Chapter 34: The Leafy Plain (4)

Thus, the duel ended with the victory of the Duke's family.

After winning the duel, the first thing the Duke's family did was...

"Enjoy and drink to your heart's content!"

They held a feast on the plain.

They slaughtered the livestock they had brought and opened the barrels of wine. The plain soon filled with the smell of cooking food.

"There's more than enough meat and wine! So, everyone, enjoy yourselves to the fullest."

The Duke invited the people of the Marquis' family to the feast. As a result, the Duke's soldiers sat on one side, and the Marquis' soldiers sat on the other.

The Marquis' soldiers forgot their sorrow and indulged in the meat and wine.

At first glance, it seemed the Duke was being generous.

‘What a petty man.’

Demian had noticed this early on. This feast was set up by the Duke to mock the Marquis until the end.

The evidence was the Marquis' expression, sitting next to the Duke.

"Marquis Ryanbloom! Why the long face? We had a brief quarrel, but now it's all over. Let's forget it and enjoy ourselves."

The Duke said this while pouring wine into the Marquis' glass.

"As the victor, I'll pour first. After all, I am the victor, am I not!"

The Marquis' face twisted in disgust at the Duke's words.

He clearly wanted to leave right away. However, refusing the victor's invitation was not the way of a loser.

Moreover, the Marquis' soldiers were already enjoying the wine and food, laughing and having a good time.

It was impossible to ruin this atmosphere.

"Come, drink up!"

Thanks to this, the Duke was in high spirits. He kept pouring wine into the Marquis' glass, clearly pleased.

Demian watched the scene with a bitter smile.

‘This solves my dilemma.’

The reason Demian had interfered in the duel between the two families was to prevent the Duke's family from being wiped out, thereby restraining the Marquis' family.

The Duke's family would collapse after losing the duel.

Demian had stopped the dark mages secretly working for the Duke's family and helped the Duke's family win the duel.

Now, that future could be considered non-existent.

‘What remains is Yuran.’

Due to Demian, a high-ranking official was killed, and the plan to swallow the Duke's family was thwarted.

Yuran would undoubtedly try to kill Demian. Demian also hoped for this, so he kept giving them opportunities.

‘They might show up on the way back.’

People are most vulnerable when a big event ends, and they are immersed in joy.

Both conditions applied now.

While Demian was lost in thought, someone approached him.

When he shifted his gaze, he saw Michael Ryanbloom.

"Ah, can I sit here?"

Michael Ryanbloom said with a stiff face.

For Demian, this was an unexpected approach.

He had wanted to have a serious conversation, but he didn't expect the other side to come first.

"Go ahead."

When Demian readily agreed, Michael Ryanbloom's expression brightened.

Michael Ryanbloom quickly sat opposite Demian, grinning widely.

"Can I call you Sir Demian?"

"Sure, you can call me Sir Michael, right?"

"Y-Yes, it would be an honor!"

Demian tilted his wine glass. As soon as it was empty, Michael Ryanbloom quickly refilled it.

"I-I was moved during the duel!"

"Moved?"

Demian couldn't help but ask, taken aback by the unexpected word.

"I-I always thought I was unique, that there was no one like me in this world!"

Michael continued, his face flushed.

"But, Sir Demian, you are not only like me... no, you are far more remarkable than someone like me!"

The reason Michael submitted in the final duel was not just because Demian was stronger.

He had sensed Demian's talent through extrasensory perception.

Realizing that Demian's talent was on a different level, he immediately acknowledged his defeat.

"Indeed, the world is vast."

Michael said, moved.

Seeing that Michael Ryanbloom did not despair even after sensing Demian's level, he was indeed a remarkable person.

‘Or perhaps he was that lonely.’

Demian had been captured by Dorgo before he could fully realize his talent, leading to a terrible time.

Thus, he couldn't empathize with Michael's sense of despair.

"You're too arrogant."

And he had no intention of empathizing.

"Y-Yes, what?"

"Just now, you thought you were second, didn't you?"

"H-How did you know?"

Even after meeting Demian, Michael's pride remained.

Demian was the unparalleled first.

He was right below.

Even if the gap was absolute, he still considered himself second.

"The world is vast. While someone of your talent might be rare, it's not non-existent."

Michael's confidence wasn't entirely misplaced.

In reality, Michael was quite strong among the Master class.

Michael Ryanbloom indeed possessed a talent that would be remembered in history.

But how many people have their names etched in history?

"At least three people in the Empire have talents superior to yours."

In his previous life, Michael Ryanbloom lost to a younger girl at the age of 25.

This defeat led him to train harder and reach the Master level.

However, even after reaching the Master level, he couldn't defeat that girl.

She would later be known as the Sword Empress in the distant future.

"Michael Ryanbloom, don't be arrogant. Don't think you're the best. Remember, someone could surpass you at any time."

Michael looked at Demian in shock. After a moment, he asked cautiously.

"Sir Demian, do you think the same way?"

"No, not at all. I am the best."

"But, you just told me to be careful."

Michael looked bewildered.

But what could he do? In reality, Demian Haksen was the best, and he had proven it in his previous life.

"I consider myself the best, but I don't let my guard down. I always prepare and stay vigilant. Do you know why?"

"I don't know."

"Because I don't know when, where, or what kind of danger might come."

In his previous life, Demian Haksen accidentally met Arcrich Dorgo, became a Death Knight, and brought about the end of the world.

In the process, he even committed patricide, killing his family with his own hands.

Therefore, when Demian Haksen returned, he vowed to always prepare for the worst.

"Even I, the best, stay vigilant. What would happen if you let your guard down?"

Demian added, tilting his wine glass.

"Michael Ryanbloom, don't be arrogant. Work harder. Become stronger."

The reason Demian was giving this advice to Michael Ryanbloom was to prepare for the future.

If Demian Haksen couldn't find Dorgo?

And if Dorgo led an undead army to attack the world?

Then Michael Ryanbloom's strength could be a great help.

"I'll... remember that."

Michael nodded.

"But... I have one request."

"Even though I said this for your own good."

"W-Well, that's true, but..."

"Let's hear it anyway."

When Demian asked, Michael immediately replied.

"Can I call you brother?"

Hearing this, Demian Haksen was taken aback.

"Sure, go ahead."

He ended up agreeing without thinking.

Michael's mouth opened wide.

"Thank you! Brother Demian!"

* * *

"Oh, I didn't expect you two to become so close."

When Demian unwillingly gained a step-brother, the Duke and the Marquis approached them.

"Young people sharing friendship is always a beautiful sight, isn't it?"

The Duke chuckled and looked at the Marquis, who still had a frown on his face.

"Your Excellency, what is it?"

Demian said, standing up.

As the Duke was his employer, he needed to maintain formalities in public.

"It's fine. Sit down. We can't have the hero of this victory standing, can we, Marquis?"

The Marquis frowned at the Duke's question.

‘He’s really petty.’

Demian inwardly sighed at the Duke's continued tormenting of the Marquis.

"I apologize for interrupting the feast. They say a bull's horn is best pulled when it's hot, so I came after finishing my discussion with the Marquis."

"Discussion?"

"Didn't I promise to open the Marquis' family vault as your reward for the duel?"

Due to Michael Ryanbloom drawing his sword first, the duel's victory reward was slightly changed.

The Duke's family would take the territory adjacent to the gold mine, and Demian Haksen would receive a treasure from the Marquis' family vault.

"I had to persuade him to give it, as he was being stubborn."

"Stubborn? You know the value of that item!"

"If the vault is opened, such an item should be given."

A light argument ensued between the two.

"Demian Haksen."

The Marquis ended the argument and looked at Demian.

"First, I must apologize to you."

If the Marquis' retainers had heard this, they would have been shocked.

The Marquis had a very strong sense of pride and rarely apologized first.

Moreover, Demian Haksen had humiliated his son.

"I also apologize for sending knights to intimidate you."

Demian could roughly guess why the Marquis' attitude had changed.

He realized that having Demian Haksen as an enemy would not be beneficial.

Killing him was impossible because the Duke's family was behind him.

If he couldn't kill him, it was best to be friendly.

Therefore, the Marquis decided to bow his head.

"Of course, I don't intend to end it with just words. This is both an apology and your reward for the duel."

The Marquis took out a small box from his coat.

The leather box exuded a luxurious atmosphere.

However, the item inside was quite modest.

It was a plain gray ring.

"This ring contains a dimensional magic."

Despite its modest appearance, the ring's true value was beyond imagination.

Dimensional magic.

A magic that twists space to store various items.

This secret storage can only be opened by the owner, making it the safest storage in the world.

"It was made by the White Tower and can hold up to 100kg."

Dimensional magic items have different grades.

From what Demian had heard, the lowest-grade dimensional magic item can store up to 10kg.

Even such a low-grade item has a value comparable to a small castle.

100kg is ten times that. It was impossible to gauge its true value.

Indeed, it was a treasure worthy of a place in the Marquis' family vault.

‘100kg is enough to carry a good suit of armor, a few spare weapons, food, potions, and gold coins comfortably.’

It seemed he wouldn't have to carry a heavy backpack on future travels.

"Thank you, Your Excellency."

Demian took the dimensional ring with both hands.

He put the ring on his finger and infused it with mana. The ring remembered Demian Haksen's mana.

Now, only Demian Haksen could use this ring.

"If you need anything else, let me know. I can't give you more items from the vault, but the Marquis' family has many fine weapons."

The Marquis' family was the highest-ranking knight family in the Apple Kingdom.

They possessed excellent weapons that other families could only dream of.

"Ah, then, can I ask for one more thing?"

"Go ahead."

At the Marquis' words, Demian quickly said,

"I want a bow."

"A bow?"

Surprised by the unexpected request, the Marquis tilted his head.

Demian said nonchalantly,

"I need it to send my brother off to marriage."