Chapter 50
“It is true that he led an excellent order of knights, but are you saying you object to His Majesty’s decision?”
“I’m saying that if I had such an excellent order of knights, I could have done it too.”
Father and Brother Fahrenheit, having heard the commotion, arrived.
“Viscount Rottem. Is there something you need with our Claude?”
Father was smiling, but his eyes weren’t smiling at all.
“Using an excellent order of knights to make your sons shine and curry favor with the royal family. As expected of a Marquis House, you certainly have it easy, don’t you?”
“Are you, perhaps, trying to pick a fight with me?”
Viscount Rottem looked as though he’d realized his mistake, but he couldn’t take back his words.
“Father. Could you leave this to me? Viscount Rottem. I challenge you to a duel.”
“Do you even understand what a duel means? Even if you’re just a brat, I won’t go easy on you.”
A stir spread through the surrounding nobles.
Other nobles who had also been dissatisfied rejoiced, thinking this would finally appease them.
The more level-headed nobles thought they might now see a glimpse of the reason why His Majesty had gone to such lengths to grant the promotion in rank.
This news would quickly spread throughout the royal palace.
That Viscount Rottem had picked a fight with the Prominence Marquis House, and that the eight-year-old Baron Claude had accepted the challenge.
At the training grounds in the royal palace, Viscount Rottem and Claude faced each other, holding wooden swords.
Many nobles had gathered there, and among them were King Poseidos and Prime Minister Richman.
To ensure fairness, the training grounds’ supervisor was to act as the referee.
“Alright, the match will continue until I acknowledge a valid strike or one combatant concedes defeat. Are you ready? Begin!”
Claude did not move.
Viscount Rottem, thinking Claude was just a child and likely scared, attacked with a downward slash from an overhead stance.
Claude parried it with minimal movement.
“For all your big talk, is that all you’ve got?”
Provoked, Viscount Rottem swung his sword repeatedly, but every blow was either dodged or deflected.
“Why? Why can’t I hit him?”
Viscount Rottem continued his attacks, panting heavily.
“Have you vented enough? I’ll be making my move soon.”
Frustrated by Claude’s unwavering composure, he swung his sword high in a wide arc.
Claude mercilessly struck the upswung sword with his own, sending Viscount Rottem’s sword flying.
The technique Claude used was Winding Up.
He had identified the precise moment of weakness when power momentarily left the Viscount’s stance as he raised his sword.
Claude then smoothly pressed his wooden sword to Viscount Rottem’s throat.
“That’s enough. The winner is Baron Claude!”
Many didn’t understand what had just happened, but those versed in martial arts were astounded by Claude’s skill.
King Poseidos and Prime Minister Richman instructed a nearby servant to summon the members of the Prominence House to the reception room, and then departed ahead of the others.