Chapter 302: translated
I Killed the Demon King. It was a Mistake.
Chapter 302
Count Vex has always been a style of calculating and deciding calmly.
The reason Caesar can come out so confidently is that he must have evidence that Count Vex poisoned Aurora.
However, Caesar knows only one thing and is unaware of another. Would Count Vex have come this far without anyone threatening him with the weapon of truth like Caesar?
But there is one thing that Caesar and those who have threatened with truth do not know. People believe only what they want to believe, and they trust the words of someone with accumulated credibility.
Count Vex has built deep bonds with these people over a long time, while most consider Caesar an enemy. In such a situation, who would believe Caesar even if he claims Count Vex committed dishonest acts?
"I don't think there's a need to do that."
"Shall we discuss it here then?"
"No, isn't it simply a matter of Aurora defeating your disciple?"
Even if Caesar slanders Count Vex, Aurora is perfectly fine right now. Ultimately, if Aurora wins, no matter how much Caesar spreads rumors about Count Vex poisoning her, the impact won't be as significant as Caesar thinks.
Of course, he would need to lock her up in an underground prison until things quiet down to prevent her from making any unnecessary statements.
"Do you really think Aurora will defeat my disciple?"
"Of course. Aurora is a 15-year veteran knight. Both experientially and in terms of skill, she's far above your disciple."
"That's why there's no progress, relying only on such commonsense grounds, Count Vex."
"...What?"
"As a Lord, you should look at people and invisible visions, not just common sense and visible evidence."
After Gloria and Aurora kicked each other in the forehead, they both rolled backward. Sticky mud clung to their entire bodies, making it feel like the ground was pulling Gloria and Aurora down.
The armor that had protected Gloria and Aurora until now felt more like a cumbersome burden. Therefore, they both silently prayed to each other.
Please do not get up.
But Gloria and Aurora betrayed each other's expectations.
Gloria saw the Blood Moon.
A sword was beside Aurora.
Gloria and Aurora used their swords as walking sticks and staggered to their feet. Though their bodies were exhausted, their eyes looking at each other were alive.
Looking at those clear and distinct eyes made the desire to admit defeat rise to their throats. But they already knew they would never admit defeat with their own mouths.
Therefore, they went beyond praying and cursed each other.
Please do not move.
If they move, they must fight again. They must punch, throw, and swing swords. Just one more minute, no, just one second of rest.
Does the body dominate the mind?
Does the mind dominate the body?
The already exhausted body was throwing a question that has remained unresolved among knights for a long time. One knight answered. It was Gloria.
Clack! Clack!
Gloria walked neatly with her greatsword on her shoulder. The sticky mud tried to pull at Gloria's feet, but to no avail. Her eyes naturally turned towards the spectator seats.
Aurora, curious about what Gloria was looking at, also turned her gaze to the spectators. Aurora easily discovered what Gloria was seeking.
It was Caesar.
Caesar was smiling subtly at Gloria. Gloria's smile deepened, and Aurora's gaze softened. I see. How clear the appearance of someone with a definite path. Gloria ran.
"Aaaaaah!"
Gloria ran across the ash-stained arena, leaving a large footprint. The blood Gloria scattered was like flower petals, and Aurora felt an illusion of a fragrant rose bouquet charging at her. Aurora raised her left arm, breathing heavily.
"...Huh?"
Clearly, the shield that should have been on her left arm was gone.
'Could it be?'
Aurora's shield was stuck in the mud. It seemed Gloria had removed the shield without Aurora noticing. Gloria's greatsword came down mercilessly. Aurora felt as if time had slowed down. Block it. No, win.
'...But why?'
Gloria's sword towards Aurora was honest and powerful. But Aurora's sword, holding doubts, wavered.
Baaaang!
When Aurora's sword and Gloria's greatsword collided, thick steam filled the arena.
"Who is it?! Who won?!"
As the steam cleared, a sword split in two lay on the ground. It was Aurora's sword. Aurora knelt, looking at Gloria, who had placed her greatsword on Aurora's neck.
Eventually, a dry and cracked voice crossed the wet battlefield.
"...I lost."
***
When Aurora knelt, the referee unconsciously looked back at Count Vex.
The winner of this duel was predetermined to be Gloria. But this was not the ending expected, not after such a fierce fight, and not with Aurora alive and admitting defeat.
Aurora should have definitely died from the poison. As the referee hesitated, the audience stood up and shouted.
"Kill her!"
"It's a life-or-death match! Shouldn't they fight until one dies?!"
"How can you surrender in the middle?!"
The spectators are not just spectators. They are spectators who have lost money. They were spectators who had gambled with certainty of victory.
Of course, those who had bet on Gloria just in case something like this happened remained silent and quietly observed the situation.
"The winner takes the winner's right."
Gloria looked at Aurora while gasping for breath. Aurora did not look at Gloria. She just closed her eyes and hung her head.
What should she do?
Gloria looked at Caesar. Looking at Caesar, Gloria could quickly find the answer.
"It is dishonorable to take the life of a knight who has already acknowledged defeat."
Gloria removed her broadsword from Aurora's neck.
"Although this is a duel to the death, I will only take the victory."
The officiant looked again at Count Vex.
Count Vex was glaring at the officiant with uncomfortable eyes. He couldn't understand what Count Vex wanted. But he knew what needed to be done to cool Count Vex's anger.
"That cannot be. Kill her for the knight's honor."
Gloria looked at the officiant as if in disbelief.
"You want me to cut the neck of a knight who has already admitted defeat? That is absurd."
"Then I will judge that the duel is not yet over. This duel is a life-or-death match that can only end when one of you dies."
"That's ridiculous nonsense! Even in war, knights who admit defeat are not killed!"
"Only the officiant can determine the outcome of a duel! The duelists have no right to judge! If you have no intention to fight, I will declare this duel void!"
"What kind of nonsense are you spouting?!"
At that moment, trash flew from the audience.
"That's right! Kill Aurora!"
"Are you two in cahoots?! Give me my money back right now!"
"Isn't this a scam?! Huh?!"
Gloria looked at the angry spectators in disbelief.
"...Everyone's gone mad. What more is there to gain here."
Then, Aurora spoke.
"It's alright, Lady Gloria."
"What are you saying?"
"I lost. And I was planning to die anyway."
Aurora said with a pitiful smile.
"I'm honored that I could die fighting like a proper knight at the end."
"Lady Aurora, what nonsense are you talking about."
"Kill me quickly. And one last request. Please take care of the children I was responsible for. Lady Gloria, you can certainly help them, right?"
Gloria's hands trembled. This was not the outcome Gloria wanted. It makes no sense to kill an honorable knight by getting swept up in the atmosphere created by those uncivilized spectators.
"I..."
"All of you, shut up."
At that moment, an angry voice like a growling beast filled the dueling grounds. The spectators who were throwing trash froze at the clearly audible anger despite its low volume.
Thud! Thud!
A red dot walked down from the audience. The spectators were unwittingly drawn to that distinct red dot.
It was Caesar.
"If your eyes aren't knotholes, you would know how fierce this duel was. I could find no flaw in the process or result of this duel."
Caesar's red eyes turned toward the officiant.
The officiant couldn't say anything, as if facing a wild beast head-on. This was because the two axes tied to Caesar's back looked like they might split the officiant's head open at any moment.
"Lady Aurora fought the duel to the best of her ability, even as she lost her sword. After giving everything without reserve, she admits defeat, yet you want to take her life too? What do you take knights for?"
Caesar stood in front of the officiant. The officiant, overwhelmed by Caesar who was a head taller than him, swallowed hard.
"In the past, despite it being a life-or-death duel, I showed mercy and spared a knight. If Gloria's decision is wrong, then it would mean that the judgment of Sir Joseph, the holy knight of the Dre Order who presided over that duel, and the numerous nobles and imperial citizens who witnessed it, was wrong."
Caesar turned around and surveyed the audience.
"So if anyone has a complaint about the duel's outcome, come forward now and speak. For the honor of Holy Knight Sir Joseph who presided over that duel and the many nobles and knights who accepted the result, I will step forward myself."
Caesar fixed his gaze on Count Vex, who was sitting still and fiddling with his ring.
"Is there no one?"
There was no one who could find honor before Caesar. Except for one person, Count Vex. People all glanced furtively at Count Vex.
"How noisy."
Count Vex rose from his seat.
"Let's stop now. Seeing blood from the beginning of the new year is not auspicious."
As soon as the officiant heard Count Vex's words, he immediately raised his voice.
"The winner has been decided as Lady Gloria. Everyone disperse."
With those words, the officiant walked away steadily. He did not encourage cheers from the spectators or say anything to elevate Gloria's honor. As the duel ended in disorder, the spectators were confused about what to do.
"...This seems like the most anticlimactic duel I've ever seen, Master."
"Actually, clean and honorable duels are rather rare."
At that moment, the Ascension Knights approached.
"Lady Aurora will need treatment, so we'll take her away."
Aurora seemed to be dragged away like a prisoner. Gloria felt anger rising within her instantly.
"Hey! What do you think you're doing?!"
"It's fine. Just stay still for now."
"But..."
"Just wait for now. Don't you trust me?"
"Thank you, Sir Caesar."
Then another Ascension Knight approached Caesar and said.
"Count Vex wants to see you."
"Yes. I do have some things to finish up."
Caesar looked at Gloria and said.
"Stay with Raven. I'll be back after settling things."
"Understood."
"And..."
Caesar smiled while stroking Gloria's head.
"You really did well."
Gloria blushed and smiled broadly.
"...Thank you."
Gloria thought that if all her hard work was for hearing this one phrase, it was worth it.
***
Caesar entered Count Vex's office.
Count Vex's office was organized and clean, just like his personality.
The antique furniture seemed to showcase the tradition and history of Count Vex's family. Documents and pens on the desk were arranged as if measured with a ruler, but judging from the traces of long use, he seemed to like working hard but handling things neatly.
'Just because he's a villain doesn't mean he's incompetent.'
Count Vex is one of the monarchs.
Moreover, he was a monarch famous for his iron-fisted rule, a monarch who moved thoroughly for the interests and ideals of the Vex Province and himself without blood or tears.
It must be because he was such a monarch that he was able to survive for a long time even when the Royder Province and Dre Province fell to demons.
"Sit."
Count Vex was already sitting at the head of the sofa with his coat removed. Judging by his calm and relaxed posture, he seemed to have organized his thoughts quite well on his way to the office.
Caesar sat down and said.
"First, I apologize for making a scene during the duel."
"Surprising. I didn't expect you to admit your mistake first. I thought you would be quite shameless."
"A mistake is a mistake."
"And you made no other mistakes?"
"No. None."
Count Vex looked at the waiting Ascension Knights and said.
"Everyone leave. Don't let anyone in until I call."
"Yes. Understood."
After all the Ascension Knights left, Count Vex touched the ring on his index finger and said.
"Let me be honest. Right now, I'd like to cut off your head and hang it on my front door."
Oh, too honest?
"But I won't. I swore with my own mouth that I would protect your safety."
"Even if I do something wrong?"
"Yes. Even if you spread any kind of rumor. That's why I'm a nobleman and a knight."
Count Vex is a person who values appearance.
Behind the scenes, he commits devious acts and manipulates people by exploiting their weaknesses, but he stops or tries to avoid it somehow the moment his honor and dignity are damaged even slightly. In short, he could be seen as a person obsessed with his concept.
"I know your father."
Caesar's spine chilled when Count Vex suddenly brought up Sylvatil. This was because family matters were what Caesar felt least confident about.
"Thomas Sylvatil, frankly speaking, your father was a very soft person. He lacked the charisma that nobles should inherently possess. But strangely, many capable people followed him. Sir Gideon was the prime example."
Count Vex began pouring the liquor and glasses placed beside the table himself.
"Well, he seemed to have quite a bit of luck with people, but not much luck with children. Not a single one of his sons born from his wife had talent in Aura. Normally in such cases, one would adopt a child born from a concubine to prepare for succession, but..."
Count Vex pushed a glass of liquor toward Caesar.
"Strangely, he didn't give you a chance."
Caesar didn't have much to say. Honestly, he couldn't understand why Sylvatil made such a decision. And he wasn't really curious either.
"Did you resent your father?"
Caesar took a sip of liquor and fell into thought. What does this guy really want from me?