The Extra Strategist’s Royal Road Chapter 29
After finishing my conversation with Duke Hellian, I returned to the party venue to find a commotion.
The party hall was buzzing with noise.
At the center of it, for some reason, was Beryl.
“Ugh…!”
Beryl was at a loss. In front of her, Kate was shouting.
“Respond quickly!”
She was pressuring Beryl, demanding a vassal competition.
“Miss Kate. As I’ve said many times, my vassal doesn’t engage in such contests!”
Beryl bit her lip as she looked at the vassal standing behind Kate.
A man wearing the uniform of the Calliper Kingdom’s Knight. From that, one could estimate his skill. He was clearly a strong opponent that Jade, the vassal Beryl had brought, couldn’t handle.
“Then what kind of contest can you do? I’m fine with anything. Chess, a war of words, I’ll accept anything!”
“H-hunting… Jade might be able to…”
“Hunting? Ohohoho!”
Mockery echoed from all around. Most were from the Hellian faction.
Although the two factions had reconciled, it doesn’t mean yesterday’s enemies immediately become today’s friends.
Even at today’s party, there was an open power struggle.
“Aren’t you going to help?” Erina, who had approached without notice, asked. “Shouldn’t a partner offer help at times like this?”
“I’d like to, but there are various circumstances.”
I was not only part of the Hellian faction but also didn’t want to unnecessarily draw attention. Moreover, it was clear that their current actions were meant to draw me out.
“Shouldn’t you be the one to help? You’re in a position to lead the Saleon faction among your peers, aren’t you?”
“That may be true, but…”
And just like her, Ruan Chase, one of the leaders of the Saleon faction’s child, stepped forward first.
“That’s enough, Kate MacMillan.”
“Ah… Ruan…”
Ruan stood as if to protect Beryl. Beryl’s face became ecstatic at the sight.
Kate furrowed her brow.
“What is it, Chase? Do you intend to interfere even though you’re not her partner?”
As I thought. It seems Kate was cornering Beryl to try and draw me out.
“What if I do?”
“Well, fine. I’ll deal with you. George, step forward.”
At her command, the knight in armor who had been standing behind her stepped forward with a sly voice saying, “Yes, I’ll obey your orders, miss.”
Ruan glanced at him and nodded slightly. The man behind Ruan also stepped forward.
The atmosphere in the party hall intensified along with this.
“Is that George the Assassin?! That talent is called the future of the Knight Order. I’m looking forward to this.”
“His opponent is a swordsman from the Chase family. He’s no pushover as an opponent.”
This was actually an event for the adults. They were making the children do childish things that they themselves wouldn’t do out of dignity, and enjoying it.
As the contest was about to begin, it was the adults who were getting more excited.
In a hastily prepared space, the two faced each other with drawn swords.
As soon as the signal was given, a battle filled with killing intent began.
‘They’re really trying to kill each other.’
The attacks were sharp. Although the special medical system of this world can treat most injuries, they were aiming for vital points that could cause instant death.
Clang! Clash! The swords intertwined.
The tide of the battle began to turn after about 30 exchanges.
George started to gain the upper hand as he began using Aura.
“Oh! To use Aura of that level so effortlessly!”
“Amazing!”
Once he started using Aura, the contest became one-sided.
‘He’s quite strong.’
If I were to face him, it would probably take at least 100 points to subdue him.
‘If I used Chester-style from the start, I might be able to end it in one go though.’
With just a spear, it would take quite some time.
“Haah!”
Thunk! The sword tip pierced the shoulder. George seemed about to go for the neck, but before that, his opponent surrendered.
“I’ve lost!”
“Hmph. You saved your life.” George clicked his tongue and sheathed his sword.
Clap clap clap! Despite the bloodshed, applause rang out. The swordsman who had been stabbed in the shoulder said to Ruan, looking ashamed.
“I’m sorry, young master.”
“It’s alright, Jackie. Go get that wound treated.”
At George’s victory, Kate raised her voice in laughter.
“Ohohoho! I had high hopes since he was a promising swordsman from the Chase family, but he wasn’t much after all!”
“Tch…”
Ruan seemed to want to step in himself, but that was fundamentally forbidden. This was, after all, just a vassal competition.
The Hellian faction became more aggressive along with Kate’s victory.
Erina, who was standing next to me, sighed.
“Sigh, if I knew it would turn out like this, I should have brought a warrior too.”
“Then you should have brought one.”
“There’s a balance to maintain between partners.”
It seems Ruan had agreed to bring a warrior, while Erina had agreed to bring a scholar.
“To think you have to consider even such things. As expected, high nobles live a tiring life.”
“Well, I also think it’s unnecessary. If I had ignored such unwritten rules and brought a Saleon swordsman, that woman wouldn’t be so arrogant.”
“Then shall I lend you one?”
“Huh? What do you mean?”
“A warrior.”
Eo, seemingly understanding my meaning first, started to show clear signs of dislike.
She felt reluctant about having to follow Erina’s orders instead of mine.
“Eo, don’t be like that. Go on.”
I thought it would be a good experience for Eo, who usually has a very single-minded temperament. Moreover, at this rate, it seemed my partner Beryl might end up in a difficult situation.
“…Understood.” She nodded reluctantly.
Though hidden by her helmet, she was probably pouting.
“W-wait a minute.” Erina’s expression had changed.
“Did you just say Eo? Don’t tell me you…”
She, who was certain I was Wade, seemed to have suddenly realized her identity.
She soon whispered to me. “You brought Eonia Mirabe!?”
“What are you talking about? More importantly, could you step back? Someone might misunderstand and think there’s a scandal.”
“…Ah!” Flustered, Erina stepped back with reddened cheeks.
She cleared her throat and then nodded. “If that’s the case, I’ll accept your offer. So, um, Miss E-Eonia?”
“It’s Rania.”
“Yes. That’s the name you’re using.” Erina was extremely tense as she addressed Eo.
Even so, she was unconsciously smiling, probably feeling good about having the famous Valkyrie as her vassal, even if just for a moment.
***
Kate laughs loudly, full of confidence.
Swish! Erina appears in front of her, unfolding a fan.
“You seem to be enjoying yourself, Miss Kate?”
“Erina Saleon…!”
Kate couldn’t maintain her composure. Ruan was one thing, but Erina was like the core of the Saleon family. Moreover, when it comes to swordsmen of the Saleon family, they’re counted among the best in the kingdom.
“May I join in? My vassal says she’s itching for a fight!.”
Erina shivered slightly, seemingly thrilled by her own words.
“Vassal? Are you referring to that woman wearing a helmet?”
“Yes. Let’s have a martial arts contest. What do you say?”
“…”
Kate racks her brain. She felt uneasy seeing Erina’s confident approach. At this, Erina used her trump card.
“If you’re scared, it can’t be helped. A master who doesn’t trust her vassal. How sad.”
“Who said I’m scared! Fine! Let’s do it!”
“Hmph.”
As another vassal duel was about to unfold, people showed interest and made space.
“Huh?”
Beryl, who was among them, tilted her head in confusion.
“That person was definitely Ars vassal…”
George and Eonia face each other. George licked his lips.
“Oh, what’s this? I just felt a tingle. Haha, this looks more enjoyable than the previous one.”
“…”
Eo silently raised her sword and took a stance.
“Then begin!”
As Kate signaled the start, George charged forward, kicking off the ground.
“Haaah!”
Clang! Starting with the first move, George began to increase his momentum and press on.
Although Eo was easily blocking all attacks, to those unfamiliar with martial arts, it appeared as if George was one-sidedly dominating.
‘Oh my. That Eo.’
Whether she was protesting to me or simply didn’t want to work properly under Erina, she wasn’t showing her true skills.
Even so, the duel proceeded evenly.
After 30 exchanges with no significant outcome, George deflected Eo’s sword and created distance.
“What are you? I’ve never heard of a Saleon swordsman using such swordsmanship.”
Unidentified swordsmanship. Yet, that swordsmanship had a profound system to it.
It couldn’t be helped. What Eo was currently using was the martial art of the Valkyries, with its long history.
“I’m getting curious about that face of yours. Don’t you want to take off your helmet?”
“…”
“Hah, fine. I’ll remove it myself.”
George raises his aura. His sword was brimming with aura.
At this, the spectators exclaimed.
“Then shall we start round two? Please hold out until the end, miss.”
“…You bastard.”
“What did you say?”
“Don’t babble as you please, and don’t be a fool who can’t even recognize the other person’s skills.”
And then. Whoosh! Eo released her aura.
“Huh…?” George gasped in bewilderment.
Eo’s pure white aura enveloped her entire body, starting from the sword and climbing up her arm. The difference in caliber was obvious even to third-party observers.
Eo declared, “I’ll give you four exchanges. Kneel and admit defeat within that. Then I won’t take your life.”
“What… W-wait!”
Eo switches to offense. George hastily raised his sword to block the attack.
“Kuhek!?”
Clang! He couldn’t even withstand a single strike. George’s sword broke instantly, and unable to withstand the force, he rolled on the ground.
Still, his aura seemed to have protected him as he wasn’t cut. Eo immediately pursued.
“…Die.”
“I-I surrender!” George quickly prostrated himself before the next attack could come. He had already lost all pride.
The difference in skill was too great to even think about that.
“Hmph.”
Eo withdrew her sword with a snort.
Kate was pale, while Erina smiled.
“Amazing! To think there was such a swordsman under Saleon’s faction.”
“A female swordsman of Saleon. Is this a new prodigy?”
And such praises were immediately directed towards her master, Erina.
Perhaps… Perhaps Eo didn’t like that. Whether she disliked being treated as someone else’s vassal, she ended up committing an outrageous act.
Click! She undid the clasp of her helmet and revealed her face.
……
Silence fell over the party venue.
The mysterious blue hair and beautiful features that appeared.
The men couldn’t take their eyes off her, and the women were in awe. Even Erina gasped, and George, who was still prostrated, fixed his gaze as if entranced.
The outrageous act didn’t end there.
Swish! Eo pointed her sword at someone.
“Oh dear.”
I couldn’t help but cover my forehead.
In her own way, she must have pointed at the only person in this party venue who could be her match, but that person happened to be Grand General Dunan Grimwood, who was with Duke Hellian.
Eo, who had fought as Erina’s vassal of the Saleon faction, had just provoked Grand General Dunan, the core of the Hellian faction?
This was a major incident.
***
After the party ended, and we returned to the mansion.
Eonia was kneeling, looking sullen.
“I told you not to act recklessly, didn’t I?”
“…I’m truly sorry.”
“Let alone revealing your face. If you hadn’t pointed your sword at Dunan, I wouldn’t be saying this much. Do you understand what I mean?”
“I understand…”
“Why did you do it?”
“I remembered how that person had threatened Lord Ars, and before I knew it…”
It must have been when I was talking with Duke Hellian. She seems to have thought Dunan’s wariness of me was a threat.
“Ugh… I’m sorry.”
Eonia has become a completely different person from when she was at the party.
In fact, the outcome wasn’t bad. Thanks to Eonia provoking Dunan from the Saleon faction’s side, it strongly emphasized that I could potentially side with the Saleon faction if needed.
Still, this troublemaker seemed to need a warning measure.
“It’s unfortunate, but there’s no choice this time. I have to impose a disciplinary action.”
“Disciplinary action…!”
Eonia, who loved formal praise, was also extremely afraid of formal punishment.
“Eo. I’m dismissing you from your position as head of the guard and demoting you to a regular guard.”
“What… What’s the difference?”
“From now on, you’ll be under Yumir.”
“No way…!?”
In the end, it was all just formality, but Eo looked as if the world had ended.
And so, Eonia went under Yumir and started doing household chores like cleaning and laundry.
Well, rather than a serious disciplinary action, it was more to get some help in taking care of the twins that would be born soon.
TL NOTE:
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stupid bitch
wow, what an incel level response, dear Fang yuan