Chapter 36: A Perfect Victory
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 36: A Perfect Victory
‘…He said what?’
So that was the provocation Dantalion used against Cedric. It was a much bolder move than I’d expected.
And it seemed the provocation had worked perfectly. Even to my eyes, Cedric looked so agitated he was practically losing his mind.
[Hmph. That wicked Sword Master. He’s far too worked up.]
‘You’re right.’
Desmond recognized it instantly as well. I nodded, watching the two men as they drew their swords.
Clang!
After a long, tense standoff, they finally moved. As expected, Cedric was the first to strike.
[Tsk, tsk. For a Sword Master, he’s quite the disappointment. One should gauge the opponent’s energy and attack with caution.]
‘That’s how much he’s looking down on the Crown Prince.’
While Dantalion’s provocation had certainly riled him up, Cedric likely viewed Dantalion as a joke from the very beginning.
One only had to look at the atmosphere in the Colosseum to see it; everyone expected Cedric to win. Even the man himself.
That was why he could afford to launch such a reckless assault.
[Whoa? The scary Sword Master is being pushed back, Master!]
‘Hmm.’
It was true. After Cedric’s initial strike, he began swinging his sword like a madman. Dantalion, meanwhile, seemed barely able to keep up, focused entirely on defense.
‘He definitely made a contract with Dollens…’
So why wasn't he using the demon’s power? Was he afraid of being caught? But that wasn't the kind of ability that was easily detected.
People might think something was odd, but in the heat of such a frantic exchange of blows, they wouldn't be able to think clearly.
In that sense, Dollens’ ability was incredibly useful.
‘What on earth is he thinking?’
Surely Dantalion wasn't planning to win using only his own strength just so he could confess to Veronica, was he?
As if he were the protagonist of some cliché novel. I shuddered at the thought of such a worst-case scenario.
No matter how obnoxious and foolish Cedric was, his skill was the real deal. He was not an opponent to be taken lightly. I gripped the railing tight, gritting my teeth.
“Whoa!”
“Go for it, Marquis!”
“Blow him away!”
The people who had bet their money on Cedric shouted at the top of their lungs.
Before I knew it, Dantalion had been pushed to the very edge of the arena by Cedric’s onslaught. If he took one more powerful hit, he would surely be knocked out of bounds.
‘No!’
Cedric wouldn't miss this opportunity. He would use his strongest technique. If it landed, Dantalion would certainly—
‘His strongest technique…!’
A realization struck me like a bolt of lightning.
Was this what Dantalion had been aiming for? My eyes widened as I stared at Cedric, who held his longsword high, shrouded in sword aura.
The violet sword aura suited Cedric remarkably well. A faint, mocking sneer crossed his face.
He was undoubtedly reciting some villainous line in his head, like ‘Goodbye!’ or ‘This is the end!’
And then, it happened.
KABOOM!
“Kyaaaah!”
“Ugh!”
A massive explosion erupted, and the resulting gale swept through the spectator stands.
People ducked their heads, enduring the blast until the wind subsided. I, too, raised my arms to shield my eyes. Abel shielded me with his entire body.
Once things calmed down a bit, I peeked through my fingers.
“…!”
I stared at the arena in utter shock.
*
Dantalion looked down calmly.
The blade, covered in golden sword aura, hummed with a low vibration. It sounded almost like a roar.
“Urgh…”
“…”
A faint groan reached his ears. Dantalion shifted his gaze to the man crumpled on the ground.
Cedric looked as though he still couldn't comprehend the situation.
It was only natural. He had been certain of his victory. And until just a moment ago, it had seemed to be going exactly as he planned. No, it definitely was.
‘What the hell just happened?’
A high-pitched ringing echoed in his ears. The surroundings were so silent that not even a breath could be heard. After the gale vanished, the spectators who had been watching the duel held their breath, staring at the scene.
Until moments ago, Cedric had been overwhelming Dantalion. Just as he’d expected, Dantalion was a mere novice who had only just reached the level of a Master.
A greenhorn who couldn't even use proper techniques and could do nothing but swing his sword aura around, intoxicated by his new rank. Cedric had been the same when he first became a Master.
That was why Cedric had predicted an easy win. In fact, from the start of the duel, he had been continuously using a skill against Dantalion. It was a unique technique of his own, one that even Duke Winston hadn't devised.
Even if his opponent was a mediocre Master, Cedric had been cautious. His act of being provoked into a rage was for that very reason.
He hadn't left even the slightest possibility of defeat. He had intended to crush Dantalion utterly.
But the moment he delivered the final blow, a sudden backlash struck him.
A Rebound.
It was the recoil one suffered when failing to manage a skill properly. Cedric had been struck by his own technique.
But he couldn't believe it. It was a skill he had used dozens, hundreds of times on the battlefield without ever feeling a hint of a side effect, let alone a rebound. How could this happen…
Cedric’s lips trembled. Instead of words or groans, a stream of crimson blood trickled out.
“…”
Dantalion simply watched him. Then, he slowly raised his sword.
[That human was using a skill to craftily steal your power. He has no shame as a swordsman.]
“…”
[Well, I simply took that technique and threw it right back at him. He probably thinks he just botched his own skill and paid the price.]
Dollens’ voice echoed in Dantalion’s mind. The demon was celebrating this victory as if it were his own.
His excited voice urged Dantalion on.
[Contractor, kill him now. That treacherous human isn't worth letting live.]
“…”
Dantalion’s eyes flashed.
Kill him.
Yes, in this duel, one bore no responsibility for killing their opponent. Hadn't the Empress Dowager and Cedric filled this Colosseum with people to make a spectacle of his public execution in the first place?
A quiet rage enveloped Dantalion.
Just as the Empress Dowager had continuously murdered members of the Imperial family, she had intended to mock him before ending his life. Therefore, no one could complain if he killed Cedric here and now.
In fact, it would be like severing the Empress Dowager’s limbs, so it wasn't a bad idea. A murderous intent flickered in Dantalion’s eyes.
“…”
Yet, for some reason, his arm wouldn't move.
Was it fear of killing? Pity for the loser?
It was none of those things. If he were someone swayed by such weak emotions, he wouldn't have survived the battlefield. The reason for his hesitation was something else entirely.
Dantalion’s eyes scanned a certain section of the stands. It was a long distance, but Dantalion could see clearly. Meeting those red eyes, Dantalion unconsciously swallowed hard.
What was Veronica thinking right now?
Veronica, who had said she hoped for his victory—was she happy at this moment?
Or… was she lamenting the defeat of the man she once loved and fearing his death?
Dantalion couldn't be sure. He could feel her gaze on him, but he couldn't even begin to guess what she was thinking.
Because of that brief hesitation, Dantalion failed to bring his sword down.
“Stop!”
“…!”
At that moment, a loud voice rang through the Colosseum. The Empress Dowager, having bolted upright from her seat, was glaring at Dantalion with terrifying eyes.
“That is enough, Crown Prince. You have won today’s duel.”
“Ugh, Your Majesty… I am not yet…”
“I told you to stop!”
The Empress Dowager shouted, her face twisted in a rare display of fury. Perhaps because the surroundings were so quiet, her voice carried even further.
Cedric, who had suffered severe internal injuries, was coughing up blood even then. It was clear to everyone who had won.
“…”
At her command, Dantalion slowly lowered his sword. Though he had lost the chance to kill his enemy due to a moment’s hesitation, he didn't seem particularly disappointed.
[Why did you hesitate, Contractor? The chance to kill a Sword Master of that caliber doesn't come often.]
‘…I suppose you’re right.’
With a bitter smile, Dantalion looked down at the blood-spitting Cedric. Knights of the Deborah Knight Order and medical staff rushed toward him in a swarm.
Watching them, Dantalion turned away. The Empress Dowager, who had been glaring with such murderous eyes, had already left her seat.
There would be another chance someday. But that wasn't what was important right now.
Dantalion hurried his pace. His feet moved faster and faster.
“…Brother!”
“…!”
On his way back to the waiting room, someone leaped into Dantalion’s arms. A familiar floral scent filled his nose.
“I knew you would win.”
“Berry…”
“I knew you would come back to me.”
When Veronica looked up, her eyes were brimming with tears. It was obvious who she had been worrying for all this time.
Only then did Dantalion feel a sense of relief, and a smile spread across his face.
It was a perfect victory.