Chapter 298

Chapter 298

* * * * *

Lodging in the Duchy of Veran

Jumbled

Baron Saffron of the Duchy of Veran, who had advanced to the round of 16, was currently walking to his room to rest.

“How far can we go?

Baron Saffron thought as he walked to his room. He wondered how far he could go.

“We’ll be fine until the quarterfinals, right?

Dae Jinyoon was good, but he didn’t make it to the round of 16 because of Dae Jinyoon. Baron Saffron was so good that he deserved to be in the round of 16.

That was the moment.

“Baron Saffron.”

As Saffron walked along, contemplating how far she could go, she heard a voice calling out to her and turned around.

“Yes, Count Murr.”

Turning around, Baron Saffron recognized the voice as Count Murr and bowed slightly in greeting.

“Congratulations on making it to the round of 16.”

Count Mur turned to Baron Saffron and opened his mouth to smile, but only for a moment before he wiped the smile off his face and continued, quite seriously.

“I hear your round of 16 opponent is…”

“Oh.”

Baron Saffron remembered who Count Mur was talking about. He must be referring to the nobleman who had prevented Count Mur from advancing to the Round of 16.

“I’m going to win.”

Baron Saffron replied with a determined look on his face. However, Baron Saffron could not help but be puzzled by Count Mur’s subsequent response.

“No, that’s not it.”

Count Mur shook his head.

“I don’t know about you, I haven’t dealt with him myself… but I’ve dealt with him and I can tell you this. Watch his hands.”

“…I see.”

“What are you talking about?

Baron Saffron nodded in understanding at Count Mur’s words, but he didn’t understand them.

“Is he saying this because he lost? He’s not the kind of person to do this.

I wondered if he was saying this because he was losing, but he didn’t seem like the kind of person who would do that, which made it all the more puzzling.

* * * * *

Two huge men were having a conversation.

“Congratulations.”

“Thank you. Prince.”

The two men in conversation were Devan, a prince of the Multhan Kingdom, and Count Yakuran, the only other Multhan Kingdom finalist.

“I’ll take care of what I promised as soon as I get back to the kingdom.”

Hearing Count Yakuran’s thanks, Devan continued. A promise? What promise is he talking about?

“Thank you.”

Count Yakuran smiled broadly at Devan’s words and thanked him again. Then he opened his mouth to speak, looking quite serious as if he had an idea.

“Ah, Prince. I have one question.”

“…?”

At Count Yakuran’s words, Devan looked at him as if to ask him to speak.

“Well…”

Count Yakuran spoke up.

“I thought you were going to make it to the round of 16… what happened to you?”

Devan would also make it to the round of 16, Count Yakuran thought, and he believed it, but the reality was different.

Devan, who thought he would make it to the round of 16, lost his first duel. He was defeated by an unknown nobleman.

‘How did you lose…’

If he had seen the duel, he would not have asked this question, but alas, Count Yakuran had not seen the duel. Count Yakuran looked at Devan curiously.

“Oh.”

Devan let out a short gasp at Count Yakuran’s question.

“Haha.”

And then he smirked.

“…?”

At Devan’s response, Count Yakuran still looked at him curiously, waiting for Devan to continue.

“It’s unbelievable what happened.”

Devan opened his mouth, remembering his first duel.

“I can’t believe it now, haha.”

Devan shook his head, still smiling as he remembered their first duel.

“What the heck happened to…

Count Yakuran was curious indeed. What had happened to Devan to cause him to react this way?

“If I had to guess…”

“…”

“You’ll meet him in the quarterfinals. And-“

Devan paused, seeming to think for a moment before continuing.

“You’re going to drink the kool-aid of defeat.”

“…”

Count Yakuran looked puzzled, and Devan’s next words left him speechless for a moment. But even then, Count Yakuran shook his head, pointed to himself with a questioning expression, and opened his mouth to speak.

“You mean me?”

Devan nodded wordlessly at Count Yakuran’s words. Count Yakuran studied Devan’s expression, wondering if he was joking, but he could find no sign of it.

“Are you kidding?

I was even more baffled when I realized it wasn’t a joke.

“Me?

I couldn’t believe it.

‘The Mightiest Sword in the Kingdom of Multhan…? Me?

Count Yakuran looked at Devan with bewilderment in his eyes.

“I don’t know him well, but…”

As if waiting for that, Devan began to speak.

“One thing to watch out for is…”

“…”

“Don’t get caught by him.”

* * * * *

“So we’re down to the final four today?”

Delay asked.

“Yes.”

Ming Hu nodded at Delay’s question.

“Wow, I started yesterday and I’m already in the top 4. That’s pretty fast.”

It was a dueling competition that started yesterday. Although it hadn’t been finalized yet, Delay seemed surprised that the four finalists would be decided today, a day after the dueling competition began. At such a delay, Myung-hoo said with a smile.

“I think it’s because of the small number of people.”

There were definitely fewer people participating in the duels. This was probably due to the fact that the only people who could participate in the duel were party members. If those who were not invited to the party were allowed to participate, it would have taken a very long time to reach the quarterfinals.

-Golden: Minghuya.

“Just a moment, Delay.”

As Myung-hoo heads to the party to talk to Ji-yeon, he is interrupted by Min-hyung’s sudden whisper, which causes him to stop and whisper back to Min-hyung.

-Gold to Jung-Seok Chung: Why?

-Goldenstein: When are you coming?

“…?

Ming Hu couldn’t help but wonder at Min Hyung’s continued whispering.

-Gold to Jungseok: It’s going to take a while.

I could go back right now, but I haven’t finished the duel yet, and I haven’t updated the map.

“What happened?

Minhyung knew what Myung-hoo was here for and what he was supposed to do, which is why he was bothered by Minhyung’s whispered question about when he would return.

-Gold to Jung-Seok: What’s wrong?

Ming Hu asked Min Hyung, just in case.

-Goldsmith: No, good luck with that.

“What is it?

At Minhyung’s whisper of no, Minghu cocked his head. Something was off. It didn’t feel right.

“I think something’s wrong…

He said no, but it seemed like something was wrong.

“What’s wrong?”

That’s when Delay asked.

“No, I’m just feeling a little weird.”

In response to Delay’s question, Ming Hu smiled.

“It’s not a big deal, right?

Something had happened, but from the way he was talking, it didn’t seem to be a big deal. Ming Hu dismissed the thought and went back to talking to Jie Li.

“Have a great time.”

Soon enough, the party arrives at the castle, where a dueling arena is being held, and Ming Hu and Delay are greeted by a knight and led inside.

“My lord!”

As soon as I walked in, Revill approached me.

“…who is it?

Ming Hu looked at Revil with a puzzled expression. Or, more accurately, he didn’t look at Revil, but at the man who was coming with him. He had never seen him before.

“This way…”

Reveille arrived before Ming and introduced himself and his companion.

“This is Vagel, Prince of the Kingdom of Lemun.”

“Oh…”

Realizing who had come with Revil’s introduction, Ming Hu let out a short gasp and turned to look at Vagel.

“Greetings. I am Bagel, Prince of the Kingdom of Lemun.”

When Ming Hu saw him, Vagel introduced himself, extending his hand to shake Ming Hu’s.

“His Highness the Count of the Helioca Empire.”

Ming Hu shook his hand and introduced himself. After shaking hands, Vagel turned to look at Jie Li.

“…How beautiful you are.”

And then he smiled broadly. But Ming Hu never smiled at Bagel’s words.

“What the hell, asshole?

He would, too. Ming Hu saw the look in Vagel’s eyes, and it was never pure.