Chapter 315
"Soon, I suppose.""Yes, time-wise, it should be about now.""That's what I've heard as well."
If the heroes of the East, West, South, and North are gathering, it must be a major event for the kingdom.The guards of the Royal Guard are on edge.
The royal castle is steeped in an atmosphere of tension, and the nervousness is palpable even from the guards surrounding me, Clarice, and Kon as we wait in the most luxurious room in the castle.
"I've heard he's a battle maniac. He won't challenge us to a fight out of nowhere, will he?"
The reason for this tension, perhaps due to the customs of the Northern Continent, or because of their tribal system which truly embodies survival of the fittest, is the wariness that a tyrannical presence might come, one from a culture that gives no voice to the weak.
They respect the strong, but treat all others roughly.It's a culture that could be called fatal for international relations.
"It's possible. In my country, we can only interact with a few of the more docile tribes.""It's the same for me. We can only do business with tribes strong in numbers; it's hard to talk with the others."
In FBO, when starting the game, the Northern Continent was famously known as Hard Mode.The combat difficulty was on a completely different level from the other continents.
If I had been reborn into the Northern Continent in this world, there's a good chance I might have died.That's how harsh a world it is for the weak.
"From what I've heard, he's a lion tribe warrior, correct?""Yes, Master. I've heard he excels in martial prowess and leadership, and is in the process of unifying the warring states of the Northern Continent.""I've also heard he's about the same age as Lord Liberta, and that he defeated the chieftains of the tribes back then almost as a side task."
And the person about to arrive is one aiming to reign supreme at the apex of that harsh world.According to preliminary information, under the name of 'rumors,' he is a male lion tribesman who loves battle, about my age, and charismatic.His prowess is renowned throughout the entire continent.
"And such a person is coming to seek teachings from me?"
If he's that strong, I wonder what he could possibly want to ask me.
"It just shows how influential the words of a god are.""No matter how strong we become, we can hardly match a god. Even if we reach the summit of this world, to those dwelling in the heavens, we are like mere ants."
As someone aiming to defeat an Evil God, if asked if the power gap is that large, I don't think it's *that* big, but I'll keep that to myself.If the reason he's coming is because a god told him to, then I'll accept that.
While we were engaged in such small talk, the door was knocked.
*'I have brought the Northern Hero, Lord Barbados.'*
Those words sent a wave of tension through the room.
"「「「......」」」"
The three of us looked at each other, nodded, and stood up.
"Please."
I, acting as the representative, gave permission to the soldier near the door. The soldier nodded and opened the door.
"You're all here."
Entering were His Majesty the King and His Grace Duke Edelgard, who had gone to receive the Northern Hero.
Confirming our presence, they smoothly stepped aside.There stood a lion tribe boy.
"I am the Hero of the North!! Barbados Leon!!!"
He introduced himself proudly, puffing out his chest, but...
*'『『『He's small.』』』*
Surely, including me, Clarice and Kon must have thought the same thing.His proud self-introduction was far from words like 'cool' or 'gallant'; the word 'cute' came to mind first.Blazing golden hair, canine teeth visible in his lively smile that still held a touch of childishness, a physique that, though small in stature, was clearly well-trained.Indeed, he carried an aura that made it clear he was special, without a doubt.
However, even taking that into account, one couldn't deny the feeling that he was desperately trying to act older.
"Western Hero, Clarice Norland.""Eastern Hero, Kon Jinsai, that I am."
Without delay following his introduction, Clarice and Kon returned their introductions. Each time, Barbados responded with an 'Umu!' in a voice that hadn't even changed yet.
Then, his gaze settled on me, the last one.
"Apostle of the Goddess of Wisdom, Liberta."
His eyes held a mix of curiosity and fighting spirit.He immediately judged that Clarice and Kon were different, and the moment he realized his target was me...
"You... you're strong!!"
A beast-like grin spread across his face.If speaking in terms of animal instinct, animals don't approach dangerous beings; they show wariness and begin threatening behavior.
But Barbados was different.He instinctively sensed that I was strong, and he was delighted by it.He strode towards me with powerful steps and looked up at me from below.
"Lord Akam's words were not wrong!! I can tell!! If I fight you, I can become even stronger!!"
His core is a mass of ambition.A greed for strength, a pure, untainted thirst for power, different from Jackaran's.
"So fight me! Liberta!! We of the Leon tribe communicate our hearts through battle! I challenge you to a match with all our might!!"
Hence, petty tricks are useless.His straightforward demand, unlike the roundabout negotiations I've had with others so far, was simple.Yeah, so straightforward it made me think of the phrase 'simple is best.'
"Sure, let's fight."
He ignited my own fighting spirit.A natural smile rose to my face.
Perhaps something leaked out at that moment.
The people around us all braced themselves simultaneously.
"Ha, haha! I've only experienced a fighter's tremble a countable number of times in my life. But trembling *this* much... you're the first, Liberta.""Is that so? I'm honored."
No, he's not looking down on me.That emotion might actually be a desirable one from my perspective.Hearing he was a battle maniac, I was a bit wary, but if this is the kind of person he is, then perhaps he's worth nurturing.
"Your Majesty, with that said, may we borrow the training grounds?""U, umu. Very well. Show us your prowess.""Understood. Ingrid. Bring my full equipment.""...... Are you sure?""Yeah. Either way, I'll have to reveal it if it comes to a final battle, and more importantly..."
And simultaneously, I felt a sense of nostalgia.The days I fought alongside players in FBO, the emotions I saw in new players back then.
"...I don't want to be disrespectful to his challenge.""Understood."
To simply beat him, honestly, a bamboo spear would be enough.But I feel like that wouldn't truly answer his feelings.Calculatingly, I could use this opportunity to show my true strength, emphasizing to His Grace the Duke that his ally is a powerful figure, and let him use it as a deterrent against the remaining two ducal houses.
"Now that you mention it, I haven't seen Lord Liberta go all out either. Have you, Lord Clarice?""No, we were unable to draw out Master's full strength. I occasionally saw Master having mock battles with the party members, but that wasn't him being serious, was it?"
The surroundings seemed half interested, half bewildered.Clarice and Kon also seemed eager, wanting to see my true strength.
"Then, shall we move, Lord Leon?""Barbados is fine! No honorifics are needed!""Alright then, Barbados, shall we go?""Umu!!"
Swept up in the atmosphere, I began moving with Barbados in tow.I have a memory of using it recently too, but lately, I feel like I've been fighting people more than monsters.Well, I do fight in dungeons too, so there's no doubt I fight monsters more absolutely.We entered the respective changing rooms at the training grounds. I waited there until Ingrid brought my equipment.
"Hoh, so that is Lord Leon's equipment."
Clarice couldn't enter the men's changing room, of course, but among Barbados's attendants was a female lion tribesperson.It was Kon, who had entered the same room, who commented on the equipment while Barbados was being dressed.
"It's equipment made from the hide of the largest and strongest monster I have ever slain!"
He didn't mind being watched; precisely because he had absolute confidence in his own strength, he remained composed even under Kon's observation, standing proudly as if to say 'look closer.'
"A Gratny Mammoth?""You know of it?""It's a Class 5 monster found on the Northern Continent. A power-type monster said to surpass even dragons of the same class in toughness and raw strength."
Barbarian-style equipment made from the dark, burnt-brown hide.A helmet made from the skull of his prey, no doubt a symbol of his conquest, rested on his head. Quite an imposing battle outfit.The war paint applied to his face before donning the helmet only added to the intimidating effect, one could say. It reminds me, I had a friend who preferred this kind of gear.
Looking strong visually is surprisingly effective in PvP.There are even skills that synergize with it.Particularly for intimidation skills used by tanks, perhaps because appearance affects them, such war paint is effective.
"So the Apostle of the Wisdom Goddess is not to be underestimated, it seems.""You *could* underestimate me, you know?""I shall not do such a boring thing. A lion gives its all when hunting, that is all."
He uses metal in some parts, but the base is still proper equipment made from monster materials: hides, bones, and such.It's personally a plus point that the decorations are applied in a way that doesn't hinder movement.
Unlike the nobles of the Southern Continent, those of the Northern Continent do not favor excessive decoration.Pure pragmatism.I found myself getting excited by the 'We're here to fight' atmosphere.
"Lord Liberta."
While I was appraising his equipment, Ingrid returned with my gear.
"Thank you. Well then, I suppose I should change too."
Sorry, Barbados, but since you asked for my full strength, I won't hold back either.The moment Ingrid took my equipment out of the magic bag, the surroundings gasped.
"...... This is... oh my, this is bad."
The Sunlight Series woven by the spirits, and the sickle-spear made of Orichalcum, obtained from the boss of a Class 7 Golem dungeon and tempered by spirits.
As Ingrid helped me change, putting on the clothes and gloves, Kon, the only one who managed to speak, voiced his thoughts, his voice trembling as if he had seen something terrifying.
"Lord Leon, are you truly going to fight Lord Liberta?""Without a doubt, an opportunity like this is rare. Aren't you regretting it too?""My situation involves much more troublesome affairs than yours, Lord Leon. But, well, to be honest, I envy you, Lord Leon, who has fewer entanglements."
Finally, I draped the cloak over my shoulders.
"Lord Liberta, here.""Thank you."
And gripping the sickle-spear, the switch to combat mode was complete.Bearing the full gaze of everyone in the changing room, I slowly turned to face Barbados.
"Sorry to keep you waiting.""Nay, I did not feel I was waiting, for I could not take my eyes off you. Umu, I cannot wait, I simply cannot!!"
His tastes in combat are probably similar to Claudia's.If I introduced them, they might fight from morning till night.Well, given the difference in strength, Barbados might collapse first, ending it quickly.
The training ground was right next to the changing rooms. Stepping outside and entering the training ground, I saw the statue of the Goddess of Duels.
"!""Liberta, Lord Leon, are you ready?""Yes.""Umu!!"
His Majesty's eyes widened upon seeing my equipment. Perhaps noticing his surprise, Duke Edelgard took over conducting the proceedings.
"Then, upon your respective honors, swear your oath before the gods.""I, Barbados Leon, swear to face this battle fair and square!!"
Barbados declared not that he would fight, but that *he* was the challenger. The Northern contingent, who had already taken their seats in the audience, stirred in surprise. A declaration from the boy who holds the title of the strongest in the North is indeed shocking.
"I, Liberta, swear to fight this battle fair and square."
When I declared my acceptance of that challenge, the training grounds buzzed with excitement once more.