episode_0041

The sense of déjà vu felt from Ropel… how he can occasionally use techniques that feel similar to Master Sargass is still a mystery.

Even if I ask him directly, a clear answer doesn’t come out because it’s a situation he himself isn’t aware of.

…Perhaps this could be one breakthrough for him to win against Mark, so I must uncover the reason soon.

Deep in thought, I furrowed my brow and entered my room in the inn.

But there, a completely unexpected person appeared at an unexpected time.

Though he had pulled up his hood to hide his identity, I could tell who he was by his presence.

The man whose strength I had once admired and shown respect for, actively approaching him and seeking camaraderie together.

It was Mark Visus.

“Nice to meet you, Seraphina. This is the first time we’ve met since that day, isn’t it?”

“…How did you know I was here.”

“That’s rather what I want to ask. The daughter of a ducal family, moreover, the only daughter of Serion, walked around the city without hiding her identity.

Did you really think no one would find you?”

“Then what brings you here?”

“Hmm, but indeed, this place seems to have too many eyes watching and ears listening for a conversation.

In my experience, places like this aren’t well soundproofed.”

He snapped his fingers, and a black sphere like darkness emerged, surrounding Mark.

It was as if it were completely cut off from the outside world; only my voice and his echoed, and no other sounds could be heard.

“..!? What is this?”

“It’s a technique I learned recently. To be precise, you could call it magic.”

“Magic..?”

“Yes, magic.

Though it’s true I’m busy training in swordsmanship with Master, conversely, I have quite a lot of time left when resting my tired body.

After swordsmanship training, fatigue only accumulates in the body, but my mind is unexpectedly sharp.

Just in time, among the elders who showed interest in me, there was one well-versed in magic. Thanks to that, I was able to learn a few useful spells.

This is one of them.

It’s not very refined or strong, but it’s best understood as a magic spell that prevents disturbances from the surroundings.

It’s something I found out recently. It seems I, of all people, had talent in magic as well?

Ah, but rest assured. ‘For now,’ I am completely devoted to your Serion family, and to Master.”

“..Stop talking nonsense and get to the point.”

“The reason I came to find you like this today is to make a kind of recommendation.”

“A recommendation?”

“Yes, I happened to hear about it. It seems you returned the letter that my Master, your father, graciously sent last time, just as it was.”

“What about it?”

“I won’t say much. Come back to your family, even now.

While I still like you.”

My teeth clenched at his tone, and I couldn’t help but scrunch up my face.

And before I knew it, I provoked him.

“…Do you want to avoid a duel with him that much? You must be quite afraid of Ropel, huh?”

The effect of the provocation was greater than expected.

Mark drew his greatsword at invisible speed and lunged at me.

Even though he suddenly swung his sword, I was able to parry it.

I continued exchanging blows, blocking his consecutive attacks while targeting the weaknesses of Serion swordsmanship that I had newly learned, and leveraging the skill I had built through intense training.

For a moment, albeit just a moment, I was able to put up a good fight.

At this, Mark also frowned and grimaced for a moment.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

“Kuk…!”

But still, the more we exchanged swords, my knees bent, I couldn’t advance, and was pushed back further and further.

Because in a situation where we used the same swordsmanship, the difference in talent was clear.

Ultimately, with a final sharp impact sound from his attack, I rolled on the floor and swallowed dust.

“Indeed, you are quite stubborn, just as Master said.

I wish you’d realize that you’re making things complicated because of that personality.”

“Kreuk… Haa…”

My pupils dilated, my muscles tensed, and breathing was difficult.

Just allowing one blow, and it’s this much..?

“…But it would be a lie to say I’m not surprised.

I can’t believe you’ve narrowed the skill gap this much already, it hasn’t even been that long since that day.

Indeed, you deserve to be praised as having the most outstanding talent among the bloodline of the Serion family throughout history.”

“Haa… Haa…”

My breathing still wasn’t smooth, and sour liquid came up into my mouth.

“Anyway, you understand now, don’t you? The difference between you and me alone is this much in skill.

But what about that guy, Ropel, who is only at the level of barely exchanging blows with you now?

How long can that guy possibly hold out against me?

And you think I’m afraid of that guy?

The reason I, Master, and your father are doing this is purely to avoid troublesome matters.

It’s not because we’re mindful of that guy named Ropel.

And this will be a pretty good opportunity for you too.

An opportunity to shake off a hopeless rookie.

How about drawing a line with that kind of talentless small fry while you’re at it?”

Upon hearing those words, even though I couldn’t regain my posture, I struggled to find my footing and stood up.

Training alongside him, I was able to learn many things from him.

And he… is the only man who protected me in that desperate situation.

Hearing such an insult to him, I couldn’t possibly tolerate it.

I widened my eyes and glared at the man before me.

“…Now..! Take… those words back…!”

“…This is troublesome..”

Mark suddenly struck my abdomen with his leg, making me kneel again.

A groan burst from my lips again.

“You know what, Seraphina? Frankly, I don’t like that guy named Ropel.

So, last time, I made one promise as a condition for accepting the duel.

The condition that no responsibility would be asked of me, no matter what ‘accident’ occurred.”

Now even my legs won’t move properly.

All I could do was merely give him a look filled with hatred.

“Actually, I plan to utterly break that guy, Ropel, out of personal feelings.

I plan to break his arms and legs one by one in order, and leave him with aftereffects so severe he won’t be able to stand properly on his own later.

Or perhaps it would be good to take care of his fingers so he can’t even return to the magic department at all.”

Along with Mark’s words, the image of Ropel collapsing came to mind.

His figure slowly having his limbs cut off and being subdued in a dueling ground like an execution site, and finally collapsing in a ghastly state after cruel torment.

“But since I am merciful, I want to refrain from such cruel acts as much as possible.

So, finally, at the very last moment, I will give you a final chance.

Tell Ropel yourself, with your own mouth. Tell him that he has no chance of winning whatsoever, so he should give up and withdraw beforehand.

If you do that, I won’t touch that guy too severely either.

You will also be able to return to your family’s embrace without anything happening.”

The black curtains surrounding us distorted and blurred.

“..By the way, as expected, this is a spell I haven’t learned long, so it’s hard to maintain for a long time.

Then, I’ll be leaving now. Remember well what happened today and think it over carefully.

Seraphina, I’m sure you’ll know what a wise judgment is.”

After he left like that, only I remained in the room.

Only I, who was merely kneeling and barely breathing.

….Many thoughts came to mind.

About Mark’s figure, who was predictably but still impossibly strong, and my own figure, which was still incompetent.

After training so much that I coughed up blood, is this all I can do..?

..And am I also… only being a burden to him…?

Thinking back, I had always only received help from him, from Ropel.

Even though he knew he gained nothing from me.

He was warmly opening his heart.

Leaning on his kind and sweet words that simply said ‘it’s okay,’ I hadn’t noticed.

No, to think about it more honestly, perhaps I had been ignoring it myself until now.

The fact that I am simply, of no help to anyone.

Thus, worries and internal conflict continued endlessly.

…What ‘Cold Rose of the Knight Faculty’?

It is an epithet that students arbitrarily gave me, who always maintained a poker face and a cold-hearted attitude.

Expression and

In the end, being unable to find any answers is no different from the countless minnows out there, isn’t it?

Minnows who only rely on others, even if they cannot solve problems themselves.

If so, then there is indeed only one method set for me.

At the very least, I must prevent someone from being hurt because of me.

That is, because it must be a knight’s duty.

That is, because it must be the last act of repayment I can do.

…Now, let’s say goodbye to him too.

. . .

As expected, today too, he was sweating at the same spot, wildly casting magic into the air along with intense exercise.

He is undertaking his training, giving his best as always.

For me, who could give him nothing.

…Me□ru is not visible.

Certainly, normally, she would have stopped me as I approached Ropel and spewed venomous words.

While I was thinking such thoughts, Ropel, who had spotted me, came over to me.

“Ah, hello Seraphina!

Are you perhaps looking for Meiru? Unfortunately, she said it seems it will be hard for her to visit for a while because she is very busy.

Well, for starters, I’m already immensely grateful and thankful enough just for the help she’s given me until now.”

Is that so.

Now, here, is it only me and him, just the two of us?

…That’s why I should tell him now.

“Ropel Teufel, I declare one thing to you.”

“..Huh?”

“This duel, concede.”