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Now that I was using aura, I still had no clue how to use it. If I fought as I used to when slaughtering monsters with my Holy Sword, I would destroy the surroundings. If I fought while trying to hold back, I could not maintain the aura.

“…So that is the color of your aura.”

Luke’s voice came from the other side of the room. He has undoubtedly learned something.

“If I experience your aura, I’d better understand what it means to be the Hero.”

No, he hadn’t learned anything. ‘Like father, like son.’ I sighed and raised my sword.

‘I’ll just use this opportunity to learn how to handle a sword that can’t guide me.’

“I’m coming.”

Luke’s eyes glowed as he stomped off the ground and charged at me. His blue aura crashed into me like a wave. I didn’t try to dodge, nor did I try to deflect it. I swung my sword, intercepting his strike.

A booming sound that could not be from a sword-on-sword collision rang out, and a shockwave spread through the entire barracks. Karin glanced over, fearing we could have been injured, but Archduke Quenor stood steadfastly beside her.

“You are strong, Hero.”

Both our auras were similar in strength.

“When this duel is over, I’ll recognize you as the Hero, whether you win or lose.”

I let out a blood-curdling laugh. ‘If you admit it, no one will be left in Evernode to bother me unnecessarily.’

“…But before that, we must finish our duel.”

I nodded in agreement. With that, Luke raised his sword. A torrent of power surged through it. Then, I suddenly remembered the words of the Holy Sword.

(It is not strength that subdues power, but gentleness.)

I have yet to understand the whole concept but I realized something new. I knew there was a way to handle this power, but it was still a foggy abstraction, not a clear picture.

Still, it was enough for now.

The flickering silver aura settled into the blade with my will. I shifted my blade like I was drawing a great stream of water and launched my attack. Luke was undeterred, hurling his aura directly at it. The two swords clash again. Luke’s attacks were orderly and steady, but unfortunately, it never stood a chance against my blade. The battle raged on, but the tide slowly turned in my favor.

I instinctively realized that the next blow would decide the battle’s outcome. My sword and Luke’s sword crossed, passing each other and changing positions.

There was silence until the sound of metal breaking rang out. My iron sword cracked, and a small part fell off. The knights and soldiers squinted in surprise at the result. Then I heard them murmuring.

“…Did the young lord Luke win?”

“The Hero lost?”

‘Hmm. That doesn’t seem right.’

I removed my aura from the sword and set it down. I turned around to see Luke staring at his own sword in disbelief.

With a short metallic clang, the aura vanished from Luke’s sword, its blade snapping in half. The tip of the sword hit the ground. The roar of those who had cheered Luke’s victory was silenced. He stared at his broken sword, then dropped his arm.

“… That’s amazing.”

Luke said, his voice was hushed. The referee stood still and declared my victory, and as Luke and I shook hands, the knights and soldiers erupted in cheers. Fortunately, instead of rushing to me, they all ran to Luke, offering him words of consolation.

“You were totally destroyed, but that was exciting to watch.”

“You’re not going to get mad over that, are you?”

“Yeah, why the hell would you try to duel against the Hero.”

…No, these lunatics weren’t consoling him. They were just making fun of the son of an Archduke. The stern image of Evernode that I had in my head was gone, and all that remained was a bunch of bullies who liked to make fun of others. ‘Where did it go wrong?’

“Get lost; I want to be alone.”

“Are you going to cry?”

“Honestly, if you’re embarrassed, say you’re embarrassed. We’re embarrassed, too.”

Through the crowd, Archduke Quenor appeared before Luke. His eyes were not those of a reprimanding son who had lost a duel.

“I lost, father.”

“Well done. I see you have not wasted your time in the kingdom.”

“Still, it’s not enough.”

He flicked his gaze in my direction. I shrugged, and he shook his head in disbelief.

“Work hard, and one day you will defeat the Hero. Just because you’ve lost to him once doesn’t mean you’ll lose to him forever.”

He must have meant to say something else, but when he saw me, he changed his tune. Next to him, the Ironblood Princess looked worried and tried to pat her brother’s head comfortingly.

“Big brother, stay strong.”

“…Thank you, Karin.”

My party came to my side. Daphne handed me the Holy Sword. Usually, it would have asked questions, but it was surprisingly silent. It’s jealous now that I used another sword.

(I’m not jealous. I thought it would be a good idea for you to wield another sword in your training instead of just using me.)

Holy Sword said in an irritated tone.

(After dueling while using aura, did you learn something?)

‘Yes.’ It was vague, but I might have gotten a glimpse of what it meant by dealing with ‘power.’

(In that case, it would be good to train with a standard sword that isn’t me occasionally.)

‘Yeah, yeah. I’ll make sure there is not a speck of dirt later.’

As I spoke teasingly, the Holy Sword didn’t respond again. I felt a little sorry. My stay in Evernode must have rubbed on me.

Just then, I heard quiet footsteps behind me. Steps similar to Daphne’s, but much smaller and more hesitant. I turned and saw little Karin standing beside me, and behind her, Luke and Archduke Quenor stood side by side, watching me. ‘What did I ever do wrong?’.

“Hero… congratulations on your victory.”

She was proper and respectful. I don’t know if I’m being too informal, but a nickname is a nickname.

“Thank you, Ironblood… No, Karin.”

Seriously, these evil Evernode bastards were laughing as I said it. To be fair, I was barely holding it in myself. I don’t know how this girl created such a nickname. Whether or not she knew I was about to burst into laughter, she suddenly spoke.

“I would like to escort your group during the Summer Solstice Festival.”

‘The Summer Solstice Festival? I’ve never heard of it.’ I turned to Archduke Quenor.

“Evernode holds a three-day festival around the summer solstice. We’re preparing for war against the Disaster, but ‘it’ hasn’t even reached the outpost, so it’s not a bad idea to let the people enjoy themselves for a while.”

He turned to me and stroked Karin’s head with approval.

“During the festival, everyone in Evernode, except the rangers, puts aside their duties and enjoys the summer that has just arrived. I’m not a fan of the lack of night, but it’s a much more welcome guest than the cold.”

The castle was noisier than usual. I guess they had more to worry about than just the arrival of the Archduke’s family. I stood still and listened to the sounds outside the barracks. The hustle and bustle was a far cry from the usual mechanical atmosphere. An exuberance that came from excitement and enjoyment.

“I hope you forget your duties and enjoy the Summer Solstice’s festivities. I have yet to give you a proper tour of the estate.”

The summer sun shone brightly. Archduke Quenor squinted slightly and smiled faintly. In return, I lifted the corners of my mouth, but it wasn’t a pleasant smile. The first breeze of summer was blowing.

I wiped the blade of the Holy Sword with a clean cloth. The leather strap wrapped around the hilt of it was not made of ordinary leather, but it was stiff and strong as if it had been used for a long time. I wiped the hilt and rubbed the guard. Dirt, dried blood, and more stuck to the rag.

(It feels better than I thought to be cleaned like this.)

The Holy Sword said with a faint sigh. I squinted in surprise. It was speaking like this was the first time I’d ever been cleaned.

“Your previous owners didn’t clean you?”

(Hmm, not exactly. You are the first to do it so carefully, for my blade does not spoil, dull, or break.)

It said playfully. I smirked and anointed the rag with oil. Then I carefully wiped it from the tip again. The blade was as it had been when I first saw it, but I didn’t let that stop me from scrubbing it down to the hilt. Every single groove, every single engraving.

“I’ll stop here then. Your blade was clean anyway, so it doesn’t mean much.”

(…Please continue.)

The blade looked a little shinier, but it was nothing special. I grumbled, a little annoyed at how little change there was, but the Holy Sword denied my words in a small voice. I lightly chuckled. I wiped it a little more and looked out the window. Golden sunlight flooded the room, and I could see people walking down the street through the golden-paned windows.

(You don’t look too happy; are you okay?)

“Nah. I’m all good, really.”

It asked, knowing exactly how I felt, but I didn’t mind. It wasn’t the present I was worried about; it was the approaching Disaster and what it would do to the citadel. ‘Would I really be able to fight and defend it? Would I be able to face the being I saw in the crown’s vision?’

(… It’s too early to worry, Elroy. Try to relax a little.)

“… I’ll try.”

I squinted out the window, looking at Archduke Quenor and his family as they walked across the road.

In the original story, Quenor Stroff dies fighting the Giant.

I bit my lip as I saw the smile on his face as he held Karin’s hand.