However, if I simply subdued him to complete the quest, he would be free to live his life after the final scenario without being tied to me.

I just needed a legitimate reason to beat Klaus up.

Given the current situation, he surely wouldn’t accept a duel if I proposed it.

“Please hold a martial arts tournament.”

“A tournament at this time…”

Originally, tournaments were held in autumn, so it was an unusual request.

However, with the position of the empire’s greatest knight vacant due to Hezen’s death and Orent’s exile, and the recent unrest, it could serve as a good diversion.

“Not a bad idea,” my mother nodded, smiling knowingly.

“So you plan to take the tournament’s winning knight on your journey?”

“That’s a good idea, but more than that…”

I grinned confidently and declared my participation in the tournament.

“I want to personally face the excellent knights of Acestor.”

Emperor Christine announced the tournament.

Despite its suddenness, people didn’t find it strange.

With the position of the empire’s greatest knight vacant, many skilled individuals from the empire participated, aiming for the title.

Klaus also represented the Winter family.

Preparing for the final match, Klaus Winter was polishing his sword.

A golden satin cloth was tied around his shoulder, neatly dressed in the Winter family’s knight uniform.

It was a rule for knights participating in the tournament to wear a satin cloth on their shoulder, bearing their family’s emblem.
Ever since I was young, having studied abroad, this was my first time participating in a martial arts tournament. Yet, as a talent coveted by the Pope, I managed to easily face the renowned knights of the Empire.

Klaus smoothly made it to the finals.

Until here, there were no issues.

However, the problem was with the finalist. It just had to be…

‘Luibell Acestor, the Third Princess.’

It was Luibell!

‘Princess Luibell has awakened as a Swordmaster after manifesting sword energy…’

I knew about the rumors regarding her when I first learned of her participation in the tournament, but I was still worried.

Princess Luibell was as delicate as a fairy from a fairy tale.

It was hard to imagine her, with those slender wrists, holding a sword and fighting against robust men.

But soon, seeing Luibell striking down a knight twice her size with her sword, I had to change my thoughts.

She was not an easy opponent to face.

Klaus, having finished preparing his gear, glanced at the clock.

There wasn’t much time left for the break.

Feeling unusually tense before the final match, he rubbed his clammy palms and looked towards the opposite waiting area.

Luibell was chatting with Prince Anselot, looking completely unbothered by the tension.

Due to his exceptionally sharp hearing, he could overhear their whispers.

“Anselot, you didn’t forget what I asked, did you?”

“No, don’t worry. I haven’t forgotten.”

A request?

What had she asked for?

“Princess, you seem to have forgotten this.”

As Luibell stood up, Anselot sat her down again and picked up a piece of cloth that had fallen to the ground.

The violet satin cloth bore the Acestor emblem.

“Ah, thanks.”

“No problem.”

Anselot replied curtly to Luibell, who graciously smiled and thanked him.

‘That rude guy…’

Anselot leaned towards her and tied the violet satin cloth into a ribbon on her shoulder.

‘Aren’t they too close?’

Klaus felt a sudden surge of irritation seeing their friendly interaction. And he wasn’t the only one observing their relationship; whispers could be heard around the stadium.

“Oh my, Princess Luibell and Prince Anselot…”

“They seem very close. Could the rumors be true?”

“Look at how affectionate they are. It’s like honey dripping from them.”

The two were the talk of the capital recently.

Klaus felt an uncomfortable feeling growing inside him.

Before long, the announcer called for the start of the match.

Klaus faced Luibell, and they locked eyes.

“Please, let’s have a fair match, Sir.”

“It’s an honor, Your Highness.”

Klaus responded briefly to Luibell’s greeting and bowed his head.

“Then, let’s begin the final match…”

The announcer declared the start of the finals.

But something was off.

Luibell’s gaze was strangely averted from him, looking past somewhere else.

‘What is she looking at?’

The moment he noticed a slight twitch in Luibell’s eyes…

“Luibell Acestor!”

At the top of the arena.

A man in a dull brown robe had climbed up and shouted.

The crowd murmured and turned to where the man was.

“How dare… How dare a lowly creature like you…”

As the wind blew the robe away, revealing his face, it was none other than Orent with a completely bald, shiny head.

“I’ll kill you! I will kill you, Luibell Acestor!”

Orent shouted curses at Luibell.

‘Orent, the deposed prince? Why is he…?’

I had heard he was to be transferred to a monastery to live out his days, so why was he here?

It wasn’t just Klaus’s question; murmurs and whispers spread through the audience.

“Orent, what is this madness!”
When the Emperor shouted in anger, the Emperor’s knights rushed towards Orent.

As Orent’s sudden intrusion delayed the start of the match…

“That scumbag Orent, I knew he would do this.”

A delicate voice, fairy-like, came through, laced with harsh curses.

Klaus, momentarily wondering if he was hearing things, looked at Luibell despite the situation. She wore an expression he had never seen before, glaring at Orent while gripping the sword at her waist.