Capítulo 37: Chapter 37

Toby yawned widely, his mouth agape, and mumbled,

"Roderick, why the noise while I'm trying to sleep? I don't have any duties, so let me rest."

"Duties? You're saying the summons from Count is not a duty?"

"There was a reason for that. Seeing that there was no angry command, it seems he has forgiven me."

Toby answered nonchalantly while taking a swig from his canteen. It looked like water at first glance, but the liquid spilling from his mouth was red. Sylas, wearing a baffled expression, directed his words at Toby.

"You said you couldn't come because of a hangover, yet you're drinking wine?"

"Hmm? Who are you?"

"It's Lord Sylas! Can you stop this nonsense?"

As Toby asked back blankly, Roderick's anger boiled over, and he dropped the formalities. Upon hearing this, Toby finally understood and nodded.

"Ah, so you are the new lord. Knight Toby greets you."

"Yes, Sir Toby. What's the reason for drinking wine if you claim to have a hangover?"

"This is a hangover remedy. The saying goes, 'Cure a hangover with more alcohol.' It's a proverb from my hometown."

What nonsense! It wasn't exactly a "fight fire with fire" situation, but it made Sylas smirk involuntarily.

"Anyway, since you're awake, let's get to the point. From now on, you are my bodyguard."

"What? What do you mean?"

"Just as you heard. I have appointed you as my bodyguard. My father called for you just for that reason."

At those words, Toby frowned, clearly displaying his immense reluctance. It seemed he had no intention of hiding it, as he bluntly said,

"Can I refuse that?"

"You little—!"

"Roderick, calm down."

Stepping forward, Sylas stopped the about-to-explode Roderick.

"I've heard that your martial prowess is quite remarkable. That's why I intended to appoint you as my bodyguard."

"Well, I can't deny that my skills are impressive."

Toby puffed out his chest and shrugged his shoulders. This was a reaction that could only come from someone with absolute confidence in their strength.

"Is that so? How do you compare with Sir Roderick here?"

"Oh, I could defeat Sir Roderick even fighting with one hand."

"...!"

Roderick's face turned bright red at Toby's outright dismissal. Sylas shook his head, wearing an expression of disbelief.

"That's quite an exaggeration. From what I know, Sir Roderick is a knight of considerable skill."

"But he's no match for me. It's a pity I can't demonstrate it directly."

"No! You will see it for yourself! I challenge you to a duel!"

Toby grinned at Roderick's explosion of anger.

***

'He's provoking him on purpose.'

To an onlooker, it might seem like thoughtless remarks made in jest, but Sylas understood. Toby was clearly intentionally goading Roderick.

'Not out of animosity, but rather for fun?'

Toby's expression suggested he was slightly amused, appearing unconcerned about the trouble he might get into with Roderick. The two, now armed and prepared for the duel, faced each other.

"I'm ready, so let's get started."

"Fine. The young lord will decide the outcome… wait, what are you doing?"

"What do you mean, what am I doing?"

"Why are you holding your sword like that?!"

Unlike Roderick, who held his sword with both hands in a proper stance, Toby was gripping his sword with only one hand. Toby shrugged in response.

"You said one hand is enough, didn't you?"

"Are you insulting me until the end?"

"I'm being serious."

"Let's see how long that confidence lasts!"

Angry, Roderick closed the distance and charged at him. Sylas couldn't help but admire Roderick's clean movement internally.

'Wow, he really has good skills.'

At that level, he was quite impressive for his age. Unless one was a born genius, it would be hard to find a match among his peers. However, Toby did not wipe the smile off his face as he held his sword.

Clang.

"...!"

Roderick's eyes widened as the sound of swords clashing rang out. Clearly, his two-handed swing had been met by Toby's one-handed parry. No matter how much strength Roderick put into it, Toby's sword remained completely unmoved.

"This is ridiculous… urgh!"

Unintentionally murmuring, Roderick quickly raised his sword to block an incoming strike. Moments later, the two swords collided.

Bang.

"Gah!"

The shock resonated throughout Roderick's body, pushing him back. The force was so strong that the blade trembled continuously. Sylas couldn't help but smirk at the brief exchange between the two.

'What is this, a troll in human form or something…?'

Before his reincarnation, Sylas had once stayed with a mercenary group while working in the upper echelons of the guard. During that time, a master and disciple within the mercenary group had a similar conversation.

'Master, how should I deal with an opponent using dual swords? '

'You use a two-handed sword, right? Just swing it with all your strength.'

'But the opponent will block with one hand and attack with the other.'

'What nonsense are you talking about? Is the sword a shield? You want to block a two-handed sword with a one-handed sword?'

'Huh? Isn't that possible?'

'Of course not! If you swing hard enough, you'll break through the defense and split their torso in half; just aim well.'

He also added that if the opponent was skilled enough to dodge or deflect such an attack, he should consider himself dead. Sylas nodded unconsciously, thinking it was excellent advice.

It was common sense that one-handed swords couldn't block two-handed ones.

'But it seems like that common sense is being easily shattered.'

Without any flashy techniques or precise skills, Toby toyed with Roderick purely with strength that transcended human limits. When he unleashed his full power, he was a force that could become a calamity on the battlefield.

'You're definitely going to be under my command.'

Sylas licked his lips as he watched Toby joyfully wielding his sword.

Clang.

After twelve exchanges, Roderick's sword was sent flying. He had held on until his grip was torn and bloodied, but now he had reached his limit. If he endured any longer, the bones in his wrist would break. Toby proudly rested his sword on his shoulder.

"Is this my victory?"

"…Yes, I have lost."

Roderick lowered his head deeply. A loser had no words. Although he didn't like the opponent, the man had proven his strength. Therefore, he would accept the outcome as a knight.

"Don't be too disappointed. It was just because you faced me; if it were someone else… Hmph!"

"What's that?"

"No, I just suddenly felt a chill…"

Toby shrugged it off as a result of drinking too much lately, rubbing his shoulder without noticing Sylas licking his tongue behind him.

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