The early spring sun blessed the land with light. Everyone was finishing their morning chores. Farmers wiped their sweat off in the fields, while lumberjacks set down their axes and breathed in some fresh air. A shepherd's flute filled the meadow with sweet melodies. Winemakers in their vineyards and laundry maids down by the river all paused their work for a while. Everything came to a halt at this hour, for it was time for lunch.
However, something was different today. Something extraordinary was taking place at the Frontera estate's training center.
"Hey, what do you think will happen today in the duel?" a farmer asked his friend.
"What do you mean? It's clear who's going to win," he replied.
"Are you thinking what I'm thinking?"
"Of course. Who else?" he said matter-of-factly.
"Right? How in the world could Sir Lloyd beat Sir Neumann?"
"We'll all have fun, ha-ha. Oh, what fun we'll have to see them fight," the guy said with a smile on his face.
"Hahaha, you're not wrong," another exclaimed. "I'm going to savor every moment the young master gets thrown to the ground with a face full of dirt. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."
The farmers chattered with one another as they gathered in the corner of the training center. Beside them was a group of women who also skipped lunch for the duel.
"I'm a bit worried," one of them said.
"Worried? How so?" another replied.
"T'm worried about the young master. What if he wins against Sir Neumann? That's going to make him more of a jerk."
"My, why would you worry about it? You've got nothing to worry about," another replied as she waved her hands.
"How so? I heard that Master Lloyd whipped and smacked Sir Ulrich until he begged for mercy," she countered.
"But we're talking about Sir Neumann here."
"Hmm… So, are you saying there's no chance for Master Lloyd to win?"
"Certainly not. Sir Neumann is the strongest man in the fiefdom," she boasted. "And who cares who wins? This kind of entertainment was just what we need to kill the boredom."
Dozens of people gathered at the training center to watch the duel. Most of them anticipated that Lloyd Frontera would be the loser. They rooted for Sir Neumann. As far as they knew, their young master had never even held a sword before. Although he had calmed down a month or two ago, the Lloyd Frontera they knew was a man who lived in a drunken stupor. Aside from his drinking problem, the people cheered for Sir Neumann because of the troubles Lloyd had caused in the land. He was a bad example to the children of their land. Almost everyone was a victim of his unsightly behavior and harassment.
"I pray to the heavens that Sir Neumann will put the fear of God into that man. That must be enough to teach him a lesson to stay low and keep things down. Please, please…!"
Most of those gathered had the same wish. But there were a few who supported Lloyd.
"But you know, Master Lloyd has been staying out of trouble these days." It was a shepherd boy who spoke. His voice sounded cautious. But his comment immediately attracted the annoyed voices of the woodcutters around him.
"Hey, kid. People don't change," one of them said defiantly.
"Sir, but it is true that he has changed," the boy insisted.
"Sure. That's true. But so what? It's only been two months. He's got to keep up that good behavior for a while to earn our trust," the man huffed.
"But he installed the floor heating system, the ondol, in my house," the boy cried.
"Tsk. Didn't you pay for it?" the guy huffed again.
"But it's very warm and nice," the boy replied.
"Goodness. Whatever. You're a boy crying wolf anyway."
"T'm not lying. I'm telling the truth!"
"Enough," the guy said solemnly. "I've signed the contract for that floor heating system or whatever, so I'll find out soon. Let's enjoy the show first."
"Yes, sir…"
Other than the shepherd boy, few rooted for Lloyd. The baron and the baroness were there in support of their son. Baron Frontera called Sir Neumann earlier in the day to ask a favor of him.
"Sir Neumann," Baron Frontera called.
"Yes, My Lord."
"Please take care of my son today."
"Understood. Please do not worry about it."
"Thank you," the baron continued, "Though my son has acted impertinently, he is going to be your master in the future. So please don't be too harsh on him. Make sure he is free from injury."
"I will keep that in mind, sir."
In short, even those who rooted for him didn't believe that he would actually win. So not a single soul in the crowd thought victory would go to Lloyd. When Lloyd finally appeared in the arena, what little hope they had in their hearts vanished immediately. The result of the duel was already determined in their heads. Sir Neumann would win.
"I present to you, Sir Lloyd!" the estate servant shouted.
The announcement moved everyone to turn toward the entrance. And at last, Lloyd trudged into the training center. He was holding a shovel in his hand.
"Eh?" Everyone's eyes widened in surprise.
They saw the shovel. And they wondered for a second if they were on a construction site.
"I thought he came here for a duel. Why is he holding a shovel instead of a sword, an ax, or a spear?" they wondered to themselves.
"Hey, is construction happening here after the fight?" one of the soldiers asked.
"What do you mean?" answered another.
"I mean, the floor heating system construction Sir Lloyd is obsessed with these days," he replied.
"Are you asking if it's happening here? No way."
"Yeah, no way."
The soldiers who weren't working today chatted with one another. They couldn't wrap their brains around this. As everyone stared and wondered, Lloyd strolled into the center of the ring looking nonchalant. The bright sunlight revealed the shovel in his hand more clearly. Everyone could see that the shovel was made out of solid steel from top to bottom.
There was only one reason why Lloyd commissioned it that way. The shovel was a weapon, not a garden tool. Lloyd walked closer to the bleachers where the baron was sitting. He then spoke aloud.
"I, Lloyd Frontera, the son of Arcos Frontera, am ready to face Sir Neumann in armed combat!"
It became crystal clear to everyone. He really was here to do this duel.
The baron furrowed his eyebrows.
"Are you prepared for this duel?" the baron asked.
"Yes," Lloyd answered.
"What about your weapon? Where is your weapon?"
"Here," Lloyd said as he smiled and lifted up the steel shovel. "This is my weapon."
The baron was too shocked to respond. He had thought Lloyd was coming to his senses, but he was wrong. His hope for his eldest son to realize his mistakes and live a proper life was abjectly betrayed.
"I can't believe he has come to the duel with such a perfunctory attitude."
The baron gritted his teeth. His heart sank with disappointment. With a sterner countenance, he gazed at Sir Neumann and nodded slightly at him.
"You can rough him up. Pull him back to his senses."
Sir Neumann nodded at his master in response, understanding his look.
"Yes, My Lord. At your service."
This was just as he wanted. Things were developing exactly according to his wishes. Every fiber of his being yearned to roughen up the arrogant young master and hammer some sense into him. And when he turned and saw the way the young master was standing, Sir Neumann became more eager to beat him down.
Chatter, chatter. The audience murmured in wonder.
Lloyd was striking a weird pose that no one had ever seen before. He was holding his shovel, with arms wide apart. His left hand clutched right below the shovel head. His right hand casually held the handle. He steadily bent his arms. This made him look like he was almost carrying the shovel in the air, and its sharp head pointed toward Sir Neumann. This posture looked ridiculously funny and awkward to Sir Neumann, who had never seen anything like it.
Unable to hold still any longer, Sir Neumann squeezed his nose.
"Master Lloyd, may I remind you… We are meant to duel."
"Yeah, I know that."
"Then why are you standing like that?" Sir Neumann asked.
"Oh? I'm getting ready to fight," Lloyd answered.
"Are you mocking me with your childish pranks?"
"Eh? No, I'm not."
"Then what are you trying to do?" Sir Neumann demanded.
"Can't you see? I'm getting ready to beat the crap out of you."
"I see… I'll make you regret those words."
"Pshaw, whatever."
Crack! Sir Neumann gritted his teeth.
Trying to hold back the rage surging in his heart for being so insulted, Sir Neumann looked at Baron Frontera and spoke.
"I am ready to duel."
Sir Neumann's announcement was solemn and stern. The audience swallowed nervously as they felt the iciness in his voice. They tensed up in anticipation of the duel and hoped it would live up to their expectations.
Finally, the baron declared, "I hereby announce the commencement of this fair contest between these two honorable gentlemen of the realm."
As soon as the official announcement was made, Sir Neumann revealed his fangs. He immediately charged toward Lloyd.
"You little punk! I'll teach you a lesson!"
Whoosh! Sir Neumann's feet pushed lightly off the ground, sending his body charging forward. He was faster than an ordinary person.
Lloyd and Sir Neumann were standing at a four-yard distance before the fight began. But it took only one leap for Sir Neumann to close the gap.
"Wow…!" The audience exclaimed, impressed by his lightning speed.
Before the noise died down, Sir Neumann's sword moved. Still encased in its sheath, it slashed through the air.
"I'll start by giving you one or two broken bones!"
Sir Neumann knew how to tame a wild horse. He beat the animal until it came to its senses and calmed down.
He was already sick and tired of this tacky province stuck in the middle of nowhere. He began hating this place a long time ago. That's why he decided to take advantage of this chance to crush the young master, who he deemed unworthy of his station.
"I'm going to unleash the beast today! The baron won't hold me to blame. Afterward, I'll leave this place. Just as I promised! Bwahahahahal!!"
He pictured a rosy future for himself and his partner in crime. Others criticized him for being a real estate swindler. But Sir Neumann begged to differ. His business was just! It's all fair game! Sir Neumann had passed along information about the Frontera barony to his partner, who had used it to usurp the baron's assets. In return, Sir Neumann received a healthy kickback as payment.
There was more.
This business partner had offered that Sir Neumann should come to work for him and leave this good-for-nothing province. He promised better treatment befitting his prestigious knightly status.
"Of course, he should! My talent is too precious to be wasted in the sticks!"
Sir Neumann was an ambitious man with big dreams. He dreamed of rising to fame with his sword and living in riches. Now he was close to achieving that dream. But there were things to take care of first, like the rude and impertinent young master he was about to drop some schooling on. Hard.
"I'll teach you a lesson!"
Swoosh! The encased long sword swung in the air. The audience shuddered at the sight. He brandished the sword diagonally from right to left. His target was Lloyd's left clavicle.
"Let's start with a collarbone!" Sir Neumann's eyes gleamed with cruelty. He was resolute.
That upstart Lloyd would never be able to defend the incoming blow. It would be an impossibility for that dumb punk standing there stupidly with a shovel in his hand.
Everyone there thought exactly the same thing. Including Baron Frontera, who was watching the fight from behind his usual stern expression; and the baroness, who had dug her nails into her palms in anxiety.
But there was one in the crowd that thought otherwise. It was Javier. Master Lloyd was not joking when he assumed that position. Narrowing his eyes to slits, Javier observed the fight, following every movement between the two. He considered Lloyd's posture unusually awkward; but, at the same time, he looked stable and comfortable. That stance couldn't have been mastered overnight. Such stable footing told Javier that Lloyd had struck such a pose many times before the duel.
"He had never assumed that position while he practiced with me. Does this mean that he also trained separately without my knowing? Whatever the case was, one thing was for sure. There's no mistaking it. This position was only created for the real fight."
Chills ran down his spine at the realization. He had a feeling that the duel might end up entirely different from what everyone expected. And a second later, Javier realized that he was right.
Swish! The steel shovel moved at last. It softly drew a vertical line in the air, blocking the incoming long sword.
Clatter! His motion was so simple that it looked easy.
Sir Neumann wasn't taken aback when his blow didn't land as expected.
"Ha! Try blocking it all you want!" He thought Lloyd had just gotten lucky. He fumbled to defend it like any other novice, and it worked. Pure luck and nothing else. Sir Neumann scoffed, remembering who he was. He was a knight that had reached expert swordsman level. He could use mana Lloyd would never be able to conjure.
"I'll shatter your defenses with my strength!"
Flash! Sir Neumann's eyes blazed with anger. His long sword glimmered softly. Mana flowed into his sword, covering its blade with a thin layer of mysterious energy. But seconds later… The energy suddenly faded away.
To be precise, it was absorbed into the steel shovel. The mana was transferred from the sword into the shovel. The same happened in his body. The mana left Sir Neumann's mana heart with a 'swoosh.'
"Eh…?" Sir Neumann's eyes flew wide open in astonishment.
At that moment, the shovel moved again.
Clang!
The sword was pushed to the side, like a fly being swatted away. Sir Neumann strove to endure the pressure on his sword, but he could not. He felt strange, like the power was leaving his body.
Sensing an opportunity, Lloyd swung his shovel very hard.
"Thwack!"
"Argh."
The shovel knocked Sir Neumann right in the face. Drops of blood splattered out of his mouth, as the sheer force of the strike sent his head jerking to one side.
Translator: https://bettertranslation9.wordpress.com