Kays Translations

Chapter 110: Listening to Archduke Kharon’s Story (Mock Battle Part (1))

“You’re the alchemist and the bodyguard, correct? We’ve been expecting you.”

At the entrance to the town of Nosa, the Archduke Kharon’s adjutant was waiting.

She had visited before with Princess Liana to meet with Princess Sophia.

If I remember correctly, her name was Nona.

“Thank you for coming to greet us.”

“Thank you.”

Agnis and I bowed to Nona.

“We’ve arrived a little earlier than scheduled. Would it be possible to meet the Archduke now?”

“I’m terribly sorry. Kharon-sama is currently outside the town with Her Highness Princess Liana.”

“Outside the town?”

“At Her Highness’s request, he is giving her sword lessons.”

I see.

Archduke Kharon is a former Sword Saint and a master of the sword, after all.

It seems Princess Liana is taking this opportunity to learn from him.

“If you’d like, shall I take you to them?”

“Would that be alright?”

“Kharon-sama instructed me to do so.”

Adjutant Nona continued.

“In the recent ‘Magical Beast Investigation,’ you aided us greatly, Alchemist-sama. Kharon-sama said that repaying that debt in this way is no trouble at all—of course, only if you’re interested.”

“I am. Please, take us there.”

Sword training from a former Sword Saint—I’d like to see it while I have the chance.

Besides, Archduke Kharon used a curved single-edged sword.

I’m planning to model the magic sword for Rukie after a similar design, so seeing how it’s used should be helpful.

“Understood. Then, Alchemist-sama… and the bodyguard as well, please follow me.”

With that, Adjutant Nona guided Agnis and me outside the town.

Archduke Kharon and Princess Liana were in a forest near the town of Nosa.

“Here I come, Archduke!”

Princess Liana charged at Archduke Kharon, practice sword in hand.

Archduke Kharon remained still.

He held a practice sword in his right hand, simply watching her.

Princess Liana swung her sword down.

At that moment, Archduke Kharon casually raised his sword—

“Your strike has great force. But, Your Highness, your sword is too straightforward.”

Whoosh.

“Ah—”

Her strike was effortlessly parried, and Princess Liana stumbled.

Watching her, Archduke Kharon said:

“Your Highness, you focus too much on your target. Also, you raise your sword too early—your intent is obvious.”

“Y-yes! Archduke-sama!”

“You should tilt your gaze slightly downward. And delay raising your sword by a few seconds.”

“Understood. So, glance—lift—slash, right?”

“As you prefer, Your Highness.”

“Then, once more!”

Princess Liana charged at Archduke Kharon again.

Whoosh!

“That was better. But you’re using too much force!”

“…Yes!”

Once again, her sword was deflected.

Princess Liana lost her stance and was breathing heavily.

In contrast, Archduke Kharon looked completely composed—he hadn’t even broken a sweat.

He hadn’t moved from his spot. From the beginning, he’d stood in the exact same place.

Even so, he deflected every strike coming at him from various angles.

Princess Liana held a blunted practice sword.

Archduke Kharon used a curved, blunted sword as well.

While Princess Liana used both hands, Archduke Kharon only used his right arm.

It seemed like there should’ve been a difference in power, but it didn’t matter at all. The moment her sword touched his, all its force disappeared. It was redirected, nullified—and before she knew it, Archduke Kharon’s sword was touching her neck.

…Incredible.

I have no idea how he’s doing it, but I can recognize the elegance of his technique.

Archduke Kharon responded to Princess Liana’s attacks with the bare minimum of movement.

There was absolutely no waste—this was the epitome of “functional beauty.”

Magic items should be like this too. I should take notes.

“Your Highness. Let’s stop here for now.”

“Pant, pant… No, I—I can still go on!”

“You should rest a bit, Your Highness. Besides, it seems we have visitors.”

Archduke Kharon looked toward us.

So he’d noticed us—even though Agnis, Nona, and I had been hiding behind the trees.

This was a forest near the town of Nosa.

In it, there was a training ground for soldiers.

It was a clearing in the middle of the forest, hidden from view.

Apparently, it was made so that borderland soldiers could train without worrying about being seen by foreign eyes.

That’s why Archduke Kharon and Princess Liana were using it for secret training.

“Alchemist-sama. You were here…!?”

Princess Liana, who had been sitting down, looked up.

We stepped out from behind the trees and bowed.

“It’s been a while, Princess Liana. Sorry to interrupt your training.”

“N-no, not at all. I’m the one embarrassed to have shown you such an ungraceful sight…”

Princess Liana wiped sweat from her brow with a shy expression.

She was wearing leather training armor, with elbow and knee pads.

Her clothes were dirty—probably from falling down multiple times.

“I asked the Archduke to train me, hoping to make use of the advice you gave me before, Alchemist-sama. But… I’ve been no match for him at all…”

“Well, Archduke Kharon is a former Sword Saint. That can’t be helped.”

No wonder Princess Liana was feeling down.

After all, Archduke Kharon was only using his right arm.

Due to an old injury, his left arm apparently didn’t function properly.

So he was blocking all her strikes with just his right arm—and she had been deliberately attacking his left side. Even then, she couldn’t land a blow.

His strength was in a different league.

I wonder what kind of combat he used to show when both arms were usable.

“Your Highness is quite strong already. There’s no need to feel disheartened.”

In the center of the training ground, Archduke Kharon smiled.

“However, as I mentioned earlier, Princess Liana’s swordsmanship is too straightforward. It would be better if you incorporated a few more feints.”

“Y-Yes.”

“Her Highness, the Holy Sword user, possesses a trump card called the ‘Holy Sword Light Blade.’ Because of that, Her Highness should focus not on the number of strikes, but on landing a sure hit. By mixing in feints, you prevent the opponent from predicting when you will use the ‘Light Blade.’ That alone puts considerable pressure on the enemy.”

“I understand! Thank you very much, Archduke-sama!”

“Then, we shall conclude today’s training with Her Highness.”

Archduke Kharon said this and sheathed his practice sword.

He truly hadn’t broken a sweat.

“…Float, slash, slash… and then a clean, Zubababaan! That’s what you meant, right, Archduke-sama?”

Meanwhile, Princess Liana was… still sitting on the ground, drenched in sweat, reviewing what she had just learned.

It seemed like she wouldn’t be getting up for a while.

“It seems I kept you waiting, Alchemist Thor–sama.”

“Not at all. I was honored to witness something so valuable.”

“I’m glad to hear that… Oh?”

Archduke Kharon suddenly turned his gaze to the person beside me.

“Is that the daughter of General Reisenga?”

“Yes. This is Agnis Freizad-sama. She’s been kind enough to accompany us as our escort to town.”

“I am Agnis Freizad.”

Agnis bowed politely.

Both Archduke Kharon and Agnis had participated in the “Magical Beast Investigation.”

However, they hadn’t had the chance to meet face-to-face back then. So this was practically their first meeting.

“I’ve heard of the great renown of Your Grace, Duke of the Empire. It is an honor to meet you. During the ‘Magical Beast Investigation,’ my father was in your care.”

“Such courteous words, I am humbled.”

Archduke Kharon nodded and said,

“Likewise, I was greatly aided by General Reisenga of the Demon Lord’s Domain. His charisma and leadership, as well as the trust he showed us by entrusting the interrogation of the culprit to us—I am truly grateful. Learning that someone of his caliber exists made me reconsider my thoughts about the Demon Lord’s Domain.”

“Thank you. I’ll be sure to convey your words to my father.”

“Of course, I’ve also heard about you, Agnis-sama.”

“…Huh?”

Agnis’s face went blank in surprise.

General Reisenga talked to Archduke Kharon about Agnis?

Wait a second… I have a bad feeling about this.

Knowing the General, what he might’ve said is…

“During the ‘Magical Beast Investigation,’ Reisenga-sama kept telling me over and over about his daughter’s beauty and devotion—and also that she’s so strong she could overpower him.”

…Yeah. I figured as much.

“F-Father, honestly…”

Agnis’s face turned bright red.

Watching her, Archduke Kharon smiled and said,

“There’s no need to be modest, Agnis-sama. I heard you overpowered Reisenga-sama with your strength and even sealed his movements. I wasn’t told how that was possible… but to have such power at your age is truly impressive.”

“…………”

“Reisenga–sama also said this: ‘Agnis has remarkable talent. It is a parent’s duty to nurture that.’ Alchemist–sama, you’re quite the sly one. If someone that talented is by your side, you should have introduced her sooner.”

Archduke Kharon nodded toward me several times as he spoke.

Both Agnis and I, listening to this, were dumbfounded.

General Reisenga… honestly, what kind of person are you?

It’s fine to brag about your daughter, but please consider who you’re saying it to.

Sure, he didn’t lie.

Agnis did seal the General’s movements using the “Health-Boosting Pendant.”

But Archduke Kharon is a warrior himself.

Hearing that kind of story might make him think “Agnis is a stronger warrior than General Reisenga.”

Actually, he’s probably already misunderstood that.

As I was thinking this—

“Agnis-sama, I have a request. Would you honor me with a sparring match?”

Suddenly, Archduke Kharon said something like that.

With an incredibly excited look on his face.

“I was supposed to have a mock battle with Reisenga-sama… but it seems we won’t have time. Would you take his place and spar with me instead, Agnis-sama?”

“…………Eh?”

“Of course, feel free to use your flames. After all, that’s the fighting style of a descendant of the Flame Giant Ifrit. No need to hold back. If I get burned a little, Nona will heal me. And I can cut through fire, you know. So please, no need to hesitate.”

“…Uh, um…”

“What do you say, Agnis-sama? I won’t force you, but…”

“P-Please excuse me for a moment!”

Agnis grabbed my hand.

She then pulled me along, rushing into the shade of a tree.

“W-What should I do, Thor Canaan-sama?”

“…This is a bit of a problem.”

Knowing General Reisenga, he probably went way overboard bragging about his daughter.

Like how she possesses strong flame magic.

Or how she’s strong enough to lift him and restrict his movements.

That’s not a lie, but… if it comes down to a mock battle—

“Agnis, can you use swordsmanship?”

“I can use it at an average level. I used to train with my father while wearing armor.”

“And after equipping the ‘Health Promotion Pendant’?”

“At the territory, I sparred with my father. My technique is still far from perfect, but thanks to the ‘Health Promotion Pendant,’ my speed and strength have become incredible… so my win rate is about 60%.”

“…I see.”

“But the Archduke wishes for a mock battle with the descendant of the Flame Giant Ifrit…”

“So using fire is a given, huh.”

At my words, Agnis nodded once.

Let me confirm the current situation.

Agnis and I came here with the permission of the Demon Lord Rukie.

This could be called an official meeting.

At this place, Archduke Kharon requested to spar with Agnis.

Moreover, it was out of the Archduke’s own goodwill.

From the Demon Lord’s territory perspective, this is also a valuable opportunity to learn the swordsmanship of a former Sword Saint.

There is no reason to refuse. On the contrary, refusing might be considered rude.

Fortunately, we haven’t changed clothes yet.

It doesn’t matter if our clothes get dirty, and Agnis is wearing clothes made of ‘Earth Magic Weave Fabric.’

Even if she fails to control the flames, she won’t catch fire.

Also, for controlling fire magic, the item in question can be used.

Agnis has already practiced with it. No problem. If anything happens, I can support her.

Then, the most important thing is—

“What do you want to do, Agnis?”

I asked.

“If you don’t want to, I’ll make an excuse and refuse. But if you want to try sparring with Archduke Kharon, I will support you with all my strength. I will prepare the conditions and absolutely help if something happens. That is my promise.”

“…Thor Canaan-sama.”

“What will you do? Agnis?”

“…I want to try sparring with the Archduke!”

Agnis looked straight at me and said so.

“I’m here with the Demon Lord’s permission. I want to fulfill my roles as a guard and messenger properly. Also, as my father’s daughter, I’m interested in the swordsmanship of the former Sword Saint.”

“Okay. I understand.”

“More than anything, Agnis wants to show Thor Canaan-sama her cool side.”

Gripping the ‘Health Promotion Pendant’ decorating her chest, Agnis nodded.

“I want to spar with the former Sword Saint and test Thor Canaan-sama’s item… I want to be useful to Thor Canaan-sama. I want to show my cool side. So—”

“Understood. Then, I will arrange the situation.”

“Please take care of it!”

After some detailed arrangements, we stepped out from the shade of the trees.

“Thank you for waiting, Archduke-sama.”

“Y-yes.”

“Agnis is fine with sparring. However, since the opponent is the former Sword Saint Archduke Kharon-sama, and this is a mock battle in an unfamiliar place, we ask for a handicap.”

“A handicap, huh? I don’t mind.”

“First, Agnis will approach the Archduke and strike once with her sword.”

“Only once?”

“Yes. It will be like striking while releasing flames. Of course, the flames will not hit the Archduke.”

“Using the flames as a distraction, huh? Interesting.”

“Second, Agnis will use a magic item. It’s to adjust her physical condition. Is that alright?”

“No problem. Rather, it sounds interesting.”

Archduke Kharon smiled wryly.

“In other words, I’ll be facing Agnis’s sword and the alchemist’s item—so it’s like facing two opponents. This is amusing.”

“Is that okay?”

“Didn’t I say it’s fine? During the ‘Beast Investigation,’ the alchemist kept surprising me, so it’s only fair I return the favor here!”

“Understood. Then—”

I nodded at Agnis.

At the same time, Archduke Kharon’s adjutant, Nona, ran over and handed Agnis a practice sword and armor.

Receiving them and preparing herself, Agnis stepped forward.

She wore a tense expression.

In a small voice, she muttered, “Father… I’ll punish you when I get back.” I understand how she feels.

But well, it’s no wonder a general wants to brag about his daughter.

Agnis is serious, ambitious, and never neglects her efforts.

She accepted the sudden offer from Archduke Kharon, decided what she must do, and took action.

With such an amazing daughter, wanting to brag is natural.

I want to brag too.

Even now, Agnis faces the former Imperial Sword Saint without fear and holds her sword ready.

“Well then… I’m coming!”

“Hmm. Come at me, Agnis Freizad!”

And so, the mock battle between Archduke Kharon and Agnis began.

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