Azell pulled back from asking his question then he spoke.
âWell, I guess this will be the end of our warm-up.â
âSir Azell, you are a very kind man.â
âI would rather be called a fair man.â
Azell knew Giles figured out his intent, so he laughed. After the first exchange, Giles threw away any thoughts of looking down on Azell. At the very least, he accepted the truth that Azell was much better in terms of skill.
Giles strengthened his mental barrier. The magical energy he could use in an attack was noticeable less, but he had no choice. Normally, he would erect an adequately sturdy wall, but wouldnât Azell pierce through it easily?
Then Giles started attacking recklessly.
Che-ch-e-che-che-che-cheng!
It was a frighteningly fast attack. Every time the swords hit each other, sparks flew, and a brilliant silver light traced through the air.
Giles, who was pouring on a dizzying attack, suddenly felt that Azellâs movement was strange. Azell vigorously moved as he matched his rhythm, but now his movement had slowed enough to be different. Then he flowed smoothly to the side.
âHuk!â
As if he was toying with Gilesâ doggedness, the blade that broke through burst forth in an oblique angle.
Giles retreated in fright. As if he was waiting for him to do so, the point of the sword tracked him like a dancing snake.
Chang!
Giles barely blocked the blow, and he distanced himself from Azell.
Giles asked a question, while perspiring cold sweat.
âWhat are these sword technique?â
He realized a step too late. Azell was using several types of sword techniques.
He had thought he had come to grasp Azellâs sword techniques after couple sparring session. However, he didnât realized Azell had learned a highly heterogeneous sword art.
Azell replied.
âI donât remember what it is called. However, I learned a lot of sword arts in a hodgepodge manner.â
His words were true. Azell had learned several dozens of sword arts during his lifetime. He comprehended all of it to make his own sword style. After the Dragon Demon war ended, the Emperor decreed that his sword style would become the official sword style of the Nadick Empireâs Royal Knights.
âI wonder if it survived?â
After 220 years, he wondered if the sword style he created was still in existence. If it was, it would have been his greatest honor.
âIâll accept my loss.â
âMmm? Already?â
âItâs a shame, but I donât think I can be your opponent with my current level of skill. Even though I launched my attack at you, I couldnât even force you to take one step backwards.â
As his word indicated, the flashy attack Giles performed wasnât able make Azell move a single step. He had stood in place like an embedded nail. Moreover, he had kept Giles in front of him, and he had deceived Gilesâ sense to create an opening.
Giles had more magical energy than Azell, and he was also stronger and faster. However, Azellâs technique was overwhelmingly superior that it was enough to overturn all the physical advantages he held.
Giles spoke.
âThis was a great lesson. May I ask you to keep being my opponent in the future?â
âOf course.â
After Azell nodded his head, Giles bowed towards Arrieta.
âIâm sorry for showing my shortcomings.â
âNo, it was an entertaining show. Sir Azell, you are a very mischievous man.â
âIs that so?â
âIf you decide to teach someone, Iâm sure the pupil will have many complaints about you as a teacher.â
âThis opinion seems to be coming from personal experience. Am I mistaken?â
âNo. Unfortunately, you are right. You have some similarities to my teacher.â
âHo oh. Then youâve been taught by a good person.â
âYou have an unusual talent of painting your face in gold.(TLN: painting oneself in a good light) If my teacher, Duke Tarantos, heard you then he would most definitely⊠Mmmm. He would have laughed.â
âThe person who taught princess was the Dragon Demon Duke?â
Giles was surprised, so he butted in. This caused Arrietaâs eyes to move towards him. He lowered his head in surprise.
âI apologize.â
âNo, itâs fine. We arenât in a grandiose location, so you donât have to worry about it. To tell you the truth, itâs annoying.â
After she complained, Arrieta continued speaking.
âDragon Demon Duke. Yes, it is him.â
âMy god. That person rarely shows himself even on a formal occasionâŠ.â
âWell, he is someone with a lot of ties to the crown. If the crown requests it then heâll comply without complaining.â
At those words, Azell tilted his head.
âIsnât Dragon Maken Duke a fairly high sounding nickname?â
Well, Azellâs own nickname was also grandiose. It couldnât be helped since he was the one who held the most accomplishment in the Dragon Demon War, and he had also beaten the Dragon Demon King Atein.
Azell asked.
âWhat kind of person is this Dragon Demon Duke?â
ââŠ.you donât know who Dragon Demon Duke is?â
Giles stared at Azell with a dumbfounded expression as if to say he couldnât believe such a thing was possible.
Azell felt a sense of deja vu since he had received the same kind of stare from someone.
âAh, itâs the same expression as Rick when I mentioned I didnât know who the Dragon Princess was.â
The Dragon Demon Duke was a figure as famous as the Dragon Demon Princess, so if one didnât know them, one would be treated as a spy.
Arrieta laughed.
âSir Azell has lost his memory, so it is understandable.â
âTruthfully, I didnât even know about you, princess. When I asked if the Dragon Demon Princess was the princess of a country founded by the Dragon Demon race, army doctor Rick looked at me with the same expression Sir Giles made.â
âThis has been a very refreshing experience.â
âIs that so?â
âFrom the time I was born to now, no one has failed to recognize me. They might not know me personally, but they know about the existence called âDragon Demon Princess.â
âIndeed.â
Azell nodded his head. For the past several days, he had studied about this era, and her existence was common knowledge.
Azell asked.
âIs Dragon Demon Duke a title inherited like the Dragon Demon Princess?â
âNo, it isnât like that. The Dragon Demon Duke compared to the Dragon Demon princess⊠Mmmm. Yes. It is appropriate to think of it as the difference between legend and common knowledge.â
âSo you are saying Dragon Demon Princess is common knowledge, and Dragon Demon Duke is a legend? â
âAhâŠâŠâ
He had already heard about the Dragon Demon race joining the human society. However, it was refreshing to hear about a concrete example. The Duke was from the Dragon Demon race, and he was a great noble in a kingdom built by humans. He was also the princessâ teacher.
âThis is quite fun.â
Azell wanted to meet him at least once.
6
The worshipers of the Dragon Demon race was everywhere.
Currently, the world was misguided as it was ruled by humans. There were many people who believed in the fulfillment of the ideals set forth by the Dragon Demon King. Those believers had infiltrated all ranks and classes. Even if it isnât someone from the Dragon Demon race, who grew up discriminated, there were other numerous people cooperating with them, while hiding their identity.
This was one form of religion. These were people who couldnât boldly step into the sun. They were waiting in the darkness for the savior, Dragon Demon King, to return somedayâŠ
âSo thatâs how it is. The situation has become complicated.â
The secret society was called the Dragonâs Shadow. Regina received a report from her underling, and she mumbled in a hoarse voice. Amongst the countless organizations worshiping the Dragon Demon King, the Dragonâs Shadow was a high ranking organization with many lesser organization beneath it. The fact that she was in this group signified she was a big fish. She could go anywhere in this world and request cooperation from the lesser organization connected to the main branch. The information network was especially frightening.
When she was about to speak to her underling, who had his head down, she heard a womanâs voice from inside.
âWhat is so complicated?â
Then time came to a halt.
No, in reality, time hadnât stopped. However, it felt like it had for Regina.
The underlings in front of her had stopped moving. They hadnât just stopped moving. They didnât blink nor did they breathe. They just stopped in place.
Regina turned to looked at the person causing this bizarre phenomenon.
âNiberis-nim. If you leave the humans in this state, then theyâll die soon.â
âDonât worry about it. Even I know that much.â
Niberis was a woman in her mid-20s with black hair, and brown eyes. From her outer appearance, she looked like a cold beauty, but she wasnât human inside. She was a high ranking executive, who held a much higher position than Regina.
Niberis glanced once at the frozen underlings, and their status changed. They were still frozen in place, but they started breathing slowly. She didnât want to reveal herself to the worshipers, and this was a way to minimize information from getting out.
Niberis spoke.
âAnswer my previous question.â
âIncluding the Dragon Demon princess, they are a small party with only 5 people.â
âFive people?â
âYes.â
âThere are only that many people accompanying the Dragon Demon Princess?â
âYes.â
âWhat is she thinking? Maybe this is a imposter in disguise? Is this a diversion?â
âWe have confirmed that isnât the case.â
âHmmm. Isnât that more convenient? Why are saying it has become more complicated?â
Niberis tilted her head in question. She didnât understand why Arrieta chose to do this. Moreover, she didnât understand why Regina thought this mission had become more complicated.
Regina mused inside as she looked at her.
âShe grew up sheltered.â
Niberis was the offspring of a high ranking executive within the organization. She possessed powerful strength, but she hadnât really gone out into the world. She was a high ranking magician, but that didnât mean she was smart in the ways of the world.
Regina explained.
âEven if the Dragon Demon Princess could bring as many troops to bodyguard her, there is a limit to how many she can bring. Even on the high side, it would be around 70 to 80 people. Even if it was the Western Border guards, it would be impossible to deploy any more troops.â
âWouldnât that be more troublesome than 5 people?â
âFrom our perspective, it would have been better if she came with a somewhat large retinue. Even if there were a lot of them, most of them are ordinary soldiers. The large number means their traveling speed would be slow, and it would be easier to find their location.â
âHmmm. The small number means most of them are elite troops, and they will have an easier time running away? Is that what you mean?â
âYes.â
Regina clearly saw through Arrietaâs intention. Moreover, she knew this was all done to make it more difficult for her pursuers.
âThis region has almost none of our agents in place. It would be impossible for us to mobilize too many of our men.â
âThey are small in number, so why would we need a lot of people?â
âWe need it.â
âIf I go, do you think it will be lacking?â
Niberisâ eyes started to fill with displeasure. Regina spoke haltingly.
âOf course, if it is Niberis-nim, the Dragon Demon princess and anyone next to her would be sufficiently overwhelmed.â
First, she spoke those words to quell Niberisâ mood. However, this wasnât just a flattery, it was the truth. Niberis had grown up sheltered within the upper echelon of the secret society, so her sense of reality was a bit lacking. However, Niberis possessed enormous strength, which Regina couldnât even compare to.
âHowever, our goal isnât to fight and defeat them. We have to capture them. If a person of the Dragon Demon princessâ caliber starts to go on the run then it wonât be easy to catch her. Moreover, there is a restriction on how we can act in a highly populated location.â
âI see.â
Niberis understood what Regina was trying to say.
However, she refused to accepted it.
âStill, Regina, you only think of this situation based on your level.â (TLN: calling her a small fish/thinking too small)
âYes?â
âIf I go forth, then you donât have to worry about such things. First of all, Iâm going out to capture a mere Dragon Demon Princess. This is like a king using his best sword to butcher a chicken.â
Niberis laughed coldly. Reginaâs pride was rustled, but she spoke, while keeping her outer appearance blank.
Niberis spoke.
âThis is the only time I will go out.â
âI understand.â
Read Latest Chapters at wuxiaworld.eu
Regina replied back. In the current world, the existence of a Dragon Demon King worshiper was not tolerated. If it was a land ruled by humans, this was the case everywhere. There existed secret societies that also tracked down Dragon Demo King worshipers
Niberis spoke.
âIâll leave the preparation to you. Since you are so worried about it, I want you to make me a stage with utmost caution.â