I see emperor stats-Chapter 133
inside story
a few days later
Finally, the day came when the proxy duel over the estate was to be held.
A group of horses and horses visited the castle of Viscount Keynes. It was the opponent Count Lawrence and the knights. Behind him, enlisted soldiers were following one after another, so it was an atmosphere that they had come to fight some kind of war rather than attend a duel.
“Is the Count here?”
Despite the polite greeting from Viscount Keynes, Count Lawrence had a sad expression.
“How well did you accept a duel by proxy in such a humble little estate? Have you properly prepared for the takeover?”
All the vassals behind the viscount looked displeased at the openly ignoring of the greeting.
“… … .”
The Viscount, who had heard the verbal abuse, silently turned his back and walked inside the castle as if to guide them.
"joy! Still, I want to protect my last pride, is this? It will save you a lot of trouble because you won’t cry and cling to it.”
Lawrence, who boasted that he had won, followed the viscount into the castle with confident steps.
'Well, it's a castle and territory that will soon be mine anyway, so it wouldn't be nice to see it belittled too much.'
He didn't think he would lose at all. That's why they were able to act with no personality even in a duel over each other's territory.
buzz buzz.
The castle of the Viscount, which was normally a quiet country estate, was crowded with outside guests today.
The nobles and knights who brought each other as notaries of the duel gathered and were preparing for the duel.
Eventually, an old nobleman who served as the representative of the notary public came out, looked at the owners of both lands alternately, and then opened his mouth.
“Since all the guests have arrived, I think we should start soon. Are you ready?”
“This side is ready.”
“Anyway, the result is already decided, so let’s start quickly!”
Hearing the answers from both sides, he nodded.
“Then you two can each send out an article. As you know the rules, the one who first puts one knight out of combat or subdues it is the winner.”
And the representative of the notary public turned his gaze to the viscount for a moment, then gave a slightly apologetic expression.
“According to the rules, the losing side may not take anything with them except two wagons worth of property. Do you agree?”
'Tsk!'
All the notaries, including him, were clicking their tongues inwardly. Although Lawrence's snobbish demeanor was an annoyance, his sympathy for Viscount Keynes also played a part.
“You’ve become unlucky in your later years.”
“Why are you resisting when you can just close your eyes and surrender to the aristocratic union? As expected, knights are too hard-headed to wear masks.”
There was no way the viscount was unaware of the buzz.
“… … .”
However, his loyalty to the imperial family was also a problem, but there was a decisive reason why he could not join the nobles.
'I can't hold my son's ankles when he's all grown old.'
If he surrenders and joins the aristocracy, what will happen to Keynes, who is doing well next to the first prince? He probably won't hear anything good.
It was the Viscount's idea that if the path to success was open in the center, there would be no reason to burden his son with such problems in the countryside.
'It's good that Sir Max says he went back to the capital in a fit of rage. If he rode a hippo he would have made me worry unnecessarily.'
The first time he saw Keynes, the Viscount's heart skipped a beat. The fact that he had been on vacation at a time like this meant that what he had been trying to hide was almost gone.
'Then why did you go on vacation at such a messy time?'
Although he had some doubts, the Viscount, who soon organized his thoughts, nodded his head with a determined expression while looking at the notary public.
“Of course we are ready.”
“Then let’s begin.”
The duel was scheduled to take place in the gymnasium in the castle. First, Count Lawrence sent out an article. He approached a knight with a full smile on his skinny face.
"lol… I think Sir Howard will have to work hard this time too.”
The knight nodded without answering and walked out slowly. It was a bit strange scenery to say that the relationship between a lord and a knight who are generally served.
Standing in the center of the gymnasium, the knight opened his mouth to reveal his identity.
“My name is Rick Howard, who was originally a free knight, but recently decided to serve Count Lawrence. I look forward to a good fair match.”
Sailors.
Upon hearing those words, another buzz erupted from the notary's seat.
They attended the first two proxy duels that took place around here, but the identity of the knight who identified himself as Sir Howard was slightly questionable.
“No matter how many powerful people are hidden on the continent, is it necessary to entrust a person who can easily defeat a master class to the Countess?”
“Well, couldn’t it be a knight in training at a prestigious samurai family? Anyway, I won't be able to see the results this time either.”
'Now it's my turn.'
The Viscount closed his eyes tightly and raised his hand to signal to send the knight away. It was rather difficult to choose because they were prepared to lose no matter who came out.
The knight he chose was a middle-aged knight who had served him for many years. He should send out an experienced knight so that he can raise the white flag before he gets seriously hurt.
stride.
Hearing footsteps behind him, the viscount turned his head with an apologetic expression.
'I feel sorry for him. Please don't get seriously injured... … . huh?'
The viscount opened his eyes in an instant. Because the article that came out was completely different.
“Why are you?”
After bowing to the viscount, who was so flustered that empty air leaked out of his mouth, the knight jumped ahead and shouted, fearing that the viscount might be bitten.
"I am Bernard Keynes, the eldest son of the Viscount Keynes and the squad leader of the First Prince's Sharnos Knights!"
Seeing Keynes suddenly appearing, exclamations leaked out from the notary public's seats.
"indeed… Have you ever heard the name I heard that he was a knight who was quite active in the Imperial Martial Arts Association in the past?"
“Come to think of it, I said that the Viscount's eldest son is making a name for himself in the capital these days, right? You could have hidden it like that!”
As the notary public nodded excitedly, even the self-made man could not bear to say that he would change the article.
In this situation, forcibly changing it would only give his son a disgrace. The viscount's expression shook greatly and he shot at Keynes.
'Hey! Why did you come here?'
“… … .”
He didn't answer anything and greeted the other knight.
“Please fight fair and square.”
“If you can do that!”
The opponent, who called himself Lord Howard, secretly fired a blast at Keynes. It had the meaning of overpowering the steamer, and it was because he was interested in him, who was said to be the first prince's knight.
'Certainly I've heard the name before, but it doesn't look very strong.'
"hmm?"
Surprisingly, Keynes seemed a little taken aback by the momentum, but quickly regained his composure. Howard's eyes widened at the sight.
'Look at this?'
Although he was hiding his identity, he was actually a superhuman-class knight. Being able to channel his momentum so skillfully means that the opponent is tougher than expected!
'But no matter how you look at it, it's not a superhuman-class article. I'll make you regret meeting me here today.'
For a moment, even making a surprised expression made his eyes flash with life. He never intended to let Keynes, who was introduced as an aide to Julius, live.
Meanwhile, Keynes pretended to be calm on the outside, but on the inside he was sweating profusely. He was surprised by the words that he had defeated the master class, but isn't this momentum unmistakably superhuman?
'no! Like His Highness the Prince, why are you so unlucky these days? Every opponent I meet is one level above me... … .'
The only reason he was able to lightly let go of the spirit of a superman was because he had gotten used to it after being beaten so many times by opponents stronger than him in the special training.
But that was training, and this was real combat. On top of that, seeing that the other person is spouting a serious life, it seems that he has no intention of taking it lightly.
At this moment, Keynes' concentration was raised to its peak. It was an unavoidable fight anyway. Doesn't he have a reason to win?
'This is the judge!'
When Keynes showed his fighting spirit, Howard only laughed coldly.
'I'm determined, but how long can I do that?'
Soon, with the notary's signal, the duel began.
“Then, knights on both sides, please start the duel.”
Wedge love!
Howard's sword shot through Keynes' heart with furious momentum. Even though it was a duel, it was a vicious move aimed at a vital point from the beginning.
Seeing this, the viscount's face turned pale.
'Even though he's built up quite a reputation, can he stand up to an article like that?'
Caang!
“… … !?”
For a moment, Howard and the Viscount both made faces of surprise. Keynes was surprisingly able to block the blow. There is even a sharp counterattack.
visor!
'Are you quite assuming?'
Howard hardened his face and charged again. He swung his sword fiercely, trying not to give Keynes a chance to strike back. The elaborate series of attacks were so splendid yet terrifying that it seemed that Keynes would collapse at any moment in blood.
visor! visor! visor!
In fact, he was pushed insanely. It was all about defending against his opponent's attacks.
“… … .”
However, Howard, who was attacking, was getting more and more hardened.
'At first glance, it seems that you are being pushed one-sidedly, but there are no injuries, right? Are you planning to consume only the opponent's stamina?'
The Viscount was also preparing to raise the white flag at any moment with a worried expression at first, but as if he noticed it soon, he watched the match with a surprised expression.
“Look at that. Didn't Bocchan say you have talent?"
Sir Max, who had come close to him, smiled. The viscount frowned.
“You lied to me. He said he went back to the capital.”
“It was your request.”
The viscount sighed at that brief reply.
"It's all because of my incompetence, so I won't hold you accountable."
“You don’t even bother. Isn't it the Viscount's will that you sent the Bocchan to the capital?"
“I wanted to change my personality even a little bit. But I didn't expect this result.”
"Anyway, wouldn't it be nice if the results were good?"
“… … .”
The Viscount didn't answer any more, but Sir Max, who knew the truth, smiled happily. At the same time, he also had doubts.
'By the way, who the hell is the person who changed that immature youngster into such a trustworthy person? Was he stimulated by the sight of his fellow knights? Or is that First Prince Highness?'
However, before the question could be resolved, the circumstances of the duel suddenly changed.
Chew!
“… … !?”
"young master!"
Keynes, who had been blocking well until recently, finally allowed an attack. Howard's spirits were even more ferocious than before.
He was grinding his teeth inwardly.
'I can't even bring out a draw against a kid like this!'
When he used his secret technique, his strength and speed instantly increased significantly. So, no matter how hard Keynes was, he had no choice but to go on the defensive.
At least, he had endured well until now thanks to repeated training with opponents far superior to him.
Smack!
His body, which had already allowed sword strikes here and there, became bloody before he knew it. But Keynes was looking for an opportunity with his eyes wide open.
'It's still worth holding on to. You only need one chance!'
The opponent was obviously a superhuman, but he was not as ruthless and strong as the likes of Julius and Beatrice, who usually beat him to pieces. It was just a scratch. I was beaten to the point where I was tired of it, so I didn't pay attention to it anymore.
Watching him persevere, Howard sensed something was going wrong.
'I thought he'd knock me down right after he took out his secret weapon, but he's an extremely annoying guy.'
His secret skill is doubled!
As the word says, the more you attack continuously, the more power and speed increase. However, Keynes's sword was not powerful enough, as it fluttered like a ghost and cut off between his attacks.
Although he is on the weak side among superhumans, Keynes' swordsmanship itself is the worst match for his secret technique.
As a result, it was overwhelmingly pushing, but it was not easy to decide whether to win or lose. Embarrassed, Howard nodded his head.
'That's right, you can't maintain your stamina while constantly bleeding. In the end, it will end with my victory.'
At first, I thought I would win overwhelmingly, but it seemed difficult to do so.
"after… … .”
He briefly slowed down the attack in order to preserve his stamina.
And that moment is the moment Keynes has been waiting for.
'It's an opportunity!'
Keynes grabbed his sword with both hands and plunged into the opponent's swordsmanship. This was the trick he learned from being beaten to death.
'No matter how vigilant they are, superhumans do not doubt their victory over ordinary knights in the slightest!'
In order to escape from the hell of the special training, he tried all means to feed Julius somehow.
This moment was the most effective. The moment when the opponent is sure of victory and slightly slows down the offensive!
slip.
His sword slid like a ghost and cut Howard's throat. Howard couldn't help but be frightened because it was a trump card in which he had invested all of Keynes' spare energy.
'what!'
No matter how superhuman he is, he cannot receive the blade of the force wielded by a master-level knight with his bare body. If the sword stopped near his neck like this, it would be his decision.
Howard gritted it.
'I'm afraid I'll lose to a kid like that!'
He twisted his upper body to evade the attack as much as possible and stabbed his sword straight into his heart.
Chaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaagh!
Pooh!
Keynes' sword deviated from his neck and split Howard's chest, and Howard's sword pierced Keynes' heart.
“Kuh… … .”
"omg!"
Howard was seriously injured to the extent that his white breastbone was exposed. And Keynes, who had been pierced through his heart, staggered backwards with his pure white face.
"marquis… No Sir Howard!”
“Bernard!”
Representatives from both sides all looked pale and were ready to jump out at any moment.
And the results of feeding each of them one by one were soon revealed.
thud!
With an expression of disbelief on his face, Howard collapsed first.
“S… The winner is Viscount Keynes!”
In response to the unexpected result, the representative of the notary public stuttered and declared Keynes' victory.
“Call the therapist!”
"young master!"
Sir Max, who hastily ran out, sighed in relief as he inspected the details of Keynes, who was about to collapse.
“You’ve moved just a handful of inches from your heart. Thank you very much.”
Just as Howard stabbed him face to face with the determination to kill, he twisted his body slightly at the end and narrowly deflected the blade from his heart.
Keynes, who urgently received first aid, passed out. All the notaries were busy praising him while whispering.
“I thought I was going to lose, but it was a great fighting spirit. This is how Count Lawrence became pitiful.”
“What are you sorry about? It's like being greedy like that and getting into trouble!"
Earl Lawrence was pale and trembling.
'No, what happened to this!'
In his opinion, Howard, a superman, was a hand he could never lose. But that common sense is broken. After being unconscious for a while, he started shaking his head.
'I can't take away the territory like this. But what should I do?'
His eyes soon darkened viciously.
'I'm far superior to such a pitiful territory as a knight. I'd rather kill them all and destroy the evidence... … .'
“Criminals, please accept the arrest!”
But before he could make up his mind, the gates were opened and knights poured in. The number is in the hundreds, a scenery that can never be seen in the southern countryside like this.
"what! What the hell is going on?”
A middle-aged man neatly dressed in military uniform walked out of the crowd of knights surrounding the gymnasium. He opened his mouth in a solemn tone.
“I am Marquis Peres, who is in charge of the 3rd Corps of the Empire.”
“… … !?”
Everyone in the hall couldn't help but be surprised.
“No, what the hell is the central army doing in a rural area like this… … .”
The reason soon became clear.
“Count Lawrence! I will arrest you on charges of insurrection with the New Confederacy.”
“… … !?”
Count Lawrence had no choice but to harden in place like a stone statue, shivering at the lumps of fat all over his body. How the hell did you find that information?
In addition, the words that came out of Marquis Pérez's mouth shocked everyone in the hall.
“And the one lying there too! His Majesty the Emperor decided to investigate the charges of sympathizing with the New Confederacy and the crime of recklessly leaving the post of Marshal.”
Chew!
One of the knights approached and removed something from the face of the superman called Sir Howard.
There was nothing more surprising now, but empty breath escaped from the mouths of some nobles.
“What about that face?”
“Isn’t it Marquis Patrick?”
And the face revealed was Marquis Patrick, a superman who was in charge of the southern border. The person he was impersonating was Howard.
Pérez accepted it and declared it.
“This is a very elaborately crafted mask called a bast mask from the East! With this, no one will doubt his identity, right?”
“… … .”
There was nothing to say. The knights tightly bound Howard, no, Marquis Patrick, who was barely breathing with their rough hands, with thick chains.
“… … !?”
The Viscount didn't know what the hell was going on, so he stood staring at the fallen Keynes and Perez alternately.
Seeing this, a young man walked out from among the notaries.
“I will explain to the Viscount.”
Keynes, who jumped up after receiving treatment after a while, also looked at the person who was barely holding back his laughter in front of him with a puzzled expression.
“No, Devan! How the hell did you get here?”
"That's right, I came on the orders of His Highness the Prince."
"yes? Your Highness the Prince?”
Keynes' face contorted. It was because he remembered what Julius had said a while ago when he called him.
"You've worked hard so far, so go back to your hometown and get some rest!"
* * *
The story was like this.
“The New Confederacy?”
Julius frowned when he heard that in addition to the unusual air currents in the capital, there was a force forcibly rallying nobles in the south.
“And this is the biggest problem, but it seems that the superman of the south, Marquis Patrick, is behind it.”
Hearing Zhuge Liang's words, Julius spat out a word without hesitation.
“If the opponent is him, we can use this opportunity to let Keynes go.”
“You mean Keynes?”
Devan, who was next to him, tilted his head. Since it's what Julius is doing, he might have an idea, but can he handle being superhuman right now?
“Isn’t he the weakest of the empire’s superhumans? In addition, when I heard from Victor, he said that although he was talented, he hated the Grand Duke because of his arrogant and cruel disposition. If he's like that, he'll be able to handle it.”
"still."
Devan, who was about to say something more, kept his mouth shut. Could it be that Julius sent Keynes to kill him?
"Then, I'll go with the expected power like that."
“I believe in you.”
At that time, Julius was busy with the affairs of the capital and couldn't afford to take care of small fish in the south. No matter how much the nobles of the south tried to unite there, there was no way they could defeat the 3rd Corps with Daevan.
'If there's a problem, it's the existence of Marquis Patrick, who is superhuman, but as I expected, Keynes would be enough to block it.'
Julius had his own convictions. It was the memory of his previous life.
It was also a very famous anecdote related to Keynes.
“Apart from His Highness the Grand Duke, who would be the best knight in the South?”
"Isn't it probably another superman, Marquis Patrick?"
"But isn't there Viscount Keynes who is also undefeated?"
“If so, will there be any way to defeat a superman?”
Except for the Grand Duke in his previous life, if anyone picked the best swordsman in the South, they would pick those two. However, there was an interesting anecdote about the victory and defeat of the two.
“It is unpleasant to compare me to such a person.”
However, Marquis Patrick seemed to have always been concerned about comparing himself to Keynes, who was reputed to be an idler.
He visited Keynes' estate one day and challenged him to a fight.
“Shit… If you win, you lose, and if you lose, you lose... … .”
Seeing him persistently requesting a confrontation, Keynes was very embarrassed, and eventually accepted the confrontation on the condition that it be held indoors in secret.
And the result was surprisingly a draw.
“… … .”
After the confrontation, Marquis Patrick shut his mouth firmly and returned to his estate. This was a representative case in which Keynes, who was not even a superhuman, could become so famous.
Among his undefeated history, there was a confrontation with a superman.
However, when he heard that Marquis Patrick's personality was arrogant and cruel, he immediately recognized it.
'If he had that kind of personality, there's no way he would have let Keynes live. The confrontation in the previous life must be Keynes' victory.'
It was clear that Keynes would have at least the ability to withstand him, so Julius sent him to the south.
Of course, sending him to the territory and participating in the duel was, strictly speaking, not his strategy, but Devan's plan.
'If we face each other on the battlefield and lose Keynes in an unexpected accident, His Highness the Prince will not face us.'
The plan Devan devised after struggling so hard was the Battle of Yeongji. Coincidentally, the greedy Earl of Lawrence was aiming for Keynes' hometown.
It couldn't be a golden opportunity to create a one-on-one situation for the two of them.
Devan attended under the guise of a notary public, and immediately sent a signal to call in the legion as soon as the victory or defeat was decided. If it seems like Keynes is about to be defeated in any case, he's got the least amount of gadgets he can save.
* * *
“… … .”
After finally hearing the inside story, Keynes couldn't help but tremble and let out an unfair cry.
“Your Highness the Prince!”
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