Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor [EN]: Chapter 131

‘Since the Commander of the Royal Guard has personally requested a duel, it is a truly meaningful honor for Beric.’

At Ian’s words, Royal Guard Commander Jayrut lightly bowed his head in courtesy. Beric rubbed his blood-soaked palms on his shirt, then held them out to Jayrut.

‘Hehe. Shall we have a go then? Huh?’

Was it because he took the compliment at face value? He seemed genuinely delighted. Or perhaps he was satisfied with having turned the man who had provoked him into a mess. Jayrut merely stared down at Beric’s hand with a stiff expression, not taking it.

‘Aren’t you going to take my hand?’

‘…Do you permit the duel, Baron Ian Hielo?’

Ian lightly rested his chin on his hand and looked down at him. There was a hint of murderous intent in his expression. Unlike the usual practice of starting with a bare-handed duel, he was gripping his sword hilt as if he had made up his mind.

‘…He’s trying to kill me.’

The reason for his behavior was likely the same misunderstanding that Barsabe had, stemming from Petreio. Given that he was of a similar age to Petreio and was a former deputy commander, they must have been comrades for quite some time.

‘Hey, mister, did you eat your manners with your rice? I held out my hand!’

Beric was throwing a tantrum, waving his hand around in annoyance. His impudent attitude and choice of words… he did need to be taken down a peg or two. Just like in the desert, Beric grew a step after experiencing a severe crisis.

Besides, if he realized that there were many skilled individuals above him, wouldn’t he learn humility and manners firsthand?

‘Very well. However, there is a condition.’

‘A condition?’

Jayrut frowned deeply. There was nothing more dishonorable than placing a bet on a duel. However, as if reading his thoughts, Ian added softly,

‘It’s not a bet, but would you like one?’

‘…There is no way I would.’

‘It is clear that there is a definite difference in skill between you and my swordsman, so either of you may end the duel if you wish.’

‘Ian… no, Master! What do you mean by difference in skill!’

‘What do you say? Will you accept it in the name of the Commander of the Royal Guard?’

Beric was making a fuss below, but Ian casually ignored him. Unlike the desert, there was no one here to protect Beric even if he was gasping for breath. Therefore, he had no choice but to take precautions in advance. Jayrut stared at Ian with a calm gaze, then nodded.

‘Very well.’

‘I’ll just cut off that impudent bastard’s tongue,’ Jayrut thought, as he reached for his sword. However, Beric, tired of waiting, lunged at him with his bare hands, causing him to reflexively grab his fist.

Thwack!

‘Oh, mister! You’ve got good reflexes.’

‘…….’

‘Huh?’

Beric tried to pull his hand away, but it wouldn’t budge. Jayrut’s grip was tightening, as if he would crush Beric’s hand itself. Flustered, Beric struggled and threw a punch with his other fist.

Whack!

‘Let go! Won’t you let go?’

‘…Don’t be so cocky.’

But in the end, both of his hands were caught. With a sickening crack, Beric screamed.

‘Aaaah! You crazy bastard!’

‘It is basic to have manners and respect when dueling. Your unrestrained behavior is no different from that of a beast.’

‘Bullshit. Get lost!’

Crack!

Beric immediately changed the direction of his force, getting close to Jayrut’s neck. And without hesitation, he bit down as if he would tear off a chunk of flesh. Jayrut, who rarely lost his composure, was startled and released Beric’s hands.

‘Did he just bite Jayrut’s neck? Really?’

‘Wow, that crazy bastard. He’s something else.’

‘It looks a bit rough, but it was a good move. Otherwise, he would never have gotten his hand out. It would have been crushed, and he wouldn’t have been able to hold a sword.’

‘Goodness. Are all street urchins like that? He’d be difficult to deal with in a real fight.’

Now, no one in the training grounds was not paying attention to them. The Commander of the Royal Guard and Baron Ian Hielo’s escort were dueling! What better spectacle could there be? While Jayrut rubbed his neck, Beric smiled and touched his mouth.

‘Ah ha. The Commander is indeed different. I was really surprised!’

‘Your actions are exactly like a dog.’

‘Yeah, thanks for the compliment!’

Beric shook his hands and lunged again. If nothing else, his learning ability in combat was swift, and he instinctively knew how to deal with Jayrut. In a short moment, through a short exchange.

‘If I get caught, I’m screwed! Then I just won’t get caught! Great!’

Beric focused his attacks on his lower body instead of his upper body. By lowering his body as much as possible and diving in, it was difficult for Jayrut to catch him as easily as before.

‘He’s more intelligent than I thought.’

Thwack! Thwack!

Jayrut easily received the attacks while observing his opponent. It was a kind of occupational habit. A habitual analysis that came from leading his subordinates.

‘He’s also crude, but he has a natural talent. His strength and speed are impeccable. Above all, he has guts. These are things that are hard to gain through training.’

Then, suddenly, Petreio’s face came to mind. Yes. It’s a shame, but this one….

‘Let’s stop now.’

‘Huh?’

Beric, who had been kicking with all his might, paused. He thought he hadn’t given him a chance to attack, but with Jayrut’s words, the atmosphere changed. It felt like he was in the palm of his hand.

Wham!

Thud!

At the same time, Jayrut’s fist, like a stone, slammed into Beric’s face. With a pain that felt like his skull was shattering, his vision went dark. He felt his body floating, and then the world turned upside down.

‘Oh, shit.’

He had been knocked down in one blow. Beric wiped the blood flowing from his nose with a shocked expression. In all his life, he had never experienced such a fast and powerful punch. It was incomparable to the Thousand-Legged Clan.

‘Wow, it landed properly, but he’s not unconscious.’

‘Isn’t he unconscious with his eyes open? Or maybe it was a glancing blow.’

‘No, his body flew, how could that be a glancing blow?’

‘Gasp. Th-th-that bastard. He’s getting up.’

His vision was spinning. Beric staggered to his feet and began to chuckle. Ian leaned against the railing, watching the scene calmly.

‘Ahaha. Haha. Wow, mister, you’re really…’

Whack! Thud!

Before he could finish his sentence, Jayrut’s merciless attacks poured down. Jayrut grabbed Beric’s neck with his left hand, and pressed his solar plexus with one foot. Every time his right hand struck Beric’s face, a dull thud of blood erupted.

‘Sir Ian, shouldn’t you stop that? He’ll be out of breath soon. Ah, even if he’s just worth the price of meat, he seems like a waste. Ahem.’

Malon, unable to watch any longer, glanced at Ian. However, Ian, who had seen Beric’s bottom in the desert, knew that he was not yet pushed to his limit.

‘Iaaaann!’

Beric, who was being beaten, called out to Ian, panting. It was a gap where he barely managed to block one of Jayrut’s attacks with both fists. The entire training ground held its breath at the sound of his torn voice. It sounded like the scream of someone on the verge of death.

‘I’m going to kill this bastard!’

‘Very well. Do as you please.’

‘Aaaaargh!’

Ziiing!

Bang! Thud!

As soon as Ian’s permission was given, Beric released his mana. A wind like a blade swirled around him in an instant. Jayrut and the Royal Guard members were startled and paused.

‘A magic swordsman?’

Thwack!

Beric barely shook off Jayrut with the power of his mana, and crouched down, panting. Blood was dripping from his mouth. It was the gaze of a predator whose pride had been wounded.

‘Ah, shit! That really hurts like hell.’

‘What’s going on? Is he a magic swordsman?’

‘Why! If I’m a magic swordsman, will you hit me less? Don’t underestimate me, you bastard! I’ve been hit forty-five times now? I’ll give it all back. Wow, it’s been a while since I’ve had fun! Huh? It’s fun! Ahahaha!’

Thud thud thud! Thwack!

His movements were incomparable to before. The spectators could only follow his afterimages and guess his trajectory, and Jayrut, who was facing him, kept retreating to create distance. Explosive energy flowed from every spot where Beric stepped.

Ziiing!

‘Dieeee!’

‘Hmph!’

Boom!

Jayrut, who had caught Beric’s fist, involuntarily groaned. It was on a different level. No matter how much it was the power of mana, wasn’t this like being reborn? On top of that, he was charging in like a madman….

‘Damn it.’

Ziiing.

‘Commander!’

‘The Commander is using mana!’

‘Unbelievable!’

Jayrut also released his mana. The Royal Guard members who were watching covered their mouths in disbelief. It was something that only happened in battles against monsters.

Everyone was speechless with shock and astonishment. In the vast training ground, only the shouts of Beric and Jayrut echoed fiercely.

‘This guy…….’

Thwack!

It felt like fighting a beast with bare hands. Jayrut pushed Beric away and drew his sword. A cold aura, like frost in winter, flowed along the path of the sword.

‘You’re ultimately bringing this upon yourself.’

‘Ah ha. You’re using a sword? Good, good.’

Clang.

Beric grinned and also drew his sword. His red eyes, glowing with mana, gave the illusion that lava was boiling within.

‘I only cut your chest hair earlier. I haven’t seen how well flesh is sliced. Ah, I’m so excited!’

‘You crazy bastard. You’re not in your right mind.’

‘Didn’t you know? You can’t live in this world with a sane mind!’

Ziiing! Ziiing!

Crackling!

The sword, reacting to Beric’s mana, blazed with a purple light. In an instant, a hot heat filled the surroundings, and soon a thick smoke that seemed to suffocate the lungs settled in.

Small flashes of lightning flickered in the smoke. Jayrut paused, as it was a sword he had never seen before.

‘What is that sword…’

‘I don’t know either! I just picked it up!’

‘Beric!’

‘Huh?’

Just as he was about to leap forward and swing his sword, Ian shouted loudly. Beric reflexively stopped and turned around.

‘Didn’t I tell you not to put mana into the sword?’

‘Aaaah. That’s right. But can’t you let it slide just this once?’

‘No.’

At least until the identity of the sword was revealed.

While Beric was turning around and pleading, Ian and Jayrut exchanged a subtle glance.

‘No, I don’t know what it is, so I’ll just swing it and see-‘

Wham!

Jayrut seized the opportunity and struck Beric’s neck. It was as if he had wrapped mana around his fist, and if it had been a normal person, their neck would have been broken.

‘Ugh!’

But who was his opponent? Beric only let out a short scream and immediately fainted. At the same time, the sword that had been reacting to mana returned to its original black color.

Only an awkward silence filled the training ground. The Royal Guard members all rushed over to check on their commander’s safety.

‘Commander. Are you, are you alright?’

‘What should we do with this bastard? Should we take him into custody?’

‘It was a duel. What do you mean by custody?’

‘Aish, Commander. You’re bleeding!’

Barsabe hurriedly took out a handkerchief and supported the commander’s neck. And very quietly, as if murmuring, he muttered,

‘Commander. And I’ll tell you while you’re being treated. I, I received my father’s keepsake.’

At the unexpected words, Jayrut’s eyes widened. But it didn’t seem like a conversation that could be had here. He left the training ground, receiving the concerns of his subordinates, and Ian also came down to the first floor.

‘Beric. Are you alright?’

‘Umm…….’

‘Tsk tsk.’

And he squatted down and touched Beric’s forehead. Just like in the desert, mana was the best for recovering stamina.

Ziiing.

As Ian’s eyes turned golden, Beric’s furrowed brow gradually smoothed out. Malon, who had followed them down, couldn’t even step on the blood-soaked floor.

‘I-is he dead?’

‘No. He is not one to die easily.’

‘Wh-what was that sword from earlier?’

‘…….’

Ian only shrugged his shoulders as if he didn’t know either. The heat from earlier was gone, and only the cold, cooled sword lay on the floor.

* * *

Meanwhile, at the Romandro mansion.

Mrs. Vivianna, who was enjoying a peaceful time doing cross-stitch, sensed a presence outside. Mini did as well. She quickly ran out and opened the door, only to find a postman standing there.

‘Hello. Is this the Romandro residence?’

‘Yes, it is. Do you have any mail?’

‘Yes. It’s from Mayor Karenna, and it’s addressed to Ian. May I deliver it here?’

‘Yes, yes. Sir Ian is staying here. Please give it to me.’

‘Please sign here…’

Mini received the letter and stamped it with the mansion manager’s seal. It was quite a thick letter. Vivianna put down her cross-stitch and asked,

‘Mini. What is that letter?’

‘It’s from Mayor Karenna.’

‘Let me see.’

Unlike Mini, who was illiterate, Vivianna could read the letters written on the cover.

‘…Interrogation report of the thieves?’