must have told you to obey my words on this matter."
"..."
At the mention of the family head, Hatem Goodspring, Nabi immediately shut his mouth.
Varter looked at his youngest brother's face and slowly opened his mouth.
"However... yes. A bit of stress relief should be fine."
"Stress relief?"
"When you were fighting Hector just now, did you see the platinum-blonde young master next to Karon Woodjack?"
Nabi searched his memory for a moment before replying.
"Ah, yes. The one who looked like some kind of delinquent."
"That boy also has Bednicker blood."
"What? But he was blonde."
The Bednicker bloodline is mostly born with black hair. This is because their ancestors were dark elves.
Varter said calmly.
"He must have strongly inherited his mother's blood. You've probably heard the rumors. The incompetent of the Bednickers."
"Ah-."
Nabi's face twisted.
"The bastard who was engaged to our sister?"
"That's him. He's also the problem child who sold the family's treasured sword. His name is Ruan Bednicker. He's the perfect target to take your anger out on."
"I've been wanting to beat him up anyway... but won't there be repercussions? No matter how much of an idiot he is, he's still a Bednicker."
Varter smiled and said.
"The Bednicker siblings don't get along. Hector Bednicker, in particular, is a thorough meritocrat. He practically despises Ruan Bednicker for tarnishing the family name. It's famous in high society."
"Ah."
"Of course, you can't cripple him to the point where he can't recover. We'll also need a reasonable pretext."
"A pretext..."
"If we say the youngest members of our families had a light spar to build camaraderie, they won't be able to question it further."
Nabi's face brightened considerably.
"Aha! That's perfect! You're the best, brother."
"As I said, don't go too far. You lack self-control."
"Haha. I know, I know."
Nabi grinned brightly, like a boy who had found a new toy.