Chapter 110
Chapter 110
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 48
Chapter Title: Tournament (2)
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Sven passed the preliminaries without much trouble.
Cheers erupted from the spot where the Liberda delegation had gathered.
Sven pointed at his fallen opponents with an arrogant smirk.
"Hey, you lot. You're weak."
Watching the scene, Yuri muttered under his breath.
"I wanna give him a good knuckle sandwich..."
He'd pay him a visit soon and teach the guy some humility with his fists.
Completely oblivious to Yuri's inner thoughts, Sven strutted off the stage with a smug grin.
With time limits in place, the preliminaries proceeded at a brisk pace.
"Your sword couldn't even match a stream. It's more like ditch water."
"Urgh..."
"But even ditch water eventually flows to the sea. Keep at it, and one day you'll forge a blade as vast as the ocean, like mine."
Proin advanced as Bursen's representative.
"Easy."
Penek and Sibylla from the Holy Kingdom made it to the main tournament without breaking a sweat.
The duke's son, with his slicked-back shiny hair, claimed victory leisurely, while Hasan subdued his opponent in silence, without a word.
Though participants hailed from various nations, most of those who passed were from the Empire.
"The Empire's talents are impressive."
"Right? Hahaha..."
Ragna burst into laughter at Yuri's words, but his expression wasn't entirely bright.
He'd just learned moments ago that the crown prince was spreading corruption through the Empire. His mind must have been a whirlwind of complicated feelings.
As dusk began to fall, Rolang finally took the stage in the last match.
Five men stood atop it.
Ragna glanced at Rolang and said,
"Rolang's a solid guy. Still, it would've been better if you'd entered, Yuri."
"I wanted to."
"Then?"
"But I've been tied up with other matters..."
"Hmm..."
There was a bite to Yuri's words. As Brioll's prince, he was implying he was busy sorting out the Empire's messes.
Ragna gave a wry smile.
"Don't rub it in."
"I'll make sure there's no need for you to point it out next time."
"This guy's really laying it on thick..."
As they chatted, the fight kicked off.
"Final preliminary match! We'll select the last two survivors. Begin!"
Rolung spun his wooden sword leisurely, his light movements drawing gasps from the crowd.
"That's Sir Rolang, right?"
"Impressive."
"He swept the junior swordsmanship tournaments as a kid, they say."
Ever since Yuri rose to fame, Rolang's name had gained recognition too.
The fact that he'd dominated countless youth tournaments only drew more eyes to him.
Rolung stood calmly.
Suddenly, as if they'd planned it beforehand, the other four participants excluding Rolang all rushed him at once.
"Whoa, what the hell!"
"That's dirty!"
"They're in cahoots, aren't they?"
"Again with this crap!"
The audience hurled curses.
But Rolang didn't flinch.
He moved as lightly as a feather, slipping out of their encirclement before smacking the back of the man on the edge. As his opponent crumpled from the pain, Rolang grabbed his collar and hurled him off the stage for an out-of-bounds elimination.
He didn't flaunt raw power or toy with his foes by showing off speed.
The whole sequence flowed naturally, like it was the most ordinary thing in the world.
Yuri's lips curved into a smile.
"You've gotten stronger, Rolang."
Rolung had been strong in his previous life too, but this time, his growth was remarkably swift.
As his liege, Yuri felt a deep satisfaction.
"Yuri, this isn't the time to smile."
"Why not?"
"If Rolang wins the whole thing..."
Ragna widened his eyes dramatically.
"Won't that link him to Ekaterina? Oh man, wouldn't that suck? Aren't you already worried, Yuri?"
"No such worries here."
"It'd be a huge loss. You'd regret it later."
"Your Highness, I've been thinking this for a while..."
Yuri placed a hand on Ragna's back. It was a touch that could be seen as rude for an imperial royal, but neither minded.
Somewhere along the way, a friendship had formed between them, transcending age.
"Before that, why not ask the princess herself?"
Of course, Ragna had only offered to make introductions, but the emperor had gone ahead and wagered her hand in marriage anyway.
Yuri gave a wry smile as he spoke.
"Honestly, they don't seem like a good match."
Ragna turned to face Yuri fully.
Something fervent flickered in his eyes.
"Yuri."
"Yes."
"You're one hell of a guy..."
"..."
"Wish I had a son like you..."
"I'd rather not..."
"You're really something."
Ragna threw an arm around Yuri's shoulders.
"Yeah, you're right. That's how it should be."
"Glad you get it."
"So I'll talk to Ekaterina and set you up separately..."
"Hey, wait..."
While they bantered pointlessly, Rolang dispatched the remaining three.
Two were supposed to survive, but Rolang knocked them all out in a flash. The judges decided to advance the last one to fall.
With that, the preliminaries wrapped up.
The stars of the upcoming tournament had been decided.
"The first match will be held the day after tomorrow. See you then!"
The judge announced the end of the preliminaries with a bow.
The crowd began to disperse.
Yuri and Ragna left as well.
Passersby occasionally called out to them. Yuri responded politely.
"Why didn't you enter, Your Highness?"
"Rolang went in my place."
"Is Sir Rolang stronger than you, Your Highness?"
"Childish question. Of course I'm stronger."
"How's Gott doing?"
"No idea. We're not close."
"Pardon?"
The imperial capital buzzed with festival energy.
And rightly so—this tournament featured not just the Empire's finest knights advancing to the finals, but the princess's hand in marriage as the prize.
For any imperial citizen, it was cause for wild excitement.
But amid the revelry, Yuri was swamped with the drug issue.
"What about Gorion?"
"He says no one's peddling drugs since then."
"They must've caught wind of the tracking..."
As mere suspicions solidified into facts, Yuri felt a growing sense of impasse.
It was as if all his efforts so far had been for nothing, and the Empire was steadily marching toward war regardless.
He wanted to storm the palace, slit the crown prince's throat, and scream that the bastard was an evil dark mage.
"Dark magic..."
That was the crux of it all.
"Guess I have no choice but to wait it out for now..."
Yuri stood from his seat. Deep in thought, he suddenly craved a good sweat. That's when it hit him.
"Jared."
"Yes."
"How about we take it easy today?"
"Sounds good."
"Come with me."
"Didn't you just say to rest?"
"Kidding."
Before leaving Brioll, Bernard had told him to seek out Sparrow from the Swordsmanship Guild if he ever needed help.
He didn't need the man's aid right now, but Yuri was curious enough to pay a visit.
Yuri took Jared and inquired around until he located the Swordsmanship Guild.
It was housed in a rundown building.
A rusty sign bore only a sword illustration and the words "Swordsmanship Guild."
Stepping inside revealed a spacious training hall, where a few people sparred with wooden swords.
A man who had been swinging his sword wiped his sweat and approached.
"What brings you here?"
"I'd like to see Sparrow of the Swordsmanship Guild."
"The master?"
"Yes."
"May I ask the reason...?"
"Just want to work up a sweat."
"Sparring request?"
"Maybe."
Lately, Yuri had felt an itch to cross blades with a fresh opponent.
Perhaps he was subconsciously regretting not entering the tournament after all.
"The master's out right now."
"When'll he be back?"
"Who knows..."
The man scratched his head.
"He's a real free spirit..."
At that moment, the door flew open, and someone strode in.
"Yeah, I am a free spirit!"
"Oh, Master. You're back."
Yuri turned. A middle-aged man with a mustache stood there.
He was quite large—not muscular, but verging on obese. Nothing like the image of Sparrow Yuri had imagined.
"Who's this?"
"Well..."
The man whispered something to Sparrow.
"Brioll?"
"Yes."
"Brioll's prince..."
The man had probably recognized Yuri.
Sparrow eyed Yuri sharply.
"You prepared for this? I've got a grudge against your lot..."
"Grudge?"
"You got that Bernard over there, right?"
"First I've heard of any grudge. I figured it'd be the other way around."
"Bullshit."
He drew the loose sword from his belt and swung it.
Jared stepped forward, blocking the path between him and Yuri.
"Don't be rude to the prince."
"Brought your guard dog, huh."
Yuri thought it was the first time in ages Jared had acted the part properly.
"Let's see what your guard dog's made of."
Sparrow advanced with heavy steps, then lashed out with his sword.
Incredibly fast.
It was a blur, but Jared instinctively parried with his own blade, thanks to his beastly reflexes.
Sparrow whistled.
"Ho, quick on the draw."
"Swinging steel? You wanna do this for real?"
"For real? If I'd gone all out, you wouldn't be standing."
As their swords clashed, the man who'd guided Yuri intervened.
"Master, what are you doing? This is a prince."
"He's buddies with that Bernard punk."
"Still, you can't."
"Tch..."
Yuri asked him,
"What the hell happened to make you grind your teeth like that?"
"What happened?"
Sparrow lifted his shirt. His ample belly and navel came into view.
Yuri and Jared grimaced.
"Ruined my appetite."
"My eyes..."
Sparrow cackled and hiked the shirt higher.
"Not that—higher up..."
There, a long gash scarred his right chest.
"That so-called Sword Demon rushed me outta nowhere, asking for a friendly match. That's how I got this. No warning, just barging in at night like a madman!"
Yuri shook his head.
Bernard back then must've been a total loose cannon. Fortunately, he'd met his father since and learned some manners.
"Sounds like a real jerk."
"Right?!"
"But that's his issue. Why take it out on me?"
"He's your disciple, ain't he?"
"Sure, but holding a master's sins against his student feels off."
"A master's sins are his student's sins."
"That's outdated thinking."
"It's precise accounting."
"Fine, let's settle it like this."
Yuri stepped forward with a grin.
"So..."
He trailed off as if proposing something, then suddenly yanked the man standing beside Sparrow and tripped him.
Sparrow raised his sword in alarm, but Guilty was already drawn faster.
The cold edge pressed against the man's throat.
"Tit for tat. For daring to swing at Brioll's third prince, I'll hold your disciple accountable. How's that?"
"You coward..."
"Your move's 'accounting,' mine's 'cowardly'?"
"Different situations. I had no Bernard around, so I had to improvise. But you've got me right here!"
"What kinda twisted logic is that?"
"Just let him go first."
Yuri chuckled dryly and shoved the hostage forward.
"Hey, sorry about that. Blame your master."
"Y-Yeah..."
Sparrow wrinkled his nose and approached Yuri.
"Alright, fine. You came to me, so you must want a favor. What's the request?"
"Huh?"
"Bernard's disciple shows up? Gotta be here for something."
"True, but weren't you my mortal enemy a second ago?"
"Enemy or not, I agreed to grant one favor."
"What's the crazy story behind that?"
Sparrow lifted his shirt again. Yuri and Jared averted their eyes from the sight.
"Why look away! Look!"
"Fine, got it."
"After he stabbed me right here in the chest!"
He continued,
"I begged him to spare my life, and he said he'd grant one request next time instead. I agreed, and that's how I survived. Whew."
Sparrow stood tall and proud.
With his guild members watching, he openly admitted to begging for his life.
To Yuri, who'd suffered guilt in his past life over similar ordeals, it was a refreshing shock.
"Y-You not embarrassed?"
"Why? You can lose a fight. If I were invincible, I wouldn't be here dealing with this."
"Fair point."
"But things are different now. I've mastered my family's secret art, One-Point Thrust!"
"What?"
"One-Point Thrust. Pierces anything. Next time we meet, I'll skewer Bernard in one strike."
"What family are you from?"
"A venerable swordsmanship house that produced a Swordmaster in the past."
"Don't tell me... Sparrow Apache?"
"Oh, you know of us?"
It matched the author's name on that One-Point Thrust book Yuri had seen in the palace library—some Apache.
Sparrow was a descendant of that author?
"Was that Swordmaster Jackson Apache?"
"That's right! Even the prince has heard the legend!"
"Ancestors and descendants, both infuriating..."
"What was that?"
"Fine. I do have a request."
Yuri looked at Sparrow.
"Teach me One-Point Thrust."