Helmut felt a momentary sense of dignity emanating from the Second Prince. It was more of a subtle pressure rather than something oppressive, different from the intimidation felt from those with great physical power. It was a regal aura, unfamiliar to Helmut.
Luke Yeager hesitated in his response. It was hard to refuse given how the prince presented his request.
Helmut became certain. The Second Prince must know that those who harmed Darien exist in Basor and that he might be in danger. Perhaps even that Cicero was the traitor.
"It would be wise to agree," Helmut encouraged Luke, siding with the Second Prince.
The prince gave a peculiar look, and Luke seemed incredulous.
"Should I agree just because you said so?"
"Are you reluctant? Let's make a bet. If you lose to me in the finals, then you'll go see the Second Prince."
Betting was an effective way to compel someone to do something they dislike. Helmut proposed this based on his experience.
"Seriously!"
Luke couldn't help but react to such a statement.
Helmut eyed him closely, his gaze unreadable yet dismissive.
"Are you lacking confidence?"
"Who said I am? Fine, it's a deal. But what if you lose?"
"If I lose, I'll answer any question you have, whatever it may be."
"Agreed."
The bet was made on the spot. Immediately after, Helmut declared,
"Luke Yeager will visit the prince. It'd be better for him to support me."
He didn't particularly refuse men's cheers. They just didn't matter to him. Luke gritted his teeth, and the prince looked astounded.
"You have a good sense."
The prince observed Helmut intently but refrained from probing further. After a moment, he excused himself.
"I'll be leaving now. I'm looking forward to the final match. I hope both of you will show a match worthy of the expectation."
Once the prince had left, Luke abruptly seized Helmut's shoulder.
"What are you thinking? Do you even realize who he is?"
"I know, the Second Prince."
"Why are you so eager to push me towards him, even though I said it would be troublesome? You won't even tell me why!"
Luke seemed genuinely upset, regretting his agreement.
"What's troubling you?"
Helmut questioned, prompting Luke to ponder.
"Are Palma Knights slaves to their commander?"
"Nonsense!"
"Then why can't you choose who to support on your own?"
Luke looked cornered. It was clear he also found something off about the unwavering support for the First Prince.
"It's not that simple! I'm still young and new to the Knights. Even seniors don't dare to speak against the commander, how can I openly oppose the support for the First Prince?"
"What do you think of the Palma Knight Commander?"
"I can't evaluate my superior."
Yet, Luke's expression remained troubled. Knowing the commander's son even supports the Second Prince, and Palma Knights are hesitant to support the First Prince, it's doubtful the commander is unaware. He chooses to support the First Prince despite this.
"Does he see some hidden virtue in the First Prince that others don't?"
"Stop it."
Luke's face twisted uncomfortably.
"Then consider why he can't withdraw his support for the First Prince."
Helmut sowed doubts. Luke trusted the commander but questioned the inexplicable support for the First Prince.
"Are you suggesting there's some backdoor deal or blackmail involved?"
"It could be either. What will you do if that's the case?"
"That's not for me to decide right now. I'm not in a position to…"
Luke was wavering.
"Luke Yeager might think so. But as a descendant of the Sword Saint, it might be different."
Luke underestimated his position. Unaware his lineage could put him in danger in Basor, the nation Darien built.
"Know this. I have reasons to act on your behalf."
"…"
"Think over what was said here today."
Luke should consider not just Helmut's words but also those of the Second Prince.
What comes next would be after the final match.
Helmut turned away, not expecting much.
But getting Luke to think was enough. Preemptively planting these thoughts would make the truth easier to accept later.
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Upon returning to the inn, Mihael approached eagerly, likely to become a nuisance.
"Hyde, did you meet the Second Prince?"
"Yes."
How he knew was irrelevant. Facing Mihael felt like the roles were reversed compared to dealing with Luke Yeager.
"He knows about me, but I don't know about him."
"Did the Second Prince propose any conditions? He needs people to stand against the Palma Knights. Except for them, all other knight orders support the Second Prince."
"There was nothing like that."
"Was it so significant you hesitate to tell me?"
Mihael persisted, seemingly determined not to let "Hyde" slip from Basor's grasp.
"Again, nothing of that sort. Just a courtesy visit for making it to the finals."
Pondering deeply, Mihael then seemed struck by a thought.
"The Second Prince doesn't move without reason. It must be about you or Luke Yeager. You were interested in him, weren't you? What's so special about that Palma Knight? Something I don't know?"
"…"
One thing was clear: Mihael's intelligence network in Basor was second only to the Black Hawk.
"Useful fellows."
Regretting not killing Fasho lingered, but much was gained in return. From the Black Hawk, Helmut learned sparing a foe could be beneficial.
Helmut brushed past Mihael.
"I'm off to bathe."
"Ah, Hyde! Congratulations on reaching the finals!"
Ignoring Mihael's cheerful farewell, Helmut headed to the bathroom.
Only the final match remained.
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The night cooled as the desert's harsh daytime heat faded, replaced by a chilling cold. The desert, which fiercely resisted human settlement, remained a realm of monsters.
A low howl vibrated through the sand grains, and red eyes glimmered, cutting through the white expanse.
A giant scorpion, the terror of the Basor desert, emerged. However, the Scorpion, once a symbol of fear, had fallen to Darien's sword thirty years ago.
But in its dying moment, the Scorpion buried its core deep in the earth, eventually consumed by one of its offspring. This new Scorpion, however, couldn't match its predecessor's strength.
Now freed but bound by a target, the creature, surrounded by other desert monsters, headed for a small oasis village, eager for the taste of human flesh.
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The final match was about to begin.
Helmut faced Luke Yeager, who seemed tense. The noise from the crowd was deafening.
Looking at his sword, Helmut reflected on facing Darien's descendant with the Sword Saint's own blade.
"I will use only common sword techniques."
Luke's gaze turned frosty, interpreting Helmut's declaration as underestimation.
"Don't get me wrong. It's not out of disrespect, but necessity."
"Then, due to that necessity, you will lose."
"I won't lose. But it'll be because I'm strong, not because you're weak."
The bell rang, and the match began.