Chapter 79: Festival: A Trivial Ill-Fated Relationship (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 79: Festival: A Trivial Ill-Fated Relationship (2)
To be honest, I had forgotten all about them.
“Hmm—they said you looked like some kind of beast, but you’re much prettier than Shun and Jin described.”
Mao Rang tilted her head as she looked at me. She soon let out a deep sigh and muttered to herself.
“Then again, I’ve never seen those two say anything nice about anyone else.”
Mao Rang, the Iron Leg.
The next head of the Iron King Family, the most prestigious hero clan in our neighboring country.
A woman revered as the Star of the Continent despite having only just reached adulthood. It was largely thanks to her that the Iron King Family maintained its position as the greatest on the continent, despite the various atrocities committed by the Mao twins.
She was the possessor of overwhelming martial prowess that rendered her family’s flaws mere trivialities. True to her epithet, the Iron Leg, her primary technique involved lightning-fast kicks.
In the game Miracle Blessing M, she never appeared because the neighboring country’s status was low, but in this world, her influence and popularity were immense.
It wasn't for nothing that all those men were jumping up to snap photos of her. Of course, her provocative attire was likely a pillar of that popularity as well. The side-slit of her outfit, open all the way to her hip, was certainly striking.
I’m in luck.
However, she and I were entangled in a nasty fate. Chloe was involved, too.
“I came here specifically to see you. You turned my brothers into half-cripples, so I figured I should at least know what your face looks like.”
That was right. During the class placement exam, I had beaten Mao Rang’s twin brothers within an inch of their lives.
Of course, it was a bloody battle within a subspace, but perhaps due to the aftereffects, the two of them had fled the academy on the day of the entrance ceremony.
So many things had happened since then that the memory had long since faded into the back of my mind…
To think the older sister of those crazy twins would make a personal appearance.
This kind of repertoire was so cliché it was boring. She had probably come to seek revenge or something.
Like siblings, like sister—there was no way Mao Rang had a gentle personality.
The fact that she had brought a group of thugs to someone else’s place of business already proved her intentions were foul.
“What? Is that student an acquaintance of Mao Rang?”
“Ah—I heard from a relative who’s an instructor here. You know those Twins of Tyranny? Apparently, they were beaten to a pulp by a black-haired student during the placement exam. That must be him!”
A couple nearby whispered to each other. The ill-omened rumors began to spread from mouth to mouth like a contagion.
“Oh, I heard about that too. I heard that because of the shock back then, they’re like incontinent patients now, constantly pissing and shitting themselves?”
“Ugh, those bastards were famous for being lunatics anyway. Serves them right.”
“Hey, shh! Read the room, you idiot! Mao Rang is right there.”
The commotion lasted only a moment. The men who had entered with Mao Rang glared coldly at everyone present.
The chattering mouths immediately clamped shut.
It was as if they instinctively realized that if they continued to let their teeth wag so freely, their perfectly aligned rows would soon be knocked out.
Between the slits of Mao Rang’s qipao, her toned thighs first caught my eye.
Then, my gaze shifted to her shoes made of cast iron.
S-rank Armament, Storm Leg.
They say her leg techniques, utilizing her transcendent leg strength and the Storm Leg, could summon literal whirlwinds.
“…….”
A chilly air permeated the booth. Meanwhile, Chloe’s eyes were blazing as she held her kitchen knife upright. Mao Rang’s gaze lingered on her for a moment.
“Haha—.”
Mao Rang’s short chuckle broke the silence. She shrugged her shoulders and spoke.
“I’m sorry, but it’s not what you all are thinking. It’s already been months. What would be the point of digging up the past now? I’m not a child.”
As Mao Rang gave a casual wave of her hand, one of the thugs took a long stride forward.
Thud.
He stopped right at the feet of the male customer who had been running his mouth just moments ago.
The man’s teeth chattered so hard his jawbone trembled.
“We’ll borrow this for a moment.”
As he spoke, the thug pulled the chair away. He wiped the chair down with a wet wipe and presented it to Mao Rang.
The male customer collapsed weakly, his tension finally snapping. His knees shook so violently that he could barely keep his balance even with his companions supporting him.
I clicked my tongue inwardly. Their attitude was one thing, but it also brought back unpleasant memories.
In my past life, the underworld had used all sorts of schemes to scout me. As I mentioned before, the moment I heard their offer, I had kicked the gangsters out.
It was still ridiculous to think about. Telling a Japanese food chef to become a gangster just because he was good with a blade.
The intelligence of those blockheads truly plummeted far below common sense.
Well, it was a misunderstanding born from the title of the Nation’s Best Swordsman.
At first, they offered money, then they tried to persuade me with kind words, and finally, they would swarm in like this to cause a scene.
The current situation overlapped perfectly with those memories.
How annoying.
Mao Rang crossed her legs and rested her folded hands on top. Her face was filled with relaxed emotions. Composure, interest, and a hint of disdain.
“What did you come here for!”
Chloe growled fiercely, her angry brows furrowing. This was an unexpected situation.
“Chloe.”
I called her name once. A shorthand way of telling her to calm down. Chloe’s lips twitched before she finally nodded.
She understood.
The boundary between instinct and reason was thin for Chloe. A single word would reach her more heavily than a long explanation. Besides, I had to suppress her with words quickly to avoid unnecessary bloodshed.
I spoke to the rest of the club members with just my eyes. They gave subtle nods of affirmation through their expressions.
I’m glad everyone is quick on the uptake.
Of course, I was also fuming, but I was curious about the reason Mao Rang had sought me out.
“Why are you here?”
“No particular reason. Mostly, I was just curious about who you were. It’s a bit awkward for me to say this as their family, but even if Shun and Jin had trash personalities, their skills were top-notch. Oh, and for your information, those two have fits just hearing your surname. You should have seen them. It was so hilarious, pfft.”
Mao Rang laughed out loud. I stared at her blankly.
…Is she crazy?
No matter how much of a piece of trash they were, she was acting like this in front of the person who had turned her own family into half-cripples.
Her laughter turned my small hope—that she might actually be a decent person—into a complete delusion.
The onlookers also stared at Mao Rang with bewildered expressions. Then, she rested her chin on her interlaced hands.
The atmosphere turned cold and heavy.
Mao Rang was no longer laughing.
Looking at me with a strange glint in her eyes, Mao Rang spoke again.
“Honestly, I’m actually a bit grateful to you.”
“What?”
“The family’s prestige was in shambles because of Shun and Jin. I tried my best in my own way, but those two were beyond help, weren't they? No matter how much I beat them, they wouldn't come to their senses. I had almost given up. But thanks to you, they can’t do bad things anymore, right? As a family member, I’m truly relieved. Thank you for making sure they can’t harm me or anyone else anymore.”
Mao Rang tapped her knee with her index finger. A graceful, satisfied smile hung on her lips.
“…….”
Instead of seeking revenge or threatening me, she was actually commending me.
At a glance, it looked like a magnanimous display of character.
In fact, voices praising Mao Rang for her grace began to rise from the surroundings. They whispered that the Star of the Continent truly had a different level of character.
…However.
Ryozo and Weapon had stiff expressions. Both of them were sharp. They had obviously seen through Mao Rang’s true intentions.
‘Thank you for clearing away the obstacles in my future.’
Mao Rang was smiling warmly, but her eyes were infinitely cold.
She’s aiming for the position of the Seven Stars.
Mao Rang’s standing and popularity were on par with Kahn Elizabeth. However, she was considered a low priority for the next generation of the Seven Stars. The stigma of being the sister of the trashy twins was the reason.
Since I, a complete stranger, had removed that stigma, she did have reason to be grateful.
However, that wasn't Mao Rang’s only intention.
Bringing thugs and specifically wearing her armament, the Storm Leg, was highly likely a warning.
Simply put, she was grateful I crushed the obstacles.
But it also meant that the reputation of the Iron King Family had been stained because of me.
Regardless of the circumstances, I had turned members of her family into people who wet themselves every day…
She was hiding her most important core and applying pressure through what was visible.
She was the type I had often seen while living by the blade.
A politician.
Those types were far more troublesome than simple villains.
I frowned for a moment before speaking.
“If you’re finished, please leave.”
I mixed a moderate amount of humility into my tone. There was absolutely nothing to gain from having a pointless conflict with Mao Rang. Moreover, it was best to avoid someone with such an unsettling personality.
“Shall I?”
Despite my somewhat sharp remark, Mao Rang didn't seem to mind much. She stood up, dusting off her qipao. The group of thugs stood in a line, their necks stiff.
Just leave already.
Stop interfering with someone else’s business.
“Oh, right. Sword Demon, there was one more thing I was grateful for.”
Just as I was letting out a sigh of relief internally, Mao Rang tossed out a casual remark as she walked away.
“It makes me proud to see you opening a booth with Pao Chai, a dish from my home country.”
“…….”
Mao Rang spoke nonchalantly and turned away. The thugs also turned their steps toward the exit of the booth.
“Hey.”
Immediately, all eyes focused on me.
I untied the bandana I had wrapped around my head. A thick vein bulged at my temple. Mao Rang turned her head halfway and glanced at me.
“Don’t call kimchi by that name.”
I could endure anything else.
“Follow me, Mao Rang.”
But there are some things I cannot let slide.
“I’m going to cut you down.”
* * *
In the afternoon, as the festival atmosphere reached its peak.
A surprise event was held at the Joaquin Academy training ground.
On this sweltering summer day, even the air felt hot.
A crowd packed the colosseum-like training ground. They held their positions firmly despite the sweat dripping down their faces.
“Hey, hey, what’s going on?”
“Haven't you heard? Mao Rang, the Iron Leg, is having a subspace sparring match with some student!”
“What? Mao Rang accepted!? With a mere student? What’s the reason!?”
“What was it again…? Rumor has it there’s some huge political justification, but whatever the reason, isn't it great for us?”
“True, I’m curious to see how Mao Rang will turn that student into pulp!”
It was a cauldron of madness. Excitement surged as if they were ready to give a thumbs up or down depending on the match’s outcome.
Two people stood where all gazes converged. Kang Geomma and Mao Rang.
Normally, a subspace sparring match wouldn't be easily permitted, but the will of the two was firm.
Furthermore, since Mao Rang, the Star of the Continent, had made the request, the academy had no choice but to accept. Many things were entangled in the academy’s politics.
“Hmm—it’s been a while since I felt like this. I feel like I’ve gone back to my academy days. Well, even in my time, subspace sparring was a rare occurrence.”
Mao Rang tapped the ground with the tip of her foot. Her words and actions were relaxed, as if she were out for a stroll. She casually tossed out a comment.
“But Geomma, are you going to be okay? It’s fine to act tough, but you might end up like my brothers. You have a pretty face, but if your mind goes, you won't be able to get married later. Well, since you have guts, you could always marry me. I’m always welcoming of male concubines.”
“…….”
Mao Rang had a sneer on her lips. Kang Geomma, without any response, untied the cord of the Murasame and finally spoke.
“This is what you were aiming for.”
“Hmm?”
Kang Geomma snorted.
“The reason you came to find me. After provoking me, the remaining flaw of the Iron King Family, you intend to suppress me and claim all the justification for yourself.”
At that, Mao Rang’s pupils dilated significantly for a moment before she burst into laughter. It was the first time since they met that she had shown genuine emotion.
“Pfft, you’re much smarter than I thought. But you’re saying you fell for such a shallow provocation knowing that?”
As Kang Geomma partially removed the cord, light flowed along the blade. He stared intently at the edge.
A sharpened blade is a swordsman’s mirror. His blurred reflection gradually took on a concrete shape.
Shring—!
Kang Geomma drew the blade with a long, sliding motion. It made a clear, refreshing sound that suited the midsummer day.
“Mao Rang, you can never become a Seven Star Hero.”
The left corner of Mao Rang’s mouth twitched once. She forcefully pulled her lips into a smile and said,
“Um, excuse me, Geomma… do you hear that you lack tact very often?”
Her soft voice was laced with cold fury. Kang Geomma gave a short laugh.
“Occasionally.”
“Ha. Ha.”
Mao Rang let out fragmented laughter. Immediately, her eyes glared fiercely.
“I was going to go easy on you and just use one leg. But I’m a bit too angry for that now. I’ll make you just like my pathetic brothers.”
“…….”
“Oh, and don’t worry too much about going to a mental hospital. I’ll pay the hospital bills. Commoner.”
[Deploying subspace barrier now.]
A mechanical echo filled the training ground.
[May the Blessing of the Hero be with you.]
—BOOM!!
As Mao Rang stomped her foot, a sonic boom erupted from the ground. The aftermath of the impact spread even outside the subspace, feeling like a small earthquake had occurred.
A gale was drawn to Mao Rang’s shin, fueled by momentum. The moment space bent under the strike utilizing her Blessing and the armament Storm Leg.
A single flash of light flickered in Mao Rang’s retina.
Huh?
Her doubt lasted only an instant.
Slash—
The process and the result occurred simultaneously.
Thud.
Mao Rang’s head fell to the floor.