Chapter 110

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter: 110

Chapter Title: Challenging the Crown Prince

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Aaron's reason for challenging Arpad to a duel was simple.

'I want to experience firsthand the strength of a royal who's been a Sword Master since birth!'

Moreover, lately he'd started sensing a wall blocking his path, which made the urge even stronger.

Aaron had been renowned across the continent as a genius since he was around five years old.

He'd defeated his first master at the age of ten.

As the sole heir to the Muzeen Ducal House and a genius among geniuses, his life had been utterly flawless.

Naturally, this was the first time he'd ever encountered a wall he couldn't figure out how to overcome.

He'd begun feeling his swordsmanship growth stagnate starting last year.

'If I can just break through this wall, I feel like I could reach the Sword Master realm...'

But having never faced such a barrier before, Aaron had no idea how to conquer it.

There was no other genius on his level who could offer advice from the same perspective.

'Everyone says it's only natural I'll become a Sword Master, but is it really possible?'

For the first time in his life, Aaron felt impatience and anxiety, along with a longing several times more intense.

His mother had suggested coming to the capital to find him a bride, but that wasn't why he'd agreed.

'Maybe stepping into bigger waters will make a difference.'

At his first tournament at fourteen, he'd felt himself growing with every match.

He'd come to the capital hoping to recapture that sensation.

And among what he'd hoped for was this very 'situation' right now.

A duel with royalty.

Royals who inherited dragon blood possessed physical traits utterly different from ordinary humans.

They were born with an innate sensitivity to and control over mana that normal humans could barely achieve through extreme training.

That was why royals never participated in tournaments or competitions meant for commoners.

Aaron had never had the chance to cross swords with Arpad or Ludwig.

The only time he'd faced Arpad was at the tournament awards ceremony.

Even then, Aaron had thought to himself that he could die and resurrect a thousand times and still never beat this man.

That was why.

Why he'd boldly—almost rudely—challenged the Crown Prince to a duel.

'If I clash swords with the Crown Prince once, maybe I'll figure out how to leap over this wall.'

On top of that burned the pure fighting spirit of a true warrior.

And the strength of Arpad, experienced up close with blades locked...

Was beyond imagination.

'It's like fighting a dragon in human form!'

Powers and speeds impossible for a human body erupted before his eyes.

Aaron dove into the battle, swept up in pure awe and exhilaration.

As he barely parried Arpad's blade, he cried out in a voice laced with reverence.

"I thought the rumors were exaggerated... hah! They're not! No, they're actually understated!"

"What an absurd guy."

It was a fairly loud voice, but they were alone in a vast space, locked in combat.

Besides, their true swords had clashed dozens of times, the grating screech of steel on steel ringing out deafeningly.

Their words were for each other's ears alone.

Much like this duel itself.

Meanwhile, Arpad was a bit surprised too. Not because Aaron's talent or skill exceeded his expectations.

It was the pure passion and awe shining in his eyes, untainted by intimidation or inferiority even after witnessing Arpad's power.

Even Ludwig, who shared the same dragon bloodline, couldn't hide his sense of defeat and inferiority around Arpad.

'This is a first.'

For the first time, Arpad asked a genuine question.

"Don't you think it's unfair?"

"Pardon?"

"My very existence."

Ordinary knights had viewed Arpad as something not quite human since early childhood.

His strength, speed, and dynamic vision had been on another level from birth.

Arpad was long tired of the glares that went beyond envy and jealousy to deem his existence itself a cheat.

But this guy was different.

All he showed was pure admiration and the thrill of battle.

Aaron admitted it readily.

"Honestly, I'd be lying if I said I wasn't jealous."

"Is that why you picked a fight with me? By challenging me to a duel?"

He wasn't approaching Hilia because of that, was he?

Arpad jumped to an absurd conclusion that would leave Aaron protesting his innocence if he knew.

Ever since becoming aware of his feelings, Arpad had realized all his thoughts ended in 'rise-fall-turn-Hilia'.

But so what?

Arpad freely admitted he was a fool losing his mind over his first love.

Aaron's eyes went wide.

"Me? No way!"

He barely deflected the pommel Arpad had swung at his opening with his guard.

Clang!

That single blow shattered his guard.

A mere graze probably would've torn flesh and snapped bone.

Aaron's eyes, widened in shock, began to gleam with delight and excitement.

"More than that... I wanted to clash against it directly! Against a wall I could never overcome!"

A smile filled purely with competitive spirit bloomed on Arpad's lips.

For some reason, it didn't feel half bad.

He was used to being treated like a monster, but it didn't mean it never grated.

This kind of reaction was refreshingly novel.

That was why he'd treated him almost kindly.

'Hilia went to such lengths to draw in the Muzeen Ducal House, so it wouldn't hurt for me to help a little.'

Red mana rose from Arpad's entire body.

Aura promptly enveloped his sword.

"!"

Aaron charged straight ahead without dodging or deflecting.

Toward the Sword Master he'd just met for the first time.

Kaang—!

Aaron's sword sheared cleanly in two.

Arpad's blade tip promptly pressed against his chest.

There wasn't a scratch.

Sweat-drenched, Aaron instead declared in a tone brimming with relief and joy.

"I lose. Whew, as expected, you're incredible."

Arpad had no interest in Aaron's clean concession.

Throughout the duel, his attention had been fixed on Hilia.

Arpad had calculated meticulously: the angle at which Hilia was watching, and how he would look from there.

Standing in the pose he predicted would make him appear at his most handsome, sharp, and beautiful, he lightly swung his sword before sheathing it.

In that instant, tension rippled through his upper body's muscles, and a ripping sound came from the already straining front of his shirt.

Riiip!

Two buttons popped off in succession and flew away.

Pop! Pop-pop!

"......"

The noblewomen, about to congratulate the Crown Prince on his victory, found their mouths glued shut as if with paste.

Their eyes involuntarily rolled toward Arpad's suddenly exposed chest.

He swore it wasn't intentional.

It was pure instinct, just like when one of Aaron's buttons had flown off earlier.

That was when it happened.

Hilia shot to her feet in flustered panic.

"Y-Your Highness!"

"Hm? What is it?"

Arpad beamed radiantly at his wife as she came dashing toward him in a fluster.

It was a smile so brilliant it created the illusion of sunlight shining solely on his head.

The watching noblewomen couldn't help lowering their flushed faces.

And though they didn't realize it yet, when they returned home that day...

The ladies would rub their eyes upon seeing their husbands and sons.

After gazing upon two handsome, perfectly built men—especially Arpad's artistically sculpted beauty—the men at home would all look like squid in comparison.

No one knew that yet.

Thud-thud!

By the time Hilia came to her senses, she was already rushing forward.

'What? Why am I doing this?'

But suddenly backing away now would look even stranger.

Besides, wasn't Arpad's current state utterly indecent!

'With all these other women around!'

After going on about other men and proper wives herself!

The moment Hilia reached Arpad's side, she whipped off the light pink lace shawl draped around her shoulders.

"Here, put this on! Quick!"

"Hm?"

Arpad seemed utterly oblivious to how embarrassing he looked right now.

She huffed in frustration before finally extending both hands clutching the shawl.

Arpad was so tall she had to stand on tiptoe, but she managed to drape it over his neck and shoulders.

She didn't forget to gather the ends at his chest and tie them neatly into a ribbon.

'Phew. Now it's finally not embarrassing.'

As Hilia finally exhaled in relief, she noticed something odd.

Arpad was smiling with excessive satisfaction, his eyes crinkled into thin slits.

The meaning behind that subtle eye-smile was all too clear.

'No way... He wanted this and did it on purpose?!'