Elze looked at the banquet hall bathed in colorful lights in admiration.
The banquet hall, decorated like a ballroom, had a completely different feel from yesterday. Unlike yesterday when the hall was brightly lit, the entire place was dark, with the chandelier on the ceiling twinkling like stars.
There was a large fountain in the middle of the hall, and it was a fountain of flowing wine. Just by getting close to it, the sweet smell of sweet wine wafted. If you danced next to it, you would just get drunk.
All the maids were wearing half-masks, and the musicians playing in the corner of the hall were also wearing black half-masks while playing music.
The atmosphere of the people was also completely different from before. The women's clothes were unusually revealing and flashy, and the men gave them flirtatious looks. They talked to each other without hesitation and laughed.
It was definitely dark and the masks made it hard to tell who was who. Elze looked around carefully. Still, if it was someone she knew, she thought she could tell them apart by their body shape, movements, and voice.
As Elze looked around the hall, the Queen came into view. She was sitting with her men, elegantly fluttering a fan with a gold peony pattern on black silk. The Queen’s voluptuous figure made it obvious that it was her, even if she wore a mask.
And next to them were the Count de Epernon and Cecilia. Unlike the others who were splendidly dressed, the two of them wore simple clothes and unadorned masks, and they lowered their heads and quietly interpreted.
As she looked at that sight, she felt a sense of pity, but on the other hand, she remembered the atrocities Cecilia had committed and her head became complicated.
“Shan.”
Elze called out to Shan, who was holding her arms crossed, quietly. Shan turned his head slightly and looked at Elze.
The silver patterned half-mask on the black satin he was wearing caught her eye. The amethyst cufflinks and tie holder that matched Shan’s eyes, along with the pitch-black suit that revealed his body, were secretly sparkling.
As expected, Shan was more suited to a night ball with a wicked atmosphere than a gentlemanly daytime banquet.
As Elze thought so, Shan lowered his head slightly and brought his lips close to her ear. Then he whispered in a low voice.
“Should we go and greet the Queen? If you go now, you might be caught and made to work.”
He was right. There were a lot of nobles gathered around the Queen. If she made a mistake, she might have to do some serious interpreting there.
The atmosphere of the ball had become more mature, and it seemed like it would be better to go after everyone had turned their attention elsewhere. The Queen seemed to be smiling at her, but it was dark and hard to see. Elze and Shan walked toward a quieter area.
“I’m thirsty.”
Shan didn't miss the brief mutterings of Elze, who was standing next to the pillar.
“Should I bring you something to drink? Or should we go to the break room?”
“Hmm,” Elze said with a long sigh and whispered back to him.
“Why do you think you want to send me to the break room?”
Shan smiled and answered Elze's whisper.
“I won’t deny it.”
Then he looked around slowly and continued.
“Haven’t you felt the gazes pouring down on me since earlier? If I leave for even a moment, there will be a lot of people who will try to talk to you.”
“But they saw me coming in with you as my escort. And they still talk to me?”
“Anything is possible at a ball like this. It’s this kind of atmosphere.”
"Ah..."
Elze saw the lady who had just kissed the gentleman over there kissing another gentleman, and she believed what Shan had said.
Still, it felt like something that would never happen to her. Shan, who noticed that Elze was treating it as if it were a third party's business, let out a light sigh and said.
“Well then, I’ll go get you something to drink and we’ll see what happens.”
Shan gripped Elze's shoulder firmly with his hand, then slowly swept it away as he added.
“Don’t just follow anyone.”
Then he disappeared into the crowd to find a waiter to serve drinks. Elze blinked as she watched his disappearing figure.
According to Shan's words, people should have poured in as soon as he left, but that wasn't necessarily the case. They seemed to be glancing at her, but they didn't approach her easily. Shan was about to dismiss it as a needless worry, but someone called Elze from behind.
"...Lady?"
Elze turned around at the sound of a familiar voice and was startled. Even though he was wearing a mask, she could tell who it was from the aura he gave off.
“!!”
Catinson Lovell!
He was the knight whom Elze had taught a lesson to when they met at Master Harbin's weapon shop. He was also a nobleman with a title, so he should be able to come to the ballroom, but she hadn't thought about it that far.
Even Elze covered her face, just like she did when she had her hat pulled down low. If she had shown her face completely, it would have been confusing, but it would have been easier to recognize her with the mask on.
“As expected, back then...!”
Catinson seemed to have gained confidence from seeing Elze flustered. He seemed touched by the chance encounter. Elze hurriedly turned her head and opened her fan. Then, covering her face with the fan, she pretended not to know and answered.
“What’s going on?”
Catinson bit his lower lip at Elze's cold voice. He spoke in a suppressed voice.
“Why... don’t you know me?”
Catinson clenched his fists and continued speaking quickly.
“Since that fateful encounter, I have had many realizations. As time goes by, I feel more and more deeply how great the teachings the Lady has given me...”
It looked like someone might think he was confessing. Elze ignored Catinson's ramblings and looked around. It seemed like it would be best to get Catinson away for now. Several people were already looking at her with curious eyes.
At that moment, Shan came back. Shan’s mouth was set with sparkling wine in hand. He saw Catinson standing in front of Elze. Shan strode over and sat down next to Elze. And then, without saying a word, he grabbed Elze’s arm and pulled her.
"Oh...!"
Elze said, pulling her arm away, worried that he might spill the drink in his hand.
“Wait a minute, that...”
But before Elze could speak, Catinson intervened.
“There, you! Let go of the lady!”
He seemed to have misunderstood something when Shan pulled Elze towards him. Of course, Shan was not the kind of person to kindly clear up misunderstandings. Shan answered crookedly, wrapping his arms around Elze’s waist.
“I think you’re the one who should be let go. Ladies hate being sticky.”
"That..."
Catinson trembled at Shan's words. It seemed that the old-fashioned Catinson was too strong of a handle on them.
Catinson, who had been shaking, suddenly took off his mask. His face, red with anger, was revealed. Elze was worried that something might happen.
Catinson suddenly took off one of his gloves, aimed it at some place, and threw it. The white leather glove hit Shan’s face with a thud before slipping and falling to the floor.
“...”
In an instant, the surroundings became quiet. In the midst of it all, Catinson shouted proudly.
“I am Catinson of Lovel! I challenge you to a duel for insulting me!”
He didn't forget to look back at Elze and add in a serious voice.
“I will show you the fruits of my training, Lady.”
Of course, Elze felt like hiding in a mouse hole.
"...Ha?"
Shan let out a short laugh. Shan looked at Catinson quietly. He seemed so dumbfounded that he didn’t know how to react. Catinson jumped in front of Shan and said he would accept the duel.
Shan slowly took off his mask. Catinson's mouth fell open at the sight of his purple eyes that were clear even in the darkness. Catinson, who recognized Shan right away, stammered as if he couldn't believe it.
“Ah, no...?”
Catinson's face turned pale. But it was too late. The mask crumpled in Shan's hands with a crackling sound.
“Shan Cirxus of Targayel.”
Shan said with a crooked smile.
“...I will accept the duel.”
Oh my God.
Elze, who had been watching, let out a growl and grabbed the fan she was holding. Judging from the gleam in Shan’s eyes, he seemed to be really angry.
Well, what man wouldn't be angry if he got hit in the face with a glove in public? If Elze had been hit with a glove-like that, she would have half-killed the guy who threw the glove.
And the forehead of poor Catinson, who had rushed in without knowing who his opponent was, was covered in cold sweat. No one in Baluar did not know Shan Cirxus.
It was widely believed among the knights that anyone who wielded a sword without knowing Shan Cirxus was a spy for another country.
Catinson must have heard of Shan's bravery, too. The swordsmanship he displayed in the Hundred Years' War was the pinnacle of swordsmanship that knights dreamed of.
In particular, the knights who followed Shan had a much faster rate of skill improvement than other knights. Even without mixing swords with Shan Cirxus, you could gauge Shan’s skill by seeing the knights who followed him develop their skills at a frightening rate.
Catinson must have known that he was no match for Shan, but the glove had already been thrown, and Shan had been slapped in the face.
“Where, do you want to go outside?”
Shan nodded to Catinson. Catinson bit his lower lip. He was the one who challenged the duel first, and there was no way he could escape.
Elze, standing behind Shan, was wondering how to stop them when she heard a leisurely voice.
“What is going on that makes you raise your voice like this?”
It was the Queen's voice. Shan and Catinson bowed their heads slightly to show their respect for the Queen's appearance. Next to the Queen, Cecilia informed her of the situation.
Of course, the Queen, who understood the common language, already knew everything. However, she pretended not to know and listened to Cecilia's interpretation. After listening to Cecilia's words, she looked at Shan and Catinson and said.
"I wonder what the knights of Baluar will be like."
As soon as Cecilia began to interpret the Queen's words, Catinson erupted.
“Your Majesty. This is the pride and honor of knights. Why do you treat it as a mere plaything?”
Catinson's words were sharp. Cecilia, who was caught between the Queen and Catinson, spoke as softly as possible.
The Queen smiled strangely as she listened to Cecilia. Elze felt uneasy upon seeing her smile. She must have understood what Catinson had said before Cecilia could translate it.
It was easy to guess why Catinson was angry. The Queen's words were ambiguous and could easily be misunderstood. However, it was an overreaction. It was not right to confront the Queen in such a public place. To be frank, it was Catinson's position to endure the Queen's insults, such as calling him a dwarf dungbag or an idiot.
She thought about it before, but Catinson was a very proud and fiery man. He valued honor so much that he often jumped into things without thinking about the consequences. It was a bit worrying to think that it was because he was young. It was not uncommon for a loyal subject to die young without telling the truth. Catinson would shed tears of blood if he did not suppress his belligerent nature.
You don't even have to go that far. You can just throw your gloves and get hit hard.
"Then how about doing this?"
The Queen slowly raised her hand and spoke. As she moved her hand, the wide sleeves fluttered. The gorgeous floral patterns on the sleeves fluttered as if they were alive.
"I will be your witness to your duel."
It was an honor to have the Queen witness a duel. Even if he lost, it would be an honor for the knight to have fought a duel with the Queen as a witness.
"I wish you would show me Baluar's bravery."
Either way, Shan didn't care. Shan stepped forward first and spoke politely to the queen.
“It is an honor, Your Majesty.”
Then Catinson had no choice but to accept it. The Queen nodded gracefully and said.
"I will give you a choice of weapons."
The stakes were getting higher and higher. The situation was turning into an atmosphere where they wanted to have a duel at the banquet hall right now.
The Queen gestured to the courtiers next to her and ordered them to bring weapons for the duel. The unexpected situation made the courtiers of Ryeo and the maids of honor at the banquet hall busy.
One of the attendants was seen sneaking out of the hall. He was probably there to report the situation to Crown Prince Raymond. However, given Raymond's personality, it was obvious that he would be excited to see what was going on.
Elze had half given up on the situation that was going on without any choice. While Elze was hesitating, preparations for the duel were steadily underway. Shan and Catinson sat side by side in the center of the ballroom that had been left empty for the dance.
The Queen's weapon of choice was a ceremonial sword that had no edge. Elze could hear the lady standing near her whispering to her neighbor.
“Don’t you think this banquet is the most fun?”
“How interesting. A duel with Count Targayel...”
Elze slightly lowered her eyes after hearing the whispers. In fact, they were the ones who were looking at this duel from a rather playful perspective.
Among the nobles present, only a small number had fought in the Hundred Years' War. The war was a distant story to them, but they knew well how famous Shan Cirxus had become as a war hero.
So, they were curious about Shan's swordsmanship. They were full of the desire to find fault with it, wondering how it could be so great that it was so highly praised.
Among the men, there were probably many who secretly looked down on Shan and thought that they were no worse than him or that they were better than him.
When you think about it, Shan actually had more to gain from accepting the duel. At least, there would be no one left to try to taunt Shan with a sword after seeing the duel.
Catinson too... He’d probably learn something after getting beaten up by Shan, and it wasn’t a big price to pay for being so thoughtless.
“Shan.”
Elze called out to Shan before he went out to the center of the meeting.
“Don’t finish it all at once, show it to him a little more slowly. Like playing with it, you know?”
As Shan looked at her curiously, Elze frowned slightly and continued to whisper.
“If we finish too quickly... those who haven’t mastered the sword won’t even know what happened.”
"...Ah."
Shan understood Elze's words right away. He looked at Elze quietly, then glanced at Catinson. Catinson was looking at him with passionate eyes. Shan chuckled, then grabbed Elze's shoulder with his hand. Then he pressed a kiss to her forehead and spoke softly.
“I will bring you victory.”
Elze looked at Shan with a strange expression. But he had already walked to the center of the hall. She couldn't understand why he was suddenly doing something he had never done before.
Surrounded by masked men, Shan and Catinson stood facing each other. Shan picked up the ceremonial sword that the attendant had brought him and waved it lightly in the air.
It was a sword made for ceremonial use, with a blunt blade and a focus on beauty, so it was simply a sword that looked cool. However, the moment it was in Shan’s hands, it became a ferocious demon sword.
Catinson, standing opposite Shan, was already frozen. The unfamiliar ceremonial sword, not the one he usually used, was unfamiliar to his hands and naturally made Catinson feel intimidated. It was obvious that the match was decided before they even faced each other.
"I will begin the duel."
At the Queen's words, Shan and Catinson took their stances. They signaled the start of the duel by throwing a handkerchief. The handkerchief that had been floating in the air fell to the ground, and the duel began.
As soon as he started, Shan swung his sword with great force. The sound of the air being torn apart was so loud that it was hard to believe it was made with a ceremonial sword. Then, immediately after, there was a loud crack, and Catinson was pushed back four or five steps.
“Gasp, gasp...”
Catinson exhaled harshly. His sword trembled slightly, perhaps from fear as if his hands had gone numb from the mere act of striking.
But now it was just the beginning. All that was left was for Catinson to be scolded until he burst into tears. Elze was watching intently, clicking her tongue inwardly.
A masked man approached Elze. He had been bothering her since earlier, but she had left him alone because she had no intention of killing him. He had his entire face covered by a plain black mask, and he pretended to watch the duel from Elze's side. Then he leaned over and whispered to Elze.
“Madam, Duke Seraph wishes to speak to you.”
Duke Seraph... A story that he wanted to share secretly, avoiding Shan’s gaze. It was obvious even without looking. Elze coldly retorted.
“Tell him I have nothing to say.”
“...”
He was silent for a moment, then continued speaking slowly.
“The Duke told me to convey something that I absolutely had to convey. If you do not agree to the meeting after hearing this, then I don’t know what will happen.”
What kind of terrible threat could he have sent? Elze, who seemed unmoved no matter what he said, answered him indifferently.
“Please speak.”
But at his subsequent whisper, Elze came to her senses like someone who had ice water poured over her.
“...Elze of Elijah.”
Dealing with Catinson Lovel was child's play for Shan. Elze had told him to deal with her appropriately, so he intended to follow her orders faithfully.
If it weren't for those words, Catinson would have been knocked to the ground with the first blow. It was Shan's original plan to make him run away crying, but it didn't seem like a bad idea to show him a little, as Elze had said.
Originally, the thing that could suppress people the fastest and most effectively was fear.
Shan knew very well that some people could not be persuaded by words. It was much easier to solve them with one blow of force than with a hundred words of persuasion.
What Elze had asked of Shan was to show his strength. While she and Shan had been rolling around on the battlefield, risking their lives in countless battles, those who had been safely at the rear now came and talked. So Shan had planned to show it off as splendidly as possible.
“What are you doing? Not attacking.”
When he spoke to him in a tone that seemed somewhat sarcastic, Catinson's eyes widened. Judging from the way he was shaking at every word, he was still a very innocent child.
But how did he come to be connected with Elze and why did he pretend to know her so well? Shan narrowed his eyes. He was a guy he didn't like in many ways. Shan leisurely provoked him while aiming his sword at him.
“Is it already decided?”
“Ugh...”
Catinson clenched his teeth and took up his stance again. It was a pretty decent stance. However, unlike Shan, who was the same no matter what he was holding, Catinson was a little lost as he was not used to the official sword.
Catinson tensed his body and prepared to attack. Then he attempted to attack Shan. It was a powerful attack with quick footwork.
The flurry of attacks aimed at his upper body was fierce. However, Shan did not deflect the swords that were pouring down on him. Instead, he accepted the power contained in the swords and countered them.
It was a display of one's power to throw back something one could easily throw away, and Catinson was well aware of this.
But his hand was already sore from the force with which Shan had countered. If they hit each other a few more times, Catinson would lose the strength in his hand and drop his sword.
Catinson regained his composure, trying to catch his breath. He then aimed his sword at Shan. If they clashed again, only Catinson would suffer. He had only one chance.
“...”
Shan looked at Catinson, who was preparing to attack. Catinson was looking at Shan with a very tense expression. He was looking for an opening to attack.
Gaze, gaze, and more gaze.
Numerous eyes were looking at Shan and Catinson. While waiting for Catinson's attack, Shan felt something strange in those eyes.
The gaze fixed on Shan did not contain any emotions such as curiosity, interest, hostility, or favor. It was a gaze that seemed to be testing something... but also contained a subtle murderous intent.
Shan looked back at the direction of the gaze. And her eyes met the Queen's. The Queen did not look away. Instead, she smiled quietly at Shan. Shan felt an inexplicable discomfort run through her body at the meaningful smile.
But there was no time to think about the meaning of the smile because Catinson had struck a decisive blow.
“Ugh!!”
Catinson lunged forward, screaming. He knew this was his last attack. He mustered all his strength and threw himself forward with great force.
Shan's eyes hardened deeply. Shan drew energy deep from his lower abdomen and put strength into the sword in his hand. Then he cut down the sword that Catinson was swinging.
The sound of swords clashing against swords echoed like thunder in all directions. The tremendous noise startled those with weak hearts and made them sway in their legs.
When the noise died down, the match was decided.
"Ah..."
Catinson looked down at his hand with a blank expression. In that hand was a sword that had been cut in two. The severed piece of iron fell to the floor with a loud clang.
Catinson's sword wasn't broken. It was cut off. The cut surface was smooth as if it had been there from the beginning.
Catinson looked at Shan. Shan slowly lowered his sword. His sword was intact. The blade was blunt, without a single bend or crack. That sword, no different from a club, had cut Catinson’s sword cleanly.
It wasn't just a difference in skill. Catinson lowered his head in vain. It was an admission of defeat. A belated cheer erupted among the onlookers. The Queen grabbed Shan's hand and lifted it up amidst the cheers, declaring victory.
"It seems the winner has been decided. The winner is Count Targayel."
Shan, who had received the Queen's declaration and was completely recognized as victorious, leisurely approached Catinson and tapped him on the shoulder.
“It was a great duel.”
Catinson felt even more humiliated by the pat, but he couldn't say anything back. Shan could have killed Catinson in a duel. Murder in a duel with a witness was tolerated. Just letting him live was a very gentlemanly consideration.
People gathered around Shan and Catinson. Some bold onlookers even picked up the blade Shan had cut off and looked at it.
“No, how did you cut it so cleanly with that blunt object...”
“I heard that Count Targayel was very skilled in swordsmanship, but I didn’t know he was this skilled.”
But Shan couldn't fully enjoy his victory. As he looked around, Shan's face gradually hardened.
“...Erzenes?”
Elze was nowhere to be seen.
The banquet hall, decorated like a ballroom, had a completely different feel from yesterday. Unlike yesterday when the hall was brightly lit, the entire place was dark, with the chandelier on the ceiling twinkling like stars.
There was a large fountain in the middle of the hall, and it was a fountain of flowing wine. Just by getting close to it, the sweet smell of sweet wine wafted. If you danced next to it, you would just get drunk.
All the maids were wearing half-masks, and the musicians playing in the corner of the hall were also wearing black half-masks while playing music.
The atmosphere of the people was also completely different from before. The women's clothes were unusually revealing and flashy, and the men gave them flirtatious looks. They talked to each other without hesitation and laughed.
It was definitely dark and the masks made it hard to tell who was who. Elze looked around carefully. Still, if it was someone she knew, she thought she could tell them apart by their body shape, movements, and voice.
As Elze looked around the hall, the Queen came into view. She was sitting with her men, elegantly fluttering a fan with a gold peony pattern on black silk. The Queen’s voluptuous figure made it obvious that it was her, even if she wore a mask.
And next to them were the Count de Epernon and Cecilia. Unlike the others who were splendidly dressed, the two of them wore simple clothes and unadorned masks, and they lowered their heads and quietly interpreted.
As she looked at that sight, she felt a sense of pity, but on the other hand, she remembered the atrocities Cecilia had committed and her head became complicated.
“Shan.”
Elze called out to Shan, who was holding her arms crossed, quietly. Shan turned his head slightly and looked at Elze.
The silver patterned half-mask on the black satin he was wearing caught her eye. The amethyst cufflinks and tie holder that matched Shan’s eyes, along with the pitch-black suit that revealed his body, were secretly sparkling.
As expected, Shan was more suited to a night ball with a wicked atmosphere than a gentlemanly daytime banquet.
As Elze thought so, Shan lowered his head slightly and brought his lips close to her ear. Then he whispered in a low voice.
“Should we go and greet the Queen? If you go now, you might be caught and made to work.”
He was right. There were a lot of nobles gathered around the Queen. If she made a mistake, she might have to do some serious interpreting there.
The atmosphere of the ball had become more mature, and it seemed like it would be better to go after everyone had turned their attention elsewhere. The Queen seemed to be smiling at her, but it was dark and hard to see. Elze and Shan walked toward a quieter area.
“I’m thirsty.”
Shan didn't miss the brief mutterings of Elze, who was standing next to the pillar.
“Should I bring you something to drink? Or should we go to the break room?”
“Hmm,” Elze said with a long sigh and whispered back to him.
“Why do you think you want to send me to the break room?”
Shan smiled and answered Elze's whisper.
“I won’t deny it.”
Then he looked around slowly and continued.
“Haven’t you felt the gazes pouring down on me since earlier? If I leave for even a moment, there will be a lot of people who will try to talk to you.”
“But they saw me coming in with you as my escort. And they still talk to me?”
“Anything is possible at a ball like this. It’s this kind of atmosphere.”
"Ah..."
Elze saw the lady who had just kissed the gentleman over there kissing another gentleman, and she believed what Shan had said.
Still, it felt like something that would never happen to her. Shan, who noticed that Elze was treating it as if it were a third party's business, let out a light sigh and said.
“Well then, I’ll go get you something to drink and we’ll see what happens.”
Shan gripped Elze's shoulder firmly with his hand, then slowly swept it away as he added.
“Don’t just follow anyone.”
Then he disappeared into the crowd to find a waiter to serve drinks. Elze blinked as she watched his disappearing figure.
According to Shan's words, people should have poured in as soon as he left, but that wasn't necessarily the case. They seemed to be glancing at her, but they didn't approach her easily. Shan was about to dismiss it as a needless worry, but someone called Elze from behind.
"...Lady?"
Elze turned around at the sound of a familiar voice and was startled. Even though he was wearing a mask, she could tell who it was from the aura he gave off.
“!!”
Catinson Lovell!
He was the knight whom Elze had taught a lesson to when they met at Master Harbin's weapon shop. He was also a nobleman with a title, so he should be able to come to the ballroom, but she hadn't thought about it that far.
Even Elze covered her face, just like she did when she had her hat pulled down low. If she had shown her face completely, it would have been confusing, but it would have been easier to recognize her with the mask on.
“As expected, back then...!”
Catinson seemed to have gained confidence from seeing Elze flustered. He seemed touched by the chance encounter. Elze hurriedly turned her head and opened her fan. Then, covering her face with the fan, she pretended not to know and answered.
“What’s going on?”
Catinson bit his lower lip at Elze's cold voice. He spoke in a suppressed voice.
“Why... don’t you know me?”
Catinson clenched his fists and continued speaking quickly.
“Since that fateful encounter, I have had many realizations. As time goes by, I feel more and more deeply how great the teachings the Lady has given me...”
It looked like someone might think he was confessing. Elze ignored Catinson's ramblings and looked around. It seemed like it would be best to get Catinson away for now. Several people were already looking at her with curious eyes.
At that moment, Shan came back. Shan’s mouth was set with sparkling wine in hand. He saw Catinson standing in front of Elze. Shan strode over and sat down next to Elze. And then, without saying a word, he grabbed Elze’s arm and pulled her.
"Oh...!"
Elze said, pulling her arm away, worried that he might spill the drink in his hand.
“Wait a minute, that...”
But before Elze could speak, Catinson intervened.
“There, you! Let go of the lady!”
He seemed to have misunderstood something when Shan pulled Elze towards him. Of course, Shan was not the kind of person to kindly clear up misunderstandings. Shan answered crookedly, wrapping his arms around Elze’s waist.
“I think you’re the one who should be let go. Ladies hate being sticky.”
"That..."
Catinson trembled at Shan's words. It seemed that the old-fashioned Catinson was too strong of a handle on them.
Catinson, who had been shaking, suddenly took off his mask. His face, red with anger, was revealed. Elze was worried that something might happen.
Catinson suddenly took off one of his gloves, aimed it at some place, and threw it. The white leather glove hit Shan’s face with a thud before slipping and falling to the floor.
“...”
In an instant, the surroundings became quiet. In the midst of it all, Catinson shouted proudly.
“I am Catinson of Lovel! I challenge you to a duel for insulting me!”
He didn't forget to look back at Elze and add in a serious voice.
“I will show you the fruits of my training, Lady.”
Of course, Elze felt like hiding in a mouse hole.
"...Ha?"
Shan let out a short laugh. Shan looked at Catinson quietly. He seemed so dumbfounded that he didn’t know how to react. Catinson jumped in front of Shan and said he would accept the duel.
Shan slowly took off his mask. Catinson's mouth fell open at the sight of his purple eyes that were clear even in the darkness. Catinson, who recognized Shan right away, stammered as if he couldn't believe it.
“Ah, no...?”
Catinson's face turned pale. But it was too late. The mask crumpled in Shan's hands with a crackling sound.
“Shan Cirxus of Targayel.”
Shan said with a crooked smile.
“...I will accept the duel.”
Oh my God.
Elze, who had been watching, let out a growl and grabbed the fan she was holding. Judging from the gleam in Shan’s eyes, he seemed to be really angry.
Well, what man wouldn't be angry if he got hit in the face with a glove in public? If Elze had been hit with a glove-like that, she would have half-killed the guy who threw the glove.
And the forehead of poor Catinson, who had rushed in without knowing who his opponent was, was covered in cold sweat. No one in Baluar did not know Shan Cirxus.
It was widely believed among the knights that anyone who wielded a sword without knowing Shan Cirxus was a spy for another country.
Catinson must have heard of Shan's bravery, too. The swordsmanship he displayed in the Hundred Years' War was the pinnacle of swordsmanship that knights dreamed of.
In particular, the knights who followed Shan had a much faster rate of skill improvement than other knights. Even without mixing swords with Shan Cirxus, you could gauge Shan’s skill by seeing the knights who followed him develop their skills at a frightening rate.
Catinson must have known that he was no match for Shan, but the glove had already been thrown, and Shan had been slapped in the face.
“Where, do you want to go outside?”
Shan nodded to Catinson. Catinson bit his lower lip. He was the one who challenged the duel first, and there was no way he could escape.
Elze, standing behind Shan, was wondering how to stop them when she heard a leisurely voice.
“What is going on that makes you raise your voice like this?”
It was the Queen's voice. Shan and Catinson bowed their heads slightly to show their respect for the Queen's appearance. Next to the Queen, Cecilia informed her of the situation.
Of course, the Queen, who understood the common language, already knew everything. However, she pretended not to know and listened to Cecilia's interpretation. After listening to Cecilia's words, she looked at Shan and Catinson and said.
"I wonder what the knights of Baluar will be like."
As soon as Cecilia began to interpret the Queen's words, Catinson erupted.
“Your Majesty. This is the pride and honor of knights. Why do you treat it as a mere plaything?”
Catinson's words were sharp. Cecilia, who was caught between the Queen and Catinson, spoke as softly as possible.
The Queen smiled strangely as she listened to Cecilia. Elze felt uneasy upon seeing her smile. She must have understood what Catinson had said before Cecilia could translate it.
It was easy to guess why Catinson was angry. The Queen's words were ambiguous and could easily be misunderstood. However, it was an overreaction. It was not right to confront the Queen in such a public place. To be frank, it was Catinson's position to endure the Queen's insults, such as calling him a dwarf dungbag or an idiot.
She thought about it before, but Catinson was a very proud and fiery man. He valued honor so much that he often jumped into things without thinking about the consequences. It was a bit worrying to think that it was because he was young. It was not uncommon for a loyal subject to die young without telling the truth. Catinson would shed tears of blood if he did not suppress his belligerent nature.
You don't even have to go that far. You can just throw your gloves and get hit hard.
"Then how about doing this?"
The Queen slowly raised her hand and spoke. As she moved her hand, the wide sleeves fluttered. The gorgeous floral patterns on the sleeves fluttered as if they were alive.
"I will be your witness to your duel."
It was an honor to have the Queen witness a duel. Even if he lost, it would be an honor for the knight to have fought a duel with the Queen as a witness.
"I wish you would show me Baluar's bravery."
Either way, Shan didn't care. Shan stepped forward first and spoke politely to the queen.
“It is an honor, Your Majesty.”
Then Catinson had no choice but to accept it. The Queen nodded gracefully and said.
"I will give you a choice of weapons."
The stakes were getting higher and higher. The situation was turning into an atmosphere where they wanted to have a duel at the banquet hall right now.
The Queen gestured to the courtiers next to her and ordered them to bring weapons for the duel. The unexpected situation made the courtiers of Ryeo and the maids of honor at the banquet hall busy.
One of the attendants was seen sneaking out of the hall. He was probably there to report the situation to Crown Prince Raymond. However, given Raymond's personality, it was obvious that he would be excited to see what was going on.
Elze had half given up on the situation that was going on without any choice. While Elze was hesitating, preparations for the duel were steadily underway. Shan and Catinson sat side by side in the center of the ballroom that had been left empty for the dance.
The Queen's weapon of choice was a ceremonial sword that had no edge. Elze could hear the lady standing near her whispering to her neighbor.
“Don’t you think this banquet is the most fun?”
“How interesting. A duel with Count Targayel...”
Elze slightly lowered her eyes after hearing the whispers. In fact, they were the ones who were looking at this duel from a rather playful perspective.
Among the nobles present, only a small number had fought in the Hundred Years' War. The war was a distant story to them, but they knew well how famous Shan Cirxus had become as a war hero.
So, they were curious about Shan's swordsmanship. They were full of the desire to find fault with it, wondering how it could be so great that it was so highly praised.
Among the men, there were probably many who secretly looked down on Shan and thought that they were no worse than him or that they were better than him.
When you think about it, Shan actually had more to gain from accepting the duel. At least, there would be no one left to try to taunt Shan with a sword after seeing the duel.
Catinson too... He’d probably learn something after getting beaten up by Shan, and it wasn’t a big price to pay for being so thoughtless.
“Shan.”
Elze called out to Shan before he went out to the center of the meeting.
“Don’t finish it all at once, show it to him a little more slowly. Like playing with it, you know?”
As Shan looked at her curiously, Elze frowned slightly and continued to whisper.
“If we finish too quickly... those who haven’t mastered the sword won’t even know what happened.”
"...Ah."
Shan understood Elze's words right away. He looked at Elze quietly, then glanced at Catinson. Catinson was looking at him with passionate eyes. Shan chuckled, then grabbed Elze's shoulder with his hand. Then he pressed a kiss to her forehead and spoke softly.
“I will bring you victory.”
Elze looked at Shan with a strange expression. But he had already walked to the center of the hall. She couldn't understand why he was suddenly doing something he had never done before.
Surrounded by masked men, Shan and Catinson stood facing each other. Shan picked up the ceremonial sword that the attendant had brought him and waved it lightly in the air.
It was a sword made for ceremonial use, with a blunt blade and a focus on beauty, so it was simply a sword that looked cool. However, the moment it was in Shan’s hands, it became a ferocious demon sword.
Catinson, standing opposite Shan, was already frozen. The unfamiliar ceremonial sword, not the one he usually used, was unfamiliar to his hands and naturally made Catinson feel intimidated. It was obvious that the match was decided before they even faced each other.
"I will begin the duel."
At the Queen's words, Shan and Catinson took their stances. They signaled the start of the duel by throwing a handkerchief. The handkerchief that had been floating in the air fell to the ground, and the duel began.
As soon as he started, Shan swung his sword with great force. The sound of the air being torn apart was so loud that it was hard to believe it was made with a ceremonial sword. Then, immediately after, there was a loud crack, and Catinson was pushed back four or five steps.
“Gasp, gasp...”
Catinson exhaled harshly. His sword trembled slightly, perhaps from fear as if his hands had gone numb from the mere act of striking.
But now it was just the beginning. All that was left was for Catinson to be scolded until he burst into tears. Elze was watching intently, clicking her tongue inwardly.
A masked man approached Elze. He had been bothering her since earlier, but she had left him alone because she had no intention of killing him. He had his entire face covered by a plain black mask, and he pretended to watch the duel from Elze's side. Then he leaned over and whispered to Elze.
“Madam, Duke Seraph wishes to speak to you.”
Duke Seraph... A story that he wanted to share secretly, avoiding Shan’s gaze. It was obvious even without looking. Elze coldly retorted.
“Tell him I have nothing to say.”
“...”
He was silent for a moment, then continued speaking slowly.
“The Duke told me to convey something that I absolutely had to convey. If you do not agree to the meeting after hearing this, then I don’t know what will happen.”
What kind of terrible threat could he have sent? Elze, who seemed unmoved no matter what he said, answered him indifferently.
“Please speak.”
But at his subsequent whisper, Elze came to her senses like someone who had ice water poured over her.
“...Elze of Elijah.”
***
Dealing with Catinson Lovel was child's play for Shan. Elze had told him to deal with her appropriately, so he intended to follow her orders faithfully.
If it weren't for those words, Catinson would have been knocked to the ground with the first blow. It was Shan's original plan to make him run away crying, but it didn't seem like a bad idea to show him a little, as Elze had said.
Originally, the thing that could suppress people the fastest and most effectively was fear.
Shan knew very well that some people could not be persuaded by words. It was much easier to solve them with one blow of force than with a hundred words of persuasion.
What Elze had asked of Shan was to show his strength. While she and Shan had been rolling around on the battlefield, risking their lives in countless battles, those who had been safely at the rear now came and talked. So Shan had planned to show it off as splendidly as possible.
“What are you doing? Not attacking.”
When he spoke to him in a tone that seemed somewhat sarcastic, Catinson's eyes widened. Judging from the way he was shaking at every word, he was still a very innocent child.
But how did he come to be connected with Elze and why did he pretend to know her so well? Shan narrowed his eyes. He was a guy he didn't like in many ways. Shan leisurely provoked him while aiming his sword at him.
“Is it already decided?”
“Ugh...”
Catinson clenched his teeth and took up his stance again. It was a pretty decent stance. However, unlike Shan, who was the same no matter what he was holding, Catinson was a little lost as he was not used to the official sword.
Catinson tensed his body and prepared to attack. Then he attempted to attack Shan. It was a powerful attack with quick footwork.
The flurry of attacks aimed at his upper body was fierce. However, Shan did not deflect the swords that were pouring down on him. Instead, he accepted the power contained in the swords and countered them.
It was a display of one's power to throw back something one could easily throw away, and Catinson was well aware of this.
But his hand was already sore from the force with which Shan had countered. If they hit each other a few more times, Catinson would lose the strength in his hand and drop his sword.
Catinson regained his composure, trying to catch his breath. He then aimed his sword at Shan. If they clashed again, only Catinson would suffer. He had only one chance.
“...”
Shan looked at Catinson, who was preparing to attack. Catinson was looking at Shan with a very tense expression. He was looking for an opening to attack.
Gaze, gaze, and more gaze.
Numerous eyes were looking at Shan and Catinson. While waiting for Catinson's attack, Shan felt something strange in those eyes.
The gaze fixed on Shan did not contain any emotions such as curiosity, interest, hostility, or favor. It was a gaze that seemed to be testing something... but also contained a subtle murderous intent.
Shan looked back at the direction of the gaze. And her eyes met the Queen's. The Queen did not look away. Instead, she smiled quietly at Shan. Shan felt an inexplicable discomfort run through her body at the meaningful smile.
But there was no time to think about the meaning of the smile because Catinson had struck a decisive blow.
“Ugh!!”
Catinson lunged forward, screaming. He knew this was his last attack. He mustered all his strength and threw himself forward with great force.
Shan's eyes hardened deeply. Shan drew energy deep from his lower abdomen and put strength into the sword in his hand. Then he cut down the sword that Catinson was swinging.
The sound of swords clashing against swords echoed like thunder in all directions. The tremendous noise startled those with weak hearts and made them sway in their legs.
When the noise died down, the match was decided.
"Ah..."
Catinson looked down at his hand with a blank expression. In that hand was a sword that had been cut in two. The severed piece of iron fell to the floor with a loud clang.
Catinson's sword wasn't broken. It was cut off. The cut surface was smooth as if it had been there from the beginning.
Catinson looked at Shan. Shan slowly lowered his sword. His sword was intact. The blade was blunt, without a single bend or crack. That sword, no different from a club, had cut Catinson’s sword cleanly.
It wasn't just a difference in skill. Catinson lowered his head in vain. It was an admission of defeat. A belated cheer erupted among the onlookers. The Queen grabbed Shan's hand and lifted it up amidst the cheers, declaring victory.
"It seems the winner has been decided. The winner is Count Targayel."
Shan, who had received the Queen's declaration and was completely recognized as victorious, leisurely approached Catinson and tapped him on the shoulder.
“It was a great duel.”
Catinson felt even more humiliated by the pat, but he couldn't say anything back. Shan could have killed Catinson in a duel. Murder in a duel with a witness was tolerated. Just letting him live was a very gentlemanly consideration.
People gathered around Shan and Catinson. Some bold onlookers even picked up the blade Shan had cut off and looked at it.
“No, how did you cut it so cleanly with that blunt object...”
“I heard that Count Targayel was very skilled in swordsmanship, but I didn’t know he was this skilled.”
But Shan couldn't fully enjoy his victory. As he looked around, Shan's face gradually hardened.
“...Erzenes?”
Elze was nowhere to be seen.
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