Chapter 57
Chapter 57
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 57
Chapter Title: Netori or Die: Make Your Choice
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⭐ Top Comment
— Anonymous
Netori or die—pick one, get on with it lol
— Viewer
Why are you all suddenly fighting and throwing tantrums like this?
The situation seems to be getting pretty serious.
El is glaring ferociously, and Gold isn't backing down either.
At least these two have their heads screwed on straight enough that they won't resort to actual fisticuffs. Small mercies.
The real problem is the knights behind them, who look ready to throw down right then and there.
This could turn into a total disaster.
The most pitiful one here would have to be the innkeeper if these guys start brawling and trash the whole building.
If I just picked a side and said I'd go with them, that'd solve everything.
And thinking about it, to convince Repelt, I'd need to go with Gold anyway.
Guess I'll stick with the Hart Clan.
As for El, where the hell did she pop out from, starting all this chaos?
During the fight with Prostia, she only ended up owing Gold favors, so is she trying to show off the might of House Graize now?
That doesn't sound like El at all.
I mulled over various possibilities as I opened my mouth.
"Um..."
I tried speaking in a small voice, but neither of them even glanced my way.
I was tempted to back off, but I pushed on.
"Hey. You two."
Only then did they both turn to look at me, thanks to my clear tone.
"Right. We should've left the decision to Brother from the start."
"Hold on. Since when do you call Dre 'Brother'?"
"What about you, El? Since when do you call him by name? You've always said 'you' like he's some third party."
"Please don't fight. I'll go with the Hart Clan."
At my words, Gold let out a triumphant "Hmph!", straightened his neck proudly, and flashed a winner's smile.
El, on the other hand, looked utterly shocked, like she'd been struck by lightning.
Is this really that big a deal...?
"But Dre, your body..."
My body? What's wrong with it? Too skinny like an anchovy? Too pig-like? I'm average height, perfectly normal...
Not flashy like these knights, sure, but I've got solid muscle.
Anyway, enough dumb jokes.
El knows about my body's breakdown from her scans or whatever.
If she's feeling responsible because she thinks it's from my fight with Prostia... yeah, El really is a responsible, amazing woman.
House Hart isn't an easy opponent for her, but she's still shouldering the burden to make things right.
I felt a warm glow inside as I replied.
"The fight with Prostia was my choice. It's not your fault, Lady El."
"No, that's not...!"
"It's fine. I'm not in as bad a shape as you think."
In truth, it probably is that bad, but what good would saying it do?
"Whatever the details, you're slow to give up, El."
"Grr... Shut up! I can't just give up!"
"El, since when did you turn into such a brat?"
Clarir chimed in, but El ignored her flat-out.
Clarir sighed in exasperation at being blatantly dismissed.
......Ice Queen suits her pretty well, huh?
I'd been wondering what nickname to give her, and that fits perfect.
But right then, Clarir shot me a look.
She must have some mind-reading ability or the equivalent.
Too bad—scrapping the Ice Queen nickname.
Clarir let out a sigh and spoke.
"House Blizja looks downright pathetic sandwiched in the middle of all this. If I'd known you'd bring such overwhelming forces, I would've brought my own knight order..."
"I've got your back, milady."
A female knight spoke confidently to Clarir, who was rubbing her temples like she had a headache.
She's right, though—El and Gold brought way more than just escorts. It's overkill.
The two of them were still bickering.
"How about this? We fight, and the winner takes Dre."
"Oh? Did last time's spanking not stick?"
"Oh my. Still clinging to something from when we were seven? What about last year?"
"I went easy on you as a joke, and it was barely a draw. With your body like that now, you sure you're up for it?"
Sparks were flying from their eyes.
This won't end. Better suggest we all go together.
"What if we all went together?"
The room went dead silent in an instant.
"Uh... Brother."
"Th-that's..."
Eh? Why?
I must've said something wrong, but I couldn't figure out what.
"That's out of the question."
The sturdy female knight who'd been standing like a wall behind El stepped forward.
Another damn knight...
"First time meeting you, Sir Dre. I'm Marien, bearer of one of House Graize's Seven Scales."
Scales? Must be their knight order's name.
House Graize's symbol is some kind of serpent, I guess?
Anyway, greetings deserve a response.
"Pleased to meet you. I'm Yedre."
"I've heard much about you, Sir Dre. If you'll pardon the rudeness, if House Graize and House Hart march together, whose banner flies at the front?"
"We walk side by side, no?"
"No, we can't."
"......"
The vanguard banner.
I get it now.
Sheesh. A matter of pride, huh.
People judge who's leading based on whose banner's up front.
I thought the heirs of the Ten Great Houses were on friendly terms from seeing El with Clarir and this exchange, but that was wishful thinking.
These prickly reactions suggest they might've been friends once, but not anymore.
Then a male knight stepped up beside Marien.
For once, a named male knight besides Kaisir—kind of refreshing.
"That's absurd. If you knew and said it anyway, it's a grave offense. If not, you're just ignorant, Sir Dre."
......?
What's this guy's problem?
Any goodwill evaporated.
"Fred."
Marien called his name reprovingly, and Fred shrugged.
Average height, idol-pretty face.
Girls must eat him up.
Not as handsome as Flat, but this one's got real skill.
The other knights are strong too, but these two are a cut above.
Even above Repelt and Kaisir near me.
So what? After Prostia, they all look like roadside weeds to me.
And this situation was pissing me off.
I get that El's doing this for my sake, but if it's ruining my mood, isn't that putting the cart before the horse?
I spoke curtly.
"Then I'll go alone."
"......"
"Wha?!"
Fred and Marien shut up, and El panicked.
"No, I'm not mad. What could I even do if I got angry?"
"Wise choice."
Shut it, Fred.
I glared daggers, but he stared right back without flinching.
This bastard—want me to gouge your eyes out?
Fighting the impulse, I finished.
"Just... traveling in this tense atmosphere sounds more hassle than going solo."
"Sir Dre, that's... I'm sorry."
Marien spoke with genuine remorse.
Whatever her inner thoughts, her demeanor was impeccable.
"Don't worry. I can protect myself."
"Overconfidence."
Fred, on the other hand—what's his deal with the snark?
If I were some delinquent MC from a comic, this punk would've been dead already.
One more time. Just this once.
Third strike now.
They say three strikes and you're free from murder charges.
"I've taken down hordes of monsters in the nearby forest. If everywhere's like that, no issue."
"As expected of the dragon slayer."
This prick's still mocking me?
I've endured enough.
I opened my mouth to fire back—
"Hey, Fred."
"...!"
Blazing.
El fixed him with eyes burning with murderous intent, the word fitting perfectly.
Truth be told, she'd been frowning since his first jab.
"I told you."
"L-Lady Elisia..."
"What I'd do if you were rude to Dre. Remember?"
"Th-that's not what I—"
Sweat pouring off him—satisfying.
Then Lena, who'd been glued silently to my leg, spoke up hesitantly.
"Master... if you're leaving alone, shall I prepare now?"
"Yeah, that'd be—"
"You little—"
Fred glared at Lena like she was burning.
Even the level-headed Marien reacted.
"How dare a lowly thing interrupt while Lady El, heir of House Graize, is speaking?!"
"......!"
Lena flinched hard.
I snapped.
Shing.
I didn't know when I'd drawn it, but Fred shut his trap once he felt the killing intent.
"Right now."
I advanced step by step, enunciating each word.
"Are you bullying my servant?"
I thought I was calm, but even my polite speech cracked.
He smirked despite sensing my boiling rage.
"...Put that sword away before you embarrass yourself."
An apology would've ended it.
Whatever his motives, I'm not letting this slide now.
"You said 'as expected of the dragon slayer' earlier?"
Whoosh. Whoosh. I swung the blade experimentally.
Last monster hunt used a regular sword, not this one upgraded by Heston.
Perfect test dummy.
"I think I'm pretty badass too. That thing... was seriously strong."
"Yes. You got lucky."
"Yeah, lucky. So strong, now I could mop the floor with thousands of clueless knights like the retard in front of me?"
"What...!"
After all his jabs, did he never expect insults back?
Too high up to imagine anyone clapping back?
I sneered.
Feeling cockier now, I switched back to polite speech.
"No worries. I'll go easy—care for a spar?"
"......!!"
Fred's veins bulged at "go easy". His arm twitched—he was about to draw.
As he moved, El spoke.
"I'll kill you, Fred."
Thick with killing intent—even provoked Fred recoiled with a groan.
So I said,
"Stay out of it, El. You've been butting in annoyingly—trying to save face now?"
"Wh-what?! N-no... Dre, that's not... I didn't mean..."
She visibly panicked, not expecting me to turn on her.
"If that's not it, then what? You came for me, but picking on my servant—what's that about?"
"Misunderstanding, Dre! I really..."
Fred ground his teeth and stepped up.
"Sir Dre. If you insult our lady further..."
I ignored the trash.
"Don't just glare—team up if you want. Lady Marien."
"......"
Chilling eyes.
Scarier than Fred's.
Fred smirked mockingly.
"Cocky. Arrogant. Everyone here is a pinnacle swordsman. No place for some fluke hero to yap."
His fake laugh was laughable now.
I drawled casually.
"So? Spar or not?"
Fred scoffed and assumed stance.
"For insulting my lady, I'll make you pay."
"Hey! Fred!"
"Sorry, Lady El! Can't stand by while my lady's insulted!"
Shing!
A flash.
Lightning-quick draw.
Sword aimed at my shoulder.
...Saw it coming?
It was obvious.
My eyes are insane now.
Even blindfolded, I sense Yulis-level knights' moves.
Clang!
I parried. Fred didn't falter, resetting casually.
"What? Gonna sever my sword arm?"
"......"
Spot on.
But it didn't break.
"Lady Yulis is strong, but clumsy up close like an Outsider. You're a typical Outsider relying on tricks."
"Is that so."
"Yes. That body shows zero training."
"Noted."
"Suddenly humble? Scared? Apologize to my lady then?"
"Guess so. Match is decided."
Fred laughed like I was serious.
I sheathed and bowed to El.
"Sorry, Lady El. I was too presumptuous."
"N-no, Dre...!"
He caught the sarcasm, face hardening.
"If you won't learn, thinking I can't kill you is a mistake—"
"Match decided, right?"
"What?"
"What else? You lost, you fucking retard."
"What?"
That instant.
Crack.
Cracks spiderwebbed across Fred's sword.
He finally noticed, staring dumbly—
Crash!
The blade shattered and fell.
Impressive, really.
Meant to sever sword and arm clean, but the rune density held.
Still, it broke.
Impossible before... sword's upgrade shines.
Severing Sword sharper, stronger—thanks to the blade.
"Ugh...?!"
Fred looked up from his broken sword, face etched with killing intent.
Couldn't fathom his mood earlier, but now? Pride.
"You're continuing, I see."
"Yes. Witness House Graize's true power."
Whirr.
Light gathered in his hand—sharper, fiercer than before.
Fine. No choice.
Drew again.
"Loser is the one who loses limbs."
"Deal..."
Before he finished, my sword sliced his hair.
He jerked back; cold sweat beaded on his cheek. I slapped his face open-palmed.
Slap!
"Guh...!"
Caught off-guard, shocked face—I slapped again, again.
Slap! Slap! Slap!
"Guh! Ack! Ack!"
Fred's moves were crystal clear.
Never thought it'd be this one-sided.
Boring.
Strong maybe, but just a musclehead thug like the rest.
"Grr... Stop screwing around! Ack!!"
"Screwing"? Punched his face.
Nose crunch felt great.
As he reeled, trying to swing—kicked his gut.
"Graaah...!"
Savoring his pathetic tumble, he scrambled up in disbelief.
"Well, well."
"......"
"This House Graize's knight captain level? Explains the others."
"...Grr!"
Fred's aura surged fiercer.
But I saw his inner turmoil.
Fucking retard.
Raised sword to lop off limbs for real.
Boom!!
Explosion of light.
So sudden I leaped back reflexively.
That threatening.
Fred's attack? No—he was rolling from it.
"Cough...! Graaaaa...!!"
Armor scorched black, writhing in pain.
"Fred...!!"
Dozens of brilliant white-hot orbs floated around El.
So intense her golden hair whipped like flags.
"You dare humiliate me? Knew my intent, yet strutted before my precious one? Thought me a joke?"
"L-Lady... that's not...!"
"Die."
She unleashed every orb.
He's done for.
I smiled, ready to watch his end crystal clear.
I can't kill, but no reason to stop others.
Fred's eyes bulged...
Boom!!
Ice wall erupted before stumbling Fred.
Marien stood before it, shield barrier glowing.
Whoosh!!
Blinding flash.
Eyes squeezed shut.
Light of destruction vanished without trace.
Rumble. Amid swirling smoke, El snarled.
"Marien. Rebelling against me too?"
"Never, milady...!!"
Marien prostrated swiftly, then eyed Fred—still ass-on-ground, dazed.
"Fred!!"
Enraged Marien grabbed his hair, smashed his head into the floor.
"You scum! Ignoring milady's will, acting on your own?!"
"......S-sorry! I deserve death!"
Fred apologized, grasping the gravity.
El said,
"Want forgiveness?"
"Yes, please!"
"Then get it from Dre. I'll forgive you too."
"......!"
"Don't want to?"
"N-no."
Fred glared at me, grinding teeth.
"My... rudeness..."
"No need to apologize."
"Pardon?"
"Duel ain't over."
Bam!
My kick launched Fred.
"Gah!"
"What?!"
Marien rushed to intervene but leaped back at ground tremor.
Boom!
Spiked energy pillars erupted.
Ignoring dodged Marien, stomped Fred's skull.
Crunch!
"Gah!"
Grabbed hair, yanked him up.
"Loser loses limbs, right?"
"......!"
Fred's eyes widened in shock, then struggled free. Wouldn't let go—rip, chunk of hair tore out.
"Eeek...!"
"Why just groan? Come at me, retard."
Worthless punk.
Infused blade deeper with aura. Resolve set.
I'll cripple your shitty personality with a matching body.
"Wait!"
Gold intervened.
Can't go berserk in front of him after owing him recently.
"Brother. For my sake, can you let it slide?"
"Bro...ther?"
Fred gawked at me and Gold.
Too far earlier to hear? Or something else? Pupils shaking anyway.
"I'll wring an apology from him. And from Lady Marien, pretending she didn't start it."
Marien flinched.
"...If Lord Gold insists."
I sheathed.
Gold grinned smugly at El.
She ground teeth; Gold approached Fred.
"Fred Raki Hayes, Captain of House Graize's First Scale."
"Lord Gold...!"
"Ignoring the next Hart Clan head's sworn brother?"
"Th-that's not...!"
"Keep saying 'not that'. Here's your choice: Apologize to my brother? Or keep rampaging, insulting your lady and me?"
"......!!"
Fred's eyes flicked to Marien.
Her lips twitched.
Whatever she did, Fred fully capitulated, slamming forehead to ground.
"Sir Dre! I apologize for my rude actions and words! Please forgive me!"
That's more like it. Clean apology.
But dude, wrong target?
Classic Gold.
Pointed out the mistake immediately.
"Apologizing to Brother is obvious, but you owe someone else."
"......!!"
Face screaming he wanted to grind teeth, but couldn't—Fred bowed to Lena.
"I failed to recognize you as Lord Gold's sworn brother, the renowned Sir Dre's direct servant. Forgive my rudeness."
"You're forgiven."
Lena replied boldly, no tremble.
Proud of her.
To trembling Fred's back, I said,
"You asked who I'm going with."
"......"
"Obviously Hart Clan. Join or go separate—up to you. Not stopping you."
Sure House Graize won't tag along.
Sweet revenge.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
Asita, who'd come to meet Dre, witnessed the fight and was speechless.
Not from the brutality or flashiness.
Dre protecting his servant... looked so cool.
'Am... am I crazy...?'
Even charitably, it was just him snapping—why so attractive?
But her heart kept pounding.
Denying the flutter, Asita turned and headed back to the village entrance.
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