I could do it if I wanted to.
That was the first thought that crossed Elric's mind as he looked at Count Caliger Franz's extended hand.
Count Caliger Franz was undoubtedly an "expert" in his own right, even within the Empire—a Sage of the 8th Circle.
His skills were well known, especially as one of Prince Cromhel's most trusted aides. However—
'Were his hands always this small? His shoulders seem narrower too.'
The issue was that the pressure he exuded felt surprisingly minimal—too minimal.
In Elric's childhood memories, Count Caliger Franz was like a giant out of a legend, towering over everything.
Elric's father, bedridden for most of his life, had left much of the household's responsibilities to Count Caliger.
But no one, not Elric's father, nor any of the other vassals, ever worried about that decision.
They all knew his abilities well.
They trusted him.
His stern, dignified expression created an aura that made him seem unapproachable. Still, everyone agreed that if the Melvinger family ever rose again, it would be entirely due to Count Caliger.
Elric and his sister Heize had both relied heavily on him.
So when Count Caliger turned his back on them and left, the shock was enormous.
Even after becoming an adult, Elric had hesitated to confront Count Caliger. Despite the betrayal, the presence Caliger had left on Elric as a child was simply too significant to overlook.
Perhaps, without realizing it, Elric had felt that clashing with Count Caliger would be dangerous.
But now, standing face to face with him—
Elric felt that his vague image of the man was utterly shattered.
Small. Frail.
Those were the thoughts that crossed his mind.
Of course, compared to other nobles of his age, Count Caliger Franz had a robust build.
The Melvinger family's philosophy had always been, "Even magicians must fight on the battlefield." Caliger seemed to have practiced that diligently.
But compared to the giant figure Elric had in his mind from childhood, this version of Caliger fell far short.
An 8th Circle magician? A Sage? An Archmage?
Yes, impressive.
Elric had encountered numerous members of Hexagram, Augustine, and the Eight Lions—figures of great power.
But even so, there weren't many magicians of this caliber wandering around, as powerful as Count Caliger was.
And yet—
'Aren't I the same?'
The issue was that Elric had faced and defeated someone on the same level—perhaps even more formidable.
Despite borrowing some divine power to aid him, it was true that Elric had pierced through a castle and slain Claymore Sagnard.
So, there was no need to be afraid.
He could handle Count Caliger Franz as well.
Of course, facing him head-on now wouldn't guarantee victory.
But taking an arm or two from him? That wasn't beyond possibility, considering the weapons at Elric's disposal.
But—
'He must know I'm hesitating.'
There was no doubt that extending his hand for a handshake was a form of provocation.
Even though it had been Prince Cromhel who had cut off his son Rodeo Franz's arm, Caliger couldn't confront the prince directly. The next best thing was taking Elric's arm—the root of the incident.
Still, acting out against someone who had come under the guise of "reinforcements" would be too disgraceful, so this childish provocation was his only option.
If you think you can cut off my arm, go ahead and try. But you better watch your own—because I won't just stand there.
That's what Caliger's gesture seemed to say.
If Elric took the bait, it would give Caliger an excuse for revenge. And if not, he could still rile Elric up.
He was likely satisfied either way.
But—
'Which makes me want to cut it off even more.'
The problem was that Elric wasn't one to shy away from provocation.
He wanted nothing more than to see Count Caliger's face twist with humiliation. But for now—
Elric simply shook Count Caliger's hand.
He tightened his grip.
"Thank you for your efforts on such a long journey."
Elric didn't miss the flicker of surprise in Count Caliger's eyes.
『Heh heh.』
As Elric already felt irritated by Caliger's demeanor, he became even more annoyed when Mephisto suddenly burst out laughing in his head.
[What's so funny?]
『You've grown up.』
[What nonsense is that?]
『If this had been before, you would've tried to cut his arm off immediately. It shows that you've gained a sense of responsibility.』
There he goes again—reading my thoughts.
Elric grumbled inwardly.
While Mephisto was arrogant and cynical, he had a knack for making insightful remarks. This was one of those moments.
He could see right through Elric.
Indeed, if Elric had been alone, he might have tried to cut off Count Caliger's arm without a second thought.
But now, he stood under the banner of his family, Melvinger. His name had begun to spread far and wide as he led the Star's Legion, capturing Ketrain Castle and wreaking havoc on the northern front.
Though he had earned some significant victories, his forces were still outnumbered and outmatched.
Even if just a fraction of the Red Lion's main army attacked from Silent Castle, they could pose a threat.
Treating these "reinforcements" poorly could lead to long-term consequences.
Now that Elric had the responsibility of leading so many, rash actions were no longer an option.
''And I have no intention of playing into that crown prince's hands either.'
It was clear who had arranged for Count Caliger to be part of the reinforcement team—an attempt to sow internal discord and drive a wedge between Elric and Prince Cromhel.
[This guy still doesn't know me very well.]
『Oh?』
[Who do you think is better at provocation—him or me?]
Mephisto's eyes widened in realization.
After all, Elric was never one to just take provocation lying down.
Still holding Count Caliger's hand, Elric smirked at him—just enough to make his opponent's blood boil.
It was the signature smirk of a Melvinger.
Then, looking Caliger square in the eye, Elric spoke:
"Even servants must be tired from the long journey."
Twitch.
For a brief moment, one of Count Caliger's eyebrows twitched in irritation.
Servants.
The word clearly stung.
Elric was reminding him that the Franz family had once been a part of Melvinger, poking at the sore point.
"… This is unpleasant."
The wrinkles at the corners of Caliger's eyes deepened, and his expression darkened, laced with thinly veiled killing intent.
Seeing the tension rising, Herman and Sailor both shifted their attention to the two. They could feel the thickening atmosphere but chose not to intervene.
This was a personal matter between Elric and Count Caliger, one that needed to be settled between them.
"What's wrong?"
Elric remained calm, as if nothing had happened.
"It's true that our family once served the Melvinger house, but it's been over ten years since we declared independence. Instead of showing us even a modicum of respect, you cling to past glories, trying to oppress us. I came here out of friendship to aid you personally, but now I find myself disappointed."
Caliger spoke with the tone of an adult chastising a child.
He was trying to save face while framing Elric as an ungrateful fool.
The pressure he was exerting on Elric grew heavier.
Crunch.
The ground beneath them cracked under the pressure of their auras.
"I think you're mistaken, Count."
Elric's smirk never faltered.
"The Melvinger family never allowed the Franz family to declare independence. You simply walked away."
"...!"
"And didn't I already warn your son? A mere son of a count without a title shouldn't act so high and mighty. I'm one of the four pillars that support the Empire—a duke. You should show proper respect. But instead—"
Elric looked Count Caliger up and down with a mocking gaze, his laughter growing louder. To Caliger, this humiliation was unbearable.
"What did you do instead?"
"...…"
Elric's face suddenly became stern.
"If you want me to show respect, you should start by showing it yourself, Count Caliger Franz."
Whoosh!
Elric unleashed his aura.
A wave of mana rippled out in concentric circles, instantly wiping away the pressure Count Caliger had been exerting.
***
For a fleeting moment, Count Caliger Franz's pupils trembled violently.
'How does he have such power?'
Elric's aura far surpassed what he had anticipated.
When he first heard that Elric had slain Claymore Sagnard, he had suspected trickery was involved, but—
It seemed his assessment had been completely wrong.
'At the very least, he's on my level… or perhaps…'
Though Caliger didn't want to admit it, the moment Elric had shattered his aura and turned it back on him, he had to acknowledge the truth.
If he wanted to take Elric down for sure, he might need assistance from his "allies."
If Elric continued to grow at this rate, it might become impossible to stop him entirely.
But Caliger's thoughts were cut short.
Elric's gaze had shifted to another part of the group.
"What about you, Viscount Kuransibil Twork?"
Elric's eyes landed on an older man standing among the reinforcements, wearing the garb of an aide. He still carried the sharp look of someone well-seasoned in battle.
Once, the Twork family, alongside the Franz family, had symbolized Melvinger's sword and shield.
The Tworks had been the left arm of the Melvinger family, known for their prowess. Yet, unlike the Franz family, they had been the first to abandon Melvinger's protection after the Great Demon War.
Trying to hide among the reinforcements, Viscount Kuransibil had been quietly observing Elric and the leaders of the Star's Legion, gauging their strengths and weaknesses.
But now, being directly addressed by Elric, he couldn't hide his shock.
And Elric's gaze remained cold.
"Is it common etiquette these days for a viscount to stand so stiffly in the presence of a duke?"
For a moment, Viscount Kuransibil and Count Caliger exchanged glances.
This is bad.
They both came to the same conclusion.
If they allowed Elric to keep dictating the flow of events, they would spend the entire northern campaign being dragged around by him.
"Did you not hear me, Viscount?"
Elric's voice cut through the air.
They had no choice but to comply.
After all, they were here as "reinforcements," and Elric was the commander.
If they refused?
It would likely end with Elric sending them back to the capital, leaving them humiliated.
In the end, Viscount Kuransibil had no choice but to step forward and bow.
"I greet you, Lord Duke."
******
T/L: The name of Count is changed from Calgary to Caliger.
[T/L: You can read ahead chapters and support me here: https://ko-fi.com/revengerscans ]