Chapter 104. Of Course I’m Going to Win (2)

The king thought.

He was now being asked a question in a formal setting, watched by many.

Although the procedure was unusually abbreviated, as a king, he could not refuse to answer.

He looked straight at Patrick and said.

“A king’s words carry a weight different from others. If a winner of Arcana emerges from our country, I will grant any of his wishes as long as it is within my power.”

At the king’s words, Patrick smiled faintly and said.

“I have heard Your Majesty’s solemn words well.”

‘I hope you don’t go back on your word later…’

He had received confirmation in front of many witnesses.

Patrick’s motivation now soared to the heavens.

‘I will tear out the pillars of this kingdom.’

The problem was that it was in a strange direction.

After bidding farewell to the king, Patrick and his party moved out through the central avenue of White Town.

To send them off, the citizens of the capital came out and cheered, seeing them on their way.

“Waaaaaah!”

“Waaaaaah!”

“Waaaaaah… cough cough… Waaaaaah…”

They did, but it was quite…

“Are they orcs?”

It was just that ‘Uwoooargh!’ had changed to ‘Waaaaaah!’

It was a cheer so uniform that it made him think of his hometown.

How should I put it? It was as if they didn't want to do it but were forced to come out and were just going through the motions.

Alex, beside Patrick, spoke.

“Don’t be like that. The citizens’ dry reaction is because of our poor performance so far.”

“Ah, you mean they’re thinking, ‘Why bother going if you’re just going to lose anyway?’”

“That’s… about right.”

There’s no need to be so blunt, is there?

To Alex, who had such an expression, Patrick smirked and said.

“Aren’t you excited?”

“About what?”

“About how these people will react when we return.”

“……”

Until now, the citizens’ reaction when the Arcana representatives returned had been consistent.

A mixture of reprimand and pity in their eyes.

And perfunctory words of comfort, as if it couldn't be helped.

That was the reaction of the citizens of White Town. However…

“Don’t worry. It will be different this time.”

Hearing Patrick’s confident words certainly made him feel that way.

Though there was no basis for it.

* * *

Richmond, the capital of the Magellan Kingdom.

Here, chosen as the venue for this year’s Arcana, powerful individuals from all over the continent were gathering.

“Ooooh… look at that flag over there.”

“It’s the Kaisar Kingdom. The representatives from the powerful northern kingdom of Kaisar have arrived.”

“But all their weapons are spears? Is that normal for them?”

“Didn’t you know? They say that even the knights of the Kaisar Kingdom primarily use spears over swords.”

“Hoh, I see. Oh, what country is that over there?”

“Judging by the flag, it looks like the Harbor Kingdom.”

“Wow. Their muscles are incredible.”

“Their skin is all bronze. Is that how they normally are?”

“Well, it’s a country with many seafarers. They say even the knights sail on ships, so that’s probably why.”

“I see.”

The appearances of each country’s representatives were diverse and unique, but they all exuded a sharp aura, truly feeling like the young talents representing the future of their nations.

Besides them, other talents began to gather one by one, and among them were those considered strong contenders for the championship.

“Ooh, it’s the flag of the Saint Louis Holy Theocracy.”

“Where, where? It really is.”

A flag embroidered with the image of a goddess holding the sun.

A knightly order on white horses, all clad in white armor and capes.

Anyone could tell it was the Holy Theocracy, a knightly order that served God.

It was the appearance of the Holy Theocracy, always mentioned as a favorite to win in every Arcana held so far, and having actually won numerous times.

Their appearance alone seemed to diminish the presence of the previously arrived representatives from the Kaisar and Harbor Kingdoms.

In addition, the Flame Kingdom, the Yusef Kingdom.

And even the Venator Empire, a powerful contender and the nation of the Sword Saint, almost all countries had entered Richmond where the competition was held.

They were treated as state guests and all stayed within the royal palace, and the royal family of the Magellan Kingdom did their best to entertain them lavishly.

“Let’s see, which places haven’t arrived yet?”

To the royal chamberlain, who was busy welcoming guests, a subordinate replied.

“The representatives from the Tower of Truth, the Elves, the Dwarves, and the Kingdom of Atronia have not arrived.”

“Hmm, we don’t know if the Elves and Dwarves will attend, and are the Kingdom of Atronia and the Tower of Truth still far away?”

“The Tower of Truth has sent confirmation that they will arrive on schedule. As for the Kingdom of Atronia…”

“What is it?”

“Well, it’s true that they have departed from their kingdom, but contact was lost midway.”

“Contact was lost? What do you mean by that?”

“We received confirmation that they crossed our border. But after that, we have been unable to track their movements or which fiefdom they are passing through.”

“Are you saying they might be missing?”

“That could be the case.”

“No, what does that…”

Arcana is an event held for the friendship and peace of the entire continent.

Well, that’s the official line anyway.

In any case, for the representatives of a country who set out to attend such an event to go missing not in their own land but in another country?

This could escalate into an international issue if handled poorly.

‘Should I dispatch a search party?’

As the royal chamberlain was thinking this, another attendant hastily spoke.

“Chamberlain. The representatives from the Kingdom of Atronia have arrived.”

“Oh, have they?”

“Yes. They are currently passing through the outer gate and coming to the royal palace.”

“Is that so? What a relief. Quickly prepare to welcome them. The guest palace where they will be staying has been perfectly cleaned, right?”

“Yes. Of course.”

“Good.”

And the chamberlain personally went to the palace gate to greet the representatives of the Kingdom of Atronia.

‘It’s a great relief that they’ve arrived safely.’

It was a matter that could have escalated into a troublesome diplomatic issue, but fortunately, that didn’t seem to be the case.

In the distance, the flag of the Kingdom of Atronia could be seen. And towards the approaching party, the chamberlain greeted them with elegant royal etiquette.

“Welcome to the Magellan Kingdom. Please, let the fatigue of your long journey… fatigue…”

The chamberlain’s smooth tongue, which had been speaking, stopped. And for good reason…

“We’ve arrived.”

“We’ve finally arrived.”

“Food, a bath, a damn bath!”

“Princess. You shouldn’t swear.”

Who are these beggars?

Tattered clothes and signs of fierce battles visible here and there.

Hollow cheeks from lack of food and sunken eyes.

No matter how you looked at it, they seemed more like a group of vagrants than the representatives of a nation.

Among the party, there was a single young man who was in a clean state.

The youngest-looking young man saw the chamberlain and said with a smile.

“I am Patrick Schneider of the Kingdom of Atronia.”

“Aah… I am Viscount Semiros, the chamberlain of the Magellan Royal Palace. Welcome to the palace.”

“Oh, how polite of you. You are welcoming us, right?”

“Of course.”

“Then, you see?”

Patrick chummily put his arm around the chamberlain’s shoulder and said.

“Could you get us some drinks first?”

“Pardon?”

“We just ran out.”

“……”

What is this? This feeling of being shaken down by a thug?

It was Viscount Semiros, bewildered by a sensation he had never felt before in his tenure as the royal chamberlain.

Body Reformation.

It is when a martial artist who has reached the pinnacle of his art sheds the limitations of the flesh and is reborn.

It is one of the dream states that a martial artist desires.

And right here.

There are those who have undergone this Body Reformation.

Four of them, at that.

“I feel… alive.”

“My goodness, the sky doesn’t look yellow anymore.”

“Sob… sob sob…”

After being washed and fed proper food, the four beggar-like kids were gone, and in their place appeared kids who, although slightly haggard, resembled knights.

Though the one who was the top student of the 4th year at the Academy was crying with a piece of bread in his mouth.

“Haaah… This is what you call Body Reformation. I think I’m a really good teacher.”

As Patrick said this, the four, including Alex, glared at him as if to kill him.

‘I want to kill him.’

‘I hope he gets struck by lightning from the sky.’

‘If only he weren’t stronger than me…’

‘Oh, God… why have you unleashed a creature that belongs in the demon world upon the earth?’

At this point, it would be good to find out what had happened to them so far.

* * *

At first, it was an ordinary journey.

It was a smooth trip, traveling by carriage, having meals with the lords they greeted each time they passed through a fiefdom, and even sparring with each other during the journey.

But the situation changed after the party crossed the border and arrived in the Magellan Kingdom.

Patrick, who had been watching the situation from a step back, took action.

“Attention, everyone!”

Patrick, who had suddenly appeared before everyone, was wearing a bright red hat and had a small bugle hanging from a string on his chest.

Appearing in such a state, Patrick stood before the representatives, including Alex, and said.

“From now on, your training will be handled by this instructor. Understood?”

“…What kind of nonsense is this…”

Thud!

“A young one with no manners.”

Kalin Trinaldo, the top student of the 4th year, who was about to argue with Patrick, was struck on the crown of his head by Patrick’s heel and collapsed on the spot.

At this, Gerard Teseira, the second top student of the 5th year, was shocked.

Soon, that shock turned into anger as he looked at Patrick and shouted!

“What do you think you’re doing?”

“Didn’t you hear? I said that this body will be in charge of your training from now on. You should be honored.”

“Cut the crap.”

“Hoh, crap, you say? It seems that before education, I need to properly establish the hierarchy.”

“Crazy bastard! Alex, I think that brat has gone insane.”

“Ahem… hmm… I’m fine with it.”

“What?”

“I’m fine with it too.”

“Princess?”

Gerard was instantly isolated.

His 4th-year junior was lying on the ground with smoke rising from his forehead, and Isabella, the top student of the 3rd year, and Alex, the top student of the 5th year, had subtly backed out.

Uh… let’s see. If this is the case…

“Hmph… Your courage is commendable. You want to take me on one-on-one. Is that it?”

Seeing Patrick approaching with a wicked smile, Gerard realized that the situation had become complicated.

“Patrick, as you know. I’m your junior, I’m your senior.”

“I know.”

No, you don’t seem to know.

“Wait a minute. Let’s, let’s talk. We can resolve this issue through dialogue.”

“Haaah… dialogue, you say. I like dialogue too.”

“Right. Then let’s talk…”

“A dialogue with our bodies, you bastard!”

And Patrick lunged at Gerard.

He grabbed the back of Gerard’s neck as he tried to flee, threw him into the air, and then aimed at the descending Gerard, clenching both his fists. And then…

[ Infinite Hell Chain Fist: Weakened Form ]

-A senior is one who is good at fighting.-

“Adadadadadadada!”

Dududududududududu!

The sound of a person being pummeled by fists was heard.

At the same time, Gerard, in excruciating pain, thought.

‘I shouldn’t have stepped forward.’

If a person stays still, they can at least get by.

This saying would later become Gerard Teseira’s creed.

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