"Hahaha! Hot-blooded like a barbarian!" The baron laughed heartily at my decision.
He could laugh like that because he knew nothing about the barbarians. The barbarians weren't entirely fearless beings. As Ainar had said in the past, "We were born warriors. If we don't fight, we die." They simply carried that fear and kept going because it was what they had to do. My decision was the same. Despite how peaceful things had been until now, something big might finally happen.
I'd be lying if I said I wasn't worried…
But so what? Choosing to avoid an uncertain future out of fear would only lead to destruction. How could I venture into the labyrinth and make rational decisions with that mindset? If it had been like that from the beginning, I wouldn't even be alive now.
As I sat in silence, gathering my thoughts, the baron returned shortly. "I've just spoken with the earl. He's very pleased." He seemed delighted with my decision. "Oh, but is that necklace really so important?"
Her question seemed to suggest she was convinced the necklace had greatly influenced my decision. I didn't deny it. "Numbered items sell for good money."
"Hmm... if you say so." Judging by his expression, the baron seemed to assume there must be another reason for my decision, but he didn't interfere. He simply asked, "By the way, how strong are you?"
"Hey?"
"Judging by your aspirations, you're already thinking about winning. Are you really that sure of yourself?"
I chuckled. How strong was I? There were too many monsters in this world to answer that question with certainty. However… If the term "knight apprentice" was applied to my strength, then an opponent equivalent to a third-floor explorer was a different story.
"To be honest, I don't want that much. But if you lose too easily, I'll lose face..."
"Oh, don't worry about that." I cut the baron off and replied. "I was never worried about this part. Ten seconds is enough."
"Enough?"
I told the bewildered baron, "I can crack almost anyone's skull in that time." This was my honest truth, without any added exaggeration.
I guess my honesty worked. "E-eek!" The butler, whose eyes suddenly met mine, launched an attack.
***
As in the Middle Ages, knights were the definition of strength here. Of course, that was assuming they were knights without the added title of "apprentice."
What kind of knight can't use an aura?
The knights' fear lay in their aura. 90% Defense and 90% Mana Resistance: a deceptive combination that allowed them to cut through virtually anything and systematically hone their swordsmanship skills. This alone could create a monster.
But level up at the jump and buy tons of high-ranking essences with enormous riches? It is no wonder that the powerful continue to rule in human society.
In a world where different races prevailed and magic existed, a knight was a spear and a shield that protected vested interests. Considering that the maximum level that could be raised with a jump was 5, a capable knight could slice several advanced scouts on his own. That's how specialized knights were in war.
However, if it is an apprentice, at most they are level 3. Even his essence will be nothing higher than the seventh rank.
And this assuming the maximum. No noble would invest so much in a knight who can't even use an aura yet.
Actually, the tournament is not the real problem...
What came next bothered me. The excessive interest of the included count, if some savage suddenly became the victor, there was a good chance that the establishment would disapprove of me. However, since I had already made my decision, any other regret would be a luxury.
Let's focus on this for now.
When I was quietly spending time in a corner thanks to the baron's consideration, deciding to worry about the future after winning the championship later, three guys in knight armor approached.
«You said something shameless before».
I recognized them all. Even if it was a temporary encounter, it was impossible for him to forget them because they were faces he had seen just that day.
«Is ten seconds enough? Has clowning all day like a stupid barbarian made you forget your place?».
First, this guy. When I was entertaining the nobles at the open-air banquet, he had ridiculed me and called me Clown.
As I stared at his rat front teeth, the baton passed to the guy next to him. «Barbarian, you will have to pray earnestly to your ancestors not to meet me there. I'll cut your throat right away. Of course, it won't even take me ten seconds». I didn't know his name because he didn't say it. It was he who made his stupidity evident and said that the pride of a warrior was a thing of the past. Judging by the way he spoke, he also seemed to have a boastful characteristic.
«When I see you...»
Just as the witness was about to pass the next corridor, I quickly got up and interrupted. Normally I was careful not to talk as little as possible, but at this point, I had no choice but to ask honestly. «Do you all have serious problems with your head?». That was me being euphemistic. If I had asked «Are you idiots?» instead, I might later have been accused of contempt for the nobility.
"¿Someone?"
«Do you think that by grouping together like cowards you are going to scare me? Not even a three-year-old warrior would do this in my tribe!»
«...Cowards? You dare to insult...»
«If not, then what is it? Did you suddenly find courage now that the baron is not here? What a great honor you have!»
«¡E-Eso es...!»
The fact was that they didn't even dare approach me when the baron was next to me. When I pointed it out, the three little pigs just blinked like goldfish. However, since I was an impartial barbarian, I did not consider them to have any impediments to speaking. They were probably just baffled because they had no idea I would expose their ugliness so loudly.
«That's why I ask! I have heard that a gentleman is a proud being! But taking advantage of numerical superiority to do something so childish to another participant? There must be something wrong with your heads!»
The next scream precisely embedded the bastards' actions. «W-Stop! Shut your mouth!»
The three little pigs now seemed desperate. It was to be expected. Ugliness or not, if things continued like this, they were about to be known as those who were told by a barbarian that they had a problem in their head. But did they judge that more conversation would only make the matter worse?
«...Just wait!» The three little pigs left angrily. Being from here, the cheesy phrase was an extra.
The intention was admirable, so I replied: «Anyway, don't worry too much! When we meet next time, I'm sure I'll get the problem out of your head!».
Did my sincerity reach you? I couldn't tell just by looking at their backs, as they quickly walked away.
***
Incident or not, the banquet, which was filled with various attractions, soon reached its climax. That is to say, the time came when the tournament prepared by the count was going to be held.
«The barbarian we saw during the day is participating. Isn't it exciting?»
«Hmm, I don't know. He's still just an explorer. He may have gained fame recently, but I've heard his career isn't even a year old».
The place was the lawn of the outdoor banquet hall. The surroundings were already packed with people, and some nobles even sat on the terrace on the second floor of the mansion to get a good look.
As I sat quietly in the prepared tent, the baron began to speak to me as if he were my coach. «Are you not nervous?»
«No.»
«Ugh, really a heart of steel. Even I can't contain my emotion». I didn't know about the admiration that preceded it, but it was clear that I was excited to see that he promised me a cousin that I hadn't even asked for. «If you win, I'll give you another million stones. So do the best you can. My social dignity now depends on you».
«I'll try!» Thanks to the unexpected financial therapy, a wave of enthusiasm suddenly emerged.
«Sir Saboin of the House of Baron Serpia and Sir Arpheon of the House of Viscount Henslvania, please take your positions!»
After a little more time passed, the first fight began. The two knights recited the promise of mourning on stage and brandished their swords with great skill, drawing cheers from the crowd.
It's these kinds of things that show how barbaric this world is.
When I secretly left the barracks and watched the duel, I had a strange impression. It was almost like seeing the Roman Colosseum. Actually, there wasn't much difference. There was a rule not to kill your opponent if possible, but conversely, that also meant there was no problem even if you did.
Well, it's stranger to have no casualties when fighting with a real sword.
Even though it was only the first fight, the two knights continued a bloody duel in front of the heated crowd. As intense as it was, the moment when the winner and loser were divided was just as dramatic.
«The winner is Sir Arpheon of the House of Viscount Henslvania!»
The other knight's sword hand was completely cut off, and the direction of combat was decided. Of course, the wounded knight's hand was quickly placed back by a priest, but the blood that spread like a fountain remained as a clear decoration on the stage.
«Ahhhhhh!»
Hearing the enthusiastic cheers of the crowd, I felt it again. This was a different world, and I had already begun to belong to it.
«Does seeing blood also excite you?»
Well, I didn't know that. But I did know it was my turn next.
«Sir Sylvania of the House of Baron Hessen, and of the House of Baron Martoin... Bjorn Yandel. Take your positions!»
Following the host's instructions, I made my way through the crowd to the stage. Just then, a gentleman was coming up from the other side. Everything was very coincidental. I didn't know his name, so I couldn't figure it out from the show's list.
«Haha, you seem surprised».
I nodded slightly to admit it. To think that one of the three little pigs would become my opponent in the first fight. What a surprise.
And it also turns out to be the most annoying.
Without realizing it, the corners of my lips curved upward. Since I cut off the relay from being thrown, I didn't finish hearing his resolution, but how could I forget it?
«I heard they gave it that name because it's small down there».
This was the man who had spread that nonsense. A simple human.
Maybe that was a little weird coming from me.
Before beginning the duel, the bastard recited a promise, a conventional oath to take this duel seriously, fight for a knight's honor, and not resort to dishonest tactics. Now it was my turn.
«Behell-aaaaaaaah!» I let out a wild scream that omitted the phrases with words.
The warmth of the crowd grew even more. «Ahhhhhh!»
The attention on me pissed him off even more and he murmured: «How vulgar and rude».
What, I thought a barbarian was going to be sophisticated?
Soon, under the direction of the moderator, we approached each other and hit our weapons. The bastard held out a long sword. Instead of the dough I left at the baron's house, I showed a huge double-bladed battle axe.
...I'm not used to sharp tools.
It was unfortunate, but the method of brandishing it wouldn't be much different. I just had to brandish it as usual. The result would probably be the same. The only difference was whether it left a scratch or cut off a limb completely.
«Ha!» As the duel began, the bastard quickly got up from the ground and charged at me. It seemed like I wanted to reverse the 10-second promise I made earlier.
Interesting.
I took a step back and took a stand to observe the situation for the moment. Since it was my first time facing a swordsman, I was curious.
¡Latigo!
Although he was an apprentice, he was still a knight, and his sword was quite sharp. «Die!»
It was like an advanced stance from a wuxia novel, a sword attack fired with three-pronged illusions. For a moment, I wondered which one was real, but that quickly ended. If I couldn't tell which one was real, all I had to do was turn them all off.
I have become a real barbarian.
Lifting the ax blade to the side, I swung it as widely as possible. That was enough.
¡Clang!
The sword's trajectory was distorted by the strong force, and the bastard began to lose his balance. However, he did not let go of the sword despite the shock. Although he must have been scared, he turned his body and brandished his sword towards my neck with a connecting movement.
He certainly wasn't someone to take lightly.
The sword attack drew a gentle curve from the background like a tornado. His personality aside, I must admit that this was a true sword skill passed down from generation to generation.
Their weapons technology is several steps above mine.
If the conditions were the same, I definitely wouldn't be able to beat him. However, it was not a serious problem.
«¡Behell-aaaaaaah!»
This guy and I weren't in the same condition.
[You used Wild Burst. Your threat level is temporarily multiplied by 3, and the physical value increases in proportion to that value].
There was still plenty of time before the 10 seconds were up.