Ch.8080. Camilla’s Companion

Standing face to face with Count Tristitia, Gilbert felt as if two massive boulders were pressing down on his shoulders. Though clearly nothing physically existed on his shoulders, even lifting his arms met with a strange resistance.

So this is truly a knight family.

Gilbert took a deep breath. The pressure on his shoulders wasn’t merely an illusion. It was a display of martial spirit that knights of a certain level could manifest—a technique utilizing mana control.

The Count was likely trying to establish dominance through this show of skill, but it was useless against Gilbert.

After all, who was he?

None other than the exclusive disciple of the Empire’s First Sword. Every morning, he received training bouts from Briana, who was overwhelmingly stronger than him. For Gilbert, mana control was like the first gateway he had to pass through to receive her guidance.

People who faced the mana control of Sword Saint Briana unanimously described it as carrying Mount Tai on their shoulders. Her monstrous mana control exerted tremendous physical force, restricting movement and producing effects similar to binding magic.

For Gilbert, who regularly broke through such mana control during his training sessions, even Count Tristitia’s mana pressure couldn’t have much effect.

“Indeed. So you truly are the Sword Saint’s disciple.”

Count Tristitia quietly marveled at Gilbert, who had shaken off his mana control with such ease. He’d heard the young man showed achievements beyond his years, but even he hadn’t expected Gilbert to dispel his mana control so effortlessly.

The fact that Gilbert had accomplished in a single breath what even his three sons—all called geniuses—couldn’t do was proof of his extraordinary skill.

This duel, which had begun as a way to see how much the once-called “good-for-nothing” had grown, was turning out to be more interesting than expected.

“I’m coming.”

“That’s the spirit!”

The Count raised his sword as if inviting Gilbert to attack with all his might, his eyes sharpening into those of a keen swordsman. Gilbert didn’t hesitate and charged toward the Count with his sword drawn.

Clang!

Sparks flew as the duel began.

Gilbert objectively knew he was at a disadvantage against the Count. Though his body had begun to transcend human limitations, the Count had already stepped into the realm of the superhuman decades ago.

For this reason, it was common sense that Gilbert, who had only been formally training with a sword for a short time, couldn’t overwhelm the Count with swordsmanship.

After exchanging a few blows in an instant, he realized that defeating the Count with swordsmanship alone was currently impossible. The moment their swords met, the Count smoothly redirected Gilbert’s force and instead pulled him in. For a fleeting moment, Gilbert considered engaging in sword wrestling using his superior physical abilities, but quickly dismissed the idea.

As he recalled, Count Tristitia’s physical abilities ranked among the top even in tactical combat. The Tristitia family, famous as a knight house, prioritized physical training above all else. If Gilbert, still inexperienced, rashly attempted sword wrestling, he would obviously lose his advantage in an instant.

He received the Count’s downward strike in an ox stance, catching the blade with a thumb grip. Blocking the heavy downward strike with his sword guard, Gilbert gritted his teeth during the brief contest of strength.

Indeed, it was good that he hadn’t attempted sword wrestling earlier. Already he had to grip his sword tightly to counter the Count’s attempt to hook it away using his guard.

But even that wasn’t enough, as the Count’s masterful control of force was taking over the initiative. Gilbert quickly grabbed the middle of his sword with his left hand, using half-swording to pivot around to the Count’s right side.

Winter Sword

Frosty Wind

As he moved to the right, his hand positions naturally changed. Not the tip of the blade but the area near the hilt targeted the Count’s nape like a hawk eyeing its prey.

The foundation of swordsmanship was defense, and its purpose was not to subdue but to kill. For that, targeting the head was paramount, and regardless of the situation, the sword’s point should always aim for the head.

Even in a duel, it was necessary to approach it like real combat to prevent developing bad habits.

In this regard, Gilbert was excellent—so much so that Count Tristitia couldn’t help but smile.

“Yes! That is true swordsmanship!”

To block the sword hilt aiming for his nape, the Count chose to push away Gilbert’s left shoulder with his fist. He created distance before the blade could reach his neck, resulting in a brief lull in the fight.

“Whew.”

Though the exchange had been brief, Gilbert already felt fatigued from the endless tactical battle. While physically he was fine, the mental strain was greater than expected.

Quickly steadying his rough breathing, Gilbert glared at Count Tristitia, who had already raised his sword above his head in a poised falcon stance, ready to extend his blade in a unified offense and defense.

A thrust? Or a slash?

Neither choice was easy. There was absolutely no opening in the Count’s stance.

“What are you doing? I don’t see the same spirit as before.”

Though the Count taunted him, Gilbert didn’t take the bait.

He was already deeply immersed in the duel, focused solely on breaking through the Count’s defense.

Recognizing this, the Count refrained from further clumsy provocations. Taunting a swordsman with firm resolve would only waste breath.

After a moment passed, Gilbert made the first move. As soon as his breathing steadied, he thrust his sword forward half a beat faster, and the Count, as if expecting it, brought his sword down to block.

Sparks flew as the next tactical exchange began. With his sword still extended, Gilbert moved in closer to the Count’s body and raised his blade, aiming for the Count’s head. Though the sword’s cross guard prevented him from achieving his goal, he slipped his arm around the Count’s arm.

He intended to engage in sword wrestling.

This was Gilbert’s trump card—having deliberately avoided sword wrestling until now to lure the Count into lowering his guard. The Count hadn’t expected Gilbert would dare attempt sword wrestling.

However, curious to see the skill behind this confident challenge, he gladly accepted it. Joints locked against joints as both men continuously maneuvered to neutralize each other. Gilbert kept pushing inward, trying to avoid the Count’s arms and gain advantageous positions.

Yet as time passed, Gilbert found himself increasingly on the defensive. Despite targeting the Count’s momentary lapse in vigilance, his opponent was a veteran knight who had survived countless battlefields with just his sword.

In contrast, though Gilbert had been a soldier in his previous world, his expertise was primarily with fighter jets. His talent shone brightest when piloting something.

When Gilbert finally gave up on sword wrestling and created distance, the Count didn’t pursue him, allowing him space.

“Not bad at all.”

“Huff…”

Catching his breath, which had risen to his chin, Gilbert raised his sword. This would likely be their final clash. The fact that he had managed to maintain the duel this long was only possible because the Count had been holding back.

But seeing how the Count’s aura changed the moment Gilbert created distance, it was clear he intended to end the duel.

In that case, all Gilbert could do was give his best move.

His hands firmly gripped his sword. Though it had been an unwelcome duel, he had gained much from it. Depending on how he internalized these lessons, his swordsmanship could advance to the next level.

With renewed determination, Gilbert swung his sword at Count Tristitia once more, and was defeated.

It was his first defeat besides those to his master Briana, but it didn’t feel so bad.

***

Camilla, who had been watching the duel between Gilbert and her father, Count Tristitia, with bated breath, felt profound disappointment when it finally ended in Gilbert’s defeat. Not many people had performed so well against her father.

Considering Gilbert was around her age, his performance was arguably unparalleled. Even her three older brothers, hailed as the family’s rising stars, couldn’t avoid struggling against their father.

In comparison, Gilbert had fought valiantly and managed to lead the duel at times, even though her father had been holding back. What had started as a half-joking suggestion for Gilbert to duel had captivated her so completely that she hadn’t even noticed her palms sweating.

For such a duel to end in Gilbert’s defeat was truly disappointing.

I wanted him to win.

Though she knew it was greedy, she had hoped for Gilbert’s victory.

“Good work, Gilbert!”

Perhaps because of this, she personally brought over the towel and water prepared by the maids and offered them to Gilbert.

“Hmm…”

Gilbert accepted the towel and water with a somewhat disgruntled expression. Though she sensed her father and brothers glaring strangely from behind, Camilla paid them no mind.

For her, the most important thing was to express her admiration for the amazing duel Gilbert had just shown.

“You were really amazing back there! I couldn’t have imagined you’d attempt sword wrestling at that moment!”

“Was I?”

“Of course! Absolutely. Sword wrestling against Father, of all things! If someone who hadn’t seen the duel heard about it, they wouldn’t believe it!”

As she chattered enthusiastically beside Gilbert about his impressive performance, her father approached them.

“Ahem.”

“Ah, good work to you too, Father.”

Camilla briefly turned to acknowledge her father’s throat-clearing before returning her sparkling gaze to Gilbert. It was a perfect example of who currently held the top spot in her attention.

“It seems the duel was insufficient. What do you say to another round?”

“I’ll pass. I don’t have the strength to lift my sword anymore.”

Gilbert shook his head at the sight of Count Tristitia, whose eyes were blazing with fire. It was obvious that another duel now would seriously delay his return to Lituania territory.

“Oh, Father! Can I go with Gilbert now?”

“Well…”

“It’s fine, right?”

“No, Camilla. Your father is trying to—”

“Thank you!”

Camilla cut off the Count’s words and began cheering that she could accompany Gilbert. It was a moment when her “my pace” personality trait was in full display.

Gilbert, suddenly finding himself with a travel companion, felt a headache coming on. The piercing gazes from the Count and his three sons were uncomfortably intense.

Whether Camilla knew this or not, she simply beamed with excitement. Gilbert, looking at her bright smile, couldn’t help but sigh.

He had a strong feeling that their journey to Lituania territory would be anything but smooth.