episode_0204

Chapter 204 – Bride-Snatching

Was it Berman, he said?

Judging by the aura I felt, he seems to be on the same level as Sara.

Well, to be the Vice-Commander of the Count’s Knights, he would naturally need to be at this level.

I entered into a confrontation with Berman.

“You won’t let me in?”

“Yes. You cannot enter without an invitation.”

“I am the successor of the Friuli family. Count Geto wouldn’t want to make an enemy of me, would he?”

“It was a direct order from the Count. No one is to be allowed in without an invitation.”

Despite the pressure using my status, Berman didn’t even bat an eye.

He even seemed to be smirking slightly.

It wasn’t that he didn’t believe my words; rather, he seemed to know too well and thought there was no need to care further.

Because Isis was already designated as the next head of the family anyway.

‘Arrogant bastard.’

How dare he ignore me, thinking I wouldn’t have prepared for something like this!

I pulled a piece of paper from my pocket.

“Now, what does this look like?”

“…A family head renunciation document?”

“That’s right. It’s a document personally signed by my sister, stating that she won’t take on the role of family head! Now you know what to do, don’t you?”

My deliberate meeting with Isis before heading to the wedding hall was all for this.

Originally, I had planned to reveal it at the wedding, but I ended up showing it sooner than expected. It’s all because of this arrogant knight brat.

“Hmm…”

Berman examined the document with a troubled expression, then shook his head.

“I apologize. It’s difficult to verify its authenticity with just this.”

“What? Are you saying I forged this document and am lying?”

“That’s not what I meant, but it’s impossible regardless.”

Berman did not back down in the slightest.

His attitude suggested that showing such a response to me would not harm him in the least.

That was truly annoying.

‘In this case, is there no other way?’

Since the opponent had no intention of moving aside, the only way to pass was to force my way through.

The problem was that I couldn’t use the Incarnation.

It had been a long time since warrants for Eunrang were spread across the country because of the incident at the festival. The moment I used a similar power, I would immediately be dragged away by the Inquisitors.

I didn’t want to be tortured.

‘I don’t think I can win just like this…’

Estimating the power difference between Berman and my side, I subtly glanced at Deborah.

I felt bad for doing this after saying I would treat her as a comrade rather than a tool for the Declaration of Forced Submission, but I had no choice.

Fortunately, Deborah seemed fine. As our eyes met, she smiled and readily nodded.

The Declaration of Forced Submission had been approved.

Just as I was about to force my way through, Berman suddenly made an unexpected proposal.

“Or how about this? If you can make me take a step back even once, I’ll let you pass.”

“…What do you mean?”

“Lady Isis yielding the position of family head means that you, young master, are qualified enough. So, wouldn’t you be able to do at least this much? Lady Isis would be able to fight me on equal terms, after all.”

Berman deliberately compared Isis and me, provoking my competitive spirit.

Now that I think about it, he seems to quite like Isis.

‘Why is my sister so popular?’

I knew she was popular, but not only has she charmed two members of the imperial family, followers are pouring out wherever she goes.

I was genuinely curious about who Isis would end up marrying.

‘It’s not bad, though.’

Thanks to that unnecessary hostility, I was able to gain an advantageous position.

“Alright. I accept. I’ll defeat you!”

“Hahaha! If you can, that is.”

The man stood confidently, arms spread.

At the same time, a thick yellow magic enveloped his entire body, forming a protective aura.

Without hesitation, I landed the first blow.

“Hmph!”

CRASH!

My fist, enveloped in martial energy, instantly struck Berman’s face.

A quite loud sound echoed, but there wasn’t a speck of injury on Berman’s face. His expression was merely contorted, perhaps displeased at being punched in the face.

“Young master. Please avoid my face. Even so, this is a bit…”

“Is that so? Then should I hit your solar plexus?”

“The solar plexus is also a bit…”

“Not the solar plexus either? Then where…”

My wandering gaze settled on the space between Berman’s legs.

Berman immediately shouted.

“Th-that place is off limits!”

“Then where should I hit you?”

“…Just hit my abdomen.”

“Understood. I’ll hit your abdomen.”

Having concluded the dramatic negotiation, I prepared my second attack and subtly sent a telepathic message to Deborah.

-Deborah. I’m initiating the Declaration of Forced Submission.

-Yes!

With the declaration, an unprecedented surge of immense power erupted throughout my body. A small sigh naturally escaped me at a sensation I hadn’t felt in quite a long time.

I prepared the second strike.

‘As similar to before as possible.’

My suddenly amplified physical abilities required some time to adjust.

If I used my full power but couldn’t properly deliver the force, I might only raise unnecessary vigilance, so I had to be careful.

After replaying it in my mind several times, I unleashed my fist with delicate power control.

CRASH!

An even louder roar erupted than before.

Even though I tried to control it, I still couldn’t completely manage the power amplified sevenfold.

“Ugh!”

Berman, who had taken a blow to the abdomen, seemed unable to completely block the damage, letting out a surprised groan.

He flinched, then calmly burst into hearty laughter.

“Ha, hahahat! I’ve underestimated you too much, young master. You’re much stronger than I thought.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes. So, I’ll get serious now!”

Berman’s protective aura, which covered his entire body, seemed to thicken, then evolved into a protective battle aura.

‘This bastard is really sneaky.’

After acting so relaxed, he immediately changed his tune when it looked like he might lose the bet. There’s no one lower than a man like him.

Seeing this, I wanted to go even harder on him.

‘This time, I’m going all out.’

It was time to test out my new technique.

Pushing aside unnecessary emotions, I powerfully took a step forward.

THUD!

The magic compressed by the power of the Divine Devil Extreme Shadow collided with my foot, then returned with an even stronger repulsion.

And the magic rotating throughout my body collided with my foot simultaneously as I took the second step, bouncing back with an even stronger repulsive force.

Followed by the final step!

THUD!

Due to the continuous impacts, the magic, accelerated to its extreme, swept through all the mana channels in my body.

‘This is the limit.’

Though I wanted to amplify its destructive power even further, unfortunately, my mana control ability limited me to a triple stacking.

If I went any further, the runaway magic would destroy my body.

Still, this much was enough.

I concentrated the accelerated magic into my fist and stared at Berman.

“Hahahat! This is the last one. Give it your all!”

“I was planning to anyway. Don’t die.”

“That’s unnecessary worry. That won’t happen…”

“Hup!”

The moment Berman’s breath shifted from exhale to inhale, I unleashed my fist.

BOOOOM!

The instant my fist struck his abdomen, the unleashed magic delivered follow-up blows at extreme speed.

It was a single attack, but Berman must have taken four hits in that short moment.

“Ugggh!”

His arrogant laughter vanished as he screamed and was sent crashing into a warehouse behind him.

“Whew…”

I lightly caught my breath.

‘The destructive power is stronger than expected.’

The newly developed technique, though seemingly an offensive skill, was actually a footwork technique.

While regularly using the Moon Shadow Steps, I couldn’t shake the feeling that it didn’t quite suit me, so I created my own footwork technique.

The name of this footwork technique was ‘Heaven-Shattering Chain Steps’.

It’s a footwork technique that generates repulsive force by clashing the mana within the body with the earth’s energy, then uses that repulsion as propulsion to accelerate.

Currently, I was only focusing on offense, but if utilized as a footwork technique, it would grant accelerated movement with every step taken.

It’s a technique that can grow exponentially stronger as my cultivation level increases, as the number of possible stacks will also increase.

It was the first time I used it in actual combat, and I was glad it succeeded.

I asked the surrounding soldiers.

“Can I go in now?”

“Uh, uh, th-that…”

“Or do you want to test it next? I don’t mind.”

“Ah, no! You may pass!”

As I subtly pushed my fist forward, the soldier quickly shouted and cleared the way.

I confidently called out to my companions.

“Let’s go! Let’s go meet Alisa.”

And so, we were finally able to enter the wedding hall.

*

“Do you, the groom, swear to treat the bride with love, come snow or rain?”

At the officiant’s question, Count Geto gave a cunning smile and stared at Alisa.

“Hahaha! Of course. I will cherish her for life.”

The officiant’s gaze then turned to Alisa.

“Do you, the bride, swear to treat the groom with love, come snow or rain?”

“…”

“Bride?”

Despite the officiant’s implicit prompting, Alisa remained silent.

Thoughts of the wedding had already vanished from her mind.

She was simply wishing for one thing.

‘He’s really not coming, after all.’

Alisa scanned the guest seats, confirming that the face she was waiting for was still absent, and was disappointed.

She was disappointed, then cursed herself again, resented this unavoidable fate, and ultimately fell into despair.

Alisa faced reality.

‘I’ll just die. I’ll die after the wedding is over.’

So, let’s quickly get these useless procedures over with and find peace.

“Bride. Please answer quickly. Do you swear to love the groom, come rain or snow?”

“Yes. I swea—”

CRASH!

But rendering her resolve meaningless, before her vow could even finish, the door burst open with a harsh scream.

Turning my head, I saw a man.

Receiving everyone’s gaze, he shouted without faltering.

“I object to this marriage!”

The moment his shout spread, the atmosphere in the wedding hall completely changed.

A murmur spread.

However, Alisa heard not a single word of such murmurs. She simply gazed endlessly at the man who had burst in.

“Ruan…”

He, whom she had been waiting for, had come.

A face she hated and resented, yet at the same time loved and missed.

It was the person she had constantly wanted to meet since being confined by her family, the one she had suddenly hoped would appear and rescue her.

Alisa was now in a state where she didn’t even know what expression she was making.

Ruan chuckled faintly as he looked at her.

“Alisa. Come with me.”

A large, strong hand was extended.

Though the distance was still considerable, she had the illusion that she could reach it just by extending her hand.

Alisa’s arm twitched.

She had clearly felt like she had mountains of things to say if they ever met, but seeing him in person, all she wanted to do was run and embrace him.

Even if this was a momentary impulse, resisting the temptation was too difficult.

Just as she finally gave in and reached out her hand, Alfred blocked Ruan’s path.

“Who are you! How dare you interrupt the Bretes family’s wedding? Do you want to die?”

“And who are you?”

“Me? I’m Alfred Bretes! I’m Alisa Bretes’s older brother, who’s getting married today!”

“Ah, so you were that bastard? I didn’t recognize you. Have this.”

WHAM!

Ruan, belatedly recognizing Alfred, kicked him between the legs.

Alfred’s eyes instantly widened as if they would tear. Slowly looking down, he sat down meekly, his legs trembling.

Tears streamed down his face, snot dripped from his nose, and drool oozed from his gaping mouth.

“Agh! Urgh! I-I’m dying! Ugh… H-help meee…”

“Does it hurt? Alisa must have hurt more.”

“Wh-what do you mean by that…”

“You don’t need to know. You wouldn’t understand anyway.”

WHAM!

Ruan kicked him in the groin again, knocking Alfred unconscious, then stepped over him and approached Alisa.