Enemies Meet at the Engagement Ceremony

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

***

 

Seffield Emblem firmly declared that it would eventually step down from the duchy. Fortunately, the Emperor did not approve this.

 

After a fierce confrontation between those wanting to step down and those unable to allow it, the dispute was resolved by granting Seffield Emblem an extended leave of absence.

 

This outcome was possible not only due to the Emperor but also because everyone under the Emblem’s shadow stood up.

 

However, this was merely a temporary measure to calm the enormous volcano that was Seffield Emblem.

 

‘I will return or leave for another journey at my own discretion!’

 

Seffield Emblem declared its intention to live freely and, with a threat to leave the empire if displeased, disappeared.

 

In response, Jade Gray publicly criticized Seffield Emblem’s irresponsibility.

 

‘The true face of the Emblem, which has built its reputation on the pretext of protecting the weak, is none other than Seffield Emblem.’

 

Jade Gray, who had remained silent during Seffield Emblem’s outburst, now spoke out, leading to Emblem also criticizing Gray.

 

‘How long will Jade Gray hide Gray’s weakness behind the Emblem?’

 

Emblem accused Gray of blaming Emblem for Gray’s lack of ability, arguing that Gray was using political maneuvers to weaken Emblem’s power, especially since Gray’s influence had diminished following Diana Gray’s disappearance.

 

Conversely, Gray claimed that it was implausible for Sword Master Seffield Emblem to be unaware of Diana Gray’s disappearance in the Kratyn Forest, suggesting it was a deliberate act to endanger Gray.

 

“Although Emblem and Gray have never been on good terms, the current atmosphere seems particularly tense…”

 

“Be careful when walking around. If Emblem and Gray run into each other, there’s bound to be a fight.”

 

Everyone in the Lutinas Empire was cautious of the two families.

 

Merchants who frequently interacted with the Grays started to avoid dealings with the Emblem, and vice versa.

 

Those connected to both families felt pressured to choose a side, which led to further pride-driven conflicts.

 

Amidst this tense situation, the citizens could only safely cheer for the successors’ swordsmanship competition.

 

“Swing harder! More! Even now, the flames in Emblem’s training ground haven’t been extinguished!”

 

“Haaab!”

 

“How can you defeat Gray with this? Strike again with the determination to break them all!”

 

“Euwaakhh!”

 

Both families were also aware of this, which fueled their efforts in training their successors.

 

Every day was a competition, pushing for better results even in minor aspects compared to their rivals.

 

The social circles were intensely focused on the duels between the two.

 

[At the celebration, the official first duel between Cherrya Emblem and Enoch Gray took place. Enoch Gray won 3 out of 5 duels, securing the first glorious victory for Gray!]

 

[In the subsequent apprentice knight duel, Cherrya Emblem defeated Enoch Gray with a sharp counterattack in the third round, making it a 1:1 score…]

 

[Today, Enoch Gray won again against Cherrya Emblem, leading the duel series to 2:1. All eyes in the Lutinas Empire are now on whether Cherrya Emblem will catch up and even the score!]

 

…

 

[Enoch Gray has now won 42 times against Cherrya Emblem, widening the gap between them…]

 

..

 

[In the official knight hunting competition, Enoch Gray took first place. This victory rendered discussions on how Cherrya Emblem would close the significant point gap with Enoch Gray meaningless.]

 

.

 

“Haa, haa, haa…”

 

I was panting heavily. My muscles were pushed to their limits, screaming in agony.

 

I gritted my teeth and adjusted my grip on my sword.

 

I could no longer feel the sword in my hands. But I couldn’t afford to collapse here.

 

I forced strength into my weakened legs, only to feel my ankle twist as I fell to the ground again.

 

‘Damn it.’

 

It was no use. My accumulated experience told me I would lose again today.

 

But I couldn’t give up. I struggled to get up, even if I looked like a desperate person flailing around.

 

“Don’t bother, Cherrya.”

 

A low voice devoid of any sympathy spoke above my head. I glared at him with the only part of my body that still functioned properly—my eyes.

 

“Don’t make me laugh.”

 

My voice was still filled with burning determination.

 

I saw a slight smile tug at the corner of Enoch Gray’s otherwise expressionless face. But it was brief.

 

He returned to his usual impassive look and signaled to the knights of the Emblem and Gray families who had been witnessing the duel.

 

“Considering that further dueling is impossible, I declare the defeat of Cherrya Emblem.”

 

“I agree.”

 

In the end, my defeat was confirmed. I wanted to protest, to say I could still fight, but my body gave out as soon as I heard those words. I lay flat on the training ground.

 

“Haa……”

 

As my rough breathing gradually calmed, a deep sense of self-reproach washed over me.

 

How many times had I lost now? I had lost count.

 

They say effort can catch up with talent, but what about a talented person who also puts in effort?

 

I felt like I would never find the answer and just closed my eyes.

 

“Cherrya Emblem.”

 

“What.”

 

“Get up.”

 

Enoch offered me his hand, as he always did after I lost a duel and lay sprawled out like this.

 

It was always the same duel, the same defeat, the same outcome. Even grabbing his hand had become routine for me, and I was starting to get a little tired of these days.

 

“….Did you grow taller again?”

 

When I took Enoch’s hand and got up, my view changed again. Now I had to look up to see him.

 

‘I’ll be coming of age soon. Shouldn’t he stop growing by now?’

 

I assessed Enoch with a numb gaze. The precocious boy was now eighteen years old.

 

The eighteen-year-old Enoch was praised as a beautiful sculpture of a god, still flaunting his dazzling appearance.

 

Unlike me, drenched in sweat, Enoch’s hair remained immaculate, and his skin looked fresh.

 

His cool blue eyes, deep like the ocean, gave an even colder impression.

 

“Yeah, I’ve grown.”

 

“Good for you.”

 

Having duels nearly every day and feeling the difference in height so tangibly meant that Enoch’s growth was outside the normal range.

 

That’s why I was increasingly losing to Enoch in terms of strength.

 

“Stop growing. It’s hard for me.”

 

I patted Enoch’s shoulder weakly and turned away.

 

Normally, I would review what caused my defeat and what I lacked, but I was too tired for that now.

 

I would only realize it was because of the growing power gap between us.

 

‘Ah, this is really hard.’

 

I wiped the sweat off my face and sighed deeply.

 

I was so accustomed to losing that the feeling of defeat no longer weighed me down, but my body still felt heavy.