Kneel. This Is the Difference in Our Levels.
An ominous current flowed through the banquet hall. The bloodlust was so thick it practically stung my skin. If even I felt it this clearly, how must the others be faring? I turned my head to see Franche's hand trembling slightly. Is this the clash of Sword Masters'Auras?
"You..." Cassus stared intently at my face before letting out a smirk. A sickening confidence radiated from him.
"The prince of a fallen kingdom, Jin Barenberg. The bodyguard who is always hovering around that woman."
The moment my name was uttered in the silent hall, the room was painted with shock.
"J-Jin Barenberg?"
"Does he mean the Continent's Strongest Sword?!"
"To bring such a dangerous man to a place like this...!"
The shock instantly morphed into terror. Ignoring the commotion, Cassus continued.
"Are you protecting your master because you're a slave?"
"I merely act as I am commanded."
"How dare you, you insolent wretch."
Thud. Thud. Cassus slowly approached, his footsteps heavy with Aura.
"Did you know? I was the one who killed your sister."
I flinched. My eyes widened instantly, and my inner self shook as if struck by an earthquake. Cassus's words had sent Jin Barenberg's original personality into a violent frenzy.
"..."
I wanted nothing more than to smash my fist directly into his face this very second, but letting my emotions take over wouldn't help right now. I had to remain calm.
"Phew." Taking a deep breath, I reined in my turbulent emotions. No matter how much Jin's personality was bleeding into mine, my own ego was still dominant right now. I could easily win this.
"Silent, are we? Was the shock too great?"
"..."
"I severed your sister's limbs."
"..."
"She let out such lovely screams every time a piece of her was carved away."
"..."
Clench. My fists tightened of their own accord. I wanted to cave in that arrogant face of his right this instant.
"Still no reaction. Have your emotions died? Is this the effect of the Slave Brand? I don't recall hearing about such a side effect."
I decided not to answer. I couldn't let myself get dragged into his pace. The bastard was trying to provoke my anger to put Franche in a difficult position.
Just then, fearing the situation would escalate further, those around us began to intervene. The first was the Emperor.
"Young Duke Persia! Cease this at once! What do you think you are doing at an imperial banquet?!"
The second was Duke Persia.
"Cassus! What disgraceful display is this in front of His Majesty?! Do you truly intend to drag the Persia Ducal House into the abyss?!"
Many other nobles chimed in to stop him. However, Cassus seemed completely deaf to their voices, continuing his approach with his murderous intent locked entirely on me.
His target is Franche.
Does he not care what happens to him? No, this isn't just about him.
This could trigger a territorial war.
Was the shock of being dumped by Somire really that severe?
"It would be troublesome if you took another step forward."
"Are you saying you intend to fight me?"
"If it is to protect my master, then yes, I must."
"Amusing. Indeed, I have always wanted to test myself against you."
Cassus pulled off his gloves, clenching and unclenching his fists.
"I was disappointed that I never got the chance to clash with you because of that Transcendental Mage, but to think the opportunity would present itself like this."
He's dead serious about fighting here. His judgment isn't just clouded; he's completely lost his mind.
I turned my head slightly and spoke to Franche.
"My Lady, please step away from me."
"Are you going to be alright? This situation is...!"
"We have no choice. That bastard has completely lost his senses."
Thud. Thud. He drew closer, narrowing the distance. I swallowed hard. I wasn't tense because I was afraid of a fight.
Is it even possible for me to just subdue him without killing him?
Even now, the personalities of Kim Gongryak and Jin were battling inside me. If a fight with Cassus broke out and my emotions flared, Jin's personality would explode.
This is a serious problem.
Whoosh! I flared my Aura even larger. It was of a scale incomparable to Cassus's pure white Aura. I had hoped to make him lose his will to fight, but...
"Do you think flaring your Aura like that changes anything?"
Cassus didn't stop.
"When it comes to Aura, density is what matters. Size isn't everything."
Well, actually, mine is insanely dense AND ridiculously huge.
"Is that not the truth of a Sword Master? One never knows until they try."
Cassus flattened his hand into a sharp blade. A pure white Aura enveloped his hand, forming a complete Aura Blade. To manifest an Aura Blade—which could slice through thick plate armor like tofu—so effortlessly proved he wasn't an A-rank Sword Master for nothing.
"You seem quite angry."
When I asked with a smirk, Cassus's bloodlust grew even denser. It was enough to make the hairs on my body stand on end.
"Indeed. I can never forgive that woman behind you. If not for her..."
His brow and temples twitching with rage, Cassus glared with wide, bloodshot eyes as he continued.
"Because of the rumors that woman spread, Somire... to me...!"
The bloodlust that had been steadily building was on the verge of exploding. It seemed he really had been dumped by Somire because of the rumors we spread. In this era, homosexuality was treated as worse than a capital crime.
"I will kill you in the most painful way possible."
Cassus took a stance, ready to spring forward at any second. The moment kinetic energy was introduced, the battle would begin. If that happened, there would truly be no turning back.
"Stop this instant, Young Duke Persia."
Fortunately, the Imperial Guard arrived just in time. Eden and Duke Decartes had also activated their Auras, and the surrounding nobles had vanished without a trace, having fled the scene long ago.
The Emperor spoke. The flustered look from earlier was entirely gone.
"Young Duke Persia. I tried to show you as much consideration as possible out of respect for your family, but you have ultimately crossed the line. To think you would go so far as to manifest an Aura Blade at an imperial banquet."
Clank. Clank. Clad in golden plate armor, the Imperial Guard surrounded Cassus.
"Manifesting an Aura Blade in the presence of the imperial family, the allegations of homosexuality, and insulting another ducal house... This matter will not be easily overlooked."
Even at the Emperor's words, Cassus did not withdraw his Aura Blade. He merely narrowed his eyes and scanned his surroundings.
It looks like he's planning to fight the Imperial Guard too.
I already knew he had sociopathic tendencies, but I didn't expect him to be this much of a lunatic. Or was the shock of being rejected by Somire just that devastating?
"Cassus! Withdraw your Aura Blade immediately!"
"No. I must kill that woman."
"Get a hold of yourself! Look at the situation you are in!"
Unable to watch this play out any longer, the Emperor shook his head.
"I command the Imperial Guard! Subdue Cassus Persia!"
Clank. Moving with absolute discipline, the Imperial Guard began to draw their swords. Shring! The sharp ring of steel filled the banquet hall.
At that moment, Duke Persia stepped forward.
"Your Majesty. Please, allow me to handle this outrage myself."
"Duke Persia, I am truly sorry, but this matter has escalated far too much. Even if you plead, there is nothing I can do."
Duke Persia squeezed his eyes shut. He, too, understood. To cause such a scene at a banquet attended by the Emperor and Empress themselves, and to go so far as to manifest a lethal Aura Blade, was practically tantamount to treason.
"..."
Cassus scanned his surroundings with narrowed eyes. He seemed to be sizing up the strength of the Imperial Guard. He also kept his guard up against Eden and Duke Decartes, unsure of when they might leap into the fray.
The Imperial Guard did not underestimate Cassus either, so they didn't rush in blindly. It was a tense standoff where everyone was looking for an opening. Neither side was willing to make the first move.
But wait, if I play this right, can't I use this situation to elevate Franche's prestige?
I was a bit worried about the risk of Jin's personality exploding, but if I finished this in the blink of an eye, it shouldn't be a major issue.
I whispered to Franche.
"My Lady."
"What is it?"
"I have a plan."
"...Huh?"
I explained my plan to Franche. Her eyes widened instantly.
"You want to do something that dangerous?"
"Yes. A crisis is merely an opportunity in disguise."
"...Fine. Honestly, I'm not thrilled about it, but let's give it a try."
In the banquet hall, where only bloodlust and silence hung heavy, Franche's voice rang out.
"Your Majesty! May I dare to step forward to offer a bit of entertainment?"
The Emperor frowned, looking at Franche. Irritation was clear on his face. Duke Decartes and Eden also stared at us with wide eyes.
"Entertainment in this situation? What on earth are you talking about?"
Franche smiled faintly and continued.
"As a party involved in this incident, I wish to bring this matter to a close myself. Will you grant me permission?"
The Emperor narrowed his brows, glaring at Franche as if he couldn't comprehend her words.
"Bring it to a close yourself? How?"
"You now know who my personal knight is, do you not?"
"Indeed. Is he not the First Prince of Barenberg?"
"He will handle this personally."
The Emperor's eyes widened slightly, and he stroked his mane-like beard.
"...He will?"
"Yes."
The Emperor furrowed his brow, remaining silent. After a brief moment of deliberation, he nodded.
"Very well. That would certainly be safer for the Guard."
"Thank you for granting my request."
Having accepted the proposal, the Emperor immediately bellowed.
"Hear me, Imperial Guard! The First Prince of Barenberg, Jin Barenberg, will subdue him! All of you, stand down!"
At the Emperor's command, the Imperial Guard surrounding Cassus stepped back. However, they did not lower their guard. They kept their swords drawn, maintaining their stances so they could leap into battle at any moment.
"Are we going to witness Jin Barenberg's skills?"
"The Continent's Strongest Sword..."
"It's a battle between Sword Masters. Will we be safe?"
The nobles' whispers were a mix of anxiety and anticipation. Good, everything is going according to plan. Now, I just need to control myself.
However, Duke Persia, utterly displeased with this turn of events, shouted.
"Your Majesty! What in the world is the meaning of...!"
"Be silent, Duke."
The Emperor looked at the Duke with a complex, pitying expression.
"Now that things have come to this, do not expect any leniency. Duke Persia, you had best give up on him and begin searching for another heir."
Realizing that there was truly no way to salvage the situation, Duke Persia squeezed his eyes shut. The Emperor shook his head at the sight of the Duke, then raised his voice once more.
"Jin Barenberg, carry out your master's command!"
Thud. Thud. I stepped forward, putting on the most solemn expression I could muster. If I'm going to do this, I might as well look cool doing it.
"By my master's command, I shall execute Cassus Persia, who has committed an act akin to treason."
Blue flames flickered as a long Aura Blade coated my right hand. Vroooom! The Aura vibrated, emitting an ominous, tearing energy. It felt almost like a chainsaw.
"I-Is that truly an Aura Blade?"
"How can it look so ominous...!"
"This isn't the first time I've seen a Sword Master, but..."
"He truly deserves the title of the Continent's Strongest Sword..."
Mmh. Hearing all these compliments makes the corners of my mouth twitch. Well, now's not the time to get distracted by that, so let's move on.
Relying on instinct, I assumed a plausible stance. I wasn't sure if it was technically perfect, but a body trained over a lifetime remembers how to fight.
Cassus spoke in a heavy, low voice.
"I will kill you, and then I will kill your master."
"Are you not thinking about your future?"
"That is for me to worry about."
"You've clearly lost your mind."
I let out a smirk and continued.
"Is it because you got dumped by the Saintess? You've completely lost your sight, haven't you?"
My sarcastic jab hit right where it hurt, causing Cassus's brow to twitch violently. Trash talk is an absolute must before a fight, after all. If you watch things like the UFC, isn't this exactly how the show starts?
"...I will sever your limbs, just like I did to your sister."
Whoosh! His Aura flared even stronger. Facing off like this really makes it feel like a martial arts novel where we're about to trade blows.
"Then I shall teach you your place, so that you may never flap that mouth of yours again."
I tensed my thighs and calves. As my muscles expanded, the surrounding air grew heavy.
Thud! As I poured more strength into my legs, the floor of the banquet hall caved in. I would end this in a single blow.
Boom! Stomping my foot down, I lunged forward, my body launching like an arrow. It was a terrifying speed.
"...!" Cassus's eyes widened in shock, clearly not expecting such speed. He hurriedly raised his right hand to block, but...
Slice! Cassus's Aura-clad right arm was cleanly severed.
How dare you mess with the final boss, you arrogant little shit.
