Chapter 73

Next, Cordelia and her team came to investigate a corner of the western part of the capital city.

It seemed that there was a tavern that one of the Eltria army suspects often visited.

They decided to investigate, hoping to glean some information from the social connections at the tavern, even if it was a long shot.

"Oh, that bowl-cut head...?"

It was a familiar young man with golden bowl-cut hair.

He was François, the soldier who refused to return Cordelia's veil on the day of the welcoming ceremony.

"Huh? You guys...?"

François seemed to have noticed Cordelia and her team.

He puffed out his chest and approached, glaring at Cordelia and Bernald.

"Hey, Bernald, why are you here?"

"That's none of your business. You should focus on achieving your own goals freely."

Bernald dismissed him with a cold shoulder, and François raised his eyebrows.

"You always look down on others like that. Who do you think you are?! Just because you got treated like a hero, don't get too full of yourself! I'll catch up to you soon!"

"Sure. Good luck."

"Wh-What?! You're mocking me?!"

The small François, who lunged at the tall Bernald, looked like a small dog barking shrilly.

Cordelia watched as François glared at her.

"Hey, you too! I don't know what 'Lion Saint' or whatever you are, but if you don't want to get hurt, you should stop working with him!"

"Thank you for your concern. But I have my own reasons, so there's no need to worry."

"Reasons? You're just after his looks, right?! You're being deceived by his appearance, aren't you?!"

"No, that's not—"

Cordelia tried to argue, but François wasn't listening.

"Or is it his height?! Is it his height, isn't it?! Everyone just grows too tall!"

Grinding his teeth and spitting out curses, François left.

It was as if he was fleeing from Bernald.

What did he want by confronting them and then leaving on his own?

Cordelia tilted her head in confusion and met Gail's gaze.

◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇

A few days after starting the investigation with Bernald and the others, it was time to fulfill the promise.

The mock battle with Leonhardt was to take place.

"Your Highness, please be careful."

Cordelia called out to Leonhardt, who was polishing his beloved sword.

The mock battle was to be held in Cordelia's mansion's garden, with no one else around.

Even though it was a mock battle, they would be using real swords without blunted edges, so she was worried about injuries.

"Are you really going to use real swords?"

"I don't intend to let anyone get hurt. ...Or are you worried that I might lose?"

"...After spending these few days together, I can see that Lord Bernald is very capable. I don't think you will lose, but—"

"I see. ...I'm jealous."

"Huh?"

Leonhardt turned away with a pout.

It was a childlike gesture, his golden hair bouncing.

"...I guess I'm more childish and narrow-minded than I thought."

Facing away from Cordelia, Leonhardt resumed polishing his sword.

He worked meticulously, as if to distract himself, sharpening the blade.

"For the past few days, you've been with Bernald, not me. ...I know it's childish, but... I can't seem to handle things well when it comes to you."

"Your Highness..."

"Rest assured. I'm not going to throw a tantrum or use dirty tricks. I just want to fight him head-on and not lose to Lord Bernald."

Leonhardt chuckled and lifted his sword to check the finish.

He sheathed it and walked to the starting point of the mock battle.

Bernald, who was already fully prepared, stood opposite him.

"The match will be one-on-one, with no time limit. It will end when one party concedes or when a decisive blow is about to land on the torso or head. Is that clear?"

Gail, who was serving as the referee, stated the rules of the mock battle.

Leonhardt held his long sword, and Bernald held a single-edged military saber, facing each other.

"...Just to confirm one last time,"

Bernald placed his hand on the scabbard of his saber and spoke.

"Are we allowed to use magic?"

"Of course. I don't want to lose because I couldn't use magic and have it misunderstood."

Leonhardt taunted him.

It might be part of his strategy to unsettle his opponent, or perhaps he was that fired up.

Bernald nodded and smiled faintly.

"Alright. If you say so, I'll give it my all."

"That's what I wanted to hear."

Both of them placed their hands on their hilts and entered a combat stance.

They locked eyes, sizing each other up, and the psychological battle had already begun.

"Three, two, one—begin!"

At Gail's command, both of them moved.

Leonhardt charged, and Bernald, while holding his saber, began to chant.

"——Pierce with a flash. Spear of Lightning!"

A bolt of lightning shot from Bernald's right hand like a spear.

It was his signature attack, the source of his nickname.

The lightning pierced the space where Leonhardt had been just moments before, accompanied by a flash.

(Fast! And while wielding a saber!)

To Cordelia's eyes, all she could see were sparks flying as the swords clashed.

Bernald continued to chant while manipulating his saber.

One after another, lightning bolts attacked Leonhardt without pause.

"!"

A bolt of lightning singed Leonhardt's hair.

It had been just half a step away from a direct hit.

"The nickname 'Spear of Lightning' is well-deserved!"

"You, on the other hand, have absurd physical abilities. You're faster than a beastman!"

Even as they exchanged words, neither of them stopped their swordplay or magic.

Leonhardt's thrust was parried by Bernald, who then countered with a bolt of lightning.

Blows and lightning flashed, and the roles of attacker and defender changed rapidly.

The match had already become too advanced for Cordelia to understand.

It became difficult to follow with her eyes, and she was lost in the chaos.

What she could understand was that both of them were incredible masters, engaging in a level of psychological warfare that was beyond her comprehension as a layperson.

The sound of metal clashing and lightning cracking filled the air, and the intense battle raged on—but—

"It's over."

The end came unexpectedly.

The tip of Leonhardt's sword was pressed against Bernald's throat.

Thank you for reading.

Thanks to your support, the second volume of the book will be released on March 2nd!

I plan to update daily until the release date.

I will update another chapter tonight, so please look forward to it.