Royal Road of the Extra Scribe

29

Returning to the party after concluding the daring venture with the Helian Duke, I was faced with a commotion.

The bustling party.

In the center, for some reason, was Beril.

“Uh…!”

Beril, unsure of what to do. Before her, Kate threw a tantrum.

“Respond quickly!”

She demanded a formal competition from Beril.

“Ms. Kate. I’ve said it multiple times, but my goddess doesn’t engage in such duels!”

Beril bit her lip as she looked at the knight standing behind Kate.

A man dressed in the Caliper Kingdom’s knight uniform. Through that, one could estimate his skills. At least, the Jade brought by Beril as her goddess was a formidable opponent.

“Then what kind of challenge can we have? I’m open to anything. Chess, a duel, anything!”

“If… hunting, then Jade can…”

“Hunting? Ohohohoho!”

Mockery echoed from all around. Most of them were members of the Helian faction.

Just because the factions have made peace doesn’t mean yesterday’s enemy becomes today’s friend.

Even at today’s party, a public showdown was unfolding.

“Aren’t you going to help?”

Erina’s sudden approach caught my attention.

“Isn’t it customary for partners to assist in times like this?”

“I’d love to, but there are various circumstances at play.”

I was not only a member of the Helian faction, but I also didn’t want to attract unnecessary attention. Moreover, it seemed like my actions were drawing unwanted interest.

“Isn’t it you who should be helping? You’re the one leading the Salleon faction among your peers, aren’t you?”

“Well, that’s true but…”

And just like her, Luan Chase, one of the leaders of the Salleon faction, stepped forward.

“That’s enough. Kate McMillan.”

“Ah… Luan…”

Luan stood guard like a watchdog. Vera’s face lit up with delight at his presence.

Kate furrowed her brow.

“What is it, Chase? Are you, who is not even a partner, planning to interfere?”

Indeed. It seemed like Kate was gripping Vera as if to pull me away.

“If that’s how it is?”

“Well, fine. I’ll take on the challenge. Georg, step forward.”

Upon her command, a man in knight’s armor standing in the back responded cheerfully, “Yes, I will comply, Miss,” and stepped forward.

Luan gave him a discreet nod. The man who was behind Luan also stepped forward.

The atmosphere in the party tent escalated.

“So it’s Georg of the Seonggyeok! The talent known as the future of the Knights. Expectations are high.”

“His opponent is a swordsman from the Chase family. A formidable match indeed.”

This was an event for the adults, really. They didn’t mind acting childish among themselves, so they had the children do silly things to enjoy themselves.

As the confrontation was about to begin, it was the adults who were getting more excited.

The two drew their swords in a hastily arranged space, facing off against each other.

As the signal was given, the intense confrontation began.

‘They really intend to kill each other.’

It was a fierce attack. While most injuries could be treated due to the special medical system in this world, what they were aiming for was a vital point that could cause instant death.

Clang! Clank! The swords clashed.

The tide turned after about thirty exchanges.

Georg began to gain the upper hand by using his aura.

“Oh! Using such a low-level aura so effortlessly!”

“Impressive!”

As soon as he started using his aura, the match quickly progressed.

‘Quite strong.’

If I were to face him, it would probably take at least a hundred exchanges to subdue him.

‘If I were to use a Chester-type from the beginning, I might finish it in one go.’

With just a spear, it would take quite some time.

“Ha!”

Thunk! A sword tip piercing the shoulder. Georg seemed about to strike the neck with momentum, but before that, his opponent surrendered.

“I have lost!”

“Hmph. You risked your life.”

Georg licked his lips and sheathed his sword.

Clap clap clap! Despite the bloodshed, applause filled the air. The knight who had been stabbed in the shoulder said to Luan, with no dignity left.

“I apologize, Your Grace.”

“It’s fine, Jackie. Hurry up and tend to the wound.”

Kate’s laughter rang out at Georg’s victory.

“Ohohoho! I had high hopes for the esteemed Chace family’s inspector, but it seems they were unfounded!”

“Tsk….”

Luan seemed eager to step in himself, but it was strictly prohibited as this was a contest among the deceased.

The Hellyan faction, energized by Kate’s victory.

Erina, standing beside them, sighed.

“Ah, if I had known it would turn out like this, I would have brought my martial artist too.”

“In that case, you should have brought them.”

“There’s a balance between partners, you know.”

Luan with a martial artist. Erina seemed to have promised to bring a scholar.

“You must consider even such things. Indeed, the nobles lead a tiresome life.”

“Well, I also think it’s a waste. If we had ignored such rules and brought Saléon’s inspector, that woman wouldn’t have been so triumphant.”

“Shall I lend you one then?”

“What? What do you mean?”

“A martial artist.”

Erina seemed to catch on to my meaning first, and she began to show signs of displeasure.

She felt reluctance to follow me rather than obey Erina’s command.

“Erina, just go and come back.”

It seemed like a good experience for Eo, who usually had a stubborn temperament. Moreover, this way, my partner Beril might witness a tough situation.

“…Understood.”

She reluctantly nodded.

Though hidden by her helmet, she probably had her mouth set in a tight line.

“Just a moment.”

Erina’s expression had changed.

“Did you say Eo just now? Surely, you…”

She seemed to have figured out my identity in an instant.

She leaned in to whisper to me.

“You brought Eonia Mirabel!?”

“What nonsense is this? Rather, could you step back a bit? People might misunderstand if they see us so close.”

“Ah!”

Erina blushed and stumbled back.

She cleared her throat and nodded.

“If that’s the case, I might as well accept your kindness. So, you are… Eonia?”

“It’s Lania.”

“Ah, you go by that name.”

Erina faced Eo with great tension.

While also thinking of her as the famous Valkyrie for a moment, she couldn’t help but smile unknowingly.

* * *

Kate laughed heartily.

Thump! Erina appeared in front of her, fanning herself.

“You seem to be enjoying yourself, Miss Kate?”

“Erina Salleon…!”

Kate couldn’t maintain her composure. Although Luann was Luann, Erina was a crucial figure in the Salleon family. Moreover, as a knight of the Salleon lineage, they were a group highly regarded in the kingdom.

“Could you accommodate me as well? My, my feet are aching a bit.”

Even as Erina spoke, she trembled slightly, excitement evident in her movements.

“Feet? Are you referring to the woman with the helmet?”

“Yes. Let’s settle it through martial arts. How about that?”

“…”

Kate rolled her eyes. Seeing Erina’s confident demeanor made her uneasy. In response, Erina unleashed her ultimate move.

“If you’re scared, there’s nothing I can do. A master who doesn’t trust their knight. How sad.”

“Who’s scared here! Fine! Let’s do this!”

“Heh.”

As the intense knightly duel unfolded once more, spectators showed interest, creating space around them.

“Huh?”

Within the crowd, Beril raised an eyebrow.

“That lady was undoubtedly Al’s knight…”

Georg and Eonia faced off. Georg licked his lips.

“Oh, what’s this? Felt a little spark just now. hehehe, seems like I might enjoy this more than a while ago.”

“…”

Eonia wordlessly raised her sword, assuming a stance.

“Then, let’s begin!”

As Kate signaled the start, Georg lunged forward with force.

“Haah!”

Clang! Starting with the first move, Georg raised his momentum and intensified his attacks.

Though Eonia effortlessly parried each strike, to those unfamiliar with martial arts, it appeared as if Georg was dominating the fight.

“Goodness. This Eo fellow.”

Whether he was protesting to me or simply not showcasing his true abilities under Erina’s command, he wasn’t performing at his best.

Nevertheless, the duel proceeded with vigor.

After 30 exchanges, Georg, gaining no significant advantage, created distance by deflecting Eonia’s blade.

“Who are you? Among the Salleon knights, I’ve never seen someone employing such swordsmanship.”

An unfamiliar and mysterious style of swordsmanship. Yet, it was intricately structured.

It was to be expected. Eonia was now utilizing the Valkyrie martial art, steeped in ancient history.

“I’m getting quite curious about that face of yours. Not planning to remove the helmet?”

“…”

“Heh, alright then. Allow me to unveil it myself.”

Georg lifted Eonia’s visor. Her face was revealed.

At this, the audience gasped in awe.

“Shall we proceed to the second round? Please endure till the end, my lady.”

“…Bastard.”

“What did you say?”

“Don’t spout off so freely, you bastard who can’t even recognize the opponent’s skill.”

And then, Hwaaahk! Eo unleashed his aura.

“Huh…?”

Georg, bewildered, groaned.

Eo’s pure white aura, extending from his sword, wrapped around his body beyond the blade. The difference in power was clear even to a third party.

Eo declared, “I’ll give you a chance. Kneel in defeat within four moves. If you do, I won’t take your life.”

“W-what… wait!”

Eo swiftly switched to an offensive. Georg desperately raised his sword to block the attack.

“Khek!?”

Kang! He couldn’t withstand a single strike. Georg’s sword snapped in one go, and unable to overcome the momentum, he tumbled to the ground.

Still, thanks to the aura’s support, there were no cuts on Georg. Eo immediately went in for the pursuit.

“…Perish.”

“I-I lost!”

Georg quickly fell to the ground before the next attack. He had no pride or anything left.

The skill gap was just too wide to even consider such thoughts.

“Hmph.”

Eo chuckled as he sheathed his sword.

Kate was pensive, while Erina smiled.

“Impressive! To think such a swordsman serves under Salleon.”

“A female swordsman of Salleon. Is this a rising star?”

And such praises were directed straight at the owner, Erina.

Perhaps… perhaps Eo wasn’t pleased with that. Maybe he didn’t like being treated as someone else’s subordinate and thus resorted to such outrageous actions.

Clang! He released the buckle of his helmet and revealed his face.

…

A silence fell over the party hall.

The mysterious blue-haired figure and beautiful features that emerged.

Men couldn’t take their eyes off the sight, and women were in awe. Even Erina held her breath, and Georg, who was on the ground, was mesmerized.

The spectacle didn’t end there.

Thud! Eo pointed his sword at someone.

“Oh my.”

I could only clasp my forehead.

While it was likely pointing at the only one who could be his opponent at this party, the fact that the opponent was General Dunean Grymwood, who was with Helian Viscount, made it a risky move.

Eo, representing Erina of the Salleon faction, had challenged Dunean, the core of the Helian faction?

This was a major incident.

* * *

After the party ended and they returned to the mansion.

Eonia was kneeling with a gloomy expression.

“I told you not to act recklessly.”

“…I am truly sorry.”

“Setting aside the fact that your face was exposed, if you hadn’t pointed the sword at Duhan, I wouldn’t have been this harsh on you. Do you understand the implications?”

“I do understand…”

“Why did you do that?”

“I remembered that he had threatened Lord Als, and I acted without thinking.”

It must have been during the conversation with Duke Hellian. It seemed like she thought Duhan was threatening me.

“Uh… I’m sorry.”

Eonia, who had been lively at the party, now seemed timid and apologetic.

In truth, it wasn’t all bad. Thanks to Eonia provoking Duhan from the Salion faction, I was able to strongly appeal that I might align with the Salion side if necessary.

Still, it seemed that some disciplinary action was needed for this troublemaker.

“It’s unfortunate, but this time there’s no other choice but to issue a reprimand.”

“A reprimand…!”

Eonia, who favored formalities, was also extremely afraid of formal punishments.

“Eo, I will dismiss you from the head of the security detail and demote you to a palace guard.”

“What… What’s the difference?”

“From now on, you’ll be under Yumir’s command.”

“Is that so!?”

In the end, it was all a matter of formality, but Eo looked as if her world had come to an end.

And so, Eonia entered Yumir’s service, starting with chores such as cleaning and laundry.

Well, it wasn’t exactly a serious punishment but rather a way to help out a bit with looking after the twins that would soon be born.