CHAPTER 88

Godin already expected that Vlad would reject his proposal to some extent.

He knew the temperament Vlad possessed because he had experienced it before.

However, what truly saddened Godin was not the rejection of his consideration but rather the false bubbles surrounding the boy.

"He would have grown up well on his own without having to go to this length."

The report Godin was currently reviewing under candlelight listed Vlad's achievements so far.

He had annihilated one of the city's organizations.

He had driven out the Archmage.

He had brought down the Deathworm and personally dealt with the Lindworm.

"Bayezid must have been desperate."

Godin lowered the report he had been holding as if there was nothing more to see and reached for the glass of wine beside him.

There is such a thing as common sense in the world, and there is a good reason why certain standards become common sense.

"They have raised him too high."

When Godin first saw Vlad, he was clearly just a novice who couldn't properly wield a sword.

The last swing seemed plausible, but it was merely an expression of potential, and within less than a year, he was nowhere near the level to be considered a Dragon Slayer.

"It's just the potential that's been created..."

Although the Knights of Bayezid had an outstanding reputation in the North, they were evaluated as having failed to achieve generational change in this era.

So there was some motivation to inflate the evaluation for Vlad.

"But waking up aura is still impressive."

And the reason Bayezid had gone to such lengths was undoubtedly because of the remarkable potential Vlad possessed.

The manifestation of aura was not something that could be achieved by teaching them, so it was understandable that Bayezid was excited to see Vlad, who had drawn out aura at a young age.

"..."

Should he have brought him no matter what?

Although Godin left him alone because the direction of the relationship was not right, if he had been able to persuade him well, he might have become a Gaidar by now.

"It's a shame."

As you live, you are bound to come across many crossroads, and even if you made the best choice at the time, you can't help but have regrets when you look back.

Godin felt as if the boy's shining potential was being obscured by his own wrong choices.

※※※※

Vlad's gaze was wandering as he saw Alicia looking at him with a cold expression.

"Are you going to do that again?"

"I'm sorry. I've reflected a lot."

Although her demeanor was unchanged, the numerous dishes laid out on the round table emitted tempting aromas and enticing appearances, tempting Vlad.

"I promise I won't neglect your handkerchief again, Lady Alicia."

"Alright."

Alicia nodded as if she was satisfied with Vlad's sincere answer and opened her mouth with a different smile than before.

"I should learn to overlook a mistake once in a while."

She had managed to elicit a definite response from Vlad, though it had seemed like baiting prey.

There would be another chance to discuss Lady Zemina later.

"Alright, everyone, please enjoy."

At Alicia's words, everyone eagerly reached for the dishes in front of them.

All of Bayezid's knights who had been invited as guests looked satisfied.

"This is excellent. I haven't had such a feast in a long time."

"I heard the lemon harvest was exceptional this time."

Though there were voices of seniors nearby, Vlad remained focused on the food before him.

Vlad had once complained about the cuisine here when he first arrived in Deomar.

While Josef had appreciated it, Vlad hadn't been fond of Deomar's vegetarian culture.

"It's a roasted pork barbecue with a special lemon sauce."

'Oh…'

But what was now in front of Vlad was nothing but mouth-watering meat.

It was common knowledge that growing boys needed protein.

"Thank you, Baroness."

"Enjoy your meal."

Vlad couldn't help but exclaim in admiration as he took a bite of the sizable meat before him.

Though he had tasted top-grade meats at the Kanoor family, the barbecue in Deomar offered a completely different flavor.

[The pinnacle of all dishes lies in the sauce.]

The voice sounded as if he was boasting, [I've had this much before,] but Vlad continued to tear into the meat in front of him, determined not to miss the aroma in his mouth.

Alicia, sitting opposite Vlad, looked pleased as she watched him.

"...Are you ready for the duel?" Duncan asked Zayar, who was sitting next to him, noticing his mistress's embarrassed attitude.

"There are some requests I'd like to make regarding that matter."

Zayar, too, felt awkward as he observed the dishes openly laid out in front of Vlad.

Understanding the need to consider the warrior who would bear their honor, but wasn't this a bit excessive?

"Just let me know. I'll prepare as best as I can."

"In that case..."

Vlad, who would have to fight in a few days for the upcoming duel, needed to eat well, and those preparing for it needed to contemplate deeply.

The knight named Stephen was the eldest son of the Gaidar family, the conqueror of the West, and he was a seasoned warrior who had been honing his skills since childhood.

To be honest, Zayar didn't see Vlad's chances of winning as very high.

"Feel free to tell me anything. Deomar will support everything for Sir Vlad's sake."

"Understood."

Just like Duncan's words just now, Deomar would spare no support for the boy.

If Vlad were to lose, Alicia would have no choice but to fully embrace the interference of another outsider, Bayezid, to fend off the threat of Gaidar.

Everyone in Deomar was preparing for what they wanted.

For legitimacy, for independence, and for revenge.

Everyone present knew that this dinner was like the calm before the storm, preparing for the impending tempest.

The night passed with plenty of laughter.

※※※※

"..."

The morning of the duel.

As Stephen entered the arena prepared by Alicia, he felt an indescribable sense of unease.

"....Don't duels usually take place in the lobby or the grand hall?"

"Baroness Alicia had a special request."

Just as Godin said, Alicia wanted this duel to take place outdoors rather than in the lobby hall.

Since it is related to a marriage proposal, she said that she would like her parents, who are buried in the ground, to also see it.

"Oh, I see."

It wasn't necessarily an understandable reason, but Stephen still felt reluctant.

The sensation of the neatly trimmed grass beneath his feet.

Even the gravel had been cleared, leaving the field meticulously organized.

"Did it rain this morning?"

"No."

And yet, the grass on the field was damp.

It was convenient for quick movement but not ideal for warriors who needed a firm foothold like himself.

"You'll have to endure this much."

"It's a hassle."

Preparing the battlefield favorably before a battle is one of the basic principles of command.

Stephen smiled fiercely as he looked at the one-eyed knight who had somehow accumulated small variables for the boy.

"Are you ready?"

Despite Stephen's meaningful smile, Zayar, who had maintained an indifferent expression, turned his head to look at Vlad standing behind him.

The invisible killing intent of the Gaidar knights still poured towards Vlad, and the seniors who were diverting that killing intent for the boy, who was standing behind them.

"Yes."

Zayar nodded, looking at Vlad's unwavering blue eyes.

He has been patient so far.

Zayar knows very well that the reason Vlad was endlessly patient in the face of those who could be considered his enemies was to keep the promise he made to Lord Josef.

"Good."

Now it's his turn to repay the boy's patience.

When Zayar signaled to Duncan that he was ready, a priest invited by Alicia ascended to the dueling arena.

He was the same priest who witnessed Vlad blossoming his own world in the previous duel related to succession rights.

"Challengers from both sides, step forward!"

A masked priest.

A battlefield crafted for the boy.

"The spectators from both sides also step forward!"

And rules crafted for the boy.

Following the priest's instructions, two knights stepped into the dueling arena behind Stephen and Vlad.

Godin, the Blue Moonlight Knight, and Zayar, the One-Eyed Knight.

Representatives of the Gaidar family and the Bayezid family faced each other.

"The use of aura is allowed in this duel."

Zayar, who thought that a pure swordsmanship battle with Stephen would be an inevitable defeat, chose an aura to create a variable.

He believed that the strength of the boy's world was as solid as anyone's.

"As this duel doesn't decide life or death, either of you can intervene if the challengers are in danger."

Since aura was being used, safety measures were necessary, and the two knights present would serve as observers prepared for the worst-case scenario.

"Do you agree with the current rules?"

Seeing the nod from both knights, the priest now left only the final preparations for the duel.

"The participants step forward."

With only the duel participants remaining in the arena after the spectators left, Vlad and Stephen stood facing each other.

"Do you have the handkerchief? I find it bothersome to go through unnecessary procedures to grab it."

"..."

The priest raised his head while waiting for the sun to be hidden by clouds.

Waiting for the imminent start of the duel, Vlad spoke.

"If I am putting out the handkerchief, what would you give?"

A weak dog barks.

To hide one's own fear and intimidate the other person with a threatening attitude.

However, the boy in front of him, who is clearly weaker, just smiled quietly instead of barking.

"I guess I should get the sword you're holding."

"This son of a bitch..."

Being accustomed to taking things away was not just a trait of the Westerners.

The boy who had survived in the back alleys where being deprived meant death was no less greedy than Stephen.

"Indeed, that should be enough to balance things out."

He took it because he wanted it.

He stole it to survive.

The two beasts accustomed to taking things began to bare their sharp teeth at each other.

"God is watching under today's sun!"

With the signal from the priest, the duel began.

'.....What is that?'

Stephen, who wanted to lunge forward and strike Vlad down immediately, was held back by the unfamiliar posture Vlad was adopting.

It was a stance that made it difficult to reach out with a sword, and even if he did, it would be hard to land a blow.

Holding the sword with one hand, Vlad leaned his body as much to the side as possible.

The boy's posture, which allowed as little area to be hit as possible, was clearly the posture mainly used by swordsmen using rapiers.

"I hope you like it."

Information does not always equate to truth.

Godin had the information about Vlad in his hands, yet he made a wrong judgment. But Josef used the information in his hands to predict and create the current situation.

"I prepared it for you."

The knights of Bayezid arrived at Deomar only after a considerable amount of time had passed since Alicia's letter arrived.

It was to buy time for Vlad to prepare.

"······."

Godin, who was watching the duel, saw Vlad's reluctant stance and looked at Bayezid's knights standing behind Vlad.

'They were preparing.'

The Bayezid knights watching Vlad from outside the dueling arena.

Coincidentally, they all carried greatswords similar to Stephen's.