Chapter 83. Discord (1)
Amidst the rapidly cooling atmosphere, Fern unconsciously swallowed hard.
Yulian, the swordsman notorious for being called 'Smiling Executioner', could certainly bear the title of "Blind Eyes" without shame.
And the one discharging killing intent toward him was Schvalt, commander of the Azure Lion Knights, also known by the nickname 'Azure Flame'.
It was a rare spectacle to see two of the Imperial Court's luminaries in such a standoff.
'Lord Schvalt...'
Most knights disliked 'Blind Eyes', directly under the Imperial family.
They performed the same duties, yet discontent brewed over the lower-ranked who dared to carry the title "Imperial exclusive".
The Azure Lion Knights felt the same way.
"I have no particular desire to cling to being Prince Eulsis's escort."
However, Schvalt's words were contrary to what one might have assumed.
If it wasn't about the escort, then why was he here?
I tilted my head in confusion, or rather, everyone did, showing a stance of 'Go ahead, say what you have to say.'
"Yet, I cannot comprehend having been outdone by someone like you in the assessment. What trickery did you employ?"
"Isn't it all due to my abilities? Why do you come to me to gripe about what is your own lack of ability...?"
"Don't jest! You scoundrel, it is common knowledge even among the ordinary knights that 'Blind Eyes' has deep connections with the secretariat."
"Is that so, huhut?"
Watching Yulian let out a low chuckle, Fern turned his gaze to Schvalt.
Though his face was stern, his eyes were sharp as daggers.
'... There are indeed aspects that seem questionable.'
Although Fern had never overtly displayed it, he too had his doubts.
This assessment had been decided with unusual swiftness, as if it had already been predetermined.
"Surely, some machinations must have been at play below the surface. There is no other explanation for such an important assessment to end so swiftly."
Schvalt too seemed to find that point suspicious.
Schvalt, commander of the Azure Lion Knights, had built a reputation that did not fall short of Yulian's.
Though mostly through demon subjugations and border defenses.
As a commander of a knight order, having never crossed swords with Yulian, he believed himself no less than Yulian in skill, origin, and honor.
Thus, he would view being compared to 'Yulian' as disgraceful.
Regardless, he seemed unable to accept the revealed outcome.
His suspicions were unavoidable.
"You harbor excessively biased thoughts. Do you have any evidence that I am guilty of such?"
"No."
"In that case, how about letting this pass quietly?"
"I cannot! You impudent nobody from an inferior branch..."
"Huhu, even the former deputy-commander of the Azure Lion Knights once uttered such words."
Clink—
Seeing Yulian naturally touch his sword's hilt.
Jolt.
Schvalt inadvertently took a step back.
It's not as if Schvalt was unaware of what befell the former Azure Lion Knights' deputy-commander, 'Alphas'.
The uprising at Bayer Academy had caused quite a stir in the Imperial Court.
"Are you now warning me? Saying I should shut my mouth if I don't want to end up like Alphas."
"How could I dare, standing before the commander of the Empire's Azure Lion Knights."
As Yulian spoke with a smile, affecting ignorance, Schvalt's eyes grew sharp.
Simultaneously, an aura like fire emanated from his body.
As if to atone for his inadvertent step back.
Azure Flame.
Matching his moniker, the aura was like blue flames.
Even amidst this, the smile didn't fade from Yulian's lips, and his ever-present slit-eyes revealed no trace of his pupils.
'Could he possibly be aiming for this?'
Seeing that smile, one might suspect that this situation had been orchestrated by Yulian.
No matter how crazed, Yulian was no fool to fight within the Imperial Court.
Yet, if there were a solid 'justification', even a fight here would go unpunished by the secretariat.
'What should I do about this...?'
As a result, an uneasy expression painted Fern's face.
He, formerly of the Azure Lion Knights, did not wish to see Schvalt and Yulian fight.
Though their 'crimes' wouldn't be questioned, those involved in what transpired here would have to face the 'consequences.'
A battle within the Imperial Court was tantamount to a challenge against the name of the royal family.
'It doesn't look like Sir Yulian intends to stop either...'
Fern had moved from the Azure Lion Knights to 'Blind Eyes' to somehow acquire the 'strength' Yulian possessed.
He seemed to have found the first inkling.
One secret of that 'strength' was indeed Yulian's unwillingness to avoid battles, that belligerence.
***
... Is this lunatic out of his mind?
Watching Schvalt fiercely exude killing intent and his aura, I clicked my tongue internally.
Invoking the name of Alphas was my utmost consideration.
Though he got expelled from the knights for his unrighteous deeds, Alphas did hold the position of deputy-commander.
Being somewhat related, his irreverent actions would have tarnished the Azure Lion Knights' honor.
'I was suggesting out of consideration that it might be better for him to let it go and leave.'
To have hostility laid bare like this...
Despite his unpredictable and unfavorable nature, he wasn't like this when I played as the 'Sword Saint'.
"From the start, I couldn't understand how a guy like you could be Sir Sword Saint's disciple."
Understandable since he is among the followers of the 'Sword Saint'.
Such a sharp reaction might also be because of it.
Schvalt, among others, was a representative person who wondered how someone like me could claim to be the Sword Saint's disciple.
"It's been a long-standing question. While your skills are certain, your demeanor is not that of a noble, but akin to that of a beast."
So what, then.
I smirked, letting his words go in one ear and out the other.
"In that sense, I shall do what Hayden Reich couldn't."
Clang──!
With a sharp metallic sound, Schvalt reached for his waist to draw his sword.
As the sword he drew reflected light, illuminating the 'Blind Eyes' building, a startled Fern gasped.
"Sir, Sir Schvalt! What are you attempting to do!?"
"Yulian, it's a duel. Draw your sword."
A duel, I knew what it meant among knights.
Determining superiority through swords for those who testify by their blade.
'I'm stronger, so I'm right!'
It was something muscle-brained knights would do.
A savage act to subjugate the opponent with mere 'strength'.
Something that would apply, even to 'Yulian', unless it was just spitting into my own face.
However, upon seeing Schvalt draw his sword, I couldn't help but laugh.
"Haha. What is it for?"
"... What?"
As knights, especially not ordinary knights but commanders representing the Imperial Knights, duels should not occur without a legitimate reason.
Surely the Imperial Court would take action.
Not only against the one who proposed the duel but also against the one who accepted it.
Caught off guard by my sudden question, his face showed slight confusion.
I was merely stating the obvious.
"What is it that I would gain from dueling you?"
"... Honor."
For a moment, the words 'give that to a dog' surged up my throat, but I barely held it back.
If it were 'Yulian', that deranged man would be totally enamored with those two letters for 'honor'.
But thinking inversely, if not for 'honor', there is no reason Yulian would accept this duel.
"Honor... the honor gained from defeating you is... huh. So insignificant."
I paused to collect my wits, then I threw a jab at Schvalt.
Honestly, it was tiresome.
It wasn't swinging my sword that I found bothersome, but rather the prospect of facing the clamor of Imperial inquisitors afterward.
"What did you say?"
"I said it's insignificant. That thing you call 'honor', do you truly have 'honor'? For one who demanded a 'duel' over mere assessment results, at that."
... I'd probably want to punch Yulian if I looked in the mirror.
Even without seeing my face, I could guess my current expression.
While wanting to avoid commotion and avoid battles, I knew such provocations might not be the wisest.
But just like a boiling pot quickly cooling after being stirred, sometimes a little provocation was necessary.
"I never expected such words from your mouth."
Contrary to my expectations, Schvalt continued in a calm tone.
... Did I fail? No, seeing that quivering hand, doesn't seem like it.
"For the sake of honor, a mouth that kills children dares speak..."
Without intending to, in his speech, he completely showed what he thought of Yulian's conduct.
Lacking any intention to cease, Schvalt approached with an aura far sharper than that of the former deputy-commander 'Alphas'.
Stride. Stride.
Yet, I felt assured there wouldn't be a full-blown fight.
〈Remarkable Instinct〉
An unfocused step unnoticed by the wrathful Schvalt was sure to mediate this.
"Sedn, it seems quite chaotic, is it always like this?"
"How could it be? Today is... nothing significant."
Two people entered the building: Sedn and a man.
Seeing the famous face of the Imperial secretariat's head, everybody, including Schvalt, turned to the man next to Sedn.
"I greet the young sun of the Empire."
Meanwhile, I swiftly performed the Imperial formalities.
Kneeling with one knee, showing the hand closest to my heart to the heavens.
Here, 'the heavens' naturally referred to the royal family of the Adratan Empire.
This meant the person beside Sedn was royalty, a prince.
Once I was in position, belatedly, Schvalt also knelt.
"I-I greet the young sun of the Empire!"
As he began, others, including Fern, seemed to regain their senses, kneeling and showing respect.
"Ha-ha, it's embarrassing. All, please rise."
The man's bashful words prompted me to look up at the 'royal' face.
The 4th prince, Eulsis Renault Adratan.
Hair of subtle violet shades, symbolizing royalty, and black.
It was unmistakably visible, making recognition easy.
"Sir Yulian."
From Eulsis's mouth came my name.
"I was quite taken aback, seeing you kneel without even making eye contact upon my entrance."
Of course, I was aware.
Though this was my first time seeing Eulsis directly, I had met Sedn, the secretariat's head, before.
Sensing Sedn's presence nearing here, I could easily guess that someone was accompanying him.
Moreover, that presence always preceded Sedn.
A person of authority who could bring along the secretariat's head.
Simultaneously, someone with business in the 'Blind Eyes'.
Thinking as such, deducing his identity was straightforward.
"I was subdued unconsciously by the radiance of Prince Eulsis."
I spoke with a smooth smile, claiming complete unawareness.
I added flattery familiar to the high-ranking nobles.
Though such words might prompt mockery as being slave to power.
"Ha-ha, your loyalty ever feels fresh. Even my brothers never doubt your loyalty."
The flattery of the human butcher 'Yulian' was so peculiar; none resisted it.
Perhaps... it was only natural.
The Imperial hunting dog's fangs were safe at least for the royalty.
"O, Schvalt!"
While conversing with me, Eulsis, scanning the room, noticed Schvalt standing awkwardly.
"What's brought you here?"
"Well...."
"Sedn, I heard the relationship between the knight order and Blind Eyes isn't quite amiable."
"I've heard some people think so."
"Hmm."
At Sedn's words, Eulsis nodded once.
"Do you have concerns with the results of the escort commander selection?"
Inquiring with curiosity, Eulsis asked, while Schvalt tactfully shook his head.
"Not at all. One of our knights is transferring to Blind Eyes, and I merely came to see him off."
Even acting like a maddened lunatic, Schvalt seemed meticulous not to breach etiquette before royalty, speaking cautiously.
Moreover, embellishing the truth with lies.
Just as Eulsis turned to understand, glancing at Fern.
"Sir Schvalt, didn't you say you couldn't accept that decision and came here because of it?"
Of course, I couldn't stand by and let it go. Hehe.
You're done for, you scoundrel.