SWNOVELXO Chapter 405
Shione’s face darkened as she gazed at her bandaged hand.
Thanks to the exceptional healing of the priest, I couldn’t worsen my injuries. With just a little more time, I would be perfectly fine. But still, it seemed she was displeased with my current state.
Correspondingly, her worries transformed into irritation and anger.
“…You’re confident with that sword, yet you said I shouldn’t worry, right?”
It was hard to argue against that point…
Still, I did win against a knight trained in swordsmanship while wielding a bow, which should count as a significant achievement.
After all, my hand only suffered a cut, and the impact was mostly due to the shock; it wasn’t like my back, where I was hit, was completely wrecked. It was clear that I had bested my opponent with my sword down low.
“You were so confident, yet you ended up more injured than I expected. Do you know how worried I was?!”
“I said I was confident in winning, not that I wouldn’t get hurt. But as I said, in the end, I did win, didn’t I?”
“…That’s quite the mouth you have. Did I hear you wrapped a bandage around your back?”
Shione quickly pinpointed my hidden injuries.
Her relentless hand pressed hard against the bruised area I got hit by Milanet.
The strong bruising still lingered. Although the Divine Power might have healed some bones and muscles, the pain hadn’t completely vanished yet.
As Shione’s perfected strikes came down on me, I felt an uncomfortable sensation rise from my back.
“No, wait, don’t press there yet—”
“This is punishment for making excuses. Now you get to feel how upset I was.”
I couldn’t fathom why her frustration had to manifest in torturing me, but…
Thanks to her, I had a chance to reflect on the earlier fight. I managed to avoid wrapping myself up in despair over what had happened and moved on.
After a light-hearted moment of mischief, we shifted our attention to Milanet Tremian, who had surprisingly exhibited such strength.
“Milanet Tremian was a surprisingly strong knight. It’s strange that her name isn’t better known for her swordsmanship.”
“Well, I was surprised too. She was quick and precise with that sword, just like you, and she blocked everything like a pro.”
“Claiming you were confident in winning against her—”
“…Want to keep this banter going? Still, even though Ray is one thing, wasn’t the young lady trying to find openings from time to time? Am I wrong?”
“You’re correct.”
I nodded in response to Shione’s words.
I had indeed noticed moments where I left openings, only for her to slip in like a ghost and try to take advantage. Had I not responded immediately, I would’ve been in trouble.
Especially…
“Especially… those attempts were filled with surprising experience. If she didn’t have some firsthand know-how, she wouldn’t even think to try something like that.”
Milanet Tremian.
All she had was a master to teach her swordsmanship.
There were no tales of her dancing blades in a lawless land or participating in wars; she was just a woman with no such notoriety.
“It seems that knight who taught her the sword is unusually skilled.”
If that person used such sharp tactics, it wouldn’t be unreasonable to assume they had considerable experience.
“That knight, I heard about them while watching your match.”
“Really?”
“Yeah, there were two royal knights responsible for her training. Among those, the more famous one was so outstanding that they were even offered the position of Deputy Commander of the Royal Knights Order. Quite renowned, indeed.”
“Looks like my eyes weren’t mistaken.”
If someone was the Deputy Commander of the Royal Knights Order, they surely had unparalleled prowess in combat.
“However… that knight never ascended to the position of Commander. Rather, it’s correct to say they couldn’t.”
“If they couldn’t—”
“…Though infamous, they reportedly went mad one day, betrayed the kingdom, and vanished.”
“……”
“Still, it must be from their teachings that she managed to wield a sword to such a degree. Thanks to that, our Ray ended up injured.”
Shione started to grumble again about Milanet.
But setting that aside, my mind was captivated by the tale of the knight who betrayed the kingdom.
‘Vanished, huh?’
The Commander of the Royal Knights would either be a Master or someone of equal caliber. Given that the Deputy Commander is selected from those who can act as his proxy, the fact that they were offered such a position suggests they were noteworthy indeed.
If a knight once so recognized turned against the kingdom, there had to be some reason behind it.
“Anyway, it seems like they diligently practiced their swordsmanship but avoided making a name for themselves. Highlighting the fact that they had a traitor as a master wouldn’t reflect well.”
That story about the knight was well-known enough that even Shione showed recognition of it.
However, she didn’t remember it accurately. Most of what she talked about hinged on what she had picked up during that honor duel.
After a light-hearted conversation and sufficient rest, we resolved to head back.
“Can’t we rest a bit longer?”
“Yes, thanks to your visit, I’m all refreshed now. It’s time for the victor of the honor duel to liven up the banquet.”
“But—”
“If I don’t flaunt it, how will I gain favor from Princess Rephelia?”
I stood up and started walking.
Having won the honor duel, I had no need to fret over anything today.
Confidently reentering the banquet hall, it was as if everyone had been waiting for my arrival, all eyes darting in my direction.
But the issue was—
‘…Where did Princess Rephelia and that intelligence lady go?’
The people I expected to see were nowhere in sight. Instead, nobles of all sorts gathered.
About ten minutes after entering the hall, I regretted my choice.
*
The final day of the banquet.
The central noble banquet, which had concluded with a splendid honor duel, wrapped up after a grand dinner.
Tomorrow, those who were quick to return to their families would likely begin to drift away, or they’d gather among themselves for private festivities.
Had our original plans gone as expected, Shione and I would’ve been strolling through the Duke’s district, enjoying a lovely date.
Sadly, our story wasn’t over just yet.
“Princess Rephelia has gathered all the information. She said she would create a meeting tonight, did you hear that, Shione?”
“Ray heard it too? When I was resting in my room, the princess personally came to inform me.”
Indeed, the aftermath of this incident, organized by Princess Rephelia herself, was still to come.
Thus, putting aside the fatigue from today’s duel, Shione and I followed the princess’s subordinates deep into a secretive meeting room.
‘Everywhere here is overflowing with magic.’
Just as one might expect from a magical family.
All the key facilities in their mansion were thoroughly secured with intricate magical schemes.
Simply reaching the meeting room indicated that this place was essential, considering we had to break through complicated magical barriers.
And there, we found the waiting princess.
“Sorry for calling you so late. I took a little longer to cross-verify the words of the captured spies and to ensure all the details were accurate.”
As expected, she appeared quite busy.
With dark circles under her eyes, she looked just as fatigued as an overworked alchemist.
“Especially because of Baron Karpel’s honor duel, it was fortunate to have a justified reason to interrogate Milanet.”
“It seems you’ve learned something from Milanet Tremian.”
At those words, Leona Rephelia quietly smiled.
It was a different smile from the bright, innocent one she showed at the banquet. This one bore the confidence of a winner, reminiscent of her when she cast her spells.
Shione and I recognized through that demeanor that she truly had faith in her findings.
“We successfully uncovered who made contracts with them and conducted trades, and we’re piecing together how that marking was etched. It’s not just any puzzle; it’s a massive one.”
“There are still gaps, but our Adelhaite can certainly manage it alone.”
“Let’s start with the story from this side first.”
Princess Rephelia presented a portrait.
“This is the woman who seduced Milanet and engaged in trading information.”
With a sharp demeanor, her face radiated the cold atmosphere of someone who could slice through her opponent.
“Her name is Bloody Epenshe. She was once Milanet’s sword training master and a knight who betrayed the kingdom. It seems she has now become a follower of the cult.”
Once upon a time, she was one of the Royal Knights’ elite.