Chapter 159 EPISODE 159 BANQUET OF SWORDS (2)

Terms used in this chapter:

You can fold if youre scared

A phrase that is used to mock someone. It comes from the Korean gambling movie, Tazza: The High Rollers. Fold is a poker term used when one gives up their cards at hand, but in Korea, fold can be called die too, so the phrase can be read as You can f*king die if youre scared.

There were about a dozen people sitting on several large tables, and most of them looked in curiosity at the three as Jude and Cordelia approached with Lucas at the lead.

Let me introduce everyone to Mr. Jude Bayer from the family of Count Bayer who came from the north like me. The one next to him is his fiance, Lady Cordelia Chase from the family of Count Chase.

I am Jude Bayer.

I am Cordelia Chase.

When Jude and Cordelia courteously introduced themselves, Lucas continued.

Both of them are very skilled. Lady Cordelia is an excellent wizard from the Chase family known for their wizards, and Mr. Jude Bayer is

That was it.

Lucas stopped as he recalled that he had never seen Jude use a sword.

Is Jude a swordsman?

Isnt he a fist fighter?

As the confused Lucas stopped talking, the young men and women gathered at the tea party looked at Lucas and Jude in puzzlement, and Jude softly smiled and lightly patted the Eastern Warriors Sword on his waist as he said in a low voice.

I am a swordsman. My master, Landius, is also a swordsman.

Ah, yes. Thats right.

Landius was also a swordsman, but he was never seen carrying a sword.

It seemed like the disciple was walking a similar path like his master.

Ahem, ahem. Let me introduce him again. This is Mr. Jude Bayer, an excellent swordsman and son of the Sword General, Count Bayer.

Lucas introduction caused the young men and women to let out voices of awe and admiration.

Because no swordsman in the Slen Kingdom who walked the path of the sword would not know the name of Count Bayer.

By the way the ones in the rumors is it them?

When the young woman, who looked to be in her mid-teens and was sitting close to Lucas, shyly asked, various expressions appeared on everyones faces.

Rumor.

The ones in those rumors.

They were the main stars of the rumor that started from the north and spread to the royal capital, to the point that even the princess had heard of it.

There was a young woman whose eyes were shining with curiosity.

There was another young woman who stared at them in admiration.

There was a young man who was doing his best to hold back his laughter, and there was also a young woman who looked at them in ridicule.

Their expressions truly varied.

Hahaha That

Yes, thats true. Those rumors are true.

As Lucas laughed awkwardly since he couldnt just let out his thoughts, Cordelias face turned red while Jude kept his usual shameless expression and stepped forward, hiding Cordelia from everyones sight.

Ahem, ahem, I am aware that there are some rumors about us. But some parts of it has been distorted.

Which part? Is it true that you two love each other so much that you eloped N-no, I-I mean, a honeymoon trip?

Asked the brown-haired young woman who was sitting next to Lucas and looked to be the youngest among everyone present in the tea party.

Jude responded as smoothly as always to the question of the young woman, whose eyes were shining like Princess Darianne and even looking at them a little enviously.

That part is true.

Oh my gosh.

A wide smile spread over the young womans face, and everyone made various expressions again.

A black-haired young woman strangely flinched but kept her mouth shut.

The blonde man beside her had a determined look as if he somehow made a resolution to himself.

And a curly-haired young man slightly moved his body in his want to see Cordelia hiding behind Jude in more detail.

Jude received their gazes with an expression that seemed to say that he had nothing to be ashamed of, and Cordelia tugged on Judes clothes at that moment.

It was a signal that he should stop talking nonsense and sort out the situation quickly.

There are several unrevealed things, such as why we had to go on a trip. I apologize if I cannot talk about it here because it is related to the security of the north.

Mr. Jude Bayer is correct. The two of them have made great contributions in the north.

Oh, that rumor?

Wasnt it just a rumor?

Lucas followed up after Jude, and whispering sounds among the guests were soon heard.

They were those who had heard the story of Count Hrsvelgr and the Jackdaws marching into the wild lands.

Ahem, ahem, let me finish my introductions. Mr. Bayer, Lady Cordelia, this is Lady Cana Glyce who is from the north like us.

I am Cana Glyce. Its a pleasure to meet you.

The brown-haired young woman slightly blushed as she politely greeted Jude and Cordelia.

These two are Lady Rachel Bloom and Lord Marcus Chen from the north too.

They were the black-haired young woman and the blonde-haired young man sitting at the same table as Cana.

I am Rachel Bloom.

I am Marcus Chen.

Rachel quietly greeted while Marcus introduced himself with a somewhat excited face.

And

It was when Lucas was going to introduce the curly-haired young man with a frivolous expression.

The northern bumpkins are excited.

The words were said in a low voice, but all of them heard it because the place was quiet in the first place.

Lucas and the other prospects from the north turned to the direction where they heard the voice come from, and the owner of the voice and those sitting around that person received their gazes without any signs of embarrassment.

What, did I say something wrong? The northern part is the countryside, so those who live in the north are country bumpkins.

A young man with gorgeous blonde hair who looked to be over 20 years old said with a shrug, and the group who sat around him giggled and burst into laughter.

Thats right, the north is the countryside.

Dont be offended by his words. He just felt sorry for you guys.

Look at them talking loudly and getting excited to see each other.

Theres a rumor going around thatpeople from the north are unscrupulous and brazen.

Every word they said was full of ridicule.

Eventually, Lucas couldnt take it anymore and said as he glared.

Lord Lucian. Youre going too far.

No, what But what I said is all true though? Isnt that right?

The gorgeous blonde man, Lucian, looked around and asked, and the prospects from the royal capital, who seemed to be part of his clique, nodded and agreed.

But it was then. A black-haired girl with an alluring appearance who was sitting next to Lucian said with a smile.

Lord Lucian, dont be so mean. Theyre still children.

Hmm, I see. I guess thats why she could leave a letter like that. It seems I went too far.

A letter like that.

The black-haired girl glanced at Cordelia and smiled, and Cordelia understood it right away.

She had brought up those words now to make fun of Cordelia from the very beginning.

F*ck?

When Cordelia managed to stop the swear word from coming out of her mouth, Jude narrowed his eyes and studied Lucian and his clique.

Lucian Dior.

The eldest son of Count Dior.

A young man from a powerful family in the royal capital, and favored by Duke Wotan, one of the prominent figures among the aristocrats who was in the same rank as Duke Spencer.

In the game, there was not much information about him because he only appeared for a short time, but Jude quickly understood the situation.

Hes trying to pick a fight.

The kind who lorded over others.

He was like an alley boss who used this opportunity to lay down the law to the prospects from the north.

Theres no mastermind behind him.

It wasnt some political plot but just an immature mans mischief.

Jude knew those kind of people who were like Lucian.

Those who grew up under their parents prestige could easily become such an audacious bastard especially when they were born with little talent.

Everything in the world would look insignificant to them.

Lady Lorraine.

When Lucas raised his voice again, the black-haired woman, Lorraine, said with wide open eyes.

Oh my, are you mad at me now? Me?

When Lorraine asked again as her face instantly turned tearful, the innocent Lucas was flustered and left speechless, and Lucians clique burst into laughter again.

Isnt he really mean? Right, Lord Lucian?

Yes, Lucas is quite mean. I cant believe he raised his voice to my pretty Lorraine. Thats not something a man should do.

As Lucian hugged Lorraines waist, she leaned against Lucian and spoke very naturally.

But do forgive him. Hes still young.

Well, I guess I should. Theres something called a seniors generosity.

How nice of you, Lord Lucian.

Lorraine said in a whisper, and Lucian jerked his chin to Lucas as if he really forgave Lucas.

Ill forgive you for being mad at Lorraine, so why dont you sit down?

Ha.

A laugh eventually came out of Lucas mouth.

His tolerance also had its limits.

Lucas fiercely laughed and tried to draw out his sword.

But it was at that moment.

Lets stop there.

Jude spoke in a low voice as he put his hand on the back of Lucas hand and dissuaded the other from pulling the sword. He then looked at Lucian.

He thought that Lucian was simply a dirty bastard, but there was a rather clever side to him as well.

Let Lucas draw the sword first.

He would then draw his sword and defeat Lucas as if he couldnt help it, and claim that Lucas was responsible because he drew his sword first, regardless of how it began.

Of course, thats the story if that bastard can defeat Lucas.

It was clear that Lucian was quite skilled.

He could tell from looking at Lucians body that he had worked hard to train even if that didnt suit his personality.

But that was it.

His fate had already been sealed the moment he mocked Cordelia.

Lord Lucian.

Jude smiled after he spoke, and Lucian slightly frowned.

Because he instinctively sensed that Jude was different from Lucas or the other northern prospects.

I understand that you are here for the Banquet of Swords. The Banquet of Swords has not yet officially begun so is there really a need to talk with such a loud and willful mouth?

His words were unexpected, but Jude was handsome.

To the extent that his looks could be called incomparable.

When Jude brightly smiled and said that, Lorraine was unconsciously mesmerized at him for a very short time, and Lorraines reaction and Judes words offended Lucian.

So, lets have a match?

As Lucian scornfully laughed, Jude smiled again this time.

After he said those few words, he added a phrase that was perfect in goading immature people like Lucian.

If youre confident.

You can fold if youre scared.

Jude smirked, and a smile spread on Lucas face.

Even the prospects from the south, who were a third party to this, found it to be interesting.

Ha, why are country bumpkins like this?

Lucian shook his head as if he was dumbfounded before he got up from his seat.

His well-trained body and 190 cm height was enough to make him look intimidating.

Shall we do it here?

As I said before, if youre confident.

Country bumpkins from the countryside must be really stupid. Arent you the guy who couldnt even move much because of his illness just half a year ago?

I think youre misunderstanding something right now, but Lord Lucian is a plain noble without a single title. Youre not a count. Youre not even a duke.

Even counts had something like a level.

The famous and influential counts in the royal capital werent on the same level as the counts from the north.

It was probably this reason why royal capital nobles like Lucian trampled on noble children from other places many times.

If the opponent wasnt Lucas or me, he would have acted more bluntly.

However, the two were from the 12 northern families.

They were also the ten great swordmasters children.

So Lucian had to be cautious and only provoke the other side to draw their sword first.

But what he wanted didnt happen.

Lucian couldnt stand it anymore when Jude calmly told the truth without losing his smile. He left his seat and drew his sword.

Lets do this.

Lucian glared at Jude and said, causing a stir among the prospects from the royal capital.

The enraged Lucian drew out a real sword, so they were somehow worried of a possible bloodshed.

The prospects from the north were also worried and looked at Jude and Lucian alternatingly.

Except for one Lucas.

You must have a death wish, Lucian.

Lucas alone had a calm expression and even sat down, and various reactions occurred again because of his calm attitude.

Is it okay to not stop him?

Lord Lucas.

Youre the strongest among us. Shouldnt you do something?

Those were the worries of the prospects from the north.

Is he provoking us?

Maybe he gave up?

The prospects from the royal capital had different thoughts.

Naturally, the prospects from the south also reacted.

Can we make a bet?

Would they mind if we make bets?

And a prospect from the royal capital reacted again.

Lorraine got up from her seat and approached Lucian.

Because she knew better than anyone else here on how enraged her fianc, Lucian, was.

Go easy on him. Hes still a noble of the Slen Kingdom, right?

She reached out to Lucian as she spoke, and Lucian naturally hugged Lorraines waist and kissed her in the lips.

I will dedicate the victory of this duel to you, Lorraine.

Okay, Ill look forward to it.

Lucian regained his composure to some extent, and Lorraine smiled as she went back to her seat. Everyones eyes turned to Jude and Cordelia spontaneously, or to be precise, they turned to Cordelia.

Will she do it?

It was the gaze of Cana Glyce, the youngest.

Shouldnt shedo something like that too?

It was the calm yet somehow warm gaze of Rachel Bloom.

Well, no ones forcing her.

Marcus Chen cleared his throat while the curly-haired young man who had yet to reveal his name gazed at Cordelia with expectation.

Cordelia jumped at everyones gazes at her and turned to Jude, who was staring at her with a calm expression.

Its okay. It wont be long.

Jude spoke with his eyes and tried to step forward, but Cordelia reflexively grabbed the hem of Judes clothes.

Cordelia?

Wa-wait a minute.

Surprised by the fact that she grabbed Judes clothes, Cordelia took a few deep breaths and looked up at Jude again. She looked into Judes eyes and soon saw Judes lips. She gulped and swallowed her saliva.

Cordelia?

Cordelia did not respond. She raised her head again to face Jude with a very red face, and bit her lips as she stood on tiptoe. She wrapped her arms around Judes neck to lower his posture, and then closed her eyes and drew her face closer.

A light kiss.

Cordelias lips lightly touched his cheek before she quickly pulled away her lips as if she was running away from shyness.

But the atmosphere in the garden was clearly influenced by it, as it changed and became warm for a while.

The prospects from the north and south all had similar smiles, and even the prospects from the royal capital were affected by the pink atmosphere for a moment.

But Cordelia didnt see all of that.

She didnt turn her head away, as she looked at Jude and whispered very quietly, instead of grumbling or saying that she was forced or hated it.

D-do your best.

Do you understand? You must win, okay?

Jude responded with action to her shy cheering. He lightly pressed his lips on the forehead of Cordelia, who was completely caught off-guard.

Ill be back.

Jude said, and Cordelia blinked as she realized on what had happened to her forehead.

Not only her face but also her neck and ears turned red for a while, and she couldnt think of anything else.

And Jude walked to Lucian.

He smiled so brightly at Lucian who was angrily looking at him.

Hey.

What? Whats with the hey?

Ah, that. Thank you very much.

Really, really.

Thank you very much.

So.

Ill go easy on you.

Originally, he was going to beat him half-way, but hed go really easy on him now.

Jude gently touched his cheek and provocatively gestured at him with a happy smile, and Lucian couldnt bear it any longer and burst with anger.

He rushed towards Jude.