The Failure Marquis Is A Genius [EN]: Chapter 121

Chapter 15: The Slandering Scion’s Attempt

It was during the Elven race’s invasion of Moltke Territory, incited by High Elder Richard.

Among the Elven warriors were several who had undergone the Baptism and advanced from User to Expert.

However, their abnormally attained Expert-level Mana Swords were extremely unstable, barely worthy of the name.

In contrast, the Experts here had reached their level through innate talent, relentless effort, or a combination of both.

Even Charlie Hilton, the one with the relatively lowest skill level, had earned his expertise.

Perhaps that’s why Mana Swords of various colors adorned the arena, creating a chillingly beautiful spectacle.

“Henon Lloyd. Henon Lloyd. Henon Lloyd.”

Earl Charlie Hilton keeps chanting my name three times like he’s some grim reaper.

“That won’t kill me. People die when they’re *stabbed* with a sword.”

“What nonsense. Anyway, I didn’t expect so many Experts to be around. Even the maid and the brute I brought along were Experts.”

“Maybe you just have no eye for talent. You’re a moron who can’t even properly assess the people you’re dealing with.”

Charlie’s face flushes crimson at the merciless truth-bombing.

“You insolent bastard! I’ll kill you!”

Was Charlie’s charge the trigger?

Starting with that, my camp and the Hilton camp clashed.

Clang!!!

With a deafening roar, sword fights erupted throughout the vast audience chamber.

Perhaps because they were all Experts with keen eyes, they seemed to be finding their own matches.

First, Earl Hornet and Earl Hilton.

Both were top-tier Experts on the verge of becoming Sword Masters, and having been at odds for a long time, they saw this as their chance and confronted each other.

“Finally, this day has come. You have no idea how much I’ve wanted to kill you every time I see your face.”

“Likewise.”

Earl Hornet and Earl Hilton began fighting in a frenzy.

The Hilton family’s Five Fingers also faced off against my companions.

First, Thumb, and the Campbell and Zion duo.

Campbell, with a similar physique, stepped forward to face the seemingly strong double-ax warrior.

“Well, isn’t this something. I came to kill people, but there’s a beast in front of me.”

“I was going to say the same thing. A monster that can communicate with people. How fascinating.”

Campbell retorted spiritedly, causing a vein to throb on Thumb’s forehead.

“Your words have sealed your fate. I’ll cut off your limbs until you beg me to kill you…”

Spit!!

Before Thumb could finish speaking, a dagger flew like rain and grazed his cheek.

Zion’s attack, who had been hiding behind the bulky Campbell.

Thumb tilted his head slightly to the right, easily dodging it.

Nevertheless, a stream of blood flowed down.

Thumb licked it off with his tongue.

Thumb’s smile deepened as he looked at the Zion and Campbell duo, who had excellent teamwork from training together every time, whether he liked it or not.

“Heh heh heh, this won’t be boring.”

Meanwhile, on the other side, everyone had found their opponent.

Index Finger and Rakan, and Middle Finger and Aiden.

They were convinced that they were each other’s match, and as soon as their eyes met, they drew their swords without hesitation.

A match between female warriors was also set.

Ring Finger, the only woman among the Five Fingers, giggled incessantly with heavily made-up face.

“Oh my! An Elf? I wonder what it feels like to cut an elf’s flesh? I’m dying to know!”

“Every human I meet is vulgar and eccentric. I’ll put an arrow between your eyebrows.”

Amelia, keeping her distance, knelt on one knee and drew her bowstring to its fullest extent.

There were three arrows notched on the string, and all the arrowheads were imbued with a clear green Mana.

Bang! Clang! Clang!

The audience chamber turned into a mess in an instant.

Neither side could easily gain the upper hand.

That’s how evenly matched they were.

Except for one place.

“Henon, I’ve wanted to kill you for a long time. Today, I’ll tear off your mask of mere bluster.”

Charlie stood before me, exuding murderous intent.

He looked like a kitten with its tail raised high in front of a tiger.

What on earth is this guy so confident about?

He got scolded at the bakery and even got his collar grabbed in front of all the nobles.

He still hasn’t come to his senses and thinks he can take me on if he fights properly.

“I even injured the Paladin Johann in a fight. Do you think you can be my opponent?”

“Johann must have been swayed by your silver tongue and injured himself. I won’t fall for that, unlike the others.”

People tend to dismiss someone else’s unexpectedly overwhelming success as luck or deny the result itself.

Especially if it’s someone they dislike.

Charlie’s eyes were bloodshot, trying to settle the humiliation of losing the position of Royal Consort and being constantly defeated by me.

“Attack as you please. Then you’ll realize whether the fame I’ve gained is just a facade or the real deal.”

“Where do you get off acting so relaxed!”

Charlie swung his sword, imbued with a faint Mana Sword, with all his might.

His momentum was quite fierce, but it looked insignificant to me.

-Go right then left.

-Dead center.

-A blind spot attack on the waist…

“You don’t need to tell me.”

Even Cheonma-gation [Cheonma-gation is likely a reference to a specific technique or skill, but without more context, a direct translation isn’t possible. It implies a high-level or secret skill.] is a waste for this guy.

I could dodge it easily with my own abilities.

The Druid’s intuition gave me a much sharper sixth sense than ordinary swordsmen, and Charlie, like some elixir-fueled brat, couldn’t even graze me.

“What kind of trickery are you using!”

“Well, you’re not exactly someone worth using tricks on.”

I slightly twisted my body to dodge the vertically descending attack and kicked him in the shin.

Pow!!

“Ugh!!”

Only those who have been kicked in the shin with the tip of a foot know how it feels.

It really hurts so much that tears well up.

Charlie forcibly suppressed the pain, wanting to hide his weakness, and unknowingly retreated on one leg.

“Does it hurt? It’s because you’re young.”

“You son of a bitch!”

Charlie charges again.

I used a special skill for that kind of guy.

“Secret Technique! Hit the Same Spot Again!!”

Crack!!

Kicking the shin he had just hit again, Charlie jumps up and down as if he has springs on his feet, loving it to death.

“You bastard!”

“Secret Technique! Hit the Spot, Hit the Spot Again!”

“Kuaaaak!!”

Already the third consecutive hit.

Charlie, limping on the leg that was hit, screams.

“Since a head-on fight doesn’t work, you keep using petty tricks! Just you wait until I get you. I’ll tear you to pieces!”

“Secret Technique! Hit the Spot, Hit the Spot, Hit the Spot Again…”

People are creatures of habit, or so they say.

In the meantime, Charlie’s brain had learned the shin strike, and he reflexively pulled his right shin back.

As a result, his gaze naturally turned downwards, and his head tilted down.

“…Instead, a Back-of-the-Head Smack!!”

Thwack!!

When I strongly hit him from top to bottom with my palm, Charlie fell face down on the floor, becoming a flattened dried filefish.

“Cough!”

His nose was crushed from falling face-first on the floor, and he barely got up, dripping blood from his nose.

“Have you ever seen such a despicable guy! Fight seriously!”

Charlie burst into anger.

Suddenly, the surrounding air became heavy.

It became difficult to breathe, and my breathing became rapid.

Before I knew it, I was in front of him, grabbing his bangs and shoving my face into his.

“Look at me straight.”

Only then did Charlie realize that death was approaching, and fear filled his pupils.

“You want me to be serious? If I had been serious, your head would have flown off in a minute.”

I’m not kidding.

Although I’m an Expert, I can’t be included in the category of ordinary Experts.

I have the Druid’s abilities, ancient artifacts, and a baby dragon to assist in battle.

If I activated the Cheonma Sword, consumed acorns, and went all out, I was confident that I could lead the battle roughly on par with a weak Sword Master.

Charlie, who barely crossed the threshold of Expert with elixir, couldn’t possibly be my opponent.

Look at him now.

I had already put the Cheonma Sword back into its scabbard a long time ago.

I was fighting Charlie’s all-out effort with my bare hands.

“Damn it.”

Charlie spat out a curse, slapped my hand holding his bangs with the back of his hand, and ran towards somewhere.

That place was towards Rebecca, who was sitting on the throne.

Charlie, belatedly regaining his spirit, cackled and blurted out.

“It’s a battle that ends when you catch the king anyway! No matter how strong you are, you still have to use your head!”

Charlie’s thoughts were clear.

Since he couldn’t win with strength, he was planning to take Rebecca hostage in a cowardly attempt to gain a favorable position.

But could I, who was called the Scion of the Marquisate, not have anticipated even that shallow trick?

I could follow him if I used Instant Step, but I deliberately put my hands behind my back and walked slowly.

“Rebecca, from now on, you are a hostage… Cough!!”

Charlie, who was about to pounce on Rebecca, was sent flying by her kick to the lower jaw.

Charlie, dumbfounded, clutched the painful area with his hand and wore a blank expression.

“How did that weak woman react to my attack?”

Rebecca is an Alpha Vampire.

She had shown movements comparable to the top tier of Users in her berserk state last time, so it was easy for her to land a blow on Charlie, who was off guard.

“You don’t need to know.”

Slap!!

Rebecca’s fiery slap turned Charlie’s head.

A bright red handprint was clearly imprinted on Charlie’s cheek and soon swelled up.

“Your family has sworn allegiance but still mocks and insults the royal family. Therefore, the royal family will no longer respect you.”

“You ignorant bitch dares to… Keuhak!!”

Thwack!

A metal blade protruded from Charlie’s abdomen as he cursed and tried to attack Rebecca.

I, who had drawn the Cheonma Sword, stabbed him in the back.

Charlie, dripping blood from his mouth, muttered with a hollow expression.

“Damn bastards.”

Charlie collapsed.

I checked the pulse in his neck, and there was still a faint breath left.

Rebecca, who had brought a weapon just in case, was about to draw her sword and finish Charlie off.

“Wait.”

I stopped Rebecca.

“What’s wrong?”

“We had a plan, remember?”

As a result of the meeting held just before the battle, it had been decided to spare Charlie’s life.

Because in order to fully absorb the Hilton family, at least one direct descendant was needed.

David Hilton was smart and cunning, so it was decided to eliminate him for sure and spare Charlie, who was not even a threat, as it would be more beneficial to our side.

“He’ll die soon with this much injury.”

“It’s okay. You have a skill that can save even the injured.”

Rebecca showed reluctance.

“Do I really have to make this bug my subordinate? I really don’t want to.”

“That is the burden that the King must bear.”

“Sigh, I can’t help it.”

In the end, she sighed and put her sharp fangs on Charlie.

With the sound of blood being sucked, a red eerie energy settled in Charlie’s eyes, and at the same time, the hole in his lower abdomen healed at a rapid pace.

Charlie, who had regained consciousness, looked over his body and let out a shrill voice.

“What! What happened to my body! I’m thirsty! I’m thirsty!”

“Hey, be quiet.”

Thwack!!!

When I strongly hit the back of Charlie’s head, who was about to go berserk, he fainted like a frog hit by a rock.

One case was easily resolved.

With leisure, I watched the other side’s fight.

The warriors were so busy fighting each other that they didn’t even know that this side had won.

The ones who were struggling the most among us were still the Zion and Campbell duo, who were facing Thumb.

Despite being 2-on-1, Campbell and Zion were constantly struggling against Thumb’s fierce double-ax barrage, who was on the verge of becoming a Master.

“Try to block properly.”

“If you’re frustrated, you block! Try to land an attack! He’s running rampant because there’s no effective hit.”

“Euhahahahaha!! There’s no need to bicker like that. I’ll cut off your windpipes amicably.”

I should intervene from here.

I used the Druid skill to bind his body first.

[Wood Control]

[Bind]

“Huh?”

Thumb was flustered when his body was bound.

It wasn’t like Zion and Campbell would miss that chance.

“Euhryaaaa!!”

Campbell’s bastard sword was blocked, but Zion’s dagger was stabbed into his side.

“You son of a bitch! Who is it!”

“It’s me.”

[Wind Control]

[Instant Step]

[Haste]

Before Thumb could go wild, my figure appeared next to him.

His nostrils flared clearly as he was surprised to see me appear right in front of him.

It was too late to react.

The Cheonma Sword scattered emerald light.

The sword pierced Thumb’s heart.

“Ah! Captain!”

“Thumb!”

The other Fingers who witnessed this shouted in surprise, but they didn’t have the spare capacity to help as they were each in charge of their own opponents.

Zion and Campbell regained their freedom, and I began to intervene in other fights as well.

Index Finger, who was facing Rakan, lost his breath.

Middle Finger, who was facing Aiden, also died with a deep sword wound on his back.

“Oh, we’re screwed?”

Ring Finger, surrounded alone, struggled and threw daggers in all directions, but I, Zion, and Campbell blocked them in succession.

In the end, she became dizzy and allowed Amelia to land a direct hit.

Thwack!!

As Amelia had promised, she accurately planted an arrow between her eyebrows.

With Ring Finger as the last, all the Fingers fell, and the only ones left were Earl Hilton, who was fighting Earl Hornet, and the unidentified black-clad man who had been standing with his hands behind his back throughout the fight.

Hornet and Hilton watched the situation unfold, and when things were roughly settled, they stopped crossing swords and confronted each other at a distance.

“It’s all over. Earl Hilton.”

I stepped forward and announced the result.

Earl Hilton, who couldn’t even imagine that all five Fingers would be defeated, bit his lip tightly.

“Useless bastards who can’t even do their part after eating expensive food and money all this time.”

Earl Hilton was very frustrated and rebuked the black-clad man behind him.

“Urka! Do something. Why have you been standing still since earlier?”

I was also curious about that guy called Urka.

The guy who had been watching the situation as if it were someone else’s business throughout the fight.

“Hehehe, who are you getting angry at after miscalculating and losing?”

“You’ll die if I die. Get a grip!”

“Well, I don’t think this is my grave. Hehehe.”

I felt a strange sense of composure.

The black-clad man showed his palms towards us, making it clear that he had no intention of getting involved in this situation.

“I’ll stay still.”

Earl Hilton, who had been abandoned, shouted at the top of his lungs.

“I shouldn’t have trusted those imperial bastards.”

Was he from the Empire?

Not only did he bring in the Elves, but he also used the Holy Kingdom to slander me, and in the end, he even joined hands with the Empire.

Rebecca’s eyes were filled with contempt as she looked at Hilton.

“The worst of the worst. Accept your death willingly.”

Everyone rushed at David.

Zion, Campbell, Hornet, Aiden, Rakan, and even Amelia.

A fair one-on-one?

It was an undeserved luxury for Hilton.

David, who was ganged up on, couldn’t even withstand a few exchanges and was beheaded.

It was the futile downfall of the Hilton family.

In the meantime, I was facing Urka, monitoring him in case he was pulling any other tricks.

The guy really didn’t lift a finger until David died.

In the end, everyone died, and only Urka was left.

We surrounded the black-clad man in a circle.

“Urka, was it?”

“That’s right. Hehehe.”

“I’ll ask you just one thing.”

“You can ask me two things.”

“Do you think we’ll let you live?”

It was a fundamental question.

Whether he came from the Empire or not, he was an accomplice of the rebellious group that had broken into the royal palace at an ungodly hour.

There was no way we would let him go.

“Hehehe, you’ll probably kill me.”

Even though he knew we would kill him, he didn’t participate in the battle and stood by while Earl Hilton died.

Did he have something to believe in?

“Hehe, but you see. You will try to kill me, but you are the ones who will die here today.”

Flap!!

Urka threw off the black hood that was covering his entire body and dropped the mask on the floor.

Then, everyone was surprised to see his true form.

“A Lich?”

That’s right.

Urka was just a skeleton with a robe draped over his emaciated body.

Black flames burned quietly in the place where his eyes should have been.

No one had expected that the person who came from the Empire would be a high-ranking monster and even a black magician.

“Hilton has gone too far. To join hands with a Lich.”

“Hehehe.”

Urka, making a strange laughter, gestured, and a black eerie energy peeked out from his fingertips.

The eerie energy, wriggling like a snake, slipped through the air and entered the bodies of the fallen Five Fingers and Earl Hilton.

Then, an amazing thing happened.

The warriors who had lost their breath rose up in a corpse state!

Even Earl Hilton, who had been beheaded, created a grotesque sight as his head, which had been rolling on the floor, reattached to his body.

“Was he a Necromancer? So that’s why he left Earl Hilton to die. Because you can use him comfortably once he becomes a corpse.”

“Hehehe, you have a brilliant mind.”

The Lich took a step forward and bowed politely.

“Henon Lloyd, son of Seven Star Gordon Lloyd. In fact, I am a Twilight Follower [A Twilight Follower is likely a member of a cult or organization dedicated to dark magic or forbidden practices.]. Glory to Baal [Baal is an ancient deity often associated with evil or chaos in various mythologies.].”

Everyone except me was surprised when Urka revealed his true identity.

On the other hand, I was calm, and Urka’s empty pupils flashed with light, impressed by my appearance.

“You’re not surprised.”

“Of course not. I would have been more surprised if a Lich of your level wasn’t a Twilight Follower at this time.”

“Hehehe.”

“Rather, I’m curious as to why you came here. Did you simply have business in the Elden Kingdom? Or was I the target?”

Urka answered my question.

“Originally, the goal was to dismantle the Elden Kingdom, but a good farmer harvests multiple crops with one scythe. If I take your head as well, my master ‘Arrogance’ will be pleased.”

Was he a subordinate of Arrogance?

Come to think of it, the aura he exuded was similar to the necromancer Raul, whom I met in the Marquisate Territory.

Perhaps Raul was also on Arrogance’s side.

“Is it okay to reveal your identity to us?”

“It doesn’t matter. Because there won’t be anyone alive here when the sun rises.”

The corpse-state Five Fingers and the headless Earl Hilton formed a formation to protect Urka.

Rakan, the experienced mercenary captain, stepped forward and opened his mouth.

“It’s surprising that you’re a Lich, but we still have the numerical advantage. And you’ve become weaker since you became undead. Accept defeat willingly.”

“Hehehe.”

Urka, who laughed lightly, gestured, and the Death Knights of Hilton rushed at us.

“Euhryaaaa!! I’ll destroy anything!”

Campbell rushed in spiritedly and severed the arm of Thumb, who had become an undead.

Thumb, whose one arm was cut off.

However, a black aura spread, and his arm reattached.

“Huh?”

The same was true on the other side.

Even if they were stabbed in the heart with a sword.

Even if their ankles were cut off.

Even if they were cut into two pieces from head to crotch, they stubbornly returned to their original bodies.

“Hehehe, do you finally know the scary thing about Death Knights? Your paltry Mana Swords can’t break my toys.”

He had reason to be confident.

If an attack doesn’t work at all, it’s our side that will become more disadvantaged as time passes.

Even the Death Knights seemed to remember their past lives, burning with resentment and becoming stronger.

[Henon… I’ll kill you…]

[Damn Lloyd family…]

[You too… die…]

The faces of my companions, who realized that the situation was unusual, hardened in real time.

Zion and Campbell hesitated.

The same was true for Rakan and Aiden.

Amelia also shot a few arrows at the Death Knights, but she shook her head, realizing that they had no effect.

Rebecca, who was watching this from behind, also turned pale.

The only one who was calm was me.

I drew the Cheonma Sword and pulled the dual mana from my dantian to its extreme.

The emerald light brightly illuminated the surroundings.

“Hehehe, an unyielding heart. I want to praise you for that much. But it won’t be of any use.”

“Will it really?”

While my companions were wielding their weapons at the Death Knights, I, who had been standing still, attempted an attack for the first time.

Earl Hilton, who had rolled his eyes, approached, but his head flew off with one swing of my sword.

At the same time, a system window appeared in front of me.

[Passive Skill Activated]

[The Power of Exorcism is applied.]

The spirit of nature repels demonic energy.

It was different from divine power, but its effect was similar.

David Hilton, who had been beheaded, collapsed with a thud.

“You have no learning ability. I’ve told you several times that such physical attacks don’t work…”

Urka couldn’t finish his words.

The Death Knight, who had been infinitely repairing his body even after being stabbed and cut several times.

Became silent forever with one swing of my sword.