Chapter 157: The Battle for Harang (3)

‘…The answer is already set.’

After the old man left.

I, Harang, who had been frozen in expression for a while, snapped out of it.

Yes.

The answer was clear.

No matter how strong the enemies I had to face, no matter how vast the organization, it didn’t matter.

‘If my strength is lacking, I’ll build it. That’s all.’

I recalled the past.

When I was first brought into the village, I was far weaker than now, and the lower administrators seemed like insurmountable mountains.

But now?

They were nothing.

The higher administrators, the General Manager, the Red Magician, and whatever lay behind them would likely be the same.

Once surpassed, they’d be nothing.

‘Of course, to do that, I need to grow stronger much faster.’

I nodded, recalling the beggar old man’s words.

Focus on Philip Portville’s sword and emotions.

…Honestly, I wasn’t sure if I could fully trust him.

But I had no other options.

Lately, my growth had stagnated, and I couldn’t find a breakthrough.

In such a situation, I felt I had to grasp at any straw.

‘Besides… if the beggar old man meant to harm me, I’d already be dead. There’s no need for him to trick me with words. No reason to go through such trouble.’

With that conclusion, I released my stealth.

Of course, my presence didn’t suddenly burst forth, so Ransel Grantz and Philip Portville still didn’t notice me.

‘It’s a bit sudden, but I should explain and ask for a favor. But how?’

Observing Philip Portville’s sword was easy enough.

I just had to pay closer attention during a spar.

But gauging his emotions wasn’t so straightforward.

I studied Philip Portville’s expression.

The joy of winning the duel was the first thing I noticed.

But the emotions beneath were hard to pinpoint.

Perhaps those emotions were why he challenged Ransel Grantz to a duel.

‘Come to think of it, why did Patriarch Portville suddenly challenge Ransel Grantz?’

Was there some old grudge?

It didn’t seem like it.

If there was, Ransel Grantz wouldn’t have reacted with such bewilderment.

At that moment, as if to scratch my curiosity, Ransel Grantz, kneeling on one knee, asked Patriarch Portville with a grimace.

“…I acknowledge my defeat in the duel. As you wish, I won’t linger in Marzen anymore. I won’t wander around the Eddy Mercenary Corps’ hideout either. I swear on my name.”

“Hmph! That’s right. Now get lost. You don’t expect an escort, do you?”

“Before that, I have one question.”

“What?”

“Why are you doing this to me? What grievance do you have to challenge me to a duel and still glare at me so sharply even now? I can’t understand.”

Ransel Grantz’s expression was full of injustice.

Having crossed swords, he knew.

Philip Portville was a far more skilled swordsman than known.

His stance alone showed how serious he was about the sword.

His discipline was clearly not lacking.

So why did such an impressive man act so rudely, like a street thug picking a fight?

There had to be a reason.

Ransel Grantz’s eyes, staring at Patriarch Portville, were filled with questions.

‘Hmph! You think I’ll tell you why?’

Of course, Patriarch Portville had no intention of explaining.

Honestly, he was embarrassed.

Admitting it was to monopolize me, or revealing the true reason beneath, was hard to say considering his pride.

So, instead of the truth, he scowled fiercely.

As if to say, get lost, I have no obligation to answer a loser’s questions.

Just as he was about to shout—

“I’m very curious too.”

“What, you…!”

“…Harang? How, how are you here?”

“Oh, sorry. The duel seemed too interesting, so I snuck in.”

“…”

Philip Portville wore a displeased expression.

Even though he liked me, he wasn’t saintly enough to laugh off such a breach.

I knew that too.

But I felt if I missed this moment, I’d never get him to open up.

With that thought, I made a subtle proposal.

“As an apology, how about I buy you a drink… Would that be alright?”

“…”

“…”

“Of course, I don’t think this will fully appease you, but I want to show at least some sincerity…”

An unusually sociable offer for me.

It carried a sly intent: ‘With some alcohol, he’ll reveal his emotions more easily.’

Of course, neither of them realized that.

Philip Portville twitched his eyebrows, and Ransel Grantz just glanced around nervously.

Silence lingered in the awkward atmosphere.

“…”

“…”

“…”

In that tense situation, I decided to use a slightly cheap but surefire method.

“If you join me for a drink and talk, I’m willing to spar with you, Patriarch Portville, once a week.

“...!”

“The same goes for you, Sir Ransel Grantz. A teacher-student relationship is too much, but… how about the three of us meet weekly to spar and discuss swordsmanship?”

“That’s great! I’m in! Patriarch, what do you think?”

“…Ahem, well… I’m not one to shy away from a drink.”

Philip Portville nodded with a slightly embarrassed expression.

Seeing this, I flashed a triumphant smile.

***

Unlike other kingdoms, the Nadan Kingdom was imbalanced, with most of its human resources concentrated in the capital.

This was especially true for swordsmen—unless you were from the Nadan Royal Academy, joining the capital’s knight order was nearly impossible.

This naturally led to disdain and contempt for provincial sword families or swordsmanship halls.

Philip Portville had felt this humiliation for a long time.

“Since my father’s time. No, since my grandfather’s. It might even be inferiority or defeatism. It’s true that provincial families, including mine, are less skilled than the capital’s Graduates.”

“…”

“…”

“So when Sir Ransel Grantz, the capital’s top talent, came to my hometown trying to monopolize you, Harang… I got unreasonably angry. Of course, even considering that, my actions today were narrow-minded and shameful…”

Philip Portville, speaking, downed strong liquor in gulps.

It was an act filled with self-reproach and reflection.

He should have overcome his trauma himself, yet he tried to vent his frustration on Ransel Grantz, who had nothing to do with it.

He had no excuse.

Fortunately, Ransel Grantz wasn’t a narrow-minded person.

“No, I understand completely.”

He had never experienced it himself, but Ransel Grantz knew.

Swordsmen from the Royal Academy often mocked and belittled provincial swordsmen without reason.

The surface excuse was that provincial swordsmen were far less skilled and lazy, but…

‘I realized today that’s a lie!’

How else could he, the kingdom’s third-strongest, lose to Philip Portville?

No, he wasn’t third anymore. Not even fourth—fifth.

There were two swordsmen stronger than him right here.

“Anyway, I’m sorry. I sincerely apologize. You’re an excellent swordsman. Unlike the half-baked ones in the capital. I realized after crossing swords—you must have put in tremendous effort to have such skill at your age. If only our family’s children were as diligent as you…”

“No, as I said, I understand. Above all, I’m sorry for trying to monopolize Harang. If I were you, I’d have been upset too.”

“Haha, isn’t that right?”

“Yes. I won’t try to monopolize Harang anymore. Isn’t he a treasure of the Nadan Kingdom, of Marzen?”

“Exactly. He’s a treasure for all of us, not to be monopolized by one person. Hahaha!”

“This feels good. Shall we toast, Senior?”

“No reason not to. Bring another bottle!”

“…”

Laughing heartily and drinking together, Philip Portville and Ransel Grantz acted as if they’d never fought.

I, watching them, wore an incredulous expression.

‘It’s like they’re talking about me as their property.’

Absolutely not.

My body was my own.

If anything, I was the one showing kindness with these spars.

My incredulity only grew.

‘Of course, I need to interact more with Philip Portville to observe his emotions…’

But I couldn’t help feeling wronged.

Of course, no one cared about my feelings.

Philip Portville and Ransel Grantz kept clinking glasses, laughing without a care, while I, with a sullen face, drank alone without a toast.

***

Months passed since the duel between Ransel Grantz and Philip Portville.

The promise was kept without issue.

Through weekly spars with me and countless duels with each other, Philip Portville and Ransel Grantz achieved significant growth.

This meant Ransel Grantz, who should have been in the capital, stayed in Marzen.

It wasn’t a big issue.

He had finished most of his urgent tasks, and minor ones could be handled by proxies.

Only a few in his family wondered, “What’s in Marzen that keeps him there so long?”

And one other person.

“…Is Ransel Grantz still in Marzen?”

“That’s what I heard.”

“Hmm…”

The second strongest in the Nadan Kingdom.

Xanthos Bogen watched Ransel Grantz’s actions with a displeased expression.

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