Chapter 43
[Translator – Kie]
[Proofreader – Kawaii]
Chapter 43: Jackson Cutter(1)
***
Jackson Cutter arrived at the Earldom of Copperhead’s camp one step behind Damien Haksen.
“Use a place like this?”
Jackson Cutter looked around the tent the servant had guided him to, expressing his displeasure. It was cramped, and the floor was covered with only a few worn-out leather pieces. The only furniture was a bed and a desk.
“Do you not know who I am? I am Jackson Cutter, the Ogre Slayer!”
Jackson Cutter shouted at the servant. The servant trembled and said, “Sir Corner is aware of it.”
“But still, assigning me to such a place? Are you out of your mind?”
“Even if you talk to me…”
The servant said, feeling unjust.
Jackson Cutter sighed deeply. As the servant pointed out, getting angry at the lower ranks wouldn’t change anything.
“Get out right now.”
The servant rushed out of the tent as if fleeing. As soon as the servant left, Jacques Noiré
entered.
“It was noisy even from outside.”
Jacques Noiré said with an indifferent tone.
“Master, that’s the point. They assigned me to this shabby tent despite knowing who I was. How can I endure this? Naturally, I had to protest…”
Jackson Cutter complained in a muffled voice.
Upon hearing this, Jacques Noiré grabbed Jackson Cutter’s neck.
“Ugh!”
“I’ve had you loose for a while now, you seem to think I’m an easy target. Do I look like someone who listens to your complaints?”
“Sorry, sorry!”
Jackson Cutter desperately shouted. Only then did Jacques Noiré release his grip on his neck.
“Try to stay quiet here as much as possible. I won’t forgive you if you cause trouble and get expelled from the tournament.”
“Okay, I understand.”
“Remember, your goal is to win the Jousting tournament.”
Jackson Cutter glanced at Jacques Noiré, asking, “But, Master, why should I win the Jousting tournament? Can you tell me the reason…”
“It is something necessary for my personal desire.”
“If it’s your desire… Are you talking about reaching the Master’s level?”
“Yes.”
The Master.
The ultimate state of being, a true superhuman.
If others heard about it, they would probably think it’s insane. Reaching the level of Master was an almost impossible task.
However, Jacques Noiré’s expression was infinitely serious.
“So, how does my winning the Jousting tournament relate to your ambition?”
Jacques Noiré stared at Jackson Cutter.
He quickly closed his mouth. It was clear that pushing it further would lead to a difficult situation.
“I’ll investigate Earl Copperhead and the participants. You quietly prepare for the tournament.”
“Understood.”
“One more thing, if you encounter Damien Haksen, ignore him.”
“What?”
Jackson Cutter looked at Jacques Noiré with a puzzled expression.
Jackson Cutter’s participation in this Jousting tournament was driven by his intent to expose Damien’s true nature.
It was challenging for him to tolerate that trash like him was far more famous than himself.
But to ignore him?
“There are too many unclear aspects about Damien Haksen. He might be the biggest variable among the participants in this tournament.”
Jacques Noiré spoke with a serious tone.
“So, until I verify the truth of the rumors, refrain from touching him.”
“But… Master, you also saw it, didn’t you? How despicable that guy is.”
When Jackson Cutter assaulted Damien Haksen, Jacques Noiré was nearby. He even watched Jackson assaulting Damien Haksen.
Yet, to issue such an order?
“Do you have a problem with my order?”
Displeasure was evident in Jacques Noiré’s voice.
He quickly lowered his head.
“Sorry, sorry.”
“That’s all you need to know..”
Jacques Noiré reiterated his point and left the tent.
As soon as Jacques Noiré’s presence faded away, Jackson Cutter contemptuously muttered, “Such a coward.”
Jacques Noiré always behaved like that.
Whenever something suspicious was noticed, he took precautions. This time, it was clear that he got frightened after hearing the rumors about Damien Haksen.
“And if you’re going to give orders, at least explain in detail. What does winning the tournament have to do with becoming a Master?”
Their relationship was closer to that of a master and a slave rather than a teacher and a student.
In the first place, Jacques Noiré taught Jackson Cutter for the sole purpose of using him for his own goals.
“Wait and see. Once I reach the Middle Class, I’ll kill you first.”
However, aside from disdaining Jacques Noiré, one couldn’t deny the effectiveness of his teachings.
Jacques Noiré had spent a long time researching various swordsmanship and mana manipulation techniques to reach the level of a Master.
The knowledge gained allowed him to swiftly elevate Jackson Cutter, who was nothing more than a thug, to the level of a low-class knight.
Jackson Cutter aimed to learn more from Jacques Noiré and ascend to the Middle Class.
“Sitting here all the time makes me feel dirty.”
With annoyance, Jackson Cutter went out of the tent.
At that moment, he encountered Sofia coming out of the opposite tent.
“Oh, Sofia. Did you come out because it’s stuffy too?”
“Jackson!”
Sofia let out a loud shout and rushed into Jackson’s arms, and he reciprocated by embracing her.
“Just staying inside the tent gets boring.”
“As expected, we understand each other well. I also came out because it was stuffy.”
“That’s great! How about taking a walk together?”
Jackson Cutter wrapped his arms around Sofia Russell’s waist.
As the two of them wandered around the arena, they came across Damien.
“Hey, isn’t that the Damien Haksen?”
Jackson Cutter faced Damien.
“I’m glad to meet you like this.”
***
When his face hit the ground, Jackson Cutter silently questioned himself.
‘Why did I fall for it?’
As they clasped hands, Jackson summoned all his strength. He intended to break Damien’s arm and slam him to the ground, but instead, he found himself on the receiving end of the maneuver.
He couldn’t even comprehend how it happened.
“Ja-Jackson!”
Right beside him, Sofia screamed. He got up from the ground and reassured her.
“It’s okay. I’m fine…….”
But as he tried to stand, his body swayed. His head was spinning, and he felt nauseous.
“Oh, tough guy, huh? You took a direct hit to the jaw and already getting up?”
Only after hearing this did he realize that Damien hadn’t blindly slammed him to the ground. He had adjusted the angle to deliver most of the impact’s force to the jaw.
“You son of bitch…!”
The Damien Haksen that he remembered was a pathetic individual who begged for mercy while being beaten up by his fists. How could he end up taking a hit from such a person?
It was a humiliation beyond measure.
“It seems the rumors weren’t completely false.”
Jackson Cutter gritted his teeth. The intense anger overwhelmed any sense of reason.
“And you don’t intend to end this with such a petty trick?”
Jackson Cutter clenched the handle of his sword.
Damien looked at his younger brother and shrugged his shoulders, saying, “Abel, did you see? He tried to pull out a sword first.”
“Brother…”
Abel let out a deep sigh but didn’t stop Damien.
“If you’re going to do it, show your true colors.”
“Of course.”
Damien pushed Abel aside and spoke, “Are you ready?”
“Yeah, I’m ready.”
Even in the midst of rising anger, He couldn’t help but be puzzled. Damien didn’t have any weapon in his hands.
“…What are you doing without drawing a sword?”
“For someone like you, this is more than enough.”
Damien raised his index finger. Jackson couldn’t understand the situation for a while.
“…Are you saying you’ll face me with just one finger?”
“If it’s too much, should I switch to a twig?”
While saying this, He looked around casually. Jackson Cutter’s face turned crimson with rage.
“…I’ll cut off all ten of your fingers and make you eat them!”
Jackson drew his sword.
However, just as Jackson Cutter was about to charge, someone grabbed his wrist.
He turned to look with a dazed expression. Jacques Noiré, his master, stood there.
***
“Ma-Master.”
Jacques Noiré didn’t respond to Jackson Cutter’s words. He solely focused on Damien Haksen.
Damien, in turn, also gazed at Jacques Noiré.
Although he didn’t express it outwardly, Damien was quite impressed.
As a knight’s rank increased, the walls became higher. It was a hundred times more challenging for a low-class to reach the middle class than for a junior knight to become a low-class.
Therefore, as the rank ascended, the skill difference among knights grew exponentially. The top-tier middle-class knights could easily defeat the lower-tier middle-class with a single blow.
“Impressive.”
Jacques Noiré broke the silence. “That such a pathetic brat could become so strong in such a short time is hard to believe.”
Jacques Noiré looked at Damien with eyes full of interest.
“I will apologize for my disciple’s rude behavior.”
Jacques Noiré took Jackson Cutter with him and left. Sofia Russell hurriedly followed them.
“Abel, do you know who he is?”
“He’s Jacques Noiré, a middle-class knight.”
Damien pondered Jacques Noiré’s name inwardly.
The reason Damien came here was partly because of Abel, but it was also for revenge against Jackson Cutter and Sofia Russell. Therefore, a clash with Jacques Noiré was inevitable.
‘This is the first time I’ve seen a sword like this in a long time.’
[PR note- Here ‘Sword’ is meant by the talent of a person.]
A subtle smile appeared on Damien’s lips.
It seemed like this Jousting tournament wouldn’t be dull at all.
***
[Translator – Kie]
[Proofreader – Kawaii]
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