novelraw Chapter 85 : Bad Blood and Fate (4)
Chapter 85 : Bad Blood and Fate (4)
Chapter 85: Bad Blood and Fate (4)
As the dark blue aura began to coil around Frederick’s fist, a cold sweat trickled down the back of my neck.
‘…Still an overwhelming amount of mana.’
Mana Fist.
A technique that focuses mana into both fists to maximize destructive power — one of the most basic skills there is.
The circulation and concentration of mana were fundamental laws and principles of this world.
I myself had relied on them to overcome crises more than once or twice.
Yet what made his performance terrifying was the sheer density of that concentration.
‘Anyone looking would think his hands were drills.’
The mana gathered in both his hands had already taken the shape of a spiraling cone.
A little more compression, and it could easily be mistaken for a spearhead.
Even with perfect understanding of internal mana control and natural talent, reaching that level was no easy feat.
Frederick Lake — in many respects, he was closer to a genius than a mere talent.
But even then, the Empire had produced over a hundred individuals greater than him.
And yet, the reason only he had reached this realm… lay somewhere entirely different.
I was probably the only one in this era who knew that.
If I were to include one more, perhaps Dale Wedmeyer — who seemed to share some mysterious connection with him.
Frederick, now ready, clenched his teeth, eyes gleaming with killing intent.
I swallowed hard and kept measuring the timing for limiter release.
‘…Here he comes.’
The previous exchange had been nothing but a warm-up.
Frederick Lake’s true power was far beyond that.
Any half-hearted defense would be crushed through completely.
I might’ve blocked his normal attacks earlier, but that drill-like Mana Fist couldn’t be stopped so easily.
The only way out — a full-power counterattack, staking my life on it.
No other options.
Having reached that conclusion, I dropped the shield I was holding — the Shadow Shield — to the ground.
Then, gripping Lukezax firmly, I began predicting the direction of his charge.
“……”
Since Frederick was left-handed, there was a high chance he’d dive to my left for a straight strike.
But at his current level of leg strength and mobility, he could cross dozens of meters in an instant.
Whether he came from the right or the left, he’d reach me almost simultaneously.
If I blocked one side with all my might, a second strike would surely follow from behind.
In other words—
I had to block the first strike and counter the second at the same time.
Recalling the new ability I had loaded into my Copy Slot, I signaled to Clina.
As the faucet opened, familiar pain coursed through me, and mana stormed through my entire body.
My whole body filled with power, enough to make me want to charge straight at the enemy.
I barely managed to suppress the urge, bringing it under control to a manageable level—
When suddenly, Frederick’s massive figure vanished from sight.
KWAANG!
With an explosion like a bomb going off, Frederick charged at Eugene, his attack path coming from the right blind spot first.
Humans tend to choose what feels most natural to them.
So while he had initially planned to go for the left flank—
‘That bastard would definitely predict that.’
Thus, the moment he sprang left, he used the strength in both legs to launch himself to the opposite side.
KWAJIK!
But that, too, was a feint.
After throwing a right hook, Frederick immediately used all his remaining power to hurl himself toward the left front.
It was a short-term decisive tactic, turning the opponent’s expectation — “He’ll go for the blind spot” — completely against him.
With Carter’s attention split toward both rear sides, the true blind spot was now the front.
Even though he had never tested this maneuver in actual combat, Frederick’s powerful body executed it flawlessly.
Even if Carter managed to dodge by instinct, it didn’t matter.
With this much compressed Mana Fist, even a grazing hit to the jaw would cause instant unconsciousness.
A tactic designed to subdue without killing — supported by a body capable of such precision.
Those who witnessed those few seconds of battle could only gasp in awe at Frederick’s performance.
Feeling the solid impact through his fingertips, even Frederick himself allowed a faint smile.
“…My apologies, Carter.”
“No need to apologize.”
“What—!”
KWAANG!
A sudden slash struck him directly, sending Frederick flying into the barrier on the opposite side.
The impact shook the entire stage as clouds of dust billowed up.
“W-What was that!?”
“What just happened!?”
“I didn’t see anything…!”
“……”
In that arena filled with all the prominent figures of the Empire—
The only one who had properly grasped what had happened was Francia Brida.
Her mouth hung open in disbelief as she recalled what she’d seen moments earlier.
Even after replaying it several times in her mind, it still didn’t make sense.
Frederick had used his left-side movement to gain rotational momentum, then dashed right, only to switch again to the left front with transcendental speed.
Even that movement alone was astonishing — yet he had launched two attacks in the middle of it.
‘Such dense mana should’ve easily dispersed from that kind of violent motion… but his Mana Fist didn’t waver at all.’
That alone bordered on miraculous — but Eugene’s performance in receiving the attack had far surpassed it.
Just how much had he predicted…?
While Francia was silently swallowing her amazement from afar—
Of the two who had exchanged blows, the first to emerge from the dust was the “rolling stone.”
Eugene’s left shoulder had a gaping wound, blood pouring down freely.
Meanwhile, Frederick’s target — his jaw — remained completely unscathed.
Eugene lightly struck the ground with his sword and spoke calmly.
“Illusion Swordsmanship, Second Form — Barrier Blade.”
A foundational form of Illusion Swordsmanship — unfolding the sword itself like a massive shield to block physical attacks.
The same technique Francia had used to block the boy’s strike during her spar with Eric.
Eugene exhaled deeply, pressing against his wound.
Frederick, who had been flung far away, returned to the center in an instant, wind swirling around him.
A clear slash mark stretched from his chest to his left flank.
Through the torn fabric, his muscular body was exposed — he scratched his chin awkwardly.
“…That stings quite a bit.”
“Stop whining over a scratch, Director.”
“Whining? You tried to kill me with that swing.”
“That goes for you too, Director, doesn’t it?”
“What nonsense! I only intended to knock you out. I wasn’t trying to slice a man in half like you!”
“…You seem a little too unscathed for that.”
“What can I say? My body’s just too sturdy.”
With that, Frederick let out a hearty laugh.
Then, without another word, he dropped to one knee and bowed his head toward his opponent.
“I admit it. My loss.”
“…This somehow feels like I’m the one who lost.”
“They say sometimes losing is winning. Take it in good stride.”
When Eugene reached out his hand, Frederick grasped it and stood up.
He tilted his head slightly and asked his former mentor in a low voice.
“Don’t tell me you intended to lose on purpose?”
“Of course not.”
Frederick shook his head, clenching his fist.
“I fought with everything I had. Your abilities just exceeded my expectations.”
“Lies. You still have a hidden card, don’t you?”
“That’s the same for you, isn’t it?”
“……”
“If we keep going, one of us would have to die for it to end… and I’m not fond of that.”
If you really can’t accept it, let’s call it a draw.
“Would that do?”
Ending the conversation on his own terms, Frederick shot a glance at the moderator and returned to his seat.
Left standing awkwardly at the center, Georg had no choice but to raise Eugene’s hand.
“Victor, Eugene Carter.”
Clap, clap-clap.
It wasn’t as grand as the earlier standing ovation or cheers, but it was applause enough to celebrate the victory.
Eugene bowed his head modestly, thanking the participants.
That was the end of the small event within the Summit.
While the Imperial staff were restoring the stage to its original state—
I found myself glancing at Frederick, who stood a few paces away, his wounds already healed.
‘…What’s he thinking?’
The Frederick Lake I knew was never one to shy away from a fight.
And this wasn’t some training or sparring session—it was the special duel of the Imperial Summit.
His own and his faction’s honor were on the line.
Yet he declared his own defeat, even though he clearly could have fought longer.
‘I doubt his stance could have changed that drastically in such a short time.’
Someone must have made a suggestion to him first.
Maybe Michel, Edel, or someone else entirely.
One thing was certain—I was the one who wanted this result the most.
It left a bitter taste, but what mattered was the outcome.
The fact that the “washed-up” Eugene Carter had defeated the “Ironblood” Frederick would have a huge influence on the coming reforms in Karbenna.
Even the reputation of the Special Task Force would rise, however slightly.
And from their perspective—those who benefited without lifting a finger—they’d surely be more inclined to favor Karbenna.
Once the restoration was done, Alix turned to Natalie first.
“Would this much verification suffice, Defense Commander?”
Even the Princess herself was asking; there was no room to argue further.
“……Yes.”
The woman conceded obediently in the end.
Alix then turned her gaze toward Michel.
“I don’t think we’ve heard the second promise yet. Would you please continue?”
“Of course.”
As murmurs rose from the crowd, wondering what else was left, Michel raised his index finger.
“Second, we shall resume technological exchange with Duel―Mallet to greatly enhance our magical capabilities.”
“……”
“By collaborating with the Special Task Force to strengthen our practical skills, and with the Magic Tower to build our foundational knowledge, we’ll ensure that every member affiliated with Karbenna can repel at least a C-rank beast—”
“I would ask that you reconsider that decision.”
And then—
This time, the one who intervened was neither from the Imperial Army nor any expected faction.
The man who appeared from our left represented one of the pillars that led the Ribenia Empire itself.
‘…Right, I almost forgot about him.’
The Defense Commander’s earlier challenge had been unexpected but ended up working in our favor.
But this faction—these people—were ones I’d rather avoid entangling with if possible.
Even so, they were also a force we couldn’t avoid confronting forever.
After all—
The final heroine, Karen Rosefield, belonged here.
The old man in a white priest’s robe leaned heavily on his staff as he rose.
His head was half-covered by a hat adorned with ornate golden patterns.
Ignoring both the moderator’s directions and the Princess’s words, the old man walked leisurely toward the stage.
“Why, may I ask, are you joining hands with such reckless people?”
It was the Archbishop of the Ribenian Orthodox Faith, the Empire’s foremost religion and its de facto state church.
Dominico Nimbus delivered his cold warning without a flicker of expression.
“Mind the dignity of the Imperial Court’s only direct academy, Chairwoman Michel Bernhardt.”