[Author's Note: Sorry for the wait. I had to rack my brain to find a good way to end Vol 1. of Old Knight In Another World. Fortunately, I've found the perfect way. In a month or two, I'll finish the first volume.
After I've compiled all the chapters into one and made some edits. I'll post it on Webnovel for everyone to read in October or November. December by the latest. Anyway, this chapter is extra long to make up for the wait, enjoy! I also apologize if the quality isn't very good, I'll get it fixed and released alongside the other edited chapters in the good copy of Old Knight In Another World.]
"If I were in your position, I..."
"would make them pay."
Helen perked up at my answer.
"How would you make them pay?"
"Well, I won't kill them because if I do, there will be a lot of controversy that could cause others to rebel against me."
Looking confused, she asked me to elaborate.
"Please clarify, how do you make one pay without their death and a potential rebellion?"
I gave her a twisted grin.
"Simple really, make them suffer, drive them into a pit of despair they could never get out, and no one would ever risk their lives to delve into to save them."
"Take everything but their lives and show them hell, but make sure their lives are hanging by a thread.
Make them live the rest of their pathetic lives in despair, regret, and unable to end it.
This will tell others that you are someone not to be trifled with."
After I finished speaking, Helen brought her hand to her chin into a position like she was stroking a beard.
She will never grow out of that funny, odd habit of hers. I'm also glad that she won't grow out of it. It's one of the few things that make her seem more human instead of some beautiful, unapproachable, mythological being like most perceive her as.
Helen mulled over my words for some time before she turned to me.
"Thank you for your advice, Lilith. I'll be sure to think it through after the party. Let's move aside the sober topics and have a cheerful talk between siblings, shall we?"
I don't know how she learned to talk so sophisticatedly, but at least it was better than being spoken to with hostility.
For the rest of the evening, we chatted away together.
We discussed our favourite foods, thoughts on different literary works, what we wished to do in the future and complained about our lives. Well, I mostly complained. Helen just quietly and respectfully listened.
Though she was a good friend and conversation partner, there was something I couldn't get out of my mind.
It was this feeling that every single one of my words was being listened to and recorded.
I could never quite shake it off whenever I'm in a conversation with Helen.
Though I don't think it's hostile since nothing serious ever happens besides my regular bullying and light harassment by the other noble kids my age.
Before we knew it, the party was over, and everyone left for their carriages to go back to their fiefs.
As I stepped into my family's carriage, a plain black one with no decor, similar or worse than a Baron's. Helen rushed up to me, clutching the back edges of her dress so she could run faster without getting the dress dirty.
"Is something the matter, Helen?"
Helen smiled at me.
A bright smile.
A smile far more dazzling than the chandeliers and decorum featured in the gala.
Perhaps more dazzling than the entire gala itself.
"Lilith, thank you for the advice. In order to thank you, I'll have a surprise prepared for you, and I think you'll enjoy it."
A gift for me!?
Are you trying to give everyone more reasons to hate my family!?
Do you not care about your social standing or right to the throne!?
I have to stop her before House Sharon falls because of her careless actions!
Here I thought she was a skilled and intelligent prodigy capable of thinking several moves ahead!
She's completely unaware of the consequences of her goodwill!
"Your Highness, preparing a gift for something as simple as advice is over-excessive. I'm already content being your conversation partner."
The Jewel of Beland remained smiling.
"No, I insist, Lilith. The advice you gave this evening at the party was of great significance and helped me decide what to do with the Marquis. I insist you accept my gift."
Can she not take the hint!? I don't want her gift!? Do I have to straight up say it!?
"Your Highness, if everyone were to hear that you rewarded me for something as trivial as advice, they would begin to grow bolder in their demands. They would all be thinking.
If House Sharon was rewarded for giving advice, why aren't I promoted for guarding the borders, providing valuable resources, doing a great job with the paperwork, etc."
Helen thought about my answer for a moment before she spoke.
"How about a compromise? I insist on rewarding you, and you insist on not accepting the reward. Therefore I'll privately send you a gift through one of my trusted servants. I promise it won't be anything too extravagant or large, just a little token to remember me by."
You're still forcing a gift. The difference is that it'll be smaller and privately sent to me.
*Sigh!*
There's no point in reasoning with her.
Once she decides on something, she'll come up with over a dozen reasons and arguments that'll lead the case to end in her favour.
"If you insist, your Highness, I shall gladly accept this gift."
Helen's eyes gleamed with happiness, and her smile widened.
This was the first time I had ever seen her act like the age she was.
A pure, untainted, innocent happiness.
It makes me regret rejecting her gift earlier.
That regret would soon wash away with what happened next week, but for now, we bid each other good night and head off to our homes.
Then...
*Growl!*
...
Well, I'm famished. I might as well go to the cafeteria since the rest of today's classes have been cancelled.
A few minutes later, I found myself in the school cafeteria. I picked up a menu by the cafeteria entrance before heading to one of the seats in the corner.
Hmm, there are a lot of choices.
I think I'll eat something light. I don't know if Helen will show up for lunch. If she does, I don't want to be too full. Otherwise, I'll look like a weirdo sitting with the princess and watching her eat. They might even mistake me for a commoner!
Instead of ordering a lunch meal like the Wellington Steak or Truffle Gnocchi. I decided to have black tea and a slice of cheesecake made with Spirit-blessed flour imported from Elvar and dairy from a White Mountain Bull located far north near the Vikar regions.
After placing my order, the menu emitted a bright, two-foot-in-diameter magic circle and summoned the food I requested.
The chefs never fail to impress me. How do they make food this fast? It's almost like magic!
I quietly enjoyed my cheesecake in silence. After I finished the last morsels of my creamy, fluffy and delectable cheesecake, another magic circle appeared and whisked it away, leaving me with just my cup of black tea, which I also enjoyed in silence.
If you couldn't tell at this point, I'm not exactly popular, even with those from foreign nations.
Almost every nation on Lunara detests House Sharon except the Vikar Alliance, who are brutes that only care about strength and the demi-human countries, who don't care about humans' internal politics and strife.
As if to prove my point...
"Hey! You!"
A blonde student with two large curly drills on her head leads a group of a dozen students to surround me with a frilly pink fan in hand that she used to cover up part of her face.
I ignored the blonde drill-head and continued enjoying my tea. I don't want to get involved with her if I have to.
"Hey! I'm talking to you! When someone speaks to you, pay attention! Especially if it's someone from one of the Ducal Families of Beland!"
Time to play the ignorance card.
"I'm sorry, but do I know you? I am but a lower-rank noble. The person you're looking for must be someone else with a higher status and far more amazing than the humble me."
A tick mark appeared on Drill Head's face.
"Why you insolent-!!!"
Just as I thought she was going to name-call me, she surprisingly took a deep breath to calm herself down.
"Listen carefully! I don't care what you say! I know that you are Lilith Sharon! The sole heiress to the disgraceful ducal House Sharon!"
It looks like playing dumb won't work this time. I might as well hear what she has to say.
"What exactly is your point?"
Another tick mark appeared on Drill Head's face.
"You impertinent-!!!"
Surprisingly, she managed to calm herself down for a second time. From the previous times I met her. She would have already gone on a screaming rant five minutes ago. She was that short-tempered. It seems like her temperament has improved.
"Listen to me! I don't care what happened during the match! Your victory was clearly the result of cheating!"
Cheating?
Her eyes must be blind. Did she not see how my familiar completely thrashed Albert in the Arena despite Albert using the Royal Family's Sacred Treasures and performing a forbidden ritual that boosted his power to that of a Fifth-Circle Mage?
I sat my teacup on its plate with a clink and faced Drill Head and her posse.
"You must be mistaken. I clearly remember Prince Albert being the one using the treasures of the Beland Royal Family without permission and using a forbidden ritual to enhance his power. How am I the cheater?"
Drill Head scoffed at my question.
"Is it not clear? Two days ago, when we came to the Academy, you couldn't even use a simple Light Spell. Now you have the power to defeat Prince Albert, who was on the cusp of becoming a Fourth-Circle Mage!? Either you were hiding your true power or acquired it through crooked means, and I have a feeling that it is the latter!"
Tch!
She makes a good argument, but she is overlooking something.
"Hmph, have you forgotten what was said from today's Familiar Summoning ritual/class? The power of the familiar does not correlate with the power of their summoner or master. It all depends on their compatibility and the will of the gods."
People began to notice our conversation, and soon, the audience that was previously made up of a dozen of Miss Drill Head's followers swelled to several dozen, and they all began whispering amongst themselves. From the negative looks I'm receiving, the topics they're discussing can't be any good.
Seeing the crowd, Drill Head slowly began to get pressured. Beads of sweat formed on her brow, which she blew away with her fan.
Then, she smiled a wicked smile.
The kind of smile that you know that a person is up to no good.
"It is as you said, Sharon. A familiar's power doesn't correlate with their master's power. The familiar one summons is left to the GODS to decide!"
She emphasized the word "gods" loudly as though every one were deaf. They might as well be from the loud, high-pitched voice she used to say just one word.
"What are you getting at?"
The smile plastered on her face grew even wider.
From that expression, I could tell that I fell for her trap, but what that trap was, I could not tell.
"My point is, Sharon, the gods decide what familiar you get. However! Was your family not cursed for insulting the gods!? Why would the gods gift you, the descendant of a man who insulted the gods, be blessed with a powerful familiar!? In the form of that majestic knight no less!?"
No, is she trying to say what I think she is?
"I believe the gods did not gift Sharon with her familiar, especially with her House's infamous inability to use magic. No! She must have clearly used forbidden powers to gain a powerful familiar!
Either she collaborated with an evil cult to gain knowledge on how to summon a powerful being to do her bidding, or that knight is actually a demon in disguise who seduced you with power and wealth! I bet that-!"
I've had enough of her nonsense.
"Shut up."
The whispering stopped amongst the growing crowd as everyone, including Drill Head, became stunned by my outburst.
I could have endured the harassment, just like I always have, and waited for the storm to die down.
However, I don't know whether it was my personal pride and honour, my gratitude to my benefactor, or my dislike of owing debts to someone, but I did something that I usually wouldn't and would never regret for the years to come.
I ripped off the Babylonia Academy badge on my uniform and threw it to the ground at her feet.
"I, Lilith Sharon, challenge you to a one-on-one duel."
Drill Head sneered.
"I accept!"
I don't know whether she's smiling that disgusting smile of hers because I've fallen for her trap or because she thinks she'll trounce me in the upcoming duel. Either way, I'm tired of running and hiding. If I want to be able to get stronger and undo the curse that's been cast on my family, I need to stand my ground and face all challenges head-on.
If I don't, the persecution of House Sharon will never end, and it will never return to its former glory.
If I want everything to change, I must make my stand, right here and now.
In response to my challenge, Drill Head took off her own badge and threw it on top of mine.
"I, Florence Ursel, accept your challenge! Let us-"
Before she could finish speaking, a familiar cold voice, radiating authority, resounded throughout the room.
"What is going on here?"
Such a simple question.
Yet no one, including I, answered.
Perhaps this was one of the reasons we were no longer friends.
The difference between our power, wealth, talent and status was too vast.
It was like asking a mouse to be friends with a cat. No, a lion.
However, this won't be the case for long.
Helen Belran, you might sit atop the throne. But if you aren't careful, you'll find yourself surpassed.
Eventually, someone in the cafeteria caved in and whispered everything that occurred to Helen.
"Hm, I see."
*Sigh!*
The Ice Princess turned her attention to the main culprits behind the commotion, me and Drill Head.
"Helen and Florence, it is against school rules for a student to partake in two duels on the same day. Once a duel has finished, the participants of a duel must wait twenty-four hours before they can participate in another duel. I ask you both to take up your quarrel with each other at a later date."
Drill Head removed her evil, ugly smiled and spoke respectfully to Helen.
"Your Highness, I believe Helen has not participated in a duel. Certainly her familiar had won against Prince Albert in a spectacular manner, but the duel's participants consisted of only her familiar and Prince Albert.
Also, the initiator of the duel was not I, but Lilith Sharon. I think that she would be upset if our duel were forcibly cancelled, would it not?"
I nodded.
To be honest, I would rather not participate in this duel, but it's already too far gone. If I back out now, whatever honour my family has left will be completely lost, and the victory my familiar won for me would be meaningless.
Once a challenge is agreed between two parties in the school, the match has to happen. The most that can be done is for there to be a preparation period, which can be up to a month at most.
An ice-cold silence followed. The cafeteria was so quiet that I wouldn't be surprised if everyone could hear the sound of a pin drop.
The silence was momentary as Helen opened her mouth to speak.
"If the both of you wish to duel, then I won't stop it. However, it wouldn't be fair if you were to both start the duel now as Lilith is still suffering from the aftereffects of Prince Albert's inexcusable behaviour. Therefore, I request that the duel take two weeks from now."
Drill Head pondered for a moment before agreeing.
"Very well! I agree to a two-week preparation period."
*Phew!*
Thanks, Helen! You're a lifesaver.
Suddenly, a voice interrupted.
"Two weeks? Make it one week!"
Everyone looked around the cafeteria, trying to find the one who dared to speak out against Helen's decision.
The eyes all landed on one man who leisurely strolled into the hall as though he owned the entire world.
An old mustachio-ed man in a black suit, to be precise.
Drill Head looked indignant like it was her decision that the two-week preparation period was being opposed.
"You! Aren't you the Sharon girl's familiar!? The one who put poor Albert into a hospital bed!?"
The old knight maintained his air of dignity and pride.
"Indeed I am, and Prince Gin-
I mean Albert, is currently behind bars for theft of the Royal Treasures of Beland, usage of Forbidden Magic and the loss of one of the Royal Treasures."
What!?
That was the only thing that raced across my mind, and apparently everyone else's, as they began to whisper among themselves.
The only exceptions were Helen and Drill Head.
Helen wore an unperturbed expression as though she expected this or simply didn't care.
Meanwhile, Drill Head had the exact opposite.
"What do you mean he's behind bars!?! You take those words back, you crazy old coot! Those are all lies!"
Her reaction was understandable as she was Albert's fiance. Apart from his above-average looks, I don't get what else that pitiful girl sees in him.
Sir Charles answered calmly.
"I assure you what I say is the truth. Right now, he is being interrogated by members of the school faculty to see if he has any potential connections with any evil cults or organizations. Anyway, I believe we are getting off-topic."
Sir Charles turned to Helen and me.
"Miss Helen and Miss Lilith, may I ask for the duel to be set at an earlier date?"
Before we could respond, Drill Head furiously butted in.
"Hold it right there! I will not stand for such rudeness! This duel is between me and Sharon! Even if you are her familiar, you can't just barge in and demand for the date to be set at-"
Drill Head paused, her anger faded, and a nasty, mocking grin was set on her face as she realized what Charles was asking.
"A week earlier? Hmm, although I haven't forgiven you for the lies you told and misconduct, you offer a very tempting suggestion.
What do you say, Sharon? How about setting the duel to one week from today instead?"
*Sigh!*
Why did that stupid familiar of mine have to make things worse!?
It's already bad enough that I'm fighting a peak Second-Circle Mage without any training, but to have my preparation time halved makes things impossible!
How am I supposed to beat her!? Come up with a speech to bore her to death!? Or maybe come up with a way to fight so pathetically that she'll surrender out of pity!
Helen can't help bail me out on this one since her role is supposed to be a neutral observer. If she makes any more suggestions that benefit me, she'll be suspected as a sympathizer, and she'll have to come under fire from the school, her supporters and everyone back home in Beland.
She's already helped me as much as she could. It's all up to me now, but what do I do? Everyone's eyes are watching me and waiting for my answer.
It's very nerve-wracking, what should I say? If I refuse, I'll become a joke and potentially lose my only chance to make a difference. If I accept, I'll likely be humiliated in the upcoming match.
That stupid old knight! What is he thinking!?
I turned and looked at Sir Charles, who stood tall and proud with his arms folded across his chest.
It's hard to tell his expression due to the large moustache that occupied half his face.
As if he knew what I was thinking, he gave a nod.
Well, I only got this far thanks to him. I might as well bet everything on him once again.
I faced Drill Head and responded.
"I agree. Let us start our duel one week from now, on the thirteenth of Septembra."
Drill Head gave an evil and cruel smile.
"Hohohoho! Very well! I'll meet you again on the thirteenth of Septembra, when we meet, prepare yourself! For I shall not go easy on you!"
After that last sentence, she turned on her heels and walked out of the cafeteria with her followers in tow.
Everyone else slowly left as well until only Helen, Charles and I remained.
With everyone gone, I asked Charles.
"WHY THE HELL DID YOU DO THAT!?"