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Chapter 54
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The second day of the festival passed without major issues.
If anything noteworthy were to be mentioned, it would be the elevated status of the visitors.
“You’ve arrived, madam!”
“Fufu, I made time with difficulty.”
Dressed in all kinds of luxurious brands, their faces gleaming with oil, they exuded an unmistakable aura of belonging to extraordinary families.
The reason such people came to this festival was clear.
“This competition is not something to miss.”
To spectate the competition.
Especially since both newcomers and seniors were said to be so outstanding this time that they were called the “Golden Generation.”
‘Not merely for entertainment.’
To discern the future direction of the empire.
Watching this competition was a significant matter.
Additionally, there were others visiting for different reasons.
“Hey…! Look over there!”
“Isn’t that Viola, the Captain of the Knights?!”
“The Heavenly Sword Knight Order is here!”
Renowned knight orders and mercenary groups from across the land.
“Wow! So, this is Polaris?! It’s so open and the air is so clear here!”
“…Behave more seriously, Rex.”
Even the Magic Tower.
Organizations with notable reputations sent representatives without exception.
Because it was an unparalleled opportunity for “Talent Scouting” and “Recruitment.”
“Oh? Look who it is.”
A middle-aged knight with dull white hair tied up.
The captain of the Heavenly Sword Knight Order.
“I didn’t expect your side to send someone as well.”
Viola sneered as she looked at the figure before her.
“…Nice to meet you, Captain Viola.”
“Yes. It’s my first time seeing you too.”
She lifted the corners of her mouth and smiled.
At first glance, it seemed like a gentle smile, but the emotion within was utterly vile.
It was satisfaction.
“I regret the recent incident. I didn’t expect the Guardian Knights, who were like the sun, to collapse so completely.”
A devilish grin formed on her lips as she took delight in seeing her rival brought to ruin.
“Did Captain Lyle not come?”
“The captain is in seclusion. That’s why I came as his proxy.”
“Hmm… Considering the scale of his failure, I wouldn’t show my face either.”
The Guardian Knights had lost their momentum due to a certain incident.
The “Failure to Protect the Second Princess.”
Not only had they failed to guard Princess Angela against an attack by unknown assailants, but the details of their secret mission were also leaked.
If Angela had been found dead, it might have led to the disbandment of the entire knight order.
Although Angela herself expressed no desire to punish the knights, sparing them from official sanctions…
“The size of the knight order was reduced by more than half. I assume they’re here to recruit personnel.”
As a consequence, the Guardian Knights had been utterly crushed.
Failing the critical mission of protecting a member of the royal family was devastating enough.
But for the details to leak as well…
This was no minor blow to the order’s reputation.
“Puhaha…! If you ever need assistance, feel free to send someone. I’ll gladly help out as needed.”
“……”
“You don’t look pleased. Are you saying you don’t need my help? The Guardian Knights aren’t exactly in a position to be picky.”
Her tone was laced with blatant mockery and provocation.
As the palpable tension pressed down on those around them…
“Oh my, what a mistake.”
Splash!
Orange juice was spilled all over Viola’s outfit.
“Ugh?! What is this…!”
“Oh dear~ My apologies~. But why were you blocking the way?”
“What nonsense! When did I ever block the way?!”
As Viola raised her voice, her subordinates quickly moved to shield her.
“How dare you!”
“To show such disrespect to the captain!”
Shing!
The sound of swords being drawn spread like a wave.
“Drawing your swords over a mere accident? You’re far pettier than the rumours suggest.”
“Silence! You boldly pour your drink on me and dare to act shamelessly?!”
“Well? It looked like an accident to me too.”
A cold-faced woman approached Viola’s side as if she had been there the whole time.
She whispered softly, loud enough for only Viola to hear.
“Wouldn’t it be better to let this go? There are many eyes watching.”
Indeed, the commotion had already drawn attention.
“Urgh…! Still, this kind of thing…!”
“Weren’t you the one who was rude first?”
“What did you say?”
“Regardless of the reason, we’re here as Captain Lyle’s proxy, aren’t we? Your remarks could be seen as directed at Captain Lyle himself.”
Her icy voice wrapped around Viola.
“Should I pass on your words to Captain Lyle as they are?”
“…!”
Viola swallowed her anger and turned sharply.
“Let’s go.”
“What? But…”
“I won’t repeat myself. We’re leaving.”
“Y-Yes, ma’am!”
After Viola and the Heavenly Sword Knight Order withdrew,
“Phew…”
Corinne exhaled a tense breath.
“Nice one, Corinne.”
“Erina, was it really necessary to go that far?”
“Hmph, they were the ones who picked a fight first. Besides, you found it satisfying too.”
“…I’ll admit that.”
Erina threw the empty cup into the trash and glanced at someone.
“Well done, Captain.”
“……”
“If swords had been drawn, it would’ve been disastrous.”
The woman referred to as the captain had her hand on the hilt of her sword.
She had been ready to cut Viola down if needed.
“…Let’s go too.”
As if nothing had happened, she began to walk away.
Whoosh!
The wind blew away the scarf covering her face.
Her long hair had been cut into a short bob, and her red eyes had deepened into a darker crimson.
The Guardian Knights’ proxy for Captain Lyle.
Ornica Feron.
“……”
Her hollow gaze scanned the scenery of Polaris.
***
“…That’s enough!”
As Karen gave the command, I let go of the concentration I had pushed to the limit.
“Phew!”
“This is incredible…! This growth rate is absurd!”
I gathered the dark crimson aura that had spread around me.
“How is it? Do you feel anything?”
“Well, I feel like my body has gotten a bit lighter.”
On the second day of the festival.
Since there wasn’t much to enjoy, I asked Karen for a lesson.
-“Let me do it! Please, let me do it!”
Naturally, she didn’t refuse my request.
‘You’ve gotten quite used to handling killing intent.’
I lightly spread the killing intent contained within my body.
It was slightly unstable, but there wasn’t a significant recoil.
It felt like a ferocious beast had its limbs tied down.
‘If I let it loose completely, it would be uncontrollable.’
As long as I didn’t release the force, I could control it at will.
“You’re getting more skillful. Soon, you might even be able to learn the Blood Sword…!”
“That’s still far-fetched.”
“Aw…”
To wield the Blood Sword, one must handle killing intent as if it were an extension of their limbs.
It was still a distant goal for me, who couldn’t even release killing intent yet.
“Then, shall we end here for today?”
“What? That’s it?”
“The competition is tomorrow. You need to rest properly to be in top condition.”
Karen said with a face that looked as kind as could be.
“I believe in you, Lan.”
“I know you had another meeting with Professor Reina yesterday.”
“Tch.”
She clicked her tongue and turned her head away.
“Stop giving Professor Reina such a hard time.”
“But! But!”
“But what?”
“…Never mind.”
Karen slumped her shoulders and pouted her lips.
Anyone else seeing her like this would probably be shocked.
‘The relaxed demeanour Karen shows is just a facade.’
In reality, her childlike personality, where she throws tantrums and does whatever she wants, is closer to her true nature.
“Still, thank you for cheering me on. I’ll come back with the win.”
“Yep! I’ll be waiting.”
Though she said so,
If things didn’t go well during the competition, Karen might have to step in herself.
‘I hope it won’t come to that.’
After finishing the lesson,
I left the [Practice Room] and headed toward the dormitory.
“Hiss!”
“Hmm? Black Lotus, what’s wrong?”
“Hissss!”
After walking for about ten minutes,
Black Lotus, who was nestled in my arms, extended its head like an arrow and flicked its tongue.
It seemed like it was urging me to go in a specific direction.
“Is there something over there?”
“Hiss!”
Since I didn’t have any urgent plans,
I decided to follow Black Lotus’s lead.
“What could be the reason…?”
“…You’ve finally come.”
“Oh?”
Suddenly, a voice called out, and I instinctively hid behind a wall.
Peeking out slightly, I observed the situation ahead.
“As the head of my family, I couldn’t avoid attending this matter.”
“I don’t recall sending you an invitation.”
“Ah, I must’ve forgotten your invitation. I’ll make sure to bring one next time.”
Two women were engaged in a heavy conversation.
Among them, the familiar figure was…
‘Elma?’
Elma was glaring coldly at the other woman with an expression I’d never seen before.
“You’ve grown quite formidable. Unlike before, you’re now well-refined.”
“Thanks to you.”
The woman resembled Elma but exuded a different aura.
Her presence reminded me of an insurmountable stone wall, with her ashen hair radiating a sovereign demeanour.
‘Even from this distance.’
I could sense her overwhelming strength.
‘She’s at least on par with Karen…!’
It was then that I realized who she was.
She was the one who had crushed Elma’s life.
The Head of Her Family.
Her imposing presence was enough to make anyone falter.
Facing her oppressive aura head-on would make anyone feel like prey.
“…But.”
At that moment, the head of the family turned her gaze directly toward me.
Zap!
A shiver ran down my spine.
Her sharp gaze seemed to pierce straight through my heart.
“You there, spying from the shadows. Who are you?”
Ah, damn.
I’ve been caught.
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