episode_0141

After the conversation concluded smoothly, I took the opportunity to ask him several questions that had come to mind.

Argantir willingly answered some questions but evaded others with vague responses.

“You’re asking how we plan to utilize the information from the Abyssal Priests’ attack? Quite a crude question. Whatever use is made of the sold information is none of your concern. There’s no reason for me to answer that.”

For instance, he avoided answering questions related to the Abyssal Priests.

Growing even more curious, I decided not to press further as it seemed futile to try to pry answers out of him.

Although he may have a bad personality, he’s not trash, so he probably won’t use his misdeeds against others.

“Amy? Kikel…? Ah, you mean the party members from our adventurer days. I don’t know the detailed specifics, but I heard they are doing well.”

On the other hand, he readily shared information about Amy and Kikel, former comrades from our adventurer days, deeming it of little value.

“That mage was cleared of charges ‘internally’ by the Tower’s interrogation. Externally, that is. In reality, he probably didn’t undergo any questioning. It’s a typical method the Tower uses to protect its members.”

“Fortunately.”

“He’s now said to be an official apprentice of the high wizard Milena Rayfield. Either his talent stood out significantly… or he paid a hefty sum. It must be one of the two.”

Most likely the former, as Amy doesn’t possess assets significant enough to be called a “hefty sum.”

“Kikel, on the other hand…”

“The lizardman got lucky. Originally in a difficult position to avoid exile, he ended up serving the Tower’s mage as a vassal, receiving protection similar to hers.”

Kikel became Amy’s vassal, at least in terms of external status.

Perhaps Amy created this pretext of vassalage to protect him.

“I see.”

Though somewhat forced logic, it would have been challenging to convince others solely based on that argument… Amy must have faced quite a challenge herself.

Feeling sorry for causing her such difficulties, I felt a renewed sense of apology.

I vowed to repay that debt someday, although when that day would come was uncertain.

“It seems they both moved from Vespyan due to various constraints and are now living as adventurers in Levant. They’ve even gained nicknames there, ‘Ice Spear’ and ‘Fire Lizard,’ respectively.”

Amy as Ice Spear and Kikel as Fire Lizard. Both are smoothly building their reputations as Levant’s fellow adventurers.

They seem to be active as a party of four now, including new members Bardu and Jane?

Their names sounded familiar; upon reflection, they were the adventurer couple we met during the false commission from Reville’s upper echelons to fight Bellita.

Did they form a party due to that encounter?

It turned out well. While they were typical adventurers who only did what was necessary and were clear-cut in their dealings, they were relatively good-natured for adventurers.

“Is that all you’re curious about?”

“Yes. Thank you for your kindness, Your Highness.”

I expressed my gratitude sincerely.

Hearing that my worried comrades were still doing well lifted my spirits a bit.

“Well, it’s only right to express gratitude. You received valuable information without paying a single coin as an informant fee.”

Even Arghantir’s mocking tone could be easily brushed off with a light-hearted chuckle.

◆◆

After exchanging these simple questions and answers, Arghantir led us underground into the log cabin.

It’s strange to think there’s a basement in a log cabin, but since it actually existed, there was nothing more to say.

From the very beginning, the mansion was established as one of the organization’s contact points, so having underground facilities for hiding was quite natural.

Anyway, Freide and I walked in and were guided to a spacious area resembling a training ground.

“Where is this…?”

“This is an underground training facility for organization members. Although I promised to support you from the shadows, we still need to verify your skills.”

Argantir pointed towards the training ground with his thumb, explaining why he had brought us here.

“If you expect continuous support, you should show corresponding dedication, right? That’s why I’m considering letting you handle some tasks here occasionally.”

So, it seems like they are implying that I should work as much as the additional support I receive. They want to verify my skills for that purpose.

…It’s a bit unsettling.

“When you say ‘tasks over here’…”

Involvement with the Shadow Falcon, it seems illegal, antisocial, and unethical at first glance.

Stuff like filling iron shackles on someone and throwing them into a river, or sneaking into someone’s house while they sleep to slit their throat.

“I don’t expect espionage or assassination. Our tasks are not always about such things, so there shouldn’t be any issues.”

Argantir smiled as if he understood my concerns, nodding his head.

After all, such tasks are for professionals; areas where non-experts like me shouldn’t meddle.

The task assigned to me is not about assassination or espionage but dungeon exploration and monster subjugation, right?

“Well… if that’s the case, then it’s fine.”

Upon hearing those words, I nodded. If that’s the case, it’s essentially no different from the work of an adventurer or a knight.

And thus, a duel between me and the kingdom’s knights was arranged.

More accurately, a duel between us and the kingdom’s knights.

Argantir only requested to verify my skills, but Freide asked if she could join as well, wanting to objectively assess her own abilities.

Since Argantir’s guard consisted of just two knights, it was decided that both Freide and I would each face one in the duel.

◆◆

“I am Beliheda, a member of the Herbor Kingdom Knights. It is uncertain whether facing off against a warrior from another country as part of a warrior party is something to be honored.”

My opponent was a middle-aged man named Beliheda. At least, his face looked middle-aged. Perhaps due to his beard and wrinkles?

But when did this guy start using informal language? He even seems to harbor a slight hostility.

How impolite.

“I am Brunhilde, a knight protecting Freide of the Line. You may consider it an honor. Isn’t that better than shame and disgrace?”

I drew my black steel greatsword, smiling faintly in a provocative manner.

Impoliteness should be met with impoliteness. That was my principle. If the opponent is a noble or royal, exceptions can be made if rudeness turns into military action.

“…Arrogant.”

Beliheda’s hostility intensified. He murmured softly, raising the greatsword resting on his shoulder directly in front of him.

Unlike Freide’s holy sword, it wasn’t a brutishly large and thick chunk of metal, just an ordinary two-handed greatsword slightly enlarged.

In sturdy and heavy plate armor with a two-handed greatsword. Quite typical.

Even from 10km away, you could tell he was a knight by his armament.

“Let’s see if your arrogance is backed up by skill. I will confirm it with this sword!”

He lunged towards me, driving his body forward.

“Bring it on.”

I also met his charge head-on. Swiftly, like an arrow. The dark iron armor gleamed with a dull light.

“Haaah!”

The greatsword swung down in a diagonal arc with fierce momentum. The sound of the wind whistling brushed past my ears.

Indeed, a kingdom knight.

The descending sword was surprisingly fast, heavy, and therefore powerful.

– Kwaah!

It wasn’t enough to overwhelm me, though.

“Pity, isn’t it!”

I swiftly twisted my body to evade his greatsword, then turned towards his side and thrust my longsword towards his armpit.

“No way!”

He swung his gauntlet fiercely, deflecting my sword. Along with a clear metallic clang, a strong vibration traveled through the blade.

His reaction speed was at this level. Not bad.

No, it was honestly excellent. Among all the opponents I’ve encountered so far, only the specters of Valqueria have showcased such reaction speed.

In the past, it would have been difficult to respond to such agility.

“Indeed, quite impressive.”

But not now. How many of Valqueria’s specters have I slain? Such speed was already too familiar to be challenging.

“What, strength…?!”

On the other hand, Belliher staggered slightly even after parrying my sword, indicating a slight struggle against the contained power within.

It ended with a mere stumble due to the sparring; had he unleashed full strength, his arm would have crumpled like armor.

“Why is he staggering like that?!”

With a sweeping motion, his sword sliced through the air. Growling fiercely, Belliher raised his greatsword to deflect mine.

“More than you expected…?”

Rotating my body from the recoil, I plunged into his side, ripping through Belliher’s breastplate with a dull thud.

A trickle of blood seeped from the tip of the blade.

“Not yet!”

Belliher pulled back his greatsword, thrusting towards me with his shoulder and torso.

If I had tried to block, I would have been overwhelmed by his weight and strength, leading to a compromised stance. Dodging hastily would have left me vulnerable to the swinging greatsword.

Without hesitation, I leaped sideways.

“Caught you!”

The greatsword swung without delay. It was evident that my blade would shatter if I attempted to block it. There was hardly any room for that.

So, I simply met it head-on. Giving up defense, I instead thrust the seized greatsword towards Belliher’s helmet.

Belliher smirked, his eyes gleaming. He was confident that his greatsword would reach its target before my sword, and he wasn’t entirely wrong.

However…

– Kaaah!

“What…!”

At the clanging sound of metal, Belliher widened his eyes. Shock was evident on the middle-aged face inside the helmet.

“Why are you so surprised.”

I aimed my sword at Belliher’s neck while firmly securing his greatsword against my side with my left arm, unscathed as if boasting the resilience of my iron armor.

“You thought you could break or blow it away?”

His greatsword couldn’t break through my armor. In fact, it couldn’t even transmit shock through it.

Automatic defensive magic initially mitigated the impact, while the armor’s strength perfectly blocked any remaining force.

Skill is just as important as equipment.

Had we fought fair and square, it would have taken some time, but the immense gear gap led to a swift conclusion.