Chapter 16.2: Alkimas Workshop (3)

“Varia.”

Varia and Bark, who had passed through the workshop’s central hall and were heading towards the entrance, looked back.

The person who called them was none other than Thane.

“Do you need something?”

Thane looked at the two of them alternately, then continued to speak while glaring at Bark.

“Bark, I challenge you to a duel.”

At that statement, Bark widened his eyes and pointed at himself with a mischievous smile.

“Did you just say duel? With me?”

Varia stepped up and said.

“I don’t know what you’re trying to do. But Thane Atima, is this the meaning of the workshop?”

“No, I’m doing it on my own.”

“Why are you suddenly requesting a duel?”

“Because he insulted my sister. I don’t think the One-Eyed Slayer, Bark, would refuse because he was afraid of a young swordsman like me.”

Bark looked at Thane as if he was looking at some kind of puppy.

It was common in this world to resolve trivial conflicts through a duel.

However, that was only for opponents of equal standing. Bark was a warrior with a reputation for being the best in Varia. They even gave him the name One-Eyed Slayer.

If I show off my strength here by defeating Bark, Varia cannot act recklessly.

Thane did it because he thought it was worth it.

He was also an outstanding martial artist for his age and he had his own confidence because he had made great progress recently.

Bark glanced at Varia.

Varia smiled broadly and nodded his head as telling his brother to take care of it.

“Well, good. I’ll waste my time with you for a while.”

Bark smiled and stepped forward.

The central hall was wide enough for two people to cross swords.

“Thane Atima, you’ve been fairly well-known in the capital lately. Did you make it to the finals in the last Darthmad City swordsmanship competition? A young and talented warrior’s challenge is always welcome.”

Thane drew his sword first, and Bark drew his sword slowly as well.

He raised the corner of his mouth and switched his sword to his other hand.

“Shall I give you a handicap? I’m right-handed, so I will wield my sword in my left hand. That should be enough.”

“…Do as you please!”

Thane immediately went full force, intending to startle the other and force him to use both hands. The blade of his sword shimmered in blue.

Kaang!

The sword, which was swung with great force, was blocked languidly.

Before one knew it, Bark with one hand behind his back, was blocking the sword attack. Even the blade of his sword shimmered with a blue aura.

A blow that was blocked too easily.

Thane was a little taken aback by the other’s sword that was not pushed and did not move at all, but he continued to attack again.

Kaang! Kang! Kakakang!

Blue lines intersecting in the air. A continuous roaring sound.

The flashes that were hard to see with the eyes of ordinary people continued to come and go.

Thane’s sword was fast and sophisticated. He was clearly a high-level swordsman for his age.

However, all his attacks were blocked and destroyed by Bark’s lightly swinging sword.

“Kuh..!”

As time passed, darkness fell on Thane’s face as he wielded his sword.

He couldn’t have imagined that the gap would be this large.

Jang!!

And at some point, pieces of metal scattered.

Bark’s hand, which suddenly sped up, shattered Thane’s sword.

“Kuk…!”

Thane, shocked as he was, let out a moan of pain and fell to his knees.

Looking down at him, Bark grinned.

People arrived at the same time. Scarlett and the elders immediately came out after hearing the commotion downstairs.

“…Thane!”

Scarlett shouted with an urgent expression and came running. She then glared intently at Varia.

“What did you do?”

“Ah, don’t misunderstand. The one who challenged Bark for a duel was your younger brother.”

Thane lowered his head with a horribly distorted expression, avoiding Scarlett’s gaze. Realizing the situation, she let out a sigh.

“…I will apologize for my brother’s rudeness. The victory had already been decided, so please stop the duel.”

At that, Bark raised an evil corner of his mouth and said.

“He’s the first to attack. Wouldn’t it make sense if I finish it at least?”

Fu-wook!

He plunged the blade into Thane’s arm as the other lay on the floor.

“Aarrgh…!”

The faces of Scarlett and the elders turned white.

“The younger brother of the workshop owner can’t control his hot bloodedness. So we should give him a chance to learn this time.”

“N-, wait… stop!”

“Tsk, tsk, it’s not like I’m going to kill him. Why are you so nervous? There are a lot of good quality potions here, so there shouldn’t be any problem with treatment.”

Bark said that and swung the blade into his arm. Thane couldn’t stand it and let out his screams of pain.

“Stop! Stop now!”

Scarlett completely lost her composure and cried out as if pleading.

Bark chuckled as if he was having fun.

“Haha! If you’re that desperate, get down on your knees and beg a little more earnestly, workshop owner. Then I’ll stop…”

It was then.

Rattle!

Suddenly, the entrance to the hall opened, and a series of knights appeared.

Everyone’s eyes were drawn to their sudden appearance.

Varia’s eyes widened.

He, who had just been watching the situation with a leisurely smile, murmured with a puzzled expression.

“…Iron Blood Knights?”

Iron Blood Knights directly under the Seventh Lord’s castle.

Varia couldn’t understand why the most elite force of the Lord, who did not move unless it was a serious matter, suddenly appeared here.

Scarlett and the elders looked at them with bewildered expressions, and Bark dragged out the sword stuck in Thane’s arm.

The blonde-haired man at the head of the knights looked around, then approached the center of the hall and opened his mouth.

“Varia, the owner of the Varia Mechant Corps.”

“…”

“Follow me right now. You have no right to refuse. I will not take questions.”

And this time, he turned his head to Scarlett and spoke in a much more polite tone.

“Are you Scarlett, the owner of Alkimas Workshop?”

“…Yes, I am.”

“Please, accompany us as well. The Lord is looking for you.”

“…!”

Everyone’s faces were filled with astonishment.

If the knight called someone ‘lord’, then it couldn’t be anyone than the Seventh Lord.

Meanwhile, Bark asked with a frown.

“Could it be that you’re going to the Lord’s castle? Why are you taking my older brother suddenly? At least give a reason…”

Whoa!

Bark’s words were cut short.

It was because the knight he asked drew his sword and attacked him without warning.

Bark also hurriedly drew his sword and defended himself, but his blade shattered.

“Keuk…!”

Bark fell to his knees as fresh blood poured from his chest that had been split diagonally.

The knight looked down at him coldly and withdrew his sword.

“I said I wouldn’t take questions. Do you dare to question the Lord’s mandate?”