Survival 27

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Clang! Clank!

The sound of steel clashing echoed throughout the training ground.

“Pretty good. Now my sword can at least somewhat withstand yours!”

Is it the thrill of battle?

Luciana always smiles broadly like that when she is sparring.

Usually, she’s mostly expressionless, and it’s a treat for the eyes when she generously shares her occasional smiles.

“I really hate direct confrontations! Stop admiring and just back off, please!”

The problem was that I was her sparring partner.

-Shiver.

My hand, holding the dagger that had just met her rapier, trembled.

It wasn’t this heavy before, but now, with my original skills combined with the boost from the artifact, it was overwhelming.

“Where do you think you’re running off to?”

“Call it a strategic retreat!”

But having crossed swords with her, I was certain of it.

The difference in the reach of our weapons, my lack of strength and basic abilities, and honestly confronting her head-on was a sure path to defeat.

Then, I should play to my strengths.

“Hmm. You say that, but you’re the one coming at me first.”

She responded with a swift thrust as I charged at her.

However, there was no sound of weapons clashing like before. Her rapier merely cut through empty air, creating a gust around it.

“Your movements are always admirable.”

At the center of it all, I dodged Luciana’s sword strike by a hair’s breadth, almost like performing in a circus.

‘I really owe a lot to this relic.’

Normally, I would have a headache from mana shortage after a short while.

But this dagger I’m holding, the Raven’s Claw, made such feats possible.

Now to get closer to Luciana and first neutralize that armor…!

“Clang!”

However, my grand plan was futilely thwarted.

“Cough…!”

“Where do you think you’re going? Trying to touch a lady’s armor again. Do you think you can keep getting away with that?”

I was completely caught off guard.

Originally, the rapier, with its thin blade, is agile in movement, but due to its small surface area, it is disadvantaged in blocking attacks.

I thought she couldn’t possibly respond to such a close-range attack.

“I’m most skilled with a rapier, but as a Northerner, it’s basic knowledge to handle a broadsword.”

Suddenly, the rapier in Luciana’s hand had transformed into a broadsword.

Its wide blade, large enough to cover half of her body, was sufficient to deflect my golden staff while providing protection.

But it was still too early to give up.

I still had the Raven’s Claw in my left hand.

-Clang!

“I surrender, I’ve lost.”

As I raised both hands above my head, Luciana frowned, seemingly displeased.

“Declaring defeat so soon? Show a bit more grit.”

She seemed quite disappointed.

But to switch back to a rapier in that moment and knock away my dagger, that’s just unfair.

For someone like me who prefers mobility and surprise attacks, our compatibility couldn’t be worse.

How could I, who rely entirely on the power of artifacts like Tut and the Raven’s Claw, possibly defeat you without them?

“Why fuss over a small fight? Just focus on winning the big ones.”

“Annoying, aren’t you?”

When I subtly mentioned my victory over her in the martial arts tournament, Luciana, with a bitter smile, sheathed her sword.

“Still, you make full use of the sword’s abilities. I was completely overpowered.”

Her versatile swordsmanship, switching between the broadsword and rapier, was like an insurmountable wall.

Though I might adapt if the sparring continued, at the moment, it was tough to even avoid her attacks.

“Hmm. That’s a shame. There are still things I haven’t shown yet.”

“It seems you have other abilities as well.”

Indeed. How could it be called a legendary weapon if that was all it did?

“May I ask what kind of abilities those are?”

“Hehe. If you’re curious, why don’t you find out for yourself?”

The provocative tone of her speech was clear in its meaning.

If I cornered her in sparring, she would naturally reveal it.

“I’ll try my best.”

“It’s not something that ends with just trying. Didn’t I tell you to show some grit? I mean, show me the result.”

Zap.

I must still be lacking a lot.

Her dissatisfied glare pierced through me.

-Clap, clap.

Suddenly, there was the sound of clapping from one side of the training ground.

Turning my head, I saw a familiar face.

“Both of you are amazing.”

Luciana’s childhood friend and an ally who stood by her side until her downfall in the original story.

Elizabeth Frontal, with her pink, short hair brushed behind her ear, was watching our sparring.

“Liza? When did you get here?”

“I’ve been here for a while. Probably since you two first crossed swords.”

“I’ve been negligent in my hospitality.”

Luciana gestured to me with her eyes.

Naturally, as a servant, it was my role to make arrangements when a distinguished guest arrived.

“I’ll bring some refreshments right away.”

“It might be better to ask someone else for the tea.”

What are you saying?

Practice is how skills improve. Who is perfect from the start?

I insist on making the tea.

***

“The tea tastes wonderful.”

“Is that so?”

Luciana tried to maintain a composed expression.

However, she couldn’t control the trembling of her hand, or the teacup shaking in it.

She knew that her friend’s compliment of ‘delicious’ was due to the quality of the tea leaves themselves.

It had to be. After all, they were high-quality products cultivated under the strict supervision of the Eastern Ducal family.

Probably just a polite compliment, considering the tea was passable.

But Luciana, being knowledgeable about tea, could assert that this tea was a disaster.

No, such simple words were insufficient.

It was like burying a shining diamond in mud – a travesty.

‘Doesn’t the aftertaste taste astringent?’

This tea, renowned for its heavenly taste, was supposed to be smooth. But it failed to showcase any of its strengths.

‘Probably Hans messed it up.’

At least the quality of the tea leaves mitigated his lack of skill. Had he used ordinary leaves, there would have been a real problem.

Elizabeth, knowing the true value of these tea leaves, would be shocked and dismayed.

“What brings you here, anyway?”

“Why? I came as soon as I heard you were under house arrest. Though, seeing that I can meet you without any issues, it seems like it’s already been lifted.”

At her friend’s response, Luciana’s gaze briefly dropped.

The heavy presence felt at her waist.

She was suddenly reminded of the significant symbolism of the sword revealed to the world due to her own desires.

Enough to overturn a decision already made by the lord’s council.

“It was nothing serious. Just a minor issue related to Vault.”

“Vault? Is it related to Hans Byron?”

Like most girls of her age, Elizabeth was also very curious.

It was just an innocent question on her part, but unexpectedly hitting the nail on the head, Luciana closed her mouth.

“Oh my? Lucy, you got put under house arrest? Could it be because of a romantic involvement with a servant?”

“Stop it with the poor jokes.”

Luciana’s face turned icy cold.

While it was true that she felt a certain fondness for him after the series of events, it was undoubtedly within the confines of a master appreciating a loyal servant.

Moreover, she already had a fiancé arranged by her family.

“Of course, it was just a joke. I didn’t realize it would upset you that much.”

Had her displeasure been that obvious on her face?

Elizabeth, flustered, started waving her hands in a disconcerted manner.

“Be mindful of your words, Liza. A noble must remember that each word carries weight.”

“I understand. I mean, considering your fiancé, it wouldn’t make sense. Sorry for making you uncomfortable.”

Elizabeth bowed her head in apology.

“No need to apologize. Just be more careful in the future.”

“It’s a relief then. I won’t have to compete with you for affection.”

What did she mean by that?

For a moment, Luciana was puzzled by her words.

“…Compete for affection? Surely not.”

She quickly dismissed the thought that had crossed her mind.

Hans’s family was merely of baronial status, quite a mismatch for a countess like Elizabeth, in common terms.

But then…

“That ‘surely not’ is actually true. My father suggested the idea of an engagement to the Byron Baronial family.”

The teacup in her hand trembled.

This was the second time.

The tea, which had been palatable, seemed to take on a bitter and harsh taste, perhaps due to her feelings.

“Pfft!”

Was she tasting the same flavor?

Or was it a belated regret for the shameless taste of the tea?

Her own servant, who had been listening nearby, also spat out the water he was drinking in shock.

“Ah, I’m sorry!”

“It’s okay. A minor flaw in a fiancé.”

“Is it really?”

As Hans tried to regain his composure in his confusion, Elizabeth, who had walked over, handed him a handkerchief.

Hans, unsure what to do under Elizabeth’s gesture, looked awkward.

Luciana, observing this, had to ignore the petty feelings rising within her.

“May I ask a question, if it’s not too much trouble?”

“…The person in question seems completely unaware. Ask away.”

Having returned to her seat, Elizabeth leisurely continued drinking her tea. Although Luciana, thanks to a lifetime of etiquette training, maintained a similar outward appearance, faint ripples disturbed the surface of the tea in her cup she had set down.

“Why would a lady of the Frontal family, a count’s lineage, be engaged to someone like me?”

“The easiest way for a family to welcome talent.”

“Talent? Me?”

Hans, in disbelief, repeatedly questioned, to which Elizabeth nodded.

“How can one not call a champion of the Northern martial arts tournament talented?”

Elizabeth finished her kind explanation with a slight smile.

***

-So you’re the lady of the Frontal family.

Elizabeth could still vividly recall the first time she met her.

The silver-haired girl who, despite being surrounded by much larger knights, didn’t just hold her presence but actually overshadowed everyone else.

“Pleased to meet you. Let’s get along, as we’re both part of the Emperor’s faction.”

Was it the merchant’s eye for spotting talent, inherited from her parents, that drew her to Luciana?

Or was it a Northerner’s longing for strength?

From the brilliant light emanating from Luciana, Elizabeth found herself unable to look away.

Probably, like her, everyone who participated in the friendly hunt at the social gathering that day had felt something similar.

Of course, not everyone took this in a positive light. After all, a brilliant light can sometimes blind the human eye.

Even now, Baltarion’s fool is still steeped in jealousy, unable to move on from chasing after her.

But.

‘Such a fool. I’m different.’

What good does it do to glare at the sun in jealousy, other than squinting your eyes?

Elizabeth dreamed.

She might not stand alongside her as an equal, but she could become her unparalleled existence.

A fellow noble of the same high-ranking class.

Being of the same age and gender definitely provided an advantage in getting closer to her.

“Liza.”

“Yes, Lucy!”

Through countless efforts, Elizabeth eventually reached the status of Luciana’s closest friend, affectionately calling each other by nicknames.

As a child, she used to jump on her bed in happiness, feeling a step closer to her idolized figure.

Some might call it infatuation.

But as time passed, this infatuation didn’t fade; it only grew stronger.

That’s why, on the day of the biggest event in the North, the martial arts tournament, Elizabeth was excited to witness Luciana’s shining moment on the biggest stage, up close.

She did her best in the preliminaries, but a mere mortal couldn’t defeat Luciana, akin to the sun.

Her admiration flowed naturally in the face of Luciana’s overwhelming swordsmanship that even cut through diligently trained magic.

‘If only she had won the championship, it would have been perfect.’

Regrettably, she couldn’t see her idol stand proudly on the podium.

Because Luciana was defeated by an unknown outsider.

From a modest baronial family in the West, a man whose name she hadn’t even heard before.

‘Luciana lost to such a man.’

Anxiety gripped Elizabeth.

Her personality, relationships, even her minor habits.

Elizabeth prided herself on knowing Luciana better than anyone else in the world, as her closest friend.

“…I’ve lost.”

“Ho, impressive.”

“I liked it. Would you spar with me again sometime?”

Even on that day.

Luciana smiled in the middle of the arena.

Not just Elizabeth, but everyone witnessed it.

Throughout the journey home after the bleak award ceremony.

Elizabeth couldn’t get the image out of her head – her idol warmly extending her hand to that man. She arrived at her mansion and immediately shut herself in her room.

Gnash.

The taste of blood filled her mouth.

It was impossible that Luciana, whose primary interest was martial prowess, wouldn’t be intrigued by him.

Moreover, she heard that the man was already Luciana’s personal servant.

She might even lose her position as the closest to Luciana to him.

Elizabeth’s teeth left marks on her nails.

The feeling of intense anxiety had resurrected an old, bad habit from her childhood.

‘Isn’t there some cunning plan?’

There must be a way to drive that man away from his position as a servant and detach him from Luciana.

Elizabeth’s mind raced like never before. And soon.

‘Hans… Byron.’

A baronial family from the West, so impoverished they sent their son to the Ducal family in the North.

Elizabeth Frontal.

The darling of a family symbolized by a polar bear, a predator in the snow, had found an extreme yet incredibly efficient method.

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