Chapter 89
Chapter 89
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Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 88
Chapter Title: Black Storm (5)
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I'm not a person who's used to cheers.
In fact, I haven't had much reason to receive them.
The Minster family label had dogged me relentlessly in every single playthrough.
But today was different.
"The Minster family is more impressive than I thought."
"I heard they rose to earl through bounty hunting, and sure enough, they've got the skills to back it up."
Was it because the Wolf Boys fandom ladies cheered first?
The young lords, ever eager for the ladies' attention, followed suit with unbiased praise.
"After all those refined fights, this is the first real duel we've seen!"
Even the middle-aged men nodded approvingly.
They seemed quite satisfied with the fiery outcome compared to the cautious matches they'd seen before.
Of course, they shook their beer mugs so vigorously they spilled everywhere, annoying those around them.
But still, opinions about me were starting to turn around dramatically.
From a villain who bought his title with money to a villain who actually had the skills to match.
"……."
The defeated Steelman sat dazed on the ground.
His body stung from the cuts all over, but what hurt even more right now was something else.
The overwhelming gap in conviction.
His realm was clearly a step above mine.
Yet the difference between a sword swung just to scrape by and one borne by someone carrying a massive burden...
He realized it was far greater than he'd imagined.
"Maybe I need to rethink things... for a truly comfortable life."
Steelman finally lifted his head to look at me.
He said he'd change his mind, but the Holy See's image was already plummeting thanks to his defeat.
It was absurd for a divinely ordained holy knight to lose to a rural prison warden.
The moment he mocked me in the winner's interview, it would all be over.
With that thought, he surrendered his body to the Holy See healers who had come to tend him.
"Take care of that Dang fellow too. He gave it his all today."
"Yes, Captain..."
I gave the surprisingly composed Steelman a lingering look.
I'd expected him, who cherished his body so much, to whine in pain.
But instead, he rose with an expression full of realizations.
'Good expression.'
In his previous life, he'd abandoned the Holy See to slyly join the Imperial Knights.
But this time around, somehow...
I had a feeling he might stick with his faith.
'I hope he takes a lot from this match.'
Steelman had always been one of the few truly human powerhouses in the Holy See.
Even in defeat, his presence there would remain strong.
So I hoped he'd stay till the end and make his mark.
Purifying the church's corruption with his specialty, Flames of Purification.
"Derek Minster, Warden...!! Could we have a moment for an interview?"
As I headed for the arena exit, reporters shouted urgently.
Having expected Steelman's landslide victory, they'd been at the other exit and came running from afar.
'It's been since the knight commander inauguration that I've gotten this much attention.'
Dang Moojin, stuck close to my side, shot them a sharp glare.
The reporters flinched at the killing intent but pressed on for the scoop.
"You defeated the overwhelming favorite, Captain Steelman—what are your thoughts on the win...!!"
Truth be told, I don't particularly like these spots.
For someone planning to stay as prison warden, fame just brings headaches.
But nailing it down here would ensure no one could drag me from my post.
I leaned into the amplification magic staff they held out, my already fierce face smeared with blood.
"I don't have much to say."
I indifferently wiped the blood dripping from the back of my hand.
Then I spoke to the reporters, tense before me.
"I entered this match solely to prove my abilities to those who doubted them."
"Who specifically doubted your abilities as warden?"
"Those who kept branding me and my family as villains and attacking us."
"Any words for them?"
In response, I raised my torn hand.
I wiped the blood from my cheek and flashed a wide smile.
"Our family may be controversial, but our capabilities are undeniable."
I'd planned to conduct my first official appearance with a bright smile for the world.
But the more I smiled, the more the reporters trembled.
"If you still can't believe it, challenge me like Captain Steelman did. I'll accept anytime."
"A-ah, understood..."
They nodded hastily, though it wasn't even for them.
Then they muttered as they scribbled my words.
"If there's any more baseless slander..., we'll kill them, declaration..."
'...?'
"What was that last bit you wrote?"
"Nothing at all!!"
The reporters, having recorded everything, offered a correction orb.
My reflection on its smooth surface beamed onto the arena's electronic billboard.
A product of magitech invented as magic advanced over 200 years.
"Your performance today will make you even more famous—what are your plans going forward?"
A few reporters tossed sharper questions.
This time, I pondered stone-faced.
"……."
As my silence stretched, the VIP seats grew quiet too.
Especially Camillia.
Until now, my remote posting had let us meet privately often.
But lately, events and people were swarming him.
And now he'd won a major tournament and was surrounded by reporters.
The capital's press had massive reach.
Soon he'd rise from rural warden to rising holy star.
"It's a good thing, obviously..."
The princess clutched her chest, feeling suffocated, unconsciously fiddling with her tight blouse.
Then it hit her why she felt so oppressed.
Prince Ivan had vanished from the VIP seats.
And the prime minister, Aintz, had descended to the interview area...
They were coveting the hatchling she'd scouted.
"Derek Minster, be honest. No need to be humble before me."
Prince Ivan smiled kindly and waved a hand.
The reporters, thrilled at the empire's second-in-command's arrival, eagerly awaited my reply.
"How far do you want to climb? I'll hear you out seriously."
His demeanor darkened the princess's face.
Her hard-maintained image of maturity and valor was on the verge of cracking.
'I found him first.'
Only I'd glimpsed his power and conviction through Confession Magic.
Those who'd ignored and belittled him until now dared to eye him?
The princess glared uncomfortably at the interview platform.
Especially at her half-brother, slyly after her prize again.
He always effortlessly stole what she'd worked for.
Using his vast wealth and status as top emperor candidate.
No one could easily shake off Ivan's grasp.
Everyone smiled wide, took his hand, and got high posts.
It would be a huge opportunity for the Minster family too.
Status gained, past dishonor washed clean.
"Derek Minster..."
The princess exhaled deeply.
Biting her plump, red lips, she stared at one man.
Vowing a brutal war to protect her talent.
Thinking she might even have to wage full war with Ivan over this.
But.
Her harshly bitten lips began to part instead.
"Now that the match is over, I should head back to my workplace."
The empire's top-tier talent ever...
Had chosen his current post over the prince's side.
"……."
Ivan dropped his smile for the first time.
He turned icy, then reverted to his gentle tone.
"That's fine, Derek. If you're worried about your image, no issue. Your future will be full of honor."
"His Highness is right. You've earned a higher seat. No one will dare criticize."
Aintz persuaded with sweet words too.
But I, covered in bloodstains, replied flatly.
"No. Honestly, my win today was really..."
I gently lowered Dang Moojin's crossed arms from me.
Then looked up at the lone blonde woman in the VIP seats.
"All thanks to Her Highness the Princess."
Camillia's sharp eyes widened like a feline's.
"Truth is, I could beat Captain Steelman because of the artifact Her Highness bestowed."
This was true.
Black Rain was a top-grade artifact, rare even in the imperial house.
Of course, tricky to wield, but pre-possession game experience let me use it freely.
"……."
Prince Ivan clamped his lips at me backing his rival princess.
The old prime minister eyed his cue and glared murderously at me.
But I wasn't done.
I had zero desire to show courtesy to those who couldn't even prevent the empire's fall.
"Her Highness the Princess spares no support for her followers. She's merciful enough to embrace even the infamous like me."
Pretending to rub my eyes, I cast a spell to hide my dark circles.
With my brightened face, I smiled again.
"So I'm content with my current position, where I can repay her grace."
Her sponsorship was so comfy, no promotion needed.
Emphasizing that, the reporters listened eagerly.
"Ooh..., I see. So Princess Camillia provided the key weapon for your victory..."
"Could you tell us more about that weapon?"
I pulled the artifact from my inner pocket as if waiting.
With sly serpent eyes, I captivated the reporters.
"It's the dagger set 'Black Rain,' used by the late Empress. This little thing's worth an entire upscale building."
"You used such a treasure in the match instead of storing it?"
"My opponent was the Holy See's top prospect. Her Highness analyzed him thoroughly before bestowing it, so I used it right away."
"Ahh... Makes sense. As a war heroine, she must've been a huge help there."
The reporters nodded in understanding.
They diligently noted the perks of aligning with the princess.
"Exactly. All this is thanks to Her Highness's grace. I definitely want to repay her."
The reporters scribbled furiously.
Ivan, hating the sound, turned away with hands behind his back.
He wasn't raging, but clearly sulking.
"Then, may I go? The wounds from the captain still sting."
"Of course—thank you for your candid responses!!"
I politely bowed to the departing prince.
Then headed to the waiting room, leaving the reporters behind.
'Dang Moojin went ahead? I wanted to tell him good job.'
Scratching my head, I walked the waiting room corridor.
"……."
A woman in a cat mask stood in the dim hallway.
She stared coldly at the receding prison warden's back.
"You want to repay the princess...?"
The Eastern girl removed her mask.
Her beautiful face emerged, hair clinging to her cheeks.
But her green eyes were pitch dark.
Cold and dull as the moon's surface.
Soon, the blonde princess joined the warden.
Pointing at his hand, she lightly scolded him for pushing too hard.
"What use is a retainer of mine who treats his body so roughly?"
"My apologies, Your Highness. My opponent was so strong, I needed resolve."
She, Myoran, three years younger than the princess, had thought herself advantaged in the rivalry.
But after that interview...
"Sigh... No helping it. Recover at my personal physician before you go."
The girl began feeling a strange jealousy.
Her view of men as all lecherous vanished completely.
Approaching twenty, possessiveness toward him welled up instead.
"Daring to snag him with wealth and mature charms?"
Myoran readjusted her mask.
She poured ominous energy into the sword at her waist.
"Fine, let's see you try."
The Eastern Sword Sage, who'd never cared much for money, glared fiercely.
With eyes set on plundering the empire's every fortune.
"When we go to the Eastern Continent together, I can load up heaps of gold and jewels too, right?"
Myoran smirked darkly.
Then departed the arena with meaningful steps.