Enemies Meet at the Engagement Ceremony

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Enoch was strong at eighteen. He had been strong ever since he was called a genius at the age of seven.

 

I had never been able to escape his immense shadow since I picked up a sword.

 

When I was younger, I had managed to beat Enoch a few times with new techniques and my previous life’s instincts in swordsmanship, but those days were long gone.

 

Although my swordsmanship improved with practice, the fundamental difference in strength was insurmountable. Over time, I became numb to defeat.

 

“Cherrya.”

 

“Why.”

 

Enoch, who usually didn’t stop me after our training sessions, unexpectedly called my name.

 

I turned around indifferently to see him biting his lips, looking somehow empty.

 

He seemed hesitant, as if he had something to say but didn’t know how to start.

 

“You need to speak for me to understand. Why did you call me?”

 

Since some time ago, I could no longer read Enoch’s face. It probably started when aunt Diana disappeared.

 

Because of the worsening family relations, we could only communicate through our swords, and we barely spoke outside of training.

 

There were days when I thought I could read his inhuman face, but those memories were fading.

 

Enoch, hearing my tired voice, seemed to make up his mind.

 

“Don’t become boring.”

 

These words felt familiar. I blinked slowly and asked again.

 

“What did you say?”

 

“I beg you.”

 

After saying that, Enoch turned his back on me.

 

I watched his retreating figure absentmindedly until he disappeared from sight with the Gray Knights.

 

“Uwah.”

 

A familiar irritation surged within me. It felt like a forgotten sensation returning, starting from my fingertips and spreading throughout my body.

 

“It’s been a while since someone made me this mad.”

 

***

 

“Ahhhh!!”

 

“No! Please! Aaargh!”

 

“Wait, wait, just wait, argh!”

 

At the training ground of the Emblem Knights, the knights’ screams echoed continuously.

 

“You think you can go easy on me? On me? On me?!”

 

Every time Cherrya swung her sword, the knights of Emblem fell one by one.

 

Her swordsmanship, like a storm, was now unmatched within Emblem.

 

Even though she appeared weak only in her duels with Enoch Gray, her skills as the heir of Emblem were exceptional.

 

Apart from Enoch, there was no one in either Emblem or the Gray Duke’s knight order who could match her.

 

However, this didn’t mean that the Emblem knights were so incompetent that they would fall so easily.

 

“Do you think I’m boring too? Why won’t you fight me seriously!”

 

The knights, who had been going easy on her, were now being cut down by Cherrya’s rising temper.

 

Her fierce eyes and advancing sword made her look like a demon.

 

‘Boring? She’s terrifying!’

 

‘If we fight seriously, we’ll get seriously beaten!’

 

‘Why doesn’t Cherrya understand herself? It’s all because of Enoch Gray!’

 

The Emblem knights quietly blamed Enoch Gray. If it weren’t for him, Cherrya would be known as the greatest genius in history.

 

Because of Enoch’s unparalleled genius, Cherrya was unaware of her own extraordinary talent in swordsmanship.

 

“Don’t run away! Jack! Lucas!”

 

“We’ll get beaten if we stop!”

 

The knights, who had just become official knights, ran across the training ground, escaping from Cherrya.

 

She chased them down with frightening speed, swinging her sword.

 

It was like a scene from hell.

 

“Don’t you understand what it means to go easy? It means you should stand still and get beaten!”

 

“When did you not beat us?”

 

“Shut up! If you don’t want to get beaten, fight me seriously!”

 

“We’ll get beaten seriously if we do!”

 

“You don’t like it? Then do you want to keep getting hit? Fine, I’ll grant your wish!”

 

Benedict, who was Cherrya’s father, watched with a troubled expression.

 

“She skips meals and only focuses on training. I’m so worried she’ll collapse…”

 

“I’ll try to persuade her.”

 

“Please, I beg you.”

 

The butler, unable to bear it any longer, asked Benedict for help because Cherrya’s madness was evident.

 

The newly knighted peers of Cherrya couldn’t keep up with her.

 

Although they understood her frustration, there was nothing they could do.

 

“Cherrya.”

 

“Dad?”

 

When Benedict entered the training ground and called out to her, Cherrya froze in her stance and only turned her head.

 

“Why are you bothering innocent people?”

 

“It’s not that I’m bothering them…”

 

Cherrya bit her lip, realizing that her actions could be seen that way.

 

“I’m sorry.”

 

When Cherrya quietly lowered her sword, the faces of the knights who were being chased by her turned even paler.

 

“No, it’s our fault! We’re sorry!”

 

“Yes, Cherrya did nothing wrong!”

 

“It’s our fault for being scared and avoiding sparring!”

 

They defended Cherrya as best they could. But Benedict just looked at her silently.

 

“Cherrya, what happened during the sparring with Enoch?”

 

“Nothing happened. I just lost as usual.”

 

Cherrya bit her lip hard before turning away.

 

“Sorry, Dad. I need to go cool off.”

 

“Alright then.”

 

Benedict watched Cherrya’s back as she walked away into the mansion. She used to confide in him first when something happened, but now she turned her back on him.

 

“…………”

 

“…………”

 

“…………”

 

The knights, sensing the tense atmosphere, couldn’t even breathe. A chilling aura emanated from Benedict. They preferred being chased by Cherrya to this.

 

“Everyone.”

 

“Yes!”

 

“Yes, sir!”

 

“Yes, sir!”

 

The knights responded with tense salutes as Benedict called out to them. His beautiful face was adorned with a gentle smile.

 

“I need someone to tell me everything that happened during the sparring with Enoch. Can you help?”

 

Although his tone was kind, a coldness seeped from his smiling face. The knights eagerly raised their hands.

 

“Of course!”

 

“Jack saw everything!”

 

“Lucas has an excellent memory! He can tell you everything, including the air, temperature, and humidity of that day!”

 

The knights began to report what happened during the sparring between Enoch and Cherrya enthusiastically.

 

Benedict nodded as he listened to the story, his eyes growing dark and somber.

 

‘Cherrya’s feeling inferior.’

 

This was not a good sign. It was something Benedict and Melsia had been worried about.

 

“Thank you for telling me.”

 

“No, it was our honor!”

 

Benedict thanked the knights and headed to the mansion. He needed to talk to Cherrya.