Ch.4343. Proving One’s Ability

Despite living in relative peace, this world was actually an extremely dangerous place.

Monsters, demons, gates. Even those who used their powers to commit crimes.

With all these threats constantly emerging to disrupt the world, there was no way anyone could truly be safe.

Right now, things were relatively calm since no major incidents had occurred, but this peace was only temporary.

Soon enough, when demons began their activities in earnest, we wouldn’t be able to continue living so carefree.

Still, there was no need to worry. Even if major incidents occurred, there were those who would fight with all their might to protect us.

The Imperial Knights, comprised of only the most skilled individuals from countless knightly orders.

As long as they existed, we could avoid the worst outcomes no matter what dangers approached.

“Give us back our princess!”

…Though right now, they were just swinging wooden swords at me.

They certainly seemed cool in the story, but seeing them like this made them look more foolish than anyone else.

That didn’t mean their skills were foolish, though. The fact that they could wrap mana around a wooden sword already showed they had reached a certain level of mastery.

Whoosh!

I twisted my body to avoid the wooden sword that came right up to my face… and quickly dodged.

The wooden sword that nearly touched my shoulder passed right through my body.

“Hmm, interesting ability.”

This madman. He just changed the trajectory of his swing toward the direction I was dodging. He really has no intention of going easy on me.

If I hadn’t noticed and avoided it at that moment, I would have been in serious trouble.

Though the wooden sword lacked cutting power, the mana wrapped around it would deliver quite an impact.

It could easily break rocks, so my shoulder bone would probably shatter to dust on contact.

I was too careless. Trying to use my meager abilities against a skilled opponent was foolish.

But I managed to dodge somehow, which was good. My opponent seemed quite surprised that his attack didn’t connect.

“I think I can raise the level a bit.”

But it seems my one successful dodge impressed him too much… suddenly the color of the mana surrounding his wooden sword changed to golden.

I realized immediately. What he was using now wasn’t just mana.

‘He’s using that now?’

The Imperial Knights’ strength comes not only from each member’s high skill level but especially from their unique sword technique.

The sword technique created by the current Knight Commander was difficult to learn but boasted extraordinary performance.

In the game, you learn it as a passive skill, and its effect increases sword damage by 120%.

That means the damage is more than doubled.

And from the moment you learn this technique, there’s an effect that appears when you hold a sword… that’s the golden aura I’m seeing now.

I couldn’t understand why he was using such an overpowered technique right now.

Is this also because of Celia? But his expression was too serious for that.

As if using this against me was appropriate.

But… I barely dodged one attack just now?

“Be careful. Even a graze could be dangerous.”

You could just not use it, you know.

I wanted to retort, but his wooden sword was already moving too quickly.

“Whatever. I’ll just dodge everything.”

///

Swish! Whoosh! Swish!

The Knight Commander witnessed an incomprehensible sight with his own eyes.

The young man who should have been knocked down long ago had been holding out for quite some time.

No matter how talented a first-year student might be, even one belonging to the student council, it was impossible for them to dodge all attacks from an Imperial Knight. It defied logic.

Moreover, the one wielding the sword was a recognized expert, soon to be appointed as the deputy commander of the royal guard.

He had been chosen for this situation precisely because of his skill in controlling his strength, but…

‘This is truly unexpected.’

He never imagined the sword match would last this long.

When they first brought Ludion here, everyone was certain.

That this arrogant brat who tried to take away their precious princess would be utterly crushed.

That certainty remained even after the princess herself stepped forward and fanned the flames.

But… what was happening now?

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!

His wooden sword failed to touch Ludion and only cut through empty air.

Or rather, the sword that should have connected was simply passing through his body.

He was shocked when the knight suddenly started using his sword technique, but seeing the current situation, he had to acknowledge it.

‘He assessed the opponent’s level with a single strike.’

His skill in controlling his strength also meant he was adept at gauging his opponent’s abilities.

In fact, he must have used his sword technique because he recognized Ludion as a worthy opponent.

The peculiar ability that could only be described as bizarre, the composure he showed while dodging attacks,

and the princess’s unusual trust in him.

Considering all these factors, he must have decided to use his sword technique.

Realizing this a bit late, he recalled what the princess had said before they began.

Didn’t she say there was no need to go easy on him, to use full strength?

With that thought, he glanced slightly toward the princess.

She was smiling leisurely as she said:

“Hehe, I told you there was no need to go easy on him, didn’t I?”

Her statement, as if she had predicted this outcome all along, felt like a blow to the back of his head.

It wasn’t that she was blinded by love. There was never any such thing.

Everything was a conclusion reached after careful calculation, just as always.

‘I was the one being irrational.’

How shameful to have doubted the princess’s words and made my own judgment.

As he continued watching their match, there seemed to be no end in sight.

‘I should end this soon.’

Although Ludion was only dodging attacks, that alone was enough to gauge his skill, so there seemed no need to continue watching.

With that judgment, he was about to stop the match… when the princess stopped him.

“They’ll finish on their own, so just keep watching.”

She said with a playful expression.

…Finish on their own? Who? How?

The answer to those questions came in an instant.

///

I had been consciously focusing on evasion rather than parrying, but for some reason, there was no sign of them stopping.

Perhaps because I’d grown accustomed to the speed, I had enough leeway to look around, but even the Knight Commander didn’t seem inclined to stop this.

No, actually, it seemed like he had tried to stop it. The Knight Commander had clearly been approaching us.

If Celia hadn’t stopped him, this situation would have ended long ago.

So I had no choice but to use parrying.

I had been avoiding it because I didn’t want my evaluation to be further inflated, but thanks to Celia ruining everything, I had no choice.

I placed the handle of my short sword against the wooden sword aiming for my side.

Clang!

A crisp sound that seemed impossible from a collision with a wooden sword rang out.

My opponent flew backward and landed several steps away, looking at me with an extremely bewildered expression.

Not just him, but everyone watching had similar expressions.

Only Celia, who had essentially created this situation, was smiling cheerfully.

“Are we done now? Ludion, let’s go back.”

Despite the atmosphere, Celia casually tried to pull me away.

Of course, no one could stop the princess from leaving, so we were able to depart without any interference.

“Please return safely!”

Perhaps because of what I had just shown, I could feel the gazes on me had changed significantly.

I hadn’t particularly wanted this situation, but now that I was experiencing it, it didn’t feel bad.

Of course, dealing with the aftermath of all this would be entirely my responsibility… but I decided to leave that to my future self.

“So where are we going now?”

“My mother is waiting for us in the library.”

As I followed Celia, I casually asked, and she answered nonchalantly.

“…Your mother?”

“Yes. Actually, she’s been waiting for a while, but we were delayed because of my father. She’s very sensitive about punctuality, so we need to hurry.”

Celia’s mother… I hadn’t seen her since being reincarnated here, but she was someone I couldn’t not know about.

In some ways, she was even more famous than the Emperor.

The Empress. Celia’s mother.

Though she was known by that title now, she actually had an even more famous title.

The Great Mage. A once-in-a-generation genius who could easily handle magic that shook heaven and earth, and whose mere presence could break an opponent’s will.

Oh, now that Celia exists, I guess she’s not once-in-a-generation anymore.

Anyway. Though she lived quietly now, her magical abilities were truly the real deal.

Where do you think Celia’s magical talent came from? She took after her mother.

As that thought crossed my mind, I suddenly remembered a line from the letter I had forgotten about.

-Ludion, was it? Since our daughter likes you, I’ll let it slide for now, but if you hurt our daughter even slightly, I won’t let you live. Do well.

…I hope I haven’t done anything wrong?

“Celia. You don’t have any complaints about me, right?”

“Why so suddenly?”

“Oh, just wondering.”

“Hmm… not particularly.”

I asked out of sudden anxiety, but fortunately, that was her answer.

That’s a real relief.

I almost got killed in the place I fled to escape execution.