Since it was a match with real swords, he couldn’t actually cut, but he still couldn’t help feeling hurt pride.

Blaine gritted his teeth and tried to find an opening in Dietrich’s defenses.

However, no matter how much he looked, Dietrich showed no openings at all.

Even though he was just standing there with his sword lowered to the ground, not even in a proper stance, there was nowhere to attack.

[Blaine. You’re good in many ways, but you rely too much on waiting for opportunities. You need to know how to create opportunities too.]

At that moment, he remembered Alisson’s words. If you just wait for chances, your head might fly off first.

‘But Alisson! This person has absolutely no openings to attack!’

Inwardly expressing his frustration, Blaine barely managed to block Dietrich’s attack. Dietrich slowly approached Blaine.

The tip of his sword was still pointed at the ground.

What kind of swordsmanship is he going to display this time?

Blaine gripped his sword tightly, extremely tense. His palms were sweaty from the tension, making the sword feel slippery.

Just as he thought Dietrich might impale himself on Blaine’s sword if he came any closer.

Dietrich asked in a voice so low only Blaine could hear.

“Are you close with Heidi?”

Heidi?

Why was Heidi being mentioned here?

Since it wasn’t a name that should come up during a duel, Blaine doubted his own ears.

However, Dietrich’s expression was serious as he pushed Blaine’s sword back and came closer.

Blaine nodded slightly with a bewildered look.

At that small gesture, Dietrich’s blue-green eyes sharpened a bit.

“When did you become close? Did she talk about me?”

By this point, Blaine was starting to get confused.

Was he in a duel, or having a casual chat about Heidi?

But seeing the sword thrusting fiercely at him, he could clearly tell this wasn’t an appropriate situation for such conversation.

Blaine panted as he moved his body back to avoid the sword aiming for his thigh again.

“Y-young master. It’s difficult to answer right now. I can’t think clearly during the duel.”

At those words, Dietrich clicked his tongue softly.

Then he lowered his body slightly, planted his right foot back, and in an instant brought his sword to Blaine’s neck.

The sharply honed blade was precariously aimed at his throat.

“You’ve essentially died three times just now.”

“……”

“You need to improve your skills more. At this rate, you’ll be the first to die in a real battle. You shouldn’t endanger other knights who come to save you, right?”

At the advice that scratched at a knight’s pride, Blaine’s sky-blue eyes filled with determination.

Endangering other knights as well.

It was a horrifying thought even to imagine.

It was better to die alone if he had to die. On a battlefield where death was exchanged, if one didn’t have the skill to save someone, one shouldn’t even think of living.

Every word Dietrich said was correct. Blaine hated himself for having to agree with his words.

‘I need to improve my skills.’

To never receive such disregard again, he had to improve his skills.

Dietrich sheathed Harpe and turned around.

Then he spoke to Calt, who was silently observing Blaine’s condition.

“His innate reflexes and strength are quite good. But his swordsmanship is too defensive. Let him know that will get everyone killed.”

“Yes, I understand.”

He wasn’t too pleased that Blaine had nodded when asked if he was close with Heidi.

However, that knight clearly had great potential.

The fact that a new knight could hold out this long against him showed his potential.

Calt gently pushed the completely exhausted Blaine towards Alisson.

While Alisson slowly checked Blaine’s condition, Calt hurriedly followed Dietrich.

“Um, by the way, young master. Is that sword you brought today perhaps the legendary sword Harpe that I know of?”

In truth, more than the result of the duel, Calt was most curious if that sword was really Harpe.

Of course, Dietrich wouldn’t be carrying around a fake legendary sword.

Even so, the sword ‘Harpe’ was a treasure that had been hidden for so long that such thoughts arose.

For such a sword to suddenly appear before his eyes, how surprised must he have been.

However, Dietrich spoke in a very nonchalant tone.

“It’s Harpe.”

His tone was hardly different from saying ‘I am Dietrich Delgado.’

Calt almost replied, ‘Yes, it’s Harpe.’

But he couldn’t. He could only stand there dumbfounded with his mouth hanging open.

‘Is it really Harpe?’

To bring such a legendary sword of the Delgado family for casual sparring.

The eyes of the Hareon knights who had been eavesdropping while pretending to train grew wide.

Whether they exchanged glances and talked amongst themselves or not, Dietrich didn’t care at all.

He hadn’t brought it to show off to the knights anyway.

“That’s enough sparring for today, let’s call it quits.”

That wasn’t what was important to Dietrich.

‘This useless sword. Completely worthless.’

Dietrich ground his teeth. Some legendary sword this turned out to be.

It was just heavy, and for some reason he felt like his swordsmanship skills had dropped a level.

‘I need to have a word with that Heidi.’

Well, it’s not like Heidi would compensate him or anything.

Anyway, Dietrich had to go see Heidi right away.

He had something to say about this sword.

He left the training grounds just like that.

His gait was very relaxed, unlike the bomb he had just dropped that would cause tremendous ripples.

Regardless of Dietrich’s intentions in bringing the sword, the Hareon Knights were in great shock.

“It really was Harpe.”

“To think the day would come when we’d see Harpe with our own eyes.”

“To find a legendary sword that couldn’t be found for 400 years, he’s amazing.”

The feeling of actually seeing Harpe, which every knight who joined the Hareon Knights wanted to see at least once, was indescribable.

Even Alisson, who was gently patting Blaine’s shoulder, couldn’t hide her surprise as she said:

“Noah. If the sword young master Dietrich has is really Harpe, doesn’t that mean our master has been decided?”

The Hareon Knights already respected Dietrich, the great swordsman, and followed his orders.

But it would be correct to say that the Hareon Knights didn’t have a true master yet.

If a new head of the Delgado family emerged, the Hareon Knights would have to serve only the family head.

The knights were also keeping an eye on the ongoing intense succession struggle.

“I know. I actually hoped young master Dietrich would become the family head.”

“Though he’s a bit scary, he’s not a cruel person. Look just now. He even gave advice to help our Blaine grow before he left.”

“It was advice, but it didn’t feel good.”

“That’s just because young master Dietrich’s way of expressing himself is so blunt. If you’re hurt, just shake it off. How can a man be so soft?”

“Alisson. Be careful with such remarks. Men can be easily hurt too.”

The three who had been bickering again eventually nodded and reached one agreement.

“Anyway. I think it would be good if young master Dietrich became the head of the Delgado family and the master of Hareon. I want to serve a respectable swordsman as our master too.”

Alisson said with sparkling eyes.

Noah shook his head as he watched her loudly declare that she would pop lots of champagne on the day Hareon Knights got a new master.

However, he felt that day might not be far off.

[This is the timeline separator]

And at that time in the kitchen.

I stood with my arms crossed, leaning on one leg.

Then I stared up at the uninvited guest who had shown up unexpectedly again today.

“What is it?”

“What do you mean what. Give me a refund for this sword.”

“…Are you joking?”

I couldn’t hide my bewilderment as I touched my forehead.

What is this handsome weirdo saying after coming here when I’m busy.

I can’t bring myself to speak informally since I have eyes to see with.

Suddenly coming and asking for a refund for Harpe.

Looking at the man with silver-gray hair that sparkled like glass in the sunlight, I asked.

“Or are you perhaps bored?”

“No way. I just came from sparring.”

“Then why did you come all the way to the kitchen to call me out separately?”

“Your friend over there was staring too obviously, so I didn’t want to talk there.”

At those words, I glanced back.

Robert, who had been hiding behind a tree, flinched and sat down in surprise.

Well, of course.

It wasn’t strange that he had followed, since Robert had been looking on with curious eyes ever since Dietrich came to the kitchen.

I sighed and waved my hand dismissively.

“Was it because of Robert?”

“You seem to be close with people everywhere.”

At those words, I nodded proudly. I did tend to be like that.

It also meant that I was adapting very well to the Delgado mansion.

“It’s good to get close to people.”

“Sir Blaine from the knights, Robert in the kitchen, even the maids in the main house – you’re friendly with everyone.”

“Well, shouldn’t that much be expected?”

Dietrich pressed his lips together at my boastful tone.

“Hmm……”

Then he stroked his chin, letting out a faint groan as he pondered something.

He tilted his head slightly and looked at me intently with calm eyes as he said:

“Is that so? For me, as long as I have you, I don’t really need anyone else.”