< Chapter 60 - The First Sword #2 (Revised) >
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‘The Banquet of Swords.’
A small festival for the inspectors only, hosted by the Spencer Dukes.
Judging by its form alone, it wasn’t that great of an event.
It wasn’t much different from the tea parties that were routinely held in noble families.
‘But if its history and tradition span 300 years.’
Moreover, if the organizer was the Duke of Spencer, a leader of the noble faction and known as the ‘Master of the Sword’, the story would have been different.
‘He has considerable authority.’
He did well at the sword banquet.
Recognized at the Sword Banquet.
It may seem like a trivial story, but it had significant meaning in the Kingdom of Seilun.
‘The Sword Banquet is a place where only real people gather.’
The reason the Sword Banquet has remained a ‘small event’ at least in terms of scale is because the Spencer Dukes set the attendance standards for the Sword Banquet so high.
Simply being somewhat known in the local area was not enough to gain entry to the Sword Banquet.
There were no instances of invitations being distributed to parents or teachers who were celebrities.
In order to be invited to the Sword Banquet, one had to have an undeniable anecdote that proved one’s true skills, or a letter of recommendation from a person of considerable skill who put his or her honor on the line to recommend one.
In the former case, it was virtually impossible for it to pass as false because the Spencer Dukes’ people thoroughly investigated whether the anecdotes were true or exaggerated, and in the latter case, since the recommender’s reputation was at stake, it was almost impossible for an incompetent person to be recommended.
‘It’s none other than a sword banquet.’
Because it was an event of great authority for the inspectors of the Kingdom of Seilun.
What would happen if a rumor spread that I recommended an incompetent person to such a place?
‘It’s not even an excuse to say you have bad taste.’
It was literally a recommendation based on honor.
‘Anyway, it’s that kind of event.’
An event of great prestige that you can be proud of simply by being invited to.
For the swordsmen born and raised in the Kingdom of Seilun, it is literally a dream stage.
But Uther knew little about this grand event.
The reason was simple: there was no significant information about the sword banquet, whether in the past or present life.
‘Because it never happened even once in the original.’
The Sword Feast was, after all, a domestic event of the Spencer Dukes.
Because of this, it could not be opened while the head of the household, Duke Spencer, was ill. From the beginning of the second volume of the Hero Chronicles to the end – to be exact, when the Spencer Duke family was destroyed due to the fall of the Kingdom of Cailun and the Red Rose Castle became a cradle for raid monsters – Duke Spencer was continuously ill.
That is to say, it never opened in the original.
‘There are only settings.’
That was just an event like that.
The only relevant dialogue that appeared in the work was ‘Isn’t the Sword Banquet being held this year too? What a pity.’, so that said it all.
‘The only thing I can hope for is memories from this life.’
Stories I heard while living in Uder.
As Count Chase boasted, Count Bayer, a close friend of Count Chase, and his future son-in-law Gale attended the sword banquet, and it would not be an exaggeration to say that the two of them ate up the sword banquet.
‘And those two people are my father and my older brother.’
So, it wouldn’t have been strange if he had known a great deal of detail, but unfortunately, Yuder knew almost nothing about the Sword Feast.
It was Count Bayer’s judgment that it would be too much to talk about the sword banquet to Yuder, who was unable to learn swordsmanship even if he wanted to because of his syllable disorder.
‘They are so kind-hearted.’
Should we really say that like father, like son?
It would not be an exaggeration to say that Count Bayer and Gale were truly pure white in terms of character.
‘Well, actually, there’s no need to know the details.’
The form of the sword banquet changed slightly each time it was held.
The original purpose of the Sword Banquet was to gather promising young talents from the Kingdom of Seilun in one place and broaden their horizons, not to select the best young talent.
‘Whether it’s a tournament or something else, all you have to do is work hard and win a prize.’
I had no intention of hiding my strength.
There was no benefit to hiding the power.
‘Of course, if you hide your strength, it’s fun to step on the punks who rush in without knowing anything and say, ‘I’m the real deal.’
Just like what happened with Lucian yesterday.
But actually, it wasn’t something that attracted me that much.
In the first place, Yuder was not the type to enjoy teasing others.
‘Cordelia is an exception, though.’
Because teasing Cordelia was like a joy in life to Uder in his previous life.
‘It’s really amazing.’
Why was he so obsessed with Cordelia from his previous life, whose gender, face, and even age he didn’t know?
‘Is this fate?’
Yuder, who was momentarily embarrassed by the thought that came to his mind without him knowing, turned his gaze with a slightly red face.
Because while we’re on the subject, I miss Cordelia.
But when I looked back, Cordelia’s condition was a little strange.
Since it was a sword banquet, the women also participated in training attire, but Cordelia, who was the only one wearing a dress, stood out more than usual, but that wasn’t strange.
‘I’m completely out of my mind.’
I was standing facing forward, but I wasn’t actually looking forward.
I couldn’t tell if he was daydreaming or recalling memories, but it was clear that he was thinking about something else.
‘Is it because of yesterday…?’
Or maybe something happened with Scarlett last night?
Lord Cornwell was spouting off some nice things about the sword feast in front of him, but Uther was starting to lose track of them.
Because I was curious about what Cordelia was thinking.
At that moment, Uther stared at Cordelia, and Cordelia stared blankly ahead.
As Uther had expected, Cordelia was busy recalling the events of the previous night.
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“Ugh, I feel sick. I definitely wanted to stab you to death, but touching your cheek feels so good that I want to forgive you.”
Is this what it feels like to touch a cat’s butt?
No, there was no comparison.
Cordelia’s cheeks were like a delicacy of the highest quality.
“I really want to touch it every day······.”
Scarlett let out a ragged breath without realizing it, and Cordelia, startled by this, struggled to get out of Scarlett’s grasp.
“Stop, stop touching it. It’s not yours.”
“What? So it’s Black Cloak’s? So I can’t touch it?”
“No, I said it’s mine! Why is Yuder here?”
“Isn’t that Black Cloak’s?”
“It’s mine, mine.”
“Then since it doesn’t have an owner, can I make it mine?”
“what?”
What kind of logic is this?
And why doesn’t it have an owner? That’s because it’s mine!
When Cordelia got annoyed and started to throw tantrums, Scarlett burst into laughter as if she had been expecting that very tantrum. She hugged Cordelia tightly and patted her head.
“Ah, it’s healing.”
“Hey, it’s not me? And really, why are you doing this?”
“Yeah, I don’t know either.”
Scarlett, who smiled slightly like an idiot, hugged Cordelia’s waist again, and Cordelia eventually slumped her shoulders with a look of resignation.
“Okay, do whatever you want, whatever you want.”
“Really? Can I really do whatever I want?”
Scarlett’s question brought Cordelia back to her senses. No matter how she looked at it, Scarlett’s two eyes were dangerous.
“Excuse me? Mr. Log Master?”
“I’m joking, I’m joking.”
Scarlett laughed again, released the hand that was holding Cordelia, and rested her chin on it as she asked.
“Anyway, Pink Bomb. Why did you avoid being alone with Black Cloak under the pretext of Girls Talk?”
“uh?”
“Excuse me, I’m still the Log Master. And what you just said.”
Cordelia asks if they look like they’re dating.
“Oh, wait a minute. You guys aren’t dating, are you?
Cordelia flinched for a moment at Scarlett’s question.
And Scarlett’s eyes became sharper at the flinching sight.
Could it be that the rumor was false?
Then, is that the weekly runaway of love?
“Oh, no?! We’re really in love?! T-T-Tell you, you know that too! Rumors are spreading!”
Scarlett’s eyes narrowed even further as Cordelia quickly got up from her seat and began to pour out her words.
Because the way he was jumping around excitedly was very suspicious.
“Suspicious.”
“What, what’s so fishy about that? You did the same thing just now. You said you wanted to stab me to death.”
I told you not to salt it. Okay?
Cordelia tried hard to make excuses, but it had the opposite effect. Instead, her suspicions only deepened.
“Okay, then give me some evidence.”
“evidence?”
“Oh, proof. Proof that Black Cloak really likes you.”
Cordelia panicked even more at Scarlett’s words.
That’s because that’s exactly what Cordelia has been struggling with these days, yet hasn’t been able to find an answer to.
“Can’t you do it?”
“Oh, no? There are plenty.”
“Okay, then I’ll listen. Come here and tell me one by one.”
Scarlett climbed onto the bed and gestured to the seat next to her with her chin.
It seemed like he wanted to just lie down and talk.
“Hey, here? Right now?”
“Oh, right here, right now. Let’s have a girls’ talk.”
When Scarlett smiled brightly and tapped the seat next to her with her palm, Cordelia looked very hesitant, but eventually nodded.
He approached Scarlett hesitantly and lay down quietly.
“Okay, then tell me. Proof that Black Cloak likes Pink Bomb.”
“Wait a minute. There’s so much to say, I don’t know where to start.”
“Oh, I see. There are so many that I have to choose.”
As Scarlett spoke teasingly, Cordelia’s face became even cuter, and Scarlett could deeply sympathize with Uther’s feelings.
‘It’s fun.’
This is so much fun.
How could there be such a lovely creature that is so fun to tease?
Scarlett began to groan again, and Cordelia, blinded by the ordeal before her, managed to open her mouth with difficulty.
“first.”
“Okay, for now.”
“Yuder calls me princess…lord.”
“Ah, you have a nickname, right?”
“Oh, a nickname. That.”
“But a princess… oh my… really.”
“Hey, why is the princess here?”
“No, you’re not a baby. Keep going.”
For a moment, Cordelia imagined Uther calling her baby, and her feelings became very complicated.
I was so embarrassed that I thought I was going crazy, but strangely enough, I also felt good.
‘Am I crazy?’
Why is my heart beating like this again?
“Hey, I told you to keep trying. Are you sure you’ve run out of money?”
“Oh, no. I said there are too many to choose from.”
“Yeah, yeah. That must be too many.”
“Ahem.”
Anyway, Cordelia, who had regained her composure thanks to Scarlett, said again while counting on her fingers.
“And whenever you go far away, always carry me. So that your legs don’t hurt.”
“Ugh.”
What is this feeling of teasing and being teased at the same time?
Scarlett felt like she was being hit while clearly being hit, but she decided to hold on for now.
“and?”
“Uh… That, and Yuder always escorts me. Every time I go somewhere.”
“Isn’t that natural since you’re engaged?”
“Is that so?”
Is it just because you’re fiancé?
“Well, if you listen a little more, you’ll understand. Try more.”
“Uh …
Cordelia spoke with shining eyes, but Scarlett’s eyes turned cold.
‘Do you tame them by feeding them wild animals?’
But it also seems plausible.
But it was a story that I couldn’t just listen to.
“Hey, what’s that? If you put it that way, does that mean your family cook likes you?”
“But, even though Yuder isn’t a chef, he still does it.”
And come to think of it, I never really complained about him.
So, isn’t it something a bit special?
But that was just then.
“Ah, I think I know why.”
“Huh? Really? What is it?”
“Aren’t you really bad at cooking?”
At Scarlett’s comment, Cordelia’s face turned as if she had been hit in the head with a hammer and she was unable to say anything.
The reason why Yuder always cooks for me.
Why don’t you leave it to Cordelia herself and tell her to try it at least once?
‘There is a possibility!’
And that’s why he couldn’t help but have that look on his face like he’d been hit in the head with a hammer.
A huge disappointment.
A feeling that surges in without me knowing why.
“Is that so? Is that because you don’t like eating the food I make? Because it tastes so bad?”
When Cordelia asked with a slightly tearful voice without realizing it, Scarlett quickly shook her head.
“Oh, no. That’s not to say that. It’s just… that it could be. Oh, no. No matter what, it’s not like I can always cook with my heart. Yeah, that’s right. It’s such a hassle to cook outside.”
Before I knew it, our positions had become completely opposite, but it was not the time to be arguing about that.
Seeing Cordelia looking depressed, Scarlett felt like she had done something wrong and spoke quite desperately, and Cordelia blinked and asked back.
“Is that so?”
“Oh, that’s right. That’s definitely the case.”
Scarlett, who had been nodding her head vigorously, suddenly chuckled and raised her upper body as she spoke.
“So that’s it? He calls me princess, carries me on his back all the time, escorts me, and even cooks for me.”
“Yeah, that’s right.”
As Cordelia nodded as if she had realized something new, Scarlett laughed again.
“Well, I understand. But isn’t something lacking? Is this all I need?”
“Is it not enough?”
“Oh, this is just like Dad.”
“Oh, Dad?”
“Oh, Dad. But why is that expression on your face… Is your nickname Dad or something?”
“Oh, no? We just call each other that sometimes when we joke around.”
“You really did call me.”
“Ugh······.”
“Anyway, good. Then what’s your nickname?”
“Huh? My nickname?”
“No, Black Cloak calls you Princess. Then you must have a nickname for Black Cloak too. Surely you don’t have a nickname?”
Scarlett’s comment made Cordelia think again.
In fact, whenever Uther called her princess, Cordelia would respond with something like “prince” or “dolsoe”, but it was too subtle to call it a nickname.
“I can see no expression on your face. Hey… Don’t do that. You’re making people sad. Black Cloak is a person too, a person. Even if you’re a prince, give him a nickname.”
“Ugh… Ah, I understand.”
Still, the prince is a bit.
But Cordelia was the one who inserted it into her mental list.
“Anyway, is this all? Is there more?”
“Hey, there it is! A love letter!”
“Oh… Is that a letter Black Cloak wrote to you? Can you show me that?”
“Huh? Oh, no. Not that. Those… those, you know, famous letters I wrote to Yuder.”
“Ah… the letters left behind every time you ran away? Those are kind of famous, aren’t they?”
Cordelia’s face turned red again at Scarlett’s words, but she continued to speak stubbornly.
“It’s not just me who wrote it. Yuder wrote it too.”
Scarlett clapped her hands as Cordelia spoke proudly, boasting about her life’s accomplishments.
“Yeah, yeah. I used it once while you used it three times.”
“Ugh.”
Actually, it wasn’t even at the level of one out of three times.
If you count all the things you said to accompany Uder, it would be more precious than one time five times.
‘Oh, now that I think about it, I guess I’ll have to ask about it tomorrow.’
You should also be more proactive in leaving a message of love. Tell the neighborhood to spread the word.
Cordelia, who didn’t realize that it was the sound of digging her own grave, added a new item to her mental list again, and Scarlett came to a conclusion.
“Okay, I listened to your story. I’ve come to a conclusion.”
Cordelia sat up abruptly as Scarlett crossed her arms and gave her a femme fatale look for the first time in a long while.
“What? Do you think Yuder really likes me?”
It was Cordelia who revealed her true feelings without realizing it, and Scarlett clicked her tongue and said.
“I don’t know about that. But one thing is certain.”
“what?”
“It seems like you want to strangle me to death!”
Like these pickled couples!
Scarlett half-seriously grabbed Cordelia by the collar and shook her violently.
‘And one more thing.’
What I now know clearly after hearing the story.
But I don’t want to tell you that.
‘I really like it.’
There’s no need to say who is who.
“Oh, I really want to kill you.”
Scarlett began pinching Cordelia’s cheeks again.
And back to the present.
“Cordelia.”
Scarlett was bad. In the end, she didn’t even answer properly.
“Cordelia.”
He just pinches my cheeks so much. Even Yuder hasn’t been able to pinch my cheeks that many times.
“Cordell, Leah?”
“uh?”
Cordelia, who had barely come to her senses after being called three times, looked back at Uther, who nodded to the stage in the banquet hall.
Lord Cornwell was giving a long speech, and the hopefuls were listening with shining eyes.
‘Did you not get any sleep last night?’
‘Huh? Uh… Yeah. Because of Scarlett.’
‘You seem to like it a lot?’
“uh?!”
Cordelia let out a voice without realizing it, but it didn’t stand out that much because Lord Cornwell’s voice was so loud while he was speaking.
But Cordelia, embarrassed by the gazes of those around her, shrugged her shoulders and looked away again.
‘What, what?’
‘No, Scarlett. You seem like that too.’
‘Oh, yeah. I think I like it a lot.’
I like Scarlett too.
But at that moment, Cordelia suddenly remembered what happened yesterday and grabbed the hem of Uther’s clothes.
‘But Yuder.’
‘Why Cordelia?’
‘You… no. Later.’
Because it was too embarrassing to call him ‘Prince’ with just my eyes, let alone my voice.
I thought I might have to think of another nickname.
‘Cordelia?’
‘I think the speech is over.’
Lord Cornwell had great timing for Cordelia.
Uther had no choice but to look straight ahead again, and Lord Cornwell, who was faced with such a sight, smiled slightly.
When he was released from his security duties, he was as good a person as I had thought.
“Then, I will explain the tournament next.”
It was the first sword banquet in years, and the first natural tournament in years as well.
Not only Lucas, who was sitting nearby, but also the other promising players around him felt their hearts race in an instant.
And in the midst of all this enthusiasm, Lord Cornwell smiled pleasantly.
“This is a good fever. Let’s fan this fever even further.”
As Lord Cornwall clapped his hands, a knight who had been waiting behind him appeared pushing a cart.
A cart covered with a white cloth.
What is under the sky.
That’s clearly the prize of this tournament.
“I will reveal the product.”
Lord Cornwell removed the cloth, and at that moment, Uther and Cordelia’s eyes opened wide.
We looked at each other without realizing it, and without anyone saying anything first, we both shouted in our hearts.
‘oh my god!’
‘bingo!’
Publicly available products.
In the original, there was no way to obtain it because the sword banquet was not held, so it was an item that could only be obtained later.
First of all, it was a sword.
It is a very good sword that any inspector would covet.
But that wasn’t what got Uther and Cordelia excited.
‘True identity,’
The secret hidden in the sword before your eyes.
Uther and Cordelia’s game brains began to activate again.
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< Chapter 60 - The First Sword #2 (Revised) > End