Swordsmanship Tournant: Part 3
“Then, let’s start the seventh qualifying match. Abel Remno, Gain Remno, please go up to the arena.”
Called by the referee, Abel exhaled a little. Then, he quietly climbed up the stairs of the arena, went to the center, and drew out his sword. Beyond the dull edge of practice sword stood his brother who was a perpetual symbol of his defeat. Nervousness starts to hurt his stomach.
But I cannot afford to lose.
He held his sword firmly and glared at his brother, Gain Remno.
“Well then, I’ll try to see how much you have grown, my dear brother.”
The older brother raised his sword over his shoulder and a grinned. Then, at the next mont, he suddenly steps in and slashes.
“Gut …”
Abel received the heavy slash with his own sword. The blades slamd with a screech. Numbness ran from both his arms, and he almost dropped his sword.
The practice swords that they are using are still heavy tal swords, even if the edges have been dulled. If it hits, it won’t cut, but it can bruise. And if the hit is bad, it will naturally break bones. Abel rembered the pain from broken bones he received years ago from his brother. He rembered the pain and he stiffened.
“Hmm, well, was that your best? I thought as much.”
Abel clenches his teeth to his brother, who looked down on him with contempt.
He is very strong.
Boys in their early teens grow quickly every year. Therefore, with the age difference with the brothers, the difference in power becos apparent. Gain started attacking and ridiculing Abel, who is forced to defend.
“But you caught a good woman. Abel.”
“Huh?”
After another clash with the swords, their blades locked. Gain leaned in forward, bringing his face closer to Abel.
“I didn’t expect a weakling like you to court the princess of the empire. Our father will be delighted.”
With a dull laugh, Gain moved his gaze behind Abel. There was a figure of Mia watching them.
“Even so, she was pretty mature today. Well, it must be as they say as the wisdom of the empire. I thought that if I threatened her a little, she’ll start looking for a fight, but it was bit unexpected.”
“That is……”
Before Abel could refute Gain’s words, Gain pushed forward and continued.
“If you decide to marry her, bring her to our country. Let her stay with for about a week, I’ll teach her proper discipline.”
Abel’s mind montarily wandered of his mother, his sister, and the maids of the castle.
“Well, if you show her a little pain, she’ll grow up. That will make it easier for you. Then the empire will do whatever we want …”
The appearance of being oppressed, abused, and sotis violently treated… the appearance of these won overlaps with Mia. He can imagine her with sad, lifeless eyes like theirs.
The sound of my heart, which had been beating at a terrifying speed, gradually slowed down. His sight began to clear and he felt that the scenery in front of him was clear. If he gets hit with his brother’s sword, it will hurt and he may get injured. But he doesn’t care about that… He has now realized that there was sothing far more important than that.
“Brother”
He heard himself saying. Abel was surprised at how cold his own voice sounded.
“Hmm?”
Gain also noticed that his tone had changed.
Abel pulled down his sword and stepped back.
“You can say anything about . Mock or insult . Feel free to do it. I don’t care, but,” Abel said with a piercing gaze, “if you say one more bad word against Princess Mia…”
He thought of the girl who was touted as the wisdom of the empire. He thought of her, the light in his world. For her to be deprived of her brilliance….
It was totally unacceptable. He can’t forgive such a thing.
“So, what are you going to do?”
Gain swings his sword with one hand taunting Abel. Abel changes his stance and raised his sword while calmly observing Gain’s stupid attitude. It is the stance that puts everything you can in a swinging blow is the first stance of swordsmanship that is handed down to the Remno royal family. The idea was to attack faster than your opponent. Focus on that one point, ignore the defence. Give it all in this single attack.
Seeing that stance, Gain started laughing again because it was the first basic stance for those who started swordsmanship.
“Is that the first stance? Well, I guess it suits losers like you.”
Abel inhales and exhales, looking firmly at the older brother who repositions his sword with a relaxed attitude. He stares at the older brother whom he has never defeated before.
Now!
Don! He stomped the ground and rushed forward.
“I will never allow you to insult her anymore!”
He scread these words as he swung down his sword with all his strength. The downward swing of the blade reflected the sunlight and it seed like a ray of lightning.
The match was… over in an instant.
“Hey … uh … gyaaaaaaah!”
Gain screams rcilessly in pain. His sword falls from his hand, making a loud clang as it hit the ground. Embedded firmly on his shoulder was Abel’s sword.
“We have a winner!”
Imdiately after the referee’s voice, the arena is filled with cheers.
Abel was staring at her brother who was being carried. His mind was number, but then…
“Prince Abel!”
Hearing a certain voice from sowhere, all the tension finally released from his body.
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