novelraw Chapter 127 : Honor Duel
Chapter 127 : Honor Duel
Chapter 127: Honor Duel
Levi’s first night on the train was quiet and steady, and he was very satisfied with this journey. Most of the time, he stayed in his room, admiring the rapidly passing scenery outside the window.
Vast stretches of wilderness, herds of bison, sprawling mountain ranges, and surging rivers.
Traveling through such landscapes by train truly allowed one to feel a kind of desolate, primitive beauty.
As for this trip, Levi had nothing to complain about. During afternoon tea, he would go to the lounge carriage and chat with Madam Molly. As for Annie, Levi hardly saw her. According to Madam Molly, the young lady was busy preparing for her academic exchange.
“She’s liked these strange and peculiar things since she was little.”
When speaking of Annie, Madam Molly could not hide her affection.
“This child has always been different from others—not just in appearance, but also in her interests. But I know she’s a good child—obedient, sensible, and intelligent. There are always rumors calling her a cursed witch, and those words are truly heartbreaking. Yes, I admit that digging in the dirt and being fascinated with unknown bones doesn’t sound like a proper lady’s hobby, but she hasn’t disturbed anyone, has she? And besides, she has brought me and my husband such great wealth—how can she be called a witch?”
“Forgive my curiosity, but her parents…?”
“A family’s tragedy, Mr. Levi.”
Madam Molly sighed and shook her head.
“Not everyone appreciates this child. Her mother went to the side of the Holy Lord when giving birth to her, and her father abandoned her as well. I felt sorry for the little one and adopted her. Although she doesn’t talk much and rarely shows emotion—often no one knows what she’s thinking—she’s still a good child.”
As she spoke, Madam Molly chuckled.
“Look, she’s taking such good care of me on this trip, isn’t she?”
“That is true…”
Although Madam Molly looked like a nouveau riche, her mentality was quite good. Whenever she had time, she would go to the lounge carriage and chat with other passengers. Levi only appeared occasionally; most of the time, he preferred staying alone in his room, drinking tea, reading books, occasionally watching the scenery outside, or strolling around the platform when the train stopped.
This peaceful journey continued until that afternoon—when a herd of bison blocked the train’s path.
They were massive in size, numbering in the thousands. Faced with such a herd, the train driver could only stop temporarily and wait as the bison swayed their bodies and slowly crossed the tracks.
This natural spectacle attracted many passengers to the observation carriage, and Levi was no exception.
When he arrived, he found that Annie had also come out of her room—a rare occurrence. She was holding a sketchbook, drawing the bison.
Clearly, she truly loved this.
Since Annie was sketching, Levi did not go up to greet her. He simply watched the bison for a while before preparing to leave. However, at that moment, he saw a young man walk in.
If it had been an ordinary person, Levi wouldn’t have paid any attention. But the man’s flamboyant, peacock-like attire caught Levi’s eye, making him pause to observe him more closely.
A Francis man.
Looking at the man wearing a wig and dressed like a gaudy peacock, Levi raised an eyebrow.
Having spent a long time in the Empire, Levi had learned how to distinguish people from different nations. Aside from facial features, clothing was a very important indicator.
The Empire’s men’s fashion had always followed practicality—formal wear and suits emphasized durability and comfort, mostly in dark tones, showcasing the calmness, steadiness, and restraint of Imperial men.
Francis fashion, however, was the exact opposite. Their clothing was never meant to last—if it wasn’t broken, it was time to replace it. Simply put, an outfit was meant to be worn once, never twice. This was the trend among Francis nobility, where even noblewomen would change clothes three times a day.
One in the morning, one at noon, and one in the afternoon.
Moreover, these clothes were high-end in design, used expensive materials, and cost a fortune.
…Well, given the behavior of Francis nobles, it would have been strange if they hadn’t been sent to the guillotine.
Francis noblemen’s fashion was equally baffling—lace cuffs, bows on leather shoes, wigs with braided hair, makeup, perfume, and even stockings under trousers.
Naturally, this became a reason for the Empire to look down on Francis, considering their men effeminate and pretentious. Meanwhile, Francis people were known for being casual and open.
As the saying went—never let your wife go to Francis alone.
Conversely, Francis people saw the Empire as lacking romance, conservative, and as cold as stone.
The man before him was dressed exactly like a Francis noble, so his identity was obvious.
Then Levi watched as the “peacock” strutted into the carriage, chest puffed out—and walked straight toward Annie.
“Ah, this beautiful lady.”
Levi watched as the peacock bowed deeply before Annie.
“Your presence shines so brilliantly that I cannot restrain myself from approaching. May I have the honor of knowing your name?”
What the hell—————!
Levi nearly got goosebumps all over. This was even more cringeworthy than those over-the-top romance dramas—utterly unbearable!
The other passengers also noticed, looking at the man with curiosity, surprise, and even disgust.
However, the peacock seemed completely oblivious—or perhaps Francis people were simply that self-absorbed, interpreting others’ ridicule as jealousy.
Right now, his eyes were fixed solely on Annie.
“………………”
But Annie didn’t even glance at him. She remained focused on the window, completely absorbed in observing the bison.
Seeing this, the surrounding passengers burst into laughter. Most of them were Melisia locals—reckless, blunt, and rough in manner. To them, mocking such a flamboyant and bizarrely dressed man was only natural.
Yet the peacock ignored all the jeers. He persistently took out a rose and offered it to Annie.
“Oh, beautiful lady…”
Before he could present the rose, a cane suddenly blocked his hand.
“As a gentleman, pestering a lady is hardly polite.”
Levi held his cane, casually pushing the peacock aside like a gentleman from Battle Street driving away a beggar.
“Since this lady has her own matters to attend to, you should learn to respect her choice.”
Seeing Levi step in, the peacock puffed up again—but when he saw Levi’s face clearly, his confidence faltered.
“Who might you be, sir? An uninvited guest?”
“I am acquainted with this lady—her friend.”
Levi rested on his cane, lifting his chin as he stared at him.
“If you wish to pursue her, do so the Empire’s way—not with your Francis theatrics.”
“That only proves you Empire people don’t understand romance and aesthetics.”
“Not necessarily. I find the heads falling from a guillotine quite aesthetic.”
Levi smirked.
“Perhaps it’s because you fail to grasp what truly matters that such things happen.”
At this, the peacock stopped retreating and glared at Levi.
“So you are insulting my country.”
“I’m merely stating facts.”
Levi spread his hands.
“If Francis people spent even a tenth of the effort they devote to women on state affairs, things wouldn’t have turned out this way. But then again, only dwarfs and foreigners can save Francis anyway…”
He tossed out the remark casually.
However, the peacock’s expression darkened. He removed his glove and threw it forcefully at Levi.
“I challenge you to a duel!”
“…A duel?”
“That’s right. Here and now!”
The peacock glared at him.
“You have insulted my country and myself—this cannot be tolerated! I will defend Francis honor with blood and life!”
“…Am I just doing a daily task and ending up in trouble?”
“Can I refuse?”
“What? Are you afraid?”
“I simply find it unfair. After all, I will win, and you will die. That would hardly be gentlemanly.”
“But I disagree.”
The peacock’s face twisted.
“In the name of the Holy Lord, I demand this duel—there is no withdrawal!”
“Haa…”
Levi sighed.
Duels were a rather characteristic practice of this era. Originally, they served as a form of judgment—people believed the Holy Lord would intervene, granting victory to the righteous.
Now, they were used to settle disputes or defend honor.
In simple terms, if one accused another of a crime and the latter denied it, a duel could determine the outcome—the winner prevailed in the case, while the loser faced punishment.
Interestingly, if one disagreed with a judge’s ruling, they could even challenge the judge to a duel.
Of course, duels were generally limited to people of status.
Among commoners, such things were seen as foolish games of the rich.
In most nations now, duels had largely fallen out of practice—including in the Empire. The Queen’s authority was strong, and bypassing the legal system for a duel would be seen as a lack of faith in her rule.
But in Francis, dueling remained popular—perhaps the ultimate expression of their romanticism.
“My name is Jean Dierwa! A noble descendant of the Dierwa family! State your name!”
“…Levi. A detective.”
“Levi?”
The carriage erupted in commotion—his fame as a Sea Monster hunter was widely known.
“So you’re that Sea Monster hunter? Good! Let me see what you’re truly capable of!”
The peacock sneered.
Since the man insisted on courting death, Levi had no reason to stop him.
Soon, under the crowd’s encouragement, the duel was arranged. They would fight in the wilderness behind the train, with the conductor and a Holy Lord Church priest as witnesses.
The rules were simple—stand ten meters apart and fire until one surrendered or died.
Even before it began, the entire train buzzed with excitement. Passengers gathered, some even placing bets.
Most bet on Levi.
Annie, meanwhile, remained absorbed in her sketching.
“Whoosh…”
The wind howled.
Levi stood calmly, facing the peacock.
“Where’s your gun?”
“Don’t worry. I’m faster than you.”
At that moment—
“Woo—————!”
The train whistle sounded.
“Bang.”
Before the peacock could react, his gun flew out of his hand.
Levi stood opposite him, gun in hand, smoke rising from the barrel.
“…How is that possible?”
The peacock stared at his trembling hand.
“That’s enough.”
Levi lowered his gun.
Cheers erupted.
Levi turned to leave—
“Stop! You bastard!”
The peacock, enraged, pulled out another gun and aimed at Levi.
“Bang!!”
A shot rang out.
A bullet hole appeared in the peacock’s forehead.
He collapsed instantly.
“Foolish.”
Levi shook his head and walked back onto the train.