The Sparring Match
The massive square hall was packed to the brim, not a single spot left to stand. If one tallied up all the sins gathered in this enormous space, even the merciful God of the scriptures would shake his head in dismay.
The wardens and inmates of Utopia had all crowded together, eyes fixed on the two figures on the stage. The size difference between the pair facing off with sparring sticks in hand was obvious even from afar. The man with his hair tied back was lean but sturdy, while the other looked like he could pass for a heavily armored knight—pure brute.
The giant in pitch-black attire from head to toe spoke first.
"It's not too late even now. Drop the pointless bravado and head back."
Woo!—
Thud! Thud! Thud!
From the section where the mobile patrol team sat, a thunderous roar erupted as they stomped their feet. The rest of the crowd seemed to favor the giant as well.
"Well... my hobby's bullfighting, so I'm pretty confident handling opponents bigger than me."
Laughter burst out everywhere except from the mobile patrol side. The team leader's face flushed beet red as he exploded from his seat, charging straight at Suhwa.
"That's all the leisure you get!"
To trace back how things had come to this, one had to return to the executive meeting Jepeto had called. Suhwa, who had brazenly—and quite naturally—entered the warden headquarters holding hands with Chief Clerk Helena, was met with a bombshell declaration.
"I'm retiring."
The executives were dumbfounded beyond bewilderment, and another bomb followed in quick succession.
"I'll hand the warden position to Vice Warden Suhwa, so if anyone's got complaints, speak now."
A different kind of absurdity filled the meeting room. Confirming from Jepeto's faintly smiling expression that no more bombs were coming, the executives began pondering what to say. Everyone except the chief clerk, who seemed utterly disinterested, was furiously calculating in their heads.
'The emperor's coming on an inspection tour soon...'
'But even if rank trumps seniority, is promoting a newbie like this okay?'
'Vice warden... younger than my own kid... hmm...'
Bam!
The mobile patrol team leader, having calculated faster than the rest, stood first.
"Warden, this doesn't make sense."
"Oh ho. And why's that?"
His already massive frame swelled with conviction. The other calculators paused to watch the variable unfold.
"He's been here less than a week. Utopia isn't some pushover place we can entrust to just anyone!"
All eyes turned to "just anyone." Suhwa shot back a look claiming he was as much a victim of this absurdity as they were, but it fell flat. The abacuses tilted slightly toward the team leader.
"That's not enough to overturn my decision... Got any more compelling reasons?"
"Warden!"
It was like a bulked-up bull bellowing. Jepeto plugged his ear lightly then removed his finger, still utterly relaxed.
"Not opposition for opposition's sake... Right! The biggest, most direct reason. Lay that out for me."
"Hoo..."
After catching his breath, the team leader unleashed a machine-gun barrage of arguments.
"He lacks the force and charisma to subdue the criminals here."
"Is that so?"
"Yes. Even as an academy graduate, he was a student until recently. Among nobles basically held hostage here, no way his classroom smarts hold up in a real fight."
"Hmm."
The other executives nodded in partial agreement, silence stretching. Jepeto's eyes gleamed like a beast spotting prey.
"So... to sum up the team leader's point: 'The vice warden's weaker than him, so no'?"
The team leader eyed Suhwa up and down before replying.
"Frankly, yes."
Clap clap clap!
"Excellent. That's exactly why I brought you on, team leader—you get straight to it. Why beat around the bush if you're the type to deliver?"
Kicking back his chair, Jepeto strode to the window.
"As you all know, the emperor's inspection tour will bring him here soon. Sure, he'll just pop in briefly, chat nonsense, then head off to see the border count."
Scattered chuckles rippled through.
"And then, I'll formally 'suggest' to him that I'm handing over the warden post around now to live out my days fishing."
More quiet laughs. No one who knew Jepeto Cervantes would believe he'd spend retirement fishing.
"Why the laughs? I'm dead serious about retiring. But if my family-like wardens oppose it, what can I do?"
Pop!
Jepeto clapped Suhwa's shoulder with a hand like a fisherman's.
"Anyone here gets the right to challenge Suhwa, the 'prospective' Utopia warden."
"Pardon?"
The team leader's lip twitched upward. The other executives' abacuses now swung his way.
'Whoa... isn't this a bit cruel?'
'Did the warden and vice duke it out on day one? No other explanation for this unfair stunt... ha ha.'
"Warden. Absurdity aside, don't I get a say?"
"You waltzed in here recklessly too, so I figure this is fair play."
Suhwa frowned at Jepeto's kindly-old-man grin. True, he'd pulled some strings to get posted here.
'It was time for some traffic control anyway...'
Put kindly, Suhwa was a lucky break; unkindly, a parachute drop. No one voiced complaints, but doubts lingered.
'Does Suhwa Romanov really have what it takes for vice warden?'
Plus, to secure Cynthia's cooperation, he needed to prove his chops—flashily, if possible.
'Did Jepeto think this far ahead?'
Seeing it as Jepeto paving the way lent legitimacy to the farce. But why? Retirement? He'd just hand it to the team leader by seniority or bail entirely—that was more his style, like ditching his ducal title for the capital.
'Too obvious, but I can't not bite.'
"Fine, let's hear it... Can't we settle this with words, team leader?"
"Wise choice, vice warden. That's how it should be. Then the warden post goes to a vote—"
"What're you talking about?"
The team leader's face soured slightly as he shot back.
"What are you talking about?"
"You must've misunderstood me..."
Suhwa rose leisurely and stood before him, looking like prey before a black moon bear.
"I'm saying skip the hassle and quietly fall in line under me."
Jepeto's eyes twinkled with suppressed glee, reflecting the team leader's crimson rage.
"You really think you can just—!"
"Enough."
Jepeto halted the bear's brick-shattering charge with ease. His flat tone sent a chill racing down Suhwa's spine.
'Our warden's no joke.'
"I like the fire, but don't turn into a beast who can't pick time and place."
"But—!"
Jepeto soothed him like a big sulky kid.
"Not just you—everyone's curious about the vice warden's skills. Me too. Why not all enjoy the show?"
Grasping the warden's intent, the team leader grinned slyly.
"You're the one who suggested it first."
"Then we're all agreed. Prep time: arena, one hour. Meeting adjourned. Oh, chief clerk—mind posting notices in the dorms?"
Helena's golden hair swayed lightly as she nodded.
"I'm betting on the raven boss."
"Me too, on the mobile patrol team leader."
"Manrmursk ice-cold draft beer for just 5 gold!"
"You lunatic, that's just scooping snow into a mug!"
The odds heavily favored the team leader. And money doesn't lie.
"I'll take the vice warden."
While most cheered yes, some contrarians yelled no.
"Isn't Old Man Ilka being too reckless? Though I'll eat well thanks to it."
"Who knows? We'll see."
Stroking his Santa-like beard, Ilka Pavola settled in.
'Jepeto, whatever you saw in that young man...'
It seemed reckless. Academy top grad or not, he'd get crushed under the team leader's experience. But so what? Ilka's impounded funds overflowed. As long as it didn't hurt him directly, he'd enjoy the spectacle.
"Red corner! Former imperial northern army commander’s direct aide and battlefield bison! The man words don't reach! Also the guy who's heard 'Will he die?' most often! Plus imperial military medal recipient! Mo-bile. Pa-trol. Teeeam Leeeaderrr~!"
Waaaaaa!!!
"Blue corner! Former imperial capital academy top graduate! Also dropout-exempt broker! Self-proclaimed friendly face! Number one 'Why'd he come to this backwater pen?'! Viiiice Waaaarden!"
Booooooo!!!
'I'm the total villain here?'
The black-uniformed masses needed no mention; even other wardens and inmates cheered for the long-known team leader.
"Both sides, ready!"
'Better this way.'
Back when Suhwa had just entered the academy, similar taunts were routine. "Mystery origins trash," "lowly merc scum." Now, they were almost nostalgic. Sure, those guys got beaten senseless by him, but who cared? Memories write themselves differently.
"Begin!!!"
Woo!—
The match ignited with furnace-hot roars, molten iron bursting free.
"Ah, no way!"
"How is that possible!?"
And then, a sight no one could believe unfolded before their eyes.