Chapter 84: Invitation (3)
Who are the representative talents of the commercial city of Marzen?
The first to be named is Philip Portville.
Having solidified his position as head of the family for 40 years, he is a strongman recognized throughout the Nadan Kingdom and the primary contributor to making the current Portville the city's top family.
Of course, he is not the only figure.
His son, Asael Portville, also recently reached the Graduate stage, and Louisnel Charvaud, the head of the Charvaud family, is a 6-star high-ranking Magician recognized by the Magic Tower.
Besides them, several other beings were protecting Marzen’s pride, each boasting their own strength.
However, no matter how great their presence, no matter how strong their skills, their reputation could not be higher than that of ‘Jeten’ of ‘Buehren.’
It was unavoidable.
Unlike them, who operated only in one city, the Jeten Swordsmanship Guild wielded influence in as many as three cities.
In addition to that, true to the guild's large scale, they were involved in all sorts of matters, both good and bad, which further boosted their fame.
In any case, ‘Jeten’s’ reputation was that formidable.
It meant that Eddy and Pale’s struggle against the Jeten Swordsmanship Guild members dispatched from the headquarters in the past was not without reason.
If the gang executives who controlled Marzen’s back alleys were like that, how much more so for ordinary merchants?
From their perspective, ‘Guild Leader Jeten’ was a more terrifying existence than the rough mercenaries they had to deal with daily, or the small Monsters they occasionally encountered on the road.
Therefore, upon hearing the news of a duel between ‘Harang,’ the true ruler of the back alleys, and him, people couldn't help but express all sorts of concerns and worries.
“What is this? Why did Guild Leader Jeten suddenly challenge Mr. Harang to a duel?”
“I don’t know either…… Does anyone know any news?”
“These people, they’re so darn slow.”
“What is it? What’s wrong?”
“No, I mean…… Sheratiya…… marriage proposal…… yada yada yada…….”
“Ah, so that’s what happened.”
“What a despicable fellow! No matter how much he covets a woman, he tries to take her by force? Is that something the head of a large swordsmanship guild should do?”
“Exactly!”
Anger was also present in the voices of the Marzen merchants who learned of the situation.
It couldn't be helped.
Since Harang appeared in Marzen, the notoriously evil Travion Gang had vanished, and the Eddy Family had also transitioned from a gang to mercenaries, maintaining a sincere and gentlemanly demeanor.
It was to the point where it was jokingly said that Marzen’s security was not the responsibility of the guard captain but Harang, so there was no need to say how high Harang's favorability towards him was.
However, reality was cruel.
None of the merchants thought Harang would beat Jeten.
As mentioned before, Jeten possessed a reputation that no strongman in Marzen could surpass.
Of course, some said that Philip Portville was superior in terms of ‘real skill,’ but that was only a minority opinion.
No, in the first place, there was no reason for the story to go that far.
Who was Harang?
He was a legendary figure who had pacified Marzen’s back alleys at the age of 20, but even so, he was merely from the streets.
He hadn't learned the swordsmanship of a prestigious swordsmanship family, nor had he been taught an Aura Cultivation Method from a famous swordsmanship hall.
Such a person was dueling Guild Leader Jeten, and a ‘real sword duel where Aura use is possible’ at that?
“This…… isn’t there no hope, no matter how you think about it?”
“No. Absolutely not.”
“B-but, didn’t they say that last time too? During the bet between the Portville family and the Eddy Family, they said the former would unconditionally win, but Mr. Harang won! Can’t we see some hope this time too, somehow?”
“Sigh, you. At that time, it wasn’t Philip Portville or Asael Portville, but the family’s young swordsmen, and they fought with wooden swords. The situation is completely different now.”
“…….”
“Sigh! I’m worried, so worried. To be honest, Sheratiya Viyan? I don’t care what happens to that woman…… but if Jeten, who defeated Mr. Harang, and his guild subtly try to take over Marzen, that would be a real big problem.”
“Who says otherwise?”
That’s right.
That was what the merchants of Marzen were most worried about.
They had already grown accustomed to the Eddy Mercenary Corps’ reasonable commission fees, but the thought of potentially falling under Jeten, known to be as malicious as Travion, made their hands sweat unknowingly.
However, the surprising fact was.
“Why do they only think so negatively?”
Harang, the actual party to the duel, did not think so badly of Jeten.
Of course, the process leading up to the duel was somewhat rude.
Even if he mistook him for Sheratiya’s real lover, this act of trying to win love through a show of force was indeed wrong.
‘The fact that he proceeded without even asking for Sheratiya’s opinion is also a point.’
However, if that fact alone was put aside, Guild Leader Jeten was a really good person.
He invited him, a complete stranger, to observe the guild’s swordsmanship.
He gave him enough time to digest it as his own.
And he generously bestowed rare whiskeys that couldn't be obtained even with money.
Delicious side dishes were a bonus.
‘A person who likes to give so much can’t be a bad person, right?’
Harang couldn't help but think so.
Therefore, he positively thought of the situation as Guild Leader Jeten making a small mistake, blinded by love.
He himself didn't know much about love, but he had picked up a few things.
‘They say when you fall deeply in love, you can’t see anything else.
Well, since his personality itself is decent, won’t things be resolved in a good way somehow after the duel when his anger subsides?’
This was the limit of Harang’s thinking.
Thus, when the day of the duel finally dawned.
Jeten, who appeared in the vacant lot behind the Eddy Mercenary Corps’ Hideout, was emitting a terrifying gaze that anyone could see.
Fighting Spirit.
No, Killing Intent beyond that.
The merchants of Marzen grimaced at the gaze, so ferocious it would make even an adult man wet his pants.
They had thought that if Jeten was careless, Harang might have a chance, but even that slight possibility had vanished.
However, whether he knew the thoughts of such merchants or not, Harang was composed.
Harang, who stepped forward in front of the people with his usual expressionless face, slowly got into a stance and spoke briefly.
“I’m ready.”
“……Is that all?”
“Yes? What do you mean?”
“I asked if that’s really all.”
“It is all?”
“…….”
Grind.
The sound of Guild Leader Jeten grinding his teeth was heard.
He couldn't help it.
Seeing him not even draw out his Aura before starting a real sword duel, anyone would inevitably think, ‘I’ve been ignored!’
‘You dare provoke my anger!’
Eventually, Jeten’s thread of reason snapped.
A completed Aura Sword erupted from him with a fierce shout.
Wooooooong-!
A hard and sharp, grayish-white glowing energy.
Before the Marzen merchants watching it could even let out exclamations of admiration, Jeten’s attack unfolded.
From left to right, from right to left, the tip of the sword, swaying here and there, resembled a snake’s head.
The swordsmanship was of the same kind as what the ordinary guild members had shown, but the level was incomparably higher.
Harang’s eyes flashed open.
‘Good!’
A faint smile touched his lips.
He could tell with just one move.
This person was inferior to Philip Portville.
If he had to compare, he was at a similar level to the 13th Hydra he had met while escorting the Barjean Merchant Guild.
However, there was much more to learn, which stemmed from the characteristics of the swordsmanship he had mastered.
The Hydra fellows were out of the question as they used the same swordsmanship as in the village, and Philip Portville used swordsmanship biased towards the Gold attribute.
However, Harang was far superior in aspects related to these basic elements, so there wasn't much to gain.
But the swordsmanship Jeten was showing now originated from a living creature called a ‘snake’!
It lacked the profound taste of the seven basic elements, but it was much more lively and full of unpredictability.
At least, from Harang’s perspective, it was so.
He thought that perhaps his horizons had narrowed because he had been confined to the village and only exchanged swords with his Godok peers.
‘I must actively use this opportunity!’
Harang, having finished his thoughts, focused his mind even more.
With the determination to absorb all the essence of Jeten’s swordsmanship right here, Harang’s senses were sharpened and honed.
Swish-
Concentration.
Swish-!
Observation.
Swish-swish-!
Contemplation, enlightenment, and digestion in his own way.
That same process was repeated several times, and Harang gradually fell into a state of self-forgetfulness.
The increasing understanding of the Snake Sword delighted his heart, and that brought a smile to the black-haired young man’s lips.
And, such a change in Harang.
Guild Leader Jeten was also vaguely sensing it.
‘This damn son of a bitch!’
Swish!
Swish-swish!
Swish-swish-swish-!
Jeten’s thrusts shot out, imbued with ferocious Killing Intent.
It was an attack extended with unprecedentedly sharp concentration, but it did not reach the opponent.
It was truly by a hair’s breadth.
However, Jeten did not feel disappointed by it at all.
No, he couldn't.
That was because, from a certain point, he had realized that Harang was deliberately restraining his attacks and observing his swordsmanship.
Swish-!
Swish!
Swish-swish!
‘Reach him!
Please reach him!’
Jeten’s inner cry grew stronger.
The bloodshot veins in his eyes became increasingly prominent, to the point where it wouldn't be strange to call them blood-crazed eyes.
Accordingly, his sword strikes became even sharper and more honed.
But it was futile.
It didn't reach.
No matter how much, no matter how much he swung and thrust, it didn't reach the fellow’s body!
“Hmm…… Was it done like this?”
Thus, as the situation grew increasingly unfavorable, Jeten, who was retreating to compose his breathing, heard Harang’s mumble.
It was an unbelievable sound, a sound he didn't want to believe.
But a moment later.
Swish-swish-swish-!
Swish, swish-swish-!
“…….”
A Snake Sword very similar to his own.
No, at the moment a Snake Sword that seemed even more developed than his own unfolded…….
Jeten felt his anger explode, and at the same time, he recognized that a critical problem had occurred in his Aura operation.
‘Ah, no!’
Puhweoeok!
In the end, Jeten, unable to properly control the Aura swirling inside him due to anger, spewed a fountain of blood and collapsed.
“What?”
“What happened here?”
“What? What?”
The Marzen merchants were bewildered.
It was natural.
Guild Leader Jeten, who had been unilaterally pouring out attacks, suddenly vomited blood and fainted, so from their perspective, it was baffling and absurd.
However, there was one thing that was certain.
“I don’t know what’s what, but if it’s like this…….”
“If it’s like this?”
“Doesn’t it mean Mr. Harang won the duel?”
“……!”
“……!”
Swish.
Swiiish.
Everyone’s head turned to one side.
It was Philip Portville, the head of the Portville family, who was serving as the notary and judge for this duel.
‘It’s bitter.’
The old man, receiving the gazes, gave a wry smile.
As one of the few who understood what Harang had done, he felt jealous of him.
He also felt sympathy for Jeten.
But what could be done?
It was all his own doing.
Philip Portville, having finished his thoughts, solemnly declared.
“Harang, victory.”
“……Waaah, woooooahhhh!”
“Wooooooarrrrrrrr!”
A result no one had expected.
The winner of Guild Leader Jeten vs. Harang was none other than Harang.