Chapter 155
Cardinal Balda.
A hero of the Mariette Kingdom and the Commander of the Royal Knights.
Despite being close to fifty, he maintained the appearance of someone in their late thirties.
Beyond just slowing aging through spiritual advancement, he had begun to rejuvenate.
This was one of the prerequisites for becoming legendary.
In other words, his youthful appearance indicated that he had reached the extreme of the hero level, and simultaneously suggested that he would likely become legendary within decades.
‘How could this happen…’
Cardinal Balda’s eyes were trembling.
A gaze filled with anger and bewilderment.
Though he usually remained unshaken due to his high spiritual level, now he couldn’t help it.
‘To think our Royal Knights would fall so pitifully!’
Knight Gabel, Choi Hyun-seok’s first sparring opponent, fell in a single strike.
Until this point, Balda hadn’t been too shaken.
Right. Gabel is the youngest rookie in the Royal Knights.
He had been recruited for his talent and future potential, so this could happen.
However, the second match didn’t even last 3 minutes.
He was a proper Royal Knight who had served for several years.
From this point, Balda’s expression began to harden gradually.
“Haaaaah!”
Finally, the last match began.
The contestant was Knight Gifford, a veteran ranked 5th in the Knights.
Unlike the previous two, Gifford seemed to be putting up a fight, but after an unexpected strike, his jaw twisted and he lay flat on the ground.
‘How much time has passed?’
Checking, not even 20 minutes had passed before all three were knocked unconscious.
In sparring matches, it’s an unspoken rule not to use Fighting Spirit.
In other words, the three Royal Knights had simply been struck and lost consciousness without any Fighting Spirit involved.
And in just 20 minutes at that.
‘To a nameless hero…! This cannot be!’
In truth, heroes don’t have a very good image on the continent.
Especially to the privileged class, heroes were like thorns in their eyes.
It’s hard to view these guys who suddenly fall from the sky claiming to be heroes favorably, only to turn out to be trash who’ve never even swung a sword.
Up to this point, one could still accept it.
Trash has always been abundant, and you could just ignore them.
The problem is the ones who actually know how to fight properly.
Heroes who had grown somewhat and matured caused many problems.
They would suddenly try to reform the class system.
Or cause trouble by saying they want to become king.
As soon as they got a little stronger, acting arrogant seemed to be a basic option, and they often treated nobles with contempt.
‘To such a hero. And a nameless, unknown hero at that, for Royal Knights to fall…’
If this fact became known, the honor of the Royal Knights would surely hit rock bottom.
Cardinal Balda glared at Choi Hyun-seok.
‘This is all because that bastard used underhanded techniques.’
This hero Choi Hyun-seok doesn’t use weapons.
An unarmed fighter is a rare type.
Using cowardly moves like attacking the lower body or even tripping, even Royal Knights would have no choice but to lose in a sparring match.
‘I’ll have to correct his behavior properly.’
He stood before the king with a stern expression.
“Your Majesty.”
“What is it, Lord Balda?”
“Forgive my presumption, but how about an extra match? I feel it would be somewhat regrettable to end the sparring here.”
Though Balda’s tone was respectful, it contained terrible anger.
With his eyes gleaming so brightly, it was impossible not to notice.
“No. We originally agreed to have only three matches, so we’ll end here. Choi Hyun-seok must be tired as well.”
“However…!”
“Lord Balda.”
The king looked at Balda with a calm expression.
“If you’re feeling guilty about not properly training the Royal Knights, there’s no need. You’re doing more than enough.”
“…”
“Then let’s end for today. Good work everyone.”
The king turned away from Balda and approached Abelson.
“I thought that hero was just big, but his skills are amazing too. Haha! At this level, I can trust in entrusting you to him.”
“Thank you.”
The atmosphere quickly lightened with the casual conversation between the king and Abelson.
Everyone gathered around Choi Hyun-seok, laughing and chattering.
They were full of praise, wondering where such a hero had appeared from.
“…”
From the corner, watching alone, the hardened face of Commander of the Royal Knights, Cardinal Balda, showed no signs of softening.
***
The king kept his promise.
He completely entrusted Abelson’s education to Choi Hyun-seok.
However, there was one condition – a Royal Knight must observe during training.
Choi Hyun-seok was a bit uncomfortable, but contrary to his concerns, the Royal Knight truly only observed.
They never intervened or tried to stop anything.
“Are we only doing Fighting Spirit training today?”
After training safely ended.
Abelson asked while cooling off in the wind.
“Yes. I’m planning to refrain from sparring training for a while. Since your skills have improved somewhat, I think it’s time to create a Fighting Spirit technique.”
Choi Hyun-seok said calmly.
But this was just the surface reason.
There was another real reason why he wouldn’t spar with Abelson.
‘If I hit the princess’s face, it probably won’t end with just beheading.’
Even Choi Hyun-seok wouldn’t survive if he continued the beating under the guise of sparring here.
It was also true that Abelson’s skills had grown to some extent, making it an appropriate time to learn Fighting Spirit.
“Sister! So this is where you were!”
At that moment, a man approached.
He was a handsome man with bright silver hair and a slim build.
Abelson acknowledged him familiarly.
“Reis?”
“Yes! It’s been a while. Haha.”
Choi Hyun-seok could tell from the man’s appearance and demeanor that he was Abelson’s brother.
‘Blood really doesn’t lie, I guess.’
Looking at this sculptural beauty who would have been called a face genius and dominated the idol industry if born in the 21st century made his stomach hurt a bit.
“Mr. Choi Hyun-seok. This is Reis Mariette. My younger brother.”
“Nice to meet you. I’m Regular hero Choi Hyun-seok.”
“Are you the hero they say knocked down the Royal Knights in an instant?”
“Ah, well, haha…!”
Choi Hyun-seok laughed awkwardly.
It seemed rumors had already spread even though not much time had passed since the sparring.
“Please take good care of my sister.”
Reis Mariette smiled and extended his hand.
Choi Hyun-seok hesitated briefly before shaking it.
It was unexpected for royalty to shake hands.
‘Is being down-to-earth a characteristic of this royal family?’
Perhaps it is because he is King Valter’s bloodline.
His son also showed a very modest appearance.
Even while shaking hands, his bright smile made him impossible to dislike.
“Sister. Then I’ll see you at dinner. Brother Hog is coming back too.”
“Big brother…”
“Yes. I’m already excited thinking about everyone gathering after so long.”
***
That evening.
The Mariette royal family’s dinner began.
King Valter Mariette and Queen Moreson Mariette.
And their four children.
First child Cleare Mariette.
Second child Hog Mariette.
Third child Abelson Mariette.
Fourth child Reis Mariette.
Unfortunately, the eldest Cleare is absent as she has married a prince from another country.
Still, King Valter was in a good mood as it had been a very long time since even these five had gathered.
“Everything tastes better when eating together.”
King Valter said with a broad smile.
His family love was famous even in other countries.
He had only ever loved his wife Moreson and never met other women.
This was different from the typical noble families or royal men.
Most had concubines besides their legal wife or had children out of wedlock.
Perhaps due to the influence of this harmonious couple, the family dinner continued in a warm atmosphere.
“Sister. Please rest easy now. Brother and I are here, aren’t we?”
The fourth child Reis said.
Abelson nodded lightly.
“Thank you.”
“It’s a shame eldest sister couldn’t be here. When the opportunity arises, I’ll try to arrange a gathering.”
The king smiled contentedly at Reis’s words.
“That’s good. If I could eat together with everyone, I could die right now without regrets.”
“Father. You shouldn’t say such things when you’re still so healthy.”
“Oh? Are you not hoping I’ll die soon and pass on the throne?”
“Your Majesty…!”
“It’s a joke, just a joke. Hahaha!”
Queen Moreson glared, and King Valter laughed heartily.
At that moment, the second child, Hog Mariette, who had been watching silently, spoke up.
“Reis. You seem to be in an especially good mood today.”
“Do I? I guess I’m just excited seeing sister after so long.”
“I don’t think that’s it.”
Hog’s eyes gleamed.
Reis smiled with a troubled, bewildered expression.
“I can’t fool your eyes, brother. I was planning to tell everyone after dinner, but…”
Reis glanced at the king.
The king nodded, indicating it was fine.
“You know how there’s been friction with the Gatren Empire in the Biden territory for the past few months?”
Biden territory.
The only place in the Mariette Kingdom that shares a border with the Holy Empire of Gatren.
The incident began when a massive gold mine was discovered in Biden.
The gold mine was clearly part of the Mariette Kingdom, but the Holy Empire claimed they should have a share since the gold vein extended into their territory.
Due to the massive scale of the gold mine, it quickly escalated into diplomatic tensions between nations.
Now, neither side could back down even for the sake of pride.
“The Holy Empire has given up on the gold mine. They say they’ll fully recognize it as Mariette Kingdom’s property.”
“Oh! That’s wonderful news!”
King Valter brightened.
Honestly, being in tension with a massive empire was quite burdensome.
He couldn’t help but be happy hearing that the empire had decided to back down.
However, the second son, Hog Mariette, didn’t smile.
In a situation where he was competing with his younger brother Reis for succession to the throne, Hog couldn’t be happy about his brother resolving such a major issue.
“What did you do?”
“What do you mean what I did? My sincerity simply got through to them. Didn’t I visit Gatren every day to plead? Haha!”
“Don’t be ridiculous. The Gatren Empire never gives up its interests. If they can’t have something, they burn it down. And you’re saying they gave up a gold mine of that scale? That’s nonsense…”
“Enough.”
King Valter raised his hand.
“This is a joyous dinner with Abelson after so long. Hog. Don’t spoil the mood.”
“I apologize.”
After that, the dinner regained its liveliness.
Mainly King Valter and fourth child Reis led the conversation.
Queen Moreson and Abelson also smiled and chimed in appropriately.
It was a moment that truly felt like returning to the family’s embrace after so long.
If there was one concerning point, it was that second son, Hog’s face didn’t look good.
His expression remained stiff throughout dinner, and he finally stood up from his seat.
“I’m not feeling well, so I’ll excuse myself first. I’m sorry.”
“Alright. Go rest.”
“Yes.”
After bowing his head, Hog’s retreating figure looked particularly dark.
***
That night.
Abelson couldn’t get to sleep.
‘Why is my heart pounding so much…’
Her heart was beating unusually fast.
An uneasy feeling.
All threats had disappeared since coming to the palace.
And the warmth of returning to the family after so long was incomparable.
Yet what was this ominous feeling?
“Kyaaaaaah-!”
At that moment.
A piercing scream erupted from outside the door, quickly turning into chaos.
“W-who are you!”
“Stop them!”
“Aaaaargh!”
Abelson jumped up from the bed.
She gripped the high-quality mace gifted by the king and glared at the door.
‘Enemies? Who could have infiltrated the palace…’
Even as she pondered, the commotion drew closer.
Click!
The door opened, and a blood-covered maid rushed in.
“Princess! You must escape… Kuhek!”
A darkly colored sword pierced through the maid’s stomach.
Blood gushed from the maid’s mouth.
Swish-!
The sword was pulled out again.
Someone kicked the maid away.
Step… Step…
Three figures appeared.
All wore black hoods and masks.
“Who are you?”
They exchanged glances with each other and raised their swords.
They didn’t seem interested in answering.
The masked figures spread out and slowly approached.
Abelson gripped the mace more tightly.
‘I won’t give up… I’ll do what I can.’
As she steeled herself with desperate resolve.
“How dare you cockroaches!”
Choi Hyun-seok appeared, sprinting down the corridor at incredible speed, throwing a punch.
The masked figure didn’t panic and swung their sword to meet it.
They seemed to intend to cut both the fist and Choi Hyun-seok in half.
However…
Clang!
The fist shattered the sword and struck the masked figure’s face.
The attacker’s face caved in from the single blow as they collapsed to the floor.
Choi Hyun-seok stomped on the fallen figure’s head while glaring at the remaining two masked figures.
“Next.”
