TLed by NolepGuy
Chapter 181
The Day of Decision has dawned.
The 15 days, which could be considered short if short and long if long, flew by like an arrow.
It could be said that it was too little time to prepare for anything.
For a swordsman, 15 days was indeed too short a time to prepare anything. Achieving enlightenment and reaching a New Realm in such a short period was easier said than done, and it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that no swordsman had ever accomplished such a miracle.
Even with a great master and a perfect environment, achieving it ultimately depended solely on individual ability.
However, arrogantly enough, we achieved that miracle, and Hanna overflowed the Cup of Growth I had prepared for her.
She pursued the Essence of Aura,
and advanced toward the Sword’s Goal.
I did not know what Hanna’s goal was, but she had grown rapidly. So much so that even Rowen found it hard to believe.
11 p.m. on the night the moon arrived.
In the late hours when no one was around, we arrived at the Training Grounds and stood in the middle, where the cool breeze blew, waiting for our opponent.
As Hanna exhaled Deep Breathing to calm her trembling heart, she kept drinking water as if her insides were burning.
I approached Hanna and carefully spoke to her.
“Are you nervous?”
“Haha. If I say no… would that sound too much like a lie?”
“Yes.”
“Haa… I feel like I’m going crazy.”
Hanna let out a dry laugh and looked at me.
“I thought I wouldn’t be nervous… but I’m shaking a lot. You said I could win, but I’m sorry, I keep trembling.”
I looked at Hanna and nodded, saying it was understandable.
After all, Hanna’s life was riding on this time we had spent running without rest. Accepting it calmly would be the stranger thing.
For someone, this might be an opportunity to prove their worth to their master, but for Hanna, this duel was tied to her longing for the sword and something as significant as marriage.
Although it was unlikely, if Hanna were to lose, I had no intention of accepting the outcome.
While I might reluctantly nod at the idea of her giving up the sword, I couldn’t let something as important as marriage with the person she loved be wasted on something like this. I was determined not to let things go as they wished, even if it meant taking down Rowen myself.
Though, of course, that was unlikely.
For Hanna, this duel was incredibly significant. It was related to the reason we first met and, perhaps, her last chance to prove her sword to Father.
Instead of giving a vague answer like “You can do it,” not knowing the weight of the burden Hanna carried, I offered her encouragement by patting her shoulder.
Because this would give Hanna strength.
Time was approaching.
The time that would become the Day of Decision for someone was slowly drawing near.
During this process, Hanna likely experienced stress from encountering Rowen at the Academy and clenched her fists while watching Father teach other students about the sword.
The Academy students had obtained what she desperately longed for without much effort, and on top of that, the appearance of a Disciple named Mikhail must have brought a significant sense of deprivation to Hanna.
To think that everything she had desperately wished for had started merely to block her Own Sword—such an indescribable sense of disillusionment must have overwhelmed her.
If I were in Hanna’s position, I would have been in despair.
I couldn’t fathom Hanna’s feelings. The word ‘dare’ would be appropriate here.
As unpleasant as it sounds, I had achieved much with the sword and grown smoothly without any obstacles.
Given that the only thing I had to be wary of was the Young Lady’s tantrums, I thought it was inappropriate for me to judge Hanna’s hardships.
So I spoke with conviction.
Rather than offering meaningless consolation, I spoke to Hanna to give her Faith.
That she could win.
“You can win. Just do as we’ve been doing.”
“Of course. Whose Disciple do you think I am? I’m the Disciple of the strongest Butler in the world.”
At Hanna’s spirited response, I smiled and nodded.
“You know that well.”
Hanna’s Earrings, which I had gifted her, swayed under the Moonlight. Watching Hanna’s slightly trembling earrings, I clenched my fist. Believing that she could do it.
Barring any major surprises, Hanna could defeat Mikhail.
The Hanna I had seen and Mikhail’s Martial Arts both pointed to that. At this point in the Original Work, even Mikhail’s Martial Arts couldn’t compare to the current Hanna, so I was certain she would win.
Hanna’s Sword had grown that much and had not rested. Even if Mikhail achieved a tremendous enlightenment or learned Histania’s Swordsmanship, I was confident it wouldn’t significantly affect the duel.
-Plod.
In the distance, a familiar silhouette began to appear.
Mikhail approached with heavy Footsteps, while Rowen walked with a casual stride as if he already knew the Outcome.
I massaged Hanna’s shoulder and whispered softly.
“Don’t be nervous.”
“Hoo. I won’t.”
“Even if you lose, I’ll stop the marriage, so don’t worry.”
“What…?”
“Just trust me. Though, of course, that won’t happen.”
Brushing off Hanna’s flustered question lightly, I looked at the clock and spoke to Rowen and Mikhail.
“You’re late.”
Rowen shrugged his shoulders and replied nonchalantly.
“I arrived just on time. What’s late about that? Isn’t it your fault for waiting?”
“Pfft…! I see. I thought you had run away.”
“You have a strong sense of self-importance.”
“Thank you for the compliment.”
Rowen clicked his tongue in displeasure as he looked at me.
“Today will be the last time I see you.”
“I feel the same way.”
“…”
I glanced at Mikhail, who stood next to Rowen. Mikhail looked at Hanna and me with Determination in his eyes.
Taking a deep breath, Mikhail grabbed the sword at his waist and spoke in a heavy Voice.
“I’m sorry.”
Mikhail looked at Hanna and bowed his head.
“…”
“I’ve thought about it a lot. Why you made this choice. What made you request such a disadvantageous duel. I’ve thought and agonized over it a lot.”
Ignoring me, Mikhail continued his monologue, and I watched with an awkward Smile.
Whatever it was, he must have realized something to say such things. It would be nice if he conceded.
Though, of course, that wouldn’t happen.
Mikhail spoke to Hanna. He apologized, saying he was sorry for not understanding and admitted he had been hasty, bowing his head and continuing his apology.
“If I had thought a little more, I wouldn’t have accepted this duel. I was rash.”
“Just draw your sword.”
“You grew up in a good environment. I think you’ll have an even better Future if you go back….”
“Shut up and just draw your sword.”
Hanna gritted her teeth in response to Mikhail’s meaningless apology.
Nevertheless, Mikhail continued to apologize. As if he had already won the duel, he spoke with unwavering eyes.
“I will win.”
“I now have a reason why I must win.”
“So, I’m sorry.”
The wind was cold.
Staying any longer would probably lead to catching a Cold, so I looked at Rowen and spoke.
“Let me ask you one thing.”
“What is it?”
“If Hanna loses, will you proceed with the marriage you mentioned last time?”
“…”
“Let’s clarify this before we start.”
“…”
“Isn’t it unfair to tie two conditions to this duel? We only asked for Isolation as the price, but demanding marriage as well seems unreasonable.”
“I’ll think about it.”
“…”
With a chilly Smile, I spoke to Rowen.
“It’s not good to just think about it.”
“We already agreed to accept the Outcome, didn’t we?”
“Isn’t it unfair for one side to suffer more losses?”
“This began with the acceptance of something unfair.”
I erased my Smile and spoke.
“It would be best for you to stop.”
A cold atmosphere flowed.
Rowen’s anger and the young Swordsman’s warning clashed against my arrogant words, stirring the wind.
-Clap.
I clapped my hands and said.
“Let’s begin now. I’m tired of seeing each other’s faces.”
I looked at Mikhail and Hanna and spoke.
“Are you ready?”
The two Swordsmen nodded, then grabbed their swords and stood at opposite ends of the Training Grounds, waiting for the signal.
“Death’s Aura is forbidden.”
Rowen raised his hand, cutting off my words, and said.
“I permit it.”
“Are you joking?”
“Can’t it be blocked? Feeling the Wall of Reality will break her spirit.”
“Ha…”
I replied, Shaking My Head.
“I won’t block it.”
“Do you want your Disciple to get hurt?”
“No.”
I looked at Mikhail’s Sword and spoke.
As I observed Mikhail’s Sword, which I had long considered his weakness, I was 50% confident in Victory.
It seemed Mikhail still hadn’t let go of his Stubbornness.
“I’m more worried that your Disciple will get seriously hurt.”
“Ha…”
As the Fluttering Petals fell to the ground.
Rowen’s low voice quietly resonated within the Training Grounds.
“Begin.”
The two Swordsmen kicked off the ground and charged forward.
Hanna’s Sword sliced through the Fluttering Petals, and Mikhail’s Sword also cut through the pink Fluttering Petals as they advanced.
And then.
-Clang…!
Amid the raging Sword Dance of the two.
“What is this?”
Even I, who was on the verge of becoming a Sword Master.
“…”
And even Rowen, a Sword Master.
Stood still, not moving.