Chapter 11

I am currently abstaining from alcohol for a health checkup. My hands are shaking... (It's the end stage).

Lack of sleep is not good. It makes people short-tempered.

"——Are you insulting the Kingdom of Light Knights——*cough*"

The bearded knight, whose name seemed to be Johann, had already dismounted and drew his sword from his waist—right then, I hit him with a [Wind Magic] spell, sending him flying.

The armor seemed designed to disperse magic, significantly reducing the impact. So, before Johann hit the ground, I fired a few more shots to ensure he lost consciousness.

Ah, maybe I overdid it... a moment of regret.

"This guy is a mage. His casting is incredibly fast, dismount your horses!"

As Lord Wilhelm said, he leaped off his horse, and the other knights followed suit.

Quick judgment. While horses offer high mobility, they are less maneuverable against a mage, and there's a risk of being thrown off if the horse is hit by magic.

There might be different uses if there's a place to build up momentum, though.

"A mage in the Muehl Margrave family, times are changing indeed!"

There were two female knights, and they both charged at me simultaneously.

"I don't know what they expect from that family—"

"!? Stop, both of you!"

Lord Wilhelm's warning came too late.

The first one had already lunged, and I barely dodged by stepping back at the last second.

The second one was right behind her, so I ignored the first and dealt with the second.

Her sword was thin, specialized for thrusting.

"AAAAAHHH!"

My clothes tore, and a thin layer of skin was cut. But I grabbed the second one's arm and spun around, throwing her over my shoulder.

"Wha—*cough*!"

She hit the ground hard before she could take a defensive position.

"Ugh"

"Too slow"

The first one was turning around to attack again,

"AAH!?"

I kicked her in the back, and she tumbled forward.

"......"

"Still more to come!"

The female knight, her face covered in mud, stood up—just then,

"Enough, Hanna. You've already lost this match without being killed."

"But—"

"A knight does not make excuses."

"...Yes"

The female knight named Hanna reluctantly nodded and tended to her fallen comrade.

I see... Lord Wilhelm was watching carefully.

"...So, do you want to continue?"

In this short time, I realized something.

The knights were far inferior to the margrave's retainers. The first [Wind Magic] spell would have sent the margrave's retainers flying, but they would have corrected their posture mid-air and deflected any follow-up attacks with their arms, grinning and saying, "Guest, you're quite ruthless, aren't you?" I shudder just thinking about it.

The same goes for the fight with the female knights. Without any [Support Magic], my attacks wouldn't have landed on the muscle-bound retainers. But the knights were easily thrown and defeated.

"Amazing, this is the power of the Muehl family, feared as the 'Tyrant of the Border'..."

No, I don't know about that. If I denied it, it would create a contradiction, so I can't say it.

I thought Lord Wilhelm would back down, but he smoothly drew his sword.

"At least, I want to see your sword skills."

Was his pride as a knight hurt by losing to magic and unarmed combat?

"If that will satisfy you"

I don't really excel at sword skills, but I drew my dagger. I remembered when I was in the capital of the Aachenbach Duchy and was asked to show my skills to Joseph, the training officer of the Adventurers' Guild.

Back then, I was swayed by the [Swordsmanship] skill.

But now, I understand that innate talent is what matters.

I haven't had formal training, but I've learned how to survive—so being asked about sword skills is a bit awkward.

"——KIEEEEEEEEE!!"

"!!"

There was plenty of distance.

But he closed it in an instant—almost like teleporting—Lord Wilhelm's sword was right in front of my nose.

(Are you trying to kill me!!)

I turned my face sharply, but my cheek was cut. The sensation of a hot line running across my face made my thoughts boil.

I unconsciously used [Healing Magic] while trying to stab him with my dagger—

"Stop right there!!"

A loud voice hit me like a blow to the head, and my body froze. Lord Wilhelm also stopped, the momentum of his charge suddenly halted.

It must be some kind of innate ability—while maintaining distance from Lord Wilhelm, I turned my gaze to the person who had spoken.

"Referee Sir..."

At Lord Wilhelm's murmur, I wondered, "Referee?" internally.

"The match was decided when Wilhelm's first strike was dodged. Both of you, lower your swords."

An old knight with all-white hair slicked back and a beard from his sideburns to his chin rode up to us.

He was the deputy general leading the expeditionary force of the Kingdom of Light Knights.

He was called "Referee Sir" by the knights because he served as the "referee" in fair sword matches. His real name is Otto, but I don't really care about that.

(A voice ability... something like [Voice Technique]? I've never heard of it. Well, there are plenty of special innate abilities.)

As I remained on guard, Referee Sir made Lord Wilhelm step back and faced me on horseback.

"I apologize, guest. Wilhelm is not a bad man, but he has a tendency to challenge strong opponents."

"......"

"Please don't be so tense."

"Anyone would be tense when surrounded by ten knights."

Referee Sir had brought ten mounted knights, who had formed a circle around me.

"Ah, these are just a blind."

Referee Sir said in a hoarse, gruff voice.

"Blind?"

"To make you less conspicuous on this plain, we've surrounded you with horses."

"......"

"Hmm, you're still on guard. I know you are Lord Raze, who demonstrated your strength despite your youth during the civil war in the Kingdom of Curvaen."

"!"

They know who I am?

Why—while it's true that I haven't hidden what I did in the Kingdom of Curvaen, the events at the royal palace are probably kept secret, and the battle with the Ouroboros in the town below is well-known among bards.

"That surprise confirms you are Lord Raze."

"...I see, you were testing me."

"I had no proof, so I apologize."

With a flourish, Referee Sir dismounted.

"As you are, you won't be able to approach the 'Moon Beauty' of the Magic Empire. The alert has been heightened due to the 'Heroic Arm Disappearance Incident' in recent days. If you want to meet Count Series, it will be much easier if you go through us."

"Mu"

Actually, I'm not meeting the count, but dealing with Lark and the Redgate issue—but if they know my identity, they would assume I'm meeting the count. They don't know about my initial conversation with Lord Wilhelm.

Referee Sir smiled and extended his hand.

"Besides, wouldn't it be meaningless to gather information? Guest."

Reluctantly, I took his hand.

I'm not good with cunning people... they always outmaneuver me.