Chapter 495


    Chapter 495: Convinced


    "Ouch, ouch... My stomach hurts..."


    "If it hurts that much, you should get someone to treat you..."


    "If I get treated, they''ll think I struggled! I could have won if I had five more seconds!"


    Elna was groaning in pain on the bed in my room.


    That''s expected.


    She received several punches from No-Name, taught directly by Linares.


    Especially midway, No-Name shifted her attacks to deal internal damage when she sensed Elna was diverting the force.


    "Alright, alright, I got it."


    "You don''t believe me, do you!?"


    Elna grimaced as she sat up.


    The shocking part was that she could move if she tried.


    ording to Chloe, No-Name could barely move and absolutely needed treatment.


    Considering their state after the match, Elna''s im of victory within five more seconds might not be a boast.


    No-Name was saved by time.


    That''s one way to see it.


    But...


    "This isn''t about believing or not believing. The result is the result. A draw remains a draw."


    "A mere draw and a draw close to a win are different!"


    "A draw is a draw."


    "It''s not the same! Waaah!"


    Elna iled her limbs on the bed.


    Just like a child.


    She must have been very frustrated by the draw. She didn''t seem to ept it.


    "The opponent is an SS-rank adventurer. A draw is a good result."


    "It''s the worst! To have a draw in a formal match! I was determined to win..."


    To her, anything but victory is a defeat.


    No one would belittle the Brave Family or her. Rather, they must have reassessed their views about how formidable they are. Even my father was thinking about how to reward her.


    "I don''t need any reward! I wanted to win!"


    "Sigh..."


    It reminds me of her childhood.


    Every time she lost to the veteran knights she couldn''t possibly beat, she woulde to my room and sulk.


    Each time, I told her that if she had gained something, it was her victory.


    Eventually, she stopped losing, and even if she did lose, she coulde to terms with it.


    But this time, she seemed unable to reconcile with herself.


    "The opponent has been researching the Brave Family for a long time. You disregarded that. Isn''t that something to be proud of?"


    "But..."


    "Are you worried about the promise you made to me?"


    "I... I said I would win..."


    "There will always be a next time. If you continue to be strong, No-Name will surely try to surpass you. Save our promise for that time."


    With that said, Elna, who hadn''t fully epted it, seemed somewhat convinced.


    At that moment, Leo entered the room.


    "I knew you''d be here."


    "Was father looking for me?"


    "Correct. It seems he wants tomend Elna."


    "The king? But..."


    "Go on. If he offers a reward, ask for a rematch someday. Father won''t be able to refuse."


    "There''s that option! Brilliant, Al!"


    Elna pped her hands as if she found a great idea and sat up.


    She grimaced slightly, but with a show of bravado, she left the room.


    "We''ll have to make sure she gets proper treatmentter, right?"


    "There''s no way she''ll listen to me."


    "Then we''ll force her."


    "She really hasn''t changed since she was a kid."


    "I think it''s nice. Having someone who doesn''t change is important too."


    Leo said, sitting down on the sofa.


    It seems he has something to talk about.


    "What''s up?"


    "...It seems that the third prince of the kingdom has be themander of the entire army."


    "That was predictable."


    The third prince of the Pen Kingdom.


    He''s a bit older than us.


    A prodigy once expected to be a martial king who would shoulder the kingdom.


    Leticia describes the prince as a war genius. Although he has a short battle history, his achievements are immeasurable.


    So why hasn''t such a guy appeared in public until now?


    It''s simple.


    He was nearly assassinated with drugs and his body became unable to move properly.


    As a result, the current crown prince, Lucian''s position became solid.


    Even a child would understand who slipped in the drugs.


    "He was said to never side with the crown prince, but I wonder what turn of events brought this on?"


    "ording to Leticia, he has a sister he''s close to."


    "A hostage, huh... Well, it''s a guy who''s trying to oust Leticia. I wouldn''t be surprised by anything he does."


    "...If the third prince takes the stage, the old stalwarts who have not sworn loyalty to the crown prince will return. In other words, it could lead to a reenactment of the past."


    "A quagmire of a war with the kingdom?"


    More than ten years ago.


    The kingdom and the empire fell into arge-scale war, but the imperial army could not prate the kingdom''s fortress.


    Only blood was needlessly spilled.


    We must avoid its recurrence.


    "Leticia''s persuasion will not work. It''s uncertain whether we can win by fighting head-on, but one thing is certain."


    "We can''t stand a chance unless we break away from the Duchy of Albatro."


    The previous war was the same.


    When the Albatro Duchy''s navy supported the enemy from the sea, the imperial army instantly fell into trouble.


    The generals who excelled at that time did not side with the crown prince.


    But now, the kingdom''s talents have gathered under the crown prince.


    If we don''t sever our rtionship with the Duchy of Albatro, we''ll likely face the same conclusion as before.


    So...


    "I absolutely can''t afford to fail, huh?"


    "Rather, it''s dangerous. There''s also the possibility that they''ve already started making their moves."


    "That might be the case. Well, there''s no choice but to go, right?"


    "That''s true, but..."


    "I''ll think of something. You prepare for the confrontation with the kingdom. They are fully prepared. We can''t avoid it. If the tension continues forever, Leticia won''t be able to extricate herself from her awkward position."


    Saying that, I pped Leo''s shoulder.


    Right now, Leticia is in the Duchy of Kleinert.


    So that she can head to the western border as soon as there''s an emergency.


    Her delicate position is due to theck of improvement in rtions with the kingdom.


    The only way to get out of this situation is to improve our rtionship with the kingdom.


    "It''s sad that we can''t avoid the war..."


    "They''re provoking us. We can''t just let them trample us. Besides... something''s off about that country right now."


    Saying that, Leo and I cast our gaze westward.


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