Chapter 182
nefrThe road connecting the Empire with Alprosen had two main routes.cBDRhlz
5mVV05One was to embark from the border march of House Altrierc and cross Lake Baikan, and the other, to take a ship from the far western domains of the Empire and sail across the sea.BYr
udVThe land route was practically discarded, as between the two lay the gigantic Taklakan Desert, one of the five most dangerous on the continent.e4lC
FvQGIt wasn’t that crossing it was impossible, but it was infested with hostile nomadic tribes and monsters, so no one recommended it.a2hzf
DDpILytFernan chose one of those two routes—to take the ship at Altrierc and head toward Alprosen.FoORFtz
CxMT32He wanted to pass through Altrierc as discreetly as possible, but luck wasn’t on his side.isWKt
4g4mw“How inconsiderate. Passing through Altrierc and not coming to greet me?”DfFo9
EDh3CUWhile waiting for the ship, he ran into Katrina Altrierc.upR6po5
vAewRKThe instinct of a Royal Knight didn’t take long to recognize the familiar energy of Fernan and caught him by the nape.P9K
4FOvs“I thought it would be a bother…”MtsFdL7
RtZXvM“Don’t say such things between us. How’s Alcmion?”7Kq
7Is5wb“Doing well overall. He’s even made several friends…”ecnew0
vjcR“And he’s not running wild like an enraged boar?”C9G7
yuBF5v“I can’t say he doesn’t show signs of it, but I’m keeping it under control.”77I2QAL
WI4“I’m glad to hear it.”NfyO
Bu72ZBVThus, they ended up detained in the city for a while thanks to Katrina.jJ6UU1
DmpnVYShe served tea.oUq1UdD
Kyd6“Try this, it’s Hersse leaves from the Kingdom of Heinburg.”M1ng
iHD0Oqp“Every time I come, I end up drinking tea you personally serve.”QFd
ZmW“And you always will.”YeU8nr8
sXNShe extended both hands.x794s
mTPf48“What do you think?”JD1Ua
KZVPWqd“Not a single callus.”5ZY0
pXf1Although not all the scars could be erased, her hands were much softer than before.siN
3Uh“The new product you gave me is very effective. I liked it so much that I bought more to recommend it to other ladies.”VvA
hGV“Thank you very much.”RI7Xk
JKmvDaJFree advertisement from a Royal Knight. Although that had been precisely the goal in giving it first to Katrina, he appreciated that she actually followed through.2XK8ACN
0XtqPjs“She’s Luina Bercheff, and this one here is someone I haven’t seen before.”0jdKpS
WM76Upon hearing her, Gismond flinched and replied stiffly.f1CSA
nqbtK9“I-It’s an honor to meet you. My name is Gismond Ert, I’m a fourth-year at the Academy. It’s an honor to see a Royal Knight.”tcuX
Tl9XHer gaze scanned Gismond from head to toe.TccK
6DEht“Not a bad achievement.”B6fr
5hSCl“T-Thank you.”wqMvG
leQRimp“And where were you going?”LXrsB
ZKcAX2“To Alprosen.”hLfVJ1
HNHjjO“Alprosen? I’ve heard rumors that the situation there is turbulent. Is it related to that?”jwmxNU
2x0gFernan nodded.MMmtKX
IHk“Yes.”vGSZ
S3zJ5“They say it’s rainfall not seen in centuries. What a disaster.”X8iB
tVYpYShe calmly rested her chin on her hand.sP2
rSvgs“That the son of a merchant runs toward a flooded zone isn’t strange, but the two young people with you—that’s curious.”PNFL
0RDShe refilled the empty cup with her white hands, and her blue pupils locked onto Fernan.aaAi
hXDeJ3“Is it so hard to explain?”gD8bjco
7z10WiCA strange tension filled the air.6TRI7
4woiD“Not really.”JRd
szNb9j“And yet you tried to leave in secret.”MoG5gn
MB9It was because of the corrupt. If word got out that Fernan was headed there, nothing good would come of it.POO5FA1
SR0PNtm“It’s just…”CNS
kabd“It’s fine. I’m sure you have your reasons.”0wfnwE3
rHj1bCShe smiled.r56
iLB0Wu“But I can’t let you leave like that.”yBE1Vvc
T0eS“What…?”tBH9C
El3t“Luina, last time our trainees were quite in your debt.”M24Op
n0y“Ah, that was…”7sZ
EjuJNaShe referred to when monsters and corrupt spilled out of the Taklakan Desert, and Luina had defeated the Altrierc trainees on behalf of the Armian Academy.UFa8
oJh3“The complaints of the boys who lost to you echoed throughout Altrierc. As the responsible party, I can’t ignore that.”6aT
3qA0er“That…”phkwoKf
ZExWSQ6“How about you fight me this time?”UbFD
mBD4hKatrina’s words made Luina swallow hard.eXtr
UBnPuHer imposing aura bore down on her.wLHBQGp
aYb“…Would that be appropriate?”Tbeh9Se
n6ngEven so, she opened her mouth and replied. That made Katrina’s eyes shine with a special glint.9zbb7
OjxFQHW“Albinos raised his daughter well.”ErW
ISCQ3slThe weight that had dominated the room vanished instantly.SJSBzi
ad5dlMw“I was joking.”JM45u
J88iD9She offered Luina a cookie.ICUnl
XdJu“You’re delightful. I’d love to have a daughter.”jKR7qie
4pnQfO“She’s not just delightful, she’s also an excellent knight.”oah2bF
m7pFMjFernan, who had already noticed Katrina was playing around, spoke up.M8cXlzW
0eiw0CR“I know. But the part about accompanying me wasn’t a joke. It’s been a long time since I felt competitive with someone who’s not a Royal Knight. What do you say, do you accept?”2VcR
qkTFIIALuina’s eyes widened.Uqrh
DNUkh“…You feel rivalry with me?”dt3
rHTCmA Royal Knight feeling rivalry with her.i3i
DmjeJF1Her father always told her she was exceptional, but Luina thought there was a lot of paternal affection in those words.ejbXO4
OHkuNoRThat’s why hearing it from Katrina Altrierc made her chest stir deeply.YD3
LY4gD1“I don’t lie without reason.”cOgAID
fKdRZItLuina looked at Fernan. He, understanding, shrugged.M5i5BH
pCfIvk“We’ve got some time today. Do what you want.”CbB
hJtye5l“…May I challenge you to a duel, Lady Katrina?”R25j
PKflU7dThus, without hesitation, Luina bit the bait.6k6zAX
hjD6Fx“This’ll be fun.”ck4upp
30MvhMMKatrina smiled with radiant joy.MtFAV
msyH9kY***ko5t14D
dZ8KI2vFor those who dreamed of becoming Royal Knights, they were objects of admiration.Q9wyksZ
sjDBut every knight had their own style to follow and their own role model to respect.Vj6Reb
HYVCJFor Luina, the supreme Royal Knight had always been her father.rNwFAS
kb6xOHow he fought, how he protected his people, how he stood tall even in the face of danger.uXc8r
YYCShe had grown up always watching his back.ZttN0XR
r6eAnd right after him was Katrina Altrierc.Uxc0l
YBb7At first, it was mere curiosity. Bercheff and Altrierc had certain things in common, there was a certain rivalry, and besides, she was a Royal Knight.jDEf
LsSQ3ppIt began with observing her swordsmanship, her way of fighting, and little by little, it turned into admiration.LBtB
LrVZgGEHer devastating power as she crossed the desert and crushed monsters and enemies was different from Bercheff’s swordsmanship, but it had its own beauty.CoN
59uLjkR“So you admire the Countess?”ypT4tnd
cc9“Yes. I didn’t want to miss this opportunity. I never imagined I’d receive direct sword instruction…”NgZWs
nibh3T“Well, if that makes you happy, then it’s fine.”ofP
XRwlvSSeeing Luina so thrilled—something that happened only a few times a year—left Fernan satisfied.XKGz
I8Z3xjSaying they had a day off wasn’t a lie; and if that gave Luina the chance to test herself against Katrina, it was more than worth it.E2ZHcWk
lmA‘Who knows, maybe she’ll have a breakthrough in this duel.’LVq5L
snc0JIt might be ambitious to expect a single fight to bring a new awakening, but one couldn’t forget that her opponent was a Royal Knight.aqJ
mUbHer father, Albinos, was also a Royal Knight, and she’d had countless duels with him. But just as not all men are the same, neither are Royal Knights.bcss4lK
vo0gurSEach had their own character, physique, swordsmanship, fighting style, their own revelations.s49AIO
RS1vFernan settled into what seemed like a front-row seat.J9S
UYkOn the sand of the dueling ground, Luina and Countess Katrina Altrierc stood facing each other, eyes locked.kDmLF
jcLphgz“Surely Countess Katrina will win, right?”paLc
crBMfkGismond asked as he poured sugar, milk, and ice into his black coffee.bsUmiQ
k2FlA“Of course. The outcome is obvious.”5YUJP
tX5Bun4No matter how much Luina had improved, she still wasn’t at the level of a Royal Knight.G0KH
P0xzJx7And Katrina wasn’t just a Royal Knight, but one of the strongest among them.63R
CJSPmD“But that’s not what matters.”1gIU3
lHKeWhat mattered was what Luina could take away from this fight.iBGMC
3RvP9Even if it was just a tiny clue to continue improving, it would already be a huge gain.Lhri1
yIb“Hyde, when does the ship leave?”OTeHSU
WtZt“In three hours.”a0N
QFL1P54“Did you already book it?”R90vX
awD“Yes.”oUTwTG
0il3“Cancel it and get tickets for tomorrow morning. They’ll need rest after the duel.”PQX
YdMajw“Understood.”syj
rZ8RRuHyde left.cHIT
51IIIMeanwhile—tkJTgB
iAvuqlg“Then, I’ll begin.”gwNTu
TiPDmqMLuina stilled the pounding of her heart.kM7
eJ5WEThe woman in front of her was her idol, but now she was nothing more than an opponent in a duel.v6joQ
9hkpSFight, and win.7g6HyD
2gcOeD6And if she couldn’t win, fight anyway to try.4W1Yre6
uGyg2With that determination, she took her stance.qmBwKWw
4grzGbWith that determination, she raised her sword.65Nb8V
ONkShe lowered her center of gravity, regulated her breathing.sQ1w
QSUHGvShe let the right amount of tension spread through her body and focused her entire mind.bW10
gMaKVhThe whole world faded; only she and Katrina remained in existence.TUpZDf0
RiSfNE“Nice look in your eyes.”AUxfkT
cKW7M8kKatrina’s lips curved.1jlEy6
Me70x“I’ve been craving someone like you. It’s been a while since anyone challenged me like this. Not even my knights, nor my own children or husband.”078mg
ioBxufShe raised her massive sword with one hand, as tall as her body.06xwygE
rpE“Come.”0y5
bbGQThat one word was enough.KmC
zGk6Luina’s body lunged forward, closing the distance in an instant.Z4kKP6
OZHztxHer sword aimed directly at Katrina’s neck.GfC
oKK9brWBut before it reached, a shadow enveloped her.pNY
1VF0─!7q6PT
zAvSIn the clash of swords, Luina twisted her wrist and deflected the strike. Still, the force was such that it nearly knocked the wind out of her.z9ed2s4
aTkZ2Her stance didn’t break. She slid to the side, seeking a blind spot.e8s
1XaJA clear opening.3UY1b
2qV3Wu1But just as the tip was about to reach its target, the massive sword interposed like a shield and knocked her blade aside.YrQy
A1IPhnK─!fPUs
tAFe“…Haa!”K0tUgl1
uKKCThe impact was so brutal she almost dropped her weapon.lHgsl7
VEkO1She gritted her teeth against the pain tearing her palm and steadied her breathing.HPkJ7
N2THer opponent was a Royal Knight; she had expected this.fWfo
kmK0CHHer sword was cloaked in aura, which she released in a direct slash.BnZorzQ
L5s3cThe shockwave split the air.1Iop
3rCRm─!L3SCt2Y
gODvsbThe aura burst into blue sparks as it shattered, but it forced Katrina to move.RBzLs
cLZIn that brief opening, Luina was already in front of her.vi8WL
16pKC“…!”YfZ7T9
ByqZfnShe had to change direction immediately as the greatsword came crashing down. The blade grazed her shoulder and tore strands of hair.JLAtZo
oOIiOne more step, and a fist met her.tus
o5ofIt was too late to dodge, so she raised her arm to protect her face.qOiZN
RhafABoom!CqM9s
TqkWith a sound like an explosion, Luina was sent flying ten steps back.4rk
cJWy9“Haah, haah…!”21Y
8FWGFbPanting, she regained her stance.jK956a
jJUQhKatrina didn’t move, letting her catch her breath.JlDuy
0nwPo3l“Try again.”YvMvR
w6hLuina gripped her hilt tightly.2knAvA
KSCHer opponent, despite her relaxed demeanor, was like a wall of iron.sje
nEUlWherever she attacked, a heavier counter came back.BWAE
qq4kMWhat to do?jmdDG
0foYUShe looked at her left arm, numb and bruised from blocking that punch. Without the aura’s protection, the bone would have broken.erbJT1
oBAs5Still, more than fear, what she felt was a burning desire to surpass herself.3pa
2LJ2She was enjoying this. This fight, unlike the ones with her father, awakened an even stronger competitive instinct.GuMd
iyNir‘A little stronger.’50d
PYwtGsShe gathered aura through her whole body. Her bones and muscles were reinforced, and her sword grew sharper.Gfeh
L6pAjKThe blade shone with a cutting aura.IUb9wQ
QLr“I can’t take that lightly.”g1Rjl
AGnKatrina’s sword was enveloped in a golden aura.xNOl
LvYfphnLuina pounded the ground and charged. Katrina responded a mere instant later.jTDPc
sfRUTmK───!9XWywLG
RffgsBlue and gold intertwined.4XWZTDl
03MqSThe clashes exploded in shockwaves, one after another.Th0
aNFQShards of broken aura scattered. The dueling ground cracked, and the wind howled between them.2l9J
dm0MhFAIn the blink of an eye, they had exchanged dozens of blows.ZIdCV
w15RzIt wasn’t an even exchange. Luina could barely hold on, and that was the best she could do at the moment.kO6
z0A4mBut it wasn’t useless. In that fierce battle, she realized something.WR6kt
jzGzKShe was at a disadvantage in strength and speed.0DEO0
2FSCW1But in flexibility—that was where she had the edge.yuiN
NL0Not because Katrina lacked technique, but because her own sword style allowed her to better feel the flow of combat.6GS
ZRDke“Bercheff’s techniques aren’t just brute strength. Feel the flow.”1zE
uGZ2YShe remembered her father’s words.FM4eP
kJCAmid the golden waves of aura, she focused on finding that current. And finally, she found it.idU
sqLO“If you feel it, find the opening between the flows.”OPe
25EGqJMShe drove the sword into that gap. Gently, with absolute naturalness.M9nZ0F
dLN1────!aohpq
TiAtzA tremendous recoil hit her, far greater than any before.Q3Sq8
mONBwHHer body was hurled through the air.5X5
OnA0XV‘I think I broke a rib.’Ei1
69xq1F6The stabbing pain confirmed it.vNJN
chmgEven so, Luina’s eyes gleamed with joy.kmWZFJ
kpW6She had felt the contact at the tip of her sword.3R5t
LNX“…Amazing.”S4gw
yvHbTCKatrina’s voice rang with genuine admiration.htL
jcZet“How long has it been since someone managed to wound me?”gtmsz
c02MzThere was a gash visible on her shoulder.C9vuZ2z
fIsNAnd the wounded beast smiled, amused.QOBGV6
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