novelVol. 2 - Ep. 7
| ← Ch.031 | Ch.033 → |
"No way!" Ereka yelled.
"Ereka?"
"I... I'm sorry. But Sungjin. Ignore her challenge. It is an unfair fight. If you are defeated, you will lose everything, but she will keep her status as a general even if she is defeated."
Moreover...
Whoever the winner is, Sungjin and Eustasia will...
They would do the thing; that was ridiculous! Whoever the winner would be, it was a losing game for Ereka. She had to stop this.
"And she is level 7. She is a real military figure who can fight better than me. A duel is nonsense."
Sungjin patted Ereka softly.
"Thank you for worrying about me, but it's okay. I know she is level 7, but my intelligence is above her."
"But... but... the winner gets... it's nonsense..."
"It is unbalanced. But the stronger team is supposed to have the lower dividend."
Sungjin laughed arrogantly telling her that he, a level 0 extra, was the stronger side.
"I take your challenge."
Eustasia looked at him and licked her lips.
You are telling me that you are stronger.
An arrogant level 0.
It was ridiculous and absurd, but that made her want him more.
Frankly, she didn't expect him to accept her challenge.
"Intelligence" was his strength, but that didn't mean he could defeat her in a duel. Maybe in a battle but not in a duel.
Of course, she heard his swordsmanship was slightly above the Blood Ruler. But she also heard that it was impossible for him to overcome the difference in physical abilities and that he had no chance when it comes to "skills."
But he accepted her challenge.
I wanted him to refuse and make him realize his limits when it comes to the level difference.
She wasn't serious about her virginity, but if he could beat her, she thought that this kind of a guy deserved her virginity.
She understood why Ereka had a crush on him.
Ha. But there's no way you can beat me.
It was his vanity and pride that accepted the challenge.
When he defeated Ereka, he was supported by a weak wizard of level 4. But a duel?
"Just one thing. I want to change the prize. Taking someone's body only because I won is not my taste."
"Huh? You want to tell me that you don't like my body?"
"I admire it as a piece of art, but taking someone without love is not my thing."
"That is rare for a guy. You are interesting."
Ereka gave a sigh of relief.
Thank... thank god. Oh... no, no yet.
That was only the case if Sungjin won. What if Sungjin lost?
Noooo. What should I do? I should trust Sungjin.
But objectively speaking, the result was quite clear.
What should I do? What should I do?
Eustasia held her precious sword up.
"Okay. This is a secret treasure of my family. This is the best artifact as a sword all over the four kingdoms. Although that is below what's at stake for you, to step down..."
"Sure. The stronger team always has a lower dividend."
They made a deal.
"Let's cut to the chase. What about tomorrow?"
"Sure. Tomorrow at sunrise."
* * *
The news of a duel between Sungjin and Eustasia turned the castle upside down.
"Your Highness. What is happening?" Rittier asked with surprise.
"My queen. What happened during the meeting?"
Jenna's eyes shone with innocent curiosity.
"So..."
Ereka explained what happened to them. Her face got dark while telling them the story. Especially at the part where Eustasia said that if she won, she would take him and if she lost, she would be his woman.
Rittier shouted with rage.
"How rude! Your Highness already decided to treat Sir Sungjin as an equal. How dare she challenge him to a duel as if she is also an equal! It is an indirect insult to Your Highness!"
"Oh, yes. That is also true."
This old man doesn't understand the real matter.
Jenna tilted her knife tail while sucking on her finger.
"Huh? That means whoever wins, Sungjin Oppa has to date her?"
"Yes. If you take that literally, fortunately, Sungjin changed the condition to take her precious sword if he wins."
Oh, that's good news.
"I want to believe in Sungjin that he could win but... this is just..."
Ereka swallowed her next words. Sungjin might become someone else's lover.
"He has no reason to take such an unfair challenge... I'm worried that he's crossed an unnecessary line."
"Don't worry my queen. It'll be all good when he wins."
Jenna showed a bright smile.
Sungjin Oppa can take the best sword out of the four kingdoms, and that b*tch will be kicked out and embarrassed. She'll never try to make a move on him again. That's not a bad scenario.
"That's right. Since Sungjin is confident, all I can do is to trust him and support him. I should cheer for him with a smile."
Ereka finally found her smile back, but Rittier thought differently.
"I disagree. You need to stop him."
"Should I?"
"Your Highness. This is Eustasia's plan. Of course, Sir Sungjin is a great man, but she went straight for his bold and ambitious personality."
"Hmmm."
"If he wins, of course, that will be a good thing. But look at the numbers and actual abilities. Sir Sungjin's power is with his intelligence, not with his physical abilities."
"Clearly..."
Ereka's face became dark again.
Level 0. That was a limit he could not overcome.
She had to get rid of the cloud of faith and love for him to clear her head and stop him.
Maybe, this is a moment where I have to tell him the hard truth out of love rather than... follow him out of love.
"Of course, Sir Sungjin's swordsmanship is good enough to cover the level difference if it comes to close combat, but it is still impossible against Eustasia."
"Clearly... impossible."
"That's right. He would not even be able to approach her. Then she will push him with her skills only to defeat him."
Ereka's face got stiff.
This was my mistake.
I should have stopped him. Sungjin didn't understand Eustasia's skills, and she was provoking him, knowing his ambition and pride.
Not only the level difference, but Eustasia's skills would make it impossible for Sungjin to win.
Ereka blindly followed him because she was so fond of him.
Oh, oh. I was so jealous that Sungjin might end up with her and didn't see the most important thing.
Jenna's knife tail stiffened.
Wow. The old man is right. This is a big problem.
She was also blinded if Sungjin wanted Eustasia as a girl or not and missed the obvious point.
This is not good.
Sungjin couldn't win against Eustasia, not in a duel. Maybe in a battle with an army. He had defeated the Blood Ruler, so maybe he had a chance against Eustasia.
But not in a duel.
To defeat the queen, who was level 6, he commanded her to support him. But a duel against Eustasia who was level 7...
And that was not the only problem.
All he has is his excellent swordsmanship; the situation is not good for him.
He wouldn't be able to even go near Eustasia.
It was clear that Sungjin didn't know anything about her ultimate skill.
"I should go and stop Sungjin now."
"That's a good idea."
"Yes, you definitely should."
Ereka rushed to the practice room to find Sungjin warming up.
"Sungjin."
"Hey, Ereka."
"Are you preparing for tomorrow?"
"Yeah. I was warming up."
"Well... your duel tomorrow..."
"Oh. I will beat her. Watch me, " answered Sungjin while putting down his sword.
His sweat smelled like that of an alpha male.
Ereka suddenly didn't know what to tell him.
"Oh... about that... aren't you... worried?"
"Haha. I know everyone thinks I have no chance. Especially, Eustasia is sure of her victory."
He winked and raised his index finger.
"But you know I have my own plan, right?"
"Yea... yeah. I know."
Ereka didn't know what to do and held her hands tight.
Oh my god. I came here to stop you, but I don't know how to tell you.
Her head was telling her what Rittier and Jenna told her was right. Rationally thinking, it was clear that Sungjin had no chance.
Since it would be a duel, his intelligence wouldn't be useful, and due to Eustasia's level of skills, he wouldn't have a chance to use his swordsmanship.
But... he said...
The guy she loved was believing in her that she would trust him.
She couldn't tell him that she didn't think that he could.
"Be on my side. I will beat her."
"Of course, Sungjin. I trust you."
Ereka slowly nodded with a smile.
"Thanks, " Sungjin answered with a grin.
He was in a very good mood.
When he was trying to become a pro-gamer, he also wished to have fans who could cheer for him.
Now, he was in a different world aiming to become an Arc Master; yet, he still had the same wish.
Moreover, a girl he liked, who was also beautiful and kind, was cheering for him. That made him feel proud of himself.
"Get ready. I will leave you to it."
"Sure. Let's talk after I beat her tomorrow."
Ereka left the room after saying goodbye to Sungjin.
She leaned on a wall and almost slid to the floor while shaking her head.
Ugh. I can't stop him.
She couldn't tell him to stop, not while Sungjin was telling her to support him me even if anyone else won't.
Will it be okay... ?
What if Sungjin lost and ending up losing his dream as well? She would regret it for the rest of her life that she was not able to give him truthful advice.
But...
Sungjin was telling her to trust him and to support him.
Sure. I will trust you.
There was no right answer.
Maybe she would regret not stopping him.
But if Sungjin won, she wouldn't forgive herself for not trusting and supporting him.
So I will just trust you, Sungjin.
There was no guarantee of what would happen tomorrow.
Her head was telling her that she should stop him now.
She didn't even ask him if he knew about Eustasia's ultimate skill.
But...
Yes. I trust you.
She decided to trust him beyond her thoughts and reasons.
Whatever the odds were and however strong Eustasia was, she decided to trust Sungjin.
Ereka closed her eyes and put her hands together as if she was praying.
Yes. We don't know what will happen tomorrow. But you said you would win.
So she would stop reasoning and just support him.
Although she couldn't think of any way for Sungjin to win this duel, Sungjin was also beyond whatever she thought.
* * *
Chapter 4
The day of the duel had come.
Since it was Eustasia, an outlander, who challenged him to a duel, Sungjin decided where to have their duel. He chose a temple with a triangular roof supported by many columns.
It was a battlefield created by the gods and was separated from Valhalla. They could enter it with their body and abilities, but even if they died on the battlefield, they wouldn't die in their world.
Eustasia was convinced on her victory and smiled while looking at the map Sungjin had chosen.
Haha. Your confidence will cause your defeat.
She understood that he didn't back off because of his ambition. He also didn't know of her secret plan.
That was the limit of his intelligence. It was impossible to consider a factor that didn't exist in the database.
Well, of course, you are holding an ace of your own.
The temple was beautiful outside, but it wasn't as it seemed. She thought that if they both were holding an ace, a level 7 who had more power could counterattack more easily and win.
Level 7 vs. level 0.
It was just a joke to compare the two, no need to even mention having a duel.
But what if he won?
That is impossible.
But what if he won out of all odds...
If he was a guy like that...
She laughed away when her heart started to pound.
Ha. Let's not worry about what won't happen.
A war would drive everyone into destruction. She had to stop the tragedy. That was her duty.
Soon enough, their duel began.
Sungjin and Eustasia headed to the battlefield, while the others stood outside of the temple to watch.
The grand temple standing on the hill was more grandiose than the Parthenon on Earth.
The numerous columns standing inside of the temple looked like pipe organs and gave a certain style to the temple. The crystal decorations around the walls and columns were reflecting the natural light coming from outside and lit up the dark interior, making it a majestic scene.
But those two in the temple didn't have time to enjoy the scene.
The battle map was set to provide numerous crystals that could be used to activate items.
Sungjin changed his weapon into a good one with high attack power, but it was not as great as Eustasia's weapon.
That helped him, a level 0, to have his minimum offense power to start the fight.
But Eustasia also used crystals to activate her artifact that had power beyond any magical sword. They had the same amount of crystals, but she was the one who had the upper hand at the end of the day.
That didn't discourage Sungjin.
"Let's get it started."
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