I Tried To Be Her Loyal Sword

---

162 Chapter

“By the way, the Young Lady of the Kashmir Crisis is currently the swordsmanship master of His Highness Prince Serenon…”

The announcer’s booming voice reverberated in my ears. Disliking the excessive noise around me, I narrowed my brows slightly and enveloped Serenon and myself in a translucent barrier of mana. With the sound perfectly blocked out, it felt like only Serenon and I remained in this world.

“What a tricky situation, a duel between master and disciple.”

I spoke in a quiet voice toward Serenon, who wore a surprised expression at the sudden silence. After blinking for a moment, Serenon loosened his already droopy eyes even more.

“Is that so? I think it’s great.”

“Are you okay with getting eliminated in the first round? The one I taught is not at the level to fall here. People will be noisy about it. Only a noble Young Lady lost, after all.”

I pushed my hair back and asked gracefully. Serenon chuckled softly, matching his sparkling eyes with mine.

His normally lifeless, doll-like pale blue eyes shone brilliantly as he held a sword before me. At that moment, his eyes resembled a mysterious blue pearl rather than the gloomy mist they usually exuded.

“It’s fine. Losing to a great contender isn’t something to be ashamed of. And besides, my purpose is to face my master.”

With a graceful flourish, Serenon drew his sword as if to prove he had the most noble blood.

“This time, you’re going to fight seriously, right?”

His red lips thinned, and the corners of his mouth curled up. Serenon, who looked genuinely happy, was like a fairy living in a lake not found on any map. I couldn’t help but chuckle along.

“To have the audacity to sharpen blades against your master, what an ungrateful thing to do.”

“Just consider it a beloved disciple’s cheekiness.”

Serenon playfully retorted to my teasing scolding.

‘Since it was my intention to fight with him, winning shouldn’t be an issue.’

The pain of conscience that felt like being poked with a skewer lessened considerably. I casually rested my hand on the sword’s hilt.

“Unfortunately, I can’t show you my aura today.”

‘Master, could you show me a demonstration of how to draw out the aura so I can draw it quickly? I think seeing yours would help me create my own aura.’

‘The weather is quite nice today. Doesn’t it seem like the perfect day to see your aura, Master?’

Serenon had shown great interest in my aura for some time now. It was almost pitiful how frequently he asked me to show it, so I had yet to reveal my aura. To show my aura would be equivalent to revealing that I am the mercenary Mir.

Serenon’s expression dimmed slightly. I looked at his droopy face like a baby cat and drew my sword from its sheath.

“But at least I will give it my all.”

In truth, if I fought him seriously, I would be executed as a royal assassin. It meant that I would face him as a swordsman against a swordsman, not as a master teaching his disciple.

“I’m really looking forward to it, Master.”

Serenon’s cheeks flushed a peachy color.

He loved the sword. Though he showed glimpses of being stained by lies and deceit while living in the Imperial Palace, his feelings for the sword were genuine. I raised my sword and lifted the mana barrier.

Wow—!

The moment the barrier vanished, the loud noises poured in. I lifted my gaze to the audience.

‘Looks like everyone I know is here.’

I stared at Helios and El, who were seated in the highest seats. Usually, the Emperor and Pope appeared around the semifinals, but it seemed Helios had come early to watch Serenon, and El had come to watch me. Moreover, many nobles close to me, including Crown Prince Diego, were watching the match.

“Then, let the match begin!”

With the announcer’s statement, the atmosphere between Serenon and me tightened instantly. Serenon’s relaxed demeanor turned serious. It felt like we should rush at each other at any moment, yet neither of us lost our smiles.

“Please indulge your insufficient disciple for a moment.”

With those words, Serenon lightly jumped toward me and swung his sword.

The blades clashed powerfully. Serenon’s sword carried a heavy force, but I stood firm and blocked his strike, then drove back with immense force.

‘He’s really improved since the beginning.’

I recalled my first encounter with Serenon. He had passion for the sword and talent but was generally clumsy due to lack of proper training.

Though he still showed some shortcomings, Serenon’s rapid growth over the past months filled me with pride.

Clang! Clang!

I smoothly parried Serenon’s sword that bravely flew towards me, gazing intently at him. Serenon’s eyes, glimmering like sun-lit grains of sand, shone through the gaps created by the intersecting blades.

‘He’s becoming more like my swordsmanship.’

I deflected the sword flying swiftly towards my shoulder.

Serenon’s sword, which had focused solely on sheer power, began to incorporate sharpness and finesse, and his previously rigid movements grew more free and began to resemble my own style.

‘He probably can’t imagine he’s learning from the legendary Mercenary King Mir.’

I chuckled. I genuinely wondered how he would react if he found out he was the one and only disciple of Mir.

Clang!

As we moved rapidly, a cloud of dust kicked up, and the two gleaming blades sparkled as they danced through the air. I casually glanced at the audience.

The crowd was wildly cheering at the rare spectacle of a duel between a princess and a prince. Especially since the level of our duel was no low matter.

I caught a few surprised expressions from onlookers. They seemed stunned that I, a princess, could hold my own against Serenon, whom they did not expect me to match.

While I was taking it easy, I probably appeared quite dazzling to those without the power to comprehend us. I decided to put aside my generally restrained style for a moment to indulge the excited audience and begin moving more extravagantly.

‘Can’t finish this too easily.’

I dodged Serenon’s sword, which was swiping past the place my head had just occupied, and watched for the right moment.

The audience was still unaware of my identity as Mir. Even though I held the title of his master, if I won too easily, it could tarnish Serenon’s honor. I began to gradually pick up the pace.

Whoosh!

A fierce wind screamed by, irritating my eardrums. Serenon was sweating profusely while struggling to follow my rapid, dynamic movements.

I shifted my fighting style, which had begun with just staying in place and moving my sword, to incorporate a broader range of motion. The arena was spacious enough, and the more space utilized, the more thrilling it became. I pushed Serenon gradually toward the wall. My ponytail tied back danced wildly in the dust of the earth.

“My lord, do you remember what I told you before?”

I had to half-shout to make myself heard over the escalating cheers of the crowd and the noises of battle. Serenon looked at me with questioning eyes.

‘He certainly resembles me…’

Amidst the clash of our swords, I noticed Serenon’s face again and realized how remarkable it was that we were starting to look alike in this way—even though we were not actually in a master-student relationship.

His blue eyes, tinted with fighting spirit and excitement. The corners of his mouth, perpetually raised. The aura of a berserker growing stronger with every drop of blood spilled.

His fairy-like appearance contrasted well, and I couldn’t help but chuckle lightly. Serenon truly resembled me back when I faced an enjoyable battle.

“If you want to become a strong swordsman in actual combat…”

As I pushed back Serenon’s sword, I leaped with mana wrapped around my legs. Serenon momentarily faltered as he staggered from my strength, staring at me in shock as I soared through the air.

“You need to learn how to use the terrain!”

As if spinning on ice, I rotated sideways in mid-air, using the arena wall as a springboard to dive high into the air.

Whoosh!

At the apex, I thrust my sword toward Serenon’s shoulder.

Serenon clutched at his bleeding shoulder with a groan. The partially struck blade grazed his skin before embedding itself behind him. Staring at me blankly for a moment, Serenon suddenly burst into a joyful laugh.

“Haha! How could I forget Master’s teachings?”

His dreamlike eyes, which always seemed to float in fantasy, suddenly landed in reality, aflame with intensity.

“You taught me that no action in battle can be dishonorable!”

Slash!

Serenon’s sword scraped against the ground, scattering sand into the air menacingly that obscured my view.

‘He’s learned well.’

I concealed my eyes with my forearm and dodged Serenon’s descending sword as he swung down. My clothes became dusty, but I didn’t care.

‘They must be satisfied with this level.’

This should be enough to classify as a flashy performance, and they would surely recognize that Serenon’s skills were formidable.

‘Then, no need to prolong this any further.’

Whoosh!

I ceased holding back my speed, launching myself toward Serenon. The brief moment felt like plunging into a vacuum.

“What?! He was just there a moment ago…!”

“Did he teleport?”

The crowd’s noise escalated. Serenon, unable to keep up with my speed, gazed dumbfoundedly at my former location before abruptly turning around.

To me, time felt vast and limitless. I moved quickly, while everything else appeared slow, leaving ample space for me to maneuver.

“You’re still far too slow.”

To the ordinary folks, it may have been just a moment, yet to me, it felt like an eternity. Before Serenon even fully turned to look, I drew the sword lodged in the ground and stabbed toward a spot just beside his throat.

Serenon inhaled sharply. However, I didn’t give him a moment to retaliate and firmly kicked the back of his knee.

“Ugh…”

Serenon’s body swayed as he lost his balance. I wondered if I was being too rough with a member of royalty, but if it became too dangerous, certainly his attendants would intervene. Until that moment, there was no need to pull back.

Clang! Clang!

The speed of our swords clashing increased steadily. I sparred with his blade, eyes glinting as I danced around. Serenon’s breathing became ragged as he seemed noticeably fatigued from all the movement I had forced upon him. Meanwhile, my speed was only increasing, while he grew increasingly breathless trying to keep up.

I watched him and pressed forward, closing in on him as our blades crossed in an X. Serenon barely managed to withstand my pressure.

“Why are you fighting, Serenon?”

I finally called him by his name—not His Highness nor my disciple, but exactly his name.

Serenon’s eyes widened in surprise, but I continued speaking without hesitation.

“Is there something you wish to slice? Or do you want to dominate something? Where does your sword point?”

“I…”

“Unless you figure this out…”

Boom!

Concentrated mana rushed violently over Serenon’s head, crashing against the wall with a thundering sound. It wasn’t aura, but it was a mass of mana that formed the basis of aura.

“Ah!”

The wall crumbled, and screams erupted from the audience that had been seated nearby. Although it didn’t have the power to shake the entire building because it wasn’t aura, it left a massive, crescent-shaped scar as if the savage Harabana had scratched it.

Blown by the storming flow, a strand of Serenon’s lilac hair was swept through the air. Looking into his bewildered eyes, I steeled my face.

“Serenon will never be able to generate aura, nor will he ever defeat me.”

To find the answer requires a process. The answer he discovered while pushing beyond his limits was the very essence of his aura. He needed to remember why he held a sword.

“Do you wish to continue living as a puppet of Cyprus? Then you shouldn’t hold a sword; you should do nothing. Is it because you think the sword is the only way to surpass Diego? Is that all there is to it? Is your goal really to suppress Diego? Is that your reason for holding the sword?”

I relentlessly questioned Serenon, moving my sword without mercy.

Serenon, now devoid of spirit, couldn’t even ask himself those questions. So, as a master, I decided to help him a little by posing the questions myself. However, he had to discover the answers solely with his own strength.

“That’s not it! I…”

Ping!

Tiny sparks like fireworks erupted from Serenon’s blade. A light flickered in his determined eyes as he gritted his teeth.

“I wish to help my brother build a great empire, which is why I hold the sword!”

BAM!

Serenon swung his sword. It was the first time I felt a slight push back, even though our swords had always been perfectly matched.

Light burst forth from our intersecting blades. I momentarily gaped in astonishment.

Not everyone can become the sun. Some possess the qualities of a sun, while others do not. If there is a leader, there must be followers as well. Not everyone in this world can be a chief.

Then do those who are not chiefs, who are not leaders, the lunar figures, truly have no value?

They too are an essential part of existence. Nothing is without value. The value is merely different. It is about knowing how to be a shadow, how to defend from behind, and supporting someone sincerely. I believed that followers are far more remarkable than leaders.

‘So this is your answer.’

I blinked slowly while looking at Serenon’s sword.

The process through which I deduced the answer had some similarities with Serenon, yet it was fundamentally different. While I had chosen the path of complete darkness, he chose to shine bright while illuminating others.

‘Brilliant.’

Serenon’s aura was a radiant silver reminiscent of moonlight.

As I forcefully pushed back our swords, Serenon’s weapon soared through the air.

“Ugh…”

Serenon, who had lost his sword, was panting heavily. He wore an utterly dazed expression. I couldn’t help but chuckle lightly. He was drenched in sweat and covered in dirt, which seemed unbefitting of a prince, yet he was shining brightly.

“Did you just witness that? My aura… it’s silver…”

“Yes, I saw it.”

I nodded gently, smiling warmly at Serenon, who was stammering through disjointed words.

“I knew you could do it. I’m so proud.”

I was truly delighted. I was happy that he had brought out his aura, but more so that he hadn’t grown through suffering like I had.

My moment of drawing out my aura had also stemmed from a master-student relationship, but it remained engraved in my memory as a painful nightmare.

I despised the irresponsible and futile adage of growing through pain, especially when my suffering is etched as an indelible scar that continues to cause me pain, and the mere fact of growth transforming that scar into something positive felt agonizing.

‘So I wished for you not to grow through suffering, but today’s memory seems like it won’t be a nightmare for you.’

That thought nearly brought me to tears. My master had always been so harsh to his disciple, yet I felt a surge of joy tinged with sorrow that I hadn’t passed that on to Serenon.

Serenon’s dazed blue eyes gazed at me. After staring at me for a while, he suddenly wobbled. His body began to lose its balance.

‘At first, the physical burden must be enormous.’

I swiftly approached him and supported his waist with my arm. When I had just become a Sword Expert, using even a small amount of aura had been a heavy toll on my body.

“Your Highness! Are you alright?”

The announcer’s shocked voice echoed loudly. The crowd stirred in alarm. I paid no mind to any of that, diligently supporting Serenon, who trembled. Somehow, it had turned into a flamboyant pose resembling a tango, but Serenon’s condition was what mattered most.

“Now that I have my aura, right?”

Despite my worry being in vain, Serenon sparkled with excitement, his eyes ablaze knowing that he had drawn out his aura. I couldn’t help but smile helplessly.

“Indeed. But it seems you might have forgotten.”

■Swooosh—

“We are still in the middle of a battle.”

Serenon thrust his sword blade toward the delicate skin of his white neck while maintaining a distance too far for a lethal strike. Serenon stared up at me, seemingly snapping back to reality, wide-eyed. I narrowed my eyes playfully.

“Are you going to surrender now, so we can end the match?”

Serenon’s lilac eyes flickered beneath their pale lashes, appearing and disappearing.

Then, a bright smile spread across his face.

“I’m experiencing my first defeat since debuting as a Sword Expert.”

“I can’t help it. I have no plans to go easy on you.”

“Well, I’m just glad about it.”

With his index and middle fingers straightened, Serenon raised his trembling left arm high. It was a signal of surrender during the match.

“I’m honored that my first defeat is to you.”

He whispered softly. I shrugged and glanced at the announcer. He shivered as our eyes met and hurriedly opened his mouth.

“His Highness Prince Serenon has declared his surrender! Therefore, the winner—”

After scanning the frozen crowd with my own eyes, I waved my hand casually.

“It’s the Princess of the Kashmir Crisis!”

I effortlessly advanced to the next round of the competition.