Chapter 209
Chapter 209
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 209
Chapter Title: Shock (3)
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The interior of the Colosseum turned rowdy in an instant.
“Aurablade?”
“Ho, it’s not fake, is it?”
“Don’t talk nonsense. How could there be a fake Aurablade?”
The knights stared at the Aurablade Demian had created, their faces overcome with shock.
“A Master-class has been born in the Apple Kingdom.”
“The balance of power on the continent is going to shift.”
“We need to report this to the homeland right away.”
Unlike the Empire or the Holy Order, a Master-class was a rare existence that appeared perhaps once every hundred years in other kingdoms.
As such, the influence a single Master-class had on surrounding kingdoms was tremendous.
“But how old is that guy?”
“Even if we guess generously, he doesn’t look like he’s even mid-twenties.”
“To reach Master-class at such a young age… I can’t believe it even seeing it with my own eyes.”
The wandering knights focused on Demian’s age.
Reaching Master-class in one’s twenties was rare even when scouring history.
“This level of talent is hard to find even in the Empire.”
“It’s something only the Empire’s Greatest Sword or the Sword Saint could do.”
“I’ve heard rumors of a new Sword Saint appearing in the Empire recently.”
“Maybe the winner of the tournament has already been decided.”
The hostile gazes changed in an instant.
People looked at Demian with eyes filled with shock, fear, and awe.
“With the proof complete, we’ll take our leave.”
Liam Bluegreen led his group out of the Colosseum.
Even after they left, the inside of the Colosseum buzzed with talk of Demian Haksen.
* * *
Demian’s group exited the Colosseum just like that.
“Brother! Did you see that? The moment you showed your Aurablade, they all shut their mouths!”
As soon as they got outside, Michael rejoiced as if it were his own achievement.
He seemed pleased at having given those who had ignored Demian a piece of their mind.
“More than that, can’t we go back and rest now? I’m tired.”
Veronica yawned as she spoke. Michael glared at her and scolded.
“Everything is decided by Brother and Sir Liam. Shut up, you Middle-class.”
“W-what? You think you’re all that?”
“No, there’s more. Don’t complain, you Middle-class nobody.”
Veronica’s face flushed bright red at Michael’s mockery. But she couldn’t bring herself to retort.
Demian left the two alone and asked Liam.
“Sir Liam, where do we go now?”
“Wait a moment. I told them to send someone here once they secure lodging.”
No sooner had Liam spoken than a soldier in Apple Kingdom armor came running from afar.
“Sorry for being late. It took a while to find lodging, so…”
“It’s fine. Did you secure it?”
“Well…”
The soldier’s expression hardened.
“Not only the high-class inns, but all the decent ones are fully booked.”
“Is that true?”
“Yes, there are some left, but… they’re all low-class places…”
Liam looked troubled at the soldier’s words.
They were representing the Apple Kingdom in the Empire; they couldn’t just pick any old inn.
Moreover, poor lodging meant they couldn’t recover fatigue properly. It could have a negative impact during the Helian Tournament.
“What to do…”
Liam fell deep into thought. Watching him, Demian suddenly remembered something he’d forgotten.
“Sir Liam, I’ve heard the Empire’s capital has many villas prepared by great nobles from the provinces.”
“That’s right. Great nobles build grand mansions for use when visiting the capital on business. …Are you suggesting we borrow one? Sorry, but that’s impossible.”
Liam shook his head.
“Great nobles don’t lend their villas to kingdoms they’re not closely allied with. For a small kingdom like our Apple Kingdom, it’s a pipe dream.”
The Empire was the most powerful nation on the continent, and its great nobles wielded influence comparable to kingdoms.
“You don’t need to worry about that.”
Demian opened his interspatial storage and took out a worn silver ring.
“What’s that ring?”
Liam asked with a face full of curiosity.
“It’s the ring symbolizing the heir of the Lichtauer Ducal House.”
“Ah, I see. Quite valuable for something so worn…”
In the next moment, Liam’s eyes widened as if they might pop out.
The Lichtauer Ducal House was one of the seven great houses symbolizing the Empire.
It was one of the few houses that could speak harshly even to the emperor wielding absolute power.
“W-why do you have something so precious?”
“I got it directly from the Lichtauer Ducal House’s heir.”
It had happened a few months ago, when Demian set off on a journey to the Holy Order’s headquarters.
By chance on the road, Demian encountered the Lichtauer Ducal House’s heir.
Her name was Rachel Lichtauer, a figure who would later be called the Sword Empress.
Demian had won a duel against Rachel then, and received this ring as a reward.
“She said if I brought this ring, she’d repay the favor… Looks like now’s the time to use it.”
Demian tossed the ring into the air and caught it as he spoke.
“Let’s head to the Lichtauer Ducal House’s villa.”
It was then, as Demian was about to move with his group to the Lichtauer Ducal House’s mansion.
The door of a nearby tavern burst open, and a man was thrown out.
His hair was disheveled, his clothes little more than rags. An stench wafted from his unwashed body.
“Coming here drinking without money! If you show up at our place again, I’ll beat you to death!”
A woman who seemed to be the tavern owner spat curses and slammed the door shut.
“Water… Someone, give me some water…”
The middle-aged man lay on the ground, drunkenly rambling.
Naturally, no one gave him any alcohol. Everyone just frowned and passed by.
“What a pathetic fellow.”
Liam Bluegreen clicked his tongue and muttered.
“Sir Demian, then let’s head out… Where are you going?”
Demian approached the middle-aged man. He bent down to peer into his face.
“…Haa.”
Soon, Demian let out a long sigh. Because it was a face he recognized.
Demian took a canteen from his interspatial storage and held it out to the man.
“Water! Waaater!”
The man opened the canteen and gulped it down. Then he sprawled out on the ground again and fell asleep.
“Haaaa.”
Demian sighed once more. Then he called the soldier.
“Carry this man.”
“Pardon? This guy?”
The soldier asked in surprise. Demian nodded.
“Yeah, carry him. Treat him respectfully, don’t manhandle him.”
At Demian’s command, the soldier reluctantly hoisted the man onto his back.
“Sir Demian, why are you taking care of that bum?”
Liam asked with a puzzled look. Demian replied nonchalantly.
“You’ll find out soon enough.”
* * *
‘Boring.’
The future Sword Empress.
Rachel Lichtauer was currently battling intense boredom.
“I-it’s an honor to meet you like this!”
It was because of the man sitting before her.
He had a bear-like massive build, overly developed arms, and a face covered in beard.
Unlike his bandit-like appearance, the man was shy in front of Rachel.
“Y-you’re as beautiful as the rumors say!”
“You flatter me.”
“No! It’s the first time I’ve seen someone as beautiful as you, Miss Rachel! N-not that I’ve seen many women…”
Rachel suppressed the urge to bolt from the room right then.
She wasn’t the type with much patience to begin with. But with this man, she needed to exercise it.
Bradley Hess.
Second son of the Hess Marquis House, and a powerhouse who had reached Master-class in his late twenties.
Even the Lichtauer Ducal House couldn’t ignore someone of his stature.
“M-Miss Rachel… D-do you, by any chance, have a man you’re seeing recently…?”
“No.”
“R-really?”
Bradley’s face lit up. Rachel could only give a wry smile at the sight.
Because she knew exactly what this man wanted.
It was the same reaction most men gave when meeting her. She couldn’t miss it.
But Rachel had no intention of reciprocating Bradley’s feelings.
Not only was he not her type, she had no thoughts of marriage even with someone else.
‘I’m swamped just training with the sword. Marriage? What marriage?’
How could she naturally send Bradley away? As Rachel pondered.
“Miss, I’m coming in.”
The parlor door opened, and a man entered. It was David, Rachel’s attendant.
“David, can’t you see we have a guest?”
Rachel said with mock sternness. But her inner thoughts were the opposite.
‘David. Thanks for the timely interruption.’
‘No problem.’
Rachel and David quickly exchanged glances.
Having been together so long, this much communication was easy.
“Sorry. A truly important guest has arrived…”
“An important guest?”
“A knight from the Apple Kingdom brought a ring stamped with the Lichtauer Ducal House crest.”
Apple Kingdom knight, Lichtauer Ducal House crest ring.
The moment those words combined, one person came to mind.
“No way…?”
“Yes. Sir Demian Haksen has arrived.”
A bright smile spread across Rachel’s face. Unknowingly, she shot up from her seat.
Bradley Hess looked at her in surprise.
“Miss Rachel?”
“Sorry. A really important guest is here.”
Rachel said vaguely and dashed out of the parlor.
How could she forget the name Demian Haksen?
The man who had utterly defeated her, hailed as the greatest prodigy in Lichtauer family history.
After that, Rachel had devoted herself to training. Solely to beat that man, she had reached the High-class realm.
‘Now I can finally pay him back!’
Rachel practically flew down to the first floor. The moment she saw Demian Haksen’s face, she shouted loudly.
“Demian Haksen! You haven’t forgotten our promise! Duel me right now…”
But the instant she saw Demian Haksen’s face, Rachel lost her words.
It was because of the aura emanating from him.
Just approaching made her body feel heavy. Her instincts kept warning her.
Back at the main house, she had felt something similar countless times from her father and the other knights.
“…Master-class?”
Shock appeared on Rachel’s face.