Chapter 79

Chapter 79

***

It was a beautiful forest, shaded appropriately with sunshine shining appropriately. The old castle harmonized well with the old trees like a part of the forest.

Sunlight falling straight like a spear across the forest from the sky stuck to Rickart's sword. The solar ray, riding the knife blade, flowed from the root to the tip.

Because of one drop of light gathered at the knife tip, some people's eyes were dazzled and they frowned momentarily.

The 3rd Prince was older than Rickart and already an adult, but as he grew up in a greenhouse, when facing a beast that grew up in the wild, he did not know how to tackle the current situation.

Because it was the first time a person shouted like this towards himself, and the overflowing force was to an extent he couldn't believe they were of similar age.

He actually didn't have much interest in bullying Marie. Just, he enjoyed showing people that he was superior to the Crown Prince.

But he also, if facing a real problem, didn't have the ability worth handling it. A Duel? He had only heard stories about such things.

The 9-year-old Crown Prince was surprised but had an expression close to being full of curiosity. It was interesting, and he felt it was fun too. So just opening his eyes roundly and blinking, his gaze didn't fall from Rickart.

Bellator, who came here with Rickart, also looked at him from afar. While shocking on one hand to see such confidence not seen in the Imperial Palace, he seemed sucked in.

In a word, Bellator felt the feeling 'Cool' for the first time. Because in the Imperial Palace, there was no person manly and warrior-like, worth taking as an example.

Everyone bowed their heads and was outwardly polite, but seeing them ignoring people in their minds was obvious. So, Bellator knew humans were all different outside and inside.

But now in front of his eyes, a person was not so. And he thought such a person was this cool.

Embarrassment, curiosity, and shock. The emotions the three Princes were feeling looking at Rickart were different respectively.

Actually, the persons feeling uncomfortable were the swordsmen who came for tournament participation. They emitted subtle killing intent. But as the Crown Prince and Princes existed there, they were restraining themselves.

The persons staying in the Imperial Palace were persons passing Helauman's verification, so everyone's level was high. Life and Death dividing matches were not only Rickart's doing; they were persons who had crossed the death line in their own way.

They estimated Rickart's ability sharply. Standing posture, breath, eye light, and Mana.

If learning Mana Drive deeply, one can estimate the opponent's Mana level more accurately, and although not to Helauman's degree, the people existing in this seat now could grasp it almost accurately.

By the way, strangely, they didn't feel Mana's energy from Rickart. A while ago he clearly hit the dagger in the middle of the air.

That was a skill close to a divine technique. Even if one learned Mana Drive, hitting a flying object thrown from another angle accurately was almost impossible work.

Even seeing that part only, they could grasp Rickart had the qualification to stay in the Imperial Palace. It was accuracy and reflex nerves highly developed, almost exceeding the human level.

But if sticking with me, who will win? Can I win without injury? He seems to use Longsword swordsmanship; isn't it somewhat big compared to his body? Using what swordsmanship? The North's peculiar strong attack focusing?

The swordsmen, forgetting they had to look good to the Crown Prince and 3rd Prince already, stared at Rickart like beasts facing a strange competitor.

No one was scared, but saying so, they didn't step forward rashly either.

At that time, someone stepped forward to the front. It was Water Skipper Liberio. Whether just confidence, or he grasped Rickart in his own way, was unknown work.

"Told you to be humble. Kid not listening to words. Right, what? Having time until the tournament, momentary amusement is good too."

He, placing quite a distance with Rickart and turning his back on the Castle, hovered surrounding Rickart slowly like a wolf roaming.

While doing so, he pulled a long Side Sword with his right hand, and held a dagger in his left hand. He seemed a person handling Twin Swords. Very difficult swordsmanship, but if handling well, it was difficult to find a match.

"Have experience killing a Sword Master, right? But do you know that? If becoming a Sword Master, dealing only effectively with guys weaker than oneself, so rather ability falling cases exist. Heard the guy called 'Mad Dog' was a guy slaughtering farmers or so. That kind of guy's level is obvious even not seeing."

"I'm sorry, but I didn't hear regarding you."

Rickart said. Changing the words, it meant he didn't have a guy like him in his eyes either.

"Hut. Introduce again. Bonatelli Swordmanship Family's 4th Sword, Liberio. Did you learn swordsmanship in your family? Or that Academy? Whatever it became, your swordsmanship has no origin. Will teach the difference of swordsmanship existing with origin and just acting up believing talent only."

When encountering him in the hallway it was so, but really Rickart couldn't know what he was saying. Knowing pride was overflowing, but in a duel of living and dying, calculating what origin sort of?

Liberio took a posture from quite far away. Placing his left foot forward holding out the dagger, and lifting the Side Sword over his head, he aimed the knife tip at Rickart.

By the way, whenever stepping one step each, he pulled the dagger backward and held out the Side Sword forward too. Looking nothing special, but it had the effect of confusing the check and the main attack.

The problem is if doing clumsily, one confuses oneself, but as he was caught in Helauman's eye, it could be seen he handled it freely even without seeing.

One step to the front, one step to the side, changing front hand and back hand, Liberio approached Rickart slowly.

As the Side Sword and Dagger length were clearly different, whenever the front hand and back hand changed, it was difficult to measure distance. Of course, if it were another person.

Rickart bent his knees slightly, and lifted his sword beside his face. While doing so, he stared at Liberio's eyes with a peculiar cool gaze.

While doing so for some moment, Liberio, stopping changing posture, stabbed the Side Sword suddenly jjuk. Like that, the Duel started.

Rickart swung his sword to the front. Much faster than the old days, and powerful. By the way, Liberio's sword stabbing to the front bounced tong-tong in a short moment, really like a popping water skipper.

Then grazing Rickart's knife blade, it cut his right upper arm shallowly. Simultaneously he, stepping, avoided Rickart's sword dangerously.

Hwing! Kagak!

A rose-colored afterimage remained in the empty air. Liberio seemed to be at the stage just before Sword Master.

He stabbed his sword toward Rickart's abdomen—a dagger secret move for ending real life from bottom to top. Looking from afar, it seemed like stabbing with something deep red.

By the way, surprisingly, in that short moment Rickart, retrieving the sword thrust forward, struck down the dagger accurately with the pommel of his knife handle.

Chaeng-gang!

The dagger holding Mana broke. Liberio, before feeling wrist pain, widened the distance pababak.

Although for a moment his heart fell, reacting soon was worth praising. But embarrassment was unavoidable. Is that possible just now?

If injecting Mana into a weapon, sharpness and strength increased. In an era where the quality of iron objects including weapons had a difference of heaven and earth, with that only, one exerted powerful power. If becoming a Sword Master, cutting shields or armor was like cutting cheese.

By the way, breaking a knife blade holding Mana with a pommel? It was a moment where common sense dislocated.

The swordsmen watching were also surprised all. Clearly, even now Mana was not felt.

The reason such work happened was because Rickart obtained the power of the Legendary Hero Ilya who killed a Dragon. Muscle strength itself was stronger than a person operating a decent Mana Drive.

Rickart chased closely Liberio who was widening the distance. Not attacking, he seemed to try to narrow the distance first. Even possessing transcendental supernatural power, he didn't depend on there only.

Liberio, escaping to the side urgently, swung the Side Sword toward the wrist holding Rickart's sword. An attack like wind—Rickart, turning his sword, struck with the Guard.

Chae-aeng!

Then Red Mana burst out like exploding. Immediately consecutive attacks continued like breathing.

Hwiing! Peok!

Wet black hair boasting in its own way, a Ruby earring hung solely on one ear. Liberio's head separated from his body.

Then the body, taking intense movement, losing self-control, rotating hwiririk, collapsed teolseok. Following that, blood sprayed in a circular shape chwak. The head soared upward and fell tuk after the body collapsed.

Like that, the origin-existing swordsman died, head cut, and the Duel ended.

The swordsmen watching felt a shiver. Seeing a method never heard of and a sight destroying simply and ending, they lost words to say momentarily.

Looking easy, but they knew it was never easy. Above all, without being embarrassed or excited at all, Rickart didn't have useless movement from start to end.

Even though the Duel ended, Rickart didn't get excited. Just casually, he looked down at his right upper arm clothes cut. Blood didn't come out. Because the skin wasn't cut.

"Wa......"

The Crown Prince watching the Duel opened his eyes roundly and flowed admiration.

"What, what, I didn't see properly. But amazing."

The Crown Prince tried to run jjorureu openly to the swordsman whose duel ended just now. Then Guard Knights existing near lifted the Crown Prince's body urgently and stopped him.

"Why doing this? Release."

"He didn't put the sword in the scabbard yet, Your Highness."

At the Knight's word, Rickart wiped the blood smeared on the sword and put it into the scabbard first. Then the Crown Prince running jjorureu again looking up at Rickart said:

"Just now was amazing. I am seeing a real Duel for the first time. Said Caldebern Family's Rickart? You also going to the tournament?"

"Yes, Your Highness."

Rickart bowing his head answered.

Anyway immediately near, a head-cut corpse exists; the Crown Prince didn't care at all. Because he saw such things many times with executions or so.

Now just, he was fascinated in the match itself where swordsmen poured lifelong effort and unfolded it.

Of course Rickart didn't do full power but, in the view of one ignorant on the sword, anyway, it was great Great.

"Not scary?"

The Crown Prince asked.

"Anyone is afraid at first. But if adjusting, it is not scary."

"Is it? Then to fight to the degree of you, how much have to practice?"

"That I also don't know well. Just, practicing hard and when the competing match time comes, conviction stands."

"Is it? Good. Then teach me swordsmanship. Every morning come to my room. Currently, a Swordsmanship Teacher exists too, but that person is not cool as much as you."

"......"

Unexpected work. The thought that he was involved in annoying work occurred. But, unavoidable. To protect Marie.

"Instead, can you release Princess Martelia from the Castle, and let no one bully her?"

"Um...... I want to grant that request but, the Court Count decided the work so have to ask Grandmother. Probably won't work. Sorry."

Real power in the Imperial Palace existed separately. Exactly the Empress Dowager and Helauman. The Crown Prince, still young, couldn't decide something.

"......Understood. Will see you tomorrow morning."

"No. I want to talk more with you. Follow."

While doing so, holding Rickart's blood-stained hand, he dragged him. The 3rd Prince and Bellator watched only. Rickart was dragged to the Crown Prince while bewildered, and Guard Knights followed.

Anyway, the Crown Prince Faction swordsmen used effort that much to buy the Crown Prince's favor; Rickart snatching all interest at once was absurd.

The place Rickart was dragged by the Crown Prince passing the forest was his room. Very wide, and the decoration excessively fancy. However, not vulgar and luxurious.

Mobiles hung on the ceiling and various weird toys were piled up like a mountain. Those things were all works artisans among artisans made stitch by stitch carefully.

"Toy liking exist? Give you one?"

The Crown Prince, making a smile not stained, asked. Whether naive, or pure. Rickart left home at the Crown Prince's age, defeating bandits and wandering battlefields.

Anyway the Crown Prince seemed not to know the method of buying a person's favor. Just, giving good things to a person liking, and telling punishment to his grandmother for a person not liking was the work he was doing. As true friends didn't exist, maybe natural.

So except Princes, all people tried to match the Crown Prince's stomach.

But Rickart not. And now his mind went to Marie entirely.

"Marvelous but not interesting. I am just a swordsman who came to participate in the Swordsmanship Tournament. Have to compose my mind and concentrate on the coming match, so I will leave now. Will visit every morning but unlikely to play with you."

"Eo? Eo...... Eo-eo......"

The Crown Prince's mind became blank momentarily at experiencing work for the first time in life. Rickart was polite, not servile. Didn't flatter either. Such a person first time really.

Then the Crown Prince occurred impatience: how can he enter Rickart's heart?

"Uh, that, that, Sword good thing I can give too. Horse too. Armor exists too? That you like right?"

Rickart shook his head to all those things. Liking, but couldn't receive in this way. As minds like Friendship or Love are not things able to be given as the price of something.

"Person's mind cannot be bought with money or objects. Don't be impatient, let's try becoming close slowly. Tomorrow exists, isn't it?"

"To, wait until tomorrow?"

As obtaining immediately if wanting, the Crown Prince had no patience.

"If waiting is painful how about trying other work? Then time goes quickly."

"How?"

"Reading books, or as you said you want to learn sword, practicing swordsmanship. Look again one by one at things threw away as tired. Maybe might see fun didn't know in old days."

"......Is it? Understood. Will try once."

"Will leave, Your Highness."

"Ung......"

The Crown Prince answered sullenly. Looking at such a Crown Prince, Rickart thought he was not a bad kid. Just, as the environment is the environment, something was lacking only.

The status called Crown Prince looked like a curse. Because he seemed deprived of the opportunity of learning and mastering and enduring pain and overcoming adversity, realizing and growing.

Rickart, like a beautiful bird stealing the Crown Prince's mind only, escaped from his grasp. And headed to Irmin Castle again.

Arriving at the site, the corpse was cleared and bloodstains only existed. No one was around the Castle. In the first place, people gathered saying they will buy the Crown Prince and 3rd Prince's favor, so as they disappeared, they emptied the seat naturally.

Rickart lifting his head stared at the window. So close, mutually couldn't see. So sitting leaning back on the Castle, he just stayed still. Putting a shout trying to talk? Okay is it?

Such thoughts occurred, couldn't move to execution readily. Like that spending time hesitating, soon the sun set.

Rickart, getting up from his seat trying to return to the Imperial Palace, with the feeling 'e-it don't know', grabbing a vine, climbed the Castle. Very dangerous work.

Vine almost cut or so falling below could get big injury. As expected vines cut almost few times tuduk, nevertheless Rickart climbed until the window.

Moonlight cast in the room. The bed was covered with silk, and a silhouette was seen beyond that.

"Marie."

Rickart stepping on the vine leaning on the window frame called her. But the silhouette sitting on the bed showed no reaction.

"Marie, It's me. Ricky. Okay? Came because worried."

Rickart talked once more, silent. No, she answered after a long time.

"Not related with you, isn't it?"

Cold words, but the voice trembled minutely. Rickart, hearing Marie's voice after a long time, his chest touched somehow.

"Story to tell exist. Can you come out briefly?"

"......"

Then Marie, staying still again for a long time, walking through the silk came out. Attire thin pajama and hair hanging long state.

And faint moonlight cast on Marie like clothes built for her.

Too beautiful, but Marie's expression was cold like an ice sheet. Atmosphere like 'if having word to say try doing', Rickart opened his mouth first with effort.

"First, um, I also came to participate in the tournament."

"......If winning, not what you wanted, isn't it?"

If winning, Marie and Engagement. But Rickart refused her heart in the old days. Marie meant that.

"No, want. I also like you."

Rickart smiling, took out his own heart plainly. Then Marie made a confused expression. Not a kid doing jokes with this kind. What?

But Rickart's confession, that was not the end.

"You see, to me a big wound exists. So if liking someone sincerely, feared that wound dug deeper losing myself. Actually, now also very anxious. Seemed needed time a bit approaching. But this I can say surely. I like you, Marie."

Marie stared at Rickart intently. Especially stared at his eyes. Hazel color pupil without shaking. Eye most pure than whatever and never knowing a lie. That Marie knew better than anyone.

Marie blinked her eyes. Then blinking fast, made a truly complicated subtle expression.

Seemed trying to cry, seemed trying to laugh too. Mind fluctuating wildly, she couldn't know sad or happy.

Marie whether that shy herself, turning head covered face with long blond hair shining in moonlight.

Heart suffering seemed to die meantime really like a lie, washed down completely changed to joy. Degree fainting losing mind if wrong.

Marie tried to laugh forcibly pretending nothing, but wiped tears continuously with a trembling hand. Whenever tear falling ttukttuk, moonlight seemed falling forming a drop.

"Can I wipe the tear?"

Rickart watching quietly said.

"Saying what, fool. I will wipe."

"Mm, Bori said the word correct."

"Eo?"

"Bori said you are Female Ricky."

Marie, dumbfounded, tears went in ssok. Flowing hollow laughter looked back at Rickart. Tear wet Sapphire shined.

Rickart making a world soft smile looked at such a her.

"You think how? Seem correct?"

"No. Never. You worst you know?"

"Worst but liking."

"Heo!"

Marie dumbfounded spit out vain wind. But couldn't deny, and a smile spread on her mouth rim unaware self.

"Then I become Male Marie?"

"Stop, Ricky. Not funny."

"But already laughed?"

"That just dumbfounded laughed. Not because funny."

"Okay, let's say so. Anyhow lived how? Academy is how?"

"Just, boring. Kali wants to become Professor. You know she using sword well surprisingly?"

"Is it? That didn't know."

"The book Bori-bori wrote exists. That helps huge I guess."

"Mine?"

"That......"

Couldn't understand what meaning so no one viewing, Marie couldn't say unbearably.

"Not viewing much, seem viewing some level high kids only."

"As expected, as my expectation. My book is superior correct."

"......R, Right. But you lived how?"

"Ah right. Marie saw Vampire? High Vampire."

"Vampire?"

"If graduating, First Request is given? Sally, know? That woman......"

Rickart started the story regarding last year's Special Class request. Very special experience, and maybe thanks to Armand might being here don't know. To word 'face yourself', overcoming fear little by little revealed heart.

By the way Rickart and Marie as if met yesterday too, just continued trivial conversation only. But that too comfortable, and that itself too good.

Special thing no need. Just with facing each other, because trivial everything special.

Marie sat on the window frame listening to the story looking down at Rickart before knowing.

In the view of they boy and girl looking each other, stars seemed pouring.

While doing so, overlapped lips in state not conscious mutually.

Cloud approached covering moon momentarily to not peeping.

Chapter 79 – Princess in Oak Forest. End.