Chapter 33

Marina Debius rode her horse with composure.

Amidst the plain where everyone had lost their words, only the sound of hooves clattered.

Leniar de Volmark, who had been following her figure with her eyes, soon muttered blankly.

“…Isn't this crazy?”

Even the silver-haired princess, renowned for her grace and composure, couldn't help but mutter so.

Everyone felt the same.

‘My goodness, Your Highness the Imperial Consort……’

‘…It really is Her Highness Marina.’

‘W-what, Her Highness the Imperial Consort is dueling?’

‘…I've never heard of such a thing.’

‘She must be crazy.’

‘Is this for real?’

Even among Secundus' forces, the two hundred young men, a murmur arose.

No matter how much she was the former Seventh Seat of the Ten Great Generals, the Seven-Forged General, she was now an Imperial Consort.

How could she interfere in the Succession War and take part in a duel?

It was more than a defiance of common sense and tradition; it was an insult.

“Ha, haha, ha-!”

But there was an old man who was laughing by himself.

“So the opponent was you, Marina! Hah, if I had known, I would have jumped in even if it spoiled the fun!”

Yosef Haider waved his arm as if in regret.

Then, as if remembering something, he stroked his beard.

“No, no. I should be calling you Your Highness the Imperial Consort now.”

“What's with the formalities between us? Be comfortable.”

Marina Debius waved at Yosef Haider.

It was her left hand, and three of its fingers had been cut off.

She showed the hand with only the thumb and index finger remaining and gave a faint smile.

“I still think of you, Lord Yosef. Every night, the spot where my three fingers were cut off throbs.”

“What a coincidence. I also think of you, Marina, whenever I put on my eye patch.”

Yosef Haider's eye was taken by Marina's spear.

Marina Debius' three fingers were taken by Yosef's axe.

Looking at their former enemy, the two snickered.

Only after hearing that laughter did Ferbias come to his senses.

“…Don't make me laugh!”

Ferbias Caseptus shouted, even pointing here and there.

“An Imperial Consort, in a duel!? The Cordis Imperial Family must seem like a joke, Secundus!”

“Hmm. At the point when someone forced a Grand Convergence to happen, the prestige of the Imperial Family could no longer be what it used to be.”

“Are those two things the same!”

Ferbias flared up in anger.

“Shame on you, Secundus. Calling yourself the strongest physique and the prince of the battlefield and then you call your own mother to a fight?”

“I have never said such a thing myself.”

Secundus shrugged his shoulders.

“And what can I do when my mother is stronger than me? If you're dissatisfied, you can call for the First Imperial Consort, brother.”

“-Aaargh, shut up!”

Ferbias shouted and turned his head.

Towards the administrator of the Grand Convergence, Hermai.

It was obvious he didn't like him, which was annoying, but he had no choice.

“Dean! This isn't right. In the first place, a mid-contest participation… yes, it's a mid-contest!”

“Mid-contest participation?”

“She wasn't here when the Grand Convergence was declared, so it's a mid-contest participation!”

“I don't recall there being such a rule.”

Hermai answered gruffly.

“You too may summon another, if you can make it in time. Or really bring the First Imperial Consort.”

“Ah, are you really going to be like that?”

“What did I do?”

Why would he be kind to the man who had brainwashed and used his cherished top disciple and adopted son?

Only Ferbias was frustrated.

Hermai slowly turned his head.

“But it is indeed troublesome, Your Highness Marina.”

Dean Hermai let out a groan.

“For an Imperial Consort to participate in a duel is very, ve-ry preposterous, but since you were originally a general, let's say that's that.”

Marina tilted her head as if to ask what the problem was.

At her composure, the old magician's eyes sank.

“You can't be unaware of the absolute rule of the Succession War. The military's involvement in the Succession War cannot be tolerated.”

The Imperial Family must be aloof.

The military of Cordis was powerful and therefore, no room should be left for it to shake the throne.

The direct influence of key military figures, the Ten Great Generals and their subordinate legion commanders, and their families on the Succession War was considered an act equivalent to treason.

This was the reason why the Second Prince, Secundus Debius, was the weakest in power despite receiving the support of the military.

There were many, many veteran generals who would willingly side with him, but he could only command two hundred young greenhorns.

“Why on earth are you doing this, Your Highness?”

“Oh my. It's been over 20 years since I retired, would that be a problem?”

“But you are still of the Debius family!”

Hermai frowned at Marina.

His tone was as if scolding her.

Marina Debius smiled, covering her mouth.

Her attitude was elegant, befitting the name of the third Imperial Consort.

“Don't say things like you came without regard to your family. You know better than anyone that it won't work.”

“The Dean is right.”

Marina Debius laughed, huhu.

“Actually, I was also bewildered when I received Secundus' letter. Since my position is complicated.”

Then she took a rolled-up paper, some kind of letter, from her pocket and held it out to the Dean.

“So I went and asked the Great Emperor directly.”

“…Pardon?”

A groan escaped.

Ferbias, who had been watching the situation from a distance, also scowled.

Marina urged Hermai on.

“What are you doing, won't you hurry up and take it.”

“……”

Hermai accepted the letter.

All eyes were on him.

Hermai read the letter out loud so that everyone on the plane who was watching him could hear.

The content was simple.

“…Marina Debius, her personal involvement in the Succession War is permitted. Continua Cordis Magnus.”

Below the letter was a clear signature and seal.

The undeniable mark of the Great Emperor, a letter proclaimed in the name of the thousand-year Empire.

The Dean couldn't help but clutch his head.

“…Really, what is the Great Emperor thinking!”

To easily permit a Grand Convergence, to grant permission for an Imperial Consort's duel!

Hermai Merhes sighed several times.

It was the Great Emperor's command.

In the land of Cordis, it held absolute power.

No one, not even Ferbias, could defy it.

“Very well. Your Highness, I will acknowledge your participation.”

“I should be happy, right?”

“…And since you have become a participant in the Grand Convergence, I will speak casually to you.”

“Of course. Be as comfortable as you were before.”

Marina Debius gave a faint smile.

Hermai placed a hand on his forehead as if looking at a mischievous granddaughter.

“Still a tomboy, Marina! You haven't changed a bit from your days as the Seven-Forged General!”

“What do you mean, I haven't changed. My son is already so big.”

She gestured at Secundus.

He was indeed big.

He was three heads taller than others.

Marina's curly black hair swayed like a girl's.

It was hard to believe she was over forty.

“Alright, I declare the first contest.”

Hermai Merhes' voice echoed across the plain.

“As you wished, have a duel!”

“What kind of situation is this!”

Ferbias grumbled, venting his anger.

“An Imperial Consort in a duel? Really, how the foreign bastards will laugh. It's a complete mess from the start!”

His tone suggested he had no thought that he was the one who had first stirred up the Succession War.

Amethus stood by his side, unperturbed.

It was a very routine event.

“…It can't be helped.”

The prince with blonde hair and golden eyes scratched his still-awkward beard.

Then he looked at his old friend from his student days and his most trusted confidant.

“Amethus, can you do it? No, you have to do it.”

“I will do as you wish.”

Jade-green eyes, no hesitation, no wavering.

Ferbias was relieved.

“I really do like you. Go, Amethus. Show them clearly what kind of man this Ferbias has as his confidant!”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

Amethus walked forward.

With no squire following, not riding a horse, he strode with his own two legs.

‘Amethus? I've never heard that name before.’

‘I'm curious, why haven't I heard it until now?’

‘What a show-off. Does he think the name of the Ten Great Generals is a joke?’

Curiosity and whispers, sometimes ridicule.

The jade-green eyes remained unwavering.

His steps continued to stride forward.

The gazes of the fifteen hundred, the fame and aura of the former Ten Great Generals, the pressure from his master, were all insufficient to shake him.

The man soon stopped his steps.

And at the center of everything, he stood tall.

Not looking up at the sky, not looking down at the ground, but looking only at his opponent, only at Marina.

His jade-green eyes were as fierce as a beast's.

“……”

He drew his sword.

It was an extremely ordinary Cordis-style double-edged sword.

It was well-maintained, and the blade was a sharp blue.

Holding it in one hand, he untied his waist belt.

The scabbard fell to the ground with a thud.

Looking at Amethus, who held nothing but a single sword, Marina snickered.

“Look at him, Secundus. There are still kids like that these days.”

The mother spoke to her son.

“Not riding a horse, throwing away his scabbard, he's very confident. I should get off my horse too.”

“Hmm. Will you be alright?”

“My dear. Who are you talking to? And if you were going to worry, you shouldn't have called me in the first place.”

Marina Debius leaped off her horse.

I guess I didn't need to wear riding pants after all.

Marina grumbled softly.

“Actually, it's been so long since I've been on a warhorse that it feels awkward. Hand me a spear.”

“Someone, bring a spear!”

At Secundus' words, the two hundred young men vied to offer their own spears.

Was there a promising youth in the military who hadn't dreamed of lending his weapon to one of the Ten Great Generals?

Spears made by skilled craftsmen, some even with names, were placed before Marina.

But Marina Debius shook her head with a dissatisfied face.

“No, no, they're all no good.”

How could they all be so thin and light.

She complained.

There was nothing she liked.

There was no need to even try holding them.

Marina rested her chin on her hand and muttered.

Her tone was prim, like a noble lady choosing a dress.

“This is troublesome.”

“How about this?”

“Hmm? Oh my!”

Marina let out a shrill sound.

A weapon that was more like a long iron stake than a spear had completely captured her heart.

When she held it, a smile bloomed.

The fact that it was made entirely of solid iron, even the handle and was unnecessarily heavy was particularly to her liking.

“This one fits my hand a bit. Thank you. Hmm… was it Zionis?”

“Yes, it's Zionis.”

“How did you prepare this?”

“I had it hastily prepared after hearing the news that you were coming. I thought a spear that could handle the Seven-Forged General's immense strength would be needed.”

I smiled softly.

“The one who demolished the Bellos Bridge with her bare hands wouldn't use an ordinary spear.”

“I'm glad you know! That was before you were even born! You're better than my own son!”

Marina stroked my head.

I did not avoid it.

Though they didn't share blood, they were just barely within the category of family.

“Dean, can we start right away?”

“Do as you please… no, do as you will.”

“Al-right. It's been a while, so I'm a little excited.”

Marina giggled like a girl.

However, in her hand was a heavy and large spear that was more like a pointed iron pillar.

She swung the iron spear around a few times and headed towards Amethus.

“Ferbias' vanguard… What was his name again? Anyway, be careful!”

She leaped.

Everyone raised their heads.

It was because Marina Debius had jumped all the way up into the sky with a single leap.

The woman who was called the Seven-Forged General shouted as she cut through the air.

“It's been so long.”

Gripping the iron spear, she fell.

“I might not be able to go easy!”

As she fell like a meteor, a deafening roar was heard.

CR-A-A-ACK-!! and a shockwave and gale rushed out.

Amidst the fog-like dust, there was a whinnying sound.

It was the scream of the horses, panicking and foaming at the mouth.

The humans were no different.

…Ugh.

Groans erupted from all over.

Especially the warriors in the front row, who collapsed without even a chance to scream.

It was a disgraceful sight for a warrior, but no one could laugh.

A single strike and it was just the aftermath, yet no one among the fifteen hundred soldiers did not tremble.

“Ah, Your Highness Marina!”

Hermai Merhes shouted.

Around the dueling ground, a hazy curtain was spread.

It was a protective barrier that Hermai, who knew the military power of the Ten Great Generals, had set up.

If not for this barrier, the warriors in the front row would not have just collapsed.

And a few dozen expensive steeds would have also met their end.

“Go easy on him! No, go easy!”

“Huhu. I'm sorry. I told you, it's been a while. My control over my strength is a bit off……”

Marina's eyes narrowed.

“…Oh my?”

Amethus stood steadfast in the dust.

The aftermath of Marina Debius' spear alone had made the horses go wild and the warriors collapse.

Yet the man who had taken the spear head-on still stood unwavering, his jade-green eyes flashing.

“If I may be so bold as to speak, Your Highness.”

Amethus lowered the tip of his sword.

Contrary to his polite speech, his behavior was rather arrogant.

Had he perhaps taken after his master's disposition?

“I am deeply grateful for your mercy in sparing your strength, but I do not believe there is a need for it.”

“…Look at this kid?”

Marina licked her lips.

His tone was polite, but it was a clear provocation.

Meaning that she was not skilled enough to go easy on him.

It was more than enough to provoke the woman who had once stood at the pinnacle of the Great Empire.

“Hey, I should ask for your name. What was it again?”

“Amethus.”

The jade-green eyes were calm.

“I am Amethus, Prince Ferbias' confidant.”

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