Chapter 82

Victory was a given in this battle.

However, Brian and many others were surprised by my victory.

Linus, for instance, was just a man who had his back to me and was fighting Calvin.

Why would you think I would lose when I was the one who stabbed him from behind?

Still, I had returned to my territory to encourage my subordinates to keep up the good work.

I have the magnanimity to commend those who have worked hard.

After all, saying thank you is free.

I will actively express my gratitude.

In the audience chamber of the mansion, I was seated in a chair as if I were a king.

I sat with my legs crossed, but since it would make everyone uncomfortable, I sat up straight.

The gathered civil and military officials—no, there were too many.

Not just a hundred. How many were there?

Before I knew it, my subordinates had increased too much.

Not just knights and soldiers.

The number of officials had also increased.

It was really tough at first, but I have been in this world for almost a hundred years, and I can see the milestone of my second life approaching.

I was poor back then, but now I am rich.

I have many subordinates who I can rely on—can I rely on them?

My knights, Tia and Marie, who took the positions of chief and deputy from me, are honestly quite ambivalent.

They are capable, but they have regrettable personalities.

In terms of personnel, the quality is still lacking.

Now, regarding this ceremony—Klaus, who also serves as my bodyguard, is in charge of the proceedings.

He is a handy subordinate who can handle anything.

I will continue to use him actively in the future.

"Lord Liam."

When my name was called, I stood up from my chair.

"Everyone, you have worked hard. These past few years have been tough, but we have successfully deposed Linus and taken a step forward in making Prince Cleo the emperor. I thank you all."

The sight of everyone kneeling is always satisfying.

It makes me feel important.

Klaus, for some reason, looks a bit uncomfortable as he proceeds with the ceremony.

"Next—"

"Klaus, isn't the next part the rewards? Who is the top performer this time? I will personally give the reward."

Since there are many to be commended, medals will be distributed later.

However, I will personally praise the one with the most outstanding achievement here.

Klaus looked nervous.

"Chenxi Sera Tourei—step forward."

"Yes."

A woman with a mysterious allure stepped forward.

Everyone's gaze was on her.

Tia and Marie looked as if they had bitten into a bitter pill as they watched her.

To put it simply—she is a Chinese beauty.

Come to think of it, wasn't she one of the knights I chose based on her appearance?

Klaus began to speak about Chenxi's achievements.

"Her top performance is due to both this recent event and her past accomplishments. She has shot down over six hundred enemies, making her the second-highest in the Banfield family after Lord Liam."

"Six hundred?"

When I tilted my head, I could hear Tia and Marie's regretful voices.

"What is the meaning of individual kills?"

"If the same number of battles were prepared, I could have shot down twice as many."

The losers were barking.

But, looking at it now—Chinese beauty is good.

It has a mysterious feel to it.

Klaus added.

"Only she has achieved such results in a short period within the Banfield family. However, there is—"

Ignoring the troubled Klaus, Chenxi, who had stepped forward, began to beg.

"Lord Liam—I have something I really want."

To beg for a reward, she is fearless.

But I don't dislike it.

I love capable subordinates.

"Hmm, tell me."

Chenxi took a hidden weapon from the wide sleeve, and it turned into a spear.

Before the knights could react, Chenxi took a step forward and got into position.

"I want your head!"

She said this with a smile.

—Why are my subordinates so useless?

They are capable, but each has some problem.

Chenxi lunged at me.

She closed the distance in an instant, but her speed was fast.

"Show me the strength that killed the Sword Saint!"

There are times when—knights who can only fight are stupid.

However, Chenxi was different from the Sword Saint I fought before—she was interesting.

"I'm disappointed in you. But—I will praise your speed."

Chenxi's eyes widened, and she twisted her body as her right arm, holding the spear, was cut off.

She kicked off into the air and quickly grabbed another hidden weapon with her left hand.

"Kicking off from the air? Wow, really interesting."

I became more interested than in the Sword Saint.

A blade appeared, turning into a blue dragon sword.

"Did you have multiple weapons hidden? Bring a proper weapon next time. Hey, someone give her a weapon."

Smirking, I descended the stairs.

Chenxi managed to dodge my slash.

I really tried to kill her, but she dodged—definitely strong.

Even with one arm lost, she still tried to fight—good.

However, the knights, led by Klaus, stepped in front of me and surrounded Chenxi.

Tia was furious.

"Ruining Lord Liam's face at an important ceremony—don't think you can die easily!"

Marie, holding a large axe-like sword in each hand, had bloodshot eyes.

"I'll turn you into minced meat."

You really don't understand your master's feelings.

I sighed and gave orders to everyone.

"Step back. Don't take away my fun."

Klaus turned to me.

"B-but!"

"—Don't make me say it twice. Everyone, step back and watch. Tia, Marie, you too. Yes, you two, bring her weapons. We'll start over."

I took out an elixir from my pocket, prepared just in case.

I threw it to Chenxi and ordered the nearby knights.

"Hey, bring me the arm I cut off. Reattach it."

The knights were flustered.

"Is that alright? She tried to kill Lord Liam?"

"What's the problem? She wants to fight me, right? I'll let her fight as a reward. But no heads. My head isn't cheap enough to give away."

Tia and Marie, who were emitting anger, came to me.

They were holding Chenxi's weapons.

I took them in my hands.

"Is this good? Well, it's fine. Here, take it."

I threw it, and Chenxi attached the arm.

Her breathing was a bit heavy, but she took her weapon and got into position.

She was sweating but smiling.

"I don't dislike your boldness."

"Bold? Do I look bold to you? If so, you have poor judgment. Disappointing."

To call someone like me bold, she is also a disappointment.

I liked her appearance, but—she can't join my harem.

While the surroundings were on high alert, Chenxi attacked.

I deflected it with my sword, and her sword speed increased.

"Interesting sword technique. More useful than the Sword Saint."

I praised her, and Chenxi kicked.

Her stiletto heel was a weapon, and I stepped back, but she twisted her body and tried to hit me with her elbow.

Her use of body techniques was interesting.

But, it's not that rare.

The One-Flash Style can do the same.

"Was it like this?"

For the first time in a while, I used a body technique for when the sword breaks.

It's a technique to throw the opponent using their own strength, and Chenxi spun in the air and was slammed to the ground.

She hit her back and spat out saliva.

I looked down at her suffering and smirked.

"What's wrong? You wanted my head, right? I gave you a chance, but your blade didn't even reach me."

Chenxi slowly stood up.

She was out of breath.

"Do you understand the difference in strength?"

I carried my sword and showed an opening, and she immediately attacked.

I tried to block it with my sword, but Chenxi's blade moved like cloth and approached my body.

Tia shouted.

"Lord Liam!"

I stopped Tia and Marie from rushing out with a look.

The blade that was about to reach my body—I grabbed it with my left hand.

"Your technique made me nervous. It's an interesting technique."

Chenxi's eyes widened.

"—I didn't expect it to be blocked on the first try."

"Surprised? But, blocking this level is easy for the One-Flash Style."

In the past, my master attacked me with a whip.

The special whip was hard to read and difficult to block.

But, thanks to that, I could react quickly.

I put strength in my fingertips and broke the blade, and Chenxi, who had taken out another hidden weapon, launched her next technique.

A spinning technique that would be deflected and countered if she attacked normally.

But, it was boring.

"What, out of ideas already?"

I swung my sword, and Chenxi dodged again.

I was a bit frustrated to be dodged twice.

Was my daily training time too short? I need to train harder.

When Chenxi stopped spinning, she lost her left hand and left leg and fell to the ground.

Even in that state, she didn't give up, biting her weapon and aiming for my neck.

She used her right hand and right leg to jump from the ground.

I stabbed her in the stomach with my sword and lifted her up.

Chenxi had a pained expression and dropped her blade.

Blood was coming out of her mouth.

"—Honestly, I didn't expect to be dodged twice. You are excellent."

As I was impressed, the knights behind Chenxi, with bloodshot eyes, were taking up their weapons.

They were about to kill Chenxi.

Tia was excited.

"Lord Liam, the match is over. Please, quickly order the punishment of this fool!"

Marie felt the same.

"I'll tear her apart until she cries for death while being repeatedly healed!"

—Really, these people.

"Who said to kill her? I like her."

"Y-You can't be serious! Lord Liam, she is dangerous!"

You two are dangerous too!—In various ways.

Chenxi glared at me.

Even in this state, she still tried to challenge me—good spirit.

And, despite not being able to kill me—she is excellent.

I pulled out my sword and let Chenxi fall to the ground, then looked down at her.

"That's the end of your reward this time. If you want to challenge me again, build up more achievements. I'll fight you again."

Klaus confirmed with me.

"Are you sure? She tried to kill Lord Liam. And during an important ceremony."

"What's the problem? She is my favorite. Don't kill her. Get her treated quickly. Now, let's continue the ceremony. Hey, Klaus, hurry up and proceed."

"Yes!"

Chenxi, who had fallen to the ground, was carried away, and the ceremony resumed.

But, a break would have been better.

The blood on the floor could have been cleaned up.

◇

"Lord Liam! Why do you keep such a mad dog by your side!?"

Brian, who had heard about the commotion during the ceremony, was crying in front of me.

If he was just noisy, I could send him away, but a crying Brian is—difficult.

And, Tenjo, who looks at me with a glare—is also difficult.

"Sir, that type of knight will repeat the same behavior. They enjoy fighting and will target your life again."

"I will deal with it then. Besides, that type wants to fight strong opponents. It's better than using underhanded methods."

Brian shook his head.

"Trying to kill you during a ceremony is not underhanded? By the way, there is something I need to report."

"Is there a problem?"

"A problem, indeed. We don't have enough manpower in the military. We need to guard the newly acquired territory, patrol, and fight pirates. Plus, we need to send troops to support Prince Cleo. All the ships except those under maintenance are out