Chapter 171

“ Wise words, I agree. ”

I readily nodded.

Because I already knew who my opponent would be.

It wouldn’t be fitting for him to use a mere knight to humiliate me.

A noble’s pride was at stake.

So he had to put forward a worthy opponent.

And the only one worthy was Arhin, the heir to the Cavern family.

“ Haha, I see you have a bold side.”

Marquis Cavern said those words, but he looked a bit surprised.

It was clearly a proposal for a duel.

It seemed like he hadn’t expected me to readily accept it.

Well, even if it’s a duel, getting hit hurts, and losing is both painful and humiliating.

The original Max would have cowered and backed out.

But I’m different.

I’m not afraid of duels, and I see a path to victory.

“ De-Dear…Even if you say so…”

The Countess, worried, tried to ask her husband for help, her voice trembling.

But Count Celtrine had a different opinion.

“…Let’s trust him.”

“ What?”

“ I’ve never seen him volunteer, with such confidence. He must be confident in his skills.”

He might have just been a background character, a noble with little importance, in the game, but the more I interact with him, the more I realize how remarkable he is.

Count Celtrine…

This is who he is.

“ Bu-But…”

“ And Regina is also calmly observing. He’ll be fine.”

What?

Calling his son’s fiancee, “Regina”?

…Come on, even if they’re awkward, isn’t this a bit too much?

I barely managed to hold back my urge to complain.

Anyway, Count Celtrine’s persuasion worked, and the Countess closed her mouth, clasping her hands together.

Her face was still full of worry, but she was willing to trust me.

“ Then since we’ve reached an agreement, shall we move and continue elsewhere? ”

Marquis Cavern suggested.

“ As you wish, Marquis. Let’s head to the training grounds.”

Count Celtrine got up.

* * *

The Celtrine family training ground.

It’s my first time here.

Well, how many places in this world *aren’t* new to me?

‘ Decent.’

An outdoor space, where you could see the clear blue sky.

The soil was well-maintained.

Weapons and armor were neatly organized on one side.

And…

Snap!

“ Sir! ”

Knights saluted in unison, their movements sharp.

Celtrine knights.

‘ Hmm, not bad.’

The Celtrines, a merchant family, far removed from the world of martial arts.

So I thought their soldiers and knights wouldn’t be well-disciplined.

But they’re decent.

At least, they’re about average.

“ Haha, you’ve trained them well. ”

Marquis Cavern said with a smile.

Words uttered from a position of superiority.

But no one here felt offended.

Because of Marquis Cavern’s status?

No.

They understood.

That the skill gap between the Celtrine knights and the Cavern knights accompanying the Marquis was immense.

The knights of the Iron Wall Marquis, were the best in the East, forged in the fires of countless battles.

On the other hand, the Celtrine knights…had probably never experienced a real battle, living in the peaceful central region.

“ They’re still lacking.”

Count Celtrine responded humbly.

He wasn’t just being modest, it was true.

“ No, no. They’ll continue to improve.”

Marquis Cavern said, stroking his beard.

“ By the way, what a lovely day. Perfect for enjoying the fiery spirit of youth.”

At that moment…

I could feel the Celtrine knights getting tense.

They must have realized that Marquis Cavern was suggesting a duel.

They probably thought it was going to be a spar between them and the Cavern knights.

It was a natural assumption, considering the circumstances.

I stepped forward, grinning.

“ I agree. It’s perfect weather for warming up.”

Bewilderment was etched on the Celtrine knights’ faces.

They must have been thinking, ‘ Did he eat something bad? Why is he suddenly acting like this?’

“ Haha, warming up, you say? Are you being nonchalant, or are you just that confident? ”

“ It’s just youthful energy.”

I smiled faintly.

“ Alright. Step forward, Arhin.”

“ Yes, Grandfather.”

Arhin came forward.

My opponent was him, as expected.

‘ Heh, he didn’t want to return empty-handed, huh?’

The Iron Wall Marquis, a figure representing the East, had personally made this visit.

And he even came with his knights and soldiers, in a grand display of power.

To return without any gain would be detrimental to his reputation.

If I had refused his proposal, he probably would have insisted on a spar between the knights.

He had the power to apply that much pressure.

‘ He must have been planning to break our spirit before the Ernbert sword.’

Regina is the best sword of the Ernbert family and the future daughter-in-law of the Celtrine family.

It would be a definite gain if he could break the Celtrines’ spirit before her.

At least, he wouldn’t be returning empty-handed.

But…

‘ I saw through your plans, old man.’

I’m going to protect my family’s honor.

My fiancee is Regina Ernbert, and my family’s ally is the Ernbert family.

Not the Cavern family.

“ Young master Arhin. A worthy opponent.”

I stared at Arhin.

“ No, a terrible opponent. For you.”

Arhin smirked.

“ I’ll return those words to you.”

“ You pitiful fool, living in your dreams. I’ll show you the harsh reality.”

“ Try me.”

We clashed with words, before even drawing our weapons.

It’s…a bit childish, but this is…strangely entertaining.

“ Enough. Your bodies will do the talking.”

Marquis Cavern intervened.

* * *

“…Do you honestly think this makes any sense?”

One of the Celtrine knights whispered to Hank, the captain of the knights.

“ No, it doesn’t.”

Hank said bluntly.

This had nothing to do with his loyalty to the Celtrine family.

Reality is reality.

He was looking at the good-for-nothing son of the Celtrine family.

And his opponent…

“ The Cavern Tiger.”

The Cavern Tiger…

A nickname given to Arhin by pirates, out of fear, based on how he fiercely rampaged on the frontlines, like a wild beast.

“ He’s going to be strong…”

“ Of course he is. Honestly, even I…Ahem.”

Hank swallowed his words.

He was in a position of authority, he couldn’t express weakness before his subordinates.

But even Hank considered this matchup disadvantageous.

He didn’t feel like he had any advantage in terms of physique, age, skill level, or even experience.

“ But why did he volunteer? Knowing it’s a hopeless situation? Is he…taking our place?”

“ Come on, you think *he* would? ”

Hank dismissed it as if it was absurd.

“ Anyway, keep your expressions under control. The Count and the Countess are watching. Think of something sad when that guy gets beaten up, okay?”

“ I can already picture my deceased parents.”

(TLN: oof )

“ Good, that’s the spirit. And if any of you even smile, even accidentally, when that guy gets hit, I’ll kill you. Pass it on.”

“ Yes, sir!”

……The Celtrine knights had unique orders.

* * *

“…Dear…”

Isabel held Count Celtrine’s hand tightly.

“ He’ll be fine. Let’s believe in our son.”

“ But young master Arhin’s reputation…”

“ Our son is the second-best student in his year at the top academy.”

“ Th-That’s true…but…”

Isabel looked at him as if to say, “Isn’t that from getting good grades?”

In her mind, her son was a scholar.

Count Celtrine shook his head.

“ I heard that Lepheria Academy was founded with the principle of fostering well-rounded individuals, proficient in both literary and martial arts.”

“…Is that so?”

“ And Regina is calmly observing, isn’t she? ”

“ You’re saying that again?”

“ Haha, well, it’s natural for Regina to have a better eye than a mere commoner like me.”

Count Celtrine chuckled.

“ You’re right, Mother.”

Liss supported her father.

(TLN: reese is going back to liss ….oops)

“ Hmm?”

“ My sister-in-law is amazing and…scary.”

Isabel looked as if to say, “ What does that have to do with anything?”

“ And my brother is a snake, you know? Or an owl, maybe.”

A snake, because he’s full of cunning.

An owl, because he hides his true nature, and it suddenly shows, just like how owls suddenly turn their heads.

“ A-A snake? And what’s this about an owl? ”

Isabel looked horrified.

“You’ll see when you watch.”

Liss looked the most relaxed out of her family members.

“ Oh, it’s starting.”

As she said, the duel was about to begin.

* * *

The Cavern Spear.

I know it well.

It’s famous, after all.

If the Kingdom has the Benesse Spear, the Empire has the Cavern Spear.

A family representing the spear techniques of the Empire.

It’s that renowned, so how could I avoid encountering it while playing the game?

I’ve clashed with it countless times.

Almost half the time as enemies in the civil war.

‘ Especially this guy.’

Arhin Cavern, the Cavern Tiger.

He’s always on the frontlines, rampaging, so I’ve fought him countless times.

I admit it.

He’s valiant.

Strong physically, and skilled.

But here’s the thing…

I know him well.

Every single technique, even down to his small habits.

On the other hand…

‘ He doesn’t know me at all.’

This is a huge advantage.

And he’s being careless.

He’s looking down on me, like I’m an ant.

He has no idea I have teeth sharp enough to bite a tiger.

“ Come at me. ”

I beckoned with my hand, provoking him.

“ Hmph, attacking first against as heir of the Cavern family? Preposterous.”

Arhin scoffed.

He must think that attacking first would be beneath him, considering my “standing”.

Well, then I’ll just have to go to him.

I twirled the wooden sword in my hand.

Acting like a flashy, inexperienced kid, with no substance.

I’ll end it in the beginning.

A counter attack, while he’s being careless, and it’s over.

“ What a clown.”

Arhin clicked his tongue and sneered.

Right, keep thinking that way.

I walked towards him.

But instead of attacking directly, I circled him.

Acting as if I was looking for an opening.

“ Stop showing off, and come at me. You’re going to lose anyway.”

“ Shut up! ”

I snapped back and charged.

A downward swing, with some power behind it.

And…

“ Slow.”

Arhin dodged it effortlessly, as if it was a joke.

‘ He was going to do that, of course.’

He was planning to toy with me before ending it.

Humiliating me by dodging my attacks effortlessly.

“ Damn it!”

I deliberately acted frustrated, swinging my sword with more force.

The typical, inexperienced kid who puts too much strength into his body, blinded by rage.

Thank you, Academy,

…for making me a master of acting.

Whizz!

Whizz!

Whizz!

“ Hyaa! ”

I roared, swinging my sword fiercely.

But…

Arhin dodged every single one of my attacks, effortlessly, like a butterfly.

“ Heh, that’s all? ”

He added a sneer, just to rub it in.

“ You talk too much! All you’re good at is hiding behind your men! ”

“ Pffft, think whatever you want.”

Arhin shrugged nonchalantly.

“ Shut up!”

I yelled, completely enraged, and charged at him again.

A barrage of attacks, as if I’d abandoned all strategy.

Again, acting like an inexperienced kid.

Pointless attacks…only draining my stamina.

And a tired, exhausted body would be an easy prey.

“ Huff…huff…”

Eventually, I stopped, gasping for air.

“ Haha, what’s wrong? Tired already?”

“ Sh…shut…huff…up…huff…Th-That…huff…would never…huff, huff…”

“ Tsk, tsk, this is boring. Let’s end this.”

Arhin twirled his spear.

That gesture alone…I could see what he was going to do.

Or rather, I had anticipated it beforehand.

He would finish me off with his most flashy technique, being the representative of the Cavern family.

‘ Petal Thrust.’

A flashy consecutive thrusting technique, part of the Cavern Spear Technique, said to be able to cut countless falling petals with a single strike.

It’s a very flashy and powerful technique, but I knew its weakness.

His first thrust.

If you can block that properly, his posture crumbles, and the second thrust never comes.

‘ You’re finished, bastard.’

I smirked inwardly, getting into position.

I only made a slight adjustment to my footing, so he wouldn’t notice.

Well, even if he did, he probably wouldn’t have cared.

“ Fall and realize the difference between you and me, an insurmountable gap, you arrogant bastard.”

Whizz!

The air split.

Now!

Thump!

I kicked off the ground.

My sword moved upwards with a speed that was incomparable to before.

The executioner’s powerful strike.

Clang!

“ What? ”

Arhin’s spear, which was about to pierce my chest, was flung upwards by my powerful strike.

A wide-open gap.

Miss this, and I might as well die.

“ The Empire’s Eight Forms are enough for you.”

Sixth Form, Seventh Form, Eighth Form.

Double Slash, Triple Slash, Quintuple Slash.

Thwack, thwack!

“ Ugh! ”

Thwack, thwack, thwack!

“ Khhuck! ”

Thwack, thwack, thwack, thwack, thwack!

“ Uhhh! ”

I beat Arhin mercilessly, as if to release all my pent-up frustration.

And finally…

“ Ugh…”

He lost consciousness and collapsed.

And the training ground…

“…”

…was filled with shocked gazes, eyes wide open, and silence.

(TLN: good news everyone you will be getting 8 bonus chapt split between this week and the next one 3 sponsored and 5 cause I finally got a laptop thx to your support enjoy oh and today you get three i forgot to post a bonus chap yesterday :p)