Chapter 71
Chapter 71
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 71
Chapter Title: An Entertaining Play
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Clang—!
A straightforward form, soaring up from below, aiming for the heart and neck simultaneously.
This sword art, characterized by its lightning-fast speed, was none other than...
'The Wave Knight Sword of the Holy Grand Warrior Myurden?'
Just as the Empire had its Sword Duke, the Kraus Theocracy also had a top-tier master.
A man known as the Holy Grand Warrior Myurden.
While the theocracy's holy knights favored blunt weapons, he was a master who had established his own school with the sword.
To think the Empire's third prince had learned such a man's sword art.
'This is a bit unexpected.'
Among Venderford's new students was a man named Saint Lotus.
A person with such outstanding divine power that he was mentioned as a candidate for the next Pope.
But he hadn't joined Ellington's faction.
He simply enjoyed a leisurely school life on his own.
No matter how I thought about it, it didn't seem likely that the third prince had any connection to the Holy Grand Warrior.
'I'll confirm if it's the real Wave Knight Sword later. For now, I just need to shake this guy off.'
Ellington was launching his offensive in a rapid-fire sequence.
As his incredibly fast strikes were combined with refined technique, it became increasingly difficult to counter.
Of course, that was only if I faced him conventionally.
But who was I?
Ever since my days as the Young Lord of Riverune, I was the king of tricks...
No, wasn't I famous for being quick-witted and crafty?
Breaking through such a dense sword art wasn't a particularly difficult task.
Assuming I revealed my true skills, of course.
'It's not a good matchup for the Imperial Sound Lock Sword, but if I can land a clean hit, the story changes.'
Breaking the flow of the relentlessly surging Wave Knight Sword was no easy feat.
But if I could just halt that overlapping wave of attacks, the momentum of the fight would shift to me.
Swish!
I executed a simple thrust.
However, the third form, Single Strike Wave Break, didn't even touch Ellington's sword.
The essence of the Imperial Sound Lock Sword was to strike the opponent's blade and create an opening.
My strike, like a powerful fish swimming against the current, reached the third prince's chest.
And...
KABOOOM!
A massive explosion erupted from the tip of my sword, sending Ellington flying.
"Gasp!"
"Wh-what was that!"
As the sudden shockwave washed over them, the spectator stands erupted in chaos.
Who would have expected such an explosion to occur during a sword duel?
The startled students shot up from their seats, seeking cover.
A few even reflexively drew their training swords.
But no further explosions followed.
Whoosh!
Soon, the storm of aura that had poured out dissipated, and the wind blew away the cloud of dust.
Revealing me, standing confidently, and Ellington, sprawled on the ground.
"Uh... R-Ray Carter wins."
The referee, after confirming the result, declared the match over with a bewildered expression.
Shortly after, harsh voices erupted from the previously silent stands.
"That... that bastard did that to the Third Prince..."
"He must be out of his mind. To do something like that while Her Majesty the Empress is watching!"
"He's gotten arrogant just because his skills have improved."
The students chattered on, accusing me of insulting the imperial family.
Most of those making such comments were from the imperial capital.
The rest had the attitude of, "Status doesn't matter on campus, so what's the problem?"
Besides, wasn't this the middle of the student council president selection tournament?
Naturally, not only the Venderford faculty but also the observers said nothing about the outcome.
'Even the Empress is quiet, so why are those idiots making such a fuss?'
I snorted at the fuming children of noble families and plopped down on a chair in the waiting area.
Then, I casually glanced toward the VIP box.
As expected, the VIPs, including the professors, were staring at me.
'They have every reason to.'
It was because I had unleashed a form of Aura Burst in a duel, not just practice.
Of course, it wasn't a technique using a true Aura Blade, but merely a much lower-level application.
In any case, it wasn't a method that a student in his early twenties could wield so freely.
They were probably quite surprised.
But I had no other choice, and I'd used it as a way of showing him a certain level of respect.
'Wouldn't he have to accept his defeat if it was against a technique this powerful?'
Just as I looked at the VIP box, my eyes met the Empress's.
And what do you know, she gave me a gentle smile.
She should have been uncomfortable with the third prince's defeat, but to see that expression...
She was an inscrutable person.
Immediately after my duel with Ellington, the second match of the semifinals began.
A moment later, Frantz and Solberg stepped into the arena and bowed silently to each other.
Their demeanor was quite different from usual.
It seemed the result of the first semifinal match had been rather shocking.
Normally, the princes would have been expected to face each other in the finals.
But with my appearance, the student council president selection tournament had been thrown into uncertainty.
'They must be flustered. Now, what will you do?'
I sank deep into my chair and watched the duel between Frantz and Solberg.
* * *
Solberg Kaien glanced at the waiting area.
There, Ray Carter sat with his legs crossed, dangling his ankle.
He was a truly incomprehensible person.
He supposedly picked up a sword for the first time this year, yet he was advancing to the finals after defeating young masters from various nations?
If he put himself in that situation, he could immediately see how absurd it was.
'Impossible.'
Just considering the martial prowess Ellington had displayed in the semifinals was enough to make one shake their head in disbelief.
Ray Carter's appearance had complicated things, but this was no time to be lost in thought.
Shk!
Solberg Kaien raised his sword with a serious expression.
His opponent was Frantz Vertos, the most skilled swordsman among the princes.
Even as the heir to the Sword Duke, he was not an opponent to be taken lightly.
The first move came from the second prince's strike.
Clang—!
As expected, Frantz pushed hard from the very beginning.
Confident in his strength and the power of his aura, he launched a tyrannical assault.
There was no trace of the Imperial Sound Lock Sword he had learned at Venderford.
It seemed he'd decided to rely on his original skills rather than a sword art he had yet to master.
'There was never a choice to begin with.'
With the second prince coming at him like that, he couldn't afford to do his own thing.
Besides, it was impossible to overcome Frantz's offensive with the Imperial Sound Lock Sword alone.
Solberg Kaien unleashed the Red Moon Great Spirit Sword, which he had learned from Duke Geoffrey Enders.
Swoosh—! Clang!
A powerful strike with an aura that seemed like a crimson half-moon suddenly bursting forth.
The moment he clashed with his opponent, a flash of light erupted.
A tremendous shockwave swept the area, but surprisingly, Frantz did not fall.
In the past, that single blow would have decided the match.
'You've improved.'
After losing the gold insignia for the first mission to Ray Carter, the second prince had increased his training intensity immensely.
It seemed he had felt a subtle sense of inferiority to that incredibly talented individual.
Even Solberg had to admit there was something about Ray that stirred up a competitive spirit.
A person who grew stronger by the day, not only catching up to them but now trying to pull far ahead.
To Frantz, who had always been considered the best in swordsmanship, he must have been a considerable threat.
'Still, I can't just go easy on him.'
Matching the second prince's storm-like attacks, Solberg Kaien also began to slowly reveal his true strength.
However, a certain degree of pacing was necessary.
It had to look like a fierce battle, but he couldn't be the one to win...
"Hyaah!"
Clangclang!
The clash between Frantz and Solberg was truly a spectacle.
These two possessed a thrilling power entirely different from the technical style of Ellington.
Perhaps that was why the students watched the duel with clenched, sweaty fists.
"I never knew Prince Frantz was that skilled..."
"If he can go toe-to-toe with the Sword Duke's heir, he might actually have a shot at winning."
"I thought he would just let the prince win, but it looks like there was no need for that in the first place."
"Right. Look at that. Solberg is giving it his all, too."
Solberg Kaien's acting was perfect.
He deliberately channeled his aura inefficiently and occasionally mixed in minor mistakes.
Even Frantz, who was crossing swords with him directly, didn't realize Solberg was holding back.
Glancing at the VIP box in response to the students' reactions, he saw that even the instructors seemed oblivious.
Of course, the captain of the Imperial Royal Guard and the Acting Head of Rantzverger would have likely detected the unnatural movements.
'That much is fine.'
Neither of them was the type to question Solberg's choice.
As he was about to turn his gaze back to the fight, his eyes suddenly met Ray Carter's in the waiting area.
'Hm?'
To his surprise, the man was wearing a knowing smile.
As if he had seen right through to his intentions.
'How annoying. Ah.'
While glancing at Ray, Solberg Kaien suddenly came to his senses.
Looking around at the waiting area in the middle of a fierce battle made no sense.
He had almost given his act away.
Solberg quickly began to focus on Frantz's strikes again.
He had improved a lot, but he was still no match for him.
But the second prince had to become the student council president.
Building influence at Venderford was a necessary step for someone who would one day become the crown prince.
The so-called elite course, you could say.
The third prince was already out, so it was only natural for Frantz to take the lead.
Of course, there was the strange variable named Ray Carter.
Still, he didn't think the second prince would lose to him.
Thud! Clang!
"Keuk!"
After clashing with Frantz, Solberg Kaien staggered back with a groan.
It was a somewhat deliberate movement, but no one seemed to have noticed.
After all, it was true that the second prince had performed exceptionally well in that last clash.
'It's a shame, but it can't be helped. I must fulfill my duty as a loyal subject.'
It was something that had been drilled into him since childhood.
That he must fulfill his duty as his lord's sword.
It was regrettable that he couldn't show his full skill, but he decided to set aside his personal feelings.
Thud!
Pushed back by the impact, Solberg was eventually knocked out of the ring.
But as fate would have it, he landed right in front of the contestants' waiting area.
As he got up and casually lifted his head, Ray Carter's face came into view.
The man had suddenly leaned in, his face right in front of his.
"That was quite an entertaining play."
At Ray's words, Solberg Kaien's face instantly stiffened.
'As I thought, he knew.'
He suddenly felt a pang of concern for Frantz, who had advanced to the finals.
At the same time, an ominous feeling seemed to settle over the entire arena.