Chapter 158: What Kind of Nonsense Is That? (2)
Chapter 158: What Kind of Nonsense Is That? (2)
The rumors began in the back alleys.
Starting in dive bars, they spread like wildfire as people gathered to gossip.
The contents were as follows…
[The Double Dragon dueled the Guardian Deity of Decatur.]
[The Double Dragon emerged victorious.]
[The victory was overwhelming, and Marquis Raines admitted the Double Dragon is stronger than himself.]
At first, people didn't believe it.
The rumors were too preposterous to be credible.
However, the far-fetched rumors continued to spread, and in the midst of it all, Patrick Schneider was spotted within the Decatur Kingdom.
Suddenly, the rumors that had seemed absurd gained a layer of credibility.
Then came the decisive blow…
[The rumors regarding the duel are true. I dueled Patrick Schneider and was defeated.
It was a fair duel, and I have no objections to the outcome.
The Double Dragon was stronger than I.]
Marquis Raines himself had publicly admitted the truth.
The impact of this revelation was beyond words.
* * *
Patrick Schneider.
Everyone knew the name.
He was the genius who had claimed victory at the most competitive Arcana in history, defeating the Sword Saint’s grandson, Garcia.
Some speculated that in the distant future, he might follow in the footsteps of the Empire’s Sword Saint and be called the strongest on the continent.
But that was the thing.
That was supposed to be a story for the distant future.
No matter if he had reached the 7-Star Realm, Patrick wasn't even twenty years old yet.
He wasn't just young; he was practically a child.
And yet, he had already defeated Marquis Adolf Raines, the Guardian Deity of Decatur, who had been famous across the continent for decades.
It was a spectacular return for Patrick Schneider, who had barely been seen in public for the past few years since the Arcana.
People followed Patrick Schneider’s every move with bated breath.
And so…
In a small tavern in the Decatur Kingdom, the usual chatter of drunks continued.
“Hey, did you hear the rumor?”
“What rumor?”
“They say the Double Dragon was spotted in the Toland Estate.”
“Toland? …So what?”
“You slow-witted fellow. Think carefully about where he was spotted before that.”
“It was the Malinado Estate.”
“Exactly. From the Raines Marquisate to Malinado, and now Toland. Don't you get a sense of where he’s heading?”
The listener visualized a map in his head. Patrick’s destination was taking him northward across the Decatur Kingdom.
If he went further north past the Toland Estate…
“Ah!”
“Right. You get it now?”
“The Lobsky Marquisate.”
“Exactly. His destination is the estate of Marquis Dustin Lobsky. Why else would he go there? Sightseeing?”
“Haha, not a chance.”
The Lobsky Marquisate, much like the Raines Marquisate, was a military fortress built to hold back the monsters pouring out of the Great Forest.
And above all, it was the domain of the 7-Star Knight Dustin Lobsky, known as the Spear of Decatur.
“He’s looking for another fight.”
“Yep. Word is the quick-witted ones are already heading to the Lobsky Estate ahead of him.”
“They want to be witnesses to history. Man… I want to go too.”
“Tell me about it…”
A duel between 7-Star Knights.
Outside of the unique circumstances of war, this was a massive event that might happen once in a century.
The knights and mercenaries of the Decatur Kingdom—anyone who lived by the sword—couldn't help but focus on this news.
Even nobles, wishing to see the rare spectacle of a 7-Star duel with their own eyes, began moving toward the Lobsky Marquisate, Patrick’s presumed destination.
Patrick was quite literally bringing a storm with him through the Decatur Kingdom.
* * *
“Oh, the atmosphere is great, isn't it?”
Patrick arrived at the Lobsky Estate. Seeing the mood of the place, the corners of his mouth curled up.
“We have vacant rooms! 50 silver a night!”
“We can store your carriage as well. 75 silver a night!”
“Our food is the best in town! This way, young masters!”
The place was supposed to be a bleak military fortress.
But now, it was so crowded that one could believe it was a tourist attraction.
Even places that looked like ordinary homes were hastily operating as guesthouses, trying to catch a piece of this special boom.
“Man. I’m doing such a good deed. I’ll definitely go to heaven when I die.”
Beside him, Matthew looked at Patrick with an expression that said he was talking absolute bullshit.
Isabella let out a sigh and asked, “What now? Are you going straight there?”
“Well, might as well. What’s the point in dragging it out?”
Patrick spurred his horse toward the inner city of the Lobsky Estate.
Normally, a group of armed people on horseback would draw a lot of attention, but that wasn't the case now.
The place was crawling with people like them.
‘Is this what they mean by hiding a tree in a forest?’
Thanks to that, Patrick reached the entrance of the inner city without any hassle and spoke to the guard.
“Hello. You’re working hard.”
“Who are you? State your identity and business.”
“I’m an academy student. My name is Patrick Schneider.”
“Patri—huh?”
The guard’s jaw dropped.
Patrick continued with a bright smile.
“As for my business, I’m sure you can guess? I’m here to have a go at Marquis Lobsky.”
“Couldn't you say you’re here for a ‘duel’ to make it sound more sophisticated?”
“It’s the same thing.”
“No, it’s not.”
“Yes, it is.”
While Patrick and Matthew bickered back and forth, the guard straightened his posture and spoke.
“Welcome to our estate. Please, come inside.”
“Oh? Is that okay? Are you allowed to just let outsiders in?”
“Of course. We have already received orders to treat the Double Dragon and his party with the utmost hospitality should they arrive.”
“Oh, utmost hospitality. I like the sound of that.”
“Hahaha. Please, enter.”
* * *
Patrick’s gaze drifted slightly downward.
After checking the thickness of the table legs, he nodded and spoke.
“Hmm, they’re sturdy.”
Seeing this, Matthew asked, “What’s with the table legs?”
“I was wondering if they might break.”
After saying that, Patrick looked at the tabletop with a mouth-watering expression.
There was a feast laid out that truly looked like it might break the table's legs.
Extraordinary dishes, prepared in ways he couldn't even fathom, packed the table. In the center lay a whole roasted veal, looking delicious as if asking, ‘Don't I look tasty?’
The scent of spices tickling his nose alone was enough to make him hungry.
He wanted to eat immediately, but…
“When is the Marquis arriving?”
“He is currently preparing.”
A guest couldn't start eating before the host arrived.
Patrick groaned at this torture.
“Ugh, I wish he’d hurry up. Looking at food without eating it is the fifty-second thing I hate most in the world.”
“Hahaha. You have a funny way with words.”
He’s serious, Mr. Butler. This guy has a ridiculously long list of things he hates, Matthew thought to himself.
Just then…
Trumpet fanfare!
“Whoa! Scared the crap out of me. What? Is it an enemy?”
Patrick was startled by the sudden sound of trumpets. Then, an attendant announced in a booming voice:
“Presenting the Great Spear of Decatur, Marquis Dustin Lobsky!”
With those words, two attendants opened a pair of doors so massive and ornate they felt heavy. Through them, a man emerged.
Stroking a mustache groomed to the latest fashion, he spoke.
“Welcome, Double Dragon. I am the Spear of Decatur, Dustin Lobsky.”
A person’s true value is only known over time.
Therefore, one shouldn't judge or evaluate someone based on a first impression. That being said…
‘Is that man really Marquis Lobsky?’
‘Not a fake? That guy is the real deal?’
Disbelief was written all over Matthew and Isabella’s faces.
The first impressions they got were twofold.
First, he was small.
He was so short that he only reached about the level of Isabella’s chest.
Second, he was excessively flamboyant.
Really, truly, excessively flamboyant.
The hairstyle and outfit that clumsily followed the latest trends were one thing.
But the sheer number of jewels hanging off his body was enough to make one tired just trying to count them.
From his entrance onward, his flamboyance was so over-the-top that it felt vulgar.
Was a man like this truly someone who had reached the Supreme Realm?
Was he really one of the three strongest men in the kingdom?
The aura he gave off was certainly substantial, but…
‘Really?’
‘That guy?’
Something just didn't sit right.
Unlike the two confused companions, Patrick smiled casually and spoke.
“Thank you for the welcome. I’m Patrick Schneider.”
“Mmm, it is a pleasure for me as well to have a junior travel such a long way to visit.”
“So, can we eat now?”
“Uh…”
“I’m hungry.”
Marquis Lobsky was taken aback by Patrick’s bluntness. However, he soon let out a hearty laugh.
“Hahaha. My apologies. Come, don't be shy. Eat up.”
“Thank you.”
Patrick truly didn't hold back.
He pushed aside a salad drizzled with fresh dressing and immediately grabbed a whole leg of the roasted veal, tearing it off.
Then, he began to chew heartily, looking like a bandit from the Green Forest.
“Oh, juice explosion!”
“Hohoho. You certainly know how to eat. Starting with the meat right away.”
“How can I chew on grass with meat right in front of me? I’m not a goat.”
“Indeed. To get strong, you must eat meat.”
“Man, you get it.”
Patrick looked as if he had tossed all table manners to the other side of the continent, but Marquis Lobsky didn't mind in the slightest.
In fact, he even smiled and complimented Patrick.
Patrick munched on the veal leg and gulped down wine without hesitation.
Even when he drained his glass in one go, the attendant waiting behind him was quick to refill it.
The conversation continued alongside the delicious meal.
“Ever since the rumors of you coming to find me started, the estate has been enjoying a boom.”
“That’s good to hear.”
“It is. Thanks to that, this year’s taxes should be quite lucrative.”
“That’s good to hear.”
“Mmm. I’ll confirm this first, but is it true that the reason you came here is for a duel with me?”
“That’s goo—I mean, yes. That’s why I’m here.”
“Mmm, I see.”
Marquis Lobsky took a sip of wine, momentarily breaking the flow of conversation.
Patrick spoke up.
“If you don't want to, don't. I’ll just move on to the next one.”
Marquis Lobsky looked slightly flustered and said, “No, no. Not at all. Public expectation has reached its peak; I can't back down now.”
“Then will you do it?”
“I must.”
Marquis Lobsky thought for a moment and then asked, “What date would be good for you?”
“Tomorrow.”
“Right. Sufficient rest… wait, what?”
“Tomorrow.”
At Patrick’s words, Marquis Lobsky fell silent for a moment before speaking.
“Isn't that too soon? You’ve traveled a long way; it would be better to fight after getting enough rest.”
“Aww, come on. Why does a guy holding a sword need rest? Even if you’re on your deathbed, if an enemy comes in, you should jump up, fight, and then die.”
“……”
“Don't you think so?”
“That is… a fine mindset.”
Marquis Lobsky went back to sipping his wine.
Seeing him like that, Isabella and Matthew felt nothing but disappointment.
‘Is he seriously…’
‘Trying to back out?’
Marquis Lobsky looked like someone trying to avoid a duel, no matter how you looked at it.
It was a stark contrast to Marquis Raines, who had been itching to cross swords with Patrick even one more time.
“Chomp chomp. So, I’ll take it the duel is tomorrow?”
Patrick spoke while gnawing on a veal rib. Marquis Lobsky smiled thinly and replied.
“I’ll have to check my schedule first. I’ll get back to you after I’ve confirmed it.”
“You must be very busy.”
“You’ll understand when you’re older. Rising to a high position means carrying a heavy burden of responsibility.”
“Ah, I see. Got it.”
Patrick nodded and went back to focusing on his meal.
A short while later.
“Phew… I’m stuffed.”
Patrick lay on the bed, patting his bulging stomach.
Seeing him like that, Matthew said, “How can a human being eat an entire calf?”
“It’s a waste to leave leftovers.”
“If you leave them, someone else will eat them.”
“Then I’d be losing, wouldn't I?”
“……”
“That veal, with its crispy skin and tender, juicy meat… it was a challenge worth attempting.”
Matthew shook his head at Patrick’s words. Just then, the door opened, and Isabella and April walked in.
“Young Master, here is some digestive medicine.”
“Thanks.”
As Patrick sat up to take the medicine, April moved behind him and began to gently pat his back with her delicate hands.
“Burp.”
Watching this sequence of events with a look of pity, Isabella thought to herself:
‘Is she his mom? Is he a baby?’
In the past, she would have just brushed it off.
But now that she knew April’s true identity—that she was a woman, and a peerless beauty at that—she couldn't watch it with the same indifference as before.
Then, Matthew spoke to Isabella.
“What do you think, Senior?”
“It’s bothersome.”
“Huh? What is?”
“…What?”
Their conversation briefly missed the mark.
Matthew was the first to correct the rhythm.
“Marquis Lobsky… I mean. What do you think of him?”
Judging by how unnatural it felt for him to add the honorific ‘Marquis,’ he seemed quite disappointed.
And it was the same for Isabella.
“He’s vulgar.”
“Right? I’m not the only one who thinks so, am I?”