Chapter 105

“What are you talking about! This happened because of me. So it’s only right for me to step forward…!”

Evelyn gasped and stepped forward, but Julius reached out a hand to stop her.

“Wait a moment.”

“Commander!”

“Theo wouldn’t have brought this up without reason. We won’t be too late to share our thoughts after we hear him out.”

“……”

In the end, Evelyn took a hesitant step back.

Clench.

Veins bulged across the back of her clenched right hand.

“Theo, this has now become a fight, not between the Demon Dragon and the Origin Dragon, but between the White Armored Dragon Cavalry and the Council of Elders, in accordance with the frame you’ve designed. In a position where the honor and name of the unit are at stake, defeat is simply not an option. It’s something that cannot be permitted.”

Julius, who usually wore a warm smile when he looked at Theo…

Now, flames seemed to burn in his eyes.

“So if you’ve brought this up just out of personal ambition, I won’t forgive it. Explain exactly what you’re thinking. Over there, the elders will surely come forward; by what means do you intend to overcome them?”

The term ‘elder’ referred to a title given to swordsmen in Ragnar who had achieved illustrious accomplishments in their youth and had served a long time.

Naturally, this meant they were at least at the level of an Advanced Swordsman or a Dragon Gate Swordsman.

And yet, Theo, who had just passed his Blossoming Ceremony, intended to defeat such figures?

Even if he ranked high among Practical Swordsmen, it was an utterly impossible feat.

However,

“No. In the first position, it won’t be an elder, but likely one of their disciples.”

“…What do you mean by that?”

As Julius tilted his head in puzzlement.

Theo’s lips curled into a mysterious smile.

“I’ll make it that way.”

* * *

“This has become a headache.”

“You’re telling me. All of a sudden, we’re being dragged into a spectacle at the birthday party of a mere fifteen-year-old child.”

The elders clicked their tongues as they exchanged words.

They had planned to seize this opportunity to put Julius in his place and elevate the prestige of the Council of Elders.

But somehow, instead of delivering a ‘rebuke,’ the situation had degraded to a ‘balanced’ engagement, merely serving to bolster the status of the Water Lily Palace.

The Council of Elders ended up looking foolish.

The problem was, they couldn’t avoid participating in the duel.

Already, Wolfgang’s right hand had been removed, and Julius had threatened to take the arms of other elders as well.

If they remained silent after hearing that, they would be nothing but ridiculed according to Ragnar’s standards.

On top of that, they had also lost the advantage of numbers.

It was adding insult to injury.

‘To think he turned the situation into this with just his three-inch tongue? As the Director of Central Intelligence said, that child must harbor dozens of sly foxes within.’

Grit!

Wolfgang clenched his teeth, recalling something Ed had once said.

Now, it was truly a matter of life or death.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

“This entire matter arose because of me, so I’ll take the final position. The Demon Dragon is sure to come forward on their side, too.”

The elders gave a calm nod to Wolfgang’s words, though a sense of relief was evident in their expressions.

They didn’t have the confidence to defeat Julius in a direct confrontation, after all.

“The issue is, who will step up for the first and second duels… Does anyone have an idea?”

“It’s certain they’ll send either an Advanced Swordsman or a Dragon Gate Swordsman.”

“I still don’t see any other members around. It seems reinforcements will take some time to arrive.”

“Then for the first round, isn’t Evelyn, that crippled arm, the only option?”

“I’ll volunteer.”

“No, I’ll go.”

“Please give me the chance to bring honor to the Council of Elders and avenge the Elder Chief.”

Now, each of them began shouting to be the first.

A good chance to make a name as the elder who subdued the White Armored Dragon Cavalry.

Disgusted as Wolfgang was by their eagerness, he also saw this as the perfect moment to solidify the Council of Elders’ control. He spoke up.

“The first position will go to…!”

But Wolfgang’s words trailed off.

Suddenly, someone from the White Armored Dragon Cavalry side was walking forward at a slow, deliberate pace.

‘Why that kid?’

Just as Wolfgang’s eyes widened in surprise, murmurs began to ripple through the crowd.

– Didn’t they say this duel was to uphold the organization’s honor?

– Right? No matter how much his reputation has spread recently, that little brat who’s barely just become a Practical Swordsman shows up here?

– Is he a disposable pawn?

– Come on, are you serious? He’s even known as the sixth candidate for the succession; would they really let him disgrace himself?

– Then does that mean he’s genuinely confident?

– Hah…!

At that moment, Wolfgang realized.

‘I’ve been had!’

He and the Council of Elders, as well as the Water Lily Palace and all the spectators here, had been reduced to nothing more than a platform for that brat to flamboyantly showcase his own fame!

Boom!

Theo shattered any remaining doubts as he fiercely brought down Drake’s blade to the ground with a thunderous crash, unleashing a powerful declaration.

“The Practical Swordsman of the White Armored Dragon Cavalry and the successor of the House of Ragnar, ‘Flash Demon’ Theo Ragnar, steps forward as the first challenger. Who dares to face me-?”

[‘Skill: Lesser Drake Fear’ activates, unleashing the dragon-slaying aura.]

Goooo—

A surge of magic spread outward from Theo, filling the entire banquet hall.

In that instant, everyone in the audience understood one thing.

Rumors about Theo had, if anything, not done him justice.

They now realized that Kyle himself had gifted Theo the sword orb, recognizing his remarkable skills.

– Isn’t he just a new Practical Swordsman?

– An incredible growth rate…!

– No wonder the head of the family has taken notice. Even the rumors don’t do him justice.

But what shocked people the most was something else entirely.

– Not only is he representing the White Armored Dragon Cavalry, but he’s also upholding the honor of his status as a successor?

– Is he cementing himself as the ‘6th candidate’ for succession once and for all?

Now, all eyes were entirely focused on Theo.

Wolfgang, fully aware of Theo’s intentions, knew they had been cornered. Yet he couldn’t figure out how to counter this move.

“……Even if he’s a successor, should a Practical Swordsman really face me?”

“Hmph! For the sake of the greater good, I will relinquish my position as the first challenger. Let another elder take up the task.”

“Ahem! I’ll yield as well.”

“So will I.”

“Hmph! I also will….”

For an elder to challenge a mere Practical Swordsman would be disgraceful.

As each elder backed down, they cast glances at Wolfgang.

Wolfgang felt as though he might explode with frustration.

But venting his anger here would only make him look ridiculous.

Eventually, his gaze drifted to another spot.

There stood a middle-aged swordsman, not an elder but still affiliated with the Council of Elders.

He was a former attendant who had long served Wolfgang’s side.

“Beta. What’s your rank right now?”

“……Practical Swordsman, sir.”

“Good. Then it’s settled. You’ll face him.”

“…Understood.”

Beta’s expression soured at the thought of facing such a youngster, but with the elders’ eyes on him, he couldn’t refuse.

In truth, though his rank was that of a Practical Swordsman, his skill was nearly at the level of an Advanced Swordsman.

“You must not hold back in this duel.”

At Wolfgang’s words, Beta’s expression hardened.

“Are you telling me to kill him?”

“If not kill, at least bring back his right arm. I’ll handle the consequences, so don’t worry about it.”

“Yes, I understand.”

Beta bowed deeply and slowly stepped onto the dueling field.

‘His killing intent… It’s impressive. So, it’s true he’s the sixth candidate.’

Feeling a slight sting from the dragon-slaying aura that pricked his skin, Beta smirked.

The thrill of possibly crushing someone with the potential to become a candidate gave him a jolt of excitement.

Srrrng—

“I am Beta Tetris, an escort swordsman under the Council of Elders. In the past, I earned the moniker ‘Whirlwind Blade.’ I’ve heard much of the Flash Demon’s renown; I hope for a good fight.”

With that brief introduction—

Clang!

Their swords met lightly in mid-air, signaling the start of the duel.

Beta was the first to move.

Swoosh—

‘They say the family head bestowed him with a sword. I should check just how…!’

Beta’s thoughts abruptly ceased as his eyes widened.

Rumble—

Flash!

In an instant, Theo’s Drake’s Blade became wreathed in a brilliant yellow lightning, crackling with a deafening thunderclap as it unleashed a blazing flash of light.

From the ground to the heavens, a yellow column shot forth, smashing into Beta with brutal force.

“Gah!”

Without time to deflect the blinding strike, Beta was violently thrown back, rolling unceremoniously across the ground.

‘He’s strong!’

It was then that Beta understood.

This opponent was far stronger than he could ever hope to judge.

Though they might share the same rank, those who had awakened the potential of Ragnar’s blood could face much more powerful foes with ease!

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Rumble!

Theo’s relentless advance began, closing in on Beta.

With each stroke of the Drake’s Blade, thick, pale steam rippled through the air, and blinding yellow bolts struck down upon the ground.

Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!

Each of Theo’s steps shook the earth with thunderous explosions, leaving charred black footprints in his wake.

Now enhanced to a seven-hit strike, Theo’s attack swept forth like a raging storm.

Beta managed to deflect each onslaught, yet the clash felt as though he was colliding head-on with cannon fire, a bone-shaking agony wracking his body again and again.

Just then, his stance wavered, leaving him entirely exposed—

And Theo seized the opening, kicking him squarely.

Kraaa-boom!

Beta lay sprawled on the ground again.

But this time, he looked entirely different.

His body was bruised and swollen from internal injuries, covered with burns and scorch marks. Even blood trickled from his mouth due to congestion in his chest.

“H-How…?”

Struggling to his feet, he looked at Theo with a face of utter disbelief.

No matter how exaggerated the rumors had been, the level of power Theo was displaying was something far beyond what any ordinary Practical Swordsman could wield.

It seemed as if this kind of growth could only come from a rare encounter with a miraculous opportunity…!

‘An encounter!’

Beta recalled that, after receiving the sword from Kyle, Theo had not left Camellia Palace for several days.

Back then, Beta had thought Theo was simply recovering from the exhaustion of long missions outside.

But what if, in reality, he had been absorbing and refining the opportunity Kyle had bestowed upon him?

Of course, even with a miraculous encounter, such rapid growth seemed almost impossible. Yet, if not for something like that, this level of improvement was incomprehensible.

“Lord! Just what have you done…?!”

Wolfgang shot up from his seat, erupting with anger.

His eyes were locked in protest toward where the Half-Sword Grave lay, as if demanding an answer to the monster they were creating.

The reactions of those around him varied.

“Huh.”

Julius, stunned by how perfectly everything was unfolding according to Theo’s plan, let out a low whistle of admiration.

“As expected of my friend—he’s a monster, no doubt. How am I supposed to keep up with someone like that?”

Wellington let out a dry laugh and shook his head.

“What do I do, Sis?”

“I don’t know, idiot. Find your own path.”

“Damn, he’s gotten way too strong.”

The sibling pair, Erika and her brother, exchanged uneasy glances.

“Oh, dear….”

Cecilia clasped her hands, earnestly hoping Theo would make it through unscathed.

And then,

“Bwahahaha!”

The Black Dragon laughed heartily, while the Lord of Plum Blossom Palace wore a faint smile.

In their eyes, it was clear as day.

– The techniques they had taught him had seamlessly merged into Theo’s swordsmanship.

“Now I understand fully why you and Julius can’t stop fussing over Theo.”

Even the Black Dragon, usually reserved, was openly impressed.

He realized that all of Theo’s recent transformation had stemmed from one source.

‘The sword orb… he must have drawn something out from the vengeful spirit within the sword Kyle gave him. Controlling that madness wouldn’t have been easy, but he’s managed to pull it off, hasn’t he?’

It was true that the Black Dragon had once harbored concerns, knowing well the original owner of the sword Kyle had given Theo.

But now, he felt there was no longer any need to worry.

In this moment, the Black Dragon felt a firm conviction.

Theo was different from other returnees.

Unlike the other chosen ones, he would make an entirely different kind of “choice.”

He was someone who could truly be called a ‘genuine’ chosen one.

– The sixth candidate.

That position was, without question, meant for Theo.

Thump, thump, thump, thump…!

The resonating heartbeat from Theo, the pulse of power, surged in waves, spreading forcefully in all directions.

Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!