Chapter 36: Honorable Duel (4)
iSfZG“Hey, junior, don’t stare at them too much,” Burleigh told Vlad, his voice as weak as ever.vkf417
ti3U“Those people over there get offended when we look at them.”5eXV
dqsgo“…”OPt
stnThe boy knew it too.zF35
GCOThat Burleigh’s words were true.aCv8r
jXFCvQN“It’s just a road, but we don’t deserve it.”S4AVUs
v3FKKA“Deserve what?”BdWfE
TwMTLeaning against the wall, carving a piece of wood with his dagger, Burleigh lifted a lip and smiled.NzA
j7joJM1It was a laugh that contained a small amount of anger and an uncontrollable sense of pity.Xd42
HLpN“It’s never enough, anything.”hYx6oX
HVqyvjf“We don’t have enough of anything.”QxT
abUbFYaBurleigh chuckled at Vlad’s response.Qo0Rnjy
H3LB0Ke“Well, you’re trivial, unqualified; you’ve been like this since birth, and you know it.”EoVR
VFjJS“…”RAYfwB
u06uytsThe boy didn’t ask this time.IhZy7bH
RQFYHe just turned his head to look at the gleaming buildings on the other side of the street.cx04v
Je4dThere, there were sparks and laughter.lH3WP
moJt97And those were things not allowed for those in the streets.trgk
PFkRFThe boy was always hungry for it.272
wN0r4***rvN
u6JWhen Vlad tilted his head in a greeting, he heard something reaching his ears.OxUEMT8
UYAt“… You’re not qualified.”eZOKrP
yUBFsbPablo, the knight from Arnstein.CJlEU
EUq6qcpA knight known for his shield skills, threw his shield.0nxdF
k1XyC7i“You’re not worthy to hear my name.”PNbXhG
8a6q8“…”RYnkTy
fd73Pablo declared, tossing his shield.YDV
ngqttDRI’ll do my best.AApiH
XmJ4fZT“This is not an honorable duel, from the moment you, unworthy bastard, stepped forward.”2Dk3
FKvpKOA battle between squires and knights.iOAjO
syddLjZIt’s something others would mock.oucbRZ
n3DICAnd he was the one involved in the absurdity.nuX2
IeoaSBn“You can ignore what the priest said. Fight him with everything you have. You can try to kill him.”IJhupuh
rOkQUCmJoseph trampled on Pablo’s honor to save Alicia’s and his own chances.u7k7O2
QC1And it was Vlad who had to bear the brunt of his anger.9KUpLR
YPGW3ZF“…”DBU0
RlOzUUVlad looked up silently, a chill in the air that even a priest wouldn’t dare to sanction.IpYC
lFlK4cqAnd he asked.0izSe
sW3i5oo“What am I lacking?”g3n2Gx
LUP“…What?”MLeM
H8AZPablo was momentarily surprised by Vlad’s confident attitude.SsTs
6VhUFar from being intimidated by this battle between knights and squires, the boy’s blue eyes were ablaze.6SqEjgu
VKwhEjVA man holding something honorable, noble, and bright in his hands.wBAV
zaIsmDI want to ask him.lIbU9
6BMZEW“What makes me different from you?”Ozm7X
XM72bkWhy is it that all the good, beautiful, and bright things are always hoarded for bastards like you.rzGLLv4
LagbKI hate it.JWwNQR7
dCzfiu“Now, both of you, return to your places and…”JZblYOP
7AOsDespite the priest’s restraint, the two remained locked in eye contact, not moving an inch.Y38
HkqjA dialogue through the eyes.I5rz6lz
RLwFor that to be possible, they would have to have at least the same zeal, but the boy was getting there.VrV
TLfqEYQHe might come from a place without means, but he wasn’t going to end up with nothing.Mj5jwiV
oGk“You said it yourself first, you can do anything.”IiK2
0rLx“…Bayezid has degraded.”fyLaN
U7B76NoThis guy is crazy.RQA
j8hwHe’s an arrogant who doesn’t know who he is and doesn’t know who he’s talking to.IlE3t
kLCs“I’ll cut it off at the root.”nWS7uH3
yXTIf he ever grows, he’ll only harm the honor of the knights.7EUy
q9YSo it’s better to trample on him here.jUD6PS
5tUfL“Please… go back to your respective places. Please.”ZV6
eBG5zNThe two walked to the end of the battlefield, responding to the plea from the priest, who was having a very difficult day and had unwittingly uttered a plea.GTR
vA5“A faithful lad.”6HdFm2a
eZKt“He’s got the basics.”L6Ti
Ia947ZYThere he was, holding his sword and muttering quietly, and they thought Vlad was praying.AfP9
qKn3This was a good enough situation to seek God’s favor.mqwMBFP
zahDMpBut, as always, the boy didn’t address God.6EW0
qdo[If your goal is to endure, I can’t help you; if you rely on me, you’ll collapse in ten seconds, let alone ten minutes.]qiK0v0
Bm5‘…’xwCu
L7nOxgVlad had a secret weapon: his inner voice, but right now he couldn’t use it.HOvXQc
MxSiPvX[After ten minutes, you must abstain, not force yourself. Because last time you had to risk your life, but not this time.]UcXL1yg
tDR“I’m not asking for help anyway.”4rl
57N1h[If…]RdqN
LOGe7The help of the voice was wonderful, but it wasn’t his.2uTR
oruY0Vlad knew that to shine fully, he had to have something that was his alone.FYZhk
uOhSUwF“Can I do it?”IvnRv8t
Van0[Only time will tell.]po37twy
qpFuP7Vlad was nervous, but so was his voice.Ceg
WhWTB5The boy promised a lot, but he didn’t have time to refine it.CfaDrM
tAhZHe trained as best he could, but he had no experience.F7sqwh6
5pOrQAnd now, before the boy matured, he had to face a knight.ySh
gTOAcl9“Are you ready, Vlad de Soara?”X4x
DVJ9oHe was a true knight, one who knew how to handle the aura.Ggo5
7UaB“That…”JX0x467
K7WSThe time to drag him into a ready position had ended.jjp
USMAll that was left was the clash of swords.iDI
p4s“Yes.”Klcm
US5b0Satisfied that both sides were ready, the priest stepped back and raised his hands.94e
FnbpQZI“This day, under the sun, is granted by the gods!”hqjOk
uXRNPeople looked at the duel field with excitement when the signal was given for the duel to begin.O5o2
ex0DyE“…”REtM
LFxSuddenly, there was no trace of the boy standing where he should have been.S5ZS
orwuA duelist swordsman, specializing in close combat.Pm7V
u1Dv9hEIt suited the boy’s temperament, always liking to take the initiative.qKGWoj
V61T572“Hmph!”4pu1T0
cIcXx3zA linear sweeping motion.18Kk3
H72n2smAn assertive movement that says you won’t let anything stand in your way.LJXI
DfHTherefore, there was no hesitation in Vlad’s sword as it struck like lightning.Vzt
VFPTWXThere was only intention.8d4L95
mZjmEmGBum!9IlaQDO
XhamThe boy took the initiative as planned.ZHZ7p
5cLu4XLWhether given or taken, Vlad’s intention succeeded.6oKQ
jf7“!”un1J7C
k47CYIt was a swift thrust that would have gone unnoticed by a normal person, but Pablo effortlessly stopped Vlad’s sword.DHviHv
WRJ2cIS‘Always think about the next move. Unless you want to attack once and die.’Kpgyc
BGB“!”tw7
9qAThe attack was blocked, but Vlad didn’t lose momentum.f0s
OY7D6nAs if he had been waiting for it, just as he had learned from Jager, a succession of attacks began to fall on Pablo.vQE
ipPifCLThe constant clash of swords echoed in the hall at precise intervals.3QPX
oeMh5OeIt was the signal that the duel was progressing, following the current of the boy leading the attack.Dl4
DARHZ“!”Qjym5
9htBYAlthough it was Pablo who had yielded the initiative, there was no panic on his face.iKE2V
9yA4He observed calmly.biMQ
jmgrNzkNaturally.HAGvt92
JkKDIt was just a glance, but Pablo believed he glimpsed why Joseph had sent this brat as his opponent.Nb2
nsVmN[Aim for the left, where the shield was raised, because convention is something terrible.]iVk
HIAOut“Hmph!”Phc
FLQTzl9Vlad nodded, following the voice’s advice and striking at Pablo’s weakness.5xR0o1
ZenSIt was an attack that could have been easily blocked, but Pablo could feel something sparking on Vlad’s sword.RCK
JCBo6The boy’s sword was like a voracious wolf.EhuWxye
e25Like a wolf that has smelled blood, it relentlessly gnawed at his weakness.blN
GNz2utEHunger.KvT
yC5sqAnd an innate cruelty.SgSHYdD
115BIt was hidden in the boy’s sword.pvYRq5
NXD5o“I should probably stop now.”666Ui
ZvlcaA1Pablo had yielded the initiative with his sudden attack, but he knew he had to stop now.zlfpH
VC4The boy’s momentum was intense.C8Lk3
uu974l“What the hell…!”nokK
HKesG“That kid doesn’t even tire!”5bd
prZVlad’s swift and abrupt movements had the same inherent extravagance as the boy’s blond hair.PjpS
vYTXmoAnd people were mesmerized.cHbrO
ZcmT8uOVlad was carried away by the boy’s momentum.hrghu3
N2AH0eIBang! KANG! Ka-ang!08wyv
wyJcSparks flew as swords clashed.xjhs
byc“…”wz4S
kAVcFWatching Vlad retreat, Pablo remained still, waiting for his chance.gJMkm
jc0FUSmCapitalizing on Vlad’s momentum, but not his maturity yet.ouBPwH
6kik“Hmph!”uzr
FJDeiuEHe braced himself and struck.zBfkkQ
vAJXOWith a rock-solid force that could crush a small storm.LiRVz
IB4“!”Ba1
Lunx9PVlad, who had been relentlessly attacking Pablo, instinctively raised his sword to the sudden weight coming down on him.dG4kXGS
U3e14FQuang!9AZ
i3coKc“No!”Dc5ebP
LZs0PpAnd with that, he was knocked to the ground.WVHvnFA
gfqfMASThe force of the blow was such that his body bounced as soon as it touched the ground.HPf7
0D9“Out!”lPnzZ
okZVlad blocked with his sword, but the sharp sensation of being hit on the back of the neck with a stone kept him alert.Spsh
3f4VA blocked blow, but not repelled.buE0YsX
CS3Vlad absorbed all the force of the blow, but with his trained senses, he quickly halted and retreated to close the gap.y93CFFd
hWN1ywS“Phew…”4tKFm
OF1yT6His body reacted, but not his mind.Ambk2
KBPWIt was the result of practicing with Jager.hQX
2lmr[Wake up!]aMgX
ciniNfy“…Huh?”DrMzaZ
PpWmR1jJager’s training swords had been intimidating enough, but Pablo clearly possessed a different kind of strength.uHN2f
0d53SXm‘I think I got hit with a stone.’cwANYV
lnWtHe had only blocked an attack, yet his entire body pulsed.orDmC
ibAThe blow wasn’t strong, but it was impactful, and Vlad naturally shrank.aWL4w4k
0FER“Out of tricks already?”wTHCJ6t
KgO44“…”yaIYdv
CgnyrJPablo in front of him was gaining momentum.SVqUP9
TpTIAfter being in a duel that was not only dishonorable but also a spectacle, Pablo didn’t want to linger.qq4Y9Z
nZiB[He’s coming.]B81YM
rdoEmEven without a shield, Pablo’s momentum was like a mountain.iUq
sbub1“…Where?”X8gQ
BEYfIS[He’s trying to dominate the gap; you have to move wherever!]YR5n
MKfkkyPablo, who had created a solid defense with just his sword, began slowly approaching Vlad with his usual mountainous strides.Lf83BX
8vifIt would have been an honor for Vlad to show such sincerity, but at this point, it was just a clumsy step forward.bl63
BCgr[You have to dodge somehow.]dIe
MieoUEQ“That’s easier said than done!”w46YvD
XPbThe Voice’s sword skill, defined by close combat and single-strike kills, was unusable in this situation.EUt5s
PdiZUh‘Footwork.’SP3spqs
Na9CTALFor now, he needed the undulating movements of his other master, Jager.G063eGg
CrFThe boy mentally replayed Jager’s movements, preparing for Pablo’s attack.OBwWxd
PxwDABANG!2ZGSh
vOTv“Out!”Ady
FHSVBut even if you’re prepared, there are things you can’t stop.N5OgC
APDFDU7Vlad, who had just grabbed a sword, lacked the experience and skill to break down the enormous wall that was Pablo.RC0Zq0
nIOpBANG!B74vVN
Xu0Quang!CJ3t
PMLVlad slowly staggered backward as the sound of sword clashing against sword was incredible.OeLkrp
Ik9zXIzThe threatening sound and the precarious retreat that followed left Alicia breathless.9Ib6HW
TEYIt was a punishment too harsh to endure for the determined but defeated boy.wS8igr2
lX01[Wake up!]MtAe
B7lrbvThe voice kept waking him up, but the shock was so great that Vlad had almost lost consciousness.wQP
6lrO05If this had been a duel, he could have said he had proven his worth by lasting so long.HJBI
Jw11zfnBut the boy hadn’t come here to learn anything.GM3KfLt
vRYtoHe was here to prove something.P2BU
uCAJQG“No!”YxQ
ZtLVlad shouted, barely clinging to his fading consciousness as he somehow managed to drive his artless sword into the approaching blade.rLfGKx
ooGIt was a final effort.cLHyq
8HJZQuang…!8lSrUi
3gb2But the weak-willed sword didn’t give any chance to the boy.EQl
ll2o4ljChiiiit-!30P6LR
YXTU8SThe collision sent Vlad to the edge of the dueling arena.LiYM6c3
fAht“Crunch!”tSEx1vd
oXhINCrimson blood spurted from Vlad’s mouth.KvtOZ
5SMk5vTHe had long lost grip of the sword, and the drops of saliva running down his lips mingled with the blood on the ground.MJYKm
mLZ“Excellent.”G7mD
Vd6a1kPablo had been angered by Joseph’s belittling of his honor moments before, but now that Vlad and he had crossed swords, he felt differently.q9iw
79vlfPHe was a good kid.hf3jp6b
GrqpMhA brat with potential.XHpG
0Qjv05Although it was still too early for a formal duel.F1FZXn
sGQ“Come back later.”y56
tK4HPablo held his sword high, ready for the final blow.21EN
r69O6kEVlad watched Pablo’s strike with trembling and dizzy eyes.lSN1Cqe
1iOAi3T[Well done.]x0m
7dLnjNo voices were heard, no words from Jager, who had prepared Vlad, or Joseph, who had given orders to the boy.QyArkv
ZKzThe boy had done his part.dS94
IckNjNow, he could rest.5XBetMe
xMjVd8Everyone in the hall applauded the defeated but determined boy.VpMAJ
DYNTung-.kWB0
He1BPablo’s sword descended towards the boy.dBc
mcdKrWith a dull sound.HnmXA
XQuk“…?”wh7
ihvYWhen no one understood what was happening in front of them.sAjb
BrQ“!”qM5ea
vZj75rColin sat up, startled by the sound of a nightmare.jPpp1F
zKjzq“It’s him.”Kfp
EGhJubert, who had been eating nuts while watching the impulsive attack of the boy, couldn’t hide his surprise.D7R
Rpr6Wrg“…”9D5We
zLVUntil Pablo saw Colin’s silently shouting face, he didn’t realize why his sword had bounced back.ZPN28
Sr93ZFzEven for an experienced knight, it was too much to comprehend at once.zbeV3e9
qv6VVHv“Why, only you kids…”J36
6BDBniHearing Vlad’s muted voice, Pablo sheathed his sword and turned to look at the boy in front of him.Bfd
OmJhStunned, with half-closed eyes, as if he had lost his mind.p8t8wC
TBWIt was as if he were dreaming somewhere in his memory.uD9HA
SPg“I also…”nTG
bW5zkPoThe unqualified boy has always yearned to shine.nQ2B8
qOUDHe wanted ability, he wanted opportunities, he dreamed of being qualified.hrsM
69rKhTo reach for brilliance.4fTa0
sv3And the boy has now shown that he is the one who deserves to shine.Sfl
mZQCXVlad of Soara breaking Pablo’s sword, Knight of Arnstein.5Ay
d4IHe had recreated the path of the sword shown to him by his master.nP6m
skh“I also want to be there.”Ajk
O2vThe boy’s eagerness was gradually creating his own world through opportunity, teaching, and crisis.02EH
vLITZkeIt was about to bloom.dWL3BlH
MP31A colorful flower that no one had seen before.lHNdoB
H7rjDOaThe boy’s sword was weeping.RdaNT
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