The Goldic territory was a region primarily driven by miners. As such, these guys were unbelievable when it came to digging holes.

In other words, it wasn’t difficult at all for Kraut and I to find a deep pit suitable for exchanging blows.

“Any regrets?”

“...”

‘Why are you talking to me like I’m a dead man walking…?’

Well, actually, I understood why he said such a thing.

A similar confrontation happened with Gideon as well. Except this time, I had to actually trade blows with this Kraut.

“If I was going to have regrets, I wouldn’t have provoked you in the first place.”

Kraut smirked before taking a step back.

It seemed like he was preparing for a direct attack.

“U-Uh, Margrave…”

“Call me Dad.”

“...Father. I'll fight in your place, so…!”

“Iliya.”

Kraut’s gaze shifted towards Iliya, who was timidly speaking from outside the pit.

He had just asked her to call him Dad, showing that he truly doted on her, but it seemed like this was the one thing he couldn’t concede on no matter what.

Huh, I never knew that human eyes could actually glitter like that.

Even Iliya, who had always been adamant about never backing down in any situation, turned as stiff as a board when she saw the brightness of the Margrave’s eyes.

“Do not interfere.”

“...”

“Sometimes, you can’t properly know others until you exchange blows with them. Even if you won’t understand them deeply, it’s possible to sense what kind of person they are to a certain extent.”

Although his theory practically smelled like sweat because, you know, he was a gym ra- No, I mean physical fitness lover… I was grateful that he had such thoughts. It meant his mind wasn't just filled with thousands of ways to torment me.

Of course, even if he was up against an academy student like me, he still wouldn’t pull back his blows. That didn’t mean he’d act irrationally, though.

Basically, he wasn’t someone who’d start ripping off people’s heads just because he didn't like them.

“Let’s set some rules before starting.”

Just hearing these subsequent words made it evident that his action was, by all means, rational.

He smirked before continuing.

“I won’t kill you. Instead, if you lose consciousness, it’ll be your defeat.”

“...”

“On the other hand, if you can land even one hit on me properly, we’ll call it quits. Got it?”

On the surface, it seemed like he was being lenient.

But, in reality, it was a proposal that would elicit a bitter laugh.

‘...His ceiling is lower than the Battle Priest from before, but…’

If Klein, the guy I beat before, was given two hours to buff himself with Graces, then it would be possible for him to become stronger than the Margrave.

After all, their distinctive trait was the ability to become endlessly stronger over time.

However, the Imperial Holy Knights, especially those in the same category as Kraut, had incredibly high base stats from the very beginning, though it came at the cost of their lack of the ability to become progressively stronger.

As such, their ceilings could be lower than that of Battle Priests, but their floors were unreasonably high.

And among those guys, the strongest of them all, Margrave Kendride…

System Notification

[ Using ‘Scan’. ]

[ Gathering information on the target. ]

[ A 24-hour cooldown applies before reuse is available on the same target. ]

[ Kraut Bellium La Kendride ]

< Character Info >

Characteristic: Margrave of the North – Ruler of the Snowfields

Status: Feeling heated up because he wants to give a beating to the kid in front of him.

< Status Info >

[ General ]

Strength: S+ ( 2x effect due to influence of Mastery )Agility: S+ ( 2x effect due to influence of Mastery )Endurance: S+ ( 2x effect due to influence of Mastery )Luck: BPower: S

[ Special ]

Magic Power: SLaw Power: FDivine Power: S

[ Techniques ]

Unarmed Combat: SS+

“...”

‘Holy shit, is he even a human?’

While he didn’t charge at me seriously, the gap between us was like that between a rabbit and a bear. If I got careless, I could actually die.

Even Eleanor, who could be considered the standard of a strong body, was practically a walking living tank with her all S-Grade stats in Strength/Agility/Endurance.

However, not only were his stats higher than Eleanor’s, but it was also inflated by two times because of the influence of his Mastery.

And if that wasn’t enough, his Unarmed Combat technique, practically made for close quarters, was right below EX-Grade. Basically, it was considered the highest level of Unarmed Combat in this world’s lore.

‘...Honestly, there’s no way I can even endure, much less resist.’

It wasn’t like this person was some academy student. Even with Swordsman's Focus, where I could deflect with perfect timing to avoid damage, it was impossible to face someone like him. All I could do was use all of Ultima’s Built-In Skills to minimize the pain.

He probably knew about this level of difference when he set those rules. So, in essence, he was testing how much I could endure when he casually beat the shit out of me without using his full strength.

“Yes. I accept.”

“...”

As such, my nonchalant acceptance would be interpreted in one of two ways.

Either I was an idiot who didn’t understand his implication.

Or I was a lunatic who had the biggest balls of steel known to mankind.

“However, I have one condition as well.”

“...”

Upon hearing this, he definitely saw me as the latter.

“Go ahead and yap. Since your bravery is quite commendable, I'll listen to it.”

“If I win, please grant me one thing I desire.”

“...Win? You?”

“Didn’t you mention earlier that it would be my victory if I landed a proper hit?”

He probably didn’t realize what the rules were even though he said it himself.

After all, according to common sense, it was absolutely impossible for me to be the victor.

“...”

Kraut seemed to ponder for a moment. He was probably wondering what gave me the confidence to say such a thing.

“Do as you wish. However.”

But considering his personality, he would likely draw a straightforward conclusion.

“I won’t hold back, okay?”

What was his conclusion? It was simple. He just needed to find out while beating the shit out of me.

As Kraut approached while cracking his knuckles, I finished checking my last preparations.

System Notification

[ Using ‘Skill: Guidance’. ]

〓 Currently Available Techniques

▶ Descent – Wrath { Eleanor }

▶ Tristan-Style Swordsmanship – Zandatsu { Gideon }

What a beautifully arranged set of skills from the father-daughter duo.

However, this time, the situation called more for the father than the daughter.

System Notification

[ Activating ‘Tristan-Style Swordsmanship - Zandatsu’ through ‘Skill: Guidance’. ]

This was the skill I had confirmed through a system message before entering the castle earlier.

And if this person also properly understood my ‘goal’ that I had told Gideon before…

“...”

Then I could let this person know that I was neither of those interpretations.

I wasn’t an idiot that couldn’t understand his implications. And I also wasn’t a lunatic that acted without any plans.

As always, this would end up hurting me really badly. I would probably get wrecked by him and tumble around a bit, but…

At least I had the means to land a single hit on this person.

With those thoughts in mind...

System Notification

[ A moment of danger has been detected.]

[ Determined the situation as life-threatening. ]

[ Skill: Desperation raised to EX-Grade. ]

Kraut’s body launched forward.

“...We have to stop this somehow. Anything—!”

In response to Iliya’s desperate plea, Eleanor turned towards her with her arms crossed and an expressionless face.

“He said that he would do it. How do you expect to stop him?”

“But still…!”

Iliya’s gaze then turned back towards the pit.

In her vision, she could see Dowd, who was preparing to draw his sword, and Kraut, who was about to charge at him.

‘There's no way he can be his opponent…!’

Iliya, who had been training with him continuously even before reaching adulthood, knew better than anyone how monstrous that person was.

As a Hero Candidate, the reason she feared no enemy was because she had always fought the most formidable and despicable human she knew.

He was someone who believed that his own body was carved with the will to carry out the wrath of Celestials. If that didn’t sound crazy enough, he somehow managed to articulate this abstract and insane concept so that it sounded convincingly true.

At the very least, Iliya remembered that during her first training session with Margrave Kendride, he turned boulders that were several meters away into gravel while doing his warm-up exercises. All was done with his bare fists!

“...Since I can’t stop this, I’ll leave this place for a moment.”

As Iliya was reminiscing with a shiver, Eleanor stood up while saying such words.

“Huh? Where are you going?”

“If Dowd is making that expression, it means he had a plan when he chose to do this. He is not a man who does crazy things without knowing his own limits.”

“...”

“However.”

She continued after letting out a deep sigh.

“...Whenever he makes that expression, he usually ends up severely injured.”

Eleanor was sure that she couldn’t watch such a sight with a sane mind.

She would probably draw her sword and rush at Margrave Kendride.

If the Lady of the Tristan Duchy were to do such a thing, it would undoubtedly result in a terrible incident.

However, the political disaster and the resulting aftermath were merely secondary issues to her.

More than that…

‘...He probably doesn’t want that from me and I refuse to do something he doesn’t wish for.’

Eleanor was sure that her interference was not necessary. After all, if he needed her, he would’ve requested her assistance in advance.

As such…

“I will go call for some medical assistance.”

With that, Eleanor walked briskly into the castle.

Almost as if she couldn’t bear to witness what would soon unfold.

“...”

Iliya stared blankly at her direction.

An indescribable heaviness pressed on her chest.

‘...Ah.’

Realization struck her suddenly.

 

‘I’m…jealous.’

It was because compared to Dowd and herself, Eleanor and Dowd had a far stronger ‘relationship of trust’.

The Student Council President knew many more sides of Dowd that she could not even comprehend yet. Even without exchanging any words, they seemed to understand each other’s intentions deeply.

In contrast, when it came to her…

Has she ever been of help to him?

Darkness clouded her expression as these thoughts surfaced.

In the midst of her contemplation….

-!

Kraut leaped towards Dowd.

The ground split open as if a bomb had exploded, and even from a distance, his body was so fast that it was merely a blur.

Iliya’s traumas resurfaced as her face turned pale at this sight.

He was someone who could crush anything within seconds just by extending his fists… So why did he have that much prowess when it came to closing in on his opponents? Did it even make sense to have that level of ability?

Iliya herself was considered to have outstanding agility and adaptability in combat. However, even she would not be able to react to such an attack, despite receiving countless beatings from him.

However…

‘...He was able to react to it!’

Seeing Dowd draw his sword from its sheath, she clenched her fists tightly.

As expected of him.

Dowd always appeared quite feeble in his everyday life. He tired out easily even with minor activities.

However…

Including Iliya, how many people had been deceived by such a facade?

In reality, during critical moments, that man had always displayed an astonishing level of strength.

‘But still…!’

Despite successfully reacting, his body was sent flying as soon as the Margrave’s fist clashed with his drawn sword.

It was as if he had directly received a charge from some giant beast.

Although the distance between them widened several meters in an instant, for Margrave Kendride, it was a distance he could catch up to without even needing to take a breath.

Kraut constantly charged at Dowd, who had bounced off, before swinging his fist once more.

This continued. With each strike, Dowd’s body rolled around like a ball.

Surprisingly, despite the gap of strength between them, Dowd was enduring well. Despite accumulating cuts and bruises, he had managed to avoid any decisive blows.

Even considering the fact that Margrave Kendride was holding back, Dowd was fighting so well that it was almost like witnessing a miracle.

“...You’re nothing much. Were you that arrogant with just this?”

However…

Iliya became more tense instead as she looked down.

On Kraut’s face, disappointment was clearly visible.

If Dowd wanted to impress the Margrave, continuing to curl up like a turtle would only get him the opposite result. During Iliya’s training sessions, that man always emphasized to fight back.

“Fine. Let’s see how long you can hold out.”

His attack became more aggressive.

“No backbone. No spirit. No will. Are you even a man?”

From then on, Dowd, who had barely been holding his ground, continued to accumulate injuries. His arms and legs became twisted, bruises formed, and skin peeled.

“I cannot for the life of me understand why my daughter had to suffer because of a bastard like you.”

A sigh accompanied such words. Now, Kraut’s eyes even held a tinge of disdain.

Dowd was still catching his breath. He was covered in so many wounds that he looked like he had been through a blender.

“...Let’s just end this. There’s nothing more for me to se–”

“Before I finish this, there’s something I need to say.”

Dowd coughed and spat out a bit of blood as he opened his mouth.

“Stop acting like an old-timer, Margrave.”

“...What?”

“Do you even know what age we’re in? What’s with your outdated attitude? Who even monitors their daughter’s friends anymore? Even parents who had lost their minds wouldn’t go that far.”

“...”

A laugh of disbelief escaped Kraut.

“So, let me tell you the wish I’d make if I win. Leave Iliya entirely in my hands. I’ll make sure you never regret such a choice.”

Iliya’s face turned bright red, her mouth agape.

‘What…? That man…?’

‘What the fuck was he saying?’

‘No, putting that aside, why was he talking about winning and wishes in his current state…?!’

“...”

Kraut remained silent as his expression turned ice cold.

Killing intent oozed from all over his body.

“...Even entertaining you has become tiresome. A bastard with all bark and no bite is utterly disgusting.”

With that, he walked toward Dowd with a sigh.

The speed was noticeably slower than before, but the ‘hostility’ in his movements was incomparable compared to before.

Almost as if…

He genuinely intended to kill his opponent.

“You should live while lying down for the time being. Don’t approach Iliya again.”

A blue mark ran along the Margrave’s arm as it burned with light.

The patented ability of Holy Knights specialized in Unarmed Combat: Materialization of Fortitude. His body, which was already a lethal weapon in itself, exuded an even more murderous aura.

And in the moment that fist struck, aiming directly at Dowd's head…

“...!”

Chills ran down Iliya’s arm as goosebumps rose.

Because at that very moment, the battered Dowd suddenly lifted his head. And the expressions on his face…

Was an expression she knew very well.

That was…

Dowd’s face when he pulled out his ‘card’.

-...

The first second.

Dowd extended his right arm, enveloped in a shield of divine power, towards the fist swung by the Margrave. Obviously, it was a futile effort. In an instant, the shield shattered into pieces as the Margrave’s fists reached Dowd’s right arm.

It was not a clash of bodies. Rather, Dowd’s entire right arm was ‘split’ as if a huge broadsword had embedded into it. From the torn body, blood spurted out like a fountain, spraying in all directions.

However, thanks to that. Thanks to sacrificing his entire body.

The physical force distinctly contained in the fist was significantly reduced. It could be due, in part, to the Margrave being surprised by the sudden turn of events and slowing down the speed of his fist.

Because of this, there was a momentary gap.

The next second.

Dowd pulled away that very arm while drawing his left arm, the arm holding the sword.

After taking a step back and creating enough space to swing his sword….

[ Tristan-Style Swordsmanship – Zandatsu 斬奪 ]

--------!!!!!!!!!!

A single blow containing a massive ‘shockwave’ struck deeply into Kraut’s body.

Inside the deeply dug pit, another crater formed. After getting hit by the sword, the Margrave’s body flew away just like how Dowd had been flung around like a ball so far.

Almost as if…

All the blows he had dealt to Dowd were ‘returned’ all at once.

“Consciousness, intact. One blow, dealt.”

While covered in blood, with his completely limp right arm dangling onto his body like a rag…

“I won, right?”

Dowd Campbell smirked faintly.

The first thought I had…

It fucking hurts. It actually hurts like a bitch. Fuck.

It felt like a chunk of flesh was connected to the right side of my body instead of an arm. It was to the extent where my brain outright refused to send commands to the motor neurons in it.

The second thought I had.

< Skill Info >

Skill: Tristan-Style Swordsmanship – Zandatsu 斬奪

Grade: S

Description: Reduces 60% of damage when defending against an opponent’s attack with a sword. Accumulates damage received from the opponent. The accumulated damage is stacked and added to the next attack when the skill is activated. The effect is amplified as the user’s health decreases.

If I didn’t have this, I would be dead.

Even though Ultima’s Built-In Skill was heavily invested into endurance and divine power stats, every single attack from Kraut shook my bones and made my organs tremble.

Eleanor’s father, thank you…!

I will definitely repay this favor…!

“...”

Across from me, Kraut was looking at me with a shocked expression.

Although there wasn’t any substantial damage, it seemed like the fact that he allowed me to strike him was incomprehensible to him.

“...I will not ask what method you used. After all, it is common to have a hidden card. Even I have one.”

The voice that followed was soaked with those very thoughts.

“How were you able to go to such lengths?”

“...Huh?”

Caught off guard by the unexpected question, I blinked my eyes as Kraut continued with an expression of absurd disbelief.

“Even I would not be able to come up with such extreme combat methods. Even the barbarians in the north, who are crazy about training and fighting, don’t engage in such suicidal antics.”

“...”

Huh… Really?

I guess I’ve been getting hurt so often while rolling around recently that my senses in that regard became a bit dulled.

Like, wasn’t it kind of a bargain if only my entire right arm was blown away?

“In other words…”

Kraut chucked and got up.

“That is more than enough reason to keep Iliya near you.”

With that, a window appeared in front of me.

System Message

[ The favorability level of the target ‘Kraut’ has been elevated to ‘Curiosity Level 5’! ]

[ Reward has been reduced due to the Good disposition of the target! ]

I could finally let out a sigh of relief.

This much should be enough to say that I had gained quite a bit of recognition from him. To put it simply, I had managed to accomplish the intended goal.

Like Gideon, Kraut was someone who could have a significant impact on the main story if I maintained a good relationship with him. The difference between having his assistance and not was huge when finding the Holy Sword in Chapter 4.

“...I'm just letting you know in advance, but I haven’t fully acknowledg–”

“Ah, just drop it already. A man shouldn’t whine after losing so miserably.”

“...”

Sure, I had one arm completely shattered while rolling around, but I made such a comeback because I wanted to have the last word.

Sighing internally, I looked outside the pit.

Iliya was staring blankly at me.

It kinda looked like something had possessed her.

‘...She should’ve undergone some change as well, right?’

Anyway, she, along with Eleanor, was someone I had to carry through the scenario until the very end. With utmost importance.

That was why I asked for such a wish from Kraut. If he couldn’t help me, at the very least he shouldn’t hinder me.

Thus, it resulted in a situation where I had fought this hard and got this hurt ‘for her’.

I also had the intention to lift her spirits a bit because recently, she seemed way too upset because of me. Hopefully, this would improve her moo—

System Message

[ Checking the state of Negative Mark Stacks on the target ‘Iliya’! ]

[ From a state of ‘Despair’, she has been charmed by your appearance! ]

[ All harmful effects of Negative Marks are lifted! ]

[ Significant changes occur in her personality! ]

[ Dominance over target has explosively increased! ]

[ The target’s favorability level has been elevated to ‘Trust Level 1’! ]

[ Additional rewards available! ]

[ Conditions for the target’s Exclusive Quest have been met! ]

[ Quest is now available! ]

[ Relevant content is added to the Gift Tab! ]

“...”

Yeah, okay.

I expected it to increase, but…

What the fuck is all this?