Ch.246246. I’m Quite Close with His Majesty the Emperor.

“Is that person crazy?”

“Yeah, just because he knows how to make a defensive formation, he accepted Lord Lionel’s duel challenge?”

“Judging by how angry Lord Lionel looks, I doubt he’ll make it back alive.”

“I agree. It wouldn’t be the first death from dueling Lord Lionel… Looks like we’ll have to dispose of another corpse here in Lumestia territory.”

The holy knights murmured in the square of Lumestia.

The territory’s residents also tilted their heads in curiosity, wondering what was happening.

“What’s going on?”

“They say knights are having a life-or-death duel!”

“Psh, look carefully! That person over there isn’t a knight but seems like an ordinary nobleman!”

The square instantly became noisy.

One of the holy knights spoke with a slightly anxious look.

“If Lord Selden Alphonse dies, won’t the Imperial Family come after us?”

In response, another holy knight crossed his arms and snorted.

“Heh! That’s probably why Lord Lionel issued the duel challenge. If someone dies in a duel, even His Majesty the Emperor can’t say anything about it.”

“But honestly, Lord Selden Alphonse didn’t really say anything wrong, did he?”

“Huh?”

“I mean, Lord Lionel always reacts particularly sensitively to anything related to Saint Claudia.”

“W-well, that’s true…”

“Plus, there’s only a gatekeeper guarding the temple right now, so maybe Lord Selden Alphonse was right that we brought too many people here.”

Although they didn’t show it openly since Lionel was both a fellow holy knight and their captain, the holy knights weren’t without complaints.

Not just in this case, but he had consistently acted illogically when it came to matters concerning Saint Claudia.

If the saint currently at the Imperial Palace were someone other than Saint Claudia, would Lionel have acted the same way?

None of the holy knights could answer that with certainty.

However.

As mentioned earlier, Lionel was the captain of the holy knights.

Despite their many complaints, they didn’t want to see him defeated.

Of course, not many believed Selden Alphonse could win either.

Lionel.

While becoming captain of the holy knights required going through extremely strict and arduous procedures, he had risen to the position solely based on his combat ability.

His overwhelming fighting prowess.

Naturally, from the holy knights’ perspective, it was only reasonable to think Selden Alphonse would lose.

Amidst the murmuring crowd, another holy knight spoke up.

“Anyway, we don’t need to worry. Lord Lionel even prepared a magic-infused contract just in case.”

“Yeah, even if Lord Selden Alphonse dies, we can just show the contract to the Imperial Family.”

“At times like this, you can really see how meticulous Lord Lionel is.”

At that moment, Balthazar joined the conversation with a dubious remark.

“…Is that really so?”

“What do you mean?”

“I’m wondering if Lord Lionel making that magic-infused contract with Lord Selden Alphonse was actually a good idea.”

“Of course it was! If someone dies during the duel, our temple could suffer consequences.”

“That’s not what I meant.”

“Then what?”

“Conversely, if Lord Lionel dies, our temple won’t be able to hold anyone accountable.”

The holy knight conversing with Balthazar let out an incredulous laugh.

“Haha! No matter how renowned Lord Selden Alphonse is among nobles for his swordsmanship, we are knights. Holy knights who serve the Saint, at that.”

“Is there really any difference between knights and holy knights?”

“Of course there is! Don’t you have any pride? We are holy knights who serve the sacred deity.”

Balthazar almost blurted out, “What does serving a deity have to do with combat ability?” but barely managed to swallow his words.

Right.

No one would understand.

But if they had crossed swords with Selden Alphonse even once, they would quickly realize that Lionel’s victory couldn’t be guaranteed.

That’s how much of a “wall” Selden Alphonse was to Balthazar when he encountered him.

Moreover.

What surprised Balthazar even more was his training method.

It seemed like just yesterday that he thought training was simply about hitting things, but his strength had increased unrecognizably.

And that wasn’t all.

The “Heavenly Pill” that was forcibly fed to him must have truly been a miraculous medicine, as his vision itself had changed.

He could hear each holy knight’s breathing distinctly, and their movements appeared clearer.

Even without sparring with anyone yet, he could definitely feel that he had become stronger.

‘What on earth did you do to me…’

Balthazar ground his molars.

While the holy knights complained about having to come all the way to Lumestia territory because Selden Alphonse had kidnapped Saint Claudia, no one had endured more difficult days than himself.

‘I hope he doesn’t die…’

Perhaps due to the bond that had formed between them, Balthazar secretly hoped that even if Selden Alphonse lost the duel, he wouldn’t die.

Just then, Selden Alphonse and Lionel took their positions in the middle of the square.

“Hey, are you okay with so many people watching?”

In response to Selden Alphonse’s sarcasm, Lionel let out a hollow laugh.

“That’s rich coming from someone who’s about to die.”

“Oh? So this isn’t a duel but a fight to the death?”

“You signed the contract, didn’t you? That you won’t hold anyone responsible even if you die.”

“Ah! So the duel is just an excuse to kill me?”

“If you die, do you think people will know the duel was just an excuse?”

Lionel’s arrogance.

It was understandable.

From a young age, people had practically worshipped him for his innate talent.

Additionally, the sacred position of “holy knight” had further elevated his status.

With no obstacles in his life, his gaze had eventually turned elsewhere.

That was toward Saint Claudia.

The moment he first saw her, a spark ignited in Lionel’s heart.

The love between a holy knight and a saint.

This impossible relationship only made his desire and passion burn more fiercely.

Despite Lionel’s provocation, Selden Alphonse still hadn’t drawn his sword from his waist and replied casually.

“You know, I’m quite close with His Majesty the Emperor.”

“Hah! His Majesty wouldn’t bat an eye even if you died.”

“How can you be so sure of that?”

“When you rise to a captain’s position, you must maintain composure even in the face of your subordinates’ deaths. If I can do that, how much more so would His Majesty?”

“So you can maintain composure about your subordinates’ deaths, but anything related to Saint Claudia throws you off balance?”

Until now, everything had gone according to Lionel’s plans.

He had trained diligently to become captain and could control the holy knights.

All that remained was to confirm whether Saint Claudia loved him.

But suddenly, this rogue-like fellow popped up and interfered, which naturally infuriated him.

“…What do you know about me and Saint Claudia to be talking like this?”

“Well, I might not know the details, but I know this much: you’re in love with Saint Claudia without knowing your place.”

“W-what did you say!?”

“Why are you so surprised? Anyone can see that you’re obsessed with Saint Claudia.”

Lionel hesitated.

No one should have known about his feelings for Claudia, so how did this guy figure it out so quickly?

He tried to maintain his composure outwardly, but his heart was in turmoil.

“You’re spouting nonsense because your time has come.”

“Look who’s talking nonsense. You brought all these holy knights here because you’re obsessed with Saint Claudia.”

“Shut up! You’re digging your own grave!!”

“I think you’re the one digging yours.”

*Shing-!*

Lionel gritted his teeth and drew his sword.

Not a wooden training sword, but a real one.

Today, his sword gleamed more brilliantly than ever.

With a single mistake potentially resulting in a severed neck, sweat gathered on the hands of all those watching this confrontation.

However.

Selden Alphonse kept yawning with an expression devoid of any tension.

“Yawn-! So when are you going to make your move?”

“What are you talking about!?”

“If you’ve drawn your sword, you should attack. Why are you just flapping your lips?”

“…Then why haven’t you drawn your sword?”

“Because you’re not strong enough an opponent to warrant me drawing my sword.”

Lionel widened his eyes, then composed himself, taking a proper stance and exhaling deeply.

“Young man, your provocations are quite something.”

“It’s not provocation, it’s the truth…”

“…Still, draw your sword. I don’t want people saying I won by unfairly attacking an opponent who hadn’t even drawn his weapon.”

“Really?”

*Shing-! Clang-!*

With that, Selden Alphonse drew his sword and then threw it to the ground.

He shouted toward the holy knights and residents gathered in the square.

“Everyone, due to the significant difference in skill between us, I will face my opponent with just my fists. I ask for your understanding.”

Selden Alphonse raised his head and curled his lips toward Lionel.

“Satisfied?”