Ch.117117. The Ball

Among the ten apostles that exist in the world, there is still no clear answer as to who is the most powerful.

However.

When it comes to swordsmanship, the Apostle of the Sword reigns supreme. No one disputes this opinion. And among the numerous religious orders, the Order of the Sword possesses the most excellent swordsmanship. Even its name symbolizes the “sword.”

Although the main Kaiserion style has been passed down to only a select few individuals, that doesn’t mean other sword techniques are inferior.

The Ten Thousand Swords Style.

This, too, is considered a secret technique within the Order. However, few knights have mastered it. While the Kaiserion style is difficult to pass down because it’s the direct sword technique of the Sword God, the Ten Thousand Swords Style cannot fully manifest its power below a certain level of mastery.

To properly use the Ten Thousand Swords Style, one must at least reach the middle stage of Radiance. Once past a certain threshold, one can obtain terrifyingly magnificent power beyond imagination, but most people never cross that threshold. Due to its disadvantages outweighing its advantages, the Order’s swordsmen didn’t even consider the Ten Thousand Swords Style.

In the current era, Allen is the successor of the Ten Thousand Swords Style. The previous successor who taught Allen died of old age.

And Allen passed down the Ten Thousand Swords Style to Chloe.

True to its name, the Ten Thousand Swords Style levitates numerous swords in the air to intercept enemies.

Whoosh!

A blade that sliced through the air came to an abrupt halt in midair. Owen, who hastily leaned back, raised his longsword. Clang! The blade that passed behind him changed direction like a boomerang and returned. It was as if the sword moved with its own will.

‘Well… this is something.’

He blocked one, but another blade rushed in from the opposite side. Owen struck it away in alarm. Blades whirling in all directions disoriented his vision. It was difficult enough to deal with on its own, but if he got distracted even for a moment, Chloe’s attack would come flying in immediately.

‘Impressive.’

Owen is a low-ranking knight of the Morland County. Though low-ranking, it still means he’s a knight who has reached the stage of Radiance. He knew well how unrealistic the skill Chloe was displaying was. That sword technique… no, could it even be called a sword technique? It was closer to a blessing or supernatural ability.

‘This isn’t a skill that someone at the mere level of Holy Flame can use.’

He couldn’t recognize it as the Ten Thousand Swords Style. He only felt that the depth of the swordsmanship was astonishingly profound. Owen himself could levitate a sword in the air. He could even make it move slowly. But it was impossible for him to imbue each sword with will to toy with his opponent as she was doing now.

Clang!

The trajectory of the blades changed in various ways. The Ten Thousand Swords Style, unrestrained by the limitations of arms, legs, or joints, has no distinction between offense and defense. The moment he blocked a blade and decided to approach Chloe, the swords immediately aligned to surround her. It wouldn’t be impossible to break through, but he would have to accept a certain degree of damage.

“You’re remarkable.”

Owen opened his mouth with a hearty laugh.

He didn’t feel any ugly emotions like jealousy or inferiority. He was genuinely impressed by Chloe’s skill. Roughly in her late teens or early twenties. Despite her young age, Chloe had already surpassed the level of a novice. If he were a bit younger, he might have envied and been jealous of Chloe’s talent, but the vast difference in age erased even those sentiments.

“In ten years. In just ten years, the landscape of the continent will change.”

“…You flatter me.”

Two swords floated behind Chloe’s back. They looked like wings made of swords. Chloe added with an embarrassed face.

“I still have many shortcomings, and besides… I couldn’t even draw out Sir Owen’s full strength. You didn’t use your blessing, radiance, or anything else.”

“This is just a duel after all. We shouldn’t fight to the death. And to begin with, facing a young lady who is easily twenty years younger than me is already a shameful situation for me. To clarify and avoid misunderstanding, of course, Miss Chloe is not a shameful opponent.”

It’s the surrounding gazes that are shameful.

Owen looked around with a bitter smile. There were many spectators. Not long after the duel began, the surroundings were already filled with numerous people. All of them were scions of prestigious families. Today’s event would spread widely through their mouths.

A knight of the Morland County dueled with a young girl. That alone was ridiculous, but he couldn’t win immediately and dragged out the time.

A story that helps neither Owen himself nor the reputation of the Morland County. But what could he do? The deed was already done. Spilled water cannot be gathered back, and it would take quite a long time to restore the lost honor. But if he were to go all out to defeat Chloe, that too would be dishonorable.

In the end, it was the reckless and willful Matilda who created this mess. Though it’s a thought he shouldn’t have as a knight of the County, he couldn’t help but compare Chloe and Matilda.

‘How can there be such a difference between those of similar age?’

Thinking about the future of the County, he sighed. He wondered how the head of the family would react when he received the report. Owen spoke with a troubled expression.

“Surely Miss Chloe’s master must be a renowned knight.”

“Among the people I know, he’s the second, no. The third…? Anyway, he’s an amazing person.”

Chloe hesitated for a moment before continuing with a hesitant tone.

“Even with my shallow knowledge, I can tell that Miss Chloe’s swordsmanship is truly excellent.”

“Haha… It’s all thanks to my master’s good teaching.”

“You’re being too modest.”

As Chloe scratched the back of her head in embarrassment, Owen wore a faint smile. No matter how excellent the master is, if the disciple lacks quality, they cannot fully absorb the teachings. Especially with swordsmanship as profound as Chloe’s. The disciple’s talent becomes even more important than the master’s teaching.

In reality, Chloe had faithfully absorbed Allen’s teachings. Concerned that his disciple might become arrogant, Allen was sparing with praise and instead encouraged more training—despite his outward appearance, Allen was inwardly pleased with Chloe’s growth.

Three years.

During that time, the number of swords Chloe could handle became two. Three if she pushed herself. Compared to the legend of the Ten Thousand Swords Style, which says one can handle dozens of swords at the highest level, it’s insufficient. But it’s just a legend. Even Allen can only handle five swords.

To begin with, Chloe is at the late stage of Holy Flame. At that level, it should be impossible to levitate even one sword, let alone two. Yet Chloe handles two.

While her talent was exceptional, the more fundamental reason was thanks to Boreas. Receiving the blessing of the wind god, that quality was imbued in her divine power, helping her use the Ten Thousand Swords Style. The wind’s energy reduced the weight of the swords and made them ignore air resistance.

“Any further would be meaningless.”

Owen sheathed his longsword.

“If we get any more aggressive here, either Miss Chloe or I will surely get hurt.”

The surroundings were already a mess. Though they claimed not to use abilities like Radiance or blessings, a knight’s sword strike has the power to cut through steel like paper even without Holy Flame.

The same was true for Chloe, and currently, the inside of the dueling cage was covered with traces of blade scratches. If they were to increase their power to determine a clear winner… not only would both get hurt, but the ballroom itself would be destroyed.

That wasn’t the only reason.

‘If it’s not about killing but subduing… honestly, I’m not confident.’

Even if he were to go all out, he wasn’t sure he could overwhelmingly defeat Chloe. It had been a shameful situation for quite some time, but that outcome was something he absolutely had to avoid.

Chloe tilted her head with a puzzled expression.

“But we haven’t determined a winner?”

“Miss Chloe. I’m not such a foolish person. As a knight, the fact that I couldn’t immediately defeat you means I’ve already lost. I admit my defeat.”

“Why!”

Matilda, who had been watching the situation, couldn’t contain her frustration and barged into the dueling cage.

“Are you deciding that on your own!”

“My lady.”

“The duel isn’t over yet! You’re both fine! I, I know… you weren’t doing your best. You didn’t use Radiance or the family’s secret techniques. Are you making a mockery of dueling? You, for my honor, and the honor of the County…”

“This decision is precisely for that honor, my lady. Isn’t it shameful?”

Owen replied in a somber voice. But Matilda didn’t understand the meaning of his words.

Honor?

‘If honor is so important, you should just win as instructed. Why admit defeat first?’

She felt shame too. She had sent a knight as her proxy, but he couldn’t even win. Why was he chatting and giggling with that damned girl during the duel? And to make matters worse, everyone had witnessed that pathetic sight. What displeased her even more was that the spectators of the duel looked at Chloe with very favorable eyes.

What Matilda wanted was for Owen to mercilessly beat Chloe and humiliate her. Not this situation.

“Do it again. I won’t accept this kind of ending. This isn’t child’s play, what on earth are you doing!”

“My lady, the duel is over.”

“I said it’s not!”

“Sigh…”

Owen let out a long sigh. Matilda, who had completely lost her reason, wouldn’t listen to anything. Matilda was different when she was younger. She was a girl who always showed a bright smile and brought laughter to the people of the family. What made her so ugly? Perhaps it was because she was raised too indulgently. The head of the family, the knights, the servants… and of course, himself as well.

“Let’s go.”

Chloe glanced at Matilda with a smirk and descended from the dueling arena. With a tap on his shoulder, Rex pointed at Matilda with a disgruntled face.

“Is it okay to just leave her like that?”

“I don’t know. She’ll figure it out. It’s not like I have to care about her feelings too.”

“You, you! Where are you going? I said it’s not over yet! Come back! Lord Rex is my partner…”

“Ignore her, ignore.”

Chloe grabbed Rex’s hand and strode forward. The people surrounding them parted to make way. Rex obediently followed Chloe, his hand firmly grasped.

“What about Lord Klein?”

“He was with us until a while ago, but other people came looking for him. Seems he had a prior appointment. Maya went back with him then. Oh, right. He said to tell you he enjoyed the show.”

“How was it for you?”

“Me?”

Rex glanced back at the direction where shouting could still be heard, then smiled with the corners of his mouth raised.

“Of course, it was the best.”

“Really?”

“Your skills have improved a lot. It made me want to spar with you after a long time. Speaking of which, when we get back to the mansion. What do you think?”

“No way. You always hit without mercy.”

“That’s how skills grow rapidly. It’s no fun if I go easy on you.”

“That’s true, but maybe later.”

Right now. Chloe muttered to herself and stopped walking. Perhaps because people had gathered on the first floor due to the proxy duel, the corridor on the second floor was quiet. Was she thinking of returning to the terrace? As Rex was about to ask with blinking eyes, thump! A strong hand pushed him against the wall.

“…Chloe?”

“I won the duel.”

Chloe brought her face close. The breath that came suddenly was hot. Her crimson hair tickled Rex’s cheek. Her yellow eyes looked particularly vivid.

Rex swallowed dryly. Chloe licked her lips.

“Since I won the duel, you’re mine. Right?”

“D-does it work that way?”

“Just for today, no one can touch you. Only I can have you.”

“Even without the duel, I had no intention of playing with anyone else…”

“Still, it’s necessary to make an impression on others. Someone like that woman just now might covet you, you know?”

Chloe whispered softly with a reddened face.

“I’m sweaty, so I need to wash up. It’s uncomfortable, and I also need to change back into a dress. So.”

Chloe removed her arm from the wall. Rex looked at her, straightening his hunched shoulders.

“Wait for me. I’ll be back after washing up.”

Chloe opened the door right next to them and went inside.

“…Washing up?”

There was no answer. Click. The sound of the door locking was heard, followed by the sound of footsteps. Rex said with an awkward expression.

“Just washing up, right…?”

Again, there was no answer.