“I see. You did really well.”

Mila didn’t know what else to say, so she praised Stella first. She began to think that perhaps this princess was more suited to holding rough farming tools than delicate needles.

“Is this one a snowman, by any chance?”

Mila asked, looking at a handkerchief with two white circles embroidered on a white background, just to be sure. Although it might not be apparent at first glance, Mila, with her keen observational skills, spotted the modestly embroidered circles.

“Yes. It’s a snowman.”

Stella answered with a proud expression. Seeing that, Mila almost smiled mockingly but quickly composed herself. She thought, “What a strange princess.”

Two steel swords clashed, and flames erupted. The gazes of the knights watching the sparring between the two top longsword swordsmen of the Credion Empire shone brightly, like enthusiastic students.
The well-forged blades collided with each other, producing a sharp sound that sent a chill down the spines of those watching the sparring.

After a swift clash, the two fighters, stepping back, intensely observed each other’s postures, searching for openings in their opponent’s stance.

However, neither dared to initiate an attack prematurely. There were no vulnerabilities to exploit, and any moment of complacency would have allowed the sharp blade to thrust into the neck or chest.

“As aged as you are, you should show some vulnerabilities, shouldn’t you?”

Kai’s smirk was met with a chuckle from Will.

“Your Majesty has certainly felt it. You’ve already dodged my sword five times, haven’t you?”

“Not just five times but sixty.”

“If you insist.”

As the words ended, Will, frighteningly quick, found an opening and thrust his longsword. The sound of breaths being held could be heard from all around. Even the droplets of sweat from his opponent felt like they were falling in slow motion.

At that moment, Kai swiftly rotated his body clockwise, skillfully evading the incoming sword. Simultaneously, his sword, having made a quick turn, pointed directly at Will’s throat.

Kai thought he had won. It was until Will, propelled by a kick to the chest, had not yet touched the ground.

“Clang!”

As the Emperor crumpled to the training ground, the knights watching jumped to their feet.
Whether or not, Will swung his longsword again towards the fallen Emperor’s chest, and the Emperor swiftly rolled on the ground to avoid the blade.

Will’s longsword stuck into the training ground, and now he was unarmed. When Will picked up the sword again, it was after the Emperor’s blade touched his neck.

Everything happened in an instant, leaving the onlookers struggling to keep up.

“I’ve won, old man.”

“But you’ve got yourself injured.”

Kai chuckled, and in response, Will playfully pointed at Kai’s palm. Kai’s palm was covered in patches of blood.

“When did that happen?”

Kai had no recollection of the wound on his palm. If this were a real battle, Will might have severed Kai’s right hand.

“I’ll consider that your homework.”

Will deftly parried, lightly flicking away the blade that touched his neck with his finger.

Despite the white frost on his beard, Will remained a legendary figure among the imperial knights, thanks to his combat skills, strength, and martial arts prowess that rivaled active duty members.

“To have homework, you need something to learn, don’t you?”

“I’m not sure an old man like me has anything to offer.”

“Do you not know what I desire?”

As Kai looked at Will with a serious expression, Will smiled graciously, patting the proud and beloved disciple on the shoulder.
“An old body. No use for anything. You can just think, ‘Finally, he’s dead,’ when you hear news of my death, wherever it may be.”

“…Is that enjoyable for you?”

Kai’s expression, questioning, held various complex emotions.

The desire to surpass his master and the desire to let him live freely clashed within him. Additionally, there was a part of him that wanted to leave with his master.

Kai couldn’t clearly discern what he truly wanted.

“It’s quite enjoyable.”

“I envy you.”

With a bitter smile, Kai raised his hand, and a nearby attendant rushed over, politely receiving the swords held by Will and Kai.

The swords, made of Areenis steel, were rare in the empire, and today, these two had engaged in a duel with those very swords.

For the knights, it was an excellent educational opportunity, and for the two, it became a warm scene of communication between master and disciple that they hadn’t experienced in a long time.

“How long do you plan to stay?”

After retiring, Will had been wandering around, considering himself a wandering knight. His old age was simple yet free, having dedicated his life to the empire.

If he stayed in the empire, he could enjoy a luxurious life, but Will chose to decline and roam the continent.
Kai often felt a sense of vicarious satisfaction hearing the news that Will brought from various places. Someday, if the opportunity arose, he hoped to roam freely not because of war or political reasons but simply to wander as he pleased.

“I have some matters to confirm. Once those are sorted out, I’ll be leaving soon.”

As Will responded, the corners of his mouth curved like a crescent moon.