401 – Battle of Pride (1)

Now that we’ve found a weapon to use and have had a good drink, all that’s left is the sparring.

Even though I drank alcohol, I didn’t have a hangover. The alcohol was so delicious that I wanted to drink it again.

I heard that it is a liquor made by fermenting jujube fruit. So it is said to be similar to wine, with a sweeter taste than a bitter one.

However, the hangover is severe, so drinking too much can be problematic, Kara explained.

“You didn’t get into an accident while drinking, did you?”

“Yeah. People liked me.”

“A good drinker is welcome wherever he goes. Especially in rough places.”

After Grace, Ellie added, “I’m not trying to diss Tatar, I’m just stating the truth.”

In fact, places that boast harsh or bitter cold often have a lot of alcohol in their diet.

Even in Frozen, the weather is so cold that people walk around with alcohol. Even the upper class is no different.

You could say it’s roughly similar to Russia. People who walk around with vodka in their hands whenever they have the chance.

I think Reina is also a frequent drinker. But it’s more noticeable that she eats weird foods.

“So who’s going out?”

“In order, Antonio, me, Mr. Erwin, Ms. Luna, and lastly Mr. Shivar. There are five of us.”

“Is Grace out too?”

If it’s unexpected, then it’s unexpected. I opened my eyes wide and expressed my doubts.

Grace is a wizard who is better suited for rear support than frontal combat.

Because of this, it is difficult to get high scores in sparring, and even the opponents are real fighters.

These warriors were well-trained, having gone through battles that went beyond actual combat to the unification of tribes. So it was inevitable that they would have some doubts.

“Heh. I can’t always provide rear support, right? And I’m pretty strong, too.”

Grace spoke confidently, crossing her arms at my words. Did she receive special training without me knowing?

When I was looking at her with a look that seemed to say, “Is that true?” Luna, who had been quiet for a while, suddenly dropped the fact.

“You’re physically weaker than Ellie.”

“That, that······! I’m working out hard!”

“It almost spread while crossing the desert.”

It was not the spout of chaos, but the spout of facts that inserted facts one after another. And they were substantial.

In fact, it’s understandable that Grace would say something like that, since her physical strength has always been a hindrance to her.

If the opponent is determined to fight an endurance battle, there is no chance of winning. It is a kind of glass cannon.

“It was so hot when I crossed the desert. But thanks to that, I decided to work harder, so don’t worry.”

“I’m worried… How about changing it now?”

“I have pride too, Luna. And······”

Grace looked at me, her words trailing off. I stared at her blankly.

Then Grace placed her hand on my shoulder with a trusting expression.

“Even if we lose, we have Mr. Shivar, right? We can win. I’m not sure about King Hector, though.”

“··· ···”

“··· ···”

“··· ···”

Luna, Ellie, and I didn’t say anything. Now that I think about it, Grace doesn’t know.

Well, that incident was a humiliating one for Kara, as Hector was the one who struck first.

We all just didn’t tell the truth out of consideration for Kara. It might be natural for Grace not to know.

First of all, there was never any discussion on that topic in the first place.

“······Why is there no answer?”

Grace, noticing the subtle silence, asked with a trembling expression.

Ellie just smiled and moved on without saying anything. I just nodded too.

Finally, Luna······was twitching her lips, unable to bear it because her mouth was itching.

It seems like you want to cause chaos. If you do that, you’ll get in trouble with Kara.

“Grace.”

“yes?”

“Grace, do you think you can win? Me, Hector?”

To ease the awkward situation, I asked Grace what she thought.

Grace seemed to ponder my question for a while, then looked around.

He seems cautious in case someone hears. Of course, this topic is quite sensitive.

Hector’s strength was the Tatar’s strength, and Hector’s pride was the Tatar’s pride.

“To be honest… I don’t think we’ll be able to win.”

“yes?”

“Yes. If it was a life-threatening battle, then maybe, but in a duel, it’s a bit… Besides, I heard that the power of the King of Destruction is like a giant rock itself.”

Grace knows how to insert solid facts. I nodded in agreement.

Sparring is usually divided into two types: sparring to hone your skills, and sparring where you pour all your skills into winning or losing.

Among them, I’m focusing on the former. So it’s inevitable that I lose to Kara every time we spar.

But the latter is different. I once beat up Kara like a rat during a freshman match.

This was also won thanks to the overwhelming difference in physical ability, but Hector would be different.

‘But I’m in better shape now than I was back then.’

No one knows how the outcome will be decided. The Tatars will be victorious, but Hector will be victorious.

Anyway, it’s still a big match.

I’ve heard that the pride of the chieftains was hurt, especially because I subdued the Queen Sand Scorpion.

It is highly likely that the Tatar side also prepared thoroughly. The students will be swept away like autumn leaves.

‘Will Erwin or Luna at least be able to prevent it?’

I’m looking forward to what will happen. Above all, I plan to focus on the other guy.

I don’t know how many times he’ll come out, but I can be sure of this: he’ll probably open his mouth.

‘You must be shaking your head a lot by now?’

******

While the Academy was busy preparing for the duel, Tatar was equally busy.

It is a duel that is practically a battle of pride. Even the Tatars are at a considerable disadvantage.

The academy students were rookies who had not even experienced real combat, while the Tatars had experienced various real combats.

But the Tatars also have something to say, paradoxically because they are warriors who have fought in actual battles.

Rather than teaching various techniques, it is better to teach know-how acquired through practical experience.

We plan to send young warriors who have been taught that know-how.

[The world will no longer ignore us!]

[Our youth are just as strong as the Academy students!]

[Show me the strength forged with sand and sweat!]

For your information, the above statements are just a nice twist.

[I will crush the noses of those who ignore me as a barbarian!]

Most people approached it with that kind of mindset.

In fact, many Tatars are trying to put pressure on the world’s nose.

It is not that they do not have eyes and ears. In particular, Tatarstan is in a situation where it is reborn as a center of trade after its founding.

Naturally, I had no choice but to frequently meet people from abroad, and in the process, conflicts big and small arose.

Most of them were contemptuous words such as ‘barbarians’, which left scars on the hearts of the Tatars. Some even caused conflicts and became problems.

So, the academy students must have arrived at that time, the Tatars really wanted their warriors to win the duel.

“You will win. I guarantee it.”

The audience room of the Tatar palace made of various stones.

Hector, sitting on his throne, spoke to the chieftains, who were now heads of households, before him.

Just before a grand event, the heads of the families who entered the audience room upon hearing Hector’s call could not help but be flustered.

Normally, in cases like this, it would have been normal to give a speech to boost morale. But how could you suddenly say that you would lose?

‘Are you trying to hurt my pride?’

‘That’s strange. He’s not the type of person to say something like that.’

‘Did you drink alcohol yesterday?’

It was when the chiefs, or rather the heads of the clans, were each organizing their thoughts.

Hector, who had a rough idea of ​​what they were thinking, rested his chin on one hand.

His expression was extremely relaxed, but at the same time, he was full of confidence.

“There’s a student named Shivar. He has red eyes, like a monster on the brink of rage. Has anyone heard of him?”

“Can I speak?”

The oldest-looking man raised his hand slightly. Hector nodded in approval.

“Speak.”

“I heard that you are a student who achieved victory from Princess Kara. You also single-handedly defeated Queen Sand Scorpion.”

“You know me well.”

When he said that, the heads of the households began to grumble. It is a fairly famous story in Tatarstan.

The story is that the student who defeated Kara and the student who opened up a path for trade are the same person.

Each and every one of them is a blow to Tatar pride. However, the latter is a great achievement and no one dislikes it.

The same goes for defeating Kara. The Tatars didn’t hold any grudges even if they lost or died in a duel.

If they fought with dignity and decided the winner, that would be the end of it. Rather, I tend to have a favorable impression of the strong.

“I heard from my daughter that she was so strong that the word ‘ignorant’ was appropriate.”

“However, Your Majesty. This is only a duel.”

“Here, anyone who can spar with my daughter and wins. Raise your hand.”

Hector responded clearly to one of the arbitrators’ objections. No one raised a hand in response to that statement.

It was true that Kara was actually strong. In addition to Hector’s talent, she was also favored by Gulag.

Hector smiled as the silence settled in. Now that the whip has been cracked, it is time to give him the carrot.

“Here’s a proposition for you. Whoever defeats that student will receive a prize personally.”

“What does Sang mean······?”

“If you want, I can give you Ragnarok too.”

“your majesty?!”

A cry of astonishment. At the same time, countless gazes were directed at Hector.

Most of them have looks of surprise and amazement mixed in them. That’s how symbolic Ragnarok is.

It was not surprising that the heads of the households were surprised, since they were told that they could even be given the throne.

“Aren’t you surprised? In order to seize Ragnarok, you have to defeat me, no, even me.”

“······Even as a joke, this is too much.”

“The man was not joking. He was the one who broke our pride, so he deserves a reward.”

If Kara were here, she would have given me a cold glare. Unfortunately, she is not here because she is visiting the training ground.

Moreover, Hector did not act thoughtlessly. The premise that he had to defeat Sivara was problematic in the first place.

While the lords and ministers were muttering and discussing, someone spoke up confidently.

“Your Majesty King Hector, may I speak to you?”

With cloudy blond hair······ No, a typical example of a golden sun.

He was an impressive young man with a long, carved tattoo on his proudly exposed upper body.

The chieftain and young head of the Buwar tribe, Uro. He is a head of a family that has been the subject of much bad news recently.

But at the same time, he is a young man who is supported by the young Tatars. He is a political headache for Hector.

Hector briefly doubted whether he had anything to say, then gave permission.

“Speak.”

“His Majesty said that if I could defeat that student, he would give me a reward. He even said that he could give me Ragnarok.”

“Are you greedy?”

“No. How can I surpass Your Majesty’s stronghold? I just······”

Hector could not read his expression, for Uro had his head bowed.

But his natural intuition told him that the cunning young man had a sly, snake-like grin.

And as if his intuition had been right, a shocking story came out of Uro’s mouth.

“I want the most beautiful dancer in Tatar, Princess Kara.”

“What?!”

“That rude!!”

“What the hell are you talking about!”

Naturally, there was a lot of criticism. But Uro remained confident.

Hector suddenly looked up and faced Uro. He had a confident smile on his face, as if he could not possibly lose.

They say that when people get too angry, they become more absurd. Hector asked him in bewilderment.

“Didn’t you say that earlier? You claimed victory over my daughter and even defeated Queen Sand Scorpion.”

“Yes. But skill isn’t determined by just that. I’m confident.”

“On what basis?”

“First of all, it is suspicious that he subdued the Queen alone. How could he have subdued her alone when even His Majesty was having a hard time?”

“··· ···”

Hector was silent. Indeed, the Queen Sand Scorpion was a cunning monster.

If he felt threatened, he would immediately dig into the sand and escape. Hector also missed every time.

Perhaps that is why it is a story that is quite persuasive. Hector then raised another question.

“So what if my daughter won? How do you explain it? For the record, I watched my daughter lose to that guy with my own eyes.”

“If I defeat him, it would mean that I am stronger than Princess Kara, right?”

“How arrogant.”

Hector snickered. It was an obvious mockery.

But Ur had a confident expression on his face, perhaps interpreting that laughter in a different way.

“Okay. I will grant your request.”

“your majesty!”

“Enough. I’ve already made my decision. But, Lord Bouwar.”

“Please give your order.”

“You already have my daughter on your tongue. Do you know what I mean?”

According to the Tatar code, insult is punishable by cutting off the tongue. Therefore, Ur has cut off his own tongue.

Of course, if he wins against Shivar, it is not an insult but a confidence boost. Since he has made a promise, it is a situation where he cannot go back.

For the Tatars, ‘promise’ is a virtue that is considered more important than anything else. No matter how much Hector is, he cannot cancel.

“You’d better think about what happens after that arrogant nose is broken. If you’re wise, you’ll come to your senses, but if you’re not, you’ll get even more upset.”

“Don’t worry. I won’t have my nose broken.”

Ur’s words sounded quite arrogant. The heads of the households were more confused than angry.

Seeing him so confident meant that he definitely had the skills. It definitely wasn’t a bluff.

But it didn’t matter to Hector. Whether it was a bluff or not, the outcome was already decided.

‘You little shit. I lost too. I feel so bad for you.’

Hector clicked his tongue inwardly and felt sorry.

‘I’m a little excited.’

I wonder what kind of nonsense the author will babble about next.