SOWD Chapter 88

Chapter 88

“Whether it’s good or bad, the Owen Baron family itself will become a topic of conversation. Over time, people will forget what actually happened and only remember hearing the name ‘Owen Baron’ several times. In that sense, it’s not a bad deal for them.”

Laszlo shook his head.

To him, this kind of tactic seemed like the way cowards fought. But if these were the rules of the game, Laszlo was more than willing to fight back and crush them.

“So, the rumors are spreading from there?”

“Yes. From what I can tell, Angela Bliss hasn’t been here herself, but a woman named Alisa Keaton, who frequented this place, met with Angela Bliss a few times. When our informants traced the rumors back, it seems the Owen Baron family is the source.”

“And what else?”

“The compensation amount Marcia Boen pays each month has increased. Usually, laundresses or maids earn similar wages, so this means she’s getting extra money from somewhere.”

Unfortunately, it was difficult to trace where the money was coming from, but one thing was clear—it was from someone opposed to Laszlo.

“Alright. Let’s fight back. Plant someone at parties attended by people who frequent the Owen Baron household. Have them publicly embarrass anyone who claims to know about the rumors surrounding the Chrysus family.”

“To what extent?”

“Enough to make them want to confront Marcia Boen directly.”

“Understood. What will you do, Captain?”

Despite the vague instructions, Nathan nodded without complaint and asked Laszlo. In response, Laszlo pulled a training sword from the wall, unsheathing it to inspect the blade.

“Oh, I have some personal business to attend to.”

“…Will there be bloodshed?”

“Unfortunately, I can’t kill them, but I can certainly teach them their place.”

The meticulously maintained blade gleamed sharply.

In the Empress’s Palace Lobby
While Dimarcus was meeting privately with the Empress, Laszlo and Edmund were taking a short break when a few nobles working at the Empress’s Palace approached them.

Usually, when someone approached, they would naturally speak to Edmund first. Edmund instinctively looked up and smiled.

However, the nobles passed him by and went directly to Laszlo.

“Sir Chrysus! We’ve heard so much about your recent party—it was truly legendary!”

“Will we be lucky enough to receive invitations next time? Those who attended couldn’t stop praising it—we were so envious!”

Laszlo shrugged and responded with modesty, while Edmund, who was completely ignored, cracked a smile that looked forced.

‘What the…? Is a single party really worth this much praise?’

Edmund’s stomach churned as he watched the nobles fawn over Laszlo, practically begging for invitations.

But it was undeniable—the party had significantly boosted Laszlo’s reputation. It was the exact opposite of what Edmund had planned and hoped for.

‘Damn it. The Milton family has hosted countless excellent parties. That guy’s party wasn’t even that impressive!’

Edmund tried to dismiss the Chrysus family’s party as nothing special, but even he couldn’t deny that the gifts the Emperor handed out to the guests elevated the event’s prestige.

Since he couldn’t complain to the Emperor, Edmund could only stew in frustration.

The only solace was that the social scene was fickle—one mistake could ruin everything. All Edmund could do was hope that Laszlo would slip up and tarnish his reputation.

As he entertained these thoughts, Edmund’s stiff face betrayed his inner turmoil, and Laszlo silently mocked him.

‘He must be furious. He probably suggested hosting the party, hoping I’d embarrass myself, but it all backfired.’

Still, it wasn’t enough. Laszlo decided to twist the knife using Edmund’s own tactics.

“Sir, ever since you suggested I host that party, my life has become quite troublesome. How will you take responsibility for this?”

Laszlo smiled as if joking, prompting the surrounding nobles to burst into laughter. Edmund’s expression grew even stiffer.

Edmund forced himself to smile and replied, “My, it seems I’ve made a grave mistake. Perhaps I should go around apologizing to spare you further trouble.”

“Imagining Sir Milton doing that is amusing, but I must politely decline. If you did, people might think I’m bullying my subordinate.”

The term “subordinate” was technically accurate, but it scratched at Edmund’s pride.

The strained smile on Edmund’s face was beginning to fade entirely.

Pretending not to notice, Laszlo turned to the other nobles. “Speaking of rumors, I’ve heard that some suggest Sir Milton is more qualified than I am to be the captain of the Imperial Guard. Hearing such things makes me feel bad about calling him my subordinate.”

The nobles laughed again, assuming it was a joke, and voiced their support for Laszlo.

“Of course, rank should be respected in the military. Anything else would be insubordination, don’t you think?”

“Sir Chrysus, your skills are legendary! You shouldn’t pay any attention to such nonsense.”

Laszlo’s slyly curved eyes turned back to Edmund. His face was now visibly rigid.

Edmund prided himself on patience and knew how to wait for the right moment to act. But at that moment, he seemed less composed than usual.

‘Well, it’s easy to be patient when you think you’re in control.’

Laszlo wanted to shatter Edmund’s delusion of superiority.

Meanwhile, Edmund, unaware of Laszlo’s intentions, struggled to calm his simmering anger. His clenched fist remained tightly closed.

‘Why is that bastard running his mouth like this today? Does he have a death wish?’

Laszlo, who usually maintained a habit of responding curtly to various compliments, was adept at swaying public opinion as he pleased. However, today, it felt as though Laszlo was cunningly leading him into a trap.

Even knowing that, he couldn’t control his emotions.

“Still, Sir Milton might feel unjustly treated. After all, he was the youngest ever to become the Deputy Commander of the Royal Knights…”

“I don’t… particularly think so…”

“Oh! How about taking this opportunity for a duel? If you win, you can take the position of Captain of the Guard. Honestly, this position has always felt uncomfortable for me anyway…”

At those words, Edmund’s eyes seemed to spark with fire.

To behave as though he was giving away the position Edmund so desperately desired just because it was “bothersome”—this was an immense insult.

The mask of “kind and polite knight” that Edmund always wore cracked, and through the fissures seeped anger.

“If you’re giving me the chance, I won’t miss it.”

Noticing Edmund gripping his sword handle tightly despite his faint smile, Laszlo realized that his plan had worked perfectly.

He had no intention of giving Edmund any time to collect himself.

“As expected, your spirit is extraordinary. I have nothing better to do anyway, so let’s have a duel. I’ll try to avoid injuring you too badly.”

“Are you provoking me? I’ll decline that. Instead, I hope you’ll teach me properly.”

“Well, if that’s your wish, I’ll gladly comply.”

The two immediately headed to the Guards’ training ground, and word quickly spread that the top and second-ranking members of the Guard were going to duel.

Except for those who couldn’t leave their posts due to duty, every guard and even the nobles idling around the palace gathered to witness the spectacle.

However, Edmund wasn’t intimidated in the slightest.

‘Let me show this brute, who just relies on brute strength and swings his sword like a thug, what real swordsmanship looks like.’

He was confident in his strength and believed that the noble swordsmanship he had learned from royal knights since childhood was far superior to the commoners’ skills.

He even thought this might be a real opportunity for him.

‘If he loses to his subordinate in front of this audience, he won’t be able to show his face anymore. How pitiful that would be.’

Feeling smug again, Edmund stood across from Laszlo and drew his practice sword.

“Shall we make it best two out of three?”

“Will we even need three rounds…”

“Pardon?”

“Nothing. Let’s do as you suggested.”

Although Edmund felt he had just heard a particularly annoying remark, he dismissed the thought as Laszlo unsheathed his sword, forcing him to focus and lower his stance.

But Laszlo didn’t seem to be taking the duel seriously at all.

‘Is he planning to claim later that he didn’t give it his all if he loses?’

Of course, even if that were the case, it wouldn’t change the fact that Laszlo would be utterly humiliated.

Edmund chuckled to himself and adjusted his grip on his sword.

“Would you like to go first?”

“As the superior, I can’t do that. Please, Sir Milton, take the first move.”

“I’ll gratefully accept your kindness.”

As soon as Edmund finished speaking, he lunged at Laszlo, his blade brimming with murderous intent.