Chapter 94
Chapter 94
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 15
Chapter Title: Poking His Pride (3)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Lea was a girl who found more happiness in slaying monsters than in dancing, and in selecting weapons than in choosing dresses.
'So in the end, she must have claimed Aria.'
Even enduring the pain of her entire body freezing solid.
"Anyway, I'm not sure if it's alright to grant Young Lord Abel's request."
Mikel cupped his chin and drew a smile on his lips.
"I'm hesitant about wounding the young heir of another family."
"......"
"Isn't it different when a father disciplines his son versus when an outsider does it? I'm worried it might escalate into a feud between our two houses."
Ah, so that's how you're going to play it. Who was it that said they'd grant any request except for asking for your daughter?
"I never imagined Lord Mikel would be so concerned for my well-being."
I slowly lifted my empty glass.
"But you see."
I added, gazing steadily at Mikel.
"Hasn't the conflict between our two houses been ongoing for years already?"
"......"
The smile vanished from Mikel's face.
"Well, it's been a point of contention for years, hasn't it?"
"Has there ever been a decisive outcome?"
"How could there be? We haven't clashed in years."
The surrounding nobles whispered while stealing glances at Mikel.
Who would win if Ovest Swordsmanship clashed with Nod Swordsmanship?
This wasn't just a debate among those who walked the path of the sword—it was a heated topic across the entire empire.
Ovest Swordsmanship, even at the cost of offering one's own bones, was an ultimate technique used only when one absolutely had to fell the opponent.
Its essence lay in being swift, sharp, and lethally decisive.
'Monsters in the western mountains must be killed to eliminate future threats.'
In contrast, Nod Swordsmanship specialized in leisurely seizing superiority, widening the gap, and subduing the foe.
Thus, it was slower, but each strike was heavy and powerful.
'As long as the opponent is immobilized, that's sufficient.'
The frigid air of the northern snow-capped mountains would sever the monsters' breaths in their stead anyway.
Both sword styles were renowned as the strongest in their respective domains, so people were always curious which held the edge.
'It's like asking who would win between a brawler and a grappler.'
But Diego and Mikel had never crossed blades. Especially after Diego secluded himself in Ovest Territory, they had even fewer occasions to meet.
Yet here I was, dredging up that age-old debate.
"As far as I know, the result of that clash remains undecided."
"......Yes, that's true."
Mikel forcibly tugged the corners of his mouth upward.
"I never thought you'd take an interest in such a stale old argument."
I swallowed a sneer that threatened to twist my lips.
'A stale old argument.'
His tone implied he paid no mind to such pointless squabbles.
Was that really the case?
"Oh, isn't it a topic that piques the curiosity of any young man in the empire?"
I wore a smooth smile on my lips—unlike Mikel's, which seemed faintly marred by shards.
"Of course, it's not just curiosity for the young."
"......"
"Honestly, aren't you curious too, Lord Mikel?"
"Hmm."
Mikel said nothing, merely stroking his beard. His expression showed no disturbance from my words.
Of course, I saw right through his facade.
'Curious? His hands must be itching to death.'
In the original story, after Diego was slain by Abel wielding Requiem, Mikel hears the news and laments deeply.
'A great star of the empire has fallen. Fallen.'
And he regrets not settling their unfinished duel.
'Had I known, I should have requested to finish that unresolved bout!'
That's right.
Though the world believed Mikel and Diego had never clashed, that wasn't true.
They had already fiercely collided once—around the time Diego had just assumed leadership of his house.
Mikel, intrigued by the prowess of Diego, who was making a name as the strongest, was the one who first challenged him when Diego tried to avoid it.
'The result was a draw.'
Diego, in the prime of his physical peak, was formidable, and Mikel, seasoned by long years on the front lines, was no pushover.
Both sensed the fight would end only if they staked their lives. As if by mutual agreement, they sheathed their swords simultaneously.
That bloodless standoff had already stretched over a decade.
"I don't draw my sword lightly."
Mikel spoke with a mechanical smile.
"Especially in a place with so many eyes—drawing it would make us a spectacle."
His shoulders were rigidly tense—a sign, contrary to his words, that he was burning with eagerness.
Mikel was suppressing his surging desire with effort.
"I have no desire to become fodder for the gossips."
He no longer charged in recklessly as in his youth. He now surveyed his surroundings and weighed the consequences of his actions.
'Those with much to protect inevitably grow cautious.'
But that didn't mean his warrior's blood had cooled completely.
'A spectacle......'
I wore a crooked smile that anyone would deem obnoxious.
"Indeed, the sight of the tiger's claws dulled would be a rare treat."
"......"
"Especially if dulled by a wolf's fangs."
Mikel's face turned expressionless. Even the perfunctory smile fully vanished.
"I failed to consider your age, my lord."
I spoke in a calm tone, as if oblivious to his darkening expression.
"It's about time you thought of a successor."
I elegantly implied that he was old now, time to set aside the sword and retire to the back rooms.
Of course, Mikel wasn't so oblivious as to miss my noble rhetoric.
Mikel's beard quivered faintly.
"Do you think I'm refusing your request for such reasons?"
"You were the one who said you'd grant everything except the request for Miss Lea, my lord."
My tone dripped with venom sharper than a serpent's and wit keener than a blade.
"For such a man to speak of refusal leaves me no choice but to assume unavoidable circumstances."
Finally, I slowly flicked out my tongue to lick my lips.
"I understand. Who would want to show their moment of defeat before all these eyes?"
You're scared of losing to me, aren't you?
Mikel's eyes twisted ferociously at my veiled barb.
"......"
Between my still-smiling face and his murderous glare, savage looks flew back and forth.
Looks like I overdid the provocation.
"Heh heh heh heh......"
"This is......what should one even say......"
"They say a puppy knows no fear of a tiger."
The surrounding nobles didn't dare intervene, merely murmuring among themselves. They keenly sensed the risk of getting caught in the crossfire.
"......Hoo."
At last, Mikel slowly closed and opened his eyes.
"Well now. I momentarily forgot how loose your tongue is, young lord."
His pale blue-gray eyes had settled calmly.
"When such a confident youth seeks instruction, refusing would be improper."
But his voice was slightly lowered, still laced with unresolved emotional fragments.
"Let the gossips say what they will. Let us spar swordsman to swordsman."
The surrounding lords' eyes widened in shock.
"Truly serious?"
"Swordsman against swordsman? Such......"
They voiced concerns, but I was thrilled—it was exactly what I'd hoped for. I stepped forward with a broad smile.
"Thank you, Lord Mikel."
Seeing my reaction, Mikel snorted softly.
"I'll show some mercy in my strikes, but it won't be entirely safe. Still willing?"
"Of course. Injuries in a bout are to be expected."
"......Hm. If you're fine with that, then let's clear the floor here and now while our bellies are full."
"Agreed."
After readily assenting, I added,
"How about the Imperial Palace Knight Order's training grounds as the venue?"
"You're setting a proper stage?"
Mikel burst into hearty laughter.
"Can you handle it? What if you lose?"
A vigorous smile already spread across his face.
He'd been cautious at first, but now that he'd committed, his body was itching already.
"Losing wouldn't be shameful. Not against Mikel Nod Concellare."
At my flattering words, Mikel's lips twitched. He couldn't help but be pleased that Diego's son was praising him.
"Rather, it would be an honor. Receiving your instruction is no small thing."
"Hm, hm. As you know, young lord, we don't teach our house's proprietary swordsmanship lightly. Mind your hasty words."
"Oh, of course. I understand fully."
A serpentine glint flashed in my eyes as I quickly agreed—so fleeting no one noticed.
Whether he intended to teach me or not was irrelevant. Liam and Diego knew the truth well enough.
"Besides, you can't know the length of a sword until you compare them."
My challenging remark made Mikel's face stiffen briefly before relaxing.
"Hahaha, you really are something, young lord. Do you think I, of all people, would lose to a twenty-year-old youth?"
"Who knows. Talent is always relative, after all."
"We'll see."
Mikel chuckled leisurely, as if it were absurd.
"I admire your spirit, young lord. Then let's head to the training grounds at once."
❖ ❖ ❖
Securing the Imperial Palace Knight Order's training grounds proceeded with remarkable ease.
First, Mikel approached Emperor Theodore and broached the topic. Upon hearing it, the emperor exclaimed,
"Oh? The two of you?"
in admiration, then summoned Knight Captain Joshua without a second question.
"Lord Mikel and Young Lord Abel are to spar—clear the training grounds."
Joshua bowed, masking his surprise at the emperor's command.
"Yes, Your Majesty."
The news spread through the banquet hall like wildfire among the nobles.
"What? Abel Kindriel and Mikel Concellare?"
"Finally deciding the victor between the two sword styles?"
"Let's go!"
In an instant, all the nobles poured out of the hall like an ebbing tide toward the training grounds.
The attendants had to haul all the banquet food there as well. After all, spectacles like this called for snacks.
The training grounds had an official training schedule, but it was canceled with a wave of the emperor's hand.
Thus, the palace knights joined the throng of spectators. Countless gazes crisscrossed over the grounds.
After changing into comfortable attire, I faced Mikel there.
'Feels just like the first time I crossed swords with Diego.'
Back then, too, we'd sparred casually after a meal. Of course, the circumstances now were vastly different.
"By palace law, neither of us carries weapons......"
Mikel pointed to one side of the grounds.
"Let's use those today. Acceptable?"
Wooden training swords used by the palace knights were neatly arrayed there.
I shrugged and pointed beside them.
"Shouldn't a bout mimic real combat?"
Swords of varying sizes, widths, and lengths gleamed there.
"Use real steel."