Chapter 66. < 28. A Guest Has Arrived (3) >
Dark night.
In the training ground where only the dim light of a crescent moon allowed them to identify each other, two swordsmen drew their weapons.
Visibility was not an issue. Both were martial artists who had reached the Expert realm. This much darkness was like broad daylight to them.
Bukal spoke.
"Let us begin."
"Please do."
There was no further conversation.
Bukal took his stance and gazed steadily at Lumian.
An impenetrable, solid feeling.
It naturally made one think: truly a disciple of the Mercenary King.
'But weaknesses are not found. They are created.'
Even a solid rock will crack and break if struck enough.
Lumian would be no different. Even without using Aura, his sword was heavy and fierce.
However, going all out from the start was not something Bukal's pride would allow.
'If I am to take the initiative, it would be better to include the meaning of guidance.'
He needed to show how absurd his words had been.
To show how narrow a world he had been living in all this time, he needed to press forward in various ways.
That was why Bukal drew out his Fast Sword.
It was a kind of self-display, showing that he didn't even need to use the Medium Sword, the specialty of Jenas knights.
Shwuk!
Not even the sound of wind could be heard properly. Bukal's sword descended toward Lumian's shoulder at a speed like a ray of light. Bukal thought that Lumian might be startled, or perhaps wouldn't be able to block it.
Of course, it didn't matter. He was ready to stop at any moment.
But this was too hasty a judgment.
Chaeng-!
"Hah!"
"You're fast. Is that Fast Sword?"
"......."
"I also have some expertise in quickly extending my sword."
Watching Lumian defend by launching his sword at a speed similar to his own, Bukal furrowed his brows.
Certainly impressive skill.
But it was insolent.
He unleashed three consecutive strikes to wipe away that confident smile from his opponent's face.
Chang!
Chaeng-!
Hweik-
But it was in vain.
Lumian leisurely blocked two sword strikes, then stepped back one pace to avoid the last one.
Bukal was left speechless at the economical, clean movements without any waste.
'This easily?'
Even more strength entered his eyes.
At that moment, Lumian's attack poured forth in return.
"I'm coming too."
"Hup!"
Chaeng-!
Chang! Chaeng!
Bukal, having inhaled sharply, quickly wielded his sword.
He too blocked Lumian's three consecutive strikes without issue. Despite being caught off guard, his movements didn't collapse at all.
However, Bukal couldn't hide his amazement.
Lumian's Fast Sword was far more excellent than he had imagined.
'The speed of extending the sword is one thing, but there's no preliminary movement!'
That was even more surprising.
If asked what was most important in Fast Sword, one would naturally answer the speed of extending the sword. That was obvious.
But there was something equally important: the minimization of preliminary movements.
While some people need to take all sorts of stances for a single attack, others can thrust their sword without any warning while standing still.
Of course, the higher the master, the closer they were to the latter.
And by that standard, Lumian Kalad possessed skill sufficient to be called a master.
Chaeng-!
He even grasped all the elements that would make it difficult for his opponent to respond, such as varying the timing.
Eventually, Bukal abandoned the Fast Sword. With this, far from guidance, he would gradually be pushed back.
His sword, having changed its approach, began to show brilliant movements.
Seureureureuk-
A single butterfly swimming erratically through the night sky.
Bukal's sword was like that. It moved complexly and splendidly enough that even a swordmaster who had reached the realm would have difficulty catching it.
It was the essence of Variable Sword.
Of course, it was lacking compared to the Medium Sword he was confident in, but it was a field he was much more confident in than Fast Sword.
With this, he could dizzy the eyes of that insolent boy....
Kwaang!
....or so he thought, but Lumian's sword flew in before he could even finish the thought. And struck away Bukal's sword.
Feeling a strong enough impact to push his arm back, Bukal retreated two steps backward.
After a moment of silence, he spoke.
"......How did you catch it?"
"What do you mean?"
"How did you catch the ever-changing sword that could go anywhere...."
"There's no need to chase after a dizzy and distracted sword."
"......."
"Since the path it must pass through is already determined, I just wait there and sweep it away."
"Hah!"
Bukal let out a hollow laugh.
It was absurd. He wanted to say something but couldn't.
'Is this, is this the greatest talent in history?'
A hot gaze swept over Lumian.
But he didn't keep staring only at him. His eyes soon turned toward the Mercenary King Morgan, who was standing far away.
'......Of course that's also a factor, but the Mercenary King's teaching can't be ignored either.'
It was terribly shameful.
The situation of not being able to defeat a 15-year-old boy in swordsmanship, and the words he had said to the Mercenary King before the duel began. Bukal's pride was crumpled like trash trampled on the ground.
But he wasn't angry.
He was a true knight, someone who could distinguish right from wrong.
Bukal, who bowed his head deeply to Morgan and Lumian, spoke in a serious tone.
"I apologize. I apologize for the careless words I spoke before the duel."
"......It's fine."
"I'm fine as well."
"It's fortunate that it's night. If it were day, I would have been too ashamed to keep my head up."
"......."
"Of course, I don't intend to end it like this. I originally didn't plan to show my full power to the Young Lord, but......."
Hwaak-!
An enormous spirit burst forth from Bukal's body.
It wasn't a phenomenon caused by Aura.
He was creating pressure enough for both of them to feel with pure fighting spirit alone.
Lumian made a slightly surprised expression.
'He's a much better guy than I thought.'
I was wondering why a high knight level person was using such inadequate Fast Sword and Variable Sword.
That seemed to have been too hasty a judgment.
He spoke.
"Are you planning to do it properly now?"
"That is correct."
Lumian slightly furrowed his brows.
It wasn't because of the pressure. It was just that Bukal's tone, which had changed to extreme honorifics at some point, was burdensome.
Looking at him emitting a rock-solid spirit from his whole body, Lumian nodded.
'Yes, this is what a high knight of Jenas should be.'
He corrected his stance.
Of course, he could win even if he did it carelessly.
He had memories of his previous life, and physically he had become even stronger than before. He had regained his masculinity and reached the realm of Sword Master, so it was natural. Honestly, someone like Bukal wasn't even worth one finger.
But he couldn't just swing his sword carelessly against someone who was coming at him so seriously.
"I'll go first this time."
"Please do."
High Knight Bukal Garcia, who had become a giant rock beyond an ordinary stone.
Lumian flew his sword vertically toward him.
Bukal's eyes widened.
The opponent's sword, which was already raised high, didn't look like a sword.
It was as if.
'Mountain......!'
A huge mountain made of countless rocks.
Feeling the illusion that it was falling entirely, Bukal hurriedly raised his sword.
He had the illusion that he might die if he didn't block it. It was that enormous of a spirit.
But the moment he, startled, raised his sword to block the top of his head, Lumian's sword momentum changed drastically.
Saaaaaa-
The huge spirit disappeared in an instant. As if it were an illusion.
And something else took its place.
A sword that settled lightly like warm sunlight that could never be felt on a dark night touched Bukal's neck.
Some time later, Bukal, having lowered his sword, spoke with a bitter expression.
"I lost."
***
"Then, I will take my leave."
High Knight Bukal bowed politely toward Runo Kalad.
The baron looking at him made a regretful expression.
"You've come from far away, why not stay a few more days......."
"It's fine."
"Or if only for tonight...... even if you leave, wouldn't it be better to go in the morning?"
"I won't forget the hospitality you've shown, Baron."
"......."
"I hope fortune always accompanies your son's future. Then, farewell."
With those words, Bukal Garcia left the lord's manor.
Then the night sky revealed itself.
Bukal smiled bitterly.
'Perhaps because I failed my mission, the sky looks even darker.'
It was also because there were no magic lamps in the territory. Of course, looking for such things in a rural territory of a small country was asking too much.
Thinking such thoughts, Bukal suddenly stopped walking.
He let out a chuckle.
'For someone this talented to come from such a tiny place is even more absurd.'
It was hard to believe even though he had seen it with his own two eyes.
A boy only fifteen years old had reached the realm of Sword Expert.
Was that all? His swordsmanship was even more remarkable.
Not to brag, but he was quite a promising talent even within Jenas, called the Knight Kingdom. Enough to be considered likely to become the twenty-sixth Sword Master at any time.
There was no way Bukal's swordsmanship was sloppy.
Yet, the rural young lord of Taran had made a mess of his swordsmanship.
'I need to reevaluate the Mercenary King too.'
He knew well that he was a great figure.
The fact that a rootless mercenary became a Sword Master was already outside common sense.
But he had also thought that no matter how great he was, he couldn't compare to Jenas.
Of course, such thoughts had completely changed 180 degrees after the duel with Lumian.
'He really raised a monster. Perhaps...... he might leave his name in history as the greatest teacher in continental history.'
"Huu."
Bukal Garcia let out a deep sigh.
How on earth should he report this?
It was already pitch black before his eyes.
Right now, he had a magic crystal ball capable of long-distance communication. It was a precious item with only a few in the kingdom, used only for military purposes, but those above had willingly provided it to receive quick reports.
So he should make contact right now that the results were out. But he couldn't help hesitating.
"......Still, I have to do it."
Ultimately, a worry with a predetermined outcome.
Bukal, muttering to himself, hardened his expression.
Having made his decision, he activated the magic crystal ball. Then a strange sound began to spread on the quiet roadside outside the castle.
Wiing- wiing-!
Bukal slightly frowned.
Because the sound was quite loud. That was also why he had left the territory despite Baron Kalad's words.
Fortunately, the sound soon quieted down.
With some static, the crystal ball lit up, and finally, a human figure appeared in it.
But it wasn't the person he had expected.
Greatly surprised, Bukal hurriedly knelt and bowed his head.
"Y-Your Majesty! How could you directly......"
King Philip III personally receiving the communication!
He hadn't expected it at all. Normally, Bernard Barkus, the commander of the Golden Lion Knight Order, would have appeared. Or someone of lower rank. Because the knight commander was a busy man with many public and private matters.
'Yet, the King......!'
Not even a few communication tones had rung.
This meant the Knight King had been waiting for his report with bated breath.
Bukal felt his mouth going dry.
"So, Sir Bukal Garcia."
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
"Your expression isn't good. Did something unexpected happen?"
"W-well, that is......."
Bukal trailed off.
He knew it was disrespectful, but the situation was so sudden that none of the words he had prepared in his head came to mind.
Eventually, the king asked again.
It was a rare sight from Philip III, who was strict and upright but patient.
"Don't be flustered and speak slowly. By chance, did you confirm his skills directly?"
"Yes, yes! That is correct."
"Did he perhaps show skill beyond expectations? For example, defeating you...... it's fine, so speak honestly. I won't hold it against you."
"......!"
Bukal made a surprised expression again.
Because the king's question was unusual.
Even if he was said to be a great genius, predicting the victory of a 15-year-old boy over a high knight of Jenas.
Common sense, it didn't make sense.