The Male S*ave of the Count Sianella Family

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Milanet Tremian rolled her eyes, checking the atmosphere around her.

‘Where on earth are those girls I’ve talked to until now?’

Born as the eldest daughter of a wealthy baron family, Milanet had lived a life free of envy. Her family’s trading business was bustling. They owned a reputable trading firm within the kingdom.

Through her wealth, she sought to expand her alliances, solidifying her position, genuinely believing that amassing greater riches was just the right thing to do.

After acquiring a deal that promised massive profits, she willingly rushed to attend the cult meeting to seal the contract. As usual, she invested her gold coins into those who approached her, aiming to gather information for profitable exchanges.

Sharing wealth often garnered loyalty and respect, and even among nobles, that remained true. The slight sense of obligation created by the gold meant that those with opportunistic thoughts could yield her even more coins when she was in trouble.

‘All I need is just one or two people.’

If that select group started passionately defending her, most would subtly support them, afraid to let opportunities slip away.

Milanet had recruited a few attendees from the central noble social circle early on, just in case there was trouble this time, confident she’d handle issues as effortlessly as she had in the past.

‘But why is everyone just looking at each other…! They all know I didn’t say that nonsense! Why on earth!’

Even in a social circle dominated by those holding far stronger power than her, the sight of guilty parties acting this way was bewildering.

The principle that her invested gold would never betray her had shattered, leaving Milanet drenched in indignation.

‘Wicked girls. Who do they think they are, looking at me with those eyes…! They never thought about leaving me alone when they were trying to grab a piece of my gold!’

With the atmosphere already tilted against her, she had become unable to offer any explanations.

Any more attempts at justification would only result in cowardly excuses and jeers.

A situation where there was no way out.

“…I accept.”

Milanet ultimately swallowed her resentment that was about to spew forth and nodded in agreement.

‘As if the Baron knew this was coming, the atmosphere pushing me this way is absurd.’

It surely felt like everything had been revealed.

Princess Rephelia watching her quietly and Young Lady Shianella glaring at her with a frigid expression—those who parade around calling for justice simply stood by in observation.

‘How they figured it out, I don’t know….’

If she lost the upcoming honor duel, she certainly would forfeit her chance to defend herself and prepare her escape.

Milanet sensed it.

‘If I could just win against the Baron in the duel…’

Beating Baron Karpel would buy her some time.

Proving her innocence by thoroughly defeating him was the only path forward.

“I, Milanet Tremian, promise to engage sincerely in this honorable duel to prove the falsehood of the rumors surrounding me and convey my true intentions to Baron Ray Karpel through my sword.”

Thus, gathering as much composure as she could, Milanet thought.

She didn’t mean to underestimate the Baron.

‘…Word has it I’m good with a bow, but they don’t know I wield a sword? Then—’

If it came down to using swords, being a lifelong practitioner while he primarily relied on archery would grant her an edge.

The essence of swordplay lies in the subtle sensations and instantaneous flow and direction of physical force.

‘I can win. I should try.’

She stuffed down her negative thoughts, only allowing positive ones to rise to the surface.

*

‘The proceedings are swift.’

As soon as the honor duel was confirmed, the Duke’s family quickly prepared the arena.

Surrounding the space where Milanet and I would share swords were all the witnesses and referees of the social circle.

They began expressing their opinions to one another.

“I’ve only read about Baron Karpel’s accomplishments in the newspapers, so I’m curious how this will go.”

“I’ve seen him fend off a villain charging at Your Highness. His vigor back then was quite impressive. Considering the skills he had, he must handle a sword well, wouldn’t you say?”

Before a martial event, speculating on who might win was a kind of entertainment.

Listening in on their conversations, I absorbed valuable information that could aid me.

“However, isn’t Young Lady Tremian also famous for receiving teaching from a knight of the Royal Knights Order? The Baron is an archer, so handling a sword might be tough for him….”

She had trained under someone from the Royal Knights Order.

‘Even if I’m favored to win, I mustn’t underestimate him.’

After all, if a Royal Knight was her mentor, she might have picked up unexpected tricks.

While waiting for the match to commence, servants finally arrived, each holding our swords.

“These swords are for the honor duel. They have been sharpened, and priests are waiting just outside the arena, so please don’t worry and give it your all.”

“Thank you.”

I nodded at the servant’s words and accepted my sword.

My sword mirrored the curved shape I was used to, while Milanet wielded a long sword.

The moment we pointed our swords at each other.

“Let the honor duel begin!”

Thus, the duel had finally commenced.

‘Her stance is quite defensive.’

Milanet showed no intention of making the first move, starting to establish control with the length of her longsword. She planted her feet firmly to gauge my movements.

I could feel from her gaze that she intended to refrain from initiating contact.

‘She wants to calmly assess me first.’

In that case, I should play along.

Since we hadn’t infused any mana into our swords yet, I connected the tip of my blade to hers.

‘Focus.’

If archery involves fighting against the tension of the string and the variables of the open air, then swordplay requires reading the opponent’s will projected through the blade’s tip and executing an attack one step ahead.

‘Now…!’

Sensing that Milanet was about to shift her stance and begin her offensive, I perceived our engagement through the cold edge of our blades.

Her previously solid stance was unraveling as her blade subtly lifted.

I immediately pounced forward.

‘Got it!’

Swoosh─!

My blade successfully slipped past hers.

“Ugh…!”

As I closed the distance, Milanet gasped, the balance of power shaken.

With sword fighting having moved in close, the length of the blades became irrelevant.

Now it was a battle of strength and agility.

“If you remain so defensive, you won’t win against me.”

“…Do you think I’ll simply let you win?”

She twisted her body. Turning right, she slashed diagonally from northeast to southwest.

While not aiming to slice her, my blade’s trajectory threatened her neck.

If she couldn’t block it, the referee would surely raise my hand in victory.

However, the moment I thought I could conclude the duel quickly, Milanet’s face contorted in determination.

‘That was a well-placed attack; I didn’t expect her to block it.’

With her right hand on the hilt and left hand pressing against the blade’s surface, she blocked my assault effortlessly, even looking somewhat surprised.

“I didn’t think you’d aim for my neck from the get-go.”

“I merely did as my master taught me.”

“…To think you’d aim for the neck right away; that’s not very knightly of you.”

“Lady Siabel Shianella and Lady Diolia are my mentors.”

“Ah.”

“The monsters of the Demonic Realm, which the Count’s House faces, don’t know honor. To continue to be a general who slaughters the monsters invading the kingdom, it’s far more honorable to aim for the neck and minimize losses among our allies, don’t you think?”

“…….”

Regardless of how my methods might seem dirty, with the aura reminiscent of other individuals lingering on Milanet, she would never win my goodwill or mercy.

Since I had revealed my mentors were generals and Siabel, she’d find it impossible to belittle my swordplay anymore.

So, our stances relaxed for a moment as we readied ourselves and began channeling our mana simultaneously.

“You exude spirit! Ready to truly engage now?”

“…Of course. I need to restore my fallen honor.”

Fallen honor, indeed.

Since she still held that aura and now that she was cornered, it was expected she would descend further into disgrace.

I simply continued to swing my sword.

Kaboom─!

When steel clashed, the explosive roar of iron replaced my words.

Could someone who received accolades as both an archer and swordsman actually beat me?