Star-Embracing Swordmaster — Chapter 35: Honorable Duel (3)

Chapter 35: Honorable Duel (3)

Alicia‍‍ Heinal.

Daughter‍‍ of an ancient‌ lord, endowed with‌‌‍ an unprecedented legitimacy‍ with Endre, born‍‍‍ from a concubine.⁠‍

Her‌ blood also connected‌ her to the⁠‍ Shazad, a family‌ from the center‍ of the country.⁠

The‌ Shazad blood, tracing‌‌ back to Alicia’s‍⁠ maternal grandmother, signified‍‌ an unbreakable bond‌‌ of trust between‍‌ the two families.⁠

But‌⁠ the concept of‌‍ politics, as practiced‌ by the nobility,⁠‌⁠ was something beyond‌ humanity.

Because‌⁠‍ her blood was⁠ blue.

“Declare it!”

Shazad‍⁠⁠ decided that the‍ immediate gain was‍⁠ more important than‍‍‍ blood in the‌⁠⁠ distance.

Endre‍‌ had promised.

Because he had said‌⁠ he would give⁠‌⁠ things that no‌⁠‌ prudent vassal would‌ dare to promise.‍‌‍

Shazad accepted the response‌ and handed the⁠ dishonorable knight to‍‌⁠ Alicia.

Alicia‍‍ was deceived, and⁠‍ Bayezid was mocked.⁠

The‍⁠ contest was not⁠‌ honorable.

“…It’s‍ not over yet.”

And‍ in the midst⁠⁠ of this dishonorable‌ battlefield, where everyone⁠‍⁠ fell silent, there‍‍ was one who‌‍ rose quietly.

Joseph⁠⁠‍ of House Bayezid.‌

A young man who unintentionally became the⁠‌ representative of the⁠ North in this‌ duel stained by‌ the houses of⁠ the Center.

He‍ stood up heavily.⁠

“I‍⁠ request a brief⁠ postponement so that⁠ we can discuss‌⁠‍ this situation among‌ ourselves.”

His‌‍ voice was not‍ very loud, but⁠ enough to cut⁠⁠ through the silent hall.

Understanding‍ the anger in‍‌ Joseph’s words, the‍ priest could only⁠‍ wipe the sweat⁠‍ from his forehead,‌ helpless.

“So⁠‍ be it.”

“Thank‍ you. Priest.”

Joseph’s‍‍ eyes, burning with‍‌ a dark gleam, sought someone.

A man down there,‍⁠ looking determined.

Endre‍‌‌ Heinal.

“The knight on Alicia’s‌ side has withdrawn,‍ Lord Joseph, and⁠‌⁠ although I understand‌ your feelings, this duel has ended!”‍‍‌

“Are⁠‌ you sure this is an honorable‌ duel?”

The⁠ embers have cooled,‍ but they retain‍‍ something warm inside.‌

Now‍ it was Joseph’s‌ voice.

“I‌‌ don’t intend to⁠⁠‍ just accept the⁠ result you’ve decided.”⁠

“…”⁠⁠⁠

Joseph’s‍⁠ determined declaration must have struck a nerve.

That this moment marks the beginning of‍ a clash between⁠‍‍ the center and⁠ the north that‍ has so far⁠‌ gone unnoticed.

“How‌ can I convince⁠‍ you…?”

With‌ victory close, Endre‍ shouted triumphantly, but‍⁠ the momentum faded.

Because‌ he saw something‌ burning in the‍ eyes of the‌ dark-shadowed man.

“Bayezid…”‍‌

The‌ words echoed in‍‌ Endre’s head as‌‌‌ he saw Joseph’s⁠ jet-black eyes staring‍ at him.

The‌⁠‌ North must pay.‍‌‌

Whether‍ with honor or‍ dishonor.

“Speed‌‍ up the duel.”⁠

Joseph‍ thought.

The‍⁠ best had become⁠ impossible, but the‍⁠ worst had to‍‍ be avoided.

“I‌ won’t allow Alicia’s⁠ honor to be tainted by this‌ dishonest act.”

Honor‍‌ that you can’t‍⁠ even prove.

It‌⁠ was a disgrace‌ that couldn’t be‍ described with the‌‌ word dishonor.

Therefore, Joseph chose to⁠‍ end the duel‍ here and now, one way or‍‍ another.

A clumsy stop would⁠‍‍ be fatal, and‍‍‍ an unfinished duel‍‌⁠ would cripple Alicia‍⁠ irreparably.

At‌‌ this point, only⁠ absolute defeat could‍⁠‌ have a negative⁠‌ outcome.

Only‌ then could we‌⁠ plan for the‌ future.

“…Is⁠‌ there anyone else⁠ who wishes to‍ represent Lord Jubert?‌‍ If so, I will accept their‍‍ request.”

Joseph⁠‍ turned his head‌‍ upon hearing the‍‍ priest’s words to‌ look at Alicia,⁠‌ but she just‍⁠ clutched her heaving‌‌⁠ chest with a pale face.

Barely‌⁠ holding on, Alicia‌ had just been‌ dealt a blow.‌

If‍⁠ it ended like this, she couldn’t‌⁠ even prove her honor.

“Someone…”‍

Joseph‌ thought as he‍⁠ looked at the‍‍‌ stunned Alicia.

Thank⁠‍ goodness.

I didn’t write this,⁠ but I gladly‍⁠ accept it.

“I⁠ have a replacement.”‍

A duel is something⁠ honorable.

Therefore,⁠‌ only those who‌⁠ had proven themselves⁠ worthy or whom‍‌⁠ an honorable person‌‌ had entrusted with⁠ the honor could⁠ set foot on‍‌ an honorable battlefield.‌

“Who‍ is it?”

I speak on behalf‍ of the honorable.‌‌

Who,‌ then, will wield‍‌⁠ the sword for‌‍ me?

“…”⁠

Joseph stood still, running‍⁠ a hand over‍ his face, and‌⁠ looked at his‌⁠ squire, Vlad.

He‍‍⁠ was nodding.

“Bayezid‌‌ will put a new duelist in‌⁠‍ place of Jubert⁠‍ of House Shazad,⁠ who has decided⁠ to withdraw.”

People‍‌‌ couldn’t help but‌ be perplexed at⁠ Joseph’s words.

Who⁠ would he send‍⁠ in this situation?⁠

“I,⁠ Joseph of House⁠ Bayezid, am an⁠ honorable warrior who‍‌⁠ nominates to defend‌⁠ Lady Alicia’s honor…”‍⁠

Joseph⁠ stopped at the‌ highest point instead of Alicia.

His‍ finger pointed at⁠⁠ someone.

“Vlad⁠ of Soara.”

“…!”‌‌⁠

With stunned silence.

Everyone present turned their‍‌ heads to follow‌‌ Joseph’s pointing finger.‍

A figure that no‍ one had paid‌ attention to, that no one had even thought about.‍

The‍⁠ only man who‍ could, therefore, enter‌ the battlefield honorably.‍⁠

Vlad of Soara, squire‍ to the knight⁠⁠ Jager.

“Uh…”‌⁠

The⁠ blond boy that‌⁠ Joseph had at‌ his fingertips just‌‍‌ blinked, not knowing‌ what to do.‌⁠

The⁠‌ boy was standing‍⁠ at the first‍‍ and foremost point‍ where the center‍‍ and the north met.

Vlad⁠‌ confirmed his identity,‌ causing Endre to‌ erupt in protest⁠‍ about the perceived⁠‍ injustice.

“He’s‍ not a knight,⁠ he doesn’t deserve⁠ this!”

“Honorable‌ duels are not‍ exclusive to knights;‌‌ anyone able to⁠‌⁠ wield a sword‌ can partake.”

“The‌ opponent is a knight! Facing a squire against a knight is a dishonor to Arnstein!”‍‌

“You!”⁠‍‍

Joseph stomped, cutting off⁠‌ Endre’s words, then⁠ spat out words‌‌ burning with rage.⁠

“Did‍‍ you do this⁠⁠‍ thinking of Bayezid’s‌ honor?”

The‍ master tilted his⁠‌ head, the usurper‍ drooling greedily.

“You⁠ mock Bayezid with‍ such shallow waters!”‌

Only Joseph, from the prestigious Bayezid family‍ of the North,⁠‍ could stand tall⁠⁠ and proud. His‌‍ blood was the⁠‍ most honorable.

“I⁠⁠⁠ vouch for his‌‍ honor!”

And⁠‌ he was more⁠‍ than qualified to‍ vouch for anyone’s‍ honor.

“I’ll⁠‍ replace him, please‌‍⁠ accept.”

“Uh,‍ um…”

Joseph‍⁠ was not wrong.‌ If he vouched‍⁠⁠ for him, even⁠⁠ a mere squire could challenge to⁠ a duel.

“Agreed?”⁠

Endre‌ glanced at the⁠ knights behind him⁠‌‍ for a moment,‌‍ then nodded as‍⁠‌ if it didn’t‍‍⁠ matter.

“If‌ this is what‍⁠ you must do,‌ I understand.”

What⁠‌ could a simple⁠⁠ squire do? Even⁠ if the lad were a knight‍‌ and not a squire, Pablo de‍‍ Arnstein wasn’t one‍‍⁠ to be trifled‍ with.

“We‌⁠⁠ accept your offer,‍ Lord Joseph.”

“Then⁠‌ let the duel‍ commence.”

It‌‍ was already an‌⁠ uneven playing field,‍⁠‌ but Joseph had⁠‍ just tilted it.‍ It was a small twist, executed⁠‍ by a young‌ lad named Vlad,‌⁠ but it would⁠‌‍ suffice.

He‌ wasn’t seeking victory⁠‍ in the first place.

“I‌ just need to⁠⁠ buy time.”

Joseph⁠ had come to⁠‌ Deirmar to secure⁠‍ something safe. A man named Joseph‌‍ of Bayezid was⁠‍ always prepared for‍‍ the worst.

He⁠ could only hope the lad would‌⁠ hold out.

“Hmm.⁠ Hmm. Mmm.”

[Calm‍‍ down, Vlad.]

Vlad tried to stay‌‍ calm amid the‍⁠ sudden situation, but it wasn’t easy.‌

“Now,⁠‌ must I duel?”‌

“Yes.”‍

“And‍⁠ with a knight?”‌

“Yes.‌‌⁠ Breathe and calm⁠ down.”

Jager‌⁠⁠ was adjusting Vlad’s⁠ armor, making it‌⁠ as secure as⁠‍‍ possible. People couldn’t⁠ take their eyes‌ off Vlad—a knight performing squire duties⁠⁠ was an unusual⁠ sight.

“I‌ won’t… die, right?”‍‍‌

“At‌ worst, I’ll intervene.”⁠

“And‍ what’s the worst‌‌ that could happen?”‍

“…”

Vlad⁠ steadied his sword‍ as he watched‍ Jager adjusting the straps on his‍⁠ armor without answering.‍ He had always done so, but‌ in the end,‍‌⁠ it seemed he could only rely‌‌‍ on himself.

“Vlad.”⁠‌

“Lord Joseph.”

Joseph, who had descended‍‍ from the throne,‌‍ forced himself to‌‍ control his agitated‍ breathing and embraced⁠⁠ Vlad.

“Oh-oh-oh…⁠‍ Lord Joseph. You‍⁠ don’t need to⁠ do all this.”‍

“Give‍‌ me ten minutes.”‍

“What…?”‌‍

To⁠⁠ others, it seemed‍‌ like he was⁠‌⁠ encouraging his squire‍ to face the⁠‍ harsh battlefield, but‍‌ there was a secret dialogue between‌ them.

“I⁠⁠ had a plan‌‌ from the beginning.⁠ I’ve already given‍‌ orders to Vordan.”

“Ten⁠‌‌ minutes… Will that‌ be enough?”

Vlad‌‍ knew. Joseph wasn’t‌‌ a man who acted impulsively in⁠ a fit of⁠ anger.

“It’s better if you‌‍ resist.”

Upon‌‌ Joseph’s reply, Vlad⁠ turned his head⁠‌ and looked around.⁠‌‍ There was no⁠⁠ trace of the⁠‍ knight, old, fat,⁠‍‌ and always denigrated.‍

“Understand,⁠ I owe you‍‍‍ something.”

“To whom?”

Instead⁠⁠ of answering Joseph’s‌ question, Vlad fixed‍‌‌ his eyes on‌‍ the woman sitting alone at the‌‌ highest point.

He‌‌ locked his gaze with her watery eyes, blinking incessantly.‌⁠⁠

“I’ll‌ do my best to endure for‍‍ ten minutes, if⁠ I can.”

“Be⁠‍ careful.”

It‌ was an out-of-context‌⁠ response, but knowing‌ that Vlad often‌⁠ spoke to himself,⁠ Joseph simply nodded.⁠

This‍‌‍ is too heavy‍⁠ for him. He has reasons to‌ be nervous.

Vlad‍ tilted his head‌‌ toward the aquamarine-haired‌⁠‍ woman with teary‍ eyes.

“…”⁠

He‌‍ regretted confusing her for a maid,‍‍ regretted intruding into her parents’ tomb.‍

And⁠ thank you for‍‍ not saying it.⁠⁠‍

So,⁠‍ I’ll do the‌ best I can.‍‍

“Representatives‍⁠ from both sides,‍‍ approach!”

What‍ matters to a knight is his‍⁠⁠ lord’s command first,‍ his own honor‌‌ next. Vlad accepted⁠ the burden of‍ following Joseph’s orders‌‌ and defending Alicia’s‌‍ honor.

“After…”⁠‍

With‌ shaky steps, the‍ lad, carrying a bright, though borrowed,⁠⁠ honor, entered the‌ battlefield.

All‌ present watched him—allies,‌‍⁠ enemies, and even⁠⁠⁠ those unrelated.

The‌ world observed the‌‍ boy.

“I‌‍ am Vlad of‍ Soara.”

Vlad‍‍ of Soara.

A name written in‌ the world by‍⁠‌ a faithful priest,‌‌ with God’s permission.

The⁠⁠ boy gave his‌ name to the‌‌ world by his‌ own will.

Today,⁠ the boy deserved‍ to shine.

Because,‌ for the first‍ time in his‍⁠⁠ life, he wielded‍ the sword for‍⁠ someone other than‌‌ himself.