episode_0012

“Wow, damn it. It hurts like hell.”

Thud.

The moment I used the technique, my wrist automatically twisted, resulting in a cry of pain.

All the techniques of the Merida-style swordsmanship are designed and developed based on Elven physiology.

In other words, there are techniques that are impossible to execute with a human body.

What would happen if I tried to forcibly use a technique that goes against my nature?

The answer is simple.

Push beyond the limits of the body and implement it by any means necessary.

Even if it means breaking my own wrist bones.

My wrist, swollen and throbbing painfully, feels like it’s about to burst.

“Did… Did I lose?”

Yerina still seems unable to believe her defeat, staring blankly into space.

Her face quickly flushes with embarrassment at the humiliating first loss.

“I was too careless.”

Even I feel a twinge of guilt in my conscience.

First, I pushed Yerina using the most advanced Dakia-style swordsmanship.

As Yerina starts to use the technique in confusion, the system window automatically pops up.

[Specialty ‘Frost Style (lv.1)’ has been granted.]

Successfully acquired the Frost-style swordsmanship.

Originally a specialty that could only be obtained through swordsmanship training from Yerina, it seems that sparring also counts as a form of training.

Thanks to copying the Frost-style technique, I was able to exploit Yerina’s weaknesses.

And unexpectedly finished with Elven swordsmanship.

“It wasn’t a fair fight from the start.”

While I knew everything about Yerina’s abilities and fought accordingly, she fought without knowing any of the three swordsmanship styles I employed.

Knowledge is power.

With such an overwhelming information gap, winning is possible despite the difference in skill levels.

“Why did you stop your sword midway?”

“…”

Quick on the uptake.

She immediately hits the nail on the head.

The fact that I stopped my sword in front of Yerina was not intentional.

It wasn’t a deliberate pause; it was simply due to the limited range of motion caused by my broken wrist.

Yerina suspects this but lacks certainty.

“Why didn’t you strike my face? You were told there’s a skilled healer…”

“I couldn’t bring myself to harm your face, my liege. It would be troublesome if it left a scar, wouldn’t it?”

“It wouldn’t! A scar on a humanoid’s body is a mark of honor!”

“I meant it would be troublesome for me. Every time I see your face, it pains my heart.”

“… ”

Silence.

Yerina absentmindedly bites her lip, her face turning crimson.

She seems to take the insult as a huge offense, unable to control the red and blue hues flooding her face.

Huh? Isn’t she feeling bad?

Seeing her ears droop back, it doesn’t seem like she’s upset.

“I have lost. Get treated and change your clothes. I will guide you to the banquet hall.”

“What banquet?”

“It’s a courtesy extended to guests who visit Pallana. We will provide exceptional hospitality during your stay, so please don’t decline.”

Yerina speaks in a cold tone, as if reluctantly offering.

There’s no reason to refuse her offer.

Plus, the travel expenses are covered, which is a bonus.

Yerina, now wearing her fur coat and crown again, passes by me and whispers.

“If you spread today’s sparring details, you won’t leave Pallana alive.”

“… ”

A shiver runs down my spine.

If I hadn’t fixed my gaze on the ground due to her eerie tone, I might not have noticed.

Yerina’s ears perk up, indicating satisfaction.

This means she’s in a very good mood.

“Sigh…”

Slowly, I begin to understand the situation.

Perhaps conquering Yerina might be easier than with any other heroine.

***

“Let’s calm down…”

Slap.

Yerina slaps her cheek, forcing herself to calm down.

She once declared she would marry someone stronger than me.

However, that doesn’t mean I have to marry the person who beat me in the duel.

It’s just that a potential candidate for marriage has emerged.

Since the other party also has their own thoughts and circumstances, it’s not right to force anything.

Moreover, the other party is not even a Suvian.

“That man doesn’t know anything anyway. What does it mean to have beaten me in the duel?”

Being from a different land, he wouldn’t know about the declaration I made before.

I even threatened to kill anyone who spread news of the duel results.

He probably thinks I’m some petty woman throwing a tantrum because I lost in the duel.

“Ugh, but I don’t want to…”

Sigh.

As my hand slowly descends from my face, it distorts all the makeup.

I’ll have to do it again.

Yujin was supposed to have arrived at the banquet hall a while ago.

Yet, Yerina, unable to muster the courage to look at his face again, unconsciously messed up and fixed her makeup repeatedly.

“You’re late.”

“…”

The spacious banquet hall.

Even amidst the chaos, he stood out.

An Injuk man sitting alone at a vacant table, enjoying the banquet.

He maintained the carefree expression she had seen during the day.

“Has everyone exchanged greetings? This is Yujin, who traveled all the way from the far southern continent to be here. Thanks to him, we are having this banquet after a long time, so please give him a round of applause.”

Yerina belatedly introduced him, and applause followed towards Yujin.

The royal family, known for their simplicity.

Unless there’s an important event or ceremony, banquets are rare.

As the applause from the hundreds gathered at the banquet hall subsided,

Yerina sat across from Yujin.

“I can’t help but feel overwhelmed by such a warm welcome.”

“It’s nothing to be burdened about, just enjoy it. You deserve this kind of treatment.”

After all, he is the only one who has defeated me in a duel.

Currently, he is the only candidate for marriage.

Although he is of a different race, no one knows what the future holds, so he cannot be treated lightly.

“So why did you come to Palar?”

“I came for sightseeing. I heard it’s a very beautiful place.”

“Even so, did you come all the way from the southern continent just for sightseeing? It seems like there might be another reason.”

“You’re perceptive. Actually, I came to find a bride. I heard there are many beautiful women here.”

“…”

Disappointed, Yerina let out a sigh.

Was she the type to reveal herself so easily?

As a potential marriage partner, she loses 10 points.

“So, were the rumors true?”

“Yes. They weren’t wrong. There were indeed many beautiful women, but I saw only one who fits my taste.”

“I see. Where is your hometown?”

It’s unknown whom you’ve fallen for.

Regardless of who it is, no woman in Palar will give in.

Yerina quickly changed the subject, expressing her dissatisfaction in real-time through her ears.

“It’s vague. I don’t have a place to call home. I wander around.”

“And your family?”

“My blood relatives are no longer in this world.”

“Oh dear. So, are you making a living with the sword skills you’ve learned?”

“Yes. I travel around, sometimes working as a bodyguard…”

The banquet (or rather, the investigation) continued for a while.

Nothing but questions that couldn’t be discarded.

With each question and answer, Yerina’s score on Yujin fluctuated.

A celestial orphan with no blood ties.

A commoner, but seems to have received quite an education.

Shows talent in swordsmanship.

No lover.

No hometown to return to.

Quite handsome. Well, actually, very.

‘I really don’t want to miss out on this…’

Except for the flaw of being an Injuk, almost every aspect was perfect.

A better marriage partner than this man would be hard to find, even if one searched throughout the entire continent.

This man had even defeated Yerina in a duel.

In truth, she might have been drawn to him from the moment they first met.

To the man who roamed the mountains with curious eyes.

To the man who drew his sword for a woman he had just met and faced a bear.

To the man who endured hypothermia to offer his cloak to a woman he had just met.

He seemed carefree but was as skilled with a sword as they come.

“If I let this person go, I may never get another chance.”

Perhaps a man who can defeat Yerina in a duel will not appear again in the future.

Even if one does appear, it will likely be when Yerina’s power starts to wane after surpassing her prime.

This opportunity is a one-time deal.

The perfect groom has appeared, except for being human.

This man must be captured.

Yerina’s ears trembled nervously.

“By the way, about the marriage proposal. I don’t plan on leisurely searching.”

“Huh? What do you mean?”

“It’s urgent. I want to find someone quickly and have the wedding soon.”

“Hehe. That might be difficult. Humans usually have long courtships before marriage. It’s said that humans often marry even without love.”

“Yes. That’s true for nobles. Commoners tend to have longer courtships like humans, though.”

“It’s fascinating how marriage customs vary by class. But may I ask why you’re so urgently looking for a marriage partner?”

“Well, you see…”

“Just a moment.”

Something felt off.

With her ears perked up, Yerina briefly excused herself to observe the atmosphere around Eugene.

People were chuckling while looking at the table where Eugene and Yerina sat.

Not just one or two, but the overall mood at the banquet was like that.

Seems like they are sharing an interesting story only known to them.

Yerina hastily called a servant to inquire about the situation.

“What’s going on?”

“Master, it seems like there’s a rumor circulating.”

“What kind of rumor?”

“It’s said that you deliberately lost in the duel because you wanted to marry a man named Eugene…”

“What, what did you say?!”

Yerina’s face turned pale in an instant.

The details of the duel leaked out?

There isn’t a single person among the guards or attendants who would disclose that.

So, the culprit is narrowed down to one.

“You! What will you do if false rumors spread?!”

Yerina slammed the table, her face turning red to the ears.

The noise echoed loudly, startling the guests into silence.

Yet Eugene remained focused on his food, nonchalantly speaking.

“I have no memory of spreading false rumors. I only mentioned that Lord Seri lost to me. The idea that I deliberately lost has been exaggerated.”

“I clearly stated that revealing the duel results would lead to death.”

“Must’ve slipped my mind. So, are you going to kill me for it?”

“······”

Eugene’s audacity left her speechless.

To casually disregard the warning of the absolute ruler here, saying he’ll be killed.

It’s clear he’s overstepping his bounds.

Or perhaps he sensed my goodwill?

But that couldn’t be.

I’ve always treated Eugene coldly, hiding any kindness.

“Thanks to you, my position has become very awkward! Now it seems like I’m admiring you!”

“That wasn’t my intention, I deeply apologize. Can I suggest a way to resolve this situation?”

“What is it?”

“Marry me.”

Yerina’s ears slowly drooped back.

The recent conversation replayed in her mind, fitting together.

Eugene urgently seeking a woman for marriage.

Eugene found a woman who perfectly matched his taste.

He just realized who they were referring to.

“Though you are not of noble birth, and I am not of the aristocracy, how about we follow the customs of the nobility this time? Since we’ve come this far, even if our love is somewhat lacking, let’s start with marriage…”

“M-Mimi! You crazy bastard!”

“My lord!”

Thud.

Amidst all eyes on her, Yerina, unable to bear the embarrassment, overturned the table with one hand, storming out in a huff.

Yerina’s tail swayed from side to side as she strode away from the dining table.

Meanwhile, Eugene remained seated quietly, waiting until the servants restored the table.

As the table was set back and food was served again, Eugene sat alone, leisurely resuming his meal.

It was a rare opportunity for an extraordinary feast, so he intended to enjoy it to the end before getting up.