Dark Fantasy Normalized

12 – Beating the b*stard

The day I leave the family.

The farewell party was planned to be modest.

Only those who love me would gather, in the early morning.

So, I planned to sneak away alone at 3 AM, when Vendel is the quietest.

Those who were not invited to the farewell party might express their belated regrets, saying, “The b*stard ran away!”

I don’t care.

It’s not like we’ll see each other again.

Or what? Will they form a pursuit team?

Just because one b*stard disappeared?

It was like spraying pesticide in the neighborhood because a cockroach went out the window.

Thus, the farewell between the b*stard and the family was to be very shy and poignant.

“Say it again.”

“I said I would leave the family.”

The plan changed.

Suddenly, I thought.

Why should I.

Why should I leave secretly, like I’m running away?

It’s not like I committed a crime.

Everyone in Vendel openly expresses their discomfort towards my existence.

In such a situation, if I disappear on my own? Isn’t that actually me being considerate?

If you have a conscience and affection, at least write me a letter of the heart.

And most importantly-

I wanted to make it clear.

There was something I needed to settle with this person.

“…”

The head of the family soon lost interest again and looked away from me.

The head of the family, looking at the desk again, showing the top of his head.

To this man, the fact that his work was momentarily interrupted seemed more shocking than the declaration of the illegitimate child to leave the house.

“You’re getting carried away because of Roella.”

“?”

Suddenly, the name of my younger sister was mentioned out of nowhere.

“It was possible because it was Roella. To leave the family’s embrace and stand tall alone without anyone’s help. To elevate not only herself but also the family’s name.”

I wondered what he was talking about.

It seemed that the head of the family interpreted my declaration to leave as a desire to elevate my name like Roella.

“I understand what you are trying to say.”

“Then, you may leave now.”

I did not back down and stared directly at the head of the family.

As our gazes crossed, it felt like sparks were flying.

“If the marriage with Diltan is successful, I will consider improving your treatment.”

It was then that I heard the head’s voice, which felt less dry than usual.

“…”

I involuntarily let out a bitter laugh.

To think he would consider improving my treatment.

It was a kind of words that were hard to hear from the head of the family.

If it were me before I became aware of my past life’s memories, wouldn’t I have been as happy as a child receiving a Christmas present at those words?

“So refrain from any more reckless behavior.”

The head of the family also unilaterally ended the conversation, interpreting my bitter laugh in that way.

This is why people should make eye contact when talking.

Seeing how shallow the connection was between the head’s crown and my eyes.

I pondered.

How should I convey the difficult news to the head of the family that the illegitimate child had reached puberty?

“Ah.”

Was it because the head mentioned Roella just now?

Roella suddenly came to mind.

There was a time when Roella, like me, tried to get permission from the head to leave the family.

Roella, who wouldn’t listen to words.

The head had made a proposal to dissuade Roella.

-If you win the duel against our family’s apprentice knight, I will allow you to leave.

-However, if you lose, you must take your duties to the Vendel family more seriously.

-What will you do?

Roella accepted without hesitation.

And, in front of the entire family, she won against the apprentice knight.

Not with the Vendel sword, but with a sword she had learned on her own.

I remember the complex expression on the head of the family’s face as he looked at Roella that day.

I remember the joy on the head of the family’s face when he confirmed his daughter’s exceptional talent.

I wonder.

If Roella were to be revealed as an illegitimate child, how would the head of the family react?

There is no guarantee that an illegitimate child would win against Vendel’s apprentice knight.

In fact, not only is there no guarantee, but the probability of losing is overwhelmingly high.

The apprentice knights are skilled enough to be aiming for at least the third rank.

“Master.”

But I also had something to believe in.

“Please give me a chance like Roella.”

“I must have told you. Refrain from any more reckless behavior. You disappoint me.”

“I will also duel the apprentice knight that Roella did.”

“…”

Only then did the head of the family raise his head and look at me.

*

The mornings of the Vendel trainees start as early as those of the household servants.

Here, in the training ground located in front of the main building.

Normally, there is no schedule more important to the trainees than training, but today is an exception.

No one was swinging their swords.

Everyone had taken a seat in the corner of the training ground, eagerly waiting for someone to arrive.

“A duel between Sir Lishir and Humpton. Is this even possible? I don’t know.”

“Are you the only one who doesn’t know? Who would know this?”

“Humpton must be having a really hard time…”

“Humpton? Humpton? Hey, man. Even if you bring any of the apprentice knights, Sir Lishir would easily overpower them.”

“What are you guys constantly talking about? Get out of the apprentice phase.”

“Exactly. This should be sorted out at our trainee level without even going to the apprentice phase.”

“Hey, no matter what, Lisir ‘sir’ is still a Vendel.”

“Then, if Lisir ‘sir’ and Malcolm were to duel, which side would you bet on?”

“Ask something worth asking. Of course-… Hey, but you should know. I’m very close with Malcolm.”

“Ah. Our friend Malcolm. Who could dislike that guy? Even if Lisir ‘sir’ were to duel with Malcolm, we would all have to bet on Malcolm, wouldn’t we?”

“Hehehe.”

A duel between a b*stard and an apprentice knight!

Such sensational news spread throughout the entire Vendel estate in no time.

Everyone in the Vendel estate moved to witness the rare spectacle.

Even the servants, who were as busy as the trainees at this time.

“Isn’t Lisir acting a bit strange these days?”

“I don’t really know.”

“I don’t really like Lisir. How should I put it? He’s especially harsh only to us?”

“I heard from other houses that there’s something peculiar about them.”

“Them?”

“You know. b*stards.”

“Ah…”

“Even lower nobles get ignored, so they take out their resentment on the lower ones.”

“Tsk. I get it.”

“Really? That’s strange… He was kind to me…”

“Me too, me too. He treated me very casually! I’ve never seen a noble like that before!”

“Strictly speaking, he’s not really a noble…”

“You guys came in recently. You don’t know how sensitive Lisir used to be.”

“Really? Was he different before?”

“… Well, he’s changed a bit these days.”

“Oh no… I can’t watch this…”

“I hope Lisir wins.”

Most of the servants were rooting for Lisir.

They liked the young master who had become more easygoing recently, for whatever reason.

Moreover, they were complete outsiders in the field of swordsmanship.

“Hey, Yowen. What should I do about this? Give me some advice.”

“Why are you asking me?”

“Why do you think? You had a similar experience before.”

“Are you kidding me? My opponent was Lady Roera, not some b*stard who has never properly learned swordsmanship.”

A group of apprentice knights occupied a spot.

The atmosphere there was distinctly different from other places, which were excited by the rare spectacle.

Most of them were skeptical about the duel itself.

“Just take it easy, take it easy. Okay? Don’t get hurt for no reason. Even if he’s a b*stard, he’s still a Vendel.”

Their attitude towards Rishir was quite different from that of the trainees.

It couldn’t be helped, as most of them were children of other noble families.

Even if they were of lower rank than Vendel, at least their blood was pure.

Their inherent nobility was clearly higher than that of a b*stard.

At the words of his comrades, Humton, the apprentice knight scheduled to duel with Rishir, sighed deeply and scratched his angular head.

He spoke with a clearly annoyed face.

“By the way, what’s going on? What wind blew that made the admirable Rishir cause such a commotion?”

“Isn’t he trying to impress Lady Dintal?”

“Ah. That makes sense.”

“But, to impress his fiancée, shouldn’t he show a cool side? What kind of fool wants to show his fiancée a scene of him getting beaten up?”

“Didn’t the master say anything? Like to go easy on him?”

“Right. We should polish the dusty goods once.”

“Nope.”

“What?”

“He told me to go all out, no nonsense.”

“…Huh. I have no idea what he’s thinking.”

“Like father, like son.”

“Crazy guy. If you said that in front of the master-“

It was then.

“Oh, he’s here! He’s here!”

“My God. Is it true? Is he really going to duel with an apprentice knight?”

The illegitimate child appeared on the training ground.

The training ground began to stir in earnest.

Soon, the heads of the Dintal and Vendel families appeared.

The noisy training ground quickly fell silent, leaving only a suffocating tension.

*

Originally, the head of the Vendel family, Idor, had two choices.

To betroth his youngest daughter, Roera, to Dintal’s eldest son, Kalon.

Or to betroth the illegitimate child, Lisir, to Dintal’s youngest, Pie.

The choice that appealed to Idor was the first one.

From the family’s perspective, it was more beneficial to send his youngest daughter to marry and incur a debt, rather than sending the illegitimate child as a son-in-law and incurring a debt.

It was the same from a father’s perspective.

He had considerable expectations that his unruly daughter would finally mature by getting married.

– We have actively reviewed the proposal from the Vendel family.

– Then?

– …However, regrettably, we must decline.

– May I ask the reason?

– Our daughter is adamantly opposed.

– By daughter, you mean… Miss Pie?

– Yes. I don’t know why, but our child seems to have fallen deeply for Lisir.

– Huh…

– I heard that she once got lost while visiting Hayeren, and Lisir was very kind to her. Since then, she has harbored feelings for him.

…That was why Vendel tolerated Lisir’s arrogance.

The emotions of a young girl in her prime can flare up for trivial reasons and cool down just as easily.

If Lisir were to be defeated in front of all these people, the infatuation of the Dintal girl would surely fade.

“Dad!”

It was just before the duel was about to begin.

Roera approached Idor and spoke in a reproachful tone.

“Is this right!? You know it too, Dad. No, you know it better than anyone else! Lisir struggles even against trainees, let alone as a squire!”

“It was Lisir’s request.”

“You know that’s not what I’m talking about!!! The rumors have already spread! They say the illegitimate child is imitating the Vendel girl!!! If Lisir loses here, you know what will happen to his reputation, Dad-“

“Roera.”

“…!”

It was a rare occurrence.

Idor faced her not as a kind father, but with the stern visage of the head of the family.

“It’s a family matter.”

“…”

Crack.

A chilling sound emanated from Roera’s tightly clenched fist, but in the end, she couldn’t say anything.

No matter how unruly she was, she couldn’t deny the authority of Idor, the head of the family, in such a formal setting.

“…And, this is also to grant your request.”

After briefly contemplating Idor’s words, Roera bowed her head weakly.

*

“Combatants, take your positions.”

Following the head’s command, the two combatants stood facing each other on the training ground.

They were thirty paces apart.

“Sigh…”

A burly, short-haired man stood opposite the illegitimate child.

Trainee knight Humton had to strive not to let his displeasure show to the head.

‘What is this nonsense…’

Humton was equally displeased with the duel against Lisir.

Knights revere strength.

And they revere honor.

There was nothing Humton could gain from dueling Lisir, an illegitimate child and a novice in swordsmanship.

Moreover, Humton felt humiliated by the situation.

“Sir Lisir.”

“Yes, Sir Humton.”

The training ground was vast.

They spoke in tones only audible to each other.

“Is it true? That this duel was arranged at your request.”

“It is.”

“Is it true that Sir Lysir designated a squire as his sparring partner?”

“It has come to that.”

“Did you not consider that this, in itself, would be an insult to our Vendel squires?”

“Is that so?”

“Think of the position of an adult who must seriously face a child.”

“If my opponent is a child, I am confident that at least I will not lose.”

“What the…”

“Are both of you ready?”

The two nodded.

“Then let us begin.”

The sparring began.

Hampton swung his sword this way and that, loosening up.

Crack.

Crack.

A menacing sound emanated from his thick arms.

He spoke in a low voice.

“I will yield the first move.”

It was not out of some final sense of conscience.

Wouldn’t it look better to subdue a charging b*stard than to beat one down unilaterally?

“Then gladly. Ah, before we start in earnest, may I clarify one thing? In a typical sparring match, all techniques and actions, including Vendel-style swordsmanship, are permitted. Is that correct?”

“Whatever it is, feel free to fully demonstrate your skills, Sir Lysir.”

Hampton smirked involuntarily.

To hear such words from the mouth of a b*stard with no notable skills was quite amusing.

“That’s a pleasing answer.”

The b*stard gripped his sword and stepped forward.

The distance between them gradually closed.

Some of the squires and trainees hastily turned their heads.

That clumsy footwork, that clumsy closing of the distance.

They almost burst into laughter.

“…”

Humpton knew without looking.

Right now, seniors, peers, and juniors alike were holding back their laughter as they watched his sparring.

Crunch.

Step.

Humpton, who had said he would yield the first move, finally took a step forward.

He didn’t take a stance. He didn’t adopt any footwork.

Using his skills against such a person was itself a disgrace.

It was like an adult scolding a child.

“…”

Rishir’s eyes gleamed.

He corrected his stance and put more strength into his legs.

Tat-tat-tat-

Like a cavalryman, Rishir charged at Humpton with his sword poised.

A downward slash.

It was Rishir’s first strike.

“Damn it.”

Humpton couldn’t hold back his frustration and muttered.

Never mind the terrible stance.

Why take such a big stance when there’s still this much distance left?

It was as if he was jokingly inviting Humpton to strike any vital point he wanted.

Humpton would have gladly done so, but then that poor b*stard wouldn’t escape without being crippled.

Humpton still didn’t take a stance.

Just swinging the sword in his right hand with all his might would be enough.

That alone would make the b*stard drop his sword and fall disgracefully.

At that moment, when Humpton, who had precisely measured the distance unlike Rishir, was about to swing his sword.

Rishir dropped his sword.

To be precise, he loosened his grip with his left hand, one of the two hands holding the sword.

To release what he had been holding inside.

Thud!

With a dull sound, Humpton’s face was thrown back violently.

“`

“!?”

It was only a moment later that Humpton understood the situation.

Fallen on the floor, he discovered a metal marble lying next to him.

A metal marble that had flown like a bullet and struck his forehead.

Before he knew it, Lysir’s sword was pointed at Humpton’s neck.

“Magic!!!!!!!!”

Humpton, enraged, lashed out at Lysir.

“How dare you use such tricks in a duel!!!”

He was a timid b*stard.

At least, that’s how Humpton remembered him.

That same b*stard now responded with a sly smile.

“I clearly mentioned it before we started the duel, didn’t I?”

“You- you- pathetic!!!”

Knights and wizards take immense pride in their affiliations.

Despite Lysir being a b*stard, Humpton showed him minimal courtesy because he knew Lysir was trying to gain recognition from Vendel.

But using magic in a duel?

This was an act that sullied not only himself but also Vendel’s name.

“A person who calls himself Vendel- a person who calls himself Vendel- has no pride at all!?”

“Why would I be Vendel?”

“…?”

A weak voice questioning back.

A reaction and answer he never imagined.

Humpton’s fierce rage was quelled so easily it was almost laughable.

His bloodshot eyes blinked repeatedly.

“I’ve never once attached the name Vendel to myself in my life.”

“No-“

“And swordsmanship? What should I teach you, how to brew alcohol with a sword or how to pour alcohol with a sword?”

“…”

“You laughed at my stance too, didn’t you? Ah. It’s okay. I don’t intend to criticize. When I try to correct my stance in front of a mirror, I sometimes laugh too.”

“…”

“`

The apprentice knight just blinked blankly.

The b*stard who spoke of his miserable situation neither sought understanding nor sympathy.

He merely held a faint smile, as if telling a ridiculous and pathetic joke.

It was clearly an action that deviated from Humpton’s way of thinking.

The b*stard extended his hand to the apprentice knight.

The apprentice knight, as if entranced, grasped that hand.

Then, the b*stard lifted the hand he had grasped.

“I was lucky. I did well too.”

With a hearty smile that cast not even a slight shadow.

“…”

Everyone in the audience had the same expression as Humpton.

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▷ Character 2: b*stard – Deactivated.

Rewards will be given.

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