BSS 71

Chapter 71

Rovenin Pedri.

A legendary genius who, at the mere age of fourteen, had reached the level of a sword user capable of manifesting sword energy, leaving even the continent’s seasoned swordsmen feeling inadequate and frustrated.

Considering that most knights only manifest sword energy in their late twenties, his achievement was extraordinary.

From early on, he had been expected to surpass his father, Duke Pedri, and earn the title of Swordmaster, eventually achieving the distinction of being the continent’s greatest talent in martial arts.

And he possessed a strength so overwhelming that no one could contest it.

There’s a saying: if you want to see what truly terrifying strength looks like, just look at Rovenin Pedri.

For the first time, I was watching someone else’s match.

I mean the match of that crazy guy who had randomly challenged me.

Watching him was like seeing a tiger toy with a dog—it almost made me feel sorry for his opponent.

How could this possibly be the swordsmanship of a sixteen-year-old?

“Chills.”

The fact that someone like him had asked to fight me sent shivers down my spine.

He moved at a speed impossible to follow with the eye, already handling the sword with perfect mastery.

He had long since moved past the childish level where the sword controls the wielder, like Latshamu.

If I went up against him, I felt like my head would fly off the moment the match started.

Of course, the rules mandated blunt swords, so that wouldn’t actually happen, but my body still trembled involuntarily.

“What’s wrong, Jinny?”

“Don’t even mention it. That guy just spoke to me earlier.”

“Wha—really? Rovenin Pedri? To you! What did he say?”

“He suddenly said he wanted to fight me.”

“Oh my, that’s impressive!”

Is she crazy too?

“Rovenin Pedri is famous for not talking to just anyone!”

“What?”

“He only speaks to people he acknowledges as strong! So if he requests a duel, it means he recognizes you!”

I held the cage with Rai and shivered.

No wonder I wanted to run away.

Sometimes my danger-detection radar actually works, huh.

“I will never, ever fight that guy.”

“Why?”

“….”

“You think you’ll lose?”

Though it hurt my pride to admit it, there was no way I could win.

It would literally be a fight between a child and an adult.

I decided to just observe the battle of Rovenin, a predator with wings, and simply avoid that battle-crazed man.

But fate has a cruel habit of intervening.

And, as always, it kicked me squarely in the teeth.

Damn it!

The award ceremony began after the finals of the Youth Division.

It went without saying that the winner of the Youth Division was Rovenin, and in truth, that had been decided from the start of the tournament.

You could call it a foregone conclusion.

The real surprise came from the Infant Division, the one I was in.

Apparently, the prevailing opinion had been that the two princes of the Pedri family would take first place side by side this year.

“Winners, please come this way. Yes, stand there.”

Compared to the size of the prepared podium, there weren’t many award recipients.

We lined up in order as instructed by the attendants, and those called to the podium were just the two winners, two runners-up, and two special award recipients. That was it.

It suddenly hit me that I was among these six.

“Keep a proper distance from the person next to you. Special award, a bit to the right.”

The attendants painstakingly adjusted our positions.

We spent about twenty minutes standing in line, tidying our appearance, and reviewing the ceremony procedures.

‘Meeting the emperor is ridiculously hard.’

That was my honest thought, though I couldn’t say it out loud.

And, without any malice, Rovenin Pedri, the Youth Division champion, stood to my left, while Latshamu Pedri, the Infant Division runner-up, stood to my right.

Being sandwiched between these red-haired guys was extremely unpleasant.

And understandably so—they’d both been staring me down blatantly since earlier.

The fierce gazes from both sides were overwhelming.

‘Hah, this is what popularity feels like.’

The little redhead looked like he was going to devour me, and the big redhead…

‘He’s going to eat me with his eyes.’

To be able to say “let’s fight” just with your gaze—that’s an incredible ability.

I felt the silent pressure from Rovenin but deliberately ignored it.

No matter what, I’m not fighting you!

I do have instincts. I don’t always throw myself into danger.

While trying not to look at Rovenin, my eyes naturally met Latshamu’s.

Compared to Rovenin, Latshamu seemed much cuter, despite being brothers.

It was like comparing a tiger to a puppy.

If Latshamu knew I thought this, he’d probably get even angrier.

Maybe I looked too disdainful? Latshamu ground his teeth and quickly whispered,

“What are you looking at, ugly?”

“Hmm, how beautiful I am. Are your eyes crossed?”

“Our family has had perfect eyesight for generations!”

“For a runner-up…”

“…Grr!”

Latshamu was desperate to express hostility toward me.

He probably thought I was standing in his place.

I felt guilty. Did I just ruin his chance to win side by side with his brother?

“Bleh.”

I stuck out my tongue in response to all this attention, making Latshamu flinch violently in irritation.

Then, accompanied by the sound of some unrecognizable instruments, the emperor appeared.

We quickly straightened up and faced forward as he walked across the luxurious matte-gold carpet, flanked by a number of knights and attendants that was too many to count.

The noisy audience fell silent as if muted, and I could feel the tension from the kids standing nearby holding their breath.

Everyone except Rovenin Pedri, of course.

“Kneel and show your respect.”

The attendant spoke in a deliberately solemn voice, and we all knelt on one knee, lowering our heads deeply.

As we stared at the ground, we could sense the emperor ascend the steps and sit on the podium.

Strangely, at some point, I could sense movement without even looking.

Rai had called it sensing presence and said it would become clearer as I got stronger.

“Lift your head.”

It was the first time I heard the emperor speak.

A heavy, sharp, and cold voice, full of the arrogance of one in power.

The most powerful human authority in the vast continent of Cransia. Even I felt a twinge of nervousness.

Being this close to the emperor was normally a tremendous honor for any noble family.

For me, it was more about thinking, “Oh, so that’s Ash’s father.”

“Winners, take three steps forward.”

The attendants guided us.

The award ceremony went smoothly, and outwardly I acted composed, while inwardly I was thrilled at the thought of finally meeting Ash.

Since runners-up and special awardees only received certificates and prizes, my turn came quickly.

I rehearsed what I would say in my mind.

“The Infant Division Tournament Champion, Jinny Crowell, please come forward.”

It was my turn.

I calmly ascended the podium stairs and stood before the emperor.

Stopping a few steps short, I knelt on one knee once more.

The royal knights stood behind the emperor, their gazes fierce, ready to strike in case anything went wrong, though the emperor alone was already a formidable warrior.

Even though I usually half-assed everything, at this moment, I showed proper respect.

“I present myself before the Sun of the Continent, Eron de Kan Megaloprophis. It is the greatest honor of my life to see you. Long live His Majesty the Emperor!”

This was the prescribed formal speech, not genuine feeling.

It was a bit embarrassing to think that even Dmitri’s king would have to say the same words in front of the emperor.

Dmitri wasn’t weak, but compared to the empire, it was a minor state—a de facto vassal under the name of an allied nation.

“Jinny Crowell of the Royal Drike Academy, hear me.”

They say being called by the emperor sends chills down your spine, but I didn’t feel that.

Perhaps it was due to my lack of respect for power.

I guess I lack the persistence and flattery needed to chase authority.

“I commend your victory and, in the name of Emperor Megaloprophis, present this award. I hope you become a warrior who contributes to the empire’s revival. May your talent be eternally blessed.”

I had never considered myself a warrior, and I cared more about Dmitri’s revival than the empire’s, but I humbly bowed and accepted the certificate in the most polite manner possible.

“Your Majesty’s blessing is my family’s honor. I will never forget this favor.”

I desperately wanted to stop saying meaningless words that made my hands and feet curl in embarrassment.

Physical injuries would have been easier to bear.

‘Hurry up! Ask it! Ask my wish!’

Having accepted the certificate and bowed again, I waited, crouched, for the emperor’s next words.

Ask me. Hurry and ask my wish!

I wanted to lift my head, meet his eyes, and urge him, but I wasn’t foolish enough to commit such disrespect, so I held back.

“Come closer.”

Huh?

This wasn’t in the ceremony schedule.

I lowered my gaze at the emperor’s command and looked around cautiously.

It hadn’t happened during practice.

The attendant signaled me to follow the emperor’s instructions, so I hesitated but took a step closer.