The road connecting the Empire with Alprosen had two main routes.
One was to embark from the border march of House Altrierc and cross Lake Baikan, and the other, to take a ship from the far western domains of the Empire and sail across the sea.
The land route was practically discarded, as between the two lay the gigantic Taklakan Desert, one of the five most dangerous on the continent.
It wasn’t that crossing it was impossible, but it was infested with hostile nomadic tribes and monsters, so no one recommended it.
Fernan chose one of those two routes—to take the ship at Altrierc and head toward Alprosen.
He wanted to pass through Altrierc as discreetly as possible, but luck wasn’t on his side.
“How inconsiderate. Passing through Altrierc and not coming to greet me?”
While waiting for the ship, he ran into Katrina Altrierc.
The instinct of a Royal Knight didn’t take long to recognize the familiar energy of Fernan and caught him by the nape.
“I thought it would be a bother…”
“Don’t say such things between us. How’s Alcmion?”
“Doing well overall. He’s even made several friends…”
“And he’s not running wild like an enraged boar?”
“I can’t say he doesn’t show signs of it, but I’m keeping it under control.”
“I’m glad to hear it.”
Thus, they ended up detained in the city for a while thanks to Katrina.
She served tea.
“Try this, it’s Hersse leaves from the Kingdom of Heinburg.”
“Every time I come, I end up drinking tea you personally serve.”
“And you always will.”
She extended both hands.
“What do you think?”
“Not a single callus.”
Although not all the scars could be erased, her hands were much softer than before.
“The new product you gave me is very effective. I liked it so much that I bought more to recommend it to other ladies.”
“Thank you very much.”
Free advertisement from a Royal Knight. Although that had been precisely the goal in giving it first to Katrina, he appreciated that she actually followed through.
“She’s Luina Bercheff, and this one here is someone I haven’t seen before.”
Upon hearing her, Gismond flinched and replied stiffly.
“I-It’s an honor to meet you. My name is Gismond Ert, I’m a fourth-year at the Academy. It’s an honor to see a Royal Knight.”
Her gaze scanned Gismond from head to toe.
“Not a bad achievement.”
“T-Thank you.”
“And where were you going?”
“To Alprosen.”
“Alprosen? I’ve heard rumors that the situation there is turbulent. Is it related to that?”
Fernan nodded.
“Yes.”
“They say it’s rainfall not seen in centuries. What a disaster.”
She calmly rested her chin on her hand.
“That the son of a merchant runs toward a flooded zone isn’t strange, but the two young people with you—that’s curious.”
She refilled the empty cup with her white hands, and her blue pupils locked onto Fernan.
“Is it so hard to explain?”
A strange tension filled the air.
“Not really.”
“And yet you tried to leave in secret.”
It was because of the corrupt. If word got out that Fernan was headed there, nothing good would come of it.
“It’s just…”
“It’s fine. I’m sure you have your reasons.”
She smiled.
“But I can’t let you leave like that.”
“What…?”
“Luina, last time our trainees were quite in your debt.”
“Ah, that was…”
She referred to when monsters and corrupt spilled out of the Taklakan Desert, and Luina had defeated the Altrierc trainees on behalf of the Armian Academy.
“The complaints of the boys who lost to you echoed throughout Altrierc. As the responsible party, I can’t ignore that.”
“That…”
“How about you fight me this time?”
Katrina’s words made Luina swallow hard.
Her imposing aura bore down on her.
“…Would that be appropriate?”
Even so, she opened her mouth and replied. That made Katrina’s eyes shine with a special glint.
“Albinos raised his daughter well.”
The weight that had dominated the room vanished instantly.
“I was joking.”
She offered Luina a cookie.
“You’re delightful. I’d love to have a daughter.”
“She’s not just delightful, she’s also an excellent knight.”
Fernan, who had already noticed Katrina was playing around, spoke up.
“I know. But the part about accompanying me wasn’t a joke. It’s been a long time since I felt competitive with someone who’s not a Royal Knight. What do you say, do you accept?”
Luina’s eyes widened.
“…You feel rivalry with me?”
A Royal Knight feeling rivalry with her.
Her father always told her she was exceptional, but Luina thought there was a lot of paternal affection in those words.
That’s why hearing it from Katrina Altrierc made her chest stir deeply.
“I don’t lie without reason.”
Luina looked at Fernan. He, understanding, shrugged.
“We’ve got some time today. Do what you want.”
“…May I challenge you to a duel, Lady Katrina?”
Thus, without hesitation, Luina bit the bait.
“This’ll be fun.”
Katrina smiled with radiant joy.
***
For those who dreamed of becoming Royal Knights, they were objects of admiration.
But every knight had their own style to follow and their own role model to respect.
For Luina, the supreme Royal Knight had always been her father.
How he fought, how he protected his people, how he stood tall even in the face of danger.
She had grown up always watching his back.
And right after him was Katrina Altrierc.
At first, it was mere curiosity. Bercheff and Altrierc had certain things in common, there was a certain rivalry, and besides, she was a Royal Knight.
It began with observing her swordsmanship, her way of fighting, and little by little, it turned into admiration.
Her devastating power as she crossed the desert and crushed monsters and enemies was different from Bercheff’s swordsmanship, but it had its own beauty.
“So you admire the Countess?”
“Yes. I didn’t want to miss this opportunity. I never imagined I’d receive direct sword instruction…”
“Well, if that makes you happy, then it’s fine.”
Seeing Luina so thrilled—something that happened only a few times a year—left Fernan satisfied.
Saying they had a day off wasn’t a lie; and if that gave Luina the chance to test herself against Katrina, it was more than worth it.
‘Who knows, maybe she’ll have a breakthrough in this duel.’
It might be ambitious to expect a single fight to bring a new awakening, but one couldn’t forget that her opponent was a Royal Knight.
Her father, Albinos, was also a Royal Knight, and she’d had countless duels with him. But just as not all men are the same, neither are Royal Knights.
Each had their own character, physique, swordsmanship, fighting style, their own revelations.
Fernan settled into what seemed like a front-row seat.
On the sand of the dueling ground, Luina and Countess Katrina Altrierc stood facing each other, eyes locked.
“Surely Countess Katrina will win, right?”
Gismond asked as he poured sugar, milk, and ice into his black coffee.
“Of course. The outcome is obvious.”
No matter how much Luina had improved, she still wasn’t at the level of a Royal Knight.
And Katrina wasn’t just a Royal Knight, but one of the strongest among them.
“But that’s not what matters.”
What mattered was what Luina could take away from this fight.
Even if it was just a tiny clue to continue improving, it would already be a huge gain.
“Hyde, when does the ship leave?”
“In three hours.”
“Did you already book it?”
“Yes.”
“Cancel it and get tickets for tomorrow morning. They’ll need rest after the duel.”
“Understood.”
Hyde left.
Meanwhile—
“Then, I’ll begin.”
Luina stilled the pounding of her heart.
The woman in front of her was her idol, but now she was nothing more than an opponent in a duel.
Fight, and win.
And if she couldn’t win, fight anyway to try.
With that determination, she took her stance.
With that determination, she raised her sword.
She lowered her center of gravity, regulated her breathing.
She let the right amount of tension spread through her body and focused her entire mind.
The whole world faded; only she and Katrina remained in existence.
“Nice look in your eyes.”
Katrina’s lips curved.
“I’ve been craving someone like you. It’s been a while since anyone challenged me like this. Not even my knights, nor my own children or husband.”
She raised her massive sword with one hand, as tall as her body.
“Come.”
That one word was enough.
Luina’s body lunged forward, closing the distance in an instant.
Her sword aimed directly at Katrina’s neck.
But before it reached, a shadow enveloped her.
─!
In the clash of swords, Luina twisted her wrist and deflected the strike. Still, the force was such that it nearly knocked the wind out of her.
Her stance didn’t break. She slid to the side, seeking a blind spot.
A clear opening.
But just as the tip was about to reach its target, the massive sword interposed like a shield and knocked her blade aside.
─!
“…Haa!”
The impact was so brutal she almost dropped her weapon.
She gritted her teeth against the pain tearing her palm and steadied her breathing.
Her opponent was a Royal Knight; she had expected this.
Her sword was cloaked in aura, which she released in a direct slash.
The shockwave split the air.
─!
The aura burst into blue sparks as it shattered, but it forced Katrina to move.
In that brief opening, Luina was already in front of her.
“…!”
She had to change direction immediately as the greatsword came crashing down. The blade grazed her shoulder and tore strands of hair.
One more step, and a fist met her.
It was too late to dodge, so she raised her arm to protect her face.
Boom!
With a sound like an explosion, Luina was sent flying ten steps back.
“Haah, haah…!”
Panting, she regained her stance.
Katrina didn’t move, letting her catch her breath.
“Try again.”
Luina gripped her hilt tightly.
Her opponent, despite her relaxed demeanor, was like a wall of iron.
Wherever she attacked, a heavier counter came back.
What to do?
She looked at her left arm, numb and bruised from blocking that punch. Without the aura’s protection, the bone would have broken.
Still, more than fear, what she felt was a burning desire to surpass herself.
She was enjoying this. This fight, unlike the ones with her father, awakened an even stronger competitive instinct.
‘A little stronger.’
She gathered aura through her whole body. Her bones and muscles were reinforced, and her sword grew sharper.
The blade shone with a cutting aura.
“I can’t take that lightly.”
Katrina’s sword was enveloped in a golden aura.
Luina pounded the ground and charged. Katrina responded a mere instant later.
───!
Blue and gold intertwined.
The clashes exploded in shockwaves, one after another.
Shards of broken aura scattered. The dueling ground cracked, and the wind howled between them.
In the blink of an eye, they had exchanged dozens of blows.
It wasn’t an even exchange. Luina could barely hold on, and that was the best she could do at the moment.
But it wasn’t useless. In that fierce battle, she realized something.
She was at a disadvantage in strength and speed.
But in flexibility—that was where she had the edge.
Not because Katrina lacked technique, but because her own sword style allowed her to better feel the flow of combat.
“Bercheff’s techniques aren’t just brute strength. Feel the flow.”
She remembered her father’s words.
Amid the golden waves of aura, she focused on finding that current. And finally, she found it.
“If you feel it, find the opening between the flows.”
She drove the sword into that gap. Gently, with absolute naturalness.
────!
A tremendous recoil hit her, far greater than any before.
Her body was hurled through the air.
‘I think I broke a rib.’
The stabbing pain confirmed it.
Even so, Luina’s eyes gleamed with joy.
She had felt the contact at the tip of her sword.
“…Amazing.”
Katrina’s voice rang with genuine admiration.
“How long has it been since someone managed to wound me?”
There was a gash visible on her shoulder.
And the wounded beast smiled, amused.
____
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