Episode 197: A Strange Encounter (2)
The High Class of the Apple Kingdom.
Liam Bluegreen couldn’t help but feel bewildered.
“Join us? What on earth is he planning?”
Even in the Apple Kingdom, Javier Silva’s reputation was well-known. He was a legendary figure who had risen from a humble knightly family to the esteemed rank of Master Class. In the Kingdom of Duflin, he wielded more power than the king himself. And now, this influential man had come all this way just to accompany them? It was hard to believe.
“Could he be trying to gather information on Damian?”
Damian’s fame had already spread far and wide. He was known as a prodigious genius and a formidable talent. From Javier Silva’s perspective, it was only natural to be wary of Damian. After all, his own son, Joshua, was also a High Class, and there was a high chance they would face each other in the Helian Tournament. Perhaps Javier’s proposal to join them was a ploy to discover a way to defeat Damian. With the eyes of a Master Class, he could easily uncover all of Damian’s weaknesses.
“If that’s really his intention… I must refuse.”
The Helian Tournament was a matter of national pride and honor. The king of the Apple Kingdom eagerly anticipated Damian’s victory. They couldn’t afford to start off at a disadvantage.
“I’m sorry, but I’m afraid that’s not possible.”
Liam Bluegreen spoke with resolve. “Since we’re both participants in the tournament, I don’t see how traveling together would benefit either of us.”
Javier stroked his chin in silence. “My son, Joshua, you see, has been gifted with talent since he was young.”
Liam’s brow furrowed slightly at the unexpected comment.
“His talent was so exceptional that he struggled to make friends with other children. Isn’t it true that geniuses often find it hard to relate to the ordinary?”
“Ah, yes…”
“As a father, I couldn’t help but worry. I wanted Joshua to have a broader circle of friends. That’s why I sought you out.”
Javier continued, gently ruffling Joshua’s hair. “I thought knights participating in the tournament could form good relationships with him.”
“I see.”
“So, I went out of my way to ask someone of your mere High Class status… and you refuse?”
Javier’s expression turned menacing, and the atmosphere grew icy. “Refusing my request… how brave of you. Aren’t you afraid of what might happen next?”
Though Javier didn’t exude any killing intent, his words alone were enough to make Liam Bluegreen feel a tightening pressure around his heart. It was a stark reminder of the formidable presence of a true Master Class standing before him.
“Sir Silva, we are representing the Apple Kingdom on our journey to the Empire.”
Liam Bluegreen had his own dignity to uphold. As a knight representing the Apple Kingdom, he had a duty to ensure the safe arrival of his party in the Empire. He couldn’t simply back down because a Master Class was slightly displeased.
“Are you trying to intimidate us, Sir Silva, a noble of another country?”
Liam and his companions were representatives of the Apple Kingdom. For Javier Silva to threaten them was a serious diplomatic offense.
“And what of it?”
Javier dismissed Liam’s words with indifference. His arrogant demeanor left Liam at a loss for words.
“Threatening a noble from another country… what of it? Are you declaring war? That could be interesting.”
Javier’s boldness left Liam speechless. If war were to break out between the two nations, the Apple Kingdom would surely be at a disadvantage. After all, the Kingdom of Duflin had Javier Silva, a Master Class, the pinnacle of martial prowess. Of course, an actual war was unlikely, as the Empire wouldn’t stand idly by. But the Empire would only prevent the outbreak of war, not intervene in other matters. Even if the Kingdom of Duflin used its Master Class to oppress the Apple Kingdom.
Liam Bluegreen was caught in a dilemma when a voice broke the tension.
“Sir Liam, what are you hesitating for?”
Both men turned their gaze to the speaker.
“Let’s graciously accept the offer.”
Damian Haxen spoke, drawing their attention.
Liam Bluegreen was taken aback by Damian’s words.
“Sir Damian? What do you mean?”
“How many chances in a lifetime do you get to travel with a Master Class? We can’t pass up such a great opportunity.”
Liam was even more bewildered by Damian’s response. Meanwhile, Javier burst into laughter.
“Haha, the young man is wise! Indeed, it’s rare to have the chance to travel with a Master Class!”
As Javier expressed his delight, Damian inwardly smirked. His reason for accepting Javier’s proposal was different. He wanted to uncover what Javier was truly up to. Traveling with them offered no apparent benefit to Javier, yet he had gone out of his way to request it. His response to Liam’s refusal with threats was suspicious. It piqued Damian’s curiosity.
“With anyone else, I might not be suspicious… but you’re likely in league with dark wizards, so I can’t help but be wary.”
There was a chance that dark wizards were involved in this matter. They were like cockroaches, appearing in the most unexpected places to wreak havoc.
“I’ve been curious about when you got involved with dark wizards.”
Damian had already planned to kill Javier Silva eventually. For betraying humanity? For causing the downfall of the Eastern Alliance?
“Because of you, my family died.”
The Apple Kingdom was part of the Eastern Alliance, and when the alliance fell, the Apple Kingdom faced the same fate. It was during that time that Damian, under orders from Dorogo, had to kill his own family. In that sense, Javier Silva had indirectly contributed to their deaths. Damian had no intention of letting Javier live.
“If you’re really approaching us because of the dark wizards…”
He was determined to find a way to kill Javier during their journey.
“Sir Damian, are you serious?”
Liam Bluegreen asked cautiously. Damian nodded. As a High Class closely tied to the kingdom, and having once saved Liam’s life, Damian’s decision left Liam with no choice but to relent.
“Very well, we’ll do as Sir Damian suggests.”
And so, it was decided that they would travel with the Silva father and son.
In the Kingdom of Duflin, Javier Silva was renowned for wielding more power than the king. It was only natural; while a king could be replaced, there was only one Master Class. True to his reputation, the entourage Javier Silva brought was enormous. With over a hundred soldiers and attendants, and dozens of knights, it was practically a moving army. In comparison, the Apple Kingdom’s procession was but a handful.
“So, do you know what I did? I utterly crushed them!”
Javier was quite the talkative character, endlessly recounting tales of his exploits, whether anyone was interested or not.
“Indeed, that’s impressive.”
Liam Bluegreen stuck by Javier’s side, nodding along, though his face clearly showed his lack of enthusiasm.
“Sir Liam has his work cut out for him.”
Michael whispered to Damian, who nodded in agreement.
“But brother, why did you agree to Javier’s proposal?”
Michael asked, puzzled. He couldn’t see any benefit in traveling with them.
“Being close to a Master, you might pick up something useful.”
Damian replied with a lie. Michael tilted his head, clearly skeptical of Damian’s words.
“Snore~.”
At that moment, the sound of snoring reached their ears. Turning their gaze, they saw Veronica asleep on her horse, her head and back arched precariously, yet somehow managing not to fall off.
“She really has no sense of decorum.”
Michael muttered in exasperation.
“Sir Damian Haxen?”
Javier called out to Damian.
“I’ve heard much about you. Your fame has even reached our Kingdom of Duflin.”
“Is that so?”
Despite the Master Class’s praise, Damian remained composed. Frankly, he had little interest in his reputation abroad.
“They say you swiftly defeated the marquis’s knights threatening your family and even hunted down the dark wizards pursued by the Holy Order.”
At the mention of the marquis, Michael cleared his throat.
“And to reach the High Class at such a young age! It’s like seeing a younger version of myself. Though, perhaps not quite as good.”
Javier laughed heartily as he spoke.
“I reached high-class status at a much younger age than you did. Everyone was in such a frenzy, calling me the second coming of the hero Crail.”
No one had asked, but Javier began recounting his past.
‘What a conceited man,’ thought Damian, sizing up Javier. He seemed to praise others, but it was really just a way to boast about himself. It had been a while since Damian had encountered someone so full of themselves.
“I’ve heard a lot about you too, Sir Damian,” Joshua Silva interjected, as if he’d been waiting for the right moment. “You’re so famous, I’ve always wanted to meet you. It’s an honor to finally do so.”
Damian studied Joshua. The resemblance to his father was uncanny, right down to the broad philtrum and the space between his eyebrows.
“Haha, Joshua, don’t be too modest. Didn’t you also reach high-class status at a younger age than Damian Haxen?”
“That’s true, but… I’ve never met a genius who could be compared to me, so I couldn’t help but be curious.”
“Yes, I understand. I was the same at your age,” Javier chimed in.
Damian couldn’t help but chuckle inwardly. Like father, like son. They pretended to praise him, but it was just another way to flaunt their own abilities. It was a way of speaking that could easily rub someone the wrong way.
“That man…” Michael, standing nearby, bristled. Damian held him back.
“Let it go.”
“But, brother…”
“If I’m staying quiet, you stepping in will only make us look foolish.”
Michael bit his lip at Damian’s words. “Alright, I’ll hold back…”
“What? You reached high-class status before Damian Haxen?”
It was then that Veronica, who had just woken up, spoke to Joshua. Her unexpected question left Joshua flustered.
“Are you deaf? I’m asking if you really became high-class before Damian Haxen.”
Joshua’s discomfort grew.
“Uh, yes, that’s correct.”
“Hmm… is that so?” Veronica scrutinized Joshua with half-open eyes.
“And who might you be, my lady?” Joshua asked, regaining his composure and offering a charming smile. “I’ve never seen someone as beautiful as you. Your natural, unadorned look is captivating, but with a little refinement…”
“Strange. You seem weaker than Damian Haxen,” she continued, cutting him off.
Joshua’s expression froze.
“What are you saying…?”
“If you reached high-class status earlier than Damian, doesn’t that mean you’re more talented? But you seem weaker.”
“Haha, my lady must be mistaken. The true measure of knights can only be known through actual combat…”
“Wait a minute, isn’t the age you reached high-class status irrelevant? Shouldn’t we consider how long you’ve been training? When did you start learning the sword?”
Veronica wasn’t listening to Joshua at all.
“Well… you could say I’ve been learning since birth. I imprinted my father’s swordsmanship in my mind as a baby.”
Despite Veronica’s dismissive attitude, Joshua maintained his smile and even answered her.
Damian couldn’t help but smirk inwardly. A baby learning swordsmanship? What a ridiculous claim.
“Ridiculous,” Veronica said bluntly.
In that moment, not only Damian but everyone else turned to Veronica in shock.