บท 250: Spar?
In truth, sending your own people to serve under someone else wasn't all that unusual.
Even in Riezel's previous life, where human life and rights were highly valued, such practices were common, with those in power often resorting to them.
However, the only difference was that they weren't as blatant, and the people sent to others weren't called attendants but called spies or moles.
Compared to that, the royal family's act of sending someone as an attendant seemed more aboveboard. Even so, with a contract binding them, the execution and feasibility were actually much higher.
Understanding this, Riezel wasn't surprised by the royal family's move, but there was one thing that made him frown.
"They'd send even a princess to be someone's attendant for something like this?" Riezel whispered.
Hearing his whisper, Yuri's response was blunt.
"What could be more appealing than delivering a princess?" Yuri shook her head. "Of course, not just anyone can make the royal family send out their princess. In all of Jinas, only two people would qualify."
It wasn't too hard to guess who these two people were.
Since only magicians could form an attendant contract, the two people who qualified to have a princess as their attendant were obviously the two Strategic-Class Magicians of Jinas.
Given that they were the most terrifying weapons on the battlefield, the royal family might send a princess to become their attendant and bind them with the attendant contract to prevent any rebellion.
"You..."
Seeming to realize something, Riezel's gaze at Yuri turned to one of surprise, filled with astonishment.
However, Yuri acted as if she didn't notice his expression, gently shifting her posture.
"You might be a Sword Saint, but you're also a Tactical-Class Magician. Given your young age, the royal family sees your potential and values your future achievements. Sending you a princess to be your attendant is pretty much how they operate."
"Princess Lizbeth might still be young, but as an attendant, she's more than qualified since she's undoubtedly one of the most outstanding members of this generation of the royal family."
"As for whether to accept her, that's up to you."
Yuri didn't offer any advice but helped Riezel sort through everything, leaving the decision to him.
Riezel quickly suppressed the random thoughts running through his mind.
Was there really any need to think about whether to accept Lizbeth?
"Let's go back."
Riezel spoke calmly before walking back to the reception room.
Yuri silently watched him leave and, after a moment, followed.
===
In the reception room, Lizbeth and Marilyn were still staring at each other silently, which caused the atmosphere to become increasingly tense.
One of them was curled up on the sofa, while the other stood there like a statue, forming a stark contrast.
Thankfully, the return of Riezel and Yuri helped break the uncomfortable atmosphere, and Lizbeth's expression noticeably improved.
Before Riezel and Yuri could speak, however, Lizbeth took the initiative to stand up and address them.
"I'm sorry."
Just like before, Lizbeth apologized and bowed, but this time she wasn't as flustered.
"I was too nervous earlier and accidentally got confused, saying some nonsense... Please forgive me."
It seemed that she had calmed down, though her expression was still a bit tense and hadn't fully relaxed.
Seeing that Lizbeth was finally able to have a normal conversation, Riezel couldn't help but feel a little relieved. At least he didn't have to worry about her making any more shocking statements, which was good.
Yuri sat down, quietly watching Riezel and Lizbeth, clearly indicating that she didn't plan to intervene and was leaving the floor to them.
Riezel glanced at Yuri for a moment, then sat down in front of Lizbeth.
"I already know your intentions, Your Highness."
Riezel gestured for Lizbeth to sit back down as he spoke.
"Honestly, I'm not really into it."
Upon hearing this, Lizbeth's body immediately stiffened.
"Of course, I'm not saying you're unqualified or anything."
Riezel quickly clarified to avoid further confusion for the princess.
"It's just that, first, I've never considered taking on any attendant, and second, I don't like being bound by anything unnecessary. So, I'm sorry, but I'll have to refuse this offer."
After hearing this, Lizbeth looked like she wanted to say something but didn't know how to express it, looking pitiful.
It was clear that this little princess rarely interacted with others, and her nervousness and shyness had almost become a kind of ailment.
Seeing her like this, Riezel could only continue the conversation by himself.
"If you came here under orders from the royal family, go back and tell them I don't plan on doing anything." Riezel suddenly smiled. "Of course, that is, unless they're planning to do 'something' to me."
Needless to say, his words were more or less a warning.
"Well then, that's how it is."
As soon as Riezel finished saying this, he stood up and turned to leave.
Yuri and Marilyn exchanged glances, both seeing complex emotions in each other's eyes. Even so, neither of them said or did anything, simply watching the scene silently.
Lizbeth also silently watched Riezel, her light gray eyes revealing emotions that others couldn't understand.
Just as Riezel was about to leave the reception room, however, Lizbeth suddenly spoke up.
"I have a request."
Lizbeth's words made Riezel stop in his tracks and turn around.
However, when he did, he saw a seriousness in her light gray eyes that hadn't been there before.
"Could you spar with me?"
Lizbeth had actually made such a surprising request.
""Spar?""
Yuri and Marilyn both froze.
"Oh?" Riezel raised his eyebrows slightly.
Lizbeth took a deep breath and stood up.
"...I'm timid, not good with words, don't know how to speak properly, and don't know how to win people over... I'm really sorry..."
Holding the very conspicuous sword in her arms, Lizbeth stared at Riezel seriously.
"But throughout my life so far, there's only one thing I've done from start to finish, and it's the only thing I have confidence in—the only thing I trust."
What could that be?
It was simple.
"Wielding a sword."
Lizbeth's voice sounded completely different from before.
"When I can't figure something out, I wield a sword."
"When I can't accomplish something, I wield a sword."
"I only know how to wield a sword, and that's all I can do."
Lizbeth's gaze locked onto Riezel's eyes, and surprisingly, a fighting spirit emerged in her eyes.
"That's why, could you spar with me first before you decide?"
Lizbeth's words not only made Yuri look at her in a new light but also made Marilyn stare at her as if she were seeing her for the first time.
Riezel, on the other hand, calmly met Lizbeth's gaze, saw the determination and fighting spirit in her eyes, and then smiled.
"Interesting..."
Riezel turned around, his back now facing Lizbeth.
Just when Lizbeth thought Riezel was going to refuse, he spoke with a serene voice.
"In that case, let me see what your sword can do."
===
About five minutes later, Riezel and the others moved to a corner of the Frenzel residence's courtyard.
"Alright, this spot should do."
Just like in countless previous challenges, Riezel used the Structure System Magic to create a sword with a scabbard, placed it by his side, and then looked across at his opponent with a calm smile.
"I'll give you the first move, Your Highness."
If Riezel were to take the first move, there was a ninety percent chance it would result in instant defeat. Hence, ever since Marco and Alder's challenges, he had always done this—letting others make the first move and giving them a chance to strike him first.
"..."
Lizbeth didn't respond but released the sword she had been holding in her arms.
As soon as she let the sword go, everyone present realized just how large it was.
The blade alone was about 112 cm long and roughly 7 cm wide. If the hilt was included, the entire sword was nearly 130 cm long.
Compared to Lizbeth's stature, it was definitely on the larger side.
"That sword..."
Yuri seriously examined Lizbeth's sword for the first time, and as she looked carefully, she immediately noticed something was off about it.
Nearby, Marilyn was also staring at the sword in silence.
From that sword, everyone present could feel an incredibly subtle yet overwhelming magical energy, especially Riezel, who was the first to notice it.
'Hmm, that sword... it's probably stronger than the magic weapon Albert used last time, and... it seems to be way stronger...'
'As expected of a princess, casually bringing out something that powerful.'
Albert's magic weapon was already considered First-Class Special Equipment, so it was clear that the sword in Lizbeth's hands was no less and might have even surpassed the category of First-Class Special Equipment.
Moreover, when Lizbeth drew the sword, this feeling only intensified.
As the blade was exposed, it gleamed as if made of pure gold, exuding an aura of luxury and nobility.
Clearly, even if it wasn't a magic weapon and was just an ordinary weapon, its appearance alone could fetch a sky-high price.
"...I'm starting."
Once Lizbeth gripped her sword, her entire demeanor changed, becoming like that of a veteran swordsman with a sharp edge, her gaze incredibly fierce.
"Bring it on."
Riezel found himself actually looking forward to it.
Meanwhile, Yuri, who was watching from the sidelines, felt a bit uneasy.
She didn't believe Lizbeth's sword was something the royal family had prepared for her.
Why?
It was simply because when she had accepted a princess as her attendant in the past, the latter hadn't brought such an exceptional item with her.
Her intuition told her that there was definitely something hidden about Lizbeth.
"What do you know about this ninth princess?"
Yuri couldn't help but turn her head and ask Marilyn.
"...I know very little."
Marilyn was silent for a moment before responding with a stoic expression.
"She rarely appears in public, and even less so in front of her own siblings. His Majesty has never allowed her to show herself in public, so her presence is very low. Many princes and princesses might not even remember they have such a younger sister or elder sister."
"However, there was one incident that caused quite a stir in the royal palace."
"What incident?" Yuri asked without hesitation.
In response, Marilyn closed her eyes and began to reveal a secret.
"She wasn't born in the royal palace, nor was she raised there as a princess."
"She was brought back by His Majesty at the age of seven from outside."
"From what I know, she is an illegitimate child."
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