What?! This bastard!

Baron Ashval shouted a stereotypical villains line as three knights were tossed into the air by a booming strike. Pitch black energy cut through reeds and men alike.

Sword?! Is that?

Someone pushed off the ground with all his power and soared through the air like a bird, landing squarely in front of Baron Ashval.

The Baron whipped out his sword, but he immediately staggered from the sheer onrush of mana shaking his body inside and out.

It seemed like the most natural way to respond when you asked who I am, their new guest said as he seated himself next to Charles. He didnt forget to shoot the wide-eyed Young Lady a grin. Sir Cain, knight of justice, savior of the Princess, has arrived!

Sir Cain Charles finally came to grips with what was happening.

Ah! Please, dont cry. Your tears, lovely as they are, are totally unnecessary. Cain reached out a hand to forestall her impending outburst. Why dont you take my hand, Young Lady?

I heuk I was wondering what I would say to you in the afterlife or what you would say to me ugh

Cains smile stiffened. He wanted to shout, Wait, why the hell are you killing off a perfectly healthy person? But it didnt seem appropriate at the moment. At any rate, he was very happy being not dead. He still had things he wanted to do.

Youre a wonderful knight, Sir Cain, but I cant believe youre trying to advance your interests at a time like this, a husky voice chided him.

Oh Cain turned and cocked his head, his cheerful smile still firmly affixed to his face. Icarus! Whatever could you mean?

You said it like it was the most natural thing in the world: I wish I could hold a womans hand, just once.

Cain flinched. Thats Uh, thats not it

Oh, of course its not.

Are you angry at me right now?

Me? Angry? How could I be anything but absolutely overjoyed that you survived?

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I couldnt tell you. Im sorry, I had to be wary of spies once I knew there were traitors.

I know. It would have given the enemy the upper hand. You did well.

Are you sure?

Yes. Icarus smiled.

Youre mad at me.

Whos mad? Me?

Did you weep for me? I dont see any tears.

Oh, Cain. The head does not understand how the heart feels.

Cain stared at Icarus. Is this what being popular is like?

Did you eat something weird?

No, Cain answered. I had plenty of food, even though I was being chased.

Thats good, then.

What, now youre concerned about your fiance

Icarus scoffed. You are the last person Id want to be my husband.

Oh? So you admit youre a woman?

Hah! Give me a break. Honestly!

The rest of the group couldnt help but smile at the endearing scene, despite the predicament hanging over their heads.

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ThisThis is bullshit!

Cain and Icarus turned toward the voice just in time to see Baron Ashval stomp out of the reeds, furiously beating the dust1 out of his clothes. Cain hid Charles behind him.

Youre still alive?

What, you didnt hear me earlier? Cain laughed. Im going to die of shame.

This wont end like last time. We might both be B-Class Knights, but the swordsmanship I studied is nothing like yours. Ill show you why people distinguish between Imperial and non-Imperial knights.

Cains eyes narrowed. Whos the Master?

Even a house a young as yours would have heard of him. Baron Ashval puffed up his chest. My family is the Deogrant house from the south. My grandfather was Ashva Deogrant, the leader of his generation and one of the Empires great Masters.

Cain knew who Ashva Deogrant was. He died twenty years ago. He only became a Master when he was already over seventy years old, making him the oldest Master in the history of the Empire. For his ten years of Mastery, he crushed anyone and everyone who disparaged him for his age.

I studied the sword with him since I was a boy. Even before your lord, Joshua Sanders, was born.

Thats fantastic! Cain hefted his enormous sword to match the Barons.

Our familys technique takes longer to build than that of other familiesbut after a certain point, the speed rises dramatically. The distance between B-Class and A-Class is as great as that between a beginner swordsman and B-Class. It only serves to prove how exceptional our family is. He loudly proclaimed the merits of his familys mana technique with a sly grin2. Everyone here except the Young Lady and the Patriarch will face my wrath. You have no one to blame except yourselves. And Baron Ashval leered at Icarus. You, especially, have a lot to look forward to. Ill make sure my soldiers are happy, woman or not.

Icarus shivered.

Your teacher is not always your choice but your Master should be. Sadly, you chose poorly. And youll die for that mistake. The Baron let out a low, confident chuckle, despite having lost to Cain before.

Cain calmly scanned their surroundings. The enemys encirclement was iron-clad. It would be impossible to break through this siege on their own.

Then all we can do is hold out until the signal arrives.

Cain stepped forward with a grin that dripped with derision.

If youre so sure, lets give it another go.

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What?

Youre not just bluffing, are you? Show me the great Deogrant familys might.

Are you provoking me? Dont be ridiculous

Theres enough people here to serve as witnesses. You dont even need to worry about us trying to escape but are they ready to watch you lose?

Baron Ashval did want this fight. There was a reason he boasted about his familys mana so much. Ive been longing for this day ever since I lost that damn spar. The way his subordinates looked at him stung more than the defeat itself. His confidence had been driven to its lowest point. Hed put a lot of thought into why he lost, and his efforts had recently been rewarded.

Okay then, Ill start by cutting off your head, and then Ill take that kitten by your side. The Baron moved ahead with a smile that threatened to split his visage in two.

As expected of the Deogrants scion.

Lets see how long youll keep smi

Hey. If you share the story of your teacher, isnt it only fair that you hear the story of mine?

Unnecessary. Ashval smirked. I dont want to hear it or anything else.

Oh, really?

Besides, your familyViscount Harrywas abandoned out in the desolate north, even by His Majesty the Emperor. These days, even Barons get ignored. Correct me if Im wrong, but your family doesnt have anything but its swordsmanship, does it? But theyre sooooooo proud of themselves. He sneered and flexed his muscles. Enough small talk!

No, Im telling you, listen.

Baron Ashval looked confused, much to Cains amusement. Ashvals teacher was a Master twenty years ago. Cains teacher was the strongest man on the continent.

If you have the time to look up my family, you shouldve taken the time to look a little deeper.

What?

Knowing you, I think youll be shocked. Cain slammed his sword into the ground, launching himself up at gravity-defying speeds.

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Baron Ashvals jaw dropped. For Gods sake, that swords bigger than he is!

Steel clashed, throwing up a vicious shower of sparks.