“Is it really true?”
Elizabeth whispered to me as she came closer.
A sweet scent wafted from her pink hair as she leaned towards me.
“What are you talking about?”
“Don’t play dumb. Is it true that Luciana is aiming for the dukedom?”
“Well, I believe you would know better than I do.”
She had delved into Luciana’s character no less than I had.
There’s no way she hadn’t realized that my words were a lie created for the negotiations with the count.
“I knew it. It’s my fault for getting my hopes up, even if it was just for a moment. At least my tongue is still alive.”
“Still, ‘Luciana Speda, the Duchess’ does sound too good, doesn’t it?”
“I’ll admit that. Ah, it would have been nice if she remained a noblewoman of the north like me.”
A deep regret passed over her face.
“Indeed. Would it be appropriate to say they are the two flowers representing the north?”
“What are you saying! Hmm. But now that I think about it, it’s not too bad? Technically, I’m in the same position as Luciana! Of course, I’m far behind when it comes to that elegant and dignified gaze of hers.”
“And what about the hair that perfectly inherits the north’s snow?”
“Exactly! The two together are just… perfect.”
This pink-haired girl.
Stubborn and always ready to pick a fight, but when it comes to Luciana, she’s somehow on the same wavelength, which she would find endearing if she knew.
After a long praise of Luciana, we returned to the main topic.
She averted her gaze and muttered petulantly.
“Well, thanks to you, I’ve made up my mind. Now, I have to prove it. That I’m indeed fit for the countess’ position.”
“This will be the first step towards that. Plus, this event could strengthen your relationship with Lady Luciana.”
“Hehe.”
Whether her primary goal is the former or her desire for the latter is stronger is confusing, considering how her eyes sparkle every time Luciana’s name is mentioned.
With this, the alliance has become even stronger.
“But how do you plan to do it? The opponent is Bathory.”
“We must do something. We can’t just let our own kind die, can we?”
“I think it’s better to cut ties sooner.”
Her previously excited demeanor vanished in an instant, leaving behind nothing but a cold piece of advice.
Elizabeth was skilled in merchant calculations.
Even if the opponent was a mentor she had interacted with until recently, she was merciless.
“We only have two hundred soldiers on our side. The ducal family will have no less. Even if Bathory is strong, can she handle this number?”
It’s a logical speculation.
To capture a single demon, it would seem like an excessive use of force.
But this is something she could say because she doesn’t understand high-ranking demons well.
No matter how much she had seen and learned of Bathory’s power, it was the limit of Elizabeth, who was still a novice.
“I assure you, even if we win, we will suffer significant losses.”
“That severe?”
“Such is the nature of the leaders of the demons.”
The reality of this game is that against enemies of a certain level and above, significant damage cannot be inflicted.
Even if I had a hundred men, it would be the same as not being able to touch a single hair of the Duke of Speda.
“In essence, it will be a duel between Lady Luciana and Lady Bathory.”
The soldiers will only form a siege, not being of much help.
“Then why did my fiancé request military support from my family?”
Perhaps she set out boldly to assist Luciana, but now feels unsettled that it seems meaningless.
Her fist clenched the reins trembled.
-Liza… Yes, I must express my gratitude to her separately.
Before Elizabeth could protest further, I played a voice recording from the crystal ball.
A voice both she and I recognized.
At that, Elizabeth’s anger seemed to subside a bit, and her voice, which had cooled down, returned to its usual spirited form.
“Hmph. Don’t try to gloss over it. So, why involve our family?”
“Do you really not know? It’s also to fulfill a deal with you.”
How curious.
This fight is going to turn against Bathory anyway.
Even if she wins the duel with Luciana, she will struggle against the duke’s forces, especially the knights.
Merely joining a fight that is already in your favor could not only establish connections with the nobility but also increase one’s fame.
‘It’s surprising that Elizabeth, a merchant, would miss out on such an opportunity to just reap the benefits.’
Ah.
It’s because of Luciana.
I smirked, noticing her ears turning red.
This is what being a superfan is like.
After all, to perfectly and admirably fan over someone, one must know how to distinguish between everyday life and
their fan activities.
“Cough, cough! Right. I understand. Thanks for the consideration. But what’s your intention? You needed our family’s military forces, didn’t you?”
“Yes. For dealing with what comes after.”
Two hundred soldiers and Elizabeth would be more than enough.
“Let’s just see how things unfold for now.”
The movements of that doppelganger will also change depending on the outcome of the duel.
* * *
Ahead.
“There it is!”
Arriving at the cave following the guidance of Freedman and a ranger.
“You insignificant humans dare to gang up on me to take my life.”
The vampire stood defiantly in front of hundreds of soldiers.
Despite her arrogant demeanor, the soldiers could not easily advance.
“Ugh, what kind of magic power is this…!”
“He’s no ordinary demon! Maintain the formation!”
It was truly like prey before a predator.
Most soldiers staggered before the intense magical storm emitted by Bathory.
Of course, among them, there were a few who were unfazed by Bathory’s threat.
“…It’s been a while. Do you remember me?”
Luciana was among those unfazed.
She gritted her teeth and pushed forward, resisting the paralyzing flow of magic.
“Ho-ho. So this is the descendant of a warrior who once lost to me.”
– Crunch.
Luciana drew her sword and stepped forward, undeterred by the blatant humiliation.
“It will be different this time.”
“We’ll see. You are too weak to be of any interest to me. The man next to you seems stronger.”
That was true.
The knight assigned to her by her father this time was Sir Bardic, one of the most powerful knights in the Speda family.
She was well aware that he was an insurance policy against the life-threatening crisis she had faced before.
“Your opponent is me,” Luciana declared confidently.
From the moment she accepted his company, she had no intention of relying on his help.
The purpose of this operation was solely to avenge her own defeat.
As such, ‘Victory would be meaningless if not achieved alone.’
Her grip on her sword tightened.
“All units, form and fortify the encirclement. Wait for my victory.”
“Your courage is commendable. However, you fail to see that what appears before me is mere recklessness.”
Suddenly, the distance between them had noticeably closed.
Just one leap would be enough for their swords to clash.
A hot heart, a cool head. Luciana, with her sword drawn, smirked coldly.
“I told you. It’s different this time.”
Forget the fear.
Overcome the past defeats.
What was needed now was a step towards victory.
“Haah!”
The moment her pure white rapier, gleaming in the sunlight, struck straight towards her opponent’s throat.
-Bang!
However, the sound of slicing flesh she desired did not follow.
“Foolish. Though of a special birth, that’s all. Have you still not realized the difference in skill?”
Barehanded.
The one who caught her sword was none other than Bathory, her fist wrapped in flame magic.
“Don’t be arrogant. Only by comparing can one understand what’s long and what’s short!”
Immediately transforming her sword into a dagger form, she slipped away from the grasp attempting to catch her weapon.
“…You resort to peculiar tricks.”
The blond Bathory licked her lips, toying with her fist.
It was a profound disappointment.
‘Had I managed to land a decisive blow while holding the sword just a moment ago, it would have ended uneventfully.’
“Well, fine. This won’t be the only opportunity.”
Despite missing the chance, Bathory overflowed with composure.
To her, Luciana was a worthy opponent, but that was it.
‘After all, she’s still a human who hasn’t fully grown. There’s no way I can lose.’
For Bathory, the duel before her was merely a means to turn the frosty heart of someone else.
Yet, where had he gone, leaving behind his cherished prey?
A slight irritation flashed in her eyes.
“Come on, show me your true strength.”
Bathory lightly raised her hand.
Simultaneously, mana surged through her hand.
-Groan…
Spikes jutted out from the ground below, and flames erupted from the air…
Various magic spells, fueled by blood and mana, assaulted Luciana.
“Ugh!”
“You seem to have forgotten that I am a mage. What are you doing? Why not come closer?”
In a fight between a swordsman and a mage, the basic strategy is to close the distance to bring the opponent within sword’s reach.
Otherwise, you’re just a target for long-range attacks.
‘Think.’
Dodging each spell with her sword, Luciana’s mind raced.
‘I admit, the opponent before me is a formidable one that can’t be defeated by conventional means.’
But she knew.
Even if physically weaker, that difference could be overturned.
Hadn’t her impudent squire taught her directly?
-Rumble!
The form was that of a greatsword.
Just by swinging it with weight, she shattered the ice wall that stood between her and the vampire with sheer force.
“Sss…”
Though she was slightly scraped by the ice shards and thorns, bleeding a bit, it was fine.
Because she could move forward.
-Swish…
The form was that of a single-edged sword from the east, a Hwando.
Cutting through the center of the fireballs shot from all directions with her aura, she extinguished them.
“Hah, hah…”
Despite the pain and the unpleasant sensation of her skin cooking from the heat flowing through the handle, it was fine.
Because she had managed to get close enough to reach with her sword.
“So weary already? Have you forgotten that even at your best, you lost to me in close combat?”
The vampire, with a twisted smile, extended her hand in mockery.
-Whoosh!
Watching Bathory assume a stance with flames wrapped around her hand, Luciana bit her cheek.
In close combat between a swordsman and a mage, the advantage usually goes to the swordsman, but exceptions exist.
‘My stamina and aura are depleted. Now there’s only one path left.’
She wasn’t like Hans, able to spontaneously come up with a brilliant plan.
All she could do was to display the strongest technique she had honed.
“I’m tired of this game. It’s time to finish this.”
‘If she were truly serious about this fight, she would have kept her distance and used only magic.’
Her opponent was so strong that she completely underestimated Luciana.
That was her only flaw.
Of course, Luciana had no way of knowing.
‘I should thoroughly crush her. Make Frost Mane disappointed and despair in her.’
What Luciana didn’t know was Bathory’s intention to mentally break her by repeating the defeat, a cunning plan to ruin the doppelganger’s treasure from its roots.
Even if Luciana had understood her true intentions, she would have accepted the challenge.
Because of that underestimation, an opportunity had arisen.
“You’ve improved since before.”
Watching Luciana continue to block her punches, Bathory secretly admired her.
‘To think she could grow this much in such a short time. Truly, the descendant of the hero who defeated the Demon King.’
But that was all. She was still far from reaching Bathory.
“Fine! I may not be good at hand-to-hand combat, but try to withstand this!”
She hadn’t planned to go this far, but showing such strength was necessary for a complete suppression.
Bathory accepted a slight sacrifice, drawing forth additional power to wrap around her arm.
-Whoosh-
The flames around her fist grew fiercer.
It would delay her recovery by several months, but ‘With this power, I can fend off that annoying weapon.’
The Hwando met her fist.
The flames, swaying in her hand, touched the blade and exploded into a massive blast.
-Boom!
As expected, the descendant of the warrior couldn’t withstand the magic’s power, and her sword scattered in the air.
“Urgh.”
Her twisted face was quite a sight.
Without her means of defense, she was as good as in the palm of Bathory’s hand.
Now.
A subtle heat gleamed in Bathory’s eyes.
‘Just like that day, one hit to the abdomen.’
Ah.
The anticipation.
How would Frost Mane react when he saw the haughty girl collapse with empty eyes?
Would he be disappointed?
Blame himself?
He’s welcome to attack.
Such tantrums could be endured.
Frost Mane.
If only he makes the right decision, anything can be forgiven.
Leaving this worthless girl behind.
If only he would return to where he belongs, to Evildon with her.
“Hyaaaah!”
Therefore, Bathory overlooked one thing.
On Luciana’s face, despite losing her sword, there was still willpower left.
‘Burn everything, the aura within me!’
Aura leaked from the sword that had fallen to the ground far away, and was grasped in Luciana’s hand.
It was the technique she used when fighting Frost Mane, which had resulted in defeat due to exhaustion.
“…What?!”
Astonishment shadowed Bathory’s red pupils, which had been distracted by other thoughts.
It wasn’t merely because the sword moved on its own.
The sword, once again transformed in the human’s hand.
-Hmm.
Young demons do have spirit.
Consider your age as what saved you.
Now get lost from our land.
That was back when she was still a fledgling.
It was the same shape as the sword she had held when defeated by the great warrior.
“Do you think I will be defeated by you again! This time, I will surely win and shake off the defeats of the past!”
Sacrificing flesh to protect the bones.
With that single-minded intention, Luciana ignored her defenses.
The breath that reached her chin.
The body that felt as heavy as a mountain from drawing out her last reserves of strength.
She felt none of it.
She focused solely on manipulating the aura in the sword she held.
A fist aiming for the abdomen.
A sword aiming for the heart.
Their attacks crossed.
“…Ugh. This can’t be…! Defeated by a brat..!”
The vampire’s knees hit the snowy ground first.
Blood poured from beside the solar plexus, where the source of strength resided.
And then.
“…I’ve won.”
Even though the flame-wrapped fist brushed past.
Even though a sharp pain hit her abdomen.
Luciana stood tall on the snow, looking down.
It was the victory of someone who fought sincerely, clinging to the opponent’s underestimation to the very end.
***
‘The battle seems to be decided. Shall we begin?’
Among the soldiers, whose morale was sky-high, Freedman slowly started to move.
-Crack.
“Look, the princess is going to win…! Huh? Did you hear something strange just now?”
“What sound?”
“I don’t know. It was like something sharp scraping against something? Crackling…….”
At the moment when the princess’s sword and the vampire’s fist overlapped, targeting each other.
The suspicious figure also moved, grinding its teeth up and down.
Cliche Novel 