Chapter 41
[Translator – Kie]
[Proofreader – Kawaii]
Chapter 41: Floral Joust; The Duel(2)
While Jackson Cutter was determined, the knights were planning revenge.
‘Damn it… I won’t let it slide once I leave this place.’
Frustrated, but with the current skill, the knight couldn’t defeat Jackson Cutter.
Though they were from the same low class, Jackson was incomparably stronger.
However, he was not completely out of options.
He has close ties to the neighboring knightly families.
‘If I leverage the connections of these families… I can call in two more low-class members.’
No matter how strong Jackson Cutter was, he couldn’t handle three low-class members simultaneously.
As the knight entertained this thought, the tavern door opened.
A middle-aged man entered the tavern.
His facial expression was so rigid that one might think he was wearing a mask.
“Ah, Master! Oh, hello!”
At the man’s appearance, Jackson Cutter and Sofia Russell quickly bowed.
It was a completely different demeanor from when they faced the knights earlier.
“Jackson, were you venting your anger on those trash again?”
The middle-aged man asked in an emotionless voice.
“I, um, they provoked me first.”
“You probably provoked them. Haven’t I repeatedly told you not to cause trouble?”
“But leaving those guys alone…”
Approaching, the middle-aged man with cold gray eyes stared at Jackson Cutter.
Under the intangible pressure, Jackson Cutter began to sweat.
“…I apologize.”
“Do it one more time, and be prepared for the consequences.”
After saying that, the middle-aged man approached the fallen knight.
Suddenly, he lifted the knight’s chin, causing their upper and lower teeth to collide.
The knight groaned, gripping their mouth.
“My name is Jacques Noiré.”
Upon hearing that name, the knight forgot their pain and looked at Jacques Noiré in astonishment.
Jacques Noiré.
One day, a middle-class knight appeared in the Apple Kingdom without a clear origin, unaffiliated, operating as a free knight, but with remarkable skill.
His most famous duel was with a middle-class knight of the Marquis of Bluegreen.
The Bluegreen was a prestigious knightly family representing the Apple Kingdom.
Especially, the current Marquis of Bluegreen was one of only three high-class knights in the Apple Kingdom.
The mid-class knights they had were considered outstanding even among the middle classes.
Jacques Noiré achieved an overwhelming victory against such a mid-class knight from a prestigious family.
His fame soared as rumors of his clear superiority against upper-level middle-class knights spread.
“If you want revenge, come find me. But it’s better to give up.”
“I-I never had such thoughts!”
Regardless of how many low-class knights there were, they couldn’t beat a middle-class knight.
Let alone someone as exceptional as Jacques Noiré.
“Very wise. Now, round up all these individuals and leave.”
The knight woke up their companions and hastily fled the tavern.
When the situation was settled, Jacques Noiré looked back at Jackson Cutter.
“I heard interesting news while wandering the city. The Earl of Copperhead is hosting a Jousting tournament.”
“Yes, Master. I heard about it too.”
“Well, this conversation will be quick then. Participate in that Jousting tournament and win.”
Caught off guard by the sudden command, Jackson Cutter was perplexed.
“Why… all of a sudden?”
“Why? Don’t you have confidence?”
“No, no! I do!”
Jackson Cutter hastily replied. From experience, he knew his master didn’t like being questioned too much.
“But what if I don’t win…?”
“You learned swordsmanship directly under me. There’s no way you can’t win in such a small competition.”
This Jousting tournament was hosted by the Earl of Copperhead, a major noble in the West.
All the knights from the Western region gathered to participate.
It might not be a small competition, but Jackson didn’t point that out.
He didn’t want to know what his master might do if he did.
“Still, there’s always a possibility. If I fail and make you uncomfortable, what will happen…?”
Jacques Noiré kicked Jackson Cutter in the stomach.
“Cough! Ack!”
He rolled on the floor. The intense pain made it hard for him to even breathe properly.
“Having a lot to say now that you’ve reached the level of low-class knight. Did you not like what I asked you to do that much?”
“N-no, that’s not…”
“When I took you as my disciple, what did I say?”
“To unquestionably obey your words…”
“You remember it well.”
Jacques Noiré continued to speak, looking down at Jackson Cutter.
“Remember this. You must win. If you fail, I’ll take back everything I taught you.”
Jackson swallowed hard.
Taking back what he taught meant something more dreadful.
It meant cutting off Jackson’s limbs or destroying his blood vessels, rendering him unable to use swordsmanship again.
But more than that, he feared being executed by Jacques Noiré.
Jackson Cutter was a disciple of Jacques Noiré, who had taken him under his wing shortly after his arrival in the Apple Kingdom.
Jackson Cutter had been nothing more than a city bully.
His rise to the low-class knight was all thanks to Jacques Noiré’s teachings, making it natural for him not to dare oppose.
“I-I will definitely win.”
“Of course, you must. Now, I’ll go find a carriage for my travels.”
Saying that, Jacques Noiré left the tavern.
“Jackson!”
Sofia Russell supported Jackson Cutter. Jackson Cutter refused her touch and said,
“It’s okay. I’m fine.”
He struggled to rise to his feet. Sofia Russell glanced at him, her expression filled with concern.
“Even so, kicking you so suddenly! Your master is really too much!”
“It’s okay. I’m unharmed.”
Jackson Cutter stood, unsteady on his feet. Sofia Russell gazed at him, a hint of worry in her eyes.
“As always, you’re the only one who worries about me, Sofia.”
“Jackson…”
The two lovers exchanged a tender gaze for a moment.
“It worked out well. I was planning to participate in the Jousting tournament anyway.”
He raised one corner of his mouth.
“Let’s fulfill Master’s orders and take care of Damien Haksen.”
“Yes, that’s a very good plan.”
Inside the tavern, the two lovers exchanged glances.
***
A few days later, Damien left for the Earl of Copperhead estate with Abel.
“Both of you, be careful on your journey.”
His father, mother, and sister decided not to accompany them.
This Jousting tournament was hosted by the Earl of Copperhead for young nobles. While there was no rule against older nobles attending, it seemed they were being discreet about it.
“I’ll just stay at the mansion. He said he would come.”
Louise couldn’t leave because she was expecting a visit from her fiancé.
‘That brat is coming.’
In this life as well, Damien didn’t like Louise’s fiancé. Wearing glasses and behaving like a typical bookworm, he seemed quite sly.
No matter how much he thought about it, Louise seemed too good for him.
For this reason, Damien and Abel left for the Earl of Copperhead estate alone.
“Young master! It’s an honor to have you back!”
Victor was in charge of their arrangements. Damien examined Victor’s body and asked, “Are all your wounds healed?”
“Yes! I’m completely fine now!”
When the knights of the Marquis Ryanbloom came, Victor faced them and suffered significant injuries. Fortunately, thanks to the treatment from the priest, he could recover quickly.
“You seem to have become more energetic in my absence!”
“Ah, it’s embarrassing. Did it show?”
Victor laughed, and Damien couldn’t help but smirk.
In any case, seeing Victor in good health was a relief.
“Now, let’s depart.”
A carriage set off for the Earl of Copperhead estate.
***
The interior of the carriage was filled with silence. Despite being brothers, Damien and Abel hadn’t spent much time together, so there wasn’t much to talk about in this situation.
“Master Abel, may I ask you something?”
At that moment, Victor, who was sitting in the coachman’s seat, spoke up.
“What would you like to know?”
“Just curious, How did you happen to fall in love with the Olivia Copperhead??”
Abel’s face turned noticeably red at Victor’s question. Abel seemed ready to burst out of the carriage as if he could escape the question.
“Why do you care!”
“Well, it’s not easy to pass the time on the journey.”
As Abel was about to retort, Damien interjected.
“Yeah, I was curious too. Let’s hear it.”
“Brother!”
“Come on, I’ve been preparing gifts for you and helping you out. Can’t you at least say it?”
“Well, it’s not like you…”
Abel was about to protest but stopped, exhaling a sigh, and continued.
“…It happened four years ago.”
Damien, filled with curiosity, focused on Abel’s words.
“I attended a social gathering with Father at a society where Western nobles gather.”
Abel had just become an adult, so four years ago, he was quite young.
“Lady Olivia also attended. She was slightly older than me. Maybe that’s why she seemed much more mature.”
Abel’s gaze gradually became clouded. It seemed like he was looking at the past rather than the present.
“She had golden hair, tied up, and was using a sapphire-made hairpin. She was wearing an Alize-style dress, and the crimson color complemented her golden hair.”
Abel spoke with a dreamy expression. “She was truly… incredibly beautiful.”
Looking at Abel’s face, Damien thought to himself, ‘He fell for her just because she was beautiful.’
His younger brother was such an easy guy. Damien chuckled inwardly.
‘I need to figure out how to connect Abel and Olivia.’
Damien delved into the memories of his past life.
During his time as a mercenary, Damien deliberately spent money to gather information about his family.
‘It’s definite that they were lovers. But the Earl rejected Abel’s proposal.’
It wasn’t just a simple rejection.
– The Haksen family? A lowly family whose name I’ve never heard of?
– Who are you? Abel Haksen? I’ve never heard of you!
– I can’t stand fools like you who can’t understand the situation! Can’t you just leave right away?
In the end, Abel had no choice but to part ways with Olivia.
Later on, Olivia married into a different family, while Abel lived a solitary life until it was tragically cut short by Damien.
‘How they became lovers in the first place, I don’t know.’
As in his past life, there was a possibility that they could become lovers if left alone.
However, Damien always tried to prepare for the worst-case scenario.
There was no guarantee that everything would unfold the same way as in his past life.
In this world, many events occur due to overlapping coincidences.
Moreover, now Damien, the biggest variable, was by Abel’s side.
‘I need to persuade the Earl.’
Unfortunately, he didn’t have much information about the Earl of Copperhead.
However, considering the incident with his brother in mind, he presumed the Earl to be a highly authoritative figure.
‘I’ll find a way for you, Abel.’
Damien made a silent pledge while looking at his brother.
[Translator – Kie]
[Proofreader – Kawaii]
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