NOVGO.NET Chapter 158 : Chapter 158
Chapter 158. What Kind of Nonsense is That? (3)
What is a 7-star knight?
Is it not the realm of dreams that everyone desperately desires, called the ultimate state?
Just by reaching that realm, one receives the envy and respect of everyone on the entire continent, regardless of nationality.
And yet, Marquis Robski was too vulgar to be called a great man who had reached such an ultimate state.
A daily life soaked in luxury and vanity.
Furthermore, his attitude of reluctantly accepting the duel with Patrick, which anyone could see, was also disappointing.
Without even comparing him to Marquis Raines, he was too pathetic even when compared to an ordinary knight.
Seeing the two with their disappointment clearly showing, Patrick said with a smirk.
“You two, watch closely.”
“Watch what?”
“That appearance of Marquis Robski is the typical appearance of one who has stagnated.”
“……”
“Watch closely how pathetic a loser who has given up on moving forward and has sat down, satisfied with the present, is.”
At Patrick’s scathing evaluation, it was Matthew who was taken aback.
“A person who has achieved the ultimate state is a loser?”
“The ultimate state, my ass….”
“No, still, achieving the 7-star realm itself is a great thing, isn’t it? You have to admit that.”
Of course, Matthew didn’t like Marquis Robski’s words and actions.
But wasn’t a 7-star knight a being that deserved sufficient respect?
But Patrick seemed to think differently.
“Stew. Stew….”
“It’s Matthew.”
“First, listen. You pathetic young master.”
Patrick looked at Matthew with a gaze that seemed to pity the world and said.
“First of all, I don’t like the term ‘ultimate state’ itself. Just because you can shoot some Aura Blades, what’s with the ‘ultimate state’….”
“No, that’s because you’re such a monster.”
At Matthew’s protest, Patrick said with a serious expression.
“Even if someone is a truly great swordsman who has reached a great realm, that person’s realm does not guarantee their character or personality.”
“……”
“That is a terrible prejudice. An illusion with no basis.”
“……”
Patrick’s expression was so serious that Matthew couldn’t answer.
But this was something Patrick had experienced to the point of being sick of it in his previous life.
Before he had personally experienced beings like the elders of Shaolin or the elders of Wudang, he had a certain level of expectation.
He thought that since they were great enough to be treated as living Buddhas or immortals in the world, there must be something different about them compared to ordinary people.
But that was not the case.
Their personalities were too shabby and hollow compared to their skills and reputation.
‘I was so dumbfounded, I swear…’
He couldn’t help but scoff when he saw them occupying senior positions in the Murim Alliance and acting all noble, while behind the scenes, they were busy with politics to secure the interests of their own sects.
And to think that such people would laugh at and mock his Master, who truly dedicated himself to the powerless and weak….
‘I really should have beaten those bastards to death.’
Even thinking about it again, Patrick ground his teeth.
In any case, at that time, even the great Radiant Dragon Great Master Jin Cheon still had a naive side to him.
He was ignorant of the ways of the world and just took what others said at face value.
So it wasn’t that he couldn’t understand why Matthew now had a rose-tinted view of the 7-star realm and held a vague fantasy about it.
‘It’s just that it’s frustrating.’
Patrick let out a deep sigh and calmly corrected his friend’s mistaken beliefs.
“The realm of the sword and an individual’s personality are separate. They absolutely do not grow in proportion.”
“No, but there’s a reason why the 7-star realm is called the ultimate state….”
“What reason, a frozen-to-death reason. I’m telling you, I’m right. You frustrating Stew bastard.”
Just as his temper was about to explode at his friend who couldn’t understand even when told.
“Patrick is right about this.”
The one who unexpectedly agreed with Patrick’s words was Isabella.
Matthew looked at Isabella with surprised eyes and said.
“Senior, do you think he’s right?”
“Yes. The realm of the sword and one’s character can never be proportional. I know.”
“Why do you think so?”
“There’s proof, isn’t there.”
Isabella’s eyes, as she said that, were fixed on Patrick and did not move.
Only then did Matthew’s face show great realization.
“Ah….”
“You must have gotten used to seeing him every day and forgotten. He’s also a 7-star, no, a monster beyond that.”
“Indeed. I understand now. Senior.”
“Yes. It’s good that you know.”
Looking at his enlightened friend and his proud fiancée, Patrick made a rotten expression.
“How did the great Radiant Dragon Great Master come to be treated like this…. It’s sad. So sad.”
Even in the Jianghu, his reputation had originally been like this.
He had been treated as one of the most undeniable proofs that the realm of a martial artist and their personality were not proportional.
Just then….
Knock, knock, knock.
With a knock, someone’s voice was heard from outside.
“Who is it?”
“Sir Patrick Schneider. Marquis Robski is looking for you.”
“Now?”
“Yes. He said he has something to discuss with you, just the two of you.”
“Hoo, he wants to meet just the two of us at this late hour? What am I to do, I’m scared of a scandal?”
Patrick, who had shrugged his shoulders, got up from his seat.
Then Isabella said.
“Are you going?”
“Of course, I have to go. The master of the house is calling, how can I not go?”
“……”
“Then I’ll be back.”
Something bothered Isabella, but she had no reason to stop him.
* * *
“You called?”
The place Patrick went to was Marquis Robski’s personal study.
When he opened the door and went in, Marquis Robski was tilting his glass alone.
“Come in. Double Dragon. Sit there.”
“Thank you.”
As Patrick sat down, Marquis Robski personally poured him a drink into an empty glass and said.
“Would you like a drink?”
“I’ve never refused a drink in my life.”
“Hahaha. That’s good.”
Marquis Robski poured the drink, and Patrick took a sip and expressed his admiration.
“This is amazing.”
“Baronica whiskey. 50 years old.”
“Ooooh….”
“You seem to know your stuff.”
“No. I don’t.”
“……”
“It just seemed expensive.”
“……”
“It is expensive, right?”
At that, a chuckling laugh came out of Marquis Robski’s mouth, who had been making a dumbfounded face.
“Ah, you’re right. You’re right. You’re right. This is a damn expensive drink.”
“As expected, I thought so just by looking at it.”
After saying that, Patrick sipped his drink.
As befitting an expensive drink, its flavor was deep and excellent.
Marquis Robski held up the half-empty bottle and said.
“This one bottle costs about 10 gold.”
“Ooooh….”
“When I was young, my family’s living expenses for a month were 1 gold.”
“……”
“But now, I’m finishing a 10-gold bottle of liquor in one night.”
“……”
“What do you think?”
Patrick smirked and answered.
“You’ve made it in life.”
“Ah, I’ve made it. I worked really, really hard. I can confidently say that I worked harder than anyone else.”
“I see.”
At Patrick’s indifferent answer, Marquis Robski paused for a moment and then continued.
“Baron Schneider, no, is it the Viscount family now?”
“It has become so.”
“I hear your family is not that well-off either.”
“Well-off? My family was broke.”
If Baron Schneider had heard that, he would have said, it wasn’t that bad.
You damned brat.
But….
There was no change in Patrick’s thoughts whatsoever.
Nowadays, Patrick had set up various businesses and was also sending money he earned periodically, so he didn’t know.
But basically, before Patrick became active, the fiefdom of Baron Schneider was just a poor rural noble family.
At those words, Marquis Robski chuckled and said.
“I was similar. My family was a fallen noble family that existed in name only, and it was hard to live from day to day.”
“……”
“In such a family, I was the hope. I showed talent in aura sensitivity from a young age. I reached the 3-star realm at fifteen.”
“That’s amazing.”
Objectively speaking, it was an evaluation that could be called genius.
Marquis Robski said with a distant expression.
“My father, convinced of my talent, took a gamble. He even went into debt to enroll me in the Academy.”
“……”
“My father and my other siblings worked hard and supported me with the money they earned. Just for the sole reason that I was the hope to raise the family.”
“That gamble paid off.”
“Aam. It paid off. It really paid off.”
“……”
“Although it wasn’t all good things in the process.”
A bitter smile formed on Marquis Robski’s lips as he spoke.
There is no grave without a story, and everyone has shadows in their life.
Marquis Robski’s youth must have been a period of hardship that was by no means smooth.
‘Well, not that it’s any of my business.’
Patrick completely emptied his glass.
And he refilled his glass with his own hand and said.
“I truly congratulate you on your efforts and success, Marquis.”
“……”
“But I don’t think you called me in the middle of the night like this just to boast about your success story, did you?”
“You want me to get to the point, is that it?”
“I’m getting sleepy.”
Seeing Patrick yawning long, Marquis Robski said with a bitter smile.
It was impossible to beat around the bush any longer.
He decided to boldly get to the main point.
“I called you because I have something to say about tomorrow’s duel.”
“What is it?”
Marquis Robski pulled a rope with a bell attached.
At that, a servant came in with a box the size of a human head, placed it on the table, and then left again.
And Marquis Robski said to Patrick.
“Open it.”
“I can pretty much guess the contents without opening it, though.”
“It’s better to be sure.”
“That’s true.”
Patrick opened the box.
And in it, as expected, was full of brilliant gold and expensive jewels.
Seeing the enormous treasure, Patrick smirked.
“My predictions are never wrong.”
“I thought you would understand. Aren’t you in the same position as me?”
“……”
“Coming from a humble family and having made it on your own skills alone, you would understand my position.”
“……”
“I have too much that I cannot afford to lose. There are too many things I have built up over a lifetime.”
“Are you asking me to lose for you?”
“If you don’t want to lose, can we compromise with a draw?”
Marquis Robski’s expression even looked desperate.
He repeatedly persuaded Patrick.
“You are still young. You have plenty of opportunities to build up your fame. So there is no need to be impatient. Take the tangible benefits instead of empty fame.”
“Indeed, I see. Tangible benefits. I also like that very much.”
Patrick nodded his head in agreement.
At that, Marquis Robski said with a bright smile.
“Do you understand what I’m saying?”
“Of course. I fully understand you, Marquis.”
“Hahaha. We’re on the same page.”
Viscount Robski, feeling much more at ease, raised his glass and said.
“I was worried what I would do if you were a stubborn mule who wouldn’t listen.”
“Hey, what do you take me for.”
“Hahaha. I was mistaken. My apologies.”
Their glasses clinked again with a clear sound.
And so the night deepened.
* * *
The next day.
A rumor spread widely in the Robski Fiefdom.
The duel between the Double Dragon Patrick Schneider and the Spear of Decator, Marquis Robski.
This duel would be held publicly, and the venue was set for the jousting arena on the outskirts of the fiefdom.
The time was twelve o’clock sharp in the afternoon.
People who heard this news hurried to the jousting arena.
“It’s really happening. It’s really happening.”
“I had my doubts, but it’s happening.”
“Marquis Robski is accepting it without backing down?”
“In fact, it would be ridiculous for him to run away. How can he run away when a junior challenges him.”
“That’s true.”
“I’m sure he’s confident in his own way, right? Even if the Double Dragon is in the 7-star realm, he’s still young.”
“But Marquis Raines….”
“Hey, honestly, we haven’t seen that with our own eyes, so how can we believe it? It could be that Marquis Raines, being a man of character, yielded to his junior.”
“Well, anyway, we’ll find out today, right?”
“That’s true.”
People headed to the jousting arena.
The nobles sent people in advance to secure good seats, and those who were late and couldn’t get a seat in the stands crowded into the packed stands to see this duel somehow.
The knights dispatched by Marquis Robski tried to control the scene, but it wasn’t easy because there were so many people flocking in.
Just then….
“He’s here.”
“Ooooh, it’s Marquis Robski.”
“The Spear of Decator has arrived first!”
The one who appeared, receiving the attention of the people, was Marquis Robski.
He was wearing a full plate mail with ornate decorations and had put a flashy horse armor on the white horse he was riding.
Having appeared like that, he rode his white horse around the arena once and said to the audience.
“From now on, a duel that will go down in history will take place. Everyone, open your eyes wide and be a living witness to this duel!”
“Uooooooooh!”
“Long live the Decator Kingdom!”
“Long live Marquis Robski!”
Cheers erupted from the stands at the marquis’ words.
It wasn’t that Marquis Robski was a man of great character or was well-liked, but still, wasn’t this his country, his fiefdom?
It was only natural that the audience would wish for his victory.
“He really likes flashy things.”
Patrick watched the scene from the opposite entrance and smirked.
And Matthew, who was next to him, said with a very uncomfortable expression.
“Hey, Patrick.”
“What? Stew.”
Normally, he would have to say it’s Matthew, not Stew, but right now, Matthew was not in the mood to take a joke.
“…Are you really going to do it?”
“The duel? I have to. I can’t back out now that I’ve come this far, can I?”
“Are you going to do it PRO-PER-LY?”
The reason Matthew was saying this was because Patrick, who had returned after meeting Marquis Robski yesterday, had come back with a box full of treasure.
Matthew was not stupid enough to not know what that meant.
Thanks to that, his expression had been like he had chewed on something bad until now.
Patrick smirked at Matthew and said.
“Just watch.”
And as the entrance gate opened, Patrick walked out to the arena.
Unlike Marquis Robski, who had made a grand entrance on a white horse, Patrick just trudged out on his own two feet.
And as Patrick stood in the center of the arena, Marquis Robski also dismounted from his white horse, held his spear, and stood opposite him.
“You seem to have slept well.”
“Thanks to you, I rested well. How about you, Marquis?”
“The same for me.”
“That’s good. Then shall we begin now?”
“Fine. Shall we start with a light probe first?”
“A probe. Good. A probe.”
Patrick drew his two swords, and Marquis Robski also held his spear and took his stance.
Compared to the ornately decorated armor and white horse, his spear was a simple, ordinary spear.
But….
“Umm….”
“Starting….”
“Shh, be quiet.”
“Heup….”
As he held the spear, the atmosphere of the place changed.
Although it was a simple spear with no decorations, the sharp edge emanating from it emitted a cold light that no jewel could ever produce.
***
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