Chapter 293
The Clash Between the Newly Appeared Hero and the Sword King!

All eyes across the continent were fixed on the duel.

More precisely, all eyes within the Alliance were glued to it.

The demonic forces of the Magic Empire were too preoccupied with the upheaval in the Southern Magic Kingdom—the fall of the Blue Stream Demon King and the war with the Four Kings’ Fortress—to pay attention.

Everyone in the Alliance was talking about this duel.

But not with hopeful voices.

“Who do you think will win?”

“Obviously the Sword King, right? There’s no way some unknown hero could stand against him.”

“No, I’m not even sure if that guy is a real hero.”

People doubted the hero’s authenticity.

It was only natural.

He had appeared out of nowhere, as if dropped from the sky.

No one knew where he came from, or even his name.

If the Sovereign hadn’t personally vouched for him, no one would have accepted it.

“Even if he is a real hero, it’s a stretch. A pure sword duel? Unless you’re the head of a renowned swordsmanship family, no one in our Alliance can match the Sword King in swordplay.”

There was an undercurrent of fear toward the Sword King in these conversations.

“I don’t understand what His Majesty the Sovereign is thinking.”

“Even if he’s politically cornered, isn’t this too reckless?”

“His Majesty was a great man who stood against the corrupt priests, but it looks like he’s doomed.”

“Well, you never know. Maybe the hero will win.”

“Ha! More likely he’ll vanish as soon as he appears.”

People shook their heads in disbelief.

Amid all this attention, the day of the duel drew near.

The venue was a neutral zone between the Holy Empire and the Triangular Alliance.

Even before the duel began, a massive crowd had gathered.

Most were representatives sent by various Alliance factions to catch a glimpse of the newly appeared hero.

“So many have come. Mirror Ice Palace, Sky Magic Tower, Gold Cross, the Gray Zone, even the Karn Empire.”

As they sized each other up, heads shook again.

It seemed like nearly every notable figure from the Alliance’s major powers was present.

Some were truly impressive.

“The young lord of the Mirror Ice Palace.”

People’s eyes widened at the sight of a young elf girl with snow-white silver hair.

The Mirror Ice Palace was a faction centered around the High Elves, the noble class among elves.

And here was the heir herself, the young lord, making a personal appearance.

“Sir William of the Round Table, the Fierce Tiger, is here too.”

The Round Table was an alliance of noble houses.

Notably, the Swordsmanship Families were excluded.

The Swordsmanship Families were the most prestigious in the Alliance and refused to be grouped with others, maintaining their own independent power.

“Even Sir Aslan, the Vice Commander of the Karn Empire’s Imperial Guard, the Radiant Sword.”

People swallowed hard as they looked at the woman with a steely, unyielding presence.

“Why would such great figures gather when it’s obvious the Sword King will be the one to behead the hero?”

“Especially Sir Aslan, who must be busy with the Karn Empire’s internal affairs, yet he’s come all the way here.”

The Karn Empire was currently the most chaotic place in the Alliance.

The struggle for the throne had intensified, with various factions interfering.

The Alliance’s two strongest military forces—the Swordsmanship Families and the White Tiger Corps—were backing different successors, and even the Gray Zone, a den of demons within the Alliance, seemed poised to intervene, hinting at the possibility of civil war.

“Probably here to recruit the hero for the Crown Prince’s cause.”

“If the hero supports him, it would give him an advantage in the throne dispute.”

Naturally, the hero’s symbolic value in the Alliance was immense.

Especially now, with the Magic Empire’s movements growing increasingly ominous.

“Though that’s assuming the hero survives this duel.”

“He’s bound to become the shortest-lived hero in history.”

At that moment, the Holy Empire’s banner appeared in the distance.

The Sovereign’s procession had arrived.

“Long live His Majesty the Sovereign!”

Everyone present immediately bowed toward the Sovereign.

Though they belonged to different factions, the Sovereign was one of the three highest dignitaries of the Alliance, alongside the Gold Cross’s Law King and the Karn Empire’s Emperor, so such respect was expected.

“Who is the hero?”

Everyone quickly scanned the Sovereign’s entourage.

One figure stood out as incongruous.

A man with a steely gaze and chiseled features, resembling the protagonist of a heroic tale.

He looked every bit the hero.

“Is that the newly appeared hero?”

The man pointed out by the crowd, Evan, stepped forward and shook his head.

“I am not the hero. This is the hero. Everyone, please pay your respects to the great hero.”

“!!”

Only then did people’s eyes fall on the figure behind Evan.

A blonde boy with blue eyes.

It was Chris in disguise.

“The boy is the hero?”

“He doesn’t look like one at all.”

People tilted their heads in confusion.

Chris was currently disguised using the legendary artifact, the Banner of the Constellation.

Because drastic changes in appearance could cause a sense of alienation, he maintained a form somewhat similar to his original.

So he appeared slender and refined.

He looked more like a well-bred noble than the typical image of a strong, rugged hero.

If people knew of Chris’s achievements with the Banner, they might understand, but he was deliberately hiding his power, so no one recognized him.

And his expression.

“…He looks hopeless. What kind of hero has such an annoying face?”

Chris frowned deeply, giving off an unpleasant vibe.

He looked like an arrogant, insufferable noble.

There was a reason for this.

Chris was feeling extremely uncomfortable.

Seeing the crowd flock around him made the reality of being the true hero sink in.

“Damn it, Evan. That guy has no idea what’s going on inside me.”

He glared at Evan, who was beaming proudly at him.

“I will make sure that someday, Evan, I will take back this hero title from you.”

Just as he was trying to compose himself, a rough voice rang out.

“Haha! So this is the great hero! I’m William of the Round Table! Though I’m not much, I’m the head of the War King noble house.”

A man with a massive, mountain-like build spoke.

His hearty voice matched his straightforward appearance.

Chris’s eyes flickered.

“William… he’s here too?”

They had a deep connection in his past life.

William had been another member of the hero party.

“Not a full member, more like a guest member, like Istanya.”

Unlike the other heroes, William was in his early forties.

“While the others grew late, he was already accomplished and active from the early days of the Age of Destruction.”

His current achievement level was around upper 7-star.

For the generally mediocre Alliance, that was impressive.

No wonder he was called the Fierce Tiger.

But—

“Not enough.”

Chris crossed his arms.

Maybe it was because he had seen so many formidable figures since becoming a demon of the Magic Empire, but William felt woefully inadequate.

“Before the war starts, William should be at least 8-star.”

William’s other nickname was “The Shield.”

The higher his achievement, the more he could reduce the Alliance’s losses.

“The problem is how.”

William wasn’t a genius who could grow effortlessly like Evan or the Archmage Lanya.

He needed help to advance quickly, but he wasn’t the type to take advice easily.

“Despite his rough appearance, he’s from a noble family and has a huge ego.”

It was obvious even now.

Chris smirked at the look William gave him.

His competitive spirit was blazing.

He clearly wanted to crush this suddenly appeared hero and reveal his true strength.

“A hero, huh? Interesting. I know most of the new faces around here, but you’re a stranger to me.”

William eyed Chris suspiciously.

If Chris weren’t about to face the Sword King, he might have challenged him to a duel on the spot.

Istanya, the Sovereign behind them, frowned, but Chris raised a hand, signaling he would handle it.

“A duel, huh? I was going to teach him a lesson anyway. Might as well take this chance to put him in his place.”

He thought it would be good to use the duel as an excuse to teach a lesson.

“Consider yourself lucky. My lessons aren’t easy to come by. Though, since it’s ‘practical’ training, it might get a little rough.”

With that in mind, Chris spoke.

Unlike the demons who threw punches without ceremony, the Alliance valued appearances and preferred to set the stage first.

“I’ve never seen your face before either.”

“…That’s a bit rude.”

“You’re the same. I’m a hero, so I’m on equal footing with you, the head of a minor noble house.”

“…W-what? Minor noble house?”

“I’ve never even heard of the War King noble house. Was that even part of the Round Table? The name sounds grand, but War King? Ha! Sorry, I’m laughing.”

William’s face flushed red.

Thanks to him as head, the War King house had recently gained some prominence, but it was still a minor house within the Round Table.

“This generation’s hero is quite rude.”

“I’m just stating facts. You’re the sensitive one. If I hit a nerve, I apologize. It’s just that you’re supposed to be delicate with those who are truly lacking. I guess I lack tact.”

“You bastard!!”

William snapped, drawing his battle axe.

“Master, please restrain yourself and show respect to the hero.”

Evan stepped in front of Chris, speaking firmly.

“Isn’t it you who’s being rude?!”

Evan tilted his head slightly.

“I don’t see what’s rude about it. There’s nothing incorrect in what I said. Isn’t the Jeonwang family truly a minor noble house?”

“You—!”

William, hailing from the strongest swordsmanship family in the alliance, jumped even higher at Evan’s words.

Meanwhile, the crowd wore expressions of keen interest.

‘Daring to pick a fight with Sir William the Fierce? Has he lost his mind?’

‘Looks like he can’t even recognize who he’s dealing with.’

William ground his teeth.

“You’re about to face an important duel, so I won’t make a scene here. But you will bow your head and apologize to me right now.”

It was a concession, given the presence of the lord of the castle.

But then—

“Actually, I think I’m the one who should be receiving an apology.”

“…What?”

“Didn’t you first cast a disrespectful look at me, the hero? Isn’t that right, Evan?”

Evan nodded in agreement, playing along.

“That’s right, my lord. This man was the first to give you an insolent glare. You should apologize to the hero immediately, head of the family.”

William’s face twisted with frustration.

Snap!

He finally drew his axe.

“You’re unbearable. Someone like you being called a hero—there must be some mistake. The outcome of your duel with the Ghost Sword King is obvious without even seeing it. I’ll be the one to teach you proper manners first.”

All eyes turned toward him.

Chris let out a quiet chuckle.