55. Confrontation With Father

“Father… why are you doing this?”

An attacker suddenly appeared before Iris.

His true identity was none other than Reet’s father.

The man who had severed all ties and resolved to live as a stranger.

Yet despite such a brazen assault on the princess, Reet could only stand bewildered.

“If I kill the princess, I can reclaim my power.”

His father raised the corners of his mouth as he explained to his son.

Then he drew his blade, recognizing his son as an unambiguous enemy.

Reet drew his sword with trembling hands.

A detonation roared outside the chamber.

The enemy was not limited to Duke Welzley alone.

Platoon Leader Ursu and Larg should be fighting outside.

Which meant reinforcements could not be counted on.

“I regret to inform you, but you’ll die as well.”

Duke Welzley drew his blade.

†

When Platoon Leader Ursu and Larg arrived, the security Swordsmen had been slaughtered.

And there stood―the former Eastern Knight Order Commander Oscar Landolben, along with two of his former subordinates. All three were formidable enemies who had climbed the ranks as knights.

Ursu and Larg drew their swords and faced off against Landolben and his men.

“I’ll handle Landolben. I’m counting on you for his subordinates.”

Ursu gave the order.

“Understood.”

Larg responded without hesitation.

Landolben was, after all, a man who had risen to become a knight order commander. His strength was beyond measure. Larg acknowledged that he could not win against him in his current state.

Still, Larg also had to face two formidable enemy knights.

It was a fight for their lives.

Reet, I’m counting on you to protect Her Highness.

Larg murmured those words before raising his blade toward the enemy.

†

In the past, I faced Father countless times.

But back then, it was always practice.

This time is different.

Duke Welzley had drawn his sword intending to kill his son.

It was the Duke who moved first.

A sharp slash.

“Sacred Blade!”

As the golden-tinged blade came hurtling at him, Reet felt the terror of death and reflexively met it with all his power.

“Sacred Blade!”

The two holy blades collided, scattering golden sparks.

“Ugh…”

An immense pressure bore down on Reet’s entire body, threatening to crush him.

Even using the same technique, the weight differed.

He knew as much, but still―the power of a man who had risen to become knight commander was overwhelming.

Unable to endure the pressure, Reet threw himself backward.

And simultaneously, he unleashed magic.

“Dragon’s Breath Nova!”

Extreme flames surged forth as a torrent toward the Duke.

But―

“Sacred Barrier.”

The Duke blocked it with ease. The flames struck the barrier and were deflected skyward.

With a detonation, a hole opened in the ceiling.

And the Duke leaped up through that opening toward the rooftop.

He must have judged that fighting in the open would be easier.

Reet gave chase.

Illuminated by glittering stars and moonlight, the Duke’s blade gleamed.

Reet pushed off from the rooftop ground.

This time, Reet attacked first with a barrage of strikes.

A strategy to not give the enemy time to activate Skills.

His judgment was that if it came down to pure swordplay, he as a young man had a chance to win.

But it was naive.

The Duke easily parried every one of Reet’s attacks.

No matter how much weight Reet poured into his strikes, they were brushed aside as if the Duke were merely playing with a bird’s feather.

“Is that all?”

Reet felt panic rising at that provocation.

I was giving one hundred percent of my strength.

Yet it had no effect whatsoever.

The gap in ability was too great.

“Then it’s my turn.”

Having parried all of Reet’s attacks, the Duke went on the offensive.

First, a single forceful step.

From that foundation, his blade came forth, and Reet struggled to block it, pushed back bit by bit with a grinding sound.

And before the numbness could fade, another strike came.

This time he stumbled backward one, two steps.

Then the third attack.

That decided it.

Reet could not endure and lost his center of balance.

Game over.

Reet’s blade shrieked as it was hurled backward.

“Ugh…!!”

With his weapon lost, he was helpless.

“Now then, Reet. This is the end.”

His father dealt a death sentence to his own son. Yet there was no hesitation in the Duke’s expression.

He merely stated fact, as coldly as a judge pronouncing judgment.

“Sacred Blade!”

The Duke’s blade flared with light once more.

There was no way for me to defend myself now.

I’m going to die.

His warrior’s spirit was calmly accepting this fact.

There was no fear.

Only regret that he could not protect Iris.

His father’s raised blade appeared in slow motion.

The flashing light drew slowly closer―

Reet accepted his fate without closing his eyes―

But then it happened.

“Ryuuuuu!!”

A sudden cry.

From behind the Duke, flying in a straight line, came Aira.

The young dragon blazed with light, becoming a flash of brilliance as she flew toward Reet.

The radiance made Reet squint for a moment.

And then―the next instant―

A sword was gripped in his hand.