Chapter 133

Episode 133

There was only one reason why I accepted the duel.

The Black Dragon Knights’ reputation had already plummeted due to Hylix’s secret society.

If their representative knight were to lose to me, they would fall into an inescapable abyss.

And there was another minor reason: Mars had bullied Selendis in the past.

I had been planning to teach him a lesson someday, but I didn’t expect this perfect opportunity to present itself.

‘Automatic Combat.’

I activated the skill. But there was no response. It seemed like even “Automatic Combat” was underestimating Mars.

I smirked and gestured for Mars to attack, flicking my sword.

“You’ll regret this in the afterlife!”

Mars launched the first attack, uttering a typical foreshadowing line.

He unleashed his aura at full power, aiming to display overwhelming destructive force.

A purple aura surged towards me.

*Thud!*

“…?”

“W-What happened?”

Silence fell upon the surroundings.

The Black Dragon Knights, who had been chanting Mars’s name, were speechless.

With a single swing of my sword, I had effortlessly deflected Mars’s sword energy.

But the vice-captain of the Black Dragon Knights didn’t waver. He hadn’t used the sword energy seriously; it was just a feint to approach me safely. He was more focused on his next attack.

His ferocious sword lunged towards my neck.

*Clang!*

But what could he do? I had the cheat skill “Automatic Combat.”

*Clang!*

*Clang!*

*Whoosh!*

After a few exchanges, Mars’s expression shifted to bewilderment. The anger that had clouded his mind subsided, and reality set in.

He must have realized by now that he couldn’t even graze my clothes with ordinary attacks.

And I hadn’t even attacked once.

I was fighting with a benevolent expression, like an uncle indulging a child’s tantrum.

If I wanted to, I could take his head right now, just like I had done with that Satyr.

But I needed more time.

This was a good opportunity to show him the difference in our levels. And it was also a chance to demonstrate the gap between the Lucius Inspection Unit and the Black Dragon Knights.

So, I decided to play along with him for a bit longer.

“Your tricks are decent, O’Brien Walker. But you’ll have to do better than that.”

“I’ve never seen anyone win after saying that, but sure. Pick up the pace.”

“Automatic Combat” still wasn’t suggesting any attack options. It was probably worried that I might accidentally decapitate him.

I suddenly had a feeling.

It seemed like “Automatic Combat” had become more sophisticated as I had gained a title, learned magic, and grown stronger.

I had already confirmed that the system took affinity into account.

Perhaps “Automatic Combat” also had hidden levels and perks.

The important thing was that I was getting stronger.

*Boom! Rumble!*

His boasts weren’t empty. Every time he swung his sword, aura blasts erupted, damaging the ground and the surroundings.

It showed how angry he was.

But wouldn’t he run out of stamina quickly at this rate? An amusing thought crossed my mind.

“Push me harder. This is boring.”

“You bastaaaaard!”

*Boom! Rumble!*

*Whoosh!*

*Clang!*

Mars went berserk again. He had barely regained his composure, and now he was losing it again.

“Even the newly appointed knights of House Walker could easily block those attacks.”

“Shut up! I won’t forgive you for insulting the Black Dragon Knights!”

“What are you going to do if you don’t forgive me?”

I taunted him, dodging his attacks with ease.

I was just defending, waiting for Mars’s aura to deplete. It was possible because of the overwhelming difference in our power.

But Mars’s aura didn’t fade easily.

‘Is this the power of a top-ranked knight? I need a stronger stimulus.’

I had been blocking his attacks so far.

But the most effective defense was to dodge, not block. Blocking consumed aura and reduced the durability of equipment.

I had been pretending to block to give the audience a sense of catharsis, but it was time to start dodging.

If his attacks couldn’t even touch me, Mars would only get angrier.

*Whoosh!*

*Swoosh!*

I dodged two attacks. I smiled leisurely and effortlessly evaded his continuous strikes.

As expected, the musclehead in front of me couldn’t stand being toyed with.

“You coward! Are you just going to keep running away? Fight me like a man!”

“You seem to be mistaken. I’m not a knight. I’m just an ordinary baron.”

“I’ll rip your mouth apart!”

*Whoosh!*

*Whoosh!*

The range of his attacks increased. It was a sign that he was overexerting himself.

Then, Mars’s attacks stopped.

He glared at me, suppressing his anger.

“I was going to grant you an honorable death for Lady Lucia’s sake, but I can’t do that anymore.”

He suddenly changed his stance.

I had seen that stance once before.

‘It’s the Kalisto swordsmanship.’

In short, Mars was preparing his ultimate move.

It was understandable, considering he was a knight of House Kalisto. It was considered the strongest swordsmanship in the Dukedom.

『First Form, Lightning Strike Sword!』

*Bzzzt!*

Blue sparks started crackling around Mars’s sword. A powerful electric current gathered, swirling around him as if it were about to be unleashed.

“Die!”

Mars charged towards me.

*Crackle!*

A surge of electricity spread out, hindering my movements. It would be better to deflect it than to dodge it.

My body moved according to the path “Automatic Combat” suggested.

*Clang! Crackle!*

To everyone’s surprise, I blocked the attack. Gasps erupted from the onlookers.

“Impossible! He blocked it? And he’s not even a knight?”

“The vice-captain’s technique was blocked! This can’t be happening!”

My aura was strong enough to neutralize the energy of Mars’s technique. So, I didn’t budge an inch.

As expected, his expression was filled with bewilderment.

He could be even more surprised.

Because it wasn’t over yet.

*Boom!*

Mars was pushed back by the impact. He was indeed the vice-captain. I had thought he would fall flat on his back.

“Khahaha… Good. Then, how about this?”

He still had another technique?

I had thought he would only know one technique since he didn’t have a single drop of Kalisto blood in him.

Judging by the reactions of the onlookers, it seemed like this was the first time he was using this technique in public.

The Black Dragon Knights’ eyes were filled with anticipation.

But that anticipation would soon turn into disappointment. I guaranteed it.

『Second Form, Diamond Sword!』

The aura around Mars’s sword disappeared and was replaced by a golden glow.

It was a color that evoked a sense of solidity.

In games with martial arts settings, “diamond” often symbolized “unbreakable defense.” It seemed like this technique could shatter the opponent’s weapon if they tried to block it.

As expected, Mars swung his sword downwards with both hands.

*Boom!*

I felt a jolt of pain in my arm.

It was the first time I had felt such pressure since I started fighting with “Automatic Combat” activated. If Mars was this strong, how powerful was Duke Kalisto?

But I managed to push back the Diamond Sword and kicked Mars with my aura-infused foot.

*Thud!*

“Ugh!”

He stumbled backwards. It seemed like he had poured all his strength into the Second Form. He managed to hold onto his sword, but he couldn’t withstand the force.

“I’ve seen enough of the Kalisto swordsmanship. It’s decent, even though it’s incomplete.”

It was time for me to return the favor.

*Thud!*

“Gah!”

Mars, who had been trying to get up, rolled on the ground again. This must have been the first time he had been humiliated like this since becoming vice-captain.

“I don’t even need to use a weapon.”

I sheathed my “Sword of Chaos.” But the duel wasn’t over yet.

I grabbed Mars by the hair. He groaned and lifted his upper body.

“This is for insulting Selendis.”

*Slap!*

I slapped him hard across the right cheek.

Mars was startled. He had expected a punch, but he got slapped instead.

It was intentional.

Being slapped was more humiliating than being punched.

“And this is for insulting the Lucius Inspection Unit.”

*Slap! Slap!*

His head swayed from side to side as I slapped him repeatedly. He was on the verge of fainting from the humiliation and the depletion of his aura.

“And this is for damaging the reputation of the Kalisto Knight Order.”

*Wham!*

This time, I punched him instead of slapping him. He crumpled to the ground like a sack of potatoes.

He had lost consciousness.

But a victory wasn’t complete without a celebration.

I stepped on Mars’s chest and looked around at the Black Dragon Knights.

“Your vice-captain has been honorably defeated. Anyone else want to step up? As I said before, I’m a bit busy, so I don’t have time to deal with all of you individually. If you want revenge, one of you better come out now.”

“…”

Naturally, no one stepped forward. They just exchanged glances.

“I’m telling you, your actions today go against Duke Kalisto’s will. If you don’t want to become traitors, leave now!”

The Black Dragon Knights started retreating one by one, and soon, they were all running back towards the main castle.

“Selendis, do you feel better now?”

“Thank you, my lord. I feel much better.”

“I’m glad. Throw this guy in the interrogation room too. Tie him up securely, so he doesn’t resist.”

Mars joined Hylix as a cellmate. After the commotion subsided, I reviewed my plans and prepared to meet Oracle.

Just then, Ionia entered and delivered good news.

“My lord, Grand Duke Hylix requests an audience.”

“He didn’t cause any trouble, did he?”

“He was very quiet.”

I smiled.

It seemed like Hylix was going to act as I had predicted. If he could avoid further trouble by reflecting on his actions for a year, it would be a good deal for him.

I didn’t go to see him immediately. I decided to make him wait.

Playing hard to get wasn’t just for romantic relationships. I had to make the thirsty deer even thirstier to ensure things went smoothly.

“Ionia, have a seat.”

I decided to conduct a little interview with the new recruit while we waited.

“How’s life in the knight order?”

“It’s manageable. It was tough at first, but…”

She trailed off. It was probably because of her relationship with the other knights.

“Is Sage doing well?”

“I’m not sure yet. But he seems eager to learn.”

“It’s important to build relationships with your fellow knights, but taking care of your squire is also a knight’s duty. Guide him well, so he can become a fine knight someday.”

“Yes.”

After chatting for about an hour, I finally stood up.

Hylix was slumped in his chair, looking exhausted.

I didn’t call for Jericho. The conversation we were about to have shouldn’t be recorded in the testimony.

“Sir Mars caused a scene outside. Unfortunately, he challenged me to a duel and lost pathetically. He even used the Kalisto swordsmanship.”

Hylix finally reacted.

“Mars… lost?”

“He was too agitated. It might have been different if he had been calm.”

“…”

He seemed to be deep in thought.

He was probably reevaluating me.

“I heard you’ve made up your mind. I’m glad you made a quick decision. Now, tell me. What are your thoughts?”