The duel between Roy and Tim was turning into a mud fight.
Tim was overwhelmingly superior, but he couldn’t step forward due to the fear of being out of bounds.
Therefore, the match could not be concluded.
In the spectator seats of such a duel.
Next to Yukina was a tall, blond man.
A sharp-looking middle-aged man, he was dressed in sensibly stylish clothes.
“My apologies for my son, Yukina-san.”
“No, it’s alright… Duke Townset.”
“I have no intention of interfering with your school life. I’ll make sure to speak to my son later.”
With a gentle smile, Tim’s father, Eddie Townset, said so.
Sitting elegantly in his chair, Eddie watched his son’s fight.
“However, once the duel is over, it’s time for a lecture. For Tim.”
Eddie waited for a response from Yukina, but none came.
Reflecting on whether it was a difficult question to answer, Eddie continued speaking.
“Perhaps it’s the fear of losing out of bounds, he’s not able to move as usual. You could end it in an instant, and Tim needs to train more. Otherwise, he won’t be a match for you.”
“…It’s not just the fear of losing out of bounds. Roy always disrupts the rhythm, making it hard to catch the tempo of the attack.”
In response to Tim’s attack, Roy was on the defensive.
It seemed that way, but Roy was the one controlling the situation.
Letting the opponent attack, tiring them out. Changing the way of receiving frequently to disrupt the opponent’s rhythm, so they can’t comfortably attack.
Because of this, Tim, despite being on the offensive, couldn’t go for the decisive strike.
“As expected of you, Yukina-san. Or should I say, as expected of the son of the Luvell Baron family.”
A dropout noble, that’s what Eddie had heard.
But upon closer inspection, surprisingly capable.
There was a reason he had initiated the duel.
Impressed, Eddie heard the sound of a cane.
And then, the sound stopped next to him.
“Is this seat next to you free?”
“Of course.”
Saying so, Eddie let the man with grey hair sit in the seat next to him.
Seeing this, Eddie muttered.
“You’re late, Baron Luvell.”
“My territory is in the countryside, so it takes time to travel, Duke Townset.”
With that, Linus Luvell laughed.
In response, Rena, who was sitting next to Yukina, spoke up.
“You’re late, Father!”
“Oh, Rena. My apologies. I hurried as much as I could… Oh? Is the lady next to you Miss Crawford?”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you. Baron Luvell, I am Yukina Crawford.”
“Linus Luvell. My apologies for my son. Being treated like a prize must be unpleasant. Sorry for his twisted nature.”
Linus grinned slyly.
Because it wasn’t Roy who was treating him like a prize, but Tim.
Eddie grimaced slightly before changing the subject.
“By the way, Baron Luvell. I heard my foolish son treated your daughter terribly. On behalf of my son, I apologize. It was inexcusable.”
“Ha ha ha!! No worries. The Kingdom of Albios is a country of swords. Our Grand Duchy of Bellrand must treat women differently!”
Linus laughed merrily.
Eddie, feeling provoked, maintained his smile while enduring the discomfort.
But his pride wouldn’t allow him to be criticized without response.
Naturally, he steered the conversation back to the duel.
“Indeed, he may not know how to treat women, but his swordsmanship is quite something. He’s even listed among the ten sword demons. Honestly, it was thoughtless of your son, Baron Luvell.”
“No, no, my son is doing well. He knows how to fight against someone superior. On the other hand, your son seems unable to exert his full strength. It would be terrible to invite guests and lose. If he loses the engagement with the Crawford family… Oh, that was ominous. My apologies.”
“No…”
A fool who has strangled himself.
That’s what Linus implied as he laughed at Tim.
In response, Eddie shook his shoulders, trying to endure.
“Indeed, your son is doing well. But no matter how much he schemes, what matters in a one-on-one duel is sheer strength. And in that strength, my son seems to be winning.”
“No, no, perhaps it might turn out differently? If the opponent has superior strength, you just need to prevent them from using it. In that regard, my son is doing exactly that.”
“Oh? Do you believe in your son’s victory, Baron Luvell? Excuse me, but for someone known as a strategist, you seem to lack a bit of objectivity.”
“It’s a family matter. My son has staked his pride on this duel. I must believe in him. Besides, he’s my son. He wouldn’t engage in a battle without a chance of winning.”
“I see, that’s quite the confidence. Then, I shall also believe in my son. Unfortunately, your son has no chance of winning.”
For a moment, the parents’ gazes crossed.
And Linus laughed softly.
“…If you’re so certain, then I, Linus Luvell, cannot back down. My son will win. I’m willing to bet on it.”
“I’ll return the sentiment. My son will win. I’m also willing to bet.”
It became a clash of pride.
Neither would avert their gaze from the other.
Seeing this, Rena interjected.
“Father, please calm down…”
“Rena, do not interrupt. Duke Townset, if you wish to retract your words, now is the time?”
“That’s my line, Baron Luvell.”
“Then… I shall bet the gold mine near the border of my territory. You know, the noble who borders my territory is your relative. They’re preparing to claim ownership of the gold mine. It’s a gold mine in an ambiguous location anyway. If your son wins, I’ll give up the ownership rights. If your relative claims ownership, I promise not to object at all.”
“You’ve gone big. If that’s how you come at me, I must offer something of equal value… How about five carriages full of gold?”
“Oh my, your lack of confidence is showing, isn’t it? Considering your economic power, that amount wouldn’t hurt you, would it? If you don’t believe in your son, why not say so?”
“This is an insult… How about fifteen carriages then?”
“Very well. Who shall be the witness?”
“All the nobles present here should suffice, shouldn’t they?”
“That’s fine. No second words, right?”
“Of course.”
The heated conversation between the two was heard by the surrounding nobility.
Linus made sure to emphasize.
“Everyone, you were listening, weren’t you?”
When asked, the surrounding nobles responded.
But such responses were meaningless.
Once a bet is made in front of so many people, backing out is not allowed.
There were plenty of witnesses.
Eddie was the one smirking at the situation.
After all, it was a fight that wouldn’t even warrant a bet.
Yet he had managed to draw Linus into betting.
Eddie was in an overwhelmingly advantageous position.
Even if Linus was known as the “Grey Fox,” a cunning man, with so many witnesses, he couldn’t escape.
This was Eddie’s victory.
It was a good deal. Just as Eddie was convinced of this.
Linus spoke up.
“By the way… I forgot to mention. In my Luvell Baron family, there’s a secret sword technique passed down by my wife. It’s just a secret sword of a country noble. Duke Townset, you wouldn’t know about it, so let me explain.”
“Oh? A secret sword of your wife sounds intriguing. What kind of secret sword is it?”
There couldn’t possibly be a secret sword that could turn the situation around.
Even if there was a trump card, it couldn’t overcome such a difference in skill.
That’s what Eddie thought.
“The secret sword is unusable on the battlefield. It converts received damage into magical power and channels it into the sword. It’s a last resort, like the final glow of a fading fire. Its name is—Secret Sword: Lamplight.”
