episode_0042

I wonder if today is a special day.

If not, it must be the wrath of God.

“That’s not the case.”

Today is an exceptionally ordinary day, and it seems unlikely that I have earned the wrath of God, as I am living a righteous life these days.

That’s why I couldn’t understand it even more.

The prince’s dinner invitation and the sparring with the prince’s bodyguard.

It was beyond comprehension how two major events that one might experience once in a lifetime would both occur on the same day.

But come to think of it, both events are somehow related to the prince.

“I don’t feel comfortable about this.”

He is undoubtedly a good person, but there’s something subtly unsettling about him.

Well, what difference does it make if I, a mere court painter, find him unsettling?

Anyway, it seems unlikely that we will become close in the future. Publicly, perhaps, but never privately.

*Sigh*.

After exhaling these thoughts, I cleared my mind.

As I opened my eyes, lifting my head, I saw Aaron standing in a respectful posture.

Facing him like this, I felt many things that I hadn’t sensed in the study.

Things that I could understand because I too am learning the sword.

How much effort he has put in, how sincerely he thinks about the sword.

Even his faint desire to protect the prince.

Certainly, his father’s teachings must have been a great help to him.

*Bow*.

Aaron and I bowed to each other. It was a gesture of courtesy before engaging in a sword fight.

Watching us, our father spoke as we raised our heads simultaneously.

“I believe the rules have been thoroughly explained. I will not intervene from now on.”

There is only one rule.

To make your opponent surrender is victory.

It doesn’t matter what methods are used in the process.

You can punch, kick, or use a dagger.

Using tricks is also acceptable.

It was a rule that was very much like our father.

Valuing life over honor, prioritizing victory over nobility. Not being arrogant about the sword, but seeing it solely as a tool.

That was our father’s knightly code, which made him stronger than anyone else.

And that father had thought so.

This duel, whether it would help me or Aaron, or perhaps both.

The small hope was truly grateful but also weighed heavily.

So, I drew my sword. However it goes, all I can do is my best.

In the sparkling light, a face reflected in the blade.

Inside the sword, I was quite tense.

It was the first duel I had experienced other than with my father, and Luna happened to be watching it.

Even if regret comes later, I hope to stand confidently in front of Luna.

I hope to be able to smile dejectedly, saying that I did my best but it wasn’t enough.

That should be enough for me.

As I was organizing my thoughts like that, he drew his sword.

A sharp, piercing blade was revealed to the world.

At the moment when tension seemed to be released, a full silence filled with vitality flowed.

My father said,

“I won’t interfere.”

In other words, it meant that we make our own beginning and end.

Thud-.

Feet struck the ground. Footprints were engraved on the flat earth, and dust flew.

Under the force condensed beyond limits, the body shot out like an arrow.

The flesh was already reinforced with aura.

The scenery quickly receded into the corner of my vision.

At the same time, Aaron’s figure grew larger.

He raised the sword high and then swung it down forcefully.

Aaron also swung his sword in response to my attack.

Kwung-!

A dull sound that could not be considered as the clash of swords echoed.

The surrounding air rushed out as if exploding.

He looked quite surprised.

I was stronger than expected.

However, there was no exchange of conversation.

To be precise, there was no room for conversation.

Thud-! Thunk-!

With each clash of swords, the air tore and roared.

As I swung the sword to cut him, his sword came at me to strike.

It wasn’t just a sword to win the duel.

It was a sword wielded to survive in a battle for life.

And that was also the same.

We were both desperately striving for something.

Heavy.

His sword was so heavy.

I bravely started the attack, but soon began to be pushed back.

It was the price of starting later than others.

I became aware of my Ora, and it hasn’t even been a month yet.

I trained with even greater intensity than usual, but it was absolutely lacking in terms of time.

Still, the fact that I could do this much is probably because I had an excellent teacher.

Kwoong!

Aaron’s upward strike made my body sway greatly. As my arm rose, my upper body was fully exposed.

Moreover, due to the strong upward strike, I couldn’t immediately wield my sword.

I could say I avoided the worst, but the fact remained that the opportunity was in his hands.

However, giving up was out of the question.

I kept my eyes on his movements until the end.

“It’s the right foot.”

The stepping motion, shift of weight, stance—every condition indicated that he would kick with his right foot.

And that prediction proved to be exactly right.

His right foot left the ground and headed towards me.

But…

Tuk-.

Having anticipated where and what kind of attack would come, it wasn’t difficult to respond.

I exerted force despite losing my balance and lightly pushed his right thigh with my left foot.

As a result, the foot that was aiming for my empty side fell awkwardly to the ground.

Seizing the opportunity, I quickly distanced myself.

“If it had hit, it would have been over.”

The opponent is a skilled Ora user. One kick is enough to knock me down.

While I caught my breath, Aaron blinked with the sword in hand, seemingly trying to figure out what had happened.

Perhaps this is his first experience.

But for me, this is more familiar.

“Because I’m a troublemaker.”

When people drink, they easily show their emotions, and as a result, fights break out.

Just like the arguments Luna and I had.

So, what did I, who frequented the tavern every day and lived as a troublemaker, do?

Of course, I experienced fights hundreds of times over.

Sometimes barehanded, sometimes holding a broken bottle, and sometimes facing a guy wielding a sword.

I smashed them barehanded.

It was an unreasonable reason not to bend my pride.

Anyway, that’s how it was.

I may not know how to block with a sword or counterattack, but when it comes to barehanded combat, it’s different.

It was not an attack at the level of a father, but he had confidence that he would not yield to anyone if it was similar.

Even afterwards, the confrontation continued for a while with a similar feeling.

Clashing swords, whenever there was an opening, he used all sorts of techniques to attack the guy. Overturning, leg sweeping, kicking, he didn’t hesitate to use any means and methods.

It was embarrassing to call it a swordsmanship training match.

However, the barrier known as the prince’s bodyguard was incredibly high.

At first, there was a feeling of some effectiveness, but he quickly adapted and reached the level of counterattacking.

He seemed to grow stronger during the battle. One might even think that calling him a monster wouldn’t be an exaggeration.

“Ugh-!”

“Urk-!”

Finally, I fell down after receiving a kick from him.

After the prolonged confrontation, I didn’t have the strength to get up anymore.

My chest was just rising and falling with rough breaths.

“Haa… haa… Are you going to… continue?”

Aaron looked down at me and asked.

His breathing was also quite rough. His whole body was soaked in sweat.

I wanted to try more several times, but my body just wouldn’t listen.

It’s a shame, but I have no choice but to admit defeat.

There are no second chances on the battlefield.

“I… lost….”

Upon hearing my answer, he slumped down beside me.

“Haa… If all the fools in the world… are like this… the knighthood won’t survive….”

“Don’t exaggerate, sir….”

Our condition couldn’t even be joked about after we patted each other roughly.

I should be angry. I lost.

To the prince’s bodyguard who I didn’t particularly like.

But why does it feel so refreshing? The sky looked unusually blue today.

Perhaps it was because I could accept the defeat more cleanly, having poured everything out.

Eventually, a nearby healer came and treated both of us.

While doing so, my father approached and said,

“It’s quite a useful sword, isn’t it?”

“It’s not just useful, it’s already excellent.”

“Yes, I think so too. Someday, you’ll surpass me.”

My father was a bit stingy with praise. He was someone who helped me grow through scolding rather than kind words.

However, was it because his father praised him? He felt a sensation as if his eyes were getting warm for no reason.

Being recognized by someone was truly precious.

“I’ll ask once again, do you need my guidance?”

“I think that’s something we should put off for now. I don’t even have enough time to review what I’ve learned from Confucius.”

“Haha! Yes, that’s right.”

His father burst into hearty laughter.

It seemed quite pleasing that his son had been acknowledged by others.