Chapter 18. 3 Matches, 2 Wins (3)

Johann remembered it clearly.

How could he not?

That day, the day he lost everything he held dear!

And the words that the monster, which had taken his leg, had spat out!

"If you have the confidence to run faster even after losing a leg... he said he would accept a third challenge then."

Though Johann's voice was calm, Ralph, who knew the old Johann, felt a pang in his heart.

Johann Redner.

Now known as the reckless one, but in the past, he was described as the 'Dragon in the Clouds.'

A being like a dragon soaring through the clouds.

Johann's movements, having honed the Redner family's secret martial arts to the extreme, were more than worthy of such praise.

Even the Sword Master had marveled at Johann's speed.

That leg must have been everything to such a person.

Johann lightly waved his hand when he saw Ralph's face stiffen.

"Why do you have such a serious expression, you who lost a leg?"

"...Senior."

"Don't look at me like that. I gained new insights and even the value of my life... so losing a leg was a cheap price to pay."

"......"

"Hehe, it was only after reaching this point that I realized I could never defeat that monster with what I had. I needed a weapon worthy of that monster."

A heavy conversation after 15 years.

Johann's face contorted at the pitying look from his junior and the heavy atmosphere.

"Hey, you piglet, I'm still full of energy! Why are you looking at me like I'm a relic?!"

It had been a long time since Johann's familiar, affectionate insults, and Ralph's stiff face relaxed.

He smiled slightly as he watched Johann, who was drinking heavily with a face full of frustration.

'I guess I'm getting old... I was worried about this person because I had no one else to worry about.'

When Johann was in his final year, Ralph was just starting out.

At that time, the talent Ralph saw in Johann was nothing short of shocking.

'Even though he lost a leg, this person... is Johann Redner.'

Among the countless geniuses produced by the cradle, he was undoubtedly the strongest.

The only usurper to ever gain the Sword Master's recognition.

And the owner of the back he had chased all his life.

Recalling this, Ralph also shook off the heaviness and playfully retorted.

"Don't call me a pig. This is muscle, not fat!"

"Ah, that's right. Muscle pig. But, you've been doing that brutal training even though you're old enough to know better? How come your muscles are even bigger, huh?"

"By nature, as one gets older, one should have more muscle."

"Even so, your body is too much."

"Stop saying nonsense. This is just right!"

"Really? Now you're trying to teach me?"

"Hey, we're only five years apart. Should we really be arguing about this when we're both getting old?"

"Damn, a mere five years younger! And someone who has never beaten me, trying to teach me? No way, you brat!"

Johann's taunting made Ralph's forehead veins pop.

Johann, who had been aiming to stand shoulder to shoulder with him, had fought him countless times.

Of course, the record was a complete loss.

No one could feel good about such a result, even if it was against someone like an idol.

But Ralph, who was about to flare up, suddenly hesitated and then shook his head.

"Let's not talk about it."

"...What? Normally, you should be ready to fight like a wild boar right away?"

"What good would it do to beat the current you?"

Ralph's words made Johann's face instantly stiffen.

He glared fiercely at Ralph.

"What do you mean by that? Are you saying that I, now a cripple, am not your match?"

"Don't get angry. That's not what I meant."

"But that's how it sounded?"

"No. If you're Johann Redner... the Johann Redner I know, you would still be fast and strong even with one leg. Where would that skill you used to toy with me go?"

"......"

"But what I truly want to defeat is not the reckless Johann Redner, but the Dragon in the Clouds, Johann Redner. The great usurper who challenged the Sword Master! Let me ask you this. Can the current you... beat the you from 15 years ago who challenged the Sword Master? Can you be as strong as you were in your prime?"

Ralph's words left Johann speechless.

A heavy silence ensued before Johann finally spoke.

"So, you're saying my skills aren't what they used to be, and you don't want to fight me?"

"...If you put it that way, I have nothing to say."

"Damn brat."

After sending a glare, Johann chuckled and shrugged.

"Well, you're not wrong. I'm not as strong as I was in my prime. However, I promise you this."

Suddenly, Johann's eyes gleamed fiercely.

"If I ever get the chance to challenge the Sword Master again... I'll add one loss to your record before I go."

"Hehe, I'll be waiting."

Ralph smiled, seemingly pleased with Johann's declaration.

As the tense atmosphere eased, Johann began to grumble.

"So, do you have the Shari or not?"

After a long detour, the conversation returned to the main topic.

Ralph, who had momentarily forgotten the original purpose of the conversation, glanced around before answering.

"Um, no."

"Your voice is trembling?"

"Who, who's voice? Mine?"

"Ah, you. If you don't want to give it, just say so. Don't lie and say you don't have it."

"If I say I have it, you'll take it even if I don't want to give it, right!"

"Hehe, our time together wasn't wasted. You know me so well. So, give it to me, nicely."

"What is it! It's something that's hard to get, even if you have money!"

"I know that well. That's why I came to you. You have something hard to get, and I can get it for free from you."

Ralph's shoulders trembled at Johann's brazenness.

Yet, he couldn't firmly refuse.

'Ugh... he's still as slippery as a snake.'

He had been in debt to Johann all his life, chasing his back.

Johann knew this well, which is why he was making such a brazen demand.

"Hehe, Ralph has grown a lot. Making me wait like this. How about gathering all the 6th generation cradle members once?"

Faced with Johann's renewed threat, Ralph gave up.

And he decided.

If he was going to lose it anyway, he might as well get something from Johann first.

He thought about what he could get as the idea flashed through his mind.

Ralph's eyes sparkled.

"Alright, I'll give it to you. But!"

"But?"

"I have a condition."

"Condition? Condi-tion? Hehe, I can't accept that. Really, gather all the 6th generation cradle members once."

"Do it or don't, it's up to you. If you don't accept my condition, you won't get it!"

"Damn brat..."

Unexpectedly, Ralph's strong stance made Johann take a step back.

"...What's your condition?"

The Shari, which was hard to obtain and might never be in his hands.

For his future plans, the Shari was essential.

Johann's slightly softened question made Ralph's gaze turn.

His gaze landed on Yuris' round, sleeping head.

"That is..."

After that, Ralph began to state his conditions.

A moment later.

Ralph's lips curled slightly after stating all his conditions.

"Will you accept it?"

A rather provocative smile and tone.

Faced with this, Johann's lips also curled.

"Hmm? That's a very arrogant condition."

"Will you do it or not?"

The renewed provocation made Johann's sardonic smile even deeper.

A smile that seemed to say, 'You're provoking me?'

So, the words that came out of his mouth were already decided.

"Alright, let's do it!"

As soon as Johann agreed, they began to discuss the details of the condition on the spot.

Meanwhile, Yuris, a few meters away from them.

"Ugh..."

He shivered in his deep sleep, as if foreseeing his unhappy future.

* * *

Fainting upon arrival at the destination.

After sleeping for over 20 hours, Yuris opened his eyes the next morning.

After a brief introduction with Ralph, Johann began his explanation while the landlord was out.

Yuris, who had heard everything, blinked and tilted his head.

"What do you want me to do?"

Johann answered as if he had been waiting for the question.

"Sparring!"

"...Why me?"

"What did you hear? Do you need me to explain again?"

"No, I got the gist. So, you want me to spar to get that Shari or something? With that old man Ralph's grandson?"

"You got it."

"So, why?"

"...Is this brat trying to play word games with me again?"

"Whoa, calm down and listen. The Shari can temporarily seal my broken spirit vein, right? With that, I can circulate mana on my own without the old man's assistance."

"Is that it?"

"Then, I wouldn't need the Shari, right? The old man could just assist me all the time, right?"

"This brat... do you know how hard that is! After one session, my bones creak!"

Hearing this, Johann, who had been asked to do that hard labor again, shuddered and then noticed Yuris' sinister smile.

"What? What's that look for?"

"Ah, so the old man will be so exhausted that he needs the Shari, right?"

"That, that's not exactly it. Once you enter the cradle, I won't always be by your side, right? You'll have to follow the cradle's schedule, and I can't always move with you. This is all for your benefit."

Johann's kind explanation made Yuris' eyes droop.

With that obvious expression, Johann turned his gaze away and said.

"Why are you looking at me like that?"

"It's just strange. The old man would have yelled at me to shut up and get ready to fight long ago... but why are you explaining so kindly? It's like you really need me to participate in the sparring."

"......"

"Be honest, old man. Is there something else at stake in this sparring besides the Shari?"

Johann broke out in a cold sweat under Yuris' relentless questioning.

'What a perceptive brat.'

Yuris, who seemed to have already formed a suspicion, sent a sharp gaze.

Johann, unable to bear the piercing look, sighed and raised the white flag.

"Ha... you're right. I agreed to get the Shari first, on the condition of the sparring."

"And you made a bet? On whether I win or the old man's grandson wins?"

"Perceptive brats are annoying..."

"Excuse me?"

"Heh, heh. No, no. Anyway, you're right. Ralph and I made a bet on the outcome of this sparring. I bet on you, and he bet on his grandson."

"Hmm? What's the prize?"

"If Ralph's grandson wins..."

Johann paused for a moment.

His face showed anger.

"If Ralph wins the bet..."

"Win?"

"That brat... that brat... will call me 'Brother'!"

"......"

"He said he would call me 'Brother'?"

"...That's it?"

"Ha! Just 'Brother,' you say? That's because you don't know! The hierarchy among the cradle's leaders is strictly maintained even after they enter society! How can a junior or a senior call a revered senior 'Brother' and speak informally?!"

"...Old geezer."

"What did you say?!"

Johann, with his eyes blazing.

Seeing this, Yuris shook his head.

'He's not just joking around.'

Look at him.

His cheeks were trembling with anger.

Yuris, shaking his head in disappointment, asked casually.

"Then, what if I win?"

"Huh?"

"What do I get if I win?"

"Oh, that? Nothing much. I agreed to get a sword."

"A sword?"

"Ralph is quite renowned as a swordsmith. I needed a sword, so I asked him to make one."

"Greedy. The old man seems to like swords."

"What are you talking about?"

"Huh?"

"Not my sword, obviously yours. Were you planning to enter the cradle without a sword? Fight with a stick?"

Johann's blunt answer made Yuris' eyes change.

"Mine? My sword?"

"Yep."

"Against a 13-year-old?"

"Huh?"

"3 matches, 2 wins, right?"

"Right."

"Don't worry, old man. I'll make sure that fatty can't even say the 'Bro' in 'Brother' to you again!"

"...Don't use the Divine Body Technique."

"Ah, for a mere 13-year-old, why would I need to use the Divine Body Technique? Fatty grandson... no, fatty, bring him here! I'll crush him to bits!"

Yuris clenched his fist.