Damn it

Occasional violent sounds envelop the surroundings.

And indistinguishable noises, whether it’s the roar of a beast or a person’s scream, continue to erupt one after another.

Thud!

“Cough!”

The light sound of hitting flesh finally transforms into the sound of something hard breaking.

Demián’s groans become even more desperate in response to this change.

“Aaah!!”

Although the voice is pitiful enough to make one stop, Evan’s assault showed no sign of stopping.

Like a craftsman hammering a drum, he relentlessly swung his fist, striking Demián’s entire body.

“Oh, brother! Please stop…! Please stop hitting me!”

“Do you want to take the hits for him?”

“Ugh!”

It was less of a fight and more of a one-sided assault.

Demián did not resist, but even if he tried, what could he do with his inferior strength? All he could do was continue to whimper and groan as he received the blows.

Evan stopped swinging his fist and assumed a rock-paper-scissors stance again.

Demián, who had just regained his composure, slowly got up.

“Ugh, you’re really crazy…!”

“Again. Rock. Paper.”

“What, what…? Is this crazy bastard…!”

“Scissors.”

“Aaah!”

The occasional game of rock-paper-scissors was a prelude to indiscriminate violence and unexpected terror.

Despite trembling in fear, the punches continued.

“Again. Rock. Paper.”

“Crack! I-I showed paper! I showed paper…! Ugh…! Please, just stop now….”

This situation, where the weak Evan mercilessly prevailed, was frustrating.

But there was no room for complaint.

All Demián wished for in his mind was for this pain to end even for a moment. Any other thoughts were a luxury.

“I-I won, so please stop hitting me….”

“What are you talking about. My fist beats paper too.”

Evan struck Demián’s offered paper with his fist.

“Aaah!”

“Ugh! Brother! Ugh!”

Karen’s words from the past, torturing Mine, came to mind.

It’s not a successful torture until the person asks to be killed rather than saved.

At that time, he had expressed disgust, but deep down, he understood.

“Ugh! I was wrong…. Please spare me….”

From that perspective, Demián had not yet received enough punishment.

If they stopped now, he would surely come crawling back later. So, it was better to cut him off completely to prevent any future rebellion.

“Enough!”

Unfortunately, a man barged in, and the commotion came to an end.

It was a knight with the crest of the Lorenz family on his shoulder.

“What in the world is going on here!”

Knight Harold of the Lorenz family denied the scene before his eyes.

At first glance, it seemed like Evan was beating Demián, but how?

The knight was shocked, but he immediately checked on the fallen Demián.

‘…Did Sir Evan really defeat Lord Demián?’

Despite Demián’s character flaws, his skill was undeniable.

Having trained and gained experience for years, Demián possessed a strength that surpassed that of a squire.

On the other hand, Evan was weak.

With fair and delicate skin, he was slender despite reaching adulthood.

Of course, compared to five years ago, he had transformed from a chick to a phoenix, but that change only highlighted his past weakness.

This change alone could not explain how he defeated Demián.

Harold glanced at Evan with a stern gaze.

Coincidentally, Evan was also looking at Harold, and their eyes met naturally.

‘What is that look in his eyes?’

Harold is a top-notch knight in the family, among the best of the best.

Those who have awakened their magic can sense the opponent’s power without even clashing swords.

It’s about feeling the aura of magic.

Although Harold’s weakness could be subtly perceived, Evan is facing him smartly without flinching.

Distrust filled Harold’s gaze.

In response to his gaze, Evan tilted his head slightly.

“Oh, are you doing this, Master Evan?”

“Don’t you know if you look?”

“….”

Harold furrowed his brows.

After a moment, with a hint of restrained anger in his eyes, he glared at Evan.

“Do you know what Master Evan has done? Depending on the situation, it could lead to punishment, or even compensation from the family.”

“What nonsense. We were just fooling around and he got slightly hurt. It’s just a minor incident that can be overlooked.”

Harold glanced towards Erika, and she nervously nodded her head.

Then, in a trembling voice, she reported the recent situation.

“Miss, please take Lord Damian to the healer.”

“Uh, okay!”

Grumbling, Erika carried Damian and disappeared.

Harold watched her retreating figure before turning his gaze towards Evan.

“It’s better to answer truthfully. Master Evan.”

The atmosphere suddenly changed. Harold questioned Evan sharply.

“Even with overlapping evidence and circumstances, will you still be stubborn? If it were me, I would have asked for forgiveness first.”

“Is that so? Ask for forgiveness as much as you want. Until your hands wear out.”

“…This is not a situation to joke about.”

A huge magical power emanated from Harold’s surroundings.

Evan faced that oppressive magical aura head-on, remaining calm.

‘Hmm. Impressive.’

Harold didn’t show any surprise at the amazing display.

“The matter is serious. If Master Evan does not admit his mistake, I cannot do anything. I am saying that I could personally punish Master Evan.”

“You’re going to punish me?”

“Yes. It may be an overbearing statement, but that’s the truth. So, let’s try to resolve this amicably by apologizing.”

Evan twisted his face as if amazed. Then, he approached Harold.

“Let’s do it. If you can.”

“…Are you serious?”

Evan raised his sword. His actions clearly showed his intentions, and Harold narrowed his eyes.

“Hmph. I won’t tolerate this any longer.”

“If you want to come to your senses only after seeing blood.”

The situation became troublesome, but he couldn’t just stand by and watch that arrogant attitude.

Perhaps a little cooperation would be fine. Harold raised his sword.

Swish!

Immediately, Harold’s sword moved towards Evan’s shoulder.

As if expecting it from the beginning, Evan effortlessly blocked the attack without exerting much force.

Clang!

The clash of the swords created a sharp metallic sound.

Harold took a step back reflexively, adjusting his grip on the sword.

“!”

It was only after stepping back that Harold realized what had happened.

Why? It wasn’t a force that pushed him back. It was a movement executed instinctively, not consciously.

Huff

A tingling sensation remained in his hand.

It was the shock from when he had struck down with Adamentium in the past.

Harold looked at his sword in astonishment. The sword he had just polished yesterday had a dent in it after just one strike.

“Are you seeing through my moves?”

Evan’s sword disappeared with a flash.

An attack aimed at the armpit seam. Harold, who barely read the trajectory, twisted his body.

Clang! With a sharp sound, a follow-up attack followed. The armor, which had been pristine, now bore scratches.

“Kuk!”

It was hard to believe, almost impossible to see.

Harold’s eyes rolled without pause. Instead of counterattacking, he continued to move with a sense of urgency.

He managed to dodge the attack aimed at the seam, but the scratches on his armor gradually increased.

For a moment, a chill ran down his spine. He realized Evan’s intentions too late.

The thought of avoiding the attack was a misconception. Evan was only pretending to deliver a fatal blow. As if to demonstrate the difference in skill.

Swordsmanship is both offense and defense.

A swordsman who can only defend is third-rate, while one who focuses only on offense is second-rate.

Harold prided himself on being a first-rate knight, but in front of Evan, he felt a sense of shame that he couldn’t even be third-rate.

Grit. His teeth clenched.

“I tried to play it cool.”

From that moment on, a hazy light emanated from Harold’s sword.

The essence of a knight. Some say the measure of a knight’s skill is not in swordsmanship, but in essence.

No matter how skilled a swordsman is, they cannot withstand a sword strike imbued with essence. Unless the opponent also possesses essence.

A blue sword slashed towards Evan.

At the moment when Evan’s sword faced the essence sword, a blue light also appeared on the sword he held.

“What?!”

This was impossible.

Even veteran knights find it difficult to imbue essence into a sword. What was happening with Evan’s sword was several times more advanced.

“How did the essence flow so quickly?!”

The essence flowed into Evan’s sword in an instant.

Almost immediately, the process was skipped, and the completed result appeared.

“Tsk!”

Harold added strength to the sword he held, drawing a straight line towards Evan’s chest.

Whoosh!

But what was this?

The blue essence that had been infused into Evan’s sword disappeared in an instant. No light or magic could be felt.

As a result, Evan couldn’t parry Harold’s attack.

Kwah!

The sensation that traveled through his hand was heavy. He had been hit head-on.

Without realizing it, Evan’s body was sent flying.

In a flash, Evan’s body bounced off the wall.

Harold stared blankly at the fallen Evan.

“W-what?”

Instead of feeling joy at his victory, he was filled with questions.

Why? Perhaps the essence-infused sword had surpassed his own.

But why? Why did the completed essence disappear in an instant?

“Ugh! Why is this happening to me all of a sudden!”

“…?”

“I… I said I was sorry… Let’s talk it out… Cough!”

The confident look in his eyes had disappeared, replaced by a terrified Evan.

He continued to apologize, grabbing Harold’s ankle and begging for mercy.

What is going on?

Harold furrowed his brow at Evan’s sudden change in attitude.

What is his motive? Is this a ploy to deceive and catch him off guard?

As he pondered this, he heard a voice.

“E-Evan! Are you okay!”

“Heo! Sir Harold! What the hell is going on here!?”

The loud voices of men erupting from behind.

Harold reflexively turned his head to look at the source.

“…Huh?”

Dozens of knights came into view.

And at the center stood Viscount Laurent and Rebecca Laurent.

Beside them, Viscountess Elaine and Aisha Elaine glared at him as if they wanted to kill him.

“How dare that bastard…! What is he doing! Drag him out this instant!”

“Kuweeek!!!”

Evan, screaming like a man about to die, once again spilled blood like a fountain.

“E-Evan, sir. Isn’t that a bit much…?”

*Cough! Kuweeek!*

“W-why are you suddenly acting like this…?”

Harold looked back and forth between the knights surrounding him and Evan.

Then, with a short sigh, a realization escaped his lips.

“Ah.”

A sigh of enlightenment. He finally understood.

This was all part of that bastard’s scheme.

“…Damn.”

As Harold let out a deep breath and closed his eyes, he sensed it.

I am screwed right now.