Chapter 175
When Joshua exited the fifth floor, a shadow slipped out from behind the curtains. The shadow was Won, and he had been hiding behind the curtains all this while despite facing Joshua’s wrath a while ago.
“Won, can I ask you something?”
“Yes.”
“As a man, what do you think of me? Am I not appealing enough?”
Won’s eyes briefly gleamed upon hearing that.
Lilith was one of the most talented women in history, which was why it was so hard for her to believe what just happened between her and Joshua. On the other hand, she also despised people who treated her differently just because she was a woman.
“No one has ever reacted to me so negatively before, and the way he reacted makes me feel… unpleasant and anxious,” Lilith muttered.
“I just hope he’s willing to accept the other offers on the table. He’s such a weirdo.” Lilith smiled before gently placing her finger on the table. “What is the situation on the Pontier Family’s side?”
“The family is still hanging on,” Won quickly replied, “It’s amazing how they’ve held on for so long. They’re weak—weaker than most other noble families. I suspect that mysterious dark knight has been keeping them afloat.”
"I’m sure it’s more likely because of the so-called fallen genius, Icarus,” said Lilith with a look of respect. “Even I thought Aiden Gorge was the only entry to the basin—but when Marquis Crombell bypassed their defenses by freezing the Dennis River, the Pontier Family was ready. It was like they saw the future.”
“...”
The spell Marquis Crombell used to freeze the entire Dennis River was an unprecedented spell no one had ever seen before. However, the spell’s origins could be easily deduced based on its power, and they definitely used a Class 7 Ice Magic spell.
It seemed that a blizzard was cast on the entire river using a scroll, but to engrave a spell on a scroll, the mage had to be a class higher than the spell they wanted to engrave, so a Class 7 Magic Scroll would need a Class 8 Mage.
This meant that even Ian tun Murray, the strongest mage of the current generation, wouldn’t be able to carve such a spell on a Magic Scroll. After all, Ian tun Murray was a Class 7 mage rather than a Class 8.
Ian tun Murray’s journey to becoming a Class 7 Mage was filled with rigorous training, studying, and discipline. Unfortunately, the fact that Ian tun Murray was just a Class 7 Mage meant that he wouldn’t be able to create a Class 8 Magic Scroll.
“To think that Marquis Crombell had one of the few surviving magic scrolls from ancient times—and to think that he would use it so carelessly,” Won remarked.
However, Lilith shook her head upon hearing that. “I won’t really say that it was used carelessly. After all, the Crombell Family would become one of the five ducal families the moment they annihilated the Pontier Family.”
“They didn’t have to use a magic scroll from ancient times to succeed because the Pontier Family’s fall is only just a matter of time, right?” asked Won.
“Are you sure about that? Considering what is going on right now, I think it’s safe for us to say that things aren’t going according to our expectations…” Lilith said.
“...” Won remained silent.
“We just have to wait and see.” Lilith glanced out the window and smiled, basking in the streaming moonlight. “This time, Joshua Sanders, I’m hoping you’ll give me a positive response.”
Only Lilith’s low voice could be heard amidst the silence of the fifth floor as she stared at the moon up above.
***
Knock! Knock! Knock!
There was a gentle tap on Joshua’s door. Joshua was familiar with the footsteps that had just arrived in front of his door, so he immediately said, “Come in.”
“Excuse me,” said a feminine voice as the door slowly creaked open.
Iceline hardly looked like her moniker ‘Ice Flower’ at the moment. Her head was drooping, and her expressions were filled with many emotions that didn’t suit her usual stoic demeanor.
“What’s the matter?”
“Nothing much.” Iceline’s fingers twitched slightly “You haven’t been yourself since you came back from that trip two days ago. I don’t know—tomorrow is your fight in the finals of the Masters’ Battle, and I’m getting worried.”
“...” Joshua didn’t say anything.
Iceline clenched her tiny fists and said, “Don't try to carry all the burden by yourself.”
“What?” Joshua asked blankly. Iceline’s words definitely stunned him.
“You’re only human. You know that you can discuss your problems with your friends, right?” All of a sudden, Iceline’s voice dropped. She looked like she was threatening Joshua as she said, “My ears are great.”
The bewildered Joshua couldn’t help but chuckle at that.
“Friend. You’re right, we’re friends,” he muttered.
However, Joshua suddenly sensed something odd. He stared at Iceline and found her looking at him as well. He couldn’t help but ask, “Anyway, why are you still here?”
“Well…” Iceline’s cheeks flushed. She started panicking because she couldn’t immediately provide a suitable response. In the end, she managed to barely squeeze the right words out of her mouth. “I-it’s because Mister Akshuller wanted to stay.”
“...” Joshua glanced behind Iceline and saw a drunk and wobbling Akshuller.
“What’s going on with you two? You both have your own place to stay, right? Why are you—”
“That’s not it!”
“...?” Joshua stared at Iceline, seemingly surprised at her frantic interruption.
“Ah!” Iceline hurriedly covered her mouth. After taking a moment to compose herself, she finally explained, “The final match is tomorrow, and I’m sure His Highness Ulabis will have many supporters cheering for him…”
“We thought we should stay until the match ends, so someone will cheer for you.”
Joshua directed an odd look at Iceline. “You thought that I would feel down due to the lack of supporters? Me?”
“Hey, you act like an old man, but everyone knows you’re just a fifteen-year-old brat—ugh! Zzz…”
‘He’s awake.’?Joshua grimaced. A Master would have no issues flushing alcohol from their system whenever they wanted. Of course, Akshuller could do the same because he was a master.
Joshua thought about it for a moment before he eventually said,
“Could it be because there’s a gambling house next door?”
Twitch.
Akshuller twitched ever so slightly.
There was no way Joshua would miss that, so he shook his head exasperatedly. Of course, Iceline noticed Akshuller’s brief twitching as well, and she stared at Akshuller with wide eyes.
“N-No, I’m different!”
“...?” Joshua stared at her.
“I-I truly want to stay here to cheer you on.” Icelines stammered while blushing up to her neck, and her voice became so low it sounded like a mosquito’s droning. “That’s all…”
“...” Joshua silently stared at Iceline for a while before saying, “Thanks.”
“Don’t mention it,” said Iceline before quickly avoiding Joshua’s gaze.
However, Joshua seemed like he didn’t care whether Iceline was looking at her or not as he started speaking, “Can I discuss a concern of mine with you? As a friend?”
“...!” Iceline quickly raised her head at that. With a bright look, she nodded with a smile and said, “Of course!”
In spite of Iceline’s seemingly exaggerated reactions, her concern was genuine. She was ready to do whatever she could for him, even if it was just listening to him talk about his problems.
‘I was frustrated about how he’s the only one helping me while I haven’t been able to do anything for him all this time.’
Reipon wasn’t much compared to what Joshua had done for her.
Joshua seemed like he had fallen into deep contemplation as he mulled over something, but eventually, he opened his lips and asked, “Between being logical and being practical, which of them would you choose if you could only choose one?”
“Being logical and being practical…?” Iceline muttered, seemingly asking for confirmation.
Joshua nodded and explained, “I have to be practical to consistently reach my goals within the timeline I have made for them, and being practical has always been helpful to me as well.”
“However, being practical in my current situation would result in substantial losses for me this time. I think being logical is a no-brainer, right?”
“Yup.” Iceline nodded. “But I want you to tell me the specifics.”
“...” Joshua went silent for a moment.
“I can only tell you that if I were to become logical when tackling my current situation, then my people will be able to escape harm,” said Joshua.
Iceline waited for a while, and when she noticed that Joshua wasn’t speaking anymore, she started offering her opinion. “In that case, then whatever decision you make shouldn’t be an issue, then. I mean, you’re only worried because you have faith in them, don’t you?”
“Well…” Joshua wanted to say something, but he couldn’t find any words to say because Iceline’s words made sense.
.
‘If I didn’t think they could do it, I would’ve abandoned the Masters’ Battle to help them.’
Iceline’s light violet eyes sparkled as she said, “You shouldn’t waste your efforts by turning your back on a wall you have repaired yourself. And you know what the Joshua Sanders I know would say about the question you just asked me?”
“...”
Iceline continued. “You should decide for yourself—that is how he will answer.”
“...!” Joshua was astonished. He thought about Iceline’s words for a moment before eventually smiling. “Well, haven’t I heard of those words before?”
“You’re mistaken.” Iceline gracefully turned around and said, “I’m taking up too much time of someone who is apparently going to change the world. I’ll be going now.”
“Thank you.”
Stop.
Iceline was forced to a halt as her lips trembled ever so slightly.
“Don’t mention it,” she said.
***
If firecrackers were used to light up the skies of Reinhardt for the previous days, the fire cannons were doing their job today to light up a magical scene that displayed an array of awe-inspiring colors. Amidst the cheers and the excitement, the host’s booming voice filled the huge coliseum.
“The time has come! Only one man will be left standing at the end of the Masters’ Battle. Are you all ready to meet the next Lord of Reinhardt?!”
“AAAHHH!”
The audience’s screams seemed much louder than before as well.
Step.
Under the watchful eyes of the entire continent, Joshua stepped into the arena. He was surprised to find his opponent staring at him as well.
“I wasn’t really planning on winning from the start,” remarked Joshua.
“What about now?” Ulabis casually asked as if he were meeting an old friend.
“Now, I have a reason to succeed.”
“I can’t help but wonder why,” Ulabis asked, “What happened? What changed?”
“Shouldn’t you be worried about yourself rather than ask me questions?”
Ulabis’ eyes widened. Joshua’s momentum was startlingly enormous.
“I will be going all out from the start.”
Joshua muttered as he turned to meet Ulabis’ fiery eyes.
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