A Dragonslayer’s Peerless Regression

Chapter 79

Sieg and his companions took the railway from Pansas, where the Graham family resided, back to Atlas.

Lady Katherine decided to gather more information about the martial tournament from Central Continent nobles and planned to rejoin them later in Atlas.

As the train arrived at the central station, Pharel looked around Atlas and spoke.

"It's been a while since I've returned, ever since graduating from Valhalla."

"So, Sir Pharel, you're also a Valhalla alumnus?"

"Yes. It's rare for central nobles to go to Valhalla, but I wanted to join because I respected Sir Flaubert."

Flaubert, hailing from Thebea, located in the Central Continent, was a knight respected by the central nobles, so Pharel's admiration was understandable.

Sieg and his party headed to an estate in Atlas.

Upon arrival, a familiar face was waiting for him.

"Master!"

It was Liam Stone, who was about to graduate from the academy.

"Liam. It's been a while."

Liam had grown more muscular since they last met, and his face had become much gaunter.

From a distance, he looked almost as old as thirty-year-old Pharel.

Sieg told Pharel and Felix to rest and then stepped into the garden with Liam.

"How have you been, Liam?"

"Thanks to you, master, I've safely completed my academy graduation exams."

"I heard you were promoted to a Purple Knight before graduating. Impressive."

This year, Liam had been recognized for his promotion to Purple Knight and graduated from the academy. He was the only one among his class, aside from the pureblood awakener, Reina.

Sieg asked Liam.

"I heard you were recommended to join Valhalla with Reina but refused. Why was that?"

Liam struck his chest as he responded.

"I want to be of service to you as soon as possible, master."

Sieg pondered Liam's words.

'In a previous life, Liam didn't go to Valhalla; he gained experience in real battles and became a Red Knight. If he spends practical time by my side, could he grow faster?'

Watching Liam's eyes blaze with determination brought a slight sense of pressure to Sieg.

'Having one more squire wouldn't be a bad thing.'

Sieg accepted Liam's decision.

"Thank you, master!"

As they drank tea, Sieg inquired about other cousins.

"Leon Conrad ultimately took an indefinite leave of absence from the academy, and Owen Zimmens advanced a year but didn't pass the graduation exam. Reina Draker plans to graduate and join Valhalla, while Jakken Vardec, after failing to advance, is now a king among his peers."

Sieg nodded at Liam's words.

"Leon seems to have lost his spirit."

Leon, who tormented Liam, suffered the humiliation of having his ear cut off by Sieg.

Having always lived as an aggressor, Leon was unable to accept being turned into a victim.

In the end, he couldn't overcome the shock inflicted by Sieg and chose indefinite leave.

"He reaped what he had sown."

Sieg, who had also suffered under Leon Conrad in a past life, agreed with Liam's sentiment.

At that moment, Decker approached from the garden.

"Young Master. I've brought what you requested."

"Thank you, Decker. Please set it here."

Decker placed a noticeably large box in front of Liam at Sieg's gesture.

Sieg looked at Liam and said.

"Liam, this is your promotion gift."

Liam was taken aback by this.

"A gift, master? You've already given me enough."

"Just accept it."

With trembling hands, Liam opened the box.

He was stunned.

"M-Master, this is...?"

Inside the box were a specially ordered sword and light armor set for Liam from Gelion.

Sieg grinned.

"I hope it suits you well."

Liam was overwhelmed with emotion and was unable to speak coherently.

He began attaching the gauntlets, boots, and chest plate from the box to his body.

"It fits as if it was tailored just for me!"

Since it was designed referencing the armor used by Liam during his mercenary king days, it was natural for him to be delighted.

Liam slowly drew the sword from its scabbard for the final touch.

Zzzing!

The blade was masterfully forged by Gelion, the Blacksmith of Soul.

Liam was so mesmerized by the sword that he silently gazed at his reflection in the blade.

"Do you like it, Liam?"

Awakening from his trance, Liam knelt before Sieg.

"Thank you for your graciousness. I will strive not to tarnish your reputation, master."

Seeing Liam tear up slightly, Sieg chuckled.

"I'm expecting great things."

Having wrapped up their reunion to some extent, Sieg called Felix over to establish the hierarchy between the two young men.

"Liam is the first to pledge loyalty to me. And Felix is my squire. Felix, treat Liam as your senior."

Felix was startled and asked.

"Why am I below him, master?"

Sieg looked at Felix and asked.

"Do you have any objections?"

"N-no, I just asked to clarify."

Sieg smirked at Felix.

"Then, Felix, let me offer you an opportunity."

"What kind of opportunity?"

"If you can defeat Liam, I will alter the hierarchy."

Excited by the proposal, Felix exclaimed.

"Are you serious, master? You won't take it back?"

Thus began the duel between the two. Soon, they stood facing each other, ready.

Feeling he could handle a twenty-year-old academy freshman, despite Liam's maturity, was Felix's initial thought.

He took up his sword and readied his stance.

Simultaneously, Liam also assumed a stance.

But something felt strange.

'A mere freshman...'

Wooong!

The distinct sound emanated from Liam's sword.

Whiiiz!

The powerful sword strike unleashed from Liam, with his distinctive long reach, assaulted Felix.

"Argh!"

Felix struggled to block Liam's attack and regain balance.

He adjusted his mindset.

'Damn, he's no rookie!'

Pride aside, Felix immediately resorted to Paladin's legacy swordsmanship.

Whiiiz!

As Felix delivered formidable blows, Liam stepped back and sought an opening through unorthodox moves.

Sieg watched the contrasting styles of swordsmanship clash, entertained.

'It's ironic how light-footed Felix utilizes traditional sword techniques, while the seemingly heavier Liam uses unorthodox methods.'

Just as anticipated, their skill levels were quite similar.

Yet, their opposing styles made them perfect stimulants for each other.

"Eee!"

Felix advanced with Paladin's dignified sword style, despite his earlier reckless attitude, surprising even the initially impressed Liam.

'His swordsmanship is solid.'

That meant Felix's fundamentals were strong.

Having trained under his Arc Paladin grandfather, Felix's basics were genuinely secure from a young age.

Clang!

Within a few hundred exchanges, their exhaustion was apparent.

"Ha... Ha..."

"Huff... Huff..."

Their auras and energies were completely depleted.

The two held their swords, ready for a final showdown.

Whiiiz!

It was then.

While charging forward, Liam seemed to strike Felix's sword but suddenly released his grip and closed in on Felix.

"Gasp!"

Felix, who trained in traditional sword fighting, had never considered releasing his sword during a duel.

Using Pankration techniques, Liam swept Felix off his feet and pinned him, squeezing his neck.

"Ghk!"

Felix, having never experienced such grappling techniques, writhed in the chokehold, pressing his carotid artery.

Sieg, witnessing the scene, shouted.

"Enough!"

At his command, Liam released the chokehold.

"Cough! Cough!"

Felix recovered, coughing vigorously.

Sieg looked at Felix and spoke.

"Felix, you've lost."

"Ugh..."

Exhausted, Felix sprawled on the garden lawn.

Sieg was confident that Liam and Felix could complement each other's weaknesses.

At that moment, Pharel approached Sieg.

"Sir Sieg!"

"Sir Pharel. What is it?"

Pharel handed a note to Sieg.

"What is this?"

"It's news from a friend in Atlas."

Sieg unfolded the note and read it.

He nodded.

"So, Reina Draker is also participating in the martial tournament."

"As anyone above the rank of a Purple Knight can participate, it seems the Turunn family hurriedly applied for Reina Draker's entry."

Sieg turned to Liam standing behind him and said.

"You heard, Liam. Reina is entering the tournament."

He spoke to Liam.

"Liam, you'll also enter the tournament. Your goal is to defeat Reina."

Hearing this, Pharel was astonished.

"Sir Sieg! Reina Draker is both from the Turunn family and a pureblood awakener. Despite her young age, she's among the strong championship contenders..."

Sieg smirked and told Liam.

"You heard him, Liam. Work even harder."

Liam nodded with a resolute look, bowing to Sieg.

"I understand, master!"

Watching Liam, both Felix and Pharel were speechless, their eyes wide.

'As expected of Sir Sieg. His thinking transcends the ordinary.'

'Why did I agree to be this person's squire? I wish I could turn back time.'

* * *

Rumble! Rumble!

The day of the Draker martial tournament's preliminary matches arrived. Young knights and those accompanying their family banners gathered noisily at the meeting place on the outskirts of Atlas.

Their goal was evidently to flaunt their family's power with larger, more ornate flags.

Then it happened.

Rumble!

A group of riders approached, leading massive warhorses.

A large banner bore the emblem of a colossal bull.

"I-it's the Turunn family!"

The most combative faction among the Draker bloodline, known for their robust physique—Turunn.

In the center of the Turunn family's knights rode a young genius, pureblood awakener Reina Draker, commanding a towering steed.

As she surfaced, other family flags held their breath, peering cautiously.

The pressure from the Turunn family knights, resembling barbarian giants, was suffocating.

Following the Turunn family, another family's carriage and knights appeared.

Bearing a banner with two snakes biting each other's tails.

"Zimmens!"

The Zimmens family banner came to a halt, and a silvery-haired youth with triangular eyes stepped out.

He scanned the area and pronounced.

"I see a lot of insignificant rabble have gathered."

Although his arrogant words were spoken freely, the other family knights could only back away, reluctant to respond.

Then, spotting Reina, Edward Zimmens approached her.

"Reina! Long time no see."

The Turunn family knights standing tall behind Reina were on high alert.

Edward chuckled dismissively.

"Can't even say hello. Do the Turunn family's minions dare glare at a direct descent of Zimmens?"

Reina raised her hand, signaling the knights to retreat.

She courteously greeted Edward with a bow.

"It's been a while."

"Too bad you've come all this way, only for me to claim this tournament's victory."

Reina countered Edward's proclamation.

"Edward, you ought to be cautious. I've heard that someone else is participating in this tournament."

"What? Are you referring to me?"

"Yes."

Edward twitched a cheek as he sneered sinisterly.

"Who here could possibly challenge me? A mere newly promoted Purple Knight like you? With a simple pureblood awakening?"

"It's not me. It's him..."

Rumble!

A few riders entered the meeting place.

Without family banners or entourages, roughly four arrived directly on horseback.

The one at the forefront dismounted.

"Whew. Made it just in time."

Following him, Liam, Felix, and Pharel dismounted.

Sieg acknowledged Reina standing with Edward, raising his hand in greeting.

"It's been a while, Reina."

Reina's expression hardened upon seeing Sieg for the first time in two years.

Edward, observing Reina's reaction, cracked his neck and approached Sieg.

"So, is this wretched supporterless fool who I'm supposed to be wary of?"

Edward halted before Sieg.

"Kid. I'm Edward Zimmens."

He leaned close to Sieg and whispered menacingly.

"Are you listening, you sponsorless brat? You don't belong here. Just quietly get lost."

But then.

Rumble! Rumble! Rumble!

A resounding shaking from the distant ground drew everyone's attention.