Chapter 112
At the three-story stone building next to the Imperial Palace.
The third floor of the said building was a communal floor for both the 11th and the 12th Battalion of the Imperial Knights Order. Joshua’s personal office as the Reserve Battalion Commander was also located in this building.
‘Is there someone here?’?Joshua inwardly muttered with a scowl. His keen senses were telling him that he had a visitor. However, it seemed that the other party wasn’t really hiding from him.
“Haaah.” Joshua sighed. The feast would last until morning. As a result, the majority of the knights from the 11th and 12th battalions were stationed near His First Highness’ Palace, where the banquet was being held.
In other words, this building should be empty right now.
“C’mon, don’t be like that. Come in, I won’t bite.”
“That voice…” Joshua paused when he heard the voice coming from within the room.
“I just wanted to come and pack my luggage swiftly, but it seems like things will be getting troublesome.”
At that, Joshua sighed and opened the door.
“Yo!” A young man sitting on the sofa waved his hand at Joshua. He was an attractive young man with conspicuous silver eyes.
Joshua hated how his hunch was correct as he entered and addressed the man, “Sir Valmont.”
Similar to Joshua, Valmont was a Battalion Commander of the Imperial Knights Order’s 9th Battalion for many years now. Even among the Imperial Knights Order full of geniuses, Valmont stood out. Unfortunately, he was lazier and more carefree than anyone else.
He was Valmont dun Brown, the Battalion Commander of the 9th Battalion.
Valmont buried himself in the sofa, and he frowned before saying, “I didn’t expect our great Reserve Battalion Commander to be acquainted with Her Highness. Like a moth to a flame, is it? What a perfect match.”
“I didn’t expect that Battalion Commander Valmont has a hobby of keeping track of many things as well.”
“As well?”
“Haaah.” Joshua sighed.
Valmont shrugged and tilted his head. “Nevermind that, are you about to leave?”
“...!” Joshua's eyes momentarily widened as he said, “I have no idea what you're talking about.”
“I’m a lot smarter than you think, so don’t bother playing dumb with me.”
“...” Joshua kept his mouth shut.
Valmont sat up and stared at Joshua before saying, “I remember the first time we met each other. I think it was at the His Grace Agnus’ Estate? A nine-year-old kid who was supposed to take his mana exam. The same kid stupefied everyone with his talent and eventually joined the Imperial Knights Order. Since then, I have been keeping track of your progress.”
Valmont started recalling the past as he continued. “I was shocked when you said you were actually at B-Class. I mean, you have the potential and the favor of His Majesty, but you were still too young that it’s even questionable how you became even C-Class.”
“...” Joshua kept his mouth shut.
At that, Valmont continued. “You’re like a malfunctioning machine that cannot be stopped. You didn’t stop there. I saw how you crushed the knights of the 3rd Battalion and gained even more of His Majesty’s favor. Subsequently, you became the youngest baron in history. And…”
Valmont stared into Joshua’s eyes for a moment before asking, “Do you have any idea how I felt when you finally became a battalion commander like me?”
At that, Joshua responded, “Can you stop beating around the bush?”
Of course, Valmont’s reply came quickly. “I was thrilled.”
“...” Joshua didn’t know what to say.
“I was thrilled for the first time in my life when I heard the news of you becoming a battalion commander.”
Valmont looked indifferent after he was done speaking. However, his eyes betrayed his expression because they gleamed like embers.
Joshua was well aware of what Valmont would say next.
‘He is competitive.’?
Yes, competitive.
Valmont had a competitive streak like all martial artists did. They thrived on victory.
And as if fulfilling Joshua’s deduction, Valmont said, “Let’s fight, Joshua Sanders. Before you leave…”
Valmont's two eyes glowed in the dim moonlight as he added, “Once you leave, I will not have such a chance anymore. I know I’m being shameless here, but please, I beg you.”
The silent Joshua finally spoke, “I only have one question for you.”
“Anything.”
“I'm not sure why you want to spar with me. After all, you’re famous for being unambitious, Battalion Commander, sir.”
At Joshua’s words, Valmont smiled. It was a frosty smile that seemed colder than the moon.
A human being couldn’t possibly reveal such a dazzling smile.
Finally, Valmont explained, “Of course, it’s because I want to show everyone that I am the best.”
Valmont's confident voice filled the room.
***
.
The training ground behind the building next to the Imperial Palace was dim. There were no others lights aside from the moonlight.
Valmont was holding a longsword of average length while Joshua faced him with an ordinary soldier’s service iron spear.
“Are you ready?” asked Joshua.
“I’m always ready,” Valmont casually replied. “Since I’m a battalion commander of the 9th Battalion, I shall let you make the first move.”
“Well…” Joshua's lips twitched, and his eyes glowed with excitement. “I won’t refuse, then.”
When his words fell, Joshua shot forward.
“...!” Valmont's eyes widened. Joshua was moving faster than he expected.
SHHHHWIK.
The air itself shrieked as Joshua’s spear shot toward Valmont’s face. Joshua thrust his spear in a way that would obscure Valmont’s line of sight.
Clang!
Sparks flew when the spear and the sword collided in mid-air.
Valmont still broke out into a cold sweat. He barely managed to block Joshua’s spear.
“I knew it…” Valmont muttered and gripped his sword even tighter.
Valmont knew that the young man in front of him was no longer a snotty kid he could casually test. The kid from back then had already become a master-crafted spear, capable of reaching out and piercing anyone’s heart whenever he wished.
“Please accept my apologies.”
“...?” Joshua tilted his head. He had just adjusted his posture after retreating.
Valmont explained, “I had been foolish by saying that I will let you make the first move because I am higher than you in rank. From now on, I will give it my all.”
At that, Valmont rushed at Joshua.
Clank.?
Valmont's sword slashed Joshua’s spear away. However, Joshua took advantage of the force behind Valmont’s attack to rotate and thrust his spear at Valmont’s stomach.
Clang!
Valmont took a tiny step backward and blocked Joshua’s thrust with a swing of his sword.
“...” Valmont swung his sword at Joshua multiple times, but Joshua would always block it. In fact, Joshua didn’t even seem like he was sweating as he masterfully wielded his spear.
However, Valmont had always pursued extreme speed in his swordsmanship to complement his innate physique and talent, so his sword swings were incredibly fast. Many swordsmen would find it hard to react to his sword. Obviously, his title as ‘Avalon’s Fastest Star’ wasn’t given to him in vain.
Valmont took a step back. He seemed to have slightly awakened from his battle-induced stupor as he asked, “Why are you not attacking me anymore? Are you trying to say that I am not worthy of your offensive?”
Valmont gnashed his teeth at Joshua’s silence.
However, he knew it—he knew that his opponent was not putting any significant effort into this sparring, unlike him. Joshua didn’t even move from where he was standing while he was deflecting and blocking Valmont’s sword.
In addition, Joshua managed to keep Valmont at the edge of his spear’s attack range. Valmont had never seen anyone utilize a spear’s reach so efficiently before.
“You’re dead wrong if you think you can beat me without taking this seriously.”
Valmont raised his sword upright to the point that he could see his face being reflected off of the blade. It was a stance unsuitable for combat, and it was only often seen on a knight’s parade, but the energy Valmont was giving off couldn’t be ignored.
“...!” Valmont's muscles bulged to the point that they looked like they would explode anytime soon. Mana quickly poured out of Valmont’s mana hall and converged on his sword. “This is my best move. If you can stop this, I’ll let you do whatever you want. I won’t be able to move after executing this move anyway.”
At that, Valmont's mana gradually took on a shape over the blade of his sword.
“...!” Joshua's eyes widened when he saw Valmont’s mana becoming tangible.
Valmont had just manifested a sword made out of mana, it wasn’t without flaws, but it was definitely a sword made out of mana.
And Joshua was well aware of the name of the technique’s name.
“Aura Blade.”
“This is my best move. You better dodge, or you’ll get hurt.”
At that, Valmont placed one of his legs behind the other.
It was a skill only taught to the members of the Brown Family, and it was the secret that had earned Valmont his title as Avalon’s Fastest Star.
“Here it goes...” Valmont muttered before bursting forth.
He moved faster than ever. He was like a meteor hurtling to the ground, leaving nothing but an afterimage as the only indication that he was ever there. His sword also drew a bright line through the air.
‘It’s too late.’?Valmont smiled.
Valmont’s sword had already reached Joshua and was about to engulf the latter.
However, Joshua’s iron rod—no, spear, was still unmoving.
Or not…
Valmont’s eyes brightened as his sword descended toward his opponent. He was aiming for Joshua’s shoulder. That way, Joshua would not suffer a lethal wound.
“Heop.” Valmont's sword screeched as it drew a long line similar to the tail of a meteor.
And at that moment...
Joshua's iron spear slowly and steadily rose to intercept Valmont’s sword.
Slow?
It wasn't slow at all.
Valmont only thought it was slow.
Flash!
There was a brief flash of light as lightning crackled and tore through the air.
“Keugh.” Valmont staggered back several paces and fell to his knees. He supported himself by leaning on his sword, and his eyes were quivering—it was clear that he didn’t understand what just happened. He frantically looked up and saw it.
He saw a soldier’s ordinary service spear. However, the service spear had just become more powerful than any other renowned weapon.
Unlike Valmont’s own imperfect rendition, Joshua’s own rendition was more robust and distinct.
At the sight of it, Valmont could only squeeze a groan. “Full… Aura Blade.”
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