READ NOVEL ONLINE Chapter 133 - Sinister (3)
Chapter 133
Sinister (3)
Jin Sowol walked to the royal training grounds and looked at the four heirs.
Two princes and two princesses.
Except for Rebecca, who was the youngest, the other three were not too far apart in age, and the second prince even settled down and had a child.
As such, it had been a long time since he had held a sword.
He learned the sword under someone of such high caliber that his instructor also served as a Knight Commander of the Royal Knights, so his overall skill was bound to be better than most knights of his age.
In addition,
After the death of the Crown Prince, which was a tragedy for the Adrian Kingdom.
The Knight King passed on to his children the unique swordsmanship of the kingdom that was only passed down to the Crown Prince.
The Adrian Kingdom Swordsmanship¹.
A swordsmanship that is one of the greatest on the continent, and a sword art that everyone who wields a sword wants to learn.
‘Except for Rebecca, they all learned the same sword technique.’
It wasn’t that Rebecca didn’t have a chance.
The Knight King had taught his children the same kingdom sword techniques.
However, Rebecca had been trained in the swordsmanship of the Moon Pavilion since childhood, and she had no desire to learn the Royal Swordsmanship for herself.
Clothes that didn’t fit her.
Even though she ostensibly claimed so.
However, Jin Sowol was aware of Rebecca’s true feelings.
‘A hatred for her father.’
Rebecca had grown up without a father, and after learning of his existence, she hated the knight-king who had mistreated her mother.
Rebecca’s heart was frozen.
Because Jin Sowol had witnessed it all from the sidelines, she didn’t force her to learn the Kingdom Sword Arts.
The Moon Maiden’s swordsmanship was not inferior to the Kingdom Swordsmanship, and not practicing the Kingdom Swordsmanship would not prevent her from ascending to a higher level.
‘But…’
This was the time to choose the successor to the King. The one who would become the next Knight King of the Adrian Kingdom had to know the Kingdom Sword Arts.
“Let me state the rules for the duel, the only sword art used in this duel is the Kingdom Sword Arts. Any other sword art is not permitted.”
Jin Sowol’s words stunned the nobles who had gathered as spectators.
They thought it was just a simple duel.
However, with the condition that only kingdom swordsmanship could be used, the odds were stacked against Rebecca.
Looking at Rebecca’s dumbfounded expression, Jin Sowol opened her mouth.
“Since we are choosing the successor, we need to suit it accordingly. Do you have any complaints?”
“No.”
“Very well, then we shall proceed immediately, the first duel will be between the Second Prince and the Third Prince.”
As soon as Jin Sowol finished her remarks, the two princes stepped onto the center of the training grounds with their wooden swords.
The remaining people retreated to the periphery of the stage to watch the pair compete.
Standing in the center of the arena, Jin Sowol saw the two princes smiling at each other and took a step closer.
“We’ll begin this duel with the usual standard rules.”
Either the swords fall from one’s hand.
The other party yells out their surrender.
Ending the duel at the discretion of the arbiter.
Everybody had competed with these rules for so long that no further clarification was necessary.
“Handshake.”
The two princes shook hands and moved apart. Once they had gained some distance between them. Both turned to face the other again.
Moving toward the outskirts of the training area, Jin Sowol raised her hand.
“Let the duel begin!”
The two princes both raised the wooden swords in their hands and assumed the basic stance of kingdom swordsmanship.
A moment to size one another up.
Apart from when they first learned swordsmanship, they had never dueled against each other before.
Both princes studied each other calmly.
Suddenly, the second prince on the left moved his foot first. With a fluid, gliding motion, his wooden sword rushed forward.
*Clack*
*Clack*
The third prince struck the second prince’s wooden sword. They didn’t fight fiercely. They exchanged swords lightly to test the other’s level of skill.
As Jin Sowol observed the two trading blows, she gathered data in her mind.
Their movement, breathing, and swordsmanship.
As well as their application and sense of picking the gaps in their opponent’s defense.
As the duel continued, both men’s swords became sharper and stronger, and as the information amassed, she could picture in her mind who would win the duel.
*Clack*
*Clack*
The third prince’s sword moved swiftly, aiming for the second prince, who feigned being pushed back, and waited for the third prince to drop his guard.
A quick, clean strike.
The third prince’s entire form collapsed and his sword fell from his hand, and with a grin on his face, the second prince held the sword to the third prince’s throat.
“Little brother, you really ought to practice more.”
“Ugh.”
“That concludes our first duel, First and Second Princesses, please step forward.”
Slapping away the hand extended by the Second Prince, the Third Prince rose from the ground. Frowning, he stalked out of the training center.
Watching him go, the Second Prince smiled a triumphant smile.
Waving his hand as he walked toward the group of nobles supporting him.
“As expected of the Second Prince.”
“You were the best.”
“Haha. This is a piece of cake.”
Jin Sowol tore her gaze away from the princes and looked at the two princesses stepping up to the arena.
“It seems like the outcome of this battle is obvious, so why don’t you just surrender?”
“I think it’s pretty obvious.”
“It is. There’s no way that you, who hasn’t even cultivated the Kingdom Sword Arts, would be able to defeat me with it, right?”
The First Princess looked at Jin Sowol and shrugged.
“Then I guess that means you’re a failure?”
“If you don’t want to look like a disgrace, you’d better surrender, elder sister.”
The First Princess frowned at Rebecca’s words.
“Who’s your sister, and a disgrace? Ha ha. Are you crazy?”
“I’m definitely not crazy.”
“I heard you spent a while in Burning Hell, you’ve become a total lunatic. huh?”
“You’re running your mouth, Sis. Just come at me.”
“I will.”
Watching their exchange back and forth, Jin Sowol intervened.
“Shake hands.”
The first princess, conscious of her surroundings, gritted her teeth and shook Rebecca’s hand, then distanced herself from her, just like the princes before her.
Rebecca and the First Princess.
With the two of them separated, Jin Sowol signaled the start of the duel.
“Start Dueling!”
Rebecca strode forward with an intimidating air as soon as the conversation ended. Her red hair billowed in the wind, and her eyes sparkled with determination.
*Thump*
She stomped the ground and swung her sword as she advanced. A basic sword technique that was practiced beforehand in order to master the sword techniques of the royal family.
Upon seeing the monotonous attack, the first princess brought her sword up.
*Clack*
Having blocked the first blow, the First Princess brought out her own royal sword technique to force Rebecca backwards.
Dull yet swift.
Ornate yet heavy.
Within the swiftness of her footsteps, a series of fierce attacks poured towards Rebecca.
‘Heh’
The corner of Rebecca’s mouth curved upward.
As if she had anticipated the First Princess’s behavior. Using the footwork contained in the royal swordsmanship, she dodged all of the first princess’s attacks.
A strike that was swung in unison.
*Thwack*
A strong blow struck the First Princess’s wrist, and the wooden sword in her hand flew through the air, ending the duel.
An overwhelming difference in skill.
Jin Sowol looked at Rebecca and let out a wry laugh.
“Heh…..”
The footwork she had just demonstrated was a technique that the Knight King often used.
To be able to execute it so perfectly.
It was impossible to do without prior training.
‘When did she cultivate it?’
While Jin Sowol was silent in astonishment, the nobles supporting the First Princess suddenly chimed in.
“Sword Maiden, It seems that this duel needs an explanation.”
“What explanation do you need?”
“As far as we know, the youngest princess hasn’t trained herself in the Royal Sword Arts, and her recent display was as if witnessing His Majesty.”
“What, do you think I gave her advance information about the duel?”
“Hmph. It doesn’t seem to make any sense otherwise.”
Jin Sowol couldn’t help but laugh at the absurdity of it all. Still, she looked at the nobleman with a smirk.
“Even if I had told her about the test, the process of preparing for the duel was two weeks at most.”
“……”
“If a person can master royal swordsmanship to that level in two weeks, doesn’t that make them fit to be the next King?”
“The position of king is not all about swordsmanship.”
“That’s why we’re conducting this testing to determine the qualifications of the heirs.”
The nobleman’s mouth fell open at those words, and he looked uncomfortable.
He must have been able to realize that.
The words he had just spoken had only elevated Rebecca further, and if he continued speaking, it would only cost the First Princess in the end.
“Then…….”
Just as Jin Sowol was about to open her mouth to proceed with the next round of dueling, a knight rushed into the royal training grounds.
*Thud* *Thud* *Thump*
The knight went to the center of the arena, and then knelt down and announced.
“I have an urgent report to make.”
The Knight Commander, sitting on the edge of the arena, stood up.
“Speak.”
“We have received reports of a huge demon moving from the volcanic region to the west of the kingdom.”
“A demon? A mere demon, in the midst of a succession test for…….”
A nobleman was about to get furious, but the knight opened his mouth to explain.
“It’s not just a mere demon.”
The knight pulled out an artifact from his arm.
*Ooooh!*
The video showed a gigantic monster and a group of tens of thousands if not hundreds of thousands of other demons surrounding it.
A horde of demonic beasts traveling swiftly, sweeping through the surroundings.
“…….”
“This is ridiculous…….”
While everyone was stunned and couldn’t even open their mouths, Jin Sowol broke the tense atmosphere.
“The testing of the successor will be temporarily suspended. We will now commence an emergency meeting to prepare for the upcoming crisis. Please gather in the grand hall immediately.”
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A Sinister-class Demon.
According to information from Hellfire, there have been several visits from those who wield demonic energy.
Potentially Demon cultists.
They took pieces of the demon god’s flesh from the sealed Hellfire and resealed it after it awoke from its slumber.
The Twelve Apostles.
He wondered if they were the ones behind it.
If they’re above the Chief Priest, who has complete control over the curse, they would definitely be strong enough to handle a piece of the demon god’s flesh.
“Here’s your food.”
He nodded his thanks as the waiter brought him his meal. Picking up the knife and fork, he sliced into the steak.
“I heard there’s an expedition today?”
“Yeah, I heard there’s a huge monster in the west of the kingdom, and they’re going to hunt it down.”
“I’ve overheard that whoever succeeds in taking out the monster will be the next king.”
“I heard it too.”
As he listened to the chatter at the next table, he saw a familiar face approaching and raised his hand lightly.
“I’m here.”
“How are you doing?”
Marek walked over and sat down across from him.
“Good.”
“I’ve got everything you wanted.”
“Then let’s be going.”
“Going immediately?”
“Yes. We need to go to the ceremonial departure and get things going.”
Setting down the fork and knife, wiping his mouth, he stood up with Marek. A large procession stood where Marek walked ahead.
From the banner of the Kingdom of Adrian.
To the banners of the nobles, which Marek offered his hand to.
His lips curled up at the sight of the flag-bearing knights and the staggering number of knights and soldiers that filled the streets.
“Let’s go.”
** ** **
TL/N:
1. Difference between Sword Arts and Swordsmanship
Sword arts encompass a broader spectrum. They are complete systems that include not only techniques but also philosophy, principles, and cultural context.
Swordsmanship refers to the overall skill and ability. It encompasses both the technical proficiency (sword technique) and the artistic, strategic, and practical aspects (sword arts)