A wyvern reigns like a king over a mountain without dragons.
In the capital’s social circle, devoid of Valencius, Rudi dominates like a king.
Rudi blushed every time the court nobles uttered such words.
These comments came from retired noblemen of advanced age, meant humorously, as if addressing a granddaughter who had achieved great success.
At that moment, it was easy to laugh it off.
However, hearing such comments among peers was a different matter.
“Isn’t it just luck that you’ve achieved such success?”
“Your lineage isn’t noble, you don’t possess any rare wisdom, nor do you have remarkable abilities. Just being good with a sword doesn’t make you a Sword Expert, does it?”
“Hmph. You were just a maid who couldn’t even meet our eyes.”
It was natural that she couldn’t be celebrated by all.
‘I expected as much. It’s true that I’ve shot to prominence.’
Though her bright smile and gentle demeanor would lead one to imagine otherwise, she hid a thousand snakes beneath the skin of her face.
She had survived ten years among fierce seniors and cunning juniors.
If she wouldn’t bite, there was no need to threaten; and if she would, it was imperative to end it without allowing them to get back up.
The instinct that had given her the ability to slay an abomination in her first real battle had been refined through numerous experiences, forming a solid skill set.
Of course, she no longer thought about recklessly approaching and throwing her gauntlets in their faces like before.
There were many stronger than her here, and in an equal relationship dynamic, honor was respected.
‘I didn’t directly confront anyone. It was a comment made from about ten steps behind, sipping on harsh liquor. There’s no way I could just throw my gauntlets immediately.’
Rudi slowly turned while putting on her pince-nez glasses.
“I beg your pardon for a moment.”
“Oh, yes.”
“I will be waiting.”
She lightly waved at the followers gathered around her and approached the ones who had been gossiping.
“It seems you’ve had too much to drink.”
This was a way of saying she would overlook their previous slip.
They exchanged light glances, and the blue-haired man, taking on the role of a representative, responded with a smile.
While handsome and noble in appearance, his words had the edge fitting for a noble.
“Haha. This is nothing to worry about.”
It was a clear indication that it wasn’t an innocent mistake.
He raised his glass and took a sip again before speaking.
“Count Rudi. I am Count Kamos. I inherited my title at an age not different from yours. It was challenging to bear such great responsibility at a young age.”
He meant that he had found it difficult, but that the title was an excessive burden for someone like Rudi.
Rudi smiled brightly and replied.
“I have served His Grace the Duke. I know it sounds arrogant to say this, but my days have been filled with joy recently.”
That was implying she was different from weaklings like him.
Laughter flowed from the surroundings, and Kamos stiffened his expression slightly.
“Ah, I see. How fortunate you must feel to be so devoted to something!”
Now it was Rudi’s turn for her expression to harden.
Nobles didn’t engage in livelihoods but instead dedicated themselves to the country.
Military, law uniforms, badges, wealth, administration, magic, and so on.
While Rudi’s closest ties were with military nobles, becoming a knight required being a Sword Expert.
‘I’ve hit a wall. If I were a member of a family with a Sword Expert as the head, I could even make a case for hereditary legitimacy, but I can’t do that either.’
This was a devastating blow to her noble standing.
‘Yet, it’s not time to tuck my tail just yet.’
Rudi replied with a gentle smile.
“As you say, all I possess is my master’s trust and my meager skills to repay it.”
Kamos’s eyes sparkled as if he’d been bitten at the nape.
“How delightful, you possess the virtue of humility. Truly pleasing to hear.”
At that moment, Rudi noticed the unusually splendid attire of Kamos’s followers and deduced that there was hardly any heterogeneous trait among them. They were far from military nobles and closer to wealthy aristocrats, leading her to suspect he belonged to the wealthy factions.
‘He must be furious that I denied the construction guild he supports a building permit.’
Then.
Rudi instinctively knew it was time to place her bet.
“Count Kamos.”
The surrounding nobles perceived a hallucination of enchanting emerald-like eyes sparkling red in the backdrop.
A gentle smile was overshadowed by a deep shadow.
“To a maid count with nothing but pride in her master’s trust, if your last bit of pride is provoked, you would have nothing to say even if struck by gauntlets, would you?”
Nevertheless, the nobles had long ruled with power and were filled with the spirit of commerce.
“Your Excellency, Count Rudi is about to walk the path of glory!”
“Today’s young folks are so spirited; it’s refreshing.”
“I feel like I’m witnessing my youth again.”
“I’m a blood mage, you know. I brought potions. As long as you don’t die, I’ll keep you alive—make it a good show!”
The old nobles praised the youthful vigor they once held, immediately setting the stage.
Several sturdy rectangular tables were lined up in the hall, covered with thick carpets.
It was a duel known as the “Path of Glory.”
Kamos pondered, surrounded by the wealthy nobles, checking his sword and magic tool rings.
‘They’ve gotten me. A duel against a maid. Winning would just be going back to square one, but I can win.’
He had once strived to join a knightly order as a sword user.
In the end, he didn’t manage to create a mana blade and entered the path of wealth, yet was still praised for his swordsmanship, said to be superior to that of knights.
‘Though a skilled practitioner, he isn’t a Sword Expert. His fame comes from handling bizarre magic tool weapons rather than swordsmanship. In a direct confrontation on this ground, I should hold the advantage. This is fortuitous.’
Archers and assassins conveyed an image close to military nobles.
‘If a military noble loses a duel to a wealthy noble, it would be utterly disgraceful. I’d appealed countless times since the last ball for them to support my guild, yet they ignored me? Before that Bandit Duke returns, I’ll show them all!’
Clang!
Kamos swept his blue hair back, drawing out a narrow, thick one-handed sword.
“I, Kamos, shall take the duel request of Count Consecrate seriously.”
Rudi maintained a smiling face.
“Thank you, Count Kamos. A witness isn’t required, I suppose?”
“Aren’t we all witnesses here?”
Countless nobles watched this serious yet entertaining scene.
“Kamos is really in trouble. Even if he wins, he’d just be a fool for winning against a maid.”
“But whether he wins or loses, being seen as inferior gives him an excuse; it’s better to win than to be labeled weak.”
“I’m looking forward to Count Rudi. I wonder if he’s really as strong as the rumors say?”
The old count, host of the ball, announced the start.
“The goddess of justice observes this duel!”
As soon as the words left his mouth, Kamos rushed three steps forward and lunged with his sword, while Rudi leaped into the sky like a bird.
It was a jump that nearly brushed against the chandelier.
Crash!
Kamos’s thrust sliced through empty space perfectly, and Rudi twisted mid-air and landed behind him.
Thud.
The movement was so neat it looked as if they’d practiced ahead of time.
However, the military nobles noted Kamos’s effort, the strength in his legs, and Rudi’s exceptionally quick reflexes.
‘He was able to dodge like that?’
‘That eye of his is truly remarkable.’
‘Whether that’s all he has or not will be verified soon.’
‘It feels odd to say this, but Count Kamos possesses the skill to verify it.’
“Ha-!”
Kamos spun and swung his sword.
Instead of retreating, Rudi materialized an elongated ice blade and blocked the attack.
Clang!
Simultaneously twisting his wrist, Rudi aimed the blade at Kamos’s neck and stabbed.
Slash!
Kamos deflected the blade with his ringed left hand.
Thud!
Thanks to the considerable width of the ice sword form, it was a feasible action.
Rudi’s sword was pushed away, and Kamos again made a long thrust.
‘It’s hard to dodge on this ground. I need boldness rather than nimbleness!’
Slash!
The sharp blade cut through the air.
As Rudi bent his body like a performer, evading the blow, he kicked Kamos’s wrist with the toe of his shoe.
‘I knew you’d think that.’
Thud!
A sword user cannot channel mana into the blade, yet their body can be enhanced with mana, meaning the power of body techniques and swordsmanship were hardly different.
Kamos winced at the pain of his twisting wrist, and Rudi switched to a reverse grip on the ice sword, rushing forward.
Crash!
Zwooosh—
In an instant, Kamos met Rudi’s gaze.
A steady gaze devoid of hesitation.
This indicated she had amassed considerable experience against similarly powerful opponents.
He instinctively infused mana into the electricity emission ring on his left hand.
“Yikes!”
Possessing appropriate magic tools was part of a noble’s qualities, so strengthening oneself using magic tools, even in a duel, was permissible.
However, utilizing offensive magic tools was a different matter altogether.
Crackle!
Blue light extended like branches, and the blade of the ice sword shattered.
Several nobles sensitive to mana sighed, foreseeing what was to transpire next.
Yet, Rudi didn’t fall to the ground.
“This… really hurts.”
The ring of electrical conduction she wore let most of the voltage flow harmlessly beneath her.
That alone held enough power to incapacitate a considerable opponent, but Rudi was no ordinary person; she was Count Consecrate.
Rudi discarded the now useless ice sword and drew out her sandworm fang dagger.
The glass-like blade sparkled beneath the chandelier.
Nobles who recognized it as the family sword of the Sycarioius clan gasped in awe.
Rudi was already close to Kamos, and the only attack possible with the long sword Kamos held was a downward strike to the back of Rudi’s neck.
With a gentle smile, Rudi placed the dagger under Kamos’s throat.
Then, she whispered softly, so low that no one else could hear.
“When next you plan to request something, do ensure some stability. If that building collapses, Lord Valen will bear the responsibility. Do you think I’m insane enough to sell Lord Valen for a few gold coins?”
“!”
Her voice sent chills down his spine.
“Are we clear?”
Rudi beamed, sheathing the dagger, while Kamos nodded vacantly.
He fled the ballroom towards his carriage, dripping with cold sweat.
‘Seems I’ve lost my mind.’
“My lady, are you alright?”
‘I must’ve lost my mind.’
“My lady?”
Her heart raced far too quickly.
It was from fear of Duke Valencius standing behind Rudi.
And it had to be so.
While Kamos pulled at his hair, reforming the trading companies and construction guilds operated by his family, Rudi attended a magic tool auction hosted by Count Iseas and Princess Marlina.
Count Iseas was a neat young man with black hair and squinted eyes, while Princess Marlina was a charming lady with a delightful, cute demeanor.
“Count Rudi, it seems you have quite the depth of knowledge regarding magic tools.”
“You wear both a body enhancement ring utilizing wind and another utilizing electricity. Indeed, a well-educated person.”
That day’s victory was proof that Rudi was a person of worth, beyond just her connection to Valencius.
“Thank you for viewing my meager skills so favorably.”
Rudi smiled warmly as she entered the hall.
Rare and exquisite black magic tools and peculiar magic tools created by mages outside the Ivory Tower were sparsely displayed in glass cases, illuminated by luxurious lighting.
Nobles with masked faces shuffled to and fro, placing numbered papers beside the magic tools they desired.
Rudi sharpened her senses while questioning the true danger of the items, reflecting on the backgrounds of the two individuals.
‘They are engaged. The count is young and the princess is the third child. Given the weak foundation, instead of directly challenging the magic tool market dominated by the Ivory Tower and the capital, they opted to exploit a niche market.’
‘Though they are appealingly mysterious and dangerous, it brings rejection from the faithful, and in the end, risks provoking the church’s wrath as well. Therefore, they must continue to draw in prominent social figures like myself to improve their image.’
‘In other words, the items brought today are highly likely to be quite safe. Or, they are attractively dangerous despite being aware of the risks.’
At that moment, Rudi sensed a peculiar energy.
It was a sculpture in the shape of two black tentacles intertwined, of indeterminate material.
Rudi inquired of Count Iseas.
“Where did that come from?”
The count narrowed his eyes.
