A Dragonslayer’s Peerless Regression

Chapter 106

Sieg's words caused a chilling silence to descend upon the conference room.

It was spoken in a way that everyone perceived it as referring to the Imperial garrison.

However, Morgan was an experienced knight.

Relaxing his stern expression into a friendly smile, he spoke.

"Puhaha! You've caught me off guard. Very well, Sir Sieg Draker, you truly were Princess Melissa's secret card."

Morgan returned to his seat in the conference room.

Sieg also took a place beside Princess Melissa and sat down.

Morgan addressed Princess Melissa.

"To continue our earlier discussion... Alencia lacks the capability to manage the zone belonging to the Avian race, so the Empire proposes to take over that task on their behalf."

Hearing Morgan's words, Melissa's expression hardened.

Morgan might have been speaking with a smile, but this was an obvious insult.

Princess Melissa composed herself and responded calmly.

"There are two mistakes in the lord's words."

"Oh? And what might those be?"

"Firstly, Alencia does not manage the zone belonging to the Avian race. That land has been their home for 500 years. Alencia respects their domain."

Melissa continued speaking as she looked at Morgan.

"Secondly, even if Alencia were indeed lacking in management capabilities, it's an entirely separate issue for the Empire to exercise rights over them. Furthermore, I would like to remind you that stationing troops illegally along Alencia's borders violates the Central Continent Treaty."

As Melissa presented reasonable arguments, Morgan let out a chuckle.

It was the kind of sneer only those from a powerful nation could afford.

He looked at Melissa and said.

"It seems there has been some misunderstanding of my words. The Empire respects the territory of the Avian race. Our concern for their management isn't due to ulterior motives but rather to protect them. As their numbers have been dwindling, his Majesty the Emperor has issued this directive out of concern."

Melissa gritted her teeth at Morgan's slippery words.

True to his reputation as a diplomat, his verbal maneuvering was exceptional.

Listening to Morgan's words, Sieg, who was sitting next to Melissa, sensed that something was amiss.

'Why are they so eager to seize control of the Avian race's land?'

Although he was familiar with the territorial expansion policies of the Rom Empire, causing unnecessary conflict with Alencia was an unreasonable decision on several levels.

The Avian race ghetto was no more than unusable wasteland like the desert regions in the southern Central Continent.

While its endless canyons and red sandstone cliffs were visually impressive, they were not suitable for human habitation.

'The reason they still covet it must be due to some unrevealed factor.'

In most situations, the reason behind the Empire's actions was often the same.

'Ancient ruins... there must be a significant dungeon within the Avian race territory.'

Emperor Rom, who dreamt of immortality, was excavating hidden dungeons across the continent.

If a dungeon existed in the Avian race's domain, which had passed down mystical abilities since ancient times, it would surely attract the Emperor's desires.

With that reasoning, Sieg slowly began to address Morgan, who was countering Melissa's sensible argument with all sorts of sophistry.

"Sir Bufon."

Morgan turned his head to look at Sieg.

"Do you have something to say?'

"I feel that discussing further would just keep us going in circles."

Morgan grinned and agreed with Sieg's words.

"I agree with Sir Sieg."

"There is a traditional method to quickly resolve such disputes without reaching a conclusion."

At these words, Morgan's eyebrows twitched.

"Are you suggesting, perhaps, a duel?"

"Isn't that the traditional method passed down since the days of the Holy Empire?"

Morgan tilted his head at this statement.

'Why is that Draker brat doing this?'

Everyone could see that the situation was more advantageous for the Empire.

Despite this, the mention of a duel indicated that he was confident enough.

Morgan vaguely probed Sieg.

"A traditional duel method... are you referring to the grand battle?"

"Yes, three from the Alencia side and three from the Empire side. Let the winners continue forward."

Hearing Sieg, Morgan grinned broadly.

'It looks like Sieg Draker intends to participate in the duel himself.'

It was a typical behavior seen in fledgling knights who had just received their Knight Order.

Young knights, still blind to how vast the world really was and believing themselves to be the strongest, often made such mistakes.

Moreover, given that Sieg Draker was the victor of the Draker martial contest, it was obvious that his confidence was sky-high.

'Still, he's just a rookie.'

Morgan nodded in agreement.

"Very well. The traditional methods are often the best solutions."

Thus, with Morgan's agreement, they decided to settle the dispute through a grand duel.

As preparations for the duel were underway, Melissa spoke to Sieg in a concerned voice.

"Sir Sieg, are you sure about facing the Imperial knights?"

The knights of the Empire were famously brutal and strong.

This was largely because they had abundant practical experience due to the numerous wars they had participated in.

In contrast, the Alencia knights, while skilled in swordsmanship, lacked real-world experience.

Sieg reassured Melissa.

"There is no need to worry. I shall safeguard the princess's honor."

Though Sieg spoke without much thought, Melissa's heart momentarily fluttered.

It was a phrase often used in tales where a knight confesses his feelings to a princess.

However, as Melissa blushed and turned her head slightly, Sieg misunderstood her feelings entirely.

'Is she upset because I decided on the grand duel without consulting her?'

Since Sieg made the unilateral decision without prior discussion, it made sense that Melissa might feel that way.

Nevertheless, the duel had already been decided upon.

Sieg, observing Melissa's demeanor, resolved to take responsibility for his actions by doing his utmost to defeat the Imperial knights.

* * *

Boom!

For the grand duel, the Imperial knights appeared in the arena clad in full plate armor.

Similarly, Sieg and the other Alencia knights were also in full armor.

Morgan, the legion commander, did not participate directly but sent his most skilled knights under his command.

He spoke to Sieg.

"Will Sir Sieg be fighting personally?"

Sieg nodded.

Morgan, thinking his assumption was correct, ascended to the observation seat wearing a smug smile.

Melissa, too, sat in the audience with an anxious expression.

An Alencia knight was the first to step forward.

Sitting in the waiting area, Sieg observed the Imperial knights facing off against Alencia's knights.

'They seem to be at least Blue Knights.'

Morgan, one among the knights of the Zodiac, was a Blue Knight, although his skills were considered low for his rank.

He was originally renowned more for his tactical prowess rather than martial skills; however, leading the legendary Ophiucus Knight Order, one of the 13 Zodiacs of the Empire, meant he wasn't to be underestimated.

Nevertheless, out of respect for his position, Morgan chose not to directly participate in the duel.

He likely believed that his subordinates alone could easily defeat the Alencia knights.

'That arrogance will be his downfall.'

The duel began, and the Imperial knight immediately dominated the Alencia knight.

Clang!

The Empire's swordsmanship was specialized in shield combat.

It was a traditional style refined to suit aura-based combat since the era of the Holy Empire, making it ideal for traditional duels.

Morgan's confidence was understandable given their performance.

"Ugh!"

The Alencia knight fell without even getting a chance to showcase his strength against the Imperial knight.

A second knight emerged, but the result was the same.

With two knights defeated consecutively, Melissa's expression grew grim.

If the last contestant, Sieg, also lost, it would mean opening a clear path for the Imperial forces to march into the Avian race zone.

Initially, they would station troops under the guise of protecting the Avian race, but it was clear they would gradually encroach on Alencia's territory.

This was the typical method of territorial expansion by the Rom Empire.

Sieg, fully armored and holding a kite shield, entered the arena.

The Imperial knight, observing Sieg in full plate armor, spoke.

"To think I get to duel with the champion of the Draker martial contest. It's an honor."

Though he labeled it an honor, it was clear there was a hint of mockery in his tone.

Sieg silently closed his helmet and raised his sword.

The Imperial knight also took up his weapon and faced Sieg.

Once the duel began, the Imperial knight was the first to burst forward.

"Haaap!"

The Imperial knight swung his shield, aiming at Sieg's flank.

Clang!

The clash of shields echoed with immense noise.

The Imperial knight expected Sieg to stumble.

However, to his surprise, Sieg stood firmly without flinching.

In fact, the knight wavered, confused by the unexpected reverberations from his own shield.

He attempted to raise his sword to strike at Sieg.

Boom!

Sieg swung his shield right at the knight's face.

The immense impact caused the knight to stagger and fall back.

Sieg swiftly moved forward, slicing at the knight's side with his sword.

Crunch!

The knight's armor was dented and a cracking sound emanated from his side.

"Gack!"

The Imperial knight fell, groaning in pain.

Morgan, who had been watching with a smile, was shocked and sprang to his feet.

He shouted at Sieg.

"Is that an artifact? That's against the rules!"

Sieg opened his helmet and replied.

"This isn't an artifact, just a regular sword and shield, armor borrowed from the Alencia border headquarters. Feel free to verify."

Morgan ground his teeth at Sieg's words.

Sieg's skill was unexpectedly formidable.

'I should have disregarded appearances and participated myself.'

However, the predetermined duel format could not be changed now.

Morgan calmed himself and sat back down.

The remaining two contestants were veteran knights whom he had personally trained and battled alongside.

They were not of a skill level to be defeated by a novice knight who had only recently received his Knight Order, he reassured himself.

Boom!

But with a single swing of Sieg's shield, the second knight was sent flying.

Morgan watched with his mouth agape.

"How, how is this possible...?"

Even though Sieg likely possessed less experience as a knight, his shield combat skills were exceptionally outstanding.

He wielded his heavy, unwieldy shield as if it were an extension of his own body.

Subduing Imperial knights, known for their pride in shield combat, with just a shield against their techniques left him speechless.

Morgan addressed Antonio, his last remaining contestant, with a serious tone.

"You must not lose."

Antonio nodded and closed his helmet.

Being the most skilled among the three, Morgan decided to put his trust in him.

Sieg and Antonio faced each other in the arena.

As both were the last contestants, this was to be the final duel.

Melissa, sitting in the observation deck, also watched the match intently, clenching her fists tightly.

Antonio made the first move.

"Haaaah!"

In the classic style of an Imperial knight, Antonio charged forward, using his shield while swinging his sword skillfully.

Clang!

Sieg's sword clashed against Antonio's.

Antonio felt disbelief at the weight behind Sieg's sword, especially given his youth, being not yet fully grown.

'Is he a monster?'

He finally understood why the knights of Draker were considered the strongest on the continent.

Sensing Antonio's momentary lapse in focus due to his shock, Sieg seized the opportunity and advanced.

Boom!

Sieg swung his sword at Antonio's shield.

Though Antonio blocked it with his shield, the impact reverberated through his body.

"Guh!"

Unable to withstand it any longer, Antonio retreated.

Trying to regain the flow of battle, he grabbed his shield with both hands and rushed forward.

Boom, boom, boom!

Charging with his heavy shield, Antonio became a fearsome weapon himself.

However, Sieg was not so easy a target to simply stand there and take the impact of the charge.

Utilizing his Phantom Steps, he deftly evaded Antonio's attack.

Then, targeting the open side, he swung his shield.

Clang!

Antonio swiftly raised his shield to block Sieg's attack with superb reflexes.

Crunch!

But his wrist twisted painfully under the force.

Antonio abandoned his shield, grasping only his sword as he pointed it at Sieg.

"Hah... Hah..."

Antonio focused his aura into his sword.

Though generally considered improper to use an aura blade in a traditional duel, there were circumstances where one could abandon etiquette.

Antonio decided that now was one of those times.

Buzz!

An unmistakable aura blade formed on Antonio's sword.