Chapter 69
Oooooo-!
Cheers erupted from the mouths of the children.
It was when Luna had descended into the arena. Teron shouted loudly.
"I cannot accept a proxy duel for Zero!"
"Keke, why not?"
"It doesn't fall under the terms of a proxy duel! Isn't she neither elderly, nor a child, nor sick, nor anything of the sort?"
Ah, the proxy duel terms?
I knew them well.
Those old-timers in the game create content when there's a lack of it.
What do I mean?
I'm pretty much familiar with the [Nobles' Code of Law].
There were often events where they would quiz us on this code.
'Let's see... The proxy duel clause that can be applied in this case is...'
Chrarararack-.
The code of law unfolded in my mind.
※ Proxy Duel
Applicable for the elderly, children, those suffering from illness, or those occupied with official duties.
In such cases, a proxy duelist can be appointed.
- Special Clause
If the opponent nominates a proxy duelist, the proxy duel can proceed.
I quickly scanned all the terms of the proxy duel. Then.
'...None?'
There was no clause that I could intervene with.
Luna was neither elderly, nor a child, nor suffering from illness, nor occupied with official duties.
What about the special clause?
That means I can only participate in a proxy duel if Daike nominates me.
I don't even understand why such a clause exists.
Let's think about it logically.
Who in their right mind would choose a stronger opponent for a proxy duel?
Unless they're completely insane...
"Zero! I'm sorry! I nominated Teron as my proxy, but it somehow turned into Daike!"
...Right. The crazy one was right beside me?
Our Luna really knows how to cause trouble artistically.
"Hahaha! That's right! There's no room for you to interfere! Please step down!"
This was problematic. If this ends here, Luna's arm would be in danger.
But it's not like there was no way out.
"I'll just do it."
"...What?"
"I said, I'll just do the duel."
Brazenness.
This was exactly the way to make the duel happen.
"As a duel notary, I cannot accept this! State the clause! A clause I can accept!"
"Ah, now that you mention it, there is one."
"What is it?"
Teron prepared for battle.
He was ready to refute whatever clause I brought up.
"Luna is cute, that's why."
"...What?"
"One must protect a cute being. Even if it means fighting a proxy duel."
Teron's mouth hung open.
He was at a loss for words due to my brazenness.
Kyaaak-!
Kyaaaak!!
The girls were in an uproar.
It felt like the size of my fan club was increasing.
Ah, now I'm really at a loss.
Let it be what it will be.
Click!
"Fine, go ahead as you like. I accept Zero's proxy duel and will resume the fight."
With that, the duel was established.
The problem was that the situation was a bit difficult.
‘Daike is strong.’
I couldn't win with mere skill.
Well, I might stand a chance if I used a few tricks. I raised my hand and said.
"Teron."
"What now?"
"Can you please send everyone out except those involved in the duel?"
Teron, who had a grim expression, suddenly relaxed.
"Hahaha! Why? Don't want to be embarrassed in front of everyone?"
Teron's followers laughed with him.
Teron raised his hand to quiet them down.
Of course, he couldn't hide the smile on his face.
"Fine, I can do that much. It's better to be embarrassed in front of fewer people."
The children laughed again.
Watching them, I spoke softly.
"It's on my side."
"Haha! What do you mean?"
"You seem to be under some misunderstanding."
The one who should be showing consideration isn't him.
"Rather, it's on my side."
* * *
30 seconds.
That's how long the silence lasted.
During that time, no one spoke.
Because they were afraid to face Teron's anger.
"...Leave."
"Excuse me?"
"Everyone not involved in the duel, leave this place."
"Teron! But!"
"Get out, I said!"
Bang!
Only then did the children scurry out.
Teron sighed.
They only listen when he gets angry.
‘I didn't expect him to resort to this tactic.’
Teron looked at Zero.
The suggestion to clear out the people.
At first, he dismissed it as a ridiculous provocation. But upon further thought, it wasn't.
‘He's quite clever. This is surprising.’
If, just if.
Let's assume Daike loses in the proxy duel.
Daike, thought to be the strongest first-year, defeated.
Then Teron would be no different from a tiger without its teeth.
Because a real tiger would have appeared, surpassing Daike.
‘But what if he loses without any witnesses?’
It would be possible to silence them through internal dealings.
The most typical deal being 'let's just call it a draw.'
Since the other side suggested clearing the people, the deal wouldn't be hard.
As he thought, the surroundings of the duel arena emptied.
Now, only he, Daike, Zero, Luna, and Yuridia remained.
"Yuridia, this doesn't concern you, does it?"
"Someone must be prepared for any eventuality."
"What about that girl?"
"Luna is injured, isn't she? And don't worry. I'll keep silent about what happens here."
"How can I trust that?"
"I'll stake my family's honor on it. Are we good now?"
Teron turned his head away.
With this, he had prevented the mishaps that could occur if he lost.
All the assumptions so far were about losing.
But what if he wins?
‘Zero, I'll make a rag out of you and display it. You'll pay dearly for provoking me.’
Suddenly, the audacious conversation of the youngsters reached his ears.
"Hey, you're not thinking of kneeling and begging, are you?"
"Oh, that's an idea. Will you join, Luna?"
"Do you really want to die? If you lose, I'll kill you!"
Sigh.
Teron was exasperated.
Who on earth was he fighting against?
Having a sacred duel with such kids.
"Daike."
"Yes."
"It's an order. Don't lose. If you do, I'll kill you myself."
"...Understood."
Daike stepped into the center of the arena.
The time had finally come for the duel.
Luna approached Zero.
"Keke, are you worried?"
"Isn't it obvious? Like I said before, if you want to surrender, do it. I don’t mind."
For some reason, Zero ended up stroking his own head.
Luna felt strange.
‘Has Zero grown this much?’
Maybe it's because he's standing in the arena.
"Luna, the Lester family's swordsmanship is not to be underestimated."
"What? Are you saying that because of what he said to me earlier? It's fine. I don't care about that."
But contrary to her words, Luna was quite hurt.
Her family had been disgraced because of her.
Of course, Teron had said it without knowing she was a noble.
"Keke, watch carefully. It's the level you need to reach."
"What? What does that mean..."
"Come on! Let's resume the duel!"
Zero left. To the center of the arena.
‘The level I need to reach? What does he mean?’
Luna's question didn’t linger for long.
"Begin!"
With Teron's command, Zero opened his eyes.
Red eyes filled with ominous light.
At the same time, Zero assumed a certain posture.
Slightly bent left knee, matching it, a sword sheath standing at a right angle.
His waist bent even more.
Explosive instantaneous acceleration.
It was slightly different, but certain. That was...!
The first secret technique of the Lester family style.
One Flash.
Flash!
A giant streak of light, engulfing the surrounding light, soared through.
The vertical flash of light split the duel arena and the ceiling.
Boom! Thud!
Rumble!
Above the hole in the ceiling was a large moon.
At a glance, it seemed as if Zero's sword had sliced the moon.
Moonlight poured through the hole in the ceiling.
Below, Zero stood looking up at her with a smile.
"Keke, Luna. Didn't I tell you?"
The swordsmanship of the Lester family.
It can even slice through the moon.
* * *
"Woaaaaah!!"
"Kyaaaah!"
"What, what's going on! What's happening inside there!"
Screams from the children outside the firmly locked doors of the duel arena flowed in.
‘Hmm, maybe that was a bit too much?’
The building could have collapsed from the vibrations and stone debris scattering through the air.
Using A-grade [One Flash] was premature. It was too powerful.
"Kugh..."
Daike groaned, lying on the floor.
He wasn't dead. I used [One Flash] knowing he wouldn't die.
‘Because he has an artifact.’
[Barrier of Order]
Once per battle, it reduces incoming fatal damage by 80%.
I knew he had a few more miscellaneous artifacts besides that one.
So, Daike's safety was somewhat assured(?).
‘Of course, not by me, but by his own preparations.’
It's all the same, isn't it?
"What, what's this? What just happened?"
Yuridia, who was below in the arena, asked.
Her expression was one of disbelief.
Teron seemed equally shocked.
He wore a face of immense surprise.
"Keke, I merely swung my sword, that's all."
"Lies! That was One Flash! The secret technique of the Lester family!"
Yuridia yelled back.
‘As expected... she caught on.’
That's why I insisted on sending the children away.
The reason I provoked Teron to the extent of chasing out the kids.
Children of noble families are thoroughly educated about the secret techniques of various families.
The posture of holding a weapon, the way of gripping it, the trained body parts, the appearance of the technique.
They were taught the 'distinctive' features of each family's secret technique.
‘The reason for such education?’
To adjust behavior based on the opponent's family.
Whether the opponent is worth engaging with, worth spending time on.
Or even someone you absolutely must not make a mistake against.
But that's not all.
At parties, battlefields, mountains, fields, seas, tourist spots, anywhere.
You can meet a noble's child.
What if a conflict arises and the other person is a child of a prestigious noble family?
Compensations, political standings, trade, territorial disputes.
The losses could be substantial.
That's why they're thoroughly educated about the secret techniques of various families.
To minimize damage.
‘I thought the chances were low since the Lester family was disbanded and excluded from the curriculum...’
Both Yuridia and Teron seemed to recognize [One Flash].
Well, for now, it's time to play dumb.
"Keke, I don't understand what you're saying. How could a commoner like me use a noble family's swordsmanship?"
"How could I forget such unique and destructive swordsmanship! It's exactly like what I learned!"
"Well, it must be something similar. What did you say? The Lestruer family? Seems like they mimicked my swordsmanship."
"..."
Yuridia clamped her mouth shut.
‘As long as there's no evidence, nothing can be done...’
Already detestable for my ominous appearance, now a mysterious child using the swordsmanship of a treasonous family.
Perfect prey for a hunt.
‘It was a necessary situation. With my current state, I couldn't beat Daike otherwise.’
Informing Caron was a definite plan.
That way, I could get help from behind the scenes.
It was when I was about to leave the arena.
"Are you sure? Going down means admitting defeat."
--TL Notes--
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