Luke Yeager was aggressive from the start. Emitting a faint golden aura, he immediately charged at Helmut.
As Helmut countered his attack, he felt a sense of déjà vu.
'This is…'
A shiver ran through him. It was Darien's swordsmanship, the pinnacle of skill established by a master swordsman.
The trajectory of the sword's movement was seared into his vision. It was the very technique Helmut had honed endlessly and ingrained into his body.
He knew it all too well. How to counterattack, deflect, and the sharpness required to pierce through with minimal force.
Yet, Luke Yeager had assimilated it into his own style, evident in his countless hours of refinement.
Facing Darien's top-tier swordsmanship with mere common techniques was a formidable constraint in itself.
Helmut realized anew,
'He truly is Darien's descendant.'
It was like seeing a young Darien reincarnated. Such talent would have been taught by Darien himself, even if he wasn't his bloodline.
But Darien's disciple was Helmut, not Luke Yeager.
With a final clash, Luke Yeager stepped back. The initial testing phase was over.
Neither had gone all out yet. It seemed Luke had been observing Helmut during their exchange.
With a brief moment to breathe, Helmut tilted his head slightly while watching Luke.
Luke's eyes were unwavering, fully immersed in battle.
'2 million marks.'
Such an amount was significant even for nobility, not to mention that he currently bore the honor of the Palma Knights on his shoulders.
'If I win, those who already dislike him will have another reason.'
Though other Palma Knights had also lost to Helmut, the specifics didn't matter.
Yet, Helmut had no obligation to consider Luke Yeager's social standing.
'I can't afford to lose.'
The only option was to win. Helmut raised his sword, ready to strike first.
But at that moment,
-Screech!
A harsh, jarring cry that seemed too raw for a bird echoed from above. The cry, laden with magic, made their eardrums tingle.
'A monster?'
Helmut hadn't heard of any interruptions planned for the match.
He sheathed his sword and stepped back, as did Luke.
Both looked up, along with everyone else.
A giant shadow descended onto the stage. It was a massive bird, a giant desert monster, clutching something in its talons—a blood-red lump.
As the object's identity was unclear from a distance, everyone stared intently.
Only Helmut recognized what was clutched in the talons, though he couldn't understand why.
'Why would it fly here with that?'
The bird dropped its cargo.
Thud! The object hit the center of the stage, splattering blood everywhere. Screams erupted.
"It's a corpse!"
"Oh, my God, Almighty!"
Helmut eyed the object that had fallen onto the stage with curiosity.
A mass of entangled, mutilated bodies. Limbs severed or torsos left in a mangled heap formed one gory cluster.
The scene was too horrific, causing vomit and fainting among the audience. The stands were in an uproar.
"Is this some kind of surprise event?"
But such events were more suited to festivals.
This was Basor's capital, in the presence of royalty. Helmut knew that staging such an event would be reckless.
Regardless of Basor's martial nature, this was extraordinary.
Yet, it was odd for a monster to appear solo here.
Helmut glanced at Luke, who also frowned, clearly taken aback.
The match was effectively halted. Officials and organizers were on stage but seemed unsure how to proceed.
The stage was bloodstained, yet Helmut remained unscathed, having skillfully avoided the blood splatter.
Helmut approached the unapproachable corpses, examining them. He noted a few things.
'They haven't been dead for long.'
The remnants of their clothing were typical of commoners, covered in sand. They had died near the desert.
'An attack from the desert?'
Common in Basor, but not the delivery of corpses to the capital.
The bird was already leaving. With Palma Knights present, provoking it risked disaster among the spectators.
Luke murmured,
"Is this some kind of declaration of war?"
'A monster declaring war…?'
If intelligent, it wasn't impossible, but something felt off.
Helmut's gaze drifted to a corner of the stands where Cicero and other Palma Knights were. Cicero, with a grave expression, was issuing orders after receiving a note.
Helmut realized a new stage had been set.
"Let's pause the match. Please move to the waiting area," someone approached Helmut.
The final match was abruptly suspended.
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Helmut stepped into the waiting area, his gaze locking onto Luke Yeager.
"What's happened?"
"Judging from those corpses, it seems a monster may have attacked the desert village."
"Do monsters often behave in such a manner in Bashor?"
"Is that even possible? I was surprised myself."
It was far from an ordinary situation, Helmut noted regretfully.
"To end without any proper explanation..."
"But that's not the main concern. What matters now is what the monster intends to do next."
The tone was decidedly knightly.
Before long, a familiar figure approached the waiting area. As the door swung open, Lutus Cicero, commander of the Knights of Palma, entered. He raised a hand to halt Luke's greeting, his voice weighed down with solemnity.
"Due to unfortunate circumstances, the finals cannot proceed. The martial arena is being cleared, and all spectators are being evacuated."
He emphasized further, "Given the gravity of the national crisis, it's impractical to continue with the finals."
The decision wasn't solely driven by the waste of the two million marks earmarked for the event, although that surely played a part.
Helmut scrutinized the main suspect behind this orchestrated chaos, Lutus Cicero, who continued unperturbed.
"Furthermore, Luke Yeager, a member of the Knights of Palma, has been tasked with a mission."
"I'll comply with your orders."
While Luke Yeager readily accepted, Helmut harbored reservations.
"And what about determining the outcome of the final match?"
"We'll aim to reschedule it when circumstances allow."
Rescheduling wouldn't be easy. Helmut couldn't afford to remain in Basor indefinitely.
"If Luke Yeager were to perish, I would be declared the victor."
He couldn't allow such a scenario to unfold.
"That's inconvenient."
Lutus Cicero suggested a compromise, "Alternatively, we could pool the winner's prize of two million marks and the runner-up's prize of five hundred thousand, splitting the total of two point five million marks evenly. It would be more practical for someone like yourself, unfamiliar with Basore's ways, to wait indefinitely for the finals."
It became evident that their visit wasn't merely to inform but also to negotiate the division of prize money with the authorities.
"What's your take on this? Time is of the essence."
With the royal family and nobles already evacuated by the Knights, preparations for a military campaign were underway. Cicero had a multitude of responsibilities to oversee.
Helmut responded ambiguously, "If only I could find a better solution..."
"If it falls within my purview, I'll certainly consider it."
"In that case, let's settle it this way: I'll join the Palma Knights on their monster subjugation mission. The one who accomplishes more will be declared the winner. How does that sound?"
Monster hunting was their forte. Luke Yeager had only been with the Knights for eight months; he likely hadn't participated in monster hunts during this season. Helmut possessed an advantage in earning accolades for himself rather than others.
"... Do you remember the proposition I extended earlier?"
"Yes."
"Are you contemplating joining the Knights of Palma?"
"I'm considering it. However, I'd like to gain firsthand experience of the mission's challenges beforehand."
Helmut offered a plausible excuse, akin to gaining practical job experience, a concept familiar from his days at the Academy.
The Knight Commander of Palma frowned, "This isn't a jest. The desert monsters are formidable adversaries. There won't be anyone to coddle you."
"And who would coddle me?"
His response was calm, tinged with arrogance, exuding a sharp aura.
The Knight Commander, sensing this, finally seemed to grasp his intent.
"I see. You're a finalist. You'll prove to be a valuable asset."
Despite the boy's youth and apparent frailty, his skills were beyond reproach.
After a moment's consideration, the Knight Commander resolved not to introduce any unnecessary variables into his meticulously laid plans.
"This is officially Basor's affair. Non-Knights aren't typically allowed to accompany us. However, as you've suggested, it's essential to honor achievements that were not attained. We can't afford to dismiss competent participants. I'll grant your request."
A slight smile tugged at Helmut's lips. With approval secured, he was free to disrupt their plans as he saw fit. Lutus Cicero would never have anticipated this.
"Since this entails an irregular deployment, the mission's expenses will be covered based on the rates of a second-class mercenary. Is that acceptable?"
"Yes."
Helmut had expected as much. Given Basor's wealth, they would take care of everything.
Even if his proposal had been rebuffed, he would have clandestinely followed along. Cicero undoubtedly harbored intentions of eliminating Luke Yeager. In a desert teeming with monsters, such an opportunity would naturally present itself.
"Perhaps he'll emerge victorious in the finals, revealing his lineage as Darian's great-grandson before he can vote against it."
Word had likely spread that the Second Prince sought to meet Luke Yeager and that he was present at the waiting area.
The Second Prince aspired to unveil Luke Yeager's connection to the Sword Saint, a fact even Lutus Cicero was cognizant of.
"Basor bears no responsibility for your safety. Follow orders dutifully. Understood?"
"Yes."
"I'll join you after briefing Luke Yeager. Inform me of the necessary preparations. We depart today, so make haste."
With Lutus Cicero's departure, Luke inquired, "Are you sure about this? Monster hunting isn't a walk in the park, and while you luxuriate in cozy inns, the desert isn't exactly hospitable. It's scorching by day and freezing by night. Perhaps it would be wiser to heed the Knight Commander's advice."
Although Helmut was accustomed to the cold, he despised the heat. But what choice did he have? He had responsibilities to fulfill.
"What's with that look in your eyes?" Luke asked, sensing Helmut's contemplation.
Helmut offered a word of caution, "Take care of yourself."
"... Fine, just ensure you're cautious, and if you're coming along, follow my lead."
With that, preparations for the mission were set in motion.