Chapter 89
Chapter 89 – Sword Saint and the Princess Knight Round 2
[Her Highness simply put into words what’s inside her mind . ]
Zion said as he handed a training sword to Liliana .
[Really? I just thought that there is no other way but to do that, right?]
Liliana looked at Ares who stood at the other side of the training ground . Next to him was William trying to apologize for her insolence .
In the middle of Ares discussion with William, Liliana had barged in and requested for a sparring match . Despite William’s complaints, Ares gladly accepted the request .
[Zion . ]
[Yes . ]
[I… have never been defeated so badly up until now . ]
[… . indeed]
Not only losing but there was also an overwhelming gap in their skill .
She was reminded then . That there would always be a higher mountain .
[I want to try again once more . And I’ll give it my all . Instead of relying on Alflex, I want to see how my real strength can fare against him . ]
Liliana stood up after saying so . Zion looked at her in amazement .
And Liliana resumed .
[If by chance… . I lost again… then that’s the furthest I could go . Maybe I’ll give up on swordsmanship]
[… . Princess…]
Zion was surprised by her exclamation, but Liliana was already walking toward the center of the training ground .
Ares was already waiting there .
[Forgive me for keeping you waiting . Here we go . ]
[Likewise . ]
Ares smiled and grasped the training sword .
Liliana stood quietly a little bit further away .
And then… the sparring match began .
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That day was the first time Zion got a good look on Ares .
[No way… that much is…]
Beads of sweat flowed down Zion’s cheek .
He knew that Ares won’t treat Liliana harshly . He also thought that it would be a close match, until he saw the match himself .
Liliana had always been a big presence for the people . A symbol of the peak of martial prowess in Redgear .
Liliana with her overwhelming strength would spearhead the Redgear army, regardless whether the enemy was an invading army of another country or magic beasts’ stampede .
Therefore, someone who could defeat Liliana must’ve been an even scarier freak… or so he thought .
However, Ares was different from what he imagined .
Ares was in a relaxed stance, he’s not even raised his sword . However…
[I can’t move… what a powerful pressure…!]
When Zion glanced sideways, he saw Garn’s face was pale . Perhaps both of them had the same impression .
(It’s as if I’m standing before 1000 soldiers…!)
Both Zion and Garn are strong fighters on their own right . But still, they couldn’t move .
Meanwhile Liliana stopped after merely one step . She was desperately trying to endure the pressure .
Her hands trembled . Her breathing became rough .
(I’ll be suppressed if I don’t do anything… I have to act) .
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Her mind thought so, but her body had a different opinion . Liliana thus took a deep breath .
[Haaaaaaaaaaaaa!]
Raising her voice to alleviate the anxiety and fear, Liliana started to strengthen her body with magic .
Meanwhile Ares did not act; he merely observed the situation .
Suddenly, Liliana rushed at Ares with explosive momentum .
An intense slash rained down on Ares . But he received it calmly .
[I’m not done yet!]
Liliana slashed continuously .
Once, twice, thrice…
The magically enhanced slashes were sharp and heavy . But Ares blocked each one of them with relative ease and calmness .
[Liliandono, you swordsmanship is sharp and powerful… but that won’t be enough to defeat me . ]
At that moment Ares suddenly dodged Liliana’s slash, tipping the balance of the fight .
[Swordsmanship is not only about harshness . There is also softness in it . ]
Ares swung his sword at Liliana whose center of gravity had collapsed .
Liliana couldn’t respond in time, got hit and fell to the ground .
[A balanced combination of both is required for a good swordsman]
Ares continued on while still keeping an eye on Liliana .
[Princess Liliana’s swordsmanship is overwhelming . You have speed, and an even stronger offense after you use magic strengthening… however, that’s nothing but one half of swordsmanship . ]
That’s when Ares offered his hand to her .
[Princess Liliana still has room for growth . You can become stronger with enough effort . ]
[……… . ]
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Liliana silently took his hand and got up .
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Ares stayed at William’s palace that night . He would be staying for one week . He planned to inspect the land of Redgear during his stay .
That’s why William threw a grand banquet on the first day of Ares’ stay .
[Honestly, you don’t have to make it this grand…]
[No… this is to atone for my sister’s insolence, so please accept it . ]
William flatly said that as he bowed his head to Ares .
Ares simply laughed .
[No, please stop . I didn’t feel bothered at all . ]
[However…]
[Now now, let’s end the talk here and enjoy the banquet!]
Ares reached out to the dishes in front of him as he said so .
Seeing the situation, William could only grin as he too took a glass of wine .
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Someone was watching that scene from a distance .
[Princess… Princess… Princess Liliana!]
[… . !? What? Oh, it’s Zion…]
[… . I’ve seen enough . ]
[Eh?! Whatever did you mean?]
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[…do we have to repeat this talk once more?]
Zion sighed . That asked the question that has been bothering him .
[Princess… do you really want to give up on swordsmanship?]
[Nn? Ah… I did want to give up back then, but I have decided to continue on . Because… Ares-dono said that I still have some room for more growth…]
Liliana’s cheeks were blooming slight red when she said that .
Nn? And right then an ominous thought crossed Zion’s mind .
[Zion…]
Zion tried to leave the area, but Liliana called out to him before he did, forcing him to turn around…
Liliana was staring at him intently .
(Damn it!)
Zion realized that his instinct of danger was right, so he rushed to leave the banquet . But Liliana’s question came before he could leave .
[I wish to participate in brother and Ares-dono’s conversation… but I don’t know how to get in…]
The last part was spoken in a gradually quiet voice .
How should I know!
Zion wanted to scream . He had gone through numerous battlefields, cheated death on many occasions, but never before he experienced this kind of hardship . She should’ve gone to his wife instead . Why a young woman like Liliana choose to consult an old man like him was beyond him .
[… . . if it’s Ellie, she would’ve fitted in just fine, wouldn’t she?]
In his confusion Zion unintentionally mentioned his daughter’s name… and right then he realized his fault .
(wait wait… let’s not provoke her into doing funny things again this time…!)
[Ah, Princess, please wait…]
When Zion turned around to explain things… Liliana was no longer there…