Didier (4)
Chapter 27
Experience and skill both favor Didier.
However, he is still an expert. He isn’t overwhelmingly superior.
The only aspect where Ray clearly struggles is raw strength.
When mana infused the already perfected body of a knight, its destructive power became nearly insurmountable.
KWAANG!!
“…!!”
After the collision, Ray rolled back and loosened his grip.
A direct confrontation of brute force was simply not viable. Pouring mana into the body of a nine-year-old could barely surpass that of a well-built adult.
‘If I were to form sword aura, the situation might change…’
But for now, it’s on hold.
It wasn’t the right moment to reveal sword aura, and Ray wanted to experience combat against an opponent who held the upper hand.
Ray twirled his sword and repositioned himself.
What Ray had over Didier was acceleration and agility from his smaller frame.
He needed to fully utilize the footwork of Harshia-style Spatial Blade.
Ray’s body swayed left and right.
KA-KACH!!
Their swords clashed again.
Using the rebound from his sword, Ray moved sideways.
Didier leaned back and pivoted with his front foot.
The narrowly seized opportunity slipped away in an instant.
KA-KANG! KA-GA-KACH!
As Ray kept moving laterally using the rebound, Didier swung his sword in the opposite direction of Ray’s movement.
Ray tried to deflect the attack, but it was a feint.
Didier lunged his sword towards Ray’s abdomen as the latter stumbled awkwardly.
“Ugh!”
Twisting his torso, Ray evaded the strike and retreated by rolling low.
Didier narrowed the distance slightly and thrust his sword half a beat faster.
There were countless ways to deflect a straightforward attack like that.
However, every time Ray attempted to parry, Didier’s wrist flickered unpredictably, altering the trajectory of the blade in an instant.
Outnumbered, Ray was no match for the seasoned Didier.
Retreating further, Ray lowered his center of gravity and darted around chaotically.
But Didier’s eyes cut through Ray’s afterimages, and his body eerily followed wherever his gaze went.
No matter how much Ray disrupted the area inside the fence using footwork, Didier suppressed him with minimal movement from his position.
A true knight was this impenetrable.
KA-GA-KANG!!
Storm-like sword strikes continued several times.
As time passed, the area Ray covered with each step decreased.
Were they tired?
The children watching with their mouths agape thought so, but…
Sweat began to trickle down Didier’s forehead as he countered Ray’s sword strikes.
‘How can he… adapt so quickly?’
Lack of experience.
Ray had extremely limited combat experience against knight-level opponents.
Because of this, he advanced two steps more than necessary when he should have moved forward, and retreated three steps more when he should have stepped back.
His frantic running around in all directions wasn’t because he had surplus stamina—it was due to excessive, unnecessary movements.
However, Ray gradually narrowed his range of motion as time passed.
While constantly rotating, he began lingering closer to Didier.
The swordsmanship he had only theoretically understood before was now becoming ingrained through practical application.
This was a natural process, but its speed far exceeded expectations.
‘Indeed glorious.’
Under the whirlwind of Ray’s sword strikes, Didier began to feel breathless.
Simultaneously, he felt an intense thrill.
At this point, Ray was undoubtedly weaker than Didier.
Didier continued to hold back intentionally.
But at this rate of progress…
It wouldn’t take long for Ray to catch up.
This child would surely reach the peak. Didier was certain.
Their swords collided strongly.
KWAANG!!
The blades couldn’t withstand the impact any longer.
Both Ray and Didier stabilized their stances despite the recoil and faced each other.
Their intentions naturally aligned.
Mana surged violently, and for a brief moment, the sword flashed.
KA-KACH! TURRNG!!
“?!”
Didier lost his grip on the sword.
Didier was astonished.
Though he had reduced the output of the sword aura and deliberately loosened his grip, he hadn’t anticipated losing his weapon.
Didier watched in shock as his sword flew away.
Alesya peeked out just as the sword flew past her head, waving her arms frantically.
“What?!”
Fortunately, Alesya ducked under the fence just before the sword could hit her.
Watching the sword whizz above her head, Alesya froze momentarily before bursting into tears.
“Knight Didier tried to assassinate me!”
Mohamed pinched the bridge of his nose.
“…It’s a misunderstanding. Knight Didier is loyal.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes.”
“I’ll trust you on this!”
Regaining her composure, Alesya straightened her clothes and opened the fence gate.
Unexpected by everyone inside the fence, they blinked in surprise.
“Why are you here?”
Ray’s awkward phrasing made Alesya smile brightly.
“Ray! It’s been a while! Though there’s a strange smell here…”
“It hasn’t been that long.”
“You commoners always talk too much. If I say so, believe it.”
“So, what brings you here?”
Alesya glanced around briefly before muttering softly.
“Didn’t you say you felt neglected since I haven’t visited? I came here to console your commoner heart. Be grateful.”
“…Well, since you’re here, please enjoy your stay.”
Since it wasn’t just the two of them, and there was no point in provoking anyone here, Ray nodded compliantly.
Alesya’s face lit up.
“The sparring match was excellent. Forcing Knight Didier to drop his sword was truly remarkable!”
Meanwhile, Karen, having noticed Alesya’s presence, bowed deeply and approached quietly.
She intended to apologize after being scolded by Ray earlier.
Even as Karen approached, Alesya kept her eyes fixed on Ray.
“Continue to strive, Ray. Definitely become a knight. I promise to offer you a seat beside me when that day comes!”
“A seat beside you?”
Upon Ray’s question, Alesya stuttered, startled.
“Uh, t, t, escort! Escort! Don’t misunderstand!”
Hearing this conversation, Karen narrowed her eyes.
Suddenly, Alesya noticed the pink book she was holding.
[The Beast-Taming Knight and the Villainous Noble Lady]
Reading the title, Karen’s eyebrows furrowed sharply.
“Hello, Lady Alesya.”
“Hm?”
“I was wrong last time. I’m sorry.”
Karen’s apology made Alesya smile contentedly.
“Let it be forgiven. There was a misunderstanding, so don’t dwell on it. I am a generous noble!”
“I’m really sorry. I didn’t know Lady Alesya was a real noble. Since I’ve lost twice… Still, your magic was truly wondrous.”
Blink!
This time, Alesya’s eyebrows furrowed.
Shaking nervously, Alesya shouted at Ray.
“Bring me a wooden sword immediately! I must make up for my previous mistake today!”
*
TAP! TADAK!
Swinging wooden swords among the children, Mohamed smiled as he watched.
“The young miss seems happy.”
“There aren’t many opportunities for her to interact with peers.”
Lowering the sword he had been observing, Didier focused on the children’s practice.
“Even though they grew up in an orphanage, they are loved and educated far beyond what one would expect.”
“The young miss will not fall into bad company.”
“Still, I worry. In the empire, it’s rare to find nobles as generous as Count and the young miss. If she becomes accustomed to this level of closeness, it could cause problems later.”
“That is correct. However, it is not our place to interfere. Besides, even if we look ahead, it’s only about twenty years.”
“Twenty years?”
“After twenty years, whose family do you think these children will belong to?”
“…”
TADAK! TAP!
Wooden swords clashed.
Pushing Johanna hard, Alesya resolved.
‘This time, I will absolutely not lose!’
Ever since losing to Johanna, Alesya replayed the match in her mind every night.
How could she break Johanna’s unconventional swordsmanship?
The answer wasn’t difficult. As long as she didn’t panic.
All she needed to do was step back and observe whenever Johanna performed strange maneuvers.
By properly controlling the variables, Alesya, who had trained in advanced swordsmanship, shouldn’t lose to Johanna.
“YAAAH!”
“OWW!”
Cornering Johanna and subduing her, Alesya raised her wooden sword triumphantly.
“I’ve avenged that humiliation!”
Johanna staggered backward and grabbed her stomach, opening her mouth wide.
“UUUEEEEEK…”
Her body was reacting harshly after being pushed around soon after recovering from sickness.
“I lost with EEEEK…”
“Eh, are you feeling unwell somewhere?”
“I’m fine with EEEEK…”
“Hmm, y, yes. Take good care of yourself.”
With a troubled expression, Alesya pointed to her next opponent—Karen.
Standing up, Karen gripped her wooden sword tightly and aimed it at Alesya.
TAP-DACK!
As wooden swords clashed, Mohamed asked.
“My son, how do you see this?”
After pondering for a moment, Didier replied.
“If taught intensively, within two months… if rushed, possibly within weeks, it might work.”
For Johanna to defeat Alesya in swordsmanship,
Didier believed that with intensive training, it would take no more than two months.
“Remarkable sense of distance. His body balance also looks exceptionally good.”
“How long do you think it would take for the red-haired girl?”
“If she works hard, it shouldn’t take more than half a year.”
“Could it be that all the orphans possess talents at this level?”
When Mohamed asked seriously, Didier shook his head.
“They said these are the most talented children in the orphanage.”
“Even so… Could they have inherited sensitivity to mana?”
Trying to speak, Didier burst into laughter.
“This is related to the mission. Even father must keep it secret.”
Mohamed laughed along.
“One must clearly distinguish between public and private matters. You’re a true knight.”
Approaching the cheerful father-son duo, Ray arrived.
Noticing Ray’s approach, Didier spoke first.
“It’s unbelievable how excellent you are. If you continue progressing, you might etch your name in history. Since you won the bet, if you have any requests, feel free to ask.”
“Can I make a request right now?”
“Right now? Let me hear it first.”
“For the next month, please stay within the orphanage premises and handle your meals and accommodations there.”
“A month, huh.”
Didier smiled as if understanding Ray’s intention.
It meant he wanted to dedicate himself fully to the children’s lessons for a month, even staying within the orphanage.
Seeing no reason to refuse, Didier nodded.
“Understood. I’ll grant that request. I’ll ensure not to leave the orphanage.”
“Thank you.”
After bowing respectfully, Ray turned around.
‘I’ve seized the opportunity.’
He had been concerned about the safety of wandering around alone outside the orphanage.
Now, with an excellent defensive tower capable of trampling any intruders installed in the orphanage, he planned to move freely without worries.
*
“KWEEP!! UH-UH!!”
In the damp back alley of Dinor.
The knife lodged between the shoulder and collarbone of the man let out a strangled scream, unable even to cry out.
Blocking the man’s mouth as he struggled, Ray whispered into his ear.
“If you don’t want to die, answer only the questions I ask.”
“KH-HUP! UH! UH…”
“Who commissioned your gang to target Luna?”
