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Chapter 464
Chapter 464
Chapter 464
Chapter 464: Rossarc Style Swordsmanship
"Who is the strongest swordsman in the imperial capital?
In any such discussion, the captains of the top three divisions of the Imperial Guard Knights always come up.
Alida, the captain of the Imperial Guard Knights, boasts a godlike speed in her swordsmanship.
Then there is the successor to the Rossarc Style, Theodore.
And finally, we have the child prodigy of the Brave House, Elna.
Even with these three at my disposal, it's a tough order to capture Theodore's younger disciple who has infiltrated the capital...
'Aside from my father, I didn't push this troublesome task onto you, did I?'
My mind had wandered off.
Elna's outrageous remark brought me back.
'Ah, I see. It seems our standards for what constitutes a nuisance are different.'
'Are you mocking me?'
'Just a candid opinion. There's no ulterior motive.'
While replying, I take a deep breath and slowly exhale.
I needed to calm down first.
Refusal was no longer an option.
My father left everything up to Alida and Theodore.
If they request assistance, it cannot be refused.
'...If I were to be honest, I would like to involve my elder brother Eric and Leo but I can't right?'
'We can't have a competition for credit.'
At Alida's words, Theodore also nods.
Indeed. That's why I was chosen.
If the two of them move, even if they themselves don't want it, it becomes a competition for credit.
They are evenly matched.
Alida and Theodore also can't remain neutral if they owe something to a candidate for the throne.
In terms of personnel selection, I'm probably the only choice.
The three are strong. But they are swordsmen as well as knights. They are not strategists or tacticians.
It's clear that someone needs to control these three.
I'm not convinced that it should be me, though.
'Just to confirm... what if we fail?'
'It will be my responsibility. Although I can't take full responsibility alone...'
Theodore added the latter part with a hint of apology.
Alida is the captain of the Imperial Guard Knights. Elna is the heir to the Brave House.
It's unlikely that they would be made to take responsibility.
In other words, the responsibility that Theodore alone can't bear will fall onto me.
'Is there anything? Any merit that might make me feel like doing this?'
'I'm afraid there isn't.'
Alida flatly denies it.
Elna just shrugs her shoulders.
What a bunch of ungrateful people.
'If you create debts and credits with the two throne candidates, there is a risk of being used. We asked for your help because we judged that you, Prince Arnold, don't have such worries... How about personal trust?'
'Accept on personal trust without making a clear debt? If we fail with this lineup, I'm certainly doomed. I will not be given any significant mission in the future and probably won't even be able to stay in the capital. That would be a negative for Leo.'
'We are asking you with all of this in mind. We have no cards to exchange. If we succeed, it would be written off as us being strong, and if we fail, great damage will fall on you, Prince. I wish I could offer something... but our loyalty is and should be directed only to the Emperor.'
Alida said so, looking down.
It's bad of them to rely on me, knowing it's a bother.
Being forced into a battle where there is nothing to gain...
'Your Highness, I beg your forgiveness. I ask that you lend us your strength.'
'Arnold, please.'
'... Someday, in a situation unrelated to the throne dispute... I will definitely get this favor returned, okay?'
'Certainly.'
Whether there will come a time when I have to rely on Theodore and Alida in a situation unrelated to the throne dispute is doubtful, but I can't keep doing this if I don't gain something.
'Fine. I'll take command.'
'The Brave is a cunning man. Knowing that Lord Arnold would not refuse if his childhood friend was involved, he must have included Lady Elna in this team.'
'Someday I'll get back at him... but this time, I'll let him have his way.'
After saying this in a spitting manner, I announced while tapping on the table with my finger.
'If we're doing this, we're not failing. You will follow my orders, okay?'
'Understood.'"
"Rosarc Style Swordsmanship.
Its essence lies in defense.
In his youth, Rosarc used an offensive style of swordsmanship, which he is said to have perfected.
However, after disappearing for about a year, he returned to the empire with a defensive style of swordsmanship.
And so, he established the Rosarc Style.
'The Rosarc Style of Swordsmanship requires thorough defense. The offensive moves either utilize the opponent's strength or exploit openings for counters. That's about it.'
Theodore explains the characteristics of the Rossarc Style Swordsmanship.
Theodore's Imperial Guard's Second Knight Squadron is a group of specialist VIP guards.
All of them have mastered the Rossarc Style Swordsmanship, the most defense-oriented of the Imperial Guard.
But...
'That's the official story. In reality, my master also had an offensive style of swordsmanship. This was the swordsmanship he had perfected in his youth. This was written in the book of secrets stolen by my junior disciple.'
'So he didn't abandon it... But why did he suddenly change his style to the complete opposite?'
'It's simple. He lost.'
'Lost? To whom?'
'To the Sword Saint Egor.'
'He had a match with Egor?'
'It was not a match, but a duel. He said he couldn't even find a slight chance of winning. That's why he is still alive.'
'So, Rossarc's disappearance was due to that...'
He was shown overwhelming power and it changed his perspective on life.
It must have been a humiliation that his life was spared.
It suggests that he was seen as not worth killing.
'After that, my master perfected his defensive swordsmanship. But he was also preparing for a rematch. That was the book of secrets and the magic sword. However, in the end, my master didn't challenge Egor for a rematch. He realized that it was pointless to settle the score. Therefore, he planned to dispose of the book of secrets and the magic sword upon his death.'
'But his junior disciple stole that...'
'To protect my master's honor from being tarnished by the accusation of being killed by his disciple, it was made to look like he died from illness. Probably, the junior disciple finished mastering the offensive swordsmanship. That's why he showed himself.'
'A swordsman who has mastered both offensive and defensive swordsmanship developed by Rossarc... What's his name?'
'Nigel... my fallen junior disciple.'
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