Lee Han wondered why it had escalated to this point.
It felt as though they had just met and, for no apparent reason, decided to fight to the death.
It all started with a struggle to maintain pride, and perhaps it was an accident stemming from the stubbornness of manhood, too.
So ultimately…
“It’s all that guy’s fault.”
Lee Han glared at his opponent with fierce eyes, and the feeling was mutual.
The face of the guy in black resembled that of a nobleman.
The scar etched on his cheek hinted at a rough life, evoking a certain sympathy from women, as if they would be the first to approach him.
…That’s what annoyed Lee Han even more.
He growled while his opponent growled back.
It was absurd, as if two dogs were at each other’s throats, but having already grown to dislike one another, it was only natural that they wouldn’t back down.
Lee Han and Lac shot hostile glares at each other, raising their spirits, ready to strike at any moment.
This time, they weren’t just throwing punches; they were gearing up for a full-on brawl, equipped with weapons…
[Enough! How many times do I have to say this?]
“……”
“…Sorry.”
[Ugh, this is why knights…]
The overwhelming command of authority was enough to cool their tempers.
“…I bow before Duke Blake, Your Grace.”
[Finally, you acknowledge me. I didn’t expect the head of the White Lion to have such a stiff neck.]
“I’ll take that as a compliment. Thank you.”
[…Let me correct that; it seems you’re the only one with a stiff neck.]
“Me? My neck is quite flexible, you know…”
[…….]
“You lowly peasant! How dare you speak to His Grace like that!”
“I said it nicely, didn’t I?”
“You insolent fool!”
The atmosphere once again shifted toward a fight, but fortunately, this time, the black-clad thugs caught Lac before he could move.
While struggling to break free, Lac glared at Lee Han, who couldn’t help but chuckle at his predicament.
[…This is giving me a headache.]
The Duke rubbed his temples.
* * *
A man stood in front of a mirror.
Not one that reflects someone’s visage; rather, it was a mystical mirror that shows the face of a distant person.
A treasure crafted by only a handful of wizards, made under miraculous odds – an artifact.
That thing was most definitely an artifact.
Just in terms of value, it could be worth a castle or more.
Only a rare few with wealth and power could possess such an artifact in the kingdom.
And right now, Lee Han was standing face to face with one of those rare, powerful individuals.
…But was he really in his sixties?
What’s with that?
“I’d believe it if you told me he was younger than me.”
Lee Han felt a different kind of fear as he looked at his opponent, who was slowly beginning to speak, unaware of the panic he was causing.
[First, allow me to apologize. We were the ones who interrupted your peace.]
“Y-your Grace…! How can you say such humble words to a peasant? You shouldn’t!”
[You must acknowledge what needs acknowledging.]
One of the apex powers of the Pandragon Kingdom.
He had the authority to declare himself a royal prince, not just a duke in name.
For someone like him to willingly express “sorry” to a knight of commoner origin was unacceptable.
Beyond common sense, it was a matter of authority and status.
The nobility of the royal family must always uphold their dignity and supremacy.
However…
[Stop it. How can expressing remorse be a disgrace?]
Duke Blake waved his hand nonchalantly, chastising them instead.
Stop acting shamefully.
But watching this unfold,
“Your Grace, how can you be so generous…!”
“Cough! As expected of Your Grace!”
“Indeed, authority is established just by your existence, oh great one…!”
Lee Han sighed.
It was excessive, almost like they were a cult revering a new religion. Duke Blake’s exhale was long.
Just like an overabundance of loyalty isn’t particularly good either.
Watching this, Lee Han wore an enigmatic expression.
‘Is that the [murderous psycho]? …No way, he seems pretty normal.’
Well, his tone did have an air of condescension, but that’s just a passive trait of high-born nobility.
So it’s not something to get worked up over!
Yet, seeing such an “ordinary appearance” made it feel strangely out of place.
He didn’t seem like a raving lunatic but rather just your average nobleman, wasn’t he?
A question arose within Lee Han about whether this truly was the Duke Blake he knew.
[-There’s no doubt. I am indeed the Blake you know.]
“I… I didn’t say anything!”
He stammered out a defense that wasn’t quite a defense, but how could he hide from the gaze of a man who had spent his life in politics?
The Duke chuckled at him.
[One cannot hide a disrespectful gaze. You’ve probably heard the rumors about me; you must know I’m a lunatic.]
“Uh…”
He says this so casually?
Lee Han was now fully convinced.
Duke Blake was not insane.
At least not right now.
Instead, it turned out he was a surprisingly reasonable [Duke Your Grace], exhibiting quite a noble demeanor.
If it weren’t for this situation, Lee Han would have respected him more.
He seemed like a pretty decent guy.
‘Ah, is this what they call?’
A typical cliché seen in fantasy novels.
A duke or grand duke who is rumored to be a monster turns into a completely normal person as soon as the female lead arrives.
‘Well, is that the case?’
Just as Lee Han was momentarily lost in thought…
[Are you thinking those irreverent thoughts again?]
“…No. I was just considering that I shouldn’t trust rumors.”
[Seeing you say that, I can’t help but feel that the dignity of the duke’s house has hit rock bottom.]
“Please view me generously, Your Grace.”
[From this perspective, you seem like a sycophant.]
As Lee Han bowed deeply, Duke Blake decided not to get angrier.
In fact, he seemed to conclude there was no value in being angry.
Well, from that guy’s perspective, his life was likely as insignificant as a blade of grass.
‘This is actually good.’
Dealing with someone who looks down on you is surprisingly easy.
Since they don’t want to get their hands dirty.
In other words, if you just reduce your visibility, escaping their sight isn’t hard at all—
[-I hope you don’t misunderstand. I don’t view you lightly, potential of the White Lion.]
“……”
[I heard there’s a deposed knight among those teaching my precious disciple. Initially, there was little information about you, but through my spies in the royal family, I managed to learn what kind of person you are.]
“Is it alright to say such things openly?”
Is it really permissible to reveal that you have spies planted in the royal family so easily?
Regardless of Lee Han’s astonishment, Duke Blake continued speaking.
It seemed the matter he was about to discuss was of greater importance than the spies he had planted.
And as expected…
[During the war with Britain, there was a particularly dire moment in the ‘Hundred Days’ campaign when all the soldiers’ lives were in jeopardy. In that precarious situation, a nameless soldier managed to save over 1,257 lives.]
“……”
[Furthermore, I heard that there was a soldier who protected that girl when the British assassins were out to kill her, and it is said that the hero who saved countless soldiers and the one who rescued that girl are one and the same.]
“……”
[That soldier caught the eye of ‘Sir’ Baltar, becoming a knight without passing through the training ranks. Moreover, it is said that he is the only one to receive guidance from the famously mentorless Sir Baltar.]
“Who would receive guidance from that guy! He’s always getting beaten up!”
Lee Han couldn’t help but snap at that part.
Guidance?!
Don’t joke around.
All he could learn from that guy was how to get hit harder or how to toughen up.
Lee Han gritted his teeth, not forgetting the grudge of being forcibly thrown into the knight order, but the Duke’s reaction was unexpected.
[Hmm, why are you overreacting? I’m just talking about ‘some nameless soldier’.]
“…Enough with the jokes.”
[No, there’s still the most important part left. Moreover, that nameless soldier is said to have wiped out 15 major slave syndicates and 29 notorious ‘illegal magicians’ after becoming a knight. Doing things that even the royal forces might struggle to handle all by himself—truly impressive.]
“…Is there any proof that this nameless soldier did that? It sounds more like a tall tale to me.”
[It’s not a tall tale. It’s information gathered by finding the ones saved from the slave syndicates, and through the victims tortured as test subjects by those illegal magicians.]
“……”
[With power and money, and capable individuals around, verifying the facts of information is entirely possible. Remember this—you’re the knight who lives while hiding that you’re a hero.]
“…Damn.”
A monkey on the palm of Buddha.
That was the image that suddenly popped into Lee Han’s mind regarding his own situation, and he couldn’t help but lower his head.
…After all, he disliked those in power.
* * *
The Duke dismissed all the forces of Galahad.
The reason was unknown.
Clearly, there was still more room for conversation, but Duke Blake smoothly withdrew his forces with an enigmatic smile, as if he had already discerned everything he wanted simply from their conversation.
It seemed he had resolved all his curiosities.
……Yet, Lee Han was still overflowing with questions.
Well, that must not have mattered to that guy.
‘Truly.’
—I feel awful.
He should have been happy that such an overwhelmingly strong individual had left, but he didn’t feel a shred of joy.
To the contrary, it was immensely unsettling to think that someone had complete control over his life.
He awoke to the realization.
He was still.
“Pathetic, disgustingly weak.”
He believed he had improved compared to his past life.
Yet, he was still living a life of being tossed around.
Swaying.
Lee Han wobbled on his feet.
He tried hard not to show it, but his body wasn’t normal either.
It ached insanely, and the injury was painfully slow to heal.
That guy’s punch was filthy.
To the opponent, it was the highest praise; to the recipient, it was the worst.
But what made it sting even more than the pain was.
“…It’s not like I’m being given both poison and medicine.”
Lee Han looked at the potion held in his hand.
It was a potion.
Not just any potion that an alchemist would easily make, but a top-tier potion made from the fresh blood of a troll.
They said it was 50% purity or something like that.
“……”
Normally, he would have received it with pleasure, but Lee Han couldn’t loosen his brows.
He felt like a fool being toyed with.
It was unpleasant to know that someone was fully aware of his vulnerabilities.
……Still.
Glug glug!
Lee Han had no intention of carrying that displeasure with him indefinitely.
He downed the potion.
And he vowed.
‘I haven’t lost yet.’
It’s not the strong who win.
The one who survives until the end, the one who is ‘happy,’ is the real victor.
Lee Han reaffirmed once more.
He would become happy.
……Absolutely.
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