Chapter 69

69. The Skill of the Third Place (11)

Oh-!

A cheer erupted from the children's mouths.

It was when Luna descended from the arena that Teron shouted loudly.

"I cannot accept a proxy duel for Zero!"

"Huh, why not?"

"The conditions for a proxy duel do not apply! This is neither an elderly person, a child, a sick person, nor anything else!"

Ah, the proxy duel clause?

I knew it well.

Those old-timers create content when there's a lack of it.

What do you mean?

Because there were often events where quizzes were given based on the law code.

'Let's see... the proxy duel clause that can be used in this situation is...'

Rustle.

The law code unfolded in my mind.

* Proxy Duel

For those who cannot duel due to being elderly, a child, sick, or performing official duties.

In such cases, a proxy duelist can be appointed.

- Special Clause

If the opponent appoints a proxy duelist, the proxy duel can be executed.

I quickly reviewed all the clauses for a proxy duel. Then,

'...There isn't one?'

There was no clause that I could use to intervene.

Luna is neither elderly, a child, sick, nor performing official duties.

What about the special clause?

That means Dyke has to appoint me for the proxy duel to be valid.

I don't even understand why such a clause exists.

Think about it logically.

Who would appoint a strong opponent for a proxy duel?

Only someone who is extremely crazy would...

"Zero! I'm sorry! I appointed Teron as the proxy duelist! But it turned out to be Dyke!"

...Yeah. A crazy woman was right next to me?

Our Luna really knows how to cause trouble artistically.

"Hehe! That's right! There's no room for you to intervene! Go back down!"

It was a dilemma. If this ended here, Luna's arm would be lost.

But there was a way.

"I'll just do it."

"...What?"

"I'll just do it, the duel."

Cheeky.

This was the way to make the duel happen.

"I cannot accept it as a proxy duel arbitrator! State the clause! A clause I can accept!"

"Oh, now that you mention it, there is one."

"What is it?"

Teron prepared for battle.

He was ready to refute any clause I presented.

"Luna is cute, so..."

"...What?"

"Cute beings must be protected. Even if it means a proxy duel."

Teron's mouth gaped open.

He was speechless at my cheekiness.

Squeal-!

Squeal!!

The girls were in an uproar.

It felt like the fan club was growing.

Ah, now I really don't know.

Let it be.

Crack!

"Fine, do as you please. I will recognize Zero's proxy duel and resume the duel."

Thus, the duel was established.

The problem was that the situation was a bit difficult.

'Dyke is strong.'

I couldn't win with just skill.

Well, unless I used a few tricks.

I raised my hand and said,

"Teron."

"What now?"

"Can you please have the people move outside?"

Teron's frowning face instantly relaxed.

"Hehe! Why? Don't you want to show your miserable appearance?"

Teron's followers laughed along with him.

Teron raised his hand to quiet them down.

Of course, he couldn't hide the smile on his face.

"Fine, I can show some consideration. The embarrassing scene should only be seen by a few people."

The children laughed again.

I opened my mouth quietly as I looked at them.

"It's my side."

"Hehe! What?"

"You seem to be misunderstanding something."

The one showing consideration is not you.

"Rather, it's my side."

* * *

30 seconds.

The silence lasted for that long.

No one spoke during that time.

Because they couldn't bear Teron's anger.

"...Get out."

"Excuse me?"

"Everyone except those involved in the duel, get out of here."

"Teron-sama! But!"

"I said get out!"

Bang!

Only then did the children hurriedly leave.

Teron sighed.

They only listen when he gets angry.

'Who would have thought he would use such a tactic?'

Teron looked at Zero.

The suggestion to have the people leave.

At first, he dismissed it as a ridiculous provocation. But upon further thought, it wasn't.

'This guy is quite clever. This is surprising.'

If, just if.

Dyke lost the proxy duel.

Dyke, who was thought to be the strongest in the first year, lost.

Then Teron would be like a tiger with no teeth.

Because a real tiger had appeared, surpassing Dyke.

'But if he loses without anyone seeing?'

He could cover it up through internal deals.

The most common deal would be, "Let's just call it a draw."

Since the suggestion to have the people leave came from the other side, the deal itself wouldn't be difficult.

While thinking, the arena was emptied.

The remaining people were himself, Dyke, Zero, Luna, and Yuridia.

"Yuridia, this isn't your concern, is it?"

"There should be someone to prepare for any eventuality."

"What about that child?"

"Luna is an injured person, right? Don't worry. I'll keep quiet about what happened here."

"How can I trust you?"

"I'll stake my family's honor. Is that enough?"

Teron turned his head.

This way, the misfortune that would occur if he lost would be prevented.

So far, all his assumptions were based on the scenario of losing.

What if he won?

'Zero, I'll make you a rag and display you. You'll pay for provoking me.'

Suddenly, the arrogant conversation of the young men echoed in his ears.

"Hey, you're not going to kneel and beg, are you?"

"Oh, there's such a method. Will Luna join too?"

"Are you really asking for death? If you lose, you'll die by my hand!"

Ha.

Teron was speechless.

Who exactly was he fighting?

To be having a sacred duel with such kids.

"Dyke."

"Yes."

"It's an order. Don't lose. If you lose, I'll kill you myself."

"...Understood."

Dyke stood in the center of the arena.

It was finally time for the duel.

Luna approached Zero.

"Hehe, are you worried?"

"Of course. I already said, if you want to surrender, do it. I don't care."

Zero suddenly stroked his own head.

Luna felt a strange sensation.

'Is Zero this tall?'

Maybe it's because he's on the arena.

"Luna, the Lester family's swordsmanship is not inferior."

"What? Is that because of what that guy said to me earlier? Don't worry. I don't care about that."

But despite her words, Luna was quite hurt.

Because her family was being disrespected because of her.

Of course, Teron didn't know he was a noble when he said it.

"Hehe, watch carefully. It's the level you need to reach."

"What? What do you mean by that...?"

"Come quickly! I'm going to resume the duel!"

Zero left for the center of the arena.

'The level I need to reach? What does he mean?'

Luna's confusion didn't last long.

"Begin!"

At Teron's command, Zero opened his eyes.

His eyes, filled with a foreboding light, turned red.

At the same time, Zero took a stance.

A slightly bent left knee, the sword sheath held at a right angle.

This caused his waist to bend even more.

Explosive acceleration.

It was slightly different, but it was clear. This is...!

The first secret technique of the Lester family.

One Flash (一閃).

Flash!

A massive streak of light, swallowing the surrounding light, flew through the air.

A vertical streak of light split the arena and the ceiling.

Bang! Thud!

Rumble!

A large moon floated above the hole in the ceiling.

At first glance, it looked like Zero's sword had cut the moon.

Moonlight poured in through the hole in the ceiling.

Below it, Zero stood and smiled at her.

"Hehe, Luna, didn't I tell you?"

The Lester family's swordsmanship.

Can cut the moon.

* * *

"Wowwwww!!"

"Kyaaaaaa!"

"What, what! What's happening in there!"

Screams from the children outside the tightly locked arena door.

'Hmm, maybe I went a bit too far?'

The building could have collapsed with the shock and the stone fragments flying through the air.

Indeed, the A-rank [One Flash] was premature. It was too strong.

"Ugh..."

Dyke groaned as he lay on the ground.

He wasn't dead. I knew he wouldn't die, which is why I used [One Flash].

'He has an artifact.'

It reduces 80% of the damage for one critical injury per battle.

I also know he has a few other miscellaneous items.

Dyke's safety was secured (by himself, not by me).

'But it's the same thing, right?'

"Wh-what? What just happened?"

Yuridia, who was below the arena, asked.

She looked as if she couldn't believe it.

And the same went for Teron.

He had a look of immense shock.

"Hehe, I just swung my sword, that's all?"

"Lie! That was One Flash! The Lester family's secret technique!"

Yuridia screamed.

'As expected... I was caught.'

This was the reason I had the children leave.

The reason I provoked Teron to make them leave.

Noble children are thoroughly educated about the secret techniques of each family.

The stance, the grip, the trained body parts, the appearance of the techniques.

Each family's secret techniques have distinct 'characteristics'.

'The reason for this education?'

To adjust their attitude based on the family of the opponent.

Is the opponent worth talking to, worth spending time with?

Is the opponent someone who must not be offended?

Not only that.

Parties, battlefields, mountains, fields, seas, tourist spots.

Noble children can be encountered anywhere.

If a dispute arises and the opponent turns out to be the child of a prestigious noble family?

Compensation, political standing, trade, territory.

The losses would be immense.

That's why they are thoroughly educated about each family's secret techniques.

To minimize the damage.

'Since the Lester family was destroyed, I thought the probability of them being taught [One Flash] would be low...'

Yuridia and Teron.

Both seemed to recognize [One Flash].

Well, for now, I'll play dumb.

"Hehe, I don't understand what you're saying. How can a commoner like me use a noble family's swordsmanship?"

"How can I forget that unique and destructive swordsmanship! It's exactly the same as what I learned!"

"Well, it's probably just similar. What? The Lehler family? They must have imitated my swordsmanship."

"..."

Yuridia shut her mouth.

'Even without evidence, what can they do...?'

A mysterious child using the swordsmanship of a traitor family, with a menacing appearance.

Perfect for being hunted.

'It was a necessary situation. I couldn't beat Dyke with my current state.'

I was definitely going to inform Charon.

I would need his help from behind.

Just as I was about to leave the arena,

"Are you sure? Going down means you admit defeat."