Enemies Meet at the Engagement Ceremony

 

 

 

Once he made up his mind, his body moved instinctively.

 

Enoch threw himself in the direction where he had last seen the shadowy figure disappear, all the while quickly scanning his surroundings.

 

If it was a person, they would inevitably leave traces.

 

Since they had already vanished from sight, Enoch had no choice but to follow those traces.

 

‘They’re light-footed and swift, taking only the minimum necessary steps while making large strides.’

 

Spaces where grass and branches were slightly bent, angles that differed subtly from the surroundings, and the faint warmth lingering in the air—all of these were tiny, almost invisible signs that now stood out to him with clarity as he sharpened his senses.

 

This was Enoch’s innate ability, one he had possessed since birth.

 

‘Enoch’s focus is so keen he can spot even the breadcrumb carried by an ant on the ground. If this ability is nurtured, he’ll excel in swordsmanship, where predicting an opponent’s next move is crucial.’

 

Enoch’s father had fervently highlighted this talent to his grandfather when Enoch was very young.

 

It was a desperate attempt to save Enoch and his mother from being expelled from the family.

 

His grandfather had offered to reinstate them if Enoch’s mother ceased her alliance with the Emblem faction and followed tradition with genuine remorse.

 

However, his mother refused. She sent only Enoch and his father back to the Gray family, choosing to defy his grandfather’s will until the end.

 

Enoch’s gift ultimately became the reason he was separated from his mother.

 

There was a time he resented it, but now Enoch had let go of the feelings that had been consuming him.

 

‘Aunt Diana—do you hate and resent her? Then, become a knight so exceptional that she’ll regret not witnessing your growth.’

 

Young Cherrya had once told him this.

 

She had pulled Enoch out of the deep, dark abyss where he had been sinking, helping him stand firmly on his own two feet.

 

So, Enoch no longer resented this ability, nor hesitated to use it.

 

“I found you.”

 

At last, Enoch managed to spot the shadowy figure that had evaded him—a figure cloaked entirely in black from head to toe.

 

He couldn’t tell if it was a man or woman, young or old, nor could he discern their allegiance or purpose for secretly watching him.

 

The shadow effortlessly masked its intentions with its appearance alone.

 

“……..!”

 

The black-clad figure immediately sensed Enoch’s murmuring presence. Yet, he was just a fraction faster.

 

Clang!

 

The shadow quickly parried Enoch’s swung sword. Enoch’s unemotional eyes swiftly examined the opponent’s weapon.

 

A plain sword with a worn-looking hilt. The figure wielded the sword in their right hand, and judging by the slenderness of the fingers, it was likely a woman.

 

As he quickly gathered information from his opponent, Enoch spoke.

 

“Where are you from?”

 

“…….”

 

Predictably, the figure gave no response. They only knocked Enoch’s sword back with immense force, gaining some distance.

 

‘They realized I was reading them.’

 

Even with the brief clash, Enoch’s wrist stung painfully.

 

Although he was the one who launched the surprise attack, he found himself pushed back instead. It was clear he was facing an immensely skilled opponent.

 

Someone with this level of skill could have easily injured the seasoned knights of the Gray family, and they could remain hidden to the extent that none of those knights would even be able to explain what had happened.

 

Enoch twirled the sword in his hand twice, loosening his tense wrist as he spoke.

 

“It seems you’re not planning to tell me, so I guess it’s up to me to find out.”

 

“……!”

 

Enoch decided to strengthen his assumption that the black-clad figure before him was the perpetrator of this situation and charged again.

 

Clang, clang, clang!

 

The swords clashed relentlessly. Each thrust was deflected, each slash blocked.

 

He couldn’t find a single gap, but the opponent missed none of his weaknesses.

 

It looked like a frenzy of swordplay, but within it were countless calculated moves.

 

‘There’s no killing intent in the sword. Why?’

 

The more their swords clashed, the more the question naturally bred carelessness in Enoch’s mind.

 

“……..!”

 

A thin red line appeared on his cheek, and blood splattered.

 

At that moment, Enoch noticed a faint tremor at the tip of the opponent’s sword as it brushed past his cheek with chilling precision.

 

Enoch quickly stepped back, wiping the blood from his cheek with the back of his hand, and asked,

 

“So, you didn’t intend to hurt me. Then, why were you following me?”

 

“………”

 

As expected, the black-clad figure gave no answer.

 

Enoch pondered over whom he should report this suspicious character to as he steadied himself once more.

 

Though they had only clashed swords a few times, Enoch could tell that this person was far stronger than he was. So this time, he intended to confront them in earnest.

 

‘Except for Cherrya, this is the first person to make me feel this way.’

 

Until now, only Cherrya had ever made Enoch want to fight seriously. Even that was beginning to fade.

 

Cherrya had gradually stopped treating him seriously as she became accustomed to repeated losses.

 

“Gray’s swordsmanship becomes more disadvantageous the longer you face it. It will quickly adapts to his opponent’s sword.”

 

Enoch raised one side of his mouth in a smirk as he pointed his finely honed sword at the opponent.

 

“I may not be able to take you down, but I’ll at least leave you limping. After that…”

 

Enoch tuned his ears to the faint sounds coming from behind him.

 

The vibrations of multiple people pounding the ground, the faint scent carried by the breeze blowing in his direction, the echo of a loud voice reverberating through the forest.

 

“Cherrya will handle the rest, somehow.”

 

Though she had fallen to a point where she could no longer be his equal, Cherrya, the only person in this empire capable of meeting his sword, was approaching.

 

“…Hey! You… Stop, you dog…!”

 

It seemed unlikely she knew Enoch was in a standoff with the black-clad figure here.

 

Judging by her heated voice and the barrage of curses she shouted, she was undoubtedly pursuing something.

 

Cherrya always acted as she pleased, following her whims and impulses.

 

In Enoch’s world, she was the most reckless, hot-blooded, yet straightforward person he knew. That was Cherrya Emblem. Enoch couldn’t read her, nor could he easily predict her.

 

“Cherrya may hate me, but when she sees me in a vulnerable position, she always tries to help.”

 

Weak in both spirit and strength. Enoch swallowed his last thought and hurled himself toward the black-clad figure.

 

Clang!

 

This time, their clash was louder. However, unlike before, the sound didn’t seem as loud.

 

“You crazy bastard! Stop already, please!”

 

Cherrya’s voice was now close enough to hear clearly.

 

As her booming voice threatened to consume his eardrums, the smile on Enoch’s lips grew wider.

 

“I’d like to see if you can remain this composed while facing both the Gray and Emblem families.”

 

He grew curious to see just how long the unwavering sword of the black-clad figure could hold out.