But should I beat a commander, right under the deputy?
‘I have no choice. I’ll beat him and then lose to Arcadia.’
Commander Emils stood far from me.
Does his distance mean he’ll attack with great force?
I decided to gauge his skill first, then plan how to win.
Nevertheless, I must appear to give my all. He deserves at least that respect as a superior.
I stepped back, lowering my center of gravity, ready to spring forward, mirroring Bran’s earlier posture.
The commander watched me leisurely, showing no intention to attack first.
Then it’s my move.
After a hit, I’d know his level.
I rushed at him slower than my real speed, a pace already revealed to Arcadia.
The commander seemed slightly surprised by my speed. I targeted his arm, not his neck, as he was much taller. I didn’t want to show my ability to overcome such a height difference.
He quickly deflected my sword with a heavy force. I let his force flow, spinning to his back.
‘Good strength, but average speed.’
I understood his level.
Still, we needed to exchange several blows before I could win. I exaggerated my movements to give the impression of a hard fight.
“Clang, clang!”
The sound of swords clashing echoed in the still air.
About four exchanges in, the commander lowered his body and swung his sword widely towards my legs.
I lightly leaped into the air, stepping on his long blade to approach him.
I drew my sword, but then—
Why aren’t you dodging when my sword tip is so close to your throat!
Ah, can’t you dodge?
Panic set in.
I don’t want to kill anyone!
In a flash, I changed the direction of my sword and leaped over the commander’s shoulder, landing on the ground. As soon as I touched down, I pushed the sword’s hilt behind me. The handle struck the commander’s back.
“Ugh!”
The commander groaned, falling forward after being hit in the back.
‘Sorry, it’s going to hurt. Right next to a vital spot.’
The fear of killing inadvertently made me show more skill than necessary.
But still… it must have looked like I was quite skilled.
I cautiously looked up, but the expressions of the knights were unusual.
“Estelle wins!”
The soldier raised the flag in my direction.
“What’s this?”
“She’s pretty good!”
“Pretty? She’s amazing!”
The knights murmured among themselves.
Was it that impressive?
Oh no.
I pretended to be out of breath, even though I wasn’t.
Look, I’m panting. I barely won.
As I turned, still pretending to catch my breath, I saw the commander still crouched.
Beyond him, the Northern Duke, with a faint smile, was in view.
Did I seem useful?
The thought made me smile foolishly towards the Duke.
Oops, I shouldn’t smile with this side of my face.
A regret after the fact.
I quickly bowed my head.
Soon, the commander stood up.
“Are you okay?”
“You…”
“Sorry.”
“You’re quite good. Did I let my guard down?”
He scratched his head.
“Seems like you did.”
Not really, but I bowed deeper.
Then, a murmur arose from the knights.
“Whoa…”
Arcadia stepped forward, causing a stir among the knights. Even the soldier with the flag seemed surprised by his words.
Shortly after, the soldier announced.
“The final duelist is Deputy Commander Arcadia Nugent!”
The soldier’s voice trembled as he pronounced Arcadia’s name.
“Your Grace, may I have a short break?”
I pleaded with the Duke.
“Tired?”
The Duke asked flatly.
“A little. Yes.”
I exaggerated my breath, and the Duke nodded.
A golden 30-minute break.
I sat alone, away from the knights, pondering how to lose to Arcadia.
Then, Yora, no longer ‘Larva,’ approached.
“Estelle.”
“Yora!”
“Are you okay? You’re really good.”
“Good?!”
“You’re cool.”
Yora’s genuine admiration was touching. I placed my finger on the twisted side of my face, mimicking a smile.
“Are you okay?”
As Yora started to respond, someone else approached. It was Bran Ohpilrit, striding forward.
“Hey!”
He barked at me.
I just looked up at him silently.
“You!”
“What?”
He hesitated, but then asked again.
“Were you a knight in the South?”
“No, there’s no official knight order in the South.”
“Were you an aide to a knight?”
“No.”
Bran then said with fiery eyes.
“Are you going to be a knight?”
“I guess I have to. I’m going to live as a Northerner now.”
Somewhat annoying. I wish he would leave.
But Bran didn’t go. Instead, he loomed over me and declared,
“Then you’re my rival from today!”
What are you talking about? Please don’t take away my precious 30 minutes.
I avoided Bran’s gaze and turned my head elsewhere.
But there, I saw the Duke looking at me. Our eyes met, and the Duke turned his gaze away from me.
Male lead is a Love-Obsessed Merman
When he discovers she has gone, he risks everything to pursue her on land, enduring agonizing pain to transform his tail into human legs…
One-line summary: Male lead chases female lead. The male lead’s love is a bit sick, an invincible love brain.
Synopsis
During a voyage at sea, Jiang Yang accidentally captures a merman.
Servant: I heard that mermen are fierce and brutal.
Jiang Yang looks at the merman obediently rubbing her palm like a puppy: “You call this fierce and brutal?”
Servant: I heard that mermen have no human nature.
Jiang Yang looks at the merman with wet puppy eyes, obsessively calling her ‘A Yang’ like a childish infant: “You call this having no human nature?”
With great difficulty, she releases the merman back into the sea and returns to shore.
Who would have thought that in less than half a month, the merman, who should have been freely wandering in the South China Sea, would shed his scales, endure the pain of losing his tail, transform into human legs, and come ashore to find her?
He kneels at her feet, rubbing her palm, with merman tears rolling down: “A Yang, don’t abandon me.”
_____
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