Let’s Make Saving a Habit - Chapter 49

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 49
His rapier flashed like lightning, thrusting forward as if to pierce straight through Aiden.
But Aiden sidestepped with a subtle shift of his body, as though he had anticipated the move.
When his initial attack failed, the Red Knight adjusted his strategy and unleashed a torrential barrage of strikes from varying angles.
Aiden realized that evasion alone would not suffice, so he drew his blade and parried the onslaught.
Steel met steel with a sharp, piercing ring that echoed relentlessly through the air.
It was an exchange no ordinary person could follow with their eyes.
The knights who had envied those selected to spar with Aiden began to feel grateful they had not been chosen.
As long as they didn’t get crushed by the Commander, that was fortunate enough.
But the one most shocked by this exchange was the Red Knight himself.
“How are you blocking every single strike without a single mistake? Are you an Ability User too?”
“…You’re fast, but your attacks are monotonous, making them easy to predict.”
The Red Knight flinched slightly at Aiden’s matter-of-fact observation.
Aiden seized the opening and subtly twisted the trajectory of his defensive blade, deflecting the Red Knight’s attack smoothly to the side.
Just as the Red Knight hastily tried to withdraw his sword.
Aiden swung his blade.
It was his first offensive strike since the duel began.
His sword came in straightforwardly, targeting the Red Knight’s left shoulder.
It was almost amusing—after criticizing his opponent’s attacks as monotonous, he was now attacking just as directly.
The Red Knight let out a small chuckle at Aiden’s action and prepared to block his blade.
Even if he had allowed one opening, he could simply parry and resume his rapid assault.
Or so he thought.
Clang!
The impact transmitted through his wrist caused the Red Knight’s grip to weaken involuntarily.
His rapier slipped from his hand in an instant, clattering to the ground with a metallic ring.
As he stood dumbfounded, staring at his own blade lying on the floor in shameful defeat.
Aiden, who had been sparing with words throughout, finally spoke.
“There’s something I didn’t mention earlier. The disadvantage isn’t mine—it’s yours, as a knight.”
“…Why is that?”
“A knight’s swordplay is fundamentally focused on protecting someone. But I’ve trained in the art of killing my opponent.”
“…I see.”
That was true. The swordplay taught to knights prioritized sacrificing their own lives to protect nobility above all else.
But the man before him was a mercenary.
Unlike knights, who must be willing to sacrifice themselves to protect others, mercenaries had a different imperative—kill the opponent first to ensure their own survival.
So while the Red Knight had grown accustomed to holding back in practice duels, each of Aiden’s strikes carried lethal intent.
Knights were like hothouse flowers, repeating practice duels endlessly in the Training Grounds.
They ventured out periodically to subjugate monsters, but only briefly.
But mercenaries faced real combat where a single mistake meant death.
“I’ve lost. A new monster has entered Papiope.”
The Red Knight extended his hand in respect.
It was a moment that transcended mere victory and defeat—Aiden had earned the recognition of the Duke’s Residence knights.
Aiden grasped the knight’s hand firmly and nodded.
“I look forward to working with you going forward.”
Having effortlessly won both matches, Aiden stood before the Duchess.
The Duchess offered a serene smile and commended him.
“The matches were impressive. Now I understand why my father was so eager to employ you.”
“You’re too kind.”
“Since you’ve won both matches, I’ll honor my promise. I’ll hold your knighting ceremony tomorrow.”
Having neatly resolved the matter, the Duchess seemed reluctant to end it there. She moistened her lips with her tongue and made a proposal.
“Aiden, I’d like to see an exhibition match. Would that be acceptable?”
Despite having just fought two consecutive matches, he showed no signs of fatigue whatsoever.
However, for Tania—who had been saving checkpoints at second-long intervals during the matches in case Aiden got hurt—this proposal struck like a bolt from the blue.
“Duchess, Aiden has already fought two consecutive matches. Isn’t that unfair?”
“I’m fine with it.”
…This man?
Tania resented Aiden for casually agreeing to the exhibition match without considering her feelings.
Unable to voice her displeasure openly, she held it in, and her lips gradually pouted outward.
Aiden couldn’t help but smile at the sight of Tania’s cherry-red lips protruding adorably.
“Haha.”
It had been this way since she was just beginning to toddle.
Whenever something displeased her, Tania had a habit of unconsciously pushing out her lips slightly.
The fact that she remained unchanged from her childhood made him smile.
Aiden comforted her tenderly, as if he understood everything in her heart.
“Don’t worry, my lady. I’ll finish this match without injury, just like the previous ones.”
“I don’t care. Do as you please. But if you get hurt, you’re in trouble.”
The Duchess, who had been watching the exchange between Aiden and Tania, was somewhat taken aback.
The sight of Aiden smiling had left a vivid impression on her mind.
“…So you do know how to smile.”
“Did I smile?”
“Yes. You’ve been acting expressionless all along, but when you talk with Tania, you seem like a different person.”
For a moment, Aiden wondered if he should control his emotions in front of Tania.
Had he been too familiar with her?
Just as he was about to sink into deep contemplation, the Duchess’s next words pulled him from his thoughts.
“Tania seems quite concerned about you, so you can refuse the exhibition match after hearing who your opponent is.”
Tania tilted her head, puzzled by what the Duchess meant.
Since they were all strangers anyway, she wouldn’t know who it was even if told, so why ask her to decide after hearing?
The Duchess then continued, as if resolving her curiosity.
“I’d like to see you have a match with the Blue Knight Commander. Would that be acceptable?”
At the Duchess’s words, the Training Grounds stirred with commotion.
Even the knights who had been amazed by Aiden’s skill now shook their heads, anticipating his defeat this time.
Conversely, a competitive fire ignited in the Blue Knight Commander’s eyes.
He thought he might finally have a proper match.
Whenever he tried to spar within Papiope, everyone would subtly avoid him.
Their excuse was that their entire bodies ached after sparring with him.
‘…It’s practically workplace ostracism.’
Except no one dared show it because he was their superior.
Somewhat dejected by the realization that he was being avoided, the Blue Knight Commander stared intently at Aiden.
This man who didn’t know his own strength.
And this man who had easily defeated the Papiope Knights might prove to be an interesting opponent.
Within the Papiope Knights, only the Red Knight Commander, holding the same rank, could stand against the Blue Knight Commander.
But the Red Knight Commander was an Ability User, so in pure swordsmanship alone, he could never match him.
The desire to test oneself against a stronger opponent was the very instinct of a swordsman.
Aiden felt the same way.
He met the Blue Knight Commander’s gaze before nodding.
“I accept the match.”
Watching everyone else seem to enjoy this situation except herself, I felt like crying.

✦ ✦ ✦
In the end, Aiden found himself facing another opponent in the spacious Training Grounds.
The Blue Knight Commander and Aiden.
The Papiope family members and knights watched with bated breath.
As the representative of the knight order, the Blue Knight Commander possessed swordsmanship skills that everyone acknowledged as exceptional.
In truth, no one in the Training Grounds believed Aiden would win.
No matter how skilled a mercenary might be, the Blue Knight Commander was among the Empire’s finest.
Unless he were the legendary Mercenary King who once conquered the battlefields, there was no way an unknown mercenary could prevail.
…That’s what everyone thought.
Everyone except Tania.
‘Since it’s come to this, I’ll reset infinitely until the Old Gentleman wins.’
Before the match began, simply whispering warnings could change the future in countless ways.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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