The Strongest in Our Neighborhood - Chapter 101

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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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Our Neighborhood’s Strongest (101)
Flarua Noid bristled at this, but Jang Gain’s expression remained unmoved.
“Dimitrion has already demanded such an insulting concession from me.”
“B-but I am the First Sword of Granjeunor and a duke.”
“If you prefer not to, then so be it. I’d rather not risk myself to defeat you, either.”
“Then you won’t fight Dimitrion?”
“Well, I can fight in his place instead. I’m happy to spar at your level, Your Grace.”
After seeing Jang Gain’s unhurried expression, Flarua Noid finally nodded his head.
“Sigh! I thought someone with a dragon as a friend—a marquis like Cain—wouldn’t fear my homeland, but it seems I was mistaken.”
“I don’t fear Granjeunor. It’s simply that if war were to break out, I’d have to stain my hands with too much blood, and that troubles me.”
“Too much blood on his hands—well, if that’s your reason, then I should get a definitive answer from His Majesty. Very well.”
Flarua Noid extracted a Communication Device from his Subspace and contacted the king, and when he explained the situation, the king of Granjeunor was taken aback.
-What? You say the duke was defeated by Marquis Cain, the Sword Master of Smed?
“Yes. I regret to say I was utterly overwhelmed.”
-H-how is such a thing possible? Surely you had assistance from the dragon that was beside this Marquis Cain?
“Would I not have known if that were the case? In the parlance of young people these days, he defeated me through pure skill alone.”
-Preposterous! D-defeated? I’ve never imagined you losing to anyone. How am I to make sense of this? More importantly, you weren’t gravely injured, were you?
“I was wounded somewhat, but thanks to High-grade Potions and a healer, I’ve recovered completely.”
-Even if you have recovered from your injuries, another challenge against Marquis Cain seems impossible. Moreover, how could I possibly make an oath not to protest should he take your life?
“Your Majesty, when else in my lifetime shall I encounter a superior Sword Master like Marquis Cain? This is a battle worth staking my life on.”
-Even so, should anything happen to you, it would be a grave loss to the nation.
“Why do you think only of loss? Do you not think of my growth?”
-There is merit in that, but as a king responsible for a nation, I cannot help but worry.
“The reason I came here as the envoy’s representative despite your counsel was purely to test myself against a Sword Master of another land. Please, grant me this duel.”
-Sigh! Even if I object, you won’t listen anyway. Very well. I grant it—but please, take care of yourself.
“Thank you, Your Majesty. I hope to live and see you again.”
When Flarua Noid finished his communication with the king and looked at Jang Gain, Jang Gain nodded.
“The king of Granjeunor has promised not to contest the outcome, Dimitrion.”
“Yes, my lord.”
“Since you’re facing a Sword Master, you’ll need to pour everything you have into this. Just—don’t die.”
“Understood. I’ll do my best.”
As Jang Gain stepped back, Flarua Noid raised his blade toward Dimitrion Marshal.
“A sword has no eyes—be careful!”
* * *
Dimitrion Marshal had grown considerably stronger from receiving instruction from Jang Gain, and just days ago he had defeated Morona Valencia, who had been called the First Sword of Smed Kingdom.
Because of this, he believed himself to be the second-strongest swordsman in Smed.
‘My lord, let me show you how much I’ve grown.’
Drawing his blade with some confidence, Flarua Noid raised his sword to meet him.
“Come at me.”
“Then.”
Dimitrion Marshal thought that now, while his opponent was being casual, was the best opportunity—so he unleashed the Ultimate Swift Thrust that Jang Gain had taught him.
‘If I seize the initiative, I have a real chance!’
Clang, clang-clang-clang……
In one breath, he thrust thirteen times, but every single attack was either blocked or met empty air.
Dimitrion Marshal felt shock and panic rising in his chest.
Even Morona Valencia hadn’t properly defended against the Ultimate Swift Thrust—only Jang Gain had ever countered it flawlessly.
‘So he truly is a Sword Master! But this is just the beginning!’
A small gap opened between the first and second breath, so he leaped back and drew in fresh air.
Whiiiiiine……
In that instant, his opponent’s blade came whistling down, and the fine hairs on his body stood on end.
‘What—what is—’
Boom!
He raised his sword in panic to block, and the Aura embedded in the blade detonated, unleashing a blast loud enough to rupture his eardrums.
‘Inconceivable!’
From just one block, his wrist ached, and immediately his shoulder grew heavy.
Boom, boom, boom……
With each successive attack he parried, the impact surged past his shoulder into his organs, and after blocking the sixth strike, his shoulder became so heavy it no longer obeyed his will.
“Stop!”
As his shoulder gave way on the seventh attack and the eighth came thrusting toward his neck, his lord’s voice cut through.
‘T-too late!’
He was doing his best to retreat, but his opponent’s blade thrust forward at a speed far beyond his capacity to escape.
At such velocity and momentum, even a Sword Master would be unable to stop it.
Thud.
Then a dull sound rang out from his opponent’s shoulder, and immediately after, the blade that had been thrusting at his neck wavered and sliced across the left side of his neck instead.
The chain armor protecting his neck was severed, and the flesh on his left neck split open in a long gash the depth of a single knuckle.
“Ugh!”
“Hck!”
Dimitrion Marshal retreated five more steps before pressing his hand against the wound on his neck. As he looked at his opponent, he saw the man grimace and turn his head toward Jang Gain.
“I told you to stop, didn’t I?”
At Jang Gain’s words, Flarua Noid let a bewildered expression cross his face.
“How was I supposed to stop in that very moment?”
“You must know how to stop in that very moment if you wish to advance to the next stage.”
“What! Is that truly so?”
“I have no reason to lie to you, Duke Flarua. Are you alright, Dimitrion?”
“I’ve been cut fairly deep in the neck, but it seems the major blood vessels were not damaged.”
“Thank goodness the carotid wasn’t severed. Aleingde Mir.”
“Yes, my lord.”
“Please tend to Dimitrion’s wounds.”
“Understood.”
As Dimitrion Marshal withdrew, Jang Gain’s eyes gleamed as he regarded Morona Valencia and Leodosn Terra, who were watching him intently.
“Would you two like to spar with Duke Flarua Noid as well?”
“Yes, my lord.”
“You saw just now how dangerous it is, yes?”
“We did. Still, we wish to try.”
“Duke Flarua Noid, would you be willing to spar with them as well?”
“Am I not being asked to do too much by an old man? And this shoulder where your Duke Gain threw that stone still throbs.”
“I threw it weakly enough to only deflect your blade’s trajectory—you’re being rather theatrical.”
“Had an ordinary person been struck by a stone throw like that just now, their entire shoulder would have been torn off.”
“That’s only because they’re ordinary.”
“In any case, when Duke Gain faces his other retainers, you’ll be throwing stones to interrupt the matches just as you did now, won’t you? I’m afraid my bones will give out entirely as the price of doing these others a favor. But would Duke Gain himself wish to continue?”
“Your expression suggests you’re hoping for something. What is it you’re trying to say by speaking so evasively?”
“Hmm, you’re sharp. The truth is, since I’ve come here, I’ve noticed my granddaughter’s circumstances have become somewhat difficult.”
“Ah yes, the Queen has committed crimes and now finds herself in dire straits.”
“Whatever others may think, she’s my granddaughter—precious enough that seeing her suffer pains my heart. It seems you are the true power behind this kingdom, Duke Gain. Show some mercy toward my granddaughter.”
“After the wedding, I intend to return to my territory with Princess Angelina and Orphiena. There will be nothing I need to do for the Queen specifically. Besides, I’ll have no time for such matters.”
“You understand my meaning well enough, yet you refuse so obliquely. Do you dislike Olivia that much?”
“Have you considered the heart of Orphiena, who has been confined to Byulseong Palace for years because of the Queen’s schemes? I should mention—Orphiena will be my mother-in-law.”
“I don’t claim Olivia did right. But what can be done? As her grandfather, I cannot help but favor her.”
“It is precisely that favoritism of yours that has allowed the Queen to commit her crimes so brazenly. And worse still, she feels no remorse toward those she has wronged.”
“Will you not reconsider? Must I and Olivia become enemies?”
“As I said, I will leave the palace once the wedding concludes. Therefore, I have no intention of punishing the Queen. But that does not mean I will accept your request and help her either.”
As Jang Gain refused firmly, Flarua Noid released a long sigh.
“Hah! I understand now. Since I know Duke Gain’s will, I suppose I’ll have to counsel Olivia myself.”
“Mere counsel won’t suffice—you must rebuke her severely. No matter how much you and Grand Master support her from behind, resentment has a way of turning into a blade that comes back to strike.”
* * *
Bang, bang-bang……
Each time Jang Gain’s fist struck the armored figure, those watching flinched.
By now, a dozen fist marks had been imprinted upon Flarua Noid’s armor, and blood was trickling from between his clenched teeth.
Most men would have conceded defeat at such a point, yet he stubbornly continued to swing his blade.
“I knew the lord was strong, but Duke Flarua Noid is the First Sword of Grand Master and a Sword Master himself—to think it’s this one-sided!”
Dimitrion Marshal spoke in undisguised shock, and Leodosn Terra nodded in agreement.
“When I blocked Duke Flarua Noid’s blade just now, I thought I would die within ten moves if the lord hadn’t thrown that stone to stop the duel. Now it seems Duke Flarua Noid’s situation is becoming similar to what mine was then.”
Morona Valencia, listening to their conversation, shook his head.
“Similar? There’s nothing similar about it.”
“Nothing similar? In what way does it differ?”
“The lord hasn’t even drawn his sword—he’s only wearing gauntlets. What do you think would have happened if he had drawn it?”
“If he’d drawn his sword…… Ah! Duke Flarua Noid’s head would have been severed in a single move!”
“Exactly. And if the lord had struck the duke’s head instead of his armor, his skull would likely have shattered with a single blow.”
“The gap between us and Duke Flarua Noid is vast, yet the gap between Duke Flarua Noid and our lord is far greater still.”
“At that point, we must say the lord is simply playing with a child. When they said the lord had easily defeated two Sword Masters of Kram, I thought there was some exaggeration, but seeing this now, I believe it was all true.”
“Indeed. But if the gap is that wide, wouldn’t your lord be a Grand Master, Morona?”
“Hard to say. Honestly, without knowing just how strong a Grand Master truly is, it’s difficult to speak with certainty. But a difference of that magnitude would suggest your lord is very likely one.”
Crack!
While the three conversed, Jang Gain’s right foot lashed out and caught Flarua Noid’s jaw, snapping his head back. The man staggered and fell, and did not rise again.

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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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