Duke, Is This Your First Time?

Chapter 48

***

It wasn’t just Har who got surprised by Iker’s request to have a match. It was the same with Elysia.

“Why so suddenly…….?”

At her question, Iker replied while eyeing Har with an incomprehensible look.

“I’ve heard that Sir Teske’s swordsmanship skills were amazing. I wonder how good he is, so I’ve been wanting to know about it.”

“I refuse.”

As soon as Iker finished his remark, Har uttered a blunt remark of rejection as response to that.

There was clearly an expression of wonder for why he bothered to do such a thing on the young man’s handsome face.

But Iker went on in a calm manner, as if he was expecting it.

“It was said that Sir Teske learned swordsmanship in the Haberlin Kingdom. Is it true?”

“It is.”

“There is someone named Chelda Lutheson, the master of sword. I heard he praised a disciple he got in his later years a lot. He said you were a sword genius. The student’s name is Har Teske.”

“Pardon?”

Elysia was baffled. It was the first time she heard it.

He never once told her what had happened during his time studying abroad.

Although she asked a few times out of curiosity, the answer he gave every time remained the same.

All he said was meeting an honorable teacher and learning swordsmanship to his heart’s content.

Therefore, she was naturally unfamiliar with Iker’s remark.

‘Har’s teacher was Chelda Lutheson?’

She didn’t know much about swordsmanship, but she had heard of it.

Chelda Lutheson, the master of sword. A swordsman with a popular reputation on the continent in the field of swordsmanship, is it him?

And Har was his disciple?

Iker turned his head toward Har and the corner of his mouth was raised slightly after glancing at Elysia, whose eyes were wide open.

Har’s mouth, which had been closed and formed a straight line, twitched and showed a provocative smile.

“I don’t think you told Elly that. She doesn’t even know about it. Sir Teske even messed with King Haberlin…….”

“I will do it. The match.”

Iker’s faint smile deepened when Har, who got a fierce frown, cut Iker off. As if she knew it.

“Thank you for accepting my offer, Sir Teske.”

His golden orbs shone as if expressing his happiness as he spoke leisurely to the young man who stared at him with scary eyes.

***

“Here it is.”

Har nodded slightly to express his gratitude from the servant.

It was a sword borrowed from the Third Prince because he left his own in the carriage.

When he turned his head from the servant who held the sword, he caught Iker’s eyes.

His brows straightened after they narrowed down in disapproval upon Elysia’s voice.

“Are you really fine with it?”

Her dark purple eyes were filled with anxiety. She seemed concerned knowing that he might get injured while fighting.

Har smirked and raised his hand to slap her on the forehead.

“Ouch!”

“Do you not trust me?”

“I believe you, but it’s because the other person is the opponent.”

He looked down at Elysia, who complained and muttered, ‘wouldn’t you be worried if you were me?’ so he gave strength to the sword in his grip.

The sword worked frantically and he tried his best to protect her. Therefore, he had nothing to fear regardless of the identity of the people he faced.

His teacher told him that the sword that he wanted to use to protect someone was bound to be powerful.

“Don’t worry and just watch me. Your escort is not so weak.”

“Alright. Be careful.”

Upon turning from Elysia who spoke in a worried voice, he climbed up to the training ground.

In the middle of the training ground, there was a black-haired man already standing in the middle of the training ground, waiting for him with his sword hanging down.

He walked to the middle and faced him, asking in a cold voice.

“What’s your intention?”

“Intention?”

“The intention of using Elly to bring me for a match.”

Har sensed something strange, although he accepted the match to stop Elysia from saying nonsense.

There was no way that not just anyone but Duke Deimos would ask for a match with him for no absolute reason.

Lulien also said that. Duke Deimos wasn’t an impulsive person, and everything he did included thorough calculations and level-headed judgment.

Iker smiled leisurely at Har’s eyes that wouldn’t seem to move until he received an answer.

“The intention. Didn’t I tell you already?”

“……..?”

“I want to see your skills.”

“Is that really all?”

“There’s something I want to ask, but it’s just a side question. Shall we start?”

Iker’s body was strong enough to make the opponent feel overwhelmed, acting as if he would give no more answer.

Due to that, Har also began to reveal his strength as if responding to it.

Before she knew it, there was a tense atmosphere in the training ground that seemed about to explode at once.

Har narrowed his eyes when he couldn’t see anything that would catch the opponent off guard from his posture that stretched the sword naturally.

‘Is it as the rumor said?’

Duke Deimos was considered one of the best sword warriors on the continent, and he was called a magical sword warrior because he was able to use magic in his swordsmanship.

Har fixed the sword he was holding in his hand, and at the same time he kicked the ground and swung it in the air.

Seeing his swords flew in a circle from the right direction, Iker lifted the sword and struck it from the top to bottom. When the bouncing sword immediately changed direction and interrupted it, it was coming from another way this time.

Two swords were swung and struck at an invisible speed in a constant collision.

Har, who was pushed back forcefully, rushed forward and quickly swung the sword in diagonally, and Iker quickly lifted the sword vertically to strike it.

The two swords clashed against each other with a metallic noise. The relaxed golden orbs and indifferent orbs met through the gap between the swords.

Iker opened his mouth when Har’s eyebrows raised slightly at the heavy force transmitted from their clashing swords.

Even though their swords clashed several times, his voice didn’t sound like disturbed at all.

“As expected, your skill is outstanding, Sir Teske.”

Har uttered bluntly after being silent for a while at Iker’s praise.

“Your Excellency’s hands didn’t shake at all.”

“Hm?”

“I don’t think guns and swords are different.”

Har glared at him with swords held toward him.

Although He still looked indifferent, there was a gleam of victory burning deep in his eyes as they looked at the opponent.

Iker’s mouth curved up slightly while looking at the young man. He didn’t expect him (Har) to notice the little joke he pulled on Elysia.

He spoke leisurely as his beautiful eyes blinked slightly.

“I’m not sure. I don’t know what you mean. But I know I owe you. Can I answer the question you said to have from earlier?”

Har twitched his dark eyebrows.

The man in front of him is offering a deal right now.

Instead of attempting to cover up his little joke, he said he would answer the question he asked earlier.

And he couldn’t turn down the offer.

“……What’s the real reason you want to see my skills?”

There was tenderness in the golden orbs that faced the gray orbs which demanded for an answer.

Iker answered as promised.

“Because I need to know how exactly skilled you are.”

“Is it because of Elly?”

He didn’t answer, but Har could sense it. That his question was the answer itself.

Therefore, he decided to ask again.

“Is she going to be in danger?”

When Har’s expression suddenly turned serious despite it haven’t changed at all when he asked for a match, Iker raised the corner of his mouth slightly and pushed Har away with his strength. Then, he swung his sword and stuck it in the air to the ground.

Har hurriedly lifted his sword and blocked the sword that turned down violently. The strength of the opponent was transmitted to his hand and it stung.

Iker spoke as he looked at Har who blocked his sword.

“I’d like to ask you one thing. It’s a side question.”

“……?”

“What does Elly mean to you?”

“What do you mean?”

“I’m asking if you’re really satisfied just by becoming your friend alone.”

Only then could Har know the intention of Iker’s question.

Har’s mouth was closed in a straight line, and he pushed Iker away forcefully this time. But he didn’t swing his sword.

He looked straight at the man standing across him while slowly lowering his sword.

****