Raon stepped out of the annex building with the Black Dragon Coat draped over his shoulders.
He saw Sylvia standing alone in front of the garden. She was calmly gazing at the dead flowers and trees.
"Did Mom tell you? That tending to the garden was her joy."
Sylvia spoke without turning around.
"She did mention it."
Raon nodded. Sylvia personally tended and managed the garden. For her, the garden was both a hobby and one of the driving forces that kept her going in life.
"The garden was a treasure to me. I put my heart and soul into nurturing it."
Sylvia picked up a dried-up flower petal that had changed color.
"But not as much as them."
She referred to, of course, the maids of the annex.
"Seeing them suffer, I couldn't even notice the garden or the annex falling apart. I wanted to protect them, but there was nothing I could do."
The flower petal in Sylvia's hand crumbled into tiny pieces.
"I wanted to crack the Vice Head's skull, but I had to endure it. And it was heartbreaking to know that I couldn't win if I fought."
She bit her lip as if remembering the time when the entire annex was suppressed under the Vice Head's control.
-S-Skull? Not even head, but skull!
Wrath's jaw trembled as he looked at Sylvia.
-You angel-like bastard! Isn't it because of you that Mom's language has become so harsh!
He screamed that Sylvia's elegant and gentle manner of speech had changed to that of a thug.
However, I'm not sure if I should take that "angel-like bastard" as an insult or a compliment.
"Thank you for giving me the chance to vent that frustration."
Sylvia turned around, clenching her fist with the hand that had held the flower petal. Her gleaming red eyes reflected her sincerity.
-Tsk....
Wrath also seemed to sense Sylvia's feelings, wrinkling his nose and clicking his tongue.
"Are you confident you can win?"
Raon asked, meeting Sylvia's red eyes.
"Winning might be difficult. But I won't lose easily."
Sylvia's calm tone carried a will for revenge.
"I won't leave the arena on my own feet."
She gripped her sword hilt, indicating she would fight until she fell. It was a stance that showed the worth of her three weeks of non-stop training.
"And..."
Sylvia bit her lip as if making a firm resolution.
"Whether I win or lose today, the training is over, right?"
"Huh? Well, yes."
"Aaaaaargh!"
She suddenly looked up at the sky and let out a scream.
"It's finally over! The hell is over!"
"Uh, Mom?"
Flustered, he called her "Mom" instead of "Mother" for the first time in a while.
"It was so hard. I even started to hate you at one point!"
Sylvia buried her face in her hands, saying she nearly died.
"Uh..."
Raon blinked as he watched Sylvia wailing.
'Isn't this the wrong atmosphere?'
They should be encouraging each other as they head to the Grand Training Hall, but suddenly hearing that she hated him to that extent was startling.
-What's there to be surprised about! It's natural!
Wrath gritted his teeth while stroking Sylvia's head.
-Who would like someone who curses other people's parents and stabs their own with a sword!
'Someone might think that's true if they heard you.'
-Are you saying you didn't do it?
'Well, I did, but...'
The Vice Head provoked Sylvia first, and I cut Sylvia for training purposes.
However, since both were true, I had nothing to say.
-Ehehehehe!
Wrath sneered while perched on Sylvia's shoulder.
-It seems even your tongue can become stiff at times! This is my victory!
He started dancing, wagging his tail.
'Ugh...'
Raon bit his lip as he watched Wrath swaying. He was angry at losing the argument to him, but he still couldn't think of anything to say.
"...Let's go."
He approached Sylvia and swatted Wrath away with the back of his hand. Leaving Wrath squawking on the ground, he pointed towards the main building.
"Yes. Now I'm not afraid of anything."
Sylvia nodded, more pleased about the end of her training than about the upcoming duel.
"Hoo..."
Raon sighed and shook his head.
'I have no allies.'
-You killed all your allies yourself!
"..."
***
The Vice Head's office.
The room, which had been in disarray as if a war had broken out, had returned to its original neat and antique appearance.
The Vice Head was sitting on the newly acquired ebony desk, sipping tea.
Knock knock.
Just as he had almost finished his tea, a dull knock was heard at the door.
"Come in."
As the Vice Head nodded, the door opened and Krishon entered. He bowed, wearing a uniform made for the duel.
"Vice Head. It's time."
"I see."
The Vice Head looked out the window. He set down his nearly empty teacup as he watched the sun ascending towards midday.
"Krishon."
"Yes!"
Krishon raised his voice and lifted his chin.
"Are you ready?"
"Of course!"
He nodded with an excited voice, seemingly confident.
"Thanks to the elixir you bestowed upon me, Vice Head, the quality of my aura has completely changed. I will not disappoint you!"
"Hmm..."
The Vice Head smacked his lips as he looked at Krishon.
'His momentum and aura have indeed changed.'
As soon as he received Raon Zieghart's duel request, he had given Krishon a high-grade elixir and assigned a martial artist from the Council of Elders to train him.
Thanks to that, this idiot had become a completely different person from three weeks ago.
'At this level, there shouldn't be any problem in defeating Sylvia.'
The Gambling Monster is a man of his word. Since he said he wouldn't participate, Sylvia is the only one who will come out as the vanguard from the annex.
Even if her level is high, she's been away from the sword for a long time. If Krishon doesn't let his guard down, he should be able to fight her evenly.
"Win even if it kills you. You are the face of this Vice Head's office."
The Vice Head patted Krishon's shoulder, moving his lips. It wasn't just an encouragement; there was genuine intent.
"Of course! I'll win even if it costs me my life!"
Krishon's eyes reddened, seemingly moved by being called the face of the Vice Head's office.
The Vice Head inwardly sneered as he watched Krishon clench his fists.
'That's right. Even if you both end up dead, bring that woman down.'
Because we can't afford to lose strength before fighting that Raon bastard.
In a fight between masters, even the smallest difference can determine victory or defeat. If he unnecessarily expends his aura on Sylvia, there's a chance he could be overwhelmed by Raon.
'I'll probably win nine times out of ten, but it's better to eliminate any uncertainty.'
For three weeks, he had gathered information on Raon Zieghart and studied his swordsmanship and aura.
Using both fire and ice is tricky, but Raon's swordsmanship still lacks structure and completeness.
If he fought at his full capacity, he was confident he could win.
"Indeed. If I can't trust you, who can I trust?"
Contrary to his true feelings, he rose from the desk with a calm smile.
"Vice Head..."
Krishon's lips trembled once again, seemingly touched.
"Let's go."
The Vice Head patted Krishon's shoulder and opened the office door. He curled his lips as he looked at the sunlight spilling into the corridor.
"It's a shame to bury a young one on such a fine day."
***
Kuguuuuuu!
The heavy iron gates of the Grand Training Hall opened with a rumble that shook the ground.
Numerous people entered through the wide-open entrance of the Grand Training Hall.
They entered in an orderly manner, seemingly keeping to their turns, but as soon as they passed the entrance, they rushed to the stands using footwork techniques to secure the best seats.
The Grand Training Hall was as vast as its name suggested, but today it quickly filled up, and people were already starting to stand.
"We barely managed to get seats."
Burren sighed in relief, fanning his face with his hand.
"Why are there so many people!"
Martha frowned, seemingly irritated by the cramped space.
"Where were all these people before!"
"I heard that not only people from the inner city of Zieghart, but also residents from the outer city have all flocked here."
Dorian shook his head as he watched people pouring in like waves.
"Even residents from the outer city?"
"Yes. Master Raon's roast... I mean, that writing wasn't just heard here. It's spread throughout all of Zieghart, there's no one who doesn't know about it."
He shook his head, saying that Raon's writing insulting the Vice Head had now become a song and was being passed around orally.
"This is why one should age gracefully."
Martha sneered as she looked at the Vice Head's seat prepared next to the arena.
"At that age, honor is all that's left, but now it's not just buried in the ground, it's covered in shit. What a sight."
She grinned as if thoroughly enjoying herself.
"That's right. If he had just stayed put, he could have at least maintained a middle ground."
Krein waved his hand dismissively, looking exasperated.
"It's warm, making me sleepy..."
Runaan started nodding off under the warm sunlight.
"Hey! Don't sleep! You've got to see the old geezer Vice Head get thrashed!"
Martha grabbed Runaan's collar and shook her, but she didn't wake up.
While the Light Wind division was mocking the Vice Head, discussions about today's duel also began in the audience seats.
"Who do you think will win today?"
"It's a 2 vs 2 match between leaders, right?"
"From the Vice Head's office, it'll be the Vice Head and Krishon."
"For the annex, the Light Wind Division Leader is fixed, but who's the other one?"
"I don't know either, but wouldn't it be difficult for them to win no matter who comes?"
"True, no matter how strong Raon Zieghart is, it'll be tough to beat the Vice Head."
"No way. The Light Wind Division Leader obtained the Sword Saint's martial arts this time. We won't know the result until we see it!"
"He got that less than a month ago, what could have changed? It's still too early."
While there were some cheering for Raon, the overwhelming majority were predicting the Vice Head's victory.
"Hey."
Martha turned around, wrinkling her nose.
"You're saying that old geezer will beat our Division Leader? Are your eyes just for decoration? Huh?"
She gritted her teeth as if ready to pounce.
"T-That's not what we meant..."
"We were just considering the possible outcomes..."
"Should I cut your throats too?"
Martha licked her lips and placed her hand on her sword.
"Please don't cause any trouble!"
"S-Stop it!"
"If you act up here, it'll be a disaster!"
Burren, Dorian, and Krein grabbed Martha's arms to stop her.
"If you're confident about who will win!"
A cheerful voice, as if riding on the wind, was heard from below the stands.
"How about betting money on that confidence! The annex, the Vice Head's office, and even a draw! Your judgment will determine your future home!"
It was Rimmer. He had set up a gambling den with wooden boards and was gathering people around.
"Ah..."
"That guy... No, that damn elf!"
"It's... embarrassing..."
The Light Wind division members lowered their heads at the sight of Rimmer, who had even hired a professional dealer to collect money.
"Ooh!"
"A gambling den for the duel has opened!"
"Let's go!"
The people who had been arguing about who would win started going down and throwing gold coins.
"Uhehehehe!"
Rimmer's mouth stretched into a wide grin as he watched people flocking in. His pupils seemed to change into the shape of gold coins.
"Geez, isn't anyone going to stop him?"
Martha was sighing and shaking her head when...
The sound of fluttering robes was heard from the now quiet gates. The murmuring of the audience suddenly died down.
Thud.
With footsteps that naturally drew attention, Raon appeared, wrapped in a black robe. Sylvia, following behind him, was also dressed in a matching black martial arts uniform.
Golden hair shimmering like sunlit ocean waves and red eyes that seemed to draw in one's soul. The audience was momentarily speechless at the sight of Raon and Sylvia, whose beauty was renowned even within Zieghart.
Raon leaned back in the chair placed in front of the arena, a subtle smile on his face as if enjoying the quieted atmosphere of the Grand Training Hall.
"He sure knows how to set the mood."
Martha smirked as she looked at Raon.
"Today Raon is super handsome. Today Raon's mom is super beautiful."
Runaan, who had woken up at some point, was blinking as she looked at Raon and Sylvia.
"When did you wake up?"
Martha let out a laugh of disbelief.
"More than anything, I'm amazed that Lady Sylvia endured Raon's training."
Burren's lips trembled as if frightened.
"If I were told to do personal training with that guy for three weeks, I would have run away long ago."
He shook his head, saying he absolutely couldn't bear it.
"Hey. No matter how crazy our Division Leader is, he wouldn't treat his own mother the same way, would he?"
Martha snorted, dismissing the idea as nonsense.
"That's right. Even a demon king would recognize his own mother."
Krein chuckled and nodded.
"Um..."
Dorian's lips trembled as he looked at Sylvia.
"Doesn't Lady Sylvia's eyes look familiar somehow?"
"What do you mean?"
"Her eyes?"
The Light Wind division members followed Dorian's words and looked at Sylvia's eyes.
A gaze like transparent heat haze fluttering. A hint of madness, just beyond normalcy, was flowing out.
"Don't tell me that's our..."
"Y-Yes. It's the same look in our eyes when we underwent focus enhancement training!"
"Crazy..."
"Did he really put his mother through that too?"
Burren and Martha gaped in disbelief.
"...Is he even human?"
"He's a real demon king. No, even a demon king would be shocked!"
***
"Sigh."
Raon sighed as he looked at Rimmer setting up the gambling den and the Light Wind division members going crazy.
'I don't understand why there's no calm person on our side.'
-You're one to talk....
Wrath snorted in disbelief.
'What's wrong with me?'
As Raon shook his head briefly, a heavy footstep was heard from the entrance of the Grand Training Hall.
Looking back, he saw the Vice Head and Krishon walking in, dressed in pure white robes. Their relaxed smiles and confident strides reminded one of victorious generals.
"Hmph."
The Vice Head let out a short sneer and walked towards the opposite side where his seat was. As he arrived, a small voice was heard from the audience.
"There is an old man who doesn't know the laws of nature that even children understand. What could be the reason!"
"If he doesn't know what he should have learned by that age, it's clearly because his parents didn't educate him!"
The writing that had filled Zieghart's sky three weeks ago echoed like a song from the mouths of young children.
"Ugh!"
The Vice Head's calm expression suddenly reddened, and blood vessels appeared in his eyes.
"Eek!"
"Uh..."
The children who had been singing trembled, their lips quivering as if frightened by the Vice Head's killing intent.
"V-Vice Head! Please calm down! They're just children! And isn't the duel about to begin?"
The referee rushed over to stop the Vice Head.
"Tch."
The Vice Head clicked his tongue and suppressed his killing intent. Instead, he glared at Raon as if he wanted to kill him and twisted his lips.
Raon met the Vice Head's murderous gaze with a smile in his eyes. Seeing the crafty old man losing his temper made him feel satisfied.
However, Sylvia didn't smile and looked at the Vice Head with a calm demeanor. She seemed to be steeling her resolve that she had spoken of before coming here.
Kuuuung!
Just as he was nodding in satisfaction, a grand resonance arose from the entrance of the training ground.
"The Ruler of the North. The Destructive King of the North Glenn Zieghart enters!"
"We greet the Head of House!"
As the gatekeepers shouted Glenn's name at the top of their lungs, everyone in the Grand Training Hall knelt towards the entrance.
Raon observed Glenn entering the Grand Training Hall while bowing his head. Glenn didn't spare a glance and headed straight for the platform, while Sheryl, Roenn, and Alice behind him nodded as if to say 'do well'.
"Begin."
Glenn nodded after examining Raon, Sylvia, the Vice Head, and Krishon in turn with the dry gaze he usually showed in the Lord's Manor.
"Yes!"
The referee bowed his head and climbed onto the arena.
"We will now begin the 2 vs 2 duel between the annex and the Vice Head's office!"
As he raised his hand energetically, a roar that could shake the arena erupted from the audience.
"Normally, a duel is conducted with a predetermined agreement that the loser must fulfill for the winner, but I've been informed that this agreement hasn't been set yet!"
The referee continued, looking at Raon and the Vice Head in turn.
"If we decide on that wish here and now..."
"How about we discuss that after it's over?"
Raon gestured lightly towards the Vice Head with his chin.
"The winner gets whatever they want."
"...Fine."
The Vice Head replied firmly, as if confident.
"Hmm..."
The referee couldn't make a decision and looked up at the platform. Only after Glenn sent a look of approval did he nod.
"Very well. The loser of today's duel must grant whatever the winner desires. However, commands like 'take your own life' are not allowed."
"Understood."
"Understood."
Raon and the Vice Head nodded simultaneously.
"Then, will the vanguards please step onto the arena!"
As soon as the referee finished speaking, Krishon stepped onto the arena.
Sylvia didn't immediately step up, instead looking towards where the maids were standing in the audience.
She nodded to the maids who were biting their lips with hands clasped as if in prayer, then stepped onto the arena.
"S-Sylvia?"
"Sylvia is the vanguard?"
"Huh, I heard she got an artificial energy center, but to actually participate in a duel?"
"Yeah. Her energy center probably hasn't stabilized yet, isn't this too reckless?"
"The Vice Head's office will definitely win this first match."
"Ah, I bet on the wrong side!"
The audience shook their heads, certain of Sylvia's defeat.
"It's been a while."
Krishon narrowed his eyes as he looked at Sylvia.
"It'll be different from before. This time, I'll be the one to shatter your jaw."
He touched his slightly crooked jaw, indicating he wouldn't let his guard down.
"..."
Sylvia didn't respond. She glared fiercely at the Vice Head before standing in front of Krishon.
"Let's see how long you can keep that expression."
Krishon sent a look to the referee as if telling him to start quickly.
"Ahem."
The referee cleared his throat and raised his hand.
"Then, let the vanguard match begin!"
He dropped his hand like lightning and stepped back.
"Hyaaaah!"
Krishon charged at Sylvia with footsteps that seemed to shake the arena. His movements were fierce yet unpredictable, like a beast pouncing on its prey.
Sylvia stood still with her sword drawn. Only when Krishon's sword reached her chin did she suddenly bend her upper body, as if a candle being snuffed out.
Whoosh!
After dodging Krishon's sharp sword strike by a hair's breadth, she twisted her right foot and moved to the left.
"Ugh!"
Sylvia stuck close to Krishon as he retreated in confusion. She pushed away his forced counterattack with the back of her hand and swung her sword upwards from below.
Crack!
Krishon's body flew into the air as Sylvia's blade struck his jaw. His jawbone shattered, and blood-soaked teeth scattered from his mouth.
"Kuhek..."
As Krishon fell, Sylvia swung her sword around and struck his head.
Splat!
Krishon collapsed to the ground, spurting blood from the top of his head like a fountain. He lay motionless, seemingly unconscious, but blood continued to flow from his mouth and head.
"Uh..."
"Huh..."
"T-This is..."
The audience was stunned, unable to close their mouths, both at Sylvia's victory and at how quickly the duel ended.
"V-Victor. Sylvia Zieghart!"
The referee slapped his own cheeks to regain his composure before announcing Sylvia's name.
"Kuh..."
The Vice Head didn't even glance at the convulsing Krishon, only staring at Sylvia. His expression was filled with malice.
"Can you continue?"
The referee asked Sylvia about the next round.
"Yes."
Sylvia nodded as if it was obvious.
"Then, will the leader from the Vice Head's office please come forward."
"Hoo..."
The Vice Head stepped onto the arena upon hearing the referee's words.
"You say you'll continue? Do you think you can defeat me?"
He twisted his lips and furrowed his brow.
"You have no chance of winning. Stop this nonsense and withdraw."
The Vice Head's eyes flashed menacingly, as if threatening her.
"It doesn't matter if I have no chance of winning."
Sylvia shook her head with calm eyes.
"A martial artist... No, a person sometimes has to fight even knowing they'll lose."
She straightened her back and held her head high, not backing down from the Vice Head's fierce aura.
"You might not understand, Vice Head. Being lowly, ignorant, not taught by parents... Ah. Let's stop there."
Sylvia covered her mouth and chuckled.
"You wench!"
The Vice Head roared, his shoulders shaking like a dragon whose reverse scale had been touched.
-Aaaah! No!
Wrath screamed, clutching his head.
-It's because of you that Mother has become corrupted! That is not the mother I know!
On the other hand, Raon applauded Sylvia as he watched this scene.
"Bravo."