#354
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354
Area, who stopped communicating with Xian, immediately spoke to Helmut.
“There’s a problem with Asuka and Xian.”
Helmut, who heard Area’s story, was also a little surprised.
“Empire, the emperor’s younger brother, the son of Archduke Farnese?”
“Yes, royal family.”
“… … “Is that why you hid it?”
I was surprised, even though it was expected. If they were going to such great lengths to hide it, it could be expected that they would do so since they were not from an ordinary family.
But Asuka was someone who didn’t look like royalty at all. He speaks harshly and doesn’t seem to have a lot of money.
Above all, wasn’t Asuka the type of person who was indignant at nobles who looked down on commoners because they were commoners, and went around beating them up?
In fact, was it because they were not afraid of retaliation from the nobles because they were members of the royal family?
That said, Asuka never revealed herself as a member of the royal family under any circumstances. Even when he was ambushed by Black Hawks in Baden.
‘He’s a very stubborn guy.’
However, it is natural that Archduke Farnese cannot let go of Asuka, his only child.
Helmut had different thoughts from Area and Sian.
Anyway, Asuka joined in coming to the Forest of Pahe to rescue Helmut.
Actually, I didn’t do anything that big when I came here, but it’s not like I didn’t do anything, I took risks and even risked my life.
Helmut owed him a debt. Whatever Asuka chooses, it’s up to her.
‘If possible, it would be better to choose the one that is beneficial to me.’
It was just a wish, and I had no intention of intervening.
“Better than that, is it okay?”
Area asked, tilting her head. Helmut answered briefly.
“of course.”
“I have no doubts about the result either. “I’m just afraid that the second prince will think differently, that’s the problem.”
“He is a king. He knows how to give up what he can’t have. Just like he did four years ago.”
“I guess so? Then show it to them. “What did you bring from Pahe Forest?”
Area smiled. It was a beautiful smile that seemed to sparkle with light. Helmut tightened his grip on his sword without saying a word.
As I said to Sian, it’s not over. If you ask me if it’s going well, I’d say it is anyway.
There was no collision. As they had hoped, they had a conversation with the two princes, the powerful figures of Basor.
It was a fruitful conversation because we confirmed that our goals were aligned.
Basor had something to pay back to the temple, and Helmut was a good cause for them to promote.
However, it was when the second prince revealed his true feelings and the conversation seemed to come to a conclusion.
The second prince, whose expression hardened, suddenly said something else.
“Bathor is willing to help you. But, he wants to point out one thing.”
“What is it?”
“All you showed us was your horse and, if you’ll excuse me, this beautiful woman.”
The second prince’s gaze rested on Area. Area remained unwavering and maintained a cold expression.
Helmut tilted his head.
“I would have shown my skills well four years ago.”
“It was like that to some extent in martial arts circles. But I only heard about you defeating the Red Scorpion and the former Commander of the Knights of Palma through Luke Jaeger.”
“Are you saying you don’t trust the Commander of the Knights of Palma?”
Despite Helmut’s provocative tone, Luke Jaeger’s expression was calm. He even laughed. Leisure has increased.
“There are some things in the world where faith alone is not enough. “I have to see it with my own eyes, and the Commander of the Knights of Palma agreed to that.”
What if Luke Yeager agreed? Helmut knew the answer. The 2nd prince’s eyes narrowed.
“I don’t know if you know this, but there is only one way to prove yourself on Bashor.”
duel. Proving it by beating your opponent with a sword.
A smile formed on the 2nd prince’s lips. I don’t like that testing look.
However, no matter how much Helmut is a disciple of the Sword Saint and has made great contributions, it is a different matter for Basor to support him.
It would be a small price to pay to make a decision on the fate of the nation in just one confrontation.
Helmut’s black eyes darkened. As if there was an abyss in the air, the black eyes contrasting sharply with the white gave an eerie feeling.
“In that case, it would be better if the duel were held informally.”
Before anyone could open their mouth, Helmut added lightly.
“I’m going to win anyway.”
Luke Yeager grinned. Rather than being angry, the face is filled with a desire to win.
“Look at what he says about the Commander of the Knights of Palma.”
“Because I defeated the Commander of the Knights of Palma four years ago.”
“I am stronger than I was then.”
It was a confident tone. Helmut also guessed it when he saw him. That Luke Jaeger surpassed Rutus Cicero.
It’s natural. Luke Jaeger was crazy about swords, and he also had a talent that Helmut recognized.
“There is no need to compare which place is better for becoming stronger: the desert or the forest of Pahe.”
“That makes sense.”
“No need to argue, you’ll find out when the time comes. I’m really looking forward to it. “The Knight Commander of Palma showed great enthusiasm for that duel.”
All Bashorians enjoy martial arts competitions and duels. The second prince looked genuinely happy about this situation.
That was the same for Luke Yeager, the person participating in the duel.
“The duel will take place three days later at the Palma Knights training ground. As you said, informally. Until then, rest well.”
The second prince spoke softly. Although it is unofficial, it means that it will not be announced loudly to the outside world like the martial arts club.
Dignitaries, including the second prince, and members of the Knights of Palma will attend the event.
No matter how much he is the next king, even the second prince cannot decide on important matters for the country without talking to his subjects.
They would have to see Helmut’s skills clearly to understand the second prince’s decision.
For Luke Yeager, it’s about taking big risks. It was a position where his reputation could be damaged.
The Commander of the Knights of Palma is not in a position where he can be seen losing to someone.
However, if Helmut shows his level of skill and defeats Luke Jaeger, his loss will be diluted.
This means that Helmut is strong.
The Basharians are simple in some ways. The strong deserve to take on anything.
Helmut just had to fight and win.
And so Helmut faced a duel.
Both Helmut and Area thought that they would definitely win the duel, but what happened after that was something that could not be guaranteed.
Since Basor had strong royal authority, he thought he would only have to settle the matter with the second prince or the king, but he seemed to think that it was not something to deal with the second prince in such a dirty manner.
Of course, Area grumbled.
“They say it’s a country of warriors, but it’s so simple it’s hard to miss. A duel.”
“If you come to Basor, you must follow Basor’s laws.”
“Do you think it’s good for you to be like this?”
“Because in the human world, there are not many people who can be my opponent.”
One of those rare, few people is Luke Jaeger. He has a good opportunity, so he has no reason to turn it down.
A strange feeling of excitement rushed through my pulse. The fact that the two people who inherited Darian’s swordsmanship faced each other was meaningful in itself.
Helmut smiled slightly. It was a young smile, like a beast full of satiety.
“Perhaps Luke Yeager will learn what it feels like to face his great-grandfather, whom he has never seen before.”
It was Darian’s back that looked as high as a mountain. However, a living disciple will one day step on the back of a dead master.
It may not be enough to say that we have surpassed it, but we have reached a level of equality.
Helmut no longer looks at Darian. What he has to look at now is… … .
[Are we finished talking? What are you doing to come back so late? I thought something happened again.]
Upon returning to the room, Elaga sauntered over to Helmut. Ygrel also sat on Area’s shoulder while pouting.
The two monsters naturally decided on their positions.
Elaga, who briefly heard about the series of events, started meowing in an uproar.
[duel? A duel? Hey, the Commander of the Knights of Palma or something is said to be the strongest swordsman in this country.]
“yes.”
[Besides, Darian is said to be a descendant of that old man!]
Leopards are naturally strong and have strong bones, so similar offspring are born. Elaga spat out with certainty.
[Then you lose!]
It’s a reaction and sound that you can’t get used to even if you hear it all the time. Helmut’s eyebrows rose.
“… … “Who will lose?”
[you. Absolutely and definitely! Because you are weak. Because I’m weak. We will definitely lose!]
Helmut struck down his sword with its sheath without realizing it. It was an instinctive gesture to hit Elaga on the head.
[What are you doing!]
“Be quiet. It keeps going like that… … .”
Helmut ground his teeth. This must be revenge.
Elaga suffered from a shortened lifespan while raising Helmut. Even after Helmut grew up, she complained of the pain from that time.
Elaga is a timid leopard. This is how we pay back without forgetting.
[why? It’s true. They call a weak person weak. What are you doing? This guy is not worth a bite.]
“Back to the main body. “Let’s stick together.”
Helmut spoke for the first time. Those were the first words I uttered without even thinking about whether I could win or not.
His scabbard was aimed persistently at Elaga. Swish! Swish! Elaga quickly dodged Helmut’s scabbard.
Even though Helmut doesn’t even use Vis, his one movement to avoid it, like throwing a sword, was excellent.
[Puh-ha-ha! Slow, slow! So, do you want to catch mosquitoes?]
Igrel, who was staring at the scene, tilted his head to one side.
[Yes. What do you think about men harassing small animals? Isn’t it really the worst?]
Ygrel whispered in Area’s ear in an amused tone.
Area answered indifferently.
“Ah, that doesn’t look good.”
At that sound, Helmut’s movements stopped. By all accounts, it was a violent scene, with an adult man chasing a runaway cat, trying to beat it with a sword.
That’s what it looks like, except that the cat is no ordinary cat.
Area, who values the opposite sex, said with a sigh.
“Helmut, please don’t get all excited over such trivial remarks. “He doesn’t do that for more than a day or two, right?”
[Yes, it’s ugly.]
Ygrel clicked his tongue and shook his head. In any case, there seemed to be no one on Helmut’s side.
‘Elaga.’
Helmut repeated the name.
Now there’s just one guy. Since Darian had a strength similar to that of the ruler of the Pahe Forest area, it was okay to consider leaving Ygrel aside.
Now all Helmut had to look at was Ella.
But the road to get there seemed longer than the road we had taken so far.
[It’s hard to play with a child.]
Helmut just stood there for a moment, watching with his black eyes as Elaga sat down on the sofa and stretched out her legs, grumbling.
