Step step

People were walking.

Residents, merchants, even drunk people who didnt know what was happening bowed their heads.

It was because Murrays youngest son, Cora Murray was walking in front of them.

Murray, who is so strong that no lord would treat him rudely, and the favored son of such a man was passing by, no one could make eye contact with them.

At least, those who lived there couldnt.

However, there were those who followed him with nonchalant faces.

The blue-haired young man next to Cora Murray and the blonde who was being followed by an Orc.

And the cat around the Orcs shoulder with an innocent look.

So was Judith.

She thought as she walked next to Irene, or a step behind him.

This one, did he solve the homework the schoolmaster gave?

At first she didnt know, but then Judith came to know why Irene left Krono.

It was the result of tormenting Ian, who didnt inform her at all, for three years.

However, there was a part she didnt understand.

Finding his own sword, what is that?

For her, a sword is a sword.

Her schoolmaster said, because he has an unstable sword but she couldnt understand what he meant.

And she didnt want to know either.

Because she knew that the answer would be difficult.

However, she understood that it was an important issue for Irene, who is more problematic than Bratt.

Still he looks better than before.

Judith carefully looked at Irene.

Irene was two fingers taller than Bratt and his body was well balanced with calluses on his palms.

Then she looked at his face.

She wasnt sure, but he felt more passionate than before?

Not bad.

It has to be fun, the first match in 5 years and 6 months.

Judith, who had a mischievous grin on her face, opened her mouth to talk to Irene.

But right then, someone spoke to her.

Hello?

hello.

Glad to meet you. Im Lulu. As said earlier, Im Irenes sorcery teacher.

huh, right. Im Judith. Irenes friend.

Yes, I know! I heard about you before. But I just wanted to talk to you.

As that was done, Judith smiled awkwardly as she looked at Lulu, who was smiling like a human.

It wasnt her first time seeing a sorcerer.

Since Krono often had special guests such as magicians and sorcerers, she met a couple of them.

What concerned her was that the cat was black.

Black cat an ominous sign!

It reminded her of the stories she heard in her childhood, things she didnt want to think about.

There were rumors that demons would be waiting if one followed a black cat which could speak human language, and that an epidemic spread in the town where a black cat appeared.

Of course, she knew that they were all groundless rumors, but Judith was still a little bothered by it.

I will give you this. A gift!

But Lulu seemed different.

And Judith was beginning to like her, and the cat took out three golden mice from her subspace. Kuvar who saw them gulped, and one of Coras escorts who was watching that, went stiff.

With a mixture of surprise and joy, tension and anxiety, Judith said.

I-Is this gold?

Yes! Dont overthink. I have a lot!

A lot?

Do you want more?

No, not at all. No no, what do you mean more uh?

Seeing Judith confused by Lulus words, Irene smiled.

She looked different but she didnt change too much. It was nice to see Judith still have her innocence as she matured.

Of course, the change wasnt just in her behavior.

One glance was all that was needed. She was tall and had a great body.

Perhaps her sword had changed too.

I want to fight quickly!

Sparks flashed in Irenes eyes.

He wouldnt have felt it before, but now he did.

Quickly, quickly. He continued his steps, hoping to get to Cora Murrays manor.

Fortunately, as he thought that, Cora stopped walking.

A very spacious area.

Once entered, it was even more amazing.

Judith admired the hall, which had a stone floor.

Woah, its huge.

wait.

Huh? What? Cant we start right away? I cant wait.

Irene didnt say a word but looked at Cora Murray with excitement, making the others look at Cora as well.

Flustered by that, Cora sighed and opened his mouth.

Anyway you people, you dont believe my words, right?

Hmm?

Even if you show a poor sight and do not have a silver card, you will just dismiss everything that happened and weave your own stories to others.

So what do you plan on doing?

Bringing in a notary. Hes in the manor, so Ill be back soon.

What? Isn't he on your side? How do we trust

Not on our side. Sir Brian Burns, a wandering knight, a wonderful man, skillful, and just.

Ah, Brian Burns.

Anyone you know?

Judith asked Bratt who exclaimed.

He was ordained as a knight in the Belson Kingdom. As that one said, he isnt the kind to lie about such things. I accept it.

Nice.

I need to unwind.

After talking to him, Judith stretched her body.

She swung her sword with a single movement and when the others saw it, they knew that she was skilled, but it wasnt something Cora and his escorts accepted.

Instead, it was Irene who caused a commotion.

Shoo!

Huk!

There was nothing. The sword

Oh-oh, what is that? Is that

Yes. Sorcery.

With a smile! Irene was wielding his greatsword.

Even the calm and cool-headed Bratt couldnt help but be surprised.

Rather, Judith was quick to adjust.

Yep, he definitely wasnt playing around for five years.

We didnt get to talk and it has been so long, but once the match is over, Ill tell you. What happened in the past.

Great. Me and Bratt will listen and talk too. It might not be fun though.

The two of them looked at each other and smiled bitterly.

A knight approached the hall and greeted Cora.

I came here as I was asked to be the notary.

Yes. That red-haired girl over there and the blonde one. After watching the match between those two, if you think that they have the skills of a silver card mercenary or more, say yes or no.

Easy task. Understood.

You two have no complaints, right?

No.

No!

Are you agreeing to grant what the winning side wishes?

Sure.

Sure! I cant hold back anymore! Lets start!

Okay. Lets watch.

Brian Burns spoke in a hard tone.

Judith, who smiled, took her stance.

Irene, too, took his position facing her.

Eventually, the two geniuses of Krono headed towards each other.

Damn it. Do I have to do this again

A famous wandering knight from the Belson Kingdom, Brian Burns, was grunting to himself. Because he didnt want to do such things.

But he couldnt help it.

For his younger brother who was collapsing, he had no choice but to listen to the family of Murray.

That meant that he should do whatever the youngest son of the Lord requested.

Damn it! How come

He was thinking nasty thoughts but he couldnt escape from the situation.

He had to act like Murray's dog for at least half a year.

Brian Burns, who managed to calm himself, recalled the command.

So, whether the match results are out or not I should just say if they are worthy of the silver card level or not?

Great. This was easy.

It didnt require effort, nor his life, and it didn't take a lot of time.

He wondered if there was anything simpler than that.

no, it wasnt simple.

Even though he was a wandering knight, for him, who knew what honor meant, this wasnt an easy task.

but Im glad.

The swordsmen were both young.

And a silver card wasnt something easy to acquire. It was a high level card which was given to those with excellent performance and skills.

Of course, even if one has the skills of a gold card, first timers are only given a silver card

But its impossible at such a young age.

Whether its achievement or skill, such young kids couldnt have it.

Thinking so, Brian sighed. It was a relief that he didnt have to deceive anyone by downgrading the kids.

And then, the Murray kid wouldnt do something bad to those kids.

Brian Burns looked at the match with such a heart.

However, as soon as the two young peoples swords met, all thoughts in his mind disappeared.

Kang!

Kang!

Kang!

The red-haired woman and the blonde collided in the hall.

The two, who didnt seem very strong, were fast in their moves and kept changing their stances.

Kwang!

Kwang!

Kang!

The two faced each other and then did three more attacks.

A standard slash which aimed for the upper body.

However, the sophistication and power contained in it was so strong that it was engraved in Brians eyes.

Clang!

The blonde swung his sword loudly.

The girl accepted it and then pushed the sword back. It was an intentional act.

The appearance of her stomping hard and fast to move and attack.

The blonde was carefully posed.

Wheik!

That was when it happened. Just before hitting the greatsword, the red-haired woman made an incomprehensible movement.

Stopping, ignoring the inertia, and then quickly returning the opponents attack.

And blow!

Kwang!

The loudest sound ever made in the hall.

The blonde man horizontally placed his sword and blocked the attack which came hammering down from above.

Kwak!

The floor cracked because of the impact.

Even Brian Burns' body shuddered for an instant.

However the two who were in the match didnt stop and continued to wield their swords.

Strike, strike, and another strike

Block, block and another block.

They did the same thing about 50 times then widened the distance.

Brian Burns could see the excitement in their eyes.

Cora Murray, the escorts, and others went stiff.

Even Brian Burns didnt say anything.

Bratt Loyd who had been quiet, said.

Look here, wont you both get serious!