Chapter 50: The Knight Holds a Banquet (1)

The result of the match was something that no one expected; the insurrection of the underdog.

A War Game between mages and warriors rarely ended up so quickly and vainly. It was even more rare for the warriors’ side to overwhelm the mages’ side instead. However, no one who had seen the game dared to doubt the warrior’s victory.

Nevertheless…

Those guys are spent.

Seeing them like this, it’s hard to tell who’s the winner and the loser.

The warriors collapsed to the ground, exhausted. Every single one of them looked pale and spent. It was proof that they had poured all their energy and their best effort into the fight.

To put it in other words, their desperation and effort to put their absolute best was the thing that decided the outcome of the match. That was why the audience applauded them without sparing any emotions.

Shutter-! Shutter-!

Some of them were even taking pictures. No one doubted that the picture of this scene would appear on the front page of the newspaper once morning came. After all, the warriors’ victory was quite the interesting turn around.

“The idea behind the technique just now was to burst out one’s strength, no?”

“I don’t know, it feels more like to concentrate one’s spirit for me… Or it could be a technique that amplifies their potential…”

“I have to say that it’s a unique Combat Technique. Is that the teaching of the knight? Interesting… The technique is quite…huh? Wait… It has more flaws than expected…”

The nobles with keen eyes showed interest in the technique that was fundamentally different from the Combat Technique they knew and acknowledged; the technique allowed one to instantaneously burst out their strength and power in contrast to the usual application of Combat Technique.

However, their interest didn’t grow strong enough to turn into greed. Just like the mages, they realized that the technique had numerous fatal flaws. Not only was there a time limit to utilize it, it was also a technique that strained the body.

Such a technique was not worthy to be used by them, the ‘nobles.’

While the technique captured their interest, they didn’t consider it great enough to replace the techniques that they knew. And above all, using it would make them look undignified.

But of course…

“There are a lot of people whose eyes serve no purpose but for decoration. Don’t you think so too, Lake?”

Those who saw the essence and value of such technique were filled with admiration and shock.

“That’s because those are conceited people who think that what they have is always the best. Then again, I personally can’t fault them, my lord. Those who have mastered a better technique indeed won’t find such a ‘technique’ very appealing. However…”

“However?”

“If there’s someone out there who’s able to perfect that technique, they will definitely turn into a threat. To the point that no knight in this world would be able to look down on them.”

“Hm… And here I thought you’d give out a narrow-minded answer. Color me surprised.”

“M-My lord…”

Some of those people were a knight from a certain dukedom—who could instantly figure out the value of Martial Power—and his master, the monarch who was teasing the knight as they conversed.

The monarch, or rather, the duke, Blake Vivienne de Galahad, stroked his chin with interest.

“As always, that young man is pleasant to watch. So it appears that he isn’t only skilled in fighting, but also in teaching. Interesting.”

“He’s not someone worth putting value on, my lord.”

“Then, why do you keep flaring your spirit when you see him? Anyone who looked at you would think that you are in love with him.”

“!!?”

“Hahahaha!”

Duke Blake laughed heartily.

Lake was someone who could be called as his disciple. He was a man who was always serious and cool-headed, so normally, it was hard to even tease him. However, ever since he got involved with that knight, the man finally started to smell like a person.

He who had been acting like a wooden doll finally started to act like a real human being.

And as he grew to resemble humans more, he also increased his training time even more. Due to that, the guys who acted as his training partners spent more time crying in pain—but that wasn’t something the duke would concern himself about.

“I’m jealous. If he isn’t the underling of my niece’s, I would have brought him to my sight already.”

“…”

“However, for the sake of your growth, it’s probably better to leave him as an enemy, huh? He’ll serve as a great stimulus for you.”

“T-That’s not the case, my lord. How could such a lowly person become a stimulus for me?”

“Tsk tsk, such dishonesty.”

“…”

This is the problem with those punks who called themselves knights. Their pride and sense of superiority is way too much at times.

“…Although, I have to admit that it’s better to direct those feelings toward those cunning cats.”

However, the duke’s cheerfulness was short-lived. His gaze suddenly grew cold and he became extremely agitated. One could dismiss it as it was because of the demonic nature of his demon sword. Just having the ‘lions’ around him made him feel like ‘killing’ something.

But, even if it wasn’t because of the sword, Galahad and Lionel had already crossed the river of no return to begin with. They were at complete odds with each other, as they thought of the others as a group of people they needed to eliminate as soon as possible.

However, even so…

“As long as you give out your order, I will command our Knight Order to move, my lord.”

“Forget it. If we ended up losing you because of those Northern Cats, that would be a big loss for us.”

“My lord! Even so, we will not give up!”

“I am aware that you guys wouldn’t. But, I’m also aware that it will result in unnecessary sacrifices.”

“Ugh-!”

Since the duke could not guarantee that they could eliminate them for good even if they were to fight, he had no choice but to endure the situation for now. Even the duke’s knight—Lake de Duran—couldn’t deny the words of his master. After all, he also knew that their opponent’s skills weren’t inferior to theirs.

He wasn’t stupid enough to not be able to tell that.

“Let’s leave. I should have a chat with my niece, since it’s been so long.”

“…Aren’t you going to meet the young lady, My Lord?”

Hearing that question, Duke Galahad paused for a moment.

For the first time in their exchange…

“…That child does not seem to wish to see me.”

His face darkened.

“Mm…”

“…Haa.”

Duke Galahad, who had always maintained the dignity of a proud monarch, let out a long sigh.

While thinking about his adopted daughter—whose beauty was comparable to that of a fairy’s, and whose mood was as unpredictable as the weather—who always did her best to ignore him even when he tried his best to get close to her, he opened his mouth and…

“Do tell, am I that unlikable? A frown always appears on that child’s face whenever she sees me. I had always thought that my appearance could charm anyone, but… I guess I couldn’t beat my age…”

“…”

Lake couldn’t find any words to say to him, so he remained silent. There were actually a lot of things that he wanted to say, but he stopped himself from saying them. Instead, he turned his gaze around to see numerous beautiful maidens stealing glances at his master while blushing.

My lord, that’s something that could get you stoned if you were to say that in front of others…

Especially in front of men…

Of course, he couldn’t just say such disrespectful things to the master that he revered, so Lake just bowed his head in silence instead.

The cadets, no, the warriors who had done well in the War Game, were showered with endless encouragement and congratulatory applause from everyone.

“Congratulations on your victory.”

“That was great.”

“I was proud of you, Young Miss Fault!”

Their victory wasn’t the Swordsmanship Department’s victory, but their own victory that they reached by putting all their efforts. That was why, the credits solely belonged to them, and the other cadets in the Swordsmanship Department didn’t hold back on their supports for them.

At least for now, a warm feeling that transcended their differences in social statuses was displayed, as the young misses gave each of the warriors bouquets.

They accepted those bouquets with trembling hearts.

“T-This…”

“Take it. You deserve it.”

“Haha…”

“…You were cool.”

“!!”

It only took 0.3 seconds for a man to fall in love. That was why, even though Sprout Number 5 had just received a bouquet, he had already come up with the names of the children he’d have with the young miss.

And he wasn’t the only one who had such delusions, the other warriors also felt the same way. After all, there were a lot of young misses who gave them flowers—some of them weren’t even from the Swordsmanship Department.

When else would they ever get to experience something like this?

This was probably the only time in their lives that they’d ever experience such a thing.

Unfortunately for them though, their popularity was but a fleeting one. In the end, the one who received the most bouquets, and attention from the young misses was not them, but another young miss.

“Y-Young Miss Fault… I-I’ll continue to support you in the future!”

“C-Can I have your handkerchief?”

“…You were so cool back there.”

“T-Thank you.”

The brave female warriors, the key player in the reversal, and today’s MVP.

All of those were the titles that the young miss, Levy Fault, received.

B-But I didn’t do much…

In reality, she was only trying as hard as everyone else, she was just lucky enough to land the final blow. And yet, she received more attention than everyone else, so she was worried that the other guys who participated with hers were disappointed by this outcome.

However, the audience didn’t share her worry at all.

She was amazing…!

So dreamy…

With the bravery that came from such a small body, just like a charismatic conductor of an orchestra, with clear judgment that was apparent every time she moved, she ran silently across the battlefield, swinging her rapier, doing her best until the end. Levy Fault had become an idol for the young misses, and that was the only thing they could think about.

Whatever era was one living on, progressive and strong women would always become an object of admiration. Considering that she was a noblewoman like the young misses were, this was even more so to them.

To put it simply, she was a noblewoman who was walking the path of the sword rather than devoting herself to embroidering.

She could probably become a female knight…

A female knight. The chances to enter that difficult path—smaller than even the eye of a needle—was given only to noblewomen who were capable of competing with other knights with their female bodies. And today, Levy Fault showed the potential to walk on that path.

Considering that the last female knight was appointed 40 years ago, the girl’s value had skyrocketed. It could be said that not everyone was approaching her with good intentions.

Nevertheless…

“Thank you…”

It wouldn’t be a sin to just enjoy the moment without thinking about such things.

…But of course, not everyone congratulated them for their victory.

“That shouldn’t be happening! R-Right! Y-You’re supposed to capture the flag, not break it! How could you win by breaking it?! It doesn’t make any sense!”

“Now you’re just being petty, Slave.”

“I-I’m just saying that the outcome isn’t fair! W-We didn’t lose—!”

There was a certain someone who just couldn’t admit defeat, or rather, couldn’t accept reality.

It was Odwal Bernard. The loser who had challenged the Swordsmanship Department to the War Game with an oath, but ended up losing anyway.

He was genuinely about to raise this matter to the court because he simply couldn’t admit defeat.

“The winner of this game is the warriors’ side. How could those who failed to protect the king they were supposed to protect be the winners?”

“!!”

For a moment there, Odwal’s body trembled as if he had stopped breathing. After all, no one, even the most defiant one, would dare to face an apex predator that appeared before his eyes.

The princess,

the next heir to the kingdom, glared at him with a cold gaze.

“If, by any chance, you do not trust this lady’s judgment, and still wish to display your stubbornness, then here, this lady will lend her ears to you.”

“…”

“Go ahead.”

“…N-No… I-I will admit defeat.”

Pfft, what’s the point of being stubborn when you crumble just like that?

Facing the princess’ intimidation, Odwal had no choice but to accept the result with a trembling body.

“Huu.”

After she dealt with that, the princess erased her look of contempt and proceeded to praise the cadets.

“Every one of you is great.”

Thud-!

Before they knew it, everyone already knelt down. Their heads bowed down the moment they saw Isis’ appearance, as if it was an automatic response.

Meanwhile, Isis stared at the cadets with a gaze filled with satisfaction.

“To think there are so many talented people in the kingdom, this lady is amazed.”

…When those words fell off her lips, even the sound of the cadets’ breathing seemed to disappear for a moment.

“This lady had seen countless roses, and all of them were beautiful. However, it was the roses that bloomed in the wilds that gave this lady a different kind of emotion, and you here, were all like that.”

Her voice became sweeter as she continued, making the listener feel like their brain was melting.

They compared her voice to a heavenly soprano, but they believed that its sweetness still won’t match the sweetness of the princess’ voice.

At some point, they started to sob, regardless of their status.

“I-It’s an honor to my family…”

“Heuk…”

“Princess, I respect you.”

This phenomenon was created by a combination of innate charisma and charm instead of magic or brainwashing, but in some ways, it was even scarier than the latter two. Because this person achieved this much effect from sheer charm and charisma alone.

“This lady is in a good mood today, that’s why she will hold a banquet. You are the main character, so you have to attend this banquet.”

Thud-! Thud-! Thud-! Thud-!

None of them could disobey her words.

It was sudden, but they had to attend it.

Because they would never even think of not attending it and disrespecting the princess instead.

“I’ll pass. Busy.”

“…You worthless—!”

Thud-!

Hearing his words, the princess’ fan burst into flames.

The one who said those words, was the peerless master of ‘(unintentional) celibacy’, who had the ability to easily repel a charm that was even stronger than even brainwashing.