Chapter 32
Chapter 32
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 32
Chapter Title: Ipari Plains (2)
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The Marquis quickly reached out to grab Michael's hand.
But someone else blocked Michael's hand first.
Demian Haksen had extended his own hand and seized Michael's wrist. As a result, Michael couldn't draw his sword.
Michael looked back and forth between the sword hilt and Demian Haksen with a flustered expression.
"You're a bit hot-tempered."
Demian Haksen said, looking down at Michael Ryanbloom.
"You seem to have a strong competitive spirit. But even so, this isn't the place to draw your sword, is it?"
Only then did Michael look around. That was when he noticed the Duke's scowling face.
"Marquis Ryanbloom, what is the meaning of this?"
The Duke spoke in a thorny tone.
The Marquis rubbed his face with his palm.
......My son has acted foolishly. I had no intention of harming your knight.
"You think words like that will make this go away? You know better than that."
At the sharp rebuke, the Marquis could only break out in a cold sweat.
The Duke had come to this meeting at the Marquis's invitation. For Michael Ryanbloom to try to draw his weapon in such a setting was no small matter. If mishandled, the Marquis's family's reputation could plummet.
'He's got some talent for acting.'
Demian watched the Duke with an amused expression.
Demian had realized early on that the Duke wasn't truly angry.
He was enjoying having a hold over the Marquis's weakness. You could tell just from the slight curve in his eyes.
"If I had my way, I'd storm out of here right now...... But with the duel still ahead, I'll hold back.
......Thank you for your mercy.
"Instead, I'll add a few conditions to the duel's stakes."
The Marquis let out a groan.
......Name them.
"If we win this duel, we'll take ownership of the land adjacent to the gold mine."
The duel had arisen because a gold mine was discovered on the border between the Duke's and Marquis's territories.
The Duke aimed to claim all the border lands if he won.
"Is that all?
"One more thing. If we win the duel, open your family's secret vault once for Sir Demian Haksen here."
The Duke said, patting Demian Haksen's back.
Demian looked at the Duke in surprise.
A secret vault wasn't just any warehouse. It was where a family stored treasures accumulated over generations.
To open it once meant handing over one of the Marquis family's treasures to Demian Haksen.
......You're proposing some heavy conditions.
"But they only apply if you win the duel."
The Marquis pondered for a moment before speaking.
"Fine. I accept all those conditions."
* * *
The conversation ended there.
The Marquis and the Duke returned to their respective camps.
......Michael.
On the way back, the Marquis called his son's name with resentment.
"Why did you try to draw your sword in that moment? You nearly destroyed our family just now......
"Father, did you see? That guy knew I was going to draw my sword."
But Michael gave no thought to his father's feelings.
"He read every move I was going to make. I've never faced an opponent like this before!"
Michael rejoiced like a child. At that pure smile, the Marquis's expression grew serious.
......You like Demian Haksen that much?
"Yes! You were right, Father! Demian Haksen might even fight me on equal terms!"
Despite possessing master-level talent, Michael Ryanbloom had grown bored from a lack of worthy opponents.
Now his son had found such an opponent in Demian Haksen.
The boredom that had clouded Michael Ryanbloom's eyes vanished completely at the arrival of the rival he'd dreamed of.
His dormant talent was beginning to awaken.
......If you're satisfied, that's what matters.
A smile appeared on the Marquis's face as well.
The Duke's conditions only mattered if they won the duel anyway.
With Michael Ryanbloom there, defeat was impossible.
* * *
"Luck is on our side from the start."
Upon returning to camp, the Duke spoke up.
"Win the duel, and it'll be perfect. Isn't that right?"
He turned to Demian as he spoke, his lips blooming into a full smile.
"Your Grace, why did you propose such conditions?
"What do you mean? The secret vault?
Demian nodded, and the Duke waved it off casually.
"Wasn't it you who stopped Michael's sword? If he'd fully drawn it, the whole meeting would have fallen apart.
"Wouldn't that benefit the Duke's family as well?
"It benefits the family, but not me. I don't want to beat the Marquis through some unexpected mishap like that."
The Duke's expression turned serious.
"I hate that man. I've vowed to crush him someday. With the chance right in front of me, how could I let it slip?
Only then did Demian understand the Duke's feelings.
His strong pride wouldn't allow such a hollow victory.
"And isn't it a chance to boast using someone else's money? Can't pass that up."
The Duke laughed heartily. He nodded and continued.
"Still, it's odd. Michael Ryanbloom is famous for being a notorious slacker. Why did he go for his sword?
At the Duke's question, Demian shrugged.
"Guess he was bored."
Contrary to his words, Demian understood Michael Ryanbloom's impulsive action.
'Young as he is, he's already awakened his instinct.'
Among masters, many possessed special talents.
A sword musician with perfect pitch was one such example.
And Michael Ryanbloom had his own special talent.
Sight, hearing, taste, touch, smell.
Beyond those five senses, he possessed a sixth: super-sensation.
In his previous life, Michael had used it to detect unforeseen dangers or read an enemy's hidden moves.
'Now that's something to look forward to.'
In the future, Michael Ryanbloom would reach the master realm. But for now, he was merely low-class.
Demian had worried the duel might end too quickly, but fortunately, that concern seemed unfounded.
"Your Grace, a herald from the Marquis's side is approaching."
Gaol Heinrich said to the Duke.
The mounted herald spoke to the Duke.
"It's a message from His Grace the Marquis! He says to begin the first duel!
"Quick, good."
The Duke muttered, lifting one corner of his mouth.
"For the first duel, seizing the initiative is key. Who should we send out?
The Duke turned to his knights and asked.
When no one answered, the Duke looked to Demian Haksen.
"Sir Demian, I hear you've been sparring with the candidate knights lately.
"Yes, a bit.
"Anyone you recommend?
At the Duke's question, Demian thought of Pavel Vermond. Among the knights he'd sparred with, Pavel stood out.
"Your Grace, may I make a recommendation first?
Just then, someone spoke up. Demian naturally turned to the knight.
Sebastian Vincenzo.
He was the mid-class knight in charge of training the duel knights.
"Training the duel knights is my duty, Sebastian Vincenzo's. I can recommend far more suitable talent than Sir Demian.
As he spoke, Sebastian Vincenzo glanced at Demian.
It wasn't a friendly look. If anything, it brimmed with hostility.
'Narrow-minded guy.'
Demian had clashed with Sebastian Vincenzo once before.
Upon hearing that some duel knights were sparring with Demian, he'd complained to the Duke.
-What's the harm? The knights can learn from sparring with Sir Demian.
Naturally, the Duke had sided with Demian.
Now it seemed he was paying him back for that.
"Hm, Sir Sebastian has a point. So, who do you recommend?
"I recommend my son, Fabian Vincenzo.
Not all duel knights had sparred with Demian. Some hadn't.
Those had all trained under Vincenzo.
"The son of Sir Sebastian...... I've heard he's exceptionally talented.
"Yes, Your Grace. He's inherited everything from the Vincenzo family. I have no doubt he'll secure the first victory."
"Very well. Send your son out.
Sebastian Vincenzo gestured. A knight carrying a spear stepped forward.
"I won't disappoint Your Grace!"
With that cry, Fabian Vincenzo headed to the center.
* * *
Fabian Vincenzo knew exactly why his father had sent him out.
'Demian Haksen, that country bumpkin daring to threaten Father's position.'
To the Duke's knights, Demian Haksen was like a thorn in their side.
He'd appeared out of nowhere, snatching the family representative spot and monopolizing the Duke's favor.
'If not for him, the representative position would have been mine.'
Fabian Vincenzo thought bitterly.
'I'll win spectacularly in this duel and change His Grace's perception.'
Fabian Vincenzo faced the Marquis's knight. He drew the spear from his back.
"I am Fabian of Viscount Vincenzo! State your name!"
At Fabian Vermond's shout, the Marquis's knight replied.
"Robert. No family name.
"What? No family name? You're a commoner?
Fabian Vincenzo's face twisted immediately.
Knights were typically raised in knightly families. They acquired the etiquette and knowledge befitting knights, and mastered family secrets to reach completion.
It wasn't a position for commoners to covet.
"A commoner daring to face me.
Disappointed that his first opponent was a commoner, Fabian Vincenzo had no choice but to feel let down.
"Noisy. Do all the Duke's knights fight with their tongues like women?
At Robert's mockery, Fabian Vincenzo furrowed his brow.
"You insolent cur. I'll teach you the difference in our stations right now!"
Fabian charged with his spear raised. His resolve to end the duel swiftly was palpable.
"Ooh, Sir Fabian is attacking."
The Duke's soldiers watching erupted in cheers.
Even from afar, they could feel it: the fighting spirit Fabian exuded.
In contrast, the Marquis's knight showed no presence at all.
It seemed the first duel would end easily like this.
But the duel that soon began unfolded completely differently from expectations.
The Marquis's knight easily blocked Fabian's thrusting attacks.
"Hat! Hup! Hat!"
Fabian shouted louder. But no matter how much time passed, nothing changed.
"You...... damn commoner!"
Frustrated that his attacks kept getting blocked, Fabian's movements grew larger.
In that instant, the Marquis's knight moved.
He lightly deflected Fabian's downward spear thrust, closed the distance, and kicked Fabian's body.
"Urk!"
Fabian fell backward. The blade touched his nape.
The Marquis's knight had approached and thrust out his sword.
"Do you admit defeat?
The Marquis's knight asked calmly. Fabian replied in a trembling voice.
"I...... lost."
The moment Fabian admitted defeat, cheers exploded from the Marquis's camp.
Meanwhile, a heavy silence blanketed the Duke's camp.
* * *
......Send soldiers to retrieve Fabian Vincenzo.
After issuing the order, the Duke turned to Sebastian Vincenzo.
"Sir Sebastian, what did I just witness?
At the Duke's question, Sebastian had nothing to say.
"Y-Your Grace...... Th-that......
"I trusted Sir Vincenzo with the knights' training, and this is how you repay me."
Sebastian Vincenzo opened his mouth as if to make excuses. The Duke spoke with cold eyes.
"Please, just stay quiet for now.
Sebastian promptly shut his mouth.
"I never imagined the gap in our knights' levels would be this wide."
The Duke stroked his chin, deep in thought.
"At this rate, even if Sir Demian Haksen wins, we'll lose the duel?
The silence in the Duke's camp grew heavier.
"Your Grace, may I say something?
Then, Demian Haksen spoke up.
"Speak.
At the Duke's prompt, Demian said.
"For the second knight, I recommend Pavel Vermond."