Chapter 58. < 25. You've Changed a Lot (5) >
Lumian, the young lord of the Kalad territory, wore a bitter smile.
In truth, Sir Henry and the others had not been this rude from the beginning.
Though they were merely in a contractual relationship, they were still vassals. They should have been careful with their words before their lord and young lord.
However, that was merely the story of an ordinary territory.
Here, things were different.
'If I had acted however I pleased like a scoundrel, I wouldn't have received this kind of treatment.'
A young lord who was not just incompetent but powerless, showing not even a grain of spirit, with a weak heart.
Baron Kalad had strictly taught Lumian, who had never once shown the backbone of a noble.
But that was only his appearance in front of his son.
Lumian knew that behind his back, he had been protecting him to the extent that even the vassals grew resentful.
And as those years accumulated...
'In matters concerning me, even the vassals stopped hiding their dissatisfaction.'
This too was one of the reasons the original owner of this body had decided to commit suicide.
Of course, Lumian did not sympathize with his past self.
'In the end, it's my fault.'
It's his own fault that his father, the lord, is being ignored.
Because he had protected his incompetent son from the shadows.
It's also naturally his own fault that he, the young lord, was being ignored.
Because he had never once raised his head against this pressure. Because he had never even tried to shout, even if it was a meaningless struggle.
Of course, it wasn't too late yet.
To set everything right.
"You don't need to worry about the duel."
"What did you say, Young Lord?"
"I said you don't need to worry. There's no need to bring in a champion from outside either. There's no time for that anyway."
"......."
Sir Henry, having heard the words of Young Lord Lumian Kalad, wore a bewildered expression.
For now, it was his attitude rather than his words that surprised him.
This was the young lord who, until now, had not responded properly—or rather, could not respond—to whatever they said.
It had been so frustrating to watch that they had gradually become even more rude. Nevertheless, Lumian had only bowed his head deeper. 'But now...'
He was completely different.
His voice was clear, and his eyes held strength.
His shoulders and chest were boldly spread, and his back was straight. Despite the numerous gazes upon him, he did not lose ground in presence.
His appearance was like a rock, no, like a mountain.
Sir Henry gulped dryly.
'I had heard from the guards that the Young Lord seemed to have changed after just one semester...'
He thought it would just be his face brightening a bit, or him speaking a little more.
But to this extent?
His posture unconsciously became respectful.
Sir Henry, slightly bowing his upper body, cautiously opened his mouth.
"When you say there's no need to find a champion... do you mean the person who came with you?"
"Hmm."
"Yes, that one was there."
The vassals who heard Sir Henry's words nodded.
Certainly, he was someone who looked like he had something. His bearing and the intimidation on his face were extraordinary, so they judged he must have exceptional skills.
However, the young lord's answer was different from what they thought.
"No, I will do it."
"What on earth does that mean..."
"That doesn't make any sense..."
"Quiet."
"......."
As soon as Lumian opened his mouth, voices full of dissatisfaction poured out.
But all of them subsided at once.
This too was amazing.
Without particularly raising his voice, the vassals fell silent as if their souls had been held hostage.
This time, Baron Kalad also had no choice but to be surprised.
It was beyond expectations.
It was even more dignified than the appearance he had shown with a confident smile on his first day back.
"Father. I apologize, but may I draw my sword here?"
"What do you mean?"
"Exactly as I said. I simply mean to draw my sword."
"...I permit it."
Baron Kalad nodded with a stiff face.
He didn't know why Lumian was making such a request, or what on earth he was trying to show.
He just wanted to watch.
Of course, the vassals felt the same.
Everyone in the conference room looked at Young Lord Lumian Kalad without even breathing loudly.
And Lumian, in front of them all.
Showed them something they had never expected at all.
"How can this be!"
"Heoh!"
"Is this really... true..."
"......!"
Some made loud noises, and some couldn't make any sound at all.
But one thing was the same—everyone's eyes had gone wide.
Confirming this, Lumian smiled broadly.
'A lord's virtues are many things.'
Lumian recalled them one by one.
It could be the benevolence of caring for the people compassionately, or the leadership to excellently govern soldiers.
Outstanding strategy, excellent business sense, seasoned diplomatic skills also fall under this. There were too many things that made a lord a lord.
That's why his father must have struggled. Very much.
'But I... don't need to worry about this and that.'
If one thing is exceptionally outstanding.
The other minor things don't need to be worried about.
Today, Lumian showed the vassals what he was most confident in.
No more complaints came out.
And the next day came.
***
The day of the duel for the territory's honor dawned.
The territory's priest attended to certify the result, and the people of Kalad, who heard the news late, also flocked in large numbers.
Their faces were filled with worry.
"Hey, what's going on?"
"I don't know either. I only heard that Baron Karayan requested a duel."
"No, why?"
"I said I don't know."
"Heoh, what on earth is going on? That good-natured person..."
"Hey! When it comes to being good-natured, our lord is even more so! Who are you cheering for?"
"No, I'm just curious! Why are you making this weird?"
"Anyway, we need to win. Whatever the reason..."
"That's right."
All the territory's people cheered for Baron Kalad with one heart and one mind.
He was a good-natured lord who always cared for them and embraced them like a father. It was natural to hope for his victory.
It was even more so because if he lost the duel, he would have to pay the price of defeat. It was a natural course for the entire territory to bear that burden.
However, not many people expected Baron Kalad's victory.
"But the opponent is that famous... Jack? Jack Stewart?"
"Yeah. I heard he's an Expert, and our lord's knights..."
The expressions of the territory's people darkened.
Though they were mere commoners, they roughly knew the circumstances of the surrounding territories.
That none of the knights in the Kalad territory could defeat Jack Stewart. That it would also be difficult to find a champion who could beat Jack Stewart.
And Baron Karayan and his close associates also knew this fact.
That's why they had been out since long before the duel started, taking on a confident attitude. To fully savor their predetermined victory.
But then.
An extraordinary event occurred.
The people of the Kalad side slowly approaching from afar.
Among them, one man with a burly physique was spotted, and a knight on Baron Karayan's side exclaimed in shock.
"Mer-Mercenary..."
"Hmm?"
"The Mercenary King! It's the Mercenary King!"
"What?"
"The Mercenary King? Who?"
"Th-there, the big one standing on the left, wearing leather armor... that one is Morgan! Morgan, the Mercenary King who recently became a Sword Master!"
"......!"
The gazes of Baron Karayan's side all focused on one place.
The territory's people and the people of Kalad's side were the same. Because the voice was so loud, there was no one who hadn't heard what was just said.
Morgan, receiving everyone's attention, scratched the back of his head with an embarrassed expression.
He said.
"I didn't know there'd be people who recognize me even in a place like this."
It was a statement acknowledging the truth.
From then on, dark clouds began to appear on Baron Karayan's side's faces, while delight started to color the territory's people's faces.
"They say he's the Mercenary King!"
"A Sword Master?"
"What is that, isn't he an amazing person?"
"Ah, of course! If he's a Sword Master, even if you search the entire continent, there'd be about 50 at most, well, something like that!"
"Then will we win?"
"Ah, of course! No matter how strong Jack Stewart is, he can't beat a Sword Master. Yup, absolutely!"
In an instant, the territory turned into a festive atmosphere.
Even the vassals of Kalad's side were swept up in it.
Whispering voices could be heard here and there.
"No way, that person... is called the Mercenary King? A Sword Master?"
"Is it true? No, it must be true since they're saying that over there..."
"How did the Young Lord... with such a great person?"
"Even that Mercenary King seemed to be showing a humble attitude?"
Their surprise was natural.
Sword Master.
Great superhumans whose names are difficult to casually mention even for masters of the sword.
No matter how weak a Sword Master might be, if they pledged themselves to the Tarazan Kingdom, they could immediately receive an earldom. Of course, the treatment would be much higher than that.
In other words, Mercenary King Morgan's actual status was higher than anyone else here.
Baron Luno Kalad could not hide his bewilderment.
'Just what kind of things has my son been up to during one semester?'
Just yesterday he thought there would be no more surprises, but not even a day had passed before his thoughts changed.
And perhaps in a little while, something surprising might happen again. Baron Kalad somehow felt that would be the case.
Of course, this wasn't a negative meaning.
A mythical event he hadn't experienced even in his dreams, extremely pleasant.
Thinking that it would happen at his son's hands, he couldn't contain his overwhelming emotions.
"Then I'll be going, Father."
Whether he knew his father's feelings or not, his son spoke with a calm expression.
Baron Kalad couldn't speak because his throat was already choked up. So he answered by nodding his head instead.
Confirming this, Lumian walked forward with steady steps, and Baron Karayan's side wore bewildered expressions.
Baron Karayan spoke with a frown.
"Surely, the one coming forward from Baron Kalad's side is the Young Lord?"
"That's correct. I will settle this duel."
"...K-kh, kheh, khehehehehahahahaha!"
"Puhaha, hahahahaha!"
"Euhehehehehehehe!"
After Lumian's words, the people on Baron Karayan's side simultaneously burst into uproarious laughter.
They couldn't help it.
From their perspective, just when they thought everything was over with no one who could beat a Sword Master, the opponent did something absurd.
It wasn't a strategy, nor a scheme. It was just a blunder.
That was all they could see in their eyes. Laughing was natural.
"No, what is this..."
"The Young Lord is going to fight himself? Heoh..."
"No, he has become much more reliable but... still..."
"Euu...."
This time, conversely, dark clouds hung over the territory's people's faces.
They became serious, as if they had fallen from heaven to the abyss.
The despair they felt was enormous, enough to make their vision go dark from unhappy thoughts.
To them, Lumian was such a presence.
Someone who was kind but extremely frail, far too lacking to lead anyone.
But.
The territory's people didn't know.
That the appearance they were showing now was very similar to what the vassals of Kalad's side who attended yesterday's meeting had shown.
"......."
"......."
And the fact that those vassals who had shown such appearance were now looking at the young lord with extremely peaceful faces, without any words of concern.
"Our side will send Knight Jack Stewart as our champion."
"Understood. Baron Kalad's side... Young Lord Lumian Kalad, Baron Karayan's side, Knight Jack Stewart. Is that correct?"
"That is correct."
"It is."
"Good. Lord Alia is watching over this duel. No foul means may be used, and both sides must accept the result cleanly. For reference, victory is determined by the opponent's death or declaration of surrender. Do you understand?"
"I understand."
"I understand."
The two barons nodded at the words of the priest in charge of certification.
The priest also nodded to announce that the duel had begun.
Thud
"Hahap!"
Uuuuuung-!
Immediately, Sir Jack Stewart, who stepped forward one pace, let out a spirited shout.
Then, blue aura bloomed from his sword.
It was only enough to barely cover the surface, but this was definitely an Aura Sword.
Of course, it wasn't perfect like a Sword Master's. However, this alone was enough to draw surprised voices from the territory's people.
"Aura Sword!"
"Is that, an Aura Sword!"
"Oh my, how can we face that!"
"Shouldn't we call it off even now and have the Mercenary King come out?"
Now the territory's people looked like they were about to cry.
There was no one maintaining their composure.
Naturally. They didn't want to see their beloved territory and their lord being ruined by losing the duel.
Of course, even so, no one expected the young lord's victory.
Their vision had now become not just dark but to the point where they couldn't see an inch ahead. In a situation where the future was completely invisible, they squeezed their eyes shut.
Uuuuung...!
Hwarrrrreureureuk!
But.
Even if they closed their eyes, there are things that can be felt.
If it's a light intense enough to penetrate closed eyelids.
If it's a light beam as overwhelming and brilliant as the sun rising in the night sky, one would have no choice but to raise their head and open their eyes again even from the end of despair.
"......!"
"......!"
No one could move.
No one could speak.
A massive Aura Sword, incomparable to Jack Stewart's, rose before their eyes.
Lumian, the young lord of the Kalad territory, raised it powerfully and recited in a low, deep voice.
"Here I come."