Chapter 23
Chapter 23
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 23
Chapter Title: Proof (1)
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The retainers of the Goldpixie Ducal Family were plunged into chaos and fear.
They had gathered at the ducal residence for the grand assembly held every three months.
In the midst of holding a meeting about business matters with the duke, word arrived that the duke's castle had been attacked.
If it had been the outer keep that was attacked, they might have been shocked but not gripped by terror.
But the place that had been assaulted was the inner keep.
That alone was a grave issue, but then the duke had suddenly left to meet the intruder.
Alone, without even his guard knight, Sir Gaol Heinrich.
"The ducal family attacked... Who in the world would dare commit such an act?"
"Not even at midnight, but in broad daylight, assaulting the duke's residence..."
The retainers buzzed with anxiety.
The one silver lining was that Gaol Heinrich was in this meeting hall.
Gaol Heinrich was one of only three high-class knights in the Apple Kingdom.
No matter who the attacker was, Gaol Heinrich could surely subdue them.
It was then.
"Sorry to keep you waiting!"
The meeting hall doors burst open, and the duke entered.
Unlike when he had left the hall alone, two additional people were now with him.
One was the knight the retainers all knew well: Ernst Horwitz.
The other, however, was a complete stranger.
"Who's that young man?"
"I have no idea."
"He's handsome enough, but his eyes look a bit sleazy."
The retainers whispered about the youth.
"Suddenly, but I have someone to introduce."
The duke presented the youth to his retainers.
"The intruder who just attacked the ducal residence is this fellow."
The murmurs died down in an instant.
The retainers stared at the duke and Demian Haksen in disbelief.
"Hello. I'm Demian Haksen."
Demian nodded curtly in greeting. It was an exceedingly arrogant and rude attitude.
But the retainers focused more on his name than his demeanor.
"Demian Haksen? You don't mean that wastrel?"
"The one who supposedly took down the Ryanbloom Marquis Family's second son and smashed the massive organization in Landwalk City?"
Rumors about Demian Haksen had reached even the ducal family, they were so famous.
Yet not a single person believed them. They were far too outlandish to be true.
"That wastrel is the culprit who attacked the duke's residence?"
"I thought the rumors were all fake... but were they actually real?"
"No way. How could a wastrel like that..."
The retainers were greatly agitated. Some even denied reality.
"The reason this fellow attacked the castle is a masterpiece. He borrowed money from one of my businesses but couldn't pay it back."
Oblivious or not to his retainers' inner thoughts, the duke chattered excitedly.
"So he came intending to join the duel in place of repayment, but the soldiers wouldn't let him in, so he charged right in."
The retainers looked at Demian with dumbfounded expressions.
They had been racking their brains over who might be behind the intruder, never imagining such a foolish reason.
"You know what he even said to me? That after beating Michael Ryanbloom, he'd dedicate the victory to me."
Laughter erupted among the retainers.
Who was Michael Ryanbloom?
A once-in-a-generation genius expected to reach master realm in the near future.
Even with all the Goldpixie Ducal Family's connections and resources mobilized, they hadn't found anyone to match him.
Beat Michael Ryanbloom? Dedicate the victory?
But as time passed, the sneers on the retainers' faces began to fade.
"That man beat Michael Ryanbloom...?"
"It's not entirely impossible. He broke through the ducal residence's defenses, didn't he?"
"He took down the duke's knights too."
"Was there a young knight with skills like that?"
Considering the prowess Demian had displayed, he was in no way inferior to Michael Ryanbloom.
"I'll do as Demian Haksen wishes. We'll select him as our representative to face Michael Ryanbloom."
The duke continued, looking around at his retainers.
"Does anyone have any other opinions?"
All was silent. It was assent. The duke nodded as if understanding.
"No objections, then. We'll select Demian Haksen as our representative..."
"Your Grace! Please reconsider that decision!"
At that moment, someone shouted loudly. All eyes turned toward the voice.
Ernst Horwitz stood there, face contorted in fury.
"Demian Haksen attacked the ducal residence and assaulted our knights! He's lucky we don't punish him immediately, let alone appoint him as representative!"
Some retainers nodded at Ernst Horwitz's words.
Though they hadn't spoken due to the duke's firm stance, they actually disapproved.
Appointing someone who attacked the ducal family as representative.
"Demian Haksen did somewhat tarnish the ducal name. But isn't he a talent that's hard to come by?"
"Before discussing skill, he lacks the qualifications! Appointing an assailant of our house as representative? How much will others mock us if word gets out!"
More and more retainers agreed with Ernst Horwitz.
"There's no other knight who can face Michael Ryanbloom if not Demian Haksen."
"That's true now! But hasn't Lady Chelsea Archduchess not returned yet?"
At the mention of Lady Chelsea Archduchess, the duke's expression briefly soured.
"It's been a month since Lady Chelsea Archduchess left to find a knight to oppose Michael Ryanbloom. She should be back soon!"
"Chelsea didn't tell me who that knight is. We can't be sure who she'll bring. Are you saying we should discard Demian Haksen and rely solely on that child?"
"Has Lady Chelsea Archduchess ever disappointed Your Grace? She's brilliant and capable—she'll surely meet your expectations this time too!"
At those words, the retainers began to murmur.
"He's right. Lady Chelsea Archduchess has always passed Your Grace's tests with flying colors."
"Someone like her will definitely bring an outstanding knight this time."
"We can trust Lady Chelsea Archduchess."
The retainers' opinions gradually tilted toward Lady Chelsea Archduchess.
The duke crossed his arms, deep in thought.
"Sir Ernst Horwitz's arguments all have merit."
The duke addressed Demian Haksen.
"Demian Haksen, I'm sorry. We'll have to postpone appointing you as representative."
Ernst Horwitz's face visibly brightened at those words.
Demian, on the other hand, felt irritation surge.
'An orc-chewed bone-lookalike is ruining things at the last second.'
Demian hadn't come here simply to repay a debt.
The marquis family greatly strengthened its position after winning the duel against the ducal family.
Demian Haksen had come to prevent that future.
'No matter who Lady Chelsea Archduchess brings, they can't beat Michael Ryanbloom.'
For the ducal family to win the duel, Demian Haksen had to face Michael Ryanbloom.
Thus, after much deliberation, Demian spoke.
"I cannot accept that decision."
All eyes, including the duke's, turned to Demian Haksen.
"I've come not only to repay my debt but to fight Michael Ryanbloom. I have no intention of yielding the representative spot."
An outsider had flatly rejected the duke's decision. Naturally, the retainers' reactions weren't favorable.
"That brat... Thinks a bit of skill makes him untouchable!"
"Daring to complain about His Grace's decision!"
"We should seize him and punish him right now!"
Among the retainers, Ernst Horwitz's rage was especially fierce.
"...What did this punk just say?"
Ernst Horwitz ground his teeth, muttering.
A bone-chilling killing intent poured toward Demian.
"Your Grace, give the order. I'll grab that bastard's head and make him kneel right now!"
But the duke did not grant Ernst Horwitz's request.
Instead, he looked at Demian with an intrigued rather than angry expression.
"Demian, I feel sorry for you. But with my retainers' opinions like this, what can I do?"
The duke shrugged.
His manner was exaggerated, his eyes brimming with anticipation.
From that, Demian roughly grasped the duke's intentions.
'He's expecting how I'll handle this situation.'
Come to think of it, he'd heard in his previous life.
The Goldpixie Duke was a ruthless meritocrat who loved constantly testing his retainers.
He favored only those who passed his tests and discarded those who didn't.
'A troublesome type to have as a boss.'
To pass the duke's test, he needed to persuade the retainers.
But Demian had no intention of bothering to convince them.
He would show them directly with actions, not words.
What kind of being he was. Why they needed to keep him.
"You're all greatly mistaken."
Having decided his course, Demian Haksen spoke.
"If you want to win the duel, you must seat me as representative. No matter who Lady Chelsea Archduchess brings, they won't even compare to me."
"Your boasts are sickening. How do you know who Lady Chelsea Archduchess will bring to spout such nonsense?"
Ernst Horwitz sneered.
Demian Haksen pointed at Ernst Horwitz.
"As proof, I'll block one strike from Sir Ernst."
What did that punk just say?
The retainers doubted their own ears. The situation left them no choice.
Ernst Horwitz was a mid-class knight.
One who had reached mid-class long ago and amassed ample experience and achievements.
Block an attack from such a person?
"Ah, I said one strike, but use any technique you like. Tricks are fine, ultimate moves too—no problem."
The retainers' shock grew as Demian Haksen's words continued.
Normally, when a higher knight spars with a lower one, the higher gives various handicaps.
Yet here Demian Haksen was offering no handicaps—in fact, giving full freedom.
"Better make it an ultimate move. Blocking that will prove my skill even more clearly."
Demian Haksen's words stopped.
Due to the terrifying killing intent pouring from Ernst Horwitz.
"Come out. I'll put a hole through your face."
Ernst Horwitz growled at Demian Haksen.
* * *
Demian and Ernst Horwitz headed straight to the training grounds.
The duke and retainers followed. They surrounded the grounds, watching the two.
"Even now, lick my boots, and I'll forgive you."
Ernst Horwitz spun his spear as he spoke.
Demian yawned long instead of replying.
"I'm sleepy. Let's end this quick."
"...You're really begging to die."
Ernst Horwitz gripped his spear with both hands.
Demian Haksen took no stance whatsoever.
"What are you doing? Get ready."
"You're so nosy. Stop worrying needlessly and handle yourself."
Demian stabbed his sword into the ground. He even leaned his arms and body on it.
At this blatant disregard, Ernst Horwitz's facial muscles tensed rigidly.
"As I said, any attack is fine. Tricks or ultimate moves, whatever."
By now, Demian was speaking down to Ernst Horwitz.
At the successive provocations, bloodshot veins filled Ernst Horwitz's eyes.
"This... insufferable punk... I'll tear you apart..."
Ernst Horwitz drew up his mana.
Mid-class.
A superhuman capable of fighting one against a thousand.
Vast mana worthy of that high realm began swirling around Ernst Horwitz.
"You said any one strike, right?"
Aura blazed at the tip of Ernst Horwitz's spear.
Clear enough to look like flames, not mere heat haze.
"I'll pierce that annoying mug of yours."
Ernst Horwitz raised his foot. Slammed it down hard.
The training ground floor shattered. Simultaneously, his body shot forward like an arrow.
At the tremendous speed, air burst repeatedly. Ernst Horwitz pierced the wall of air, reaching right before Demian Haksen.
Ernst Horwitz thrust his spear.
A storm raged. At its center, a flash hidden within pierced toward Demian Haksen.
* * *
Demian had already read the trajectory before Ernst Horwitz even thrust.
'Chest.'
Ernst Horwitz's stance and gaze told everything.
Contrary to his words of piercing the face, he aimed for the heart.
'Honest thrust.'
No tricks, no ultimate move. A pure thrust.
But with full power, its speed and destructive force were terrifying.
'Did I provoke him too much? This got boring.'
Demian's taunts seemed to have struck the knight's pride.
The straightforward attack intent on killing him proved it.
'When it's this predictable, dealing with it is easy.'
Ernst Horwitz thrust his spear. Demian immediately raised his longsword to block.
Right after, the flash-like strike slammed into the blade.
He'd blocked the spear, yet it felt like a boulder crashing in.
His whole body's bones creaked. He vividly felt his limb muscles tearing.
'As expected of mid-class.'
Demian's experience and technique far surpassed, but Ernst Horwitz's physical abilities and mana were several times superior.
Truthfully, forcibly blocking such a powerful attack wasn't Demian Haksen's style.
But right now, Demian Haksen had to pretend to be low-class.
A low-class dodging or deflecting a mid-class attack would be unnaturally suspicious.
'So I have no choice but to block.'
Unable to fully withstand, his two feet slid back. The ground gouged, forming two furrows.
He could have stopped there, but Demian let himself be pushed.
Finally, his back hit the wall. It shattered with a roar.
The intense shock concentrated on his internal organs.
With Demian's skill, he could protect them with mana.
But Demian allowed the internal injuries for more realistic acting.
"Cough."
Demian Haksen spat blood from his mouth. He deliberately staggered out.
Looking away, he saw Ernst Horwitz's face gripped by shock.
Not just Ernst Horwitz. The duke and retainers wore the same expression.
Suddenly, Demian realized his hand felt light.
Turning his gaze, he saw the shattered longsword.
It was from his father, but low quality, no heirloom— no attachment.
"Your Grace, as promised, I've blocked Sir Ernst Horwitz's attack."
Demian tossed the longsword hilt to the ground as he spoke.
"The representative spot is mine now."
No reply came. Only prolonged silence.
"Ha."
Breaking the silence, the duke spoke.
"Uhahahat! Hahaha!"
The duke laughed loudly. He slapped his thigh with his palm.
"He endured it! He really endured a mid-class knight's strike!"
The duke ran toward Demian. Patted his back repeatedly.
"Cough."
Demian had no choice but to spit blood once more.
It was acting, but the injuries were real.
"Uhahahat! Sorry! My apologies!"
Even seeing that, the duke didn't stop laughing.
"Retainers, hear me! Demian Haksen has splendidly proven his skill! As promised, I appoint Demian Haksen as our representative!"
At that moment, the dazed Ernst Horwitz snapped to.
"Y-Your Grace!"
"Quiet."
The duke's tone was icy. Completely different from how he treated Demian Haksen.
"I'm in a good mood right now. Don't ruin it."
At the duke's words, Ernst Horwitz bowed his head, sweating coldly.
'He's disappointed.'
The duke was a ruthless meritocrat.
Thus, he favored Demian Haksen, who met his expectations, and slighted Ernst Horwitz, who didn't.
The duke's favor didn't end there.
"You seem to have internal injuries. I can't just leave them."
Suddenly, the duke fiddled with the ring on his right hand. A black hole appeared in the air.
'A sub-space magic tool?'
A top-grade magic tool that twisted space into a storage.
The duke pulled out a box from within.
"A gift for you."
Demian Haksen took the box the duke offered and opened it.
A refreshing fragrance spread everywhere as the lid lifted. Inside were five pills.
"It's called Equilibrium Pills. You've heard of them, perhaps."
Demian's ears perked up.
How could he not? Elixirs that boosted physical abilities just by consumption.
Legends told of the once-frail imperial crown prince devouring twenty and slaughtering oxen barehanded.
"Bought at great expense from the Pill Refining School."
Moreover, these Equilibrium Pills were made by the Pill Refining School.
The Pill Refining School was an alchemist faction specializing in growth elixirs.
Their potions far outperformed those from other schools.
"Consuming Equilibrium Pills develops the body and fills mana, they say. Originally for knights during training, but excellent for internal injuries too."
The duke patted Demian Haksen's shoulder.
"Looking forward to working with you."
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