<em>Editor: Tseirp</em>


    The clothing store rmended by the deputy governor’s office offered a rich selection.


    Next door, a tailor shop from the same chain was also open, catering to both ready-made and custom orders.


    “Are you sure you’re okay with just an off-the-shelf cloak? We have plenty of money, you know?”


    “I don’t know how long we’ll be staying in this city. Besides, as long as the cloak is sturdy, that’s good enough, right?”


    “You’re surprisingly frugal for a king, Abel. Though being too extravagant would be a problem too.”


    “Is that even rted?”


    Ryo’s image of a ‘king’ was someone who spent moneyvishly… perhaps not excessively, but at least someone who didn’t hesitate to spend on quality items.


    “I get that good things cost money. It’s just that I don’t often feel like buying good things…”“You’re a swordsman, Abel. You should get quality weapons… then again, that sword of yours already stands out. It doesn’t look like it needs a recement.”


    “Ah, this one? I just happened to pick it up from a corner somewhere… but I’ve grown quite attached to it.”


    Abel said this while tapping the hilt of his sword with his right hand.


    Since bing an adventurer, it had been hispanion through countless life-or-death situations.


    Growing attached to it was only natural.


    “By ‘corner,’ you mean a corner of the royal treasury, right?”


    “Yes, that’s correct.”


    “I’d love to see inside someday. There must be some amazing alchemy tools in there!”


    “Probably, but even if there are, you won’t get your hands on them.”


    “Why not?!”


    “It’s the kingdom’s property. Unless there’s apelling reason, I can’t just give it away. It’s not something I can decide on my own.”


    “Even though you’re the king?”


    “A king is merely the kingdom’s administrator. The kingdom doesn’t belong entirely to the king. In fact, royal family assets and state assets are separate. While I can use royal family assets to some extent… even thosee with responsibilities to my descendants, so I can’t be too careless.” ?Α????Ε??


    “Being a king doesn’t seem very free…”


    “Well… that’s just how it is.”


    Ryo sighed softly, and Abel replied with a wry smile.


    That said, today’s priority was buying a cloak for Abel.


    He would be paying with the money he had earned since leaving Manyamya, with no need for hesitation.


    “A ck cloak would look cool.”


    “Ah, this one, right?”


    Seeing Abel stop and gaze at a particr cloak, Ryo gave him a gentle nudge forward.


    The ck cloak was both practical and had a touch of elegance.


    Cloaks have been used throughout the world and across many eras.


    Their versatility and usefulness make them indispensable.


    For adventurers, what are the uses of a cloak?


    First, as protection against the cold.


    Even a singleyer can provide surprising warmth.


    Next, as armor.


    A sturdy cloak can deflect flimsy arrows.


    There are even techniques that involve using a cloak to deflect multiple arrows.


    Abel, of course, knows these skills…


    Additionally, a cloak serves as protection against dirt.


    Most adventurers’ cloaks are easy to wash with water.


    When wearing a cloak, even formal attire remains clean, making it suitable for audiences with nobles.


    The ck cloak Abel was eyeing didn’t seem particrly stiff.


    Its sp was silver.


    And the craftsmanship from the shoulders to the back was uniquely distinctive.


    “This cloak seems designed for someone like you, Abel, who carries a sword on their back.”


    “Yeah. Even with the cloak on, I can draw my sword without hindrance.”


    This feature appeared to be the biggest draw for Abel.@@novelbin@@


    The cloak was reinforced subtly withyered leather or something simr to prevent it from being cut when drawing the sword quickly.


    The reinforcement was so meticulously done that it was barely noticeable unless closely inspected.


    Abel lifted the cloak and examined its interior.


    “This is…”


    “Bright red…”


    The inside of the cloak was red.


    Contrasting with its ck exterior.


    “Red and ck… Stendhal.”


    Ryo muttered the words instinctively.


    When one hears ‘red and ck’, Stendhal naturallyes to mind.


    It’smon knowledge for any well-read individual.


    However, Ryo hadn’t actually read Stendhal’s novel ‘The Red and the ck’…


    “But this is definitely a cloak for a high-ranking swordsman like you, Abel.”


    “Why do you say that?”


    “The red interior conceals blood stter, doesn’t it? It’s almost as if it’s encouraging you to stain it even redder with blood.”


    “…Or to hide the blood when I’m wounded?”


    “That’s a possibility too! This cloak lets you keep fighting no matter how much you’re hurt!”


    “That’s hardly reassuring…”


    Despite the yful exchange, Abel had made up his mind.


    “Excuse me, I’ll take this cloak.”


    The ck cloak was just the right length, reaching down to Abel’s ankles.


    “It’s perfect in every way, isn’t it?”


    “Yeah, it really is.”


    Abel replied.


    His cheeks slightly flushed and his eyes softening— a rare disy of emotion that Ryo didn’t miss.


    He was clearly delighted.


    Seeing Abel’s happiness, Ryo felt equally pleased.


    A good purchase, and a contentpanion— there was no better oue.


    But this moment of peace and joy was abruptly shattered.


    A lone figure appeared, blocking their path.


    The individual had already drawn their sword, its tip aimed at Abel and Ryo.


    “Abel! It’s finally happening! Atst, an assant has appeared! We’re being attacked in the middle of town!”


    For some reason, Ryo sounded excited.


    Naturally, two guards from the patrol team positioned themselves between the assant and the pair, shielding them with their bodies.


    But one of them involuntarily muttered under their breath.


    “Y-you are…”


    The whisper reached Abel’s ears.


    Finally, the assant opened their mouth to speak.


    “I assume you are Abel-dono of the Knightley Kingdom. I would like to request a sparring match with you.”


    The voice, for a male, was rather high-pitched.


    “A girl?”


    Ryo murmured.


    The attacker’s face did indeed appear to belong to a girl in her mid-teens.


    However, she was dressed as a boy.


    “Hmm…”


    Abel muttered, seemingly assessing the situation.


    “Abel?”


    Ryo called softly.


    Perhaps triggered by Ryo’s call, Abel finally spoke.


    “This is not the right ce. However, if there is a suitable location, I will ept your challenge.”


    The girl’s eyes widened at Abel’s response.


    Surprised that he had epted.


    After a brief moment of contemtion, she replied.


    “Understood. Please follow me.”


    She began walking.


    Abel followed her without a word.


    Ryo walking alongside him.


    Behind them, the two patrol guards also followed.


    “Abel.”


    Ryo called out again.


    “What is it?”


    “I thought this was going to be a ssic ambush-in-the-middle-of-the-city scenario, but it turns out it’s just someone asking for a sparring match…”


    “…Yeah.”


    Ryo shook his head slightly.


    Seemingly displeased with the unexpected turn of events.


    “Why did you agree to the sparring match?”


    “Because the look in her eyes… was genuine.”


    Abel answered Ryo’s question.


    “Got it! That actually makes for an exciting development. Just don’t let your guard down and end up regretting it!”


    Ryo’s voice immediately changed to a happy one.


    Ryo loved passionate encounters like this.


    The girl led them into arge mansion.


    “This is definitely the home of a noble or someone important.”


    “Looks like it. Even the patrol guards seem to recognize her.”


    As they entered the estate, a woman came running from the mansion toward them.


    “Mydy! Where have you been? You still have violin practice…”


    “Vaya, I’m about to engage in a sparring match.”


    “A sparring match? Again, mydy? You’ll win as usual, won’t you? Wouldn’t it be better to…”


    “This time, my opponent is quite strong. Please prepare a healer.”


    The girl led them to the mansion’s courtyard.


    Though called a courtyard, it was vast.


    Large enough to fit a 400-meter track.


    Chairs and tables were set near the walls of the mansion.


    While the center was clear, clearly intended forbat.


    The girl stopped in the center.


    Before stepping forward, Abel unfastened the sp of his cloak.


    “I’ll hold onto it.”


    “Thanks.”


    Abel replied, handing over the brand-new cloak.


    Ryo took a seat on one of the chairs off to the side.


    Despite his casual demeanor, Ryo was surprised by Abel’s decision to remove his cloak.


    There was a noticeable gap in strength between Abel and the girl.


    One even Ryo could sense, Abel surely knew this too.


    With such a difference, it would have been a perfect chance.


    To test the new cloak duringbat for example.


    After all, wearing a cloak or not can affect swordsmanship.


    And a sparring match is ideal for such experimentation… or so Ryo thought.


    Yet, Abel chose to remove it.


    Abel unsheathed his sword and took his stance.


    “Ready when you are.”


    “Here Ie!”


    With that, the girl closed the distance in an instant and struck downward, signaling the start of the match.


    “Whoa…”


    Ryo couldn’t help but let out an impressed sound.


    The girl’s sword strikes were sharp, her weight shifts precise, and each blow carried solid force.


    She wielded a one-handed straight sword.


    With such a weapon, relying on its weight alone wouldn’t deliver effective damage.


    To use it properly, it was best to focus on ‘cutting’ rather than brute force.


    It was clear she had thoroughly studied her weapon’s characteristics and practiced ordingly.


    From her movements.


    In this sparring match, the girl took the offensive while Abel defended.


    asionally, Abelunched counterattacks.


    These counters, Ryo observed, weren’t intended to overpower her but to test her defensive capabilities.


    In terms of raw power, there was a significant gap between Abel and the girl.


    If Abel had wanted to end the match quickly, he could have done so within three exchanges.


    That wasn’t to say the girl was weak.


    At fifteen or sixteen years old, she was astonishingly strong for her age.


    Among the Rune Knights, whom Ryo served as their swordsmanship instructor, she might rank within the top 20.


    The Rune Knights were renowned as the kingdom’s elite.


    For an adventurer, this would be equivalent to the top tier of C-rank.


    Possibly even nearing B-rank.


    And she was still in her mid-teens!


    Her strength was nothing short of remarkable.


    But Abel was on a different level.


    A former A-rank adventurer, Abel had survived countless deadly encounters. Each experience had honed his skills further.


    Compared to when Ryo had first met him, Abel had grown unbelievably stronger.


    “Huh?”


    Ryo noticed the girl taking a deep breath.


    She must have realized she couldn’t win as things stood and was likely preparing to unleash a decisive move.


    Abel, however, remainedpletely unchanged.


    “.”


    The girl whispered softly, and in the next moment…


    Her body was suddenly right in front of Abel… but the sword she had been holding flew high into the air.


    The spectators were undoubtedly shocked.


    In fact, most of them likely hadn’t understood what had just happened.


    Only two people weren’t surprised.


    Ryo and Abel.


    The most shocked of all was the girl who had uttered the word .


    She had intended to close the gap in one swift motion and thrust her sword with that momentum. Instead, her weapon had been sent flying, and her hands were now empty.


    What’s more, Abel’s sword was now pointed at her neck…


    “I’ve lost…”


    With those words, the girl admitted defeat. Abel gave a small nod and sheathed his sword.


    Then, without a word, he turned to leave.


    “Uh!”


    The girl called out, prompting Abel to turn back to face her once more.


    “How… how can I be stronger?”


    Her voice and eyes were filled with desperation.


    Anyone could see it.


    From the depths of her soul, she wanted to grow stronger, no matter the cost.


    Abel quietly opened his mouth to speak.


    “You have talent, and you’re putting in the effort. Even if you don’t rush, you’ll be stronger.”


    “I don’t have time.”


    “I see. As I said, if you take the time, you could be a swordswoman who represents your nation. You’re not misdirecting your efforts either. Your training is well-bnced between offense and defense. Continue developing as you are.”


    “Yes…”


    “If there’s anythingcking, it would be experience.”


    “Experience?”


    The girl had likely gained some experience in sparring and duels.


    Yet, she didn’t fully grasp Abel’s point.


    “You don’t n to switch to another weapon, like a spear or a greatsword… do you?”


    “No, I don’t.”


    She answered firmly, returning Abel’s gaze with determined eyes.


    “If that’s the case, you need to gain more experience, broaden your repertoire… and develop the insight thates with it. You’ll encounter opponents who target your weapon itself, like I did earlier.”


    “Ah…”


    “A one-handed sword is fast and easy to maneuver. But since it’s held with one hand, itcks the grip strength of two-handed weapons like spears or greatswords. Some opponents will exploit that weakness. Inbat, understanding what your opponent is targetinges only through experience.”


    “I see…”


    The girl nodded in understanding.


    With that, Abel turned on his heel.


    Having said all he intended.


    But then…


    “Wait!”


    The girl called out to him again.


    “Please make me your disciple!”


    “Denied.”


    “Wha…?”


    Her plea was met with Abel’s curt and immediate rejection.


    Without hesitation, Abel resumed walking and returned to Ryo’s side.


    Ryo stood and handed Abel his cloak.


    “Are you sure about that girl?”


    “Yes. Let’s head back to the inn.”


    Ryo asked softly. And Abel answered in his usual tone.


    Hearing Abel’s response, the two patrol guards took their positions, one in front and one behind the pair.


    Guiding them back to the inn since Abel and Ryo were unfamiliar with the way.


    Left behind was the girl, standing there in stunned silence.


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