novelraw Chapter 162: Beggar Siblings - Double Life
Chapter 162: Beggar Siblings - Double Life
162. Beggar Siblings - Double Life
“You little brat! You’re pretty good!”
Katrina shouted.
Today was just another ordinary day. The newcomer named “Deros” was still frustrating, and her swordsmanship skills felt as if they had hit a wall.
Living with Ellen was her only solace. “Ugh, I should just go home and eat,” she muttered while heading home from work, when a rather unusual event occurred. A boy in flamboyant clothes approached her. His eyes were intense, with dimples that softened his face enough to make any girl swoon.
Her eyes were truly blessed today...
“Excuse me, Knight. Could you watch my swordsmanship for a moment?”
Katrina’s blood pressure soared. Why ask after already drawing your sword?
How dare you treat a knight like this...
Infuriated, Katrina delivered a swift kick. Normally, she would have just cut him down, but,[ Achievement: The Man Katrina Risked Her Life to Protect - Katrina has great affection for you. ]
She decided there was no need to go that far. A good beating should suffice.
“Huh?”
However, the boy reacted quickly. His sword, held in reverse, aimed to strike her legs.
Blocking a low kick with a sword is difficult. Usually, people would either dodge or swing their sword, accepting the kick but dealing a blow in return.
Creating such a messy situation was Katrina’s specialty and her preferred fighting style.
But the boy’s unusual response made Katrina adjust her flying kick.
Avoiding his sword tip, she brought her legs together like a ballet move. She spun her body with the force of the kick and slashed diagonally with her drawn sword...
‘Oops! I didn’t mean to kill him!’
Regret came too late. Surprised by her reflexive follow-up attack, Katrina thought, ‘Ah, whatever, let him die,’ and didn’t retract her sword.
- Clang!
“Oh! He blocked it?”
Leo barely managed to defend with his longsword held in reverse. He knelt on one knee, pressured by Katrina’s sword.
His wrist felt like it was going to snap.
His sword was pushed back, cutting his right elbow and thigh.
Leo felt the blood soaking his clothes, but he braced himself. Pushing off the ground with his left leg, he dove towards Katrina’s lower body.
“Where do you think you’re going!”
Katrina easily blocked Leo’s desperate counterattack by lowering her stance. Holding her sword upright, she pinned Leo down, leaving him unable to move.
Just a brief moment of struggle. Even that caused sweat to bead on Leo’s thin back.
If Leo Dexter was in his prime, he would have easily handled Katrina. With {Swordsmanship.4v: Jacob Style}, his skill level was high, and his physical abilities were superior.
But in this current, pitiful body, even with the skills of a knight commander, it wasn’t possible.
Of course, he had come here considering that, but...
‘Why is she so aggressive today? She wasn’t like this before.’
This time, he had politely drawn his sword in front of her. He had learned from the last time when drawing his sword behind her back had made her furious.
What a temper she has.
Leo clicked his tongue and withdrew his sword. Pretending to be pushed back (though he actually was), he twisted his sword tip, pivoting it where it touched Katrina’s.
It was the swordsmanship of the Swordmaster named ‘Jacob’ he had met in a previous round.
If his swordsmanship could be described in one word, it would be ‘Weapon Destruction Technique.’
It aimed to maximize gains the moment swords clashed, not merely focusing on breaking the opponent’s sword.
“What the-?!”
As Leo’s sword turned inward, Katrina was startled. It was taboo to move your sword when clashing, as usually, the one who moved first suffered.
The norm was to slowly increase distance or use force to knock the sword away.
This guy did neither.
He redirected her sword harmlessly and turned his blade to correct his stance. As his awkward reverse grip gradually shifted to a normal one, Katrina exclaimed in surprise.
“You little brat! You’re pretty good!”
- Clang!
Seeing she was at a disadvantage, Katrina yelled and knocked his sword away. Though she was winning the struggle, she chose to reset the fight.
Leo understood why the slender Swordmaster he had once seen used such techniques.
It was because he lacked confidence in strength contests. That’s why even Leo Dexter, despite his insufficient skill, could hold his own with an indestructible sword.
Quickly, Leo sheathed his sword.
Knowing he’d lose if they continued, he bowed to the enraged Katrina who shouted, “Why did you put it away!”
“Thank you for evaluating my skills. How was it? Am I useful?”
“Useful, my ass! Draw your sword! This feels like I lost!”
It took a while for her to calm down. No matter how much she threatened, Leo didn’t draw his sword, making Katrina, frustrated, put hers away and ask,
“What’s your deal? No muscles at all... No, that’s not the issue. How old are you?”
As her senses returned, Katrina scrutinized Leo. He seemed older than he looked but still young.
How did a kid barely of age block my sword? I couldn’t even do that at his age.
‘Is this what they call a genius?’
That was the only explanation. His skills were beyond what one could achieve at his age.
Knights were all geniuses by default.
Only those with overwhelming talent among tens of thousands could become knights. Even the junior knight Deros, whom Katrina scolded daily, had remarkable talent.
Of course, there was a significant gap between those who could create their own swordsmanship and those who couldn’t.
To Katrina, this guy had already established his own swordsmanship. It was hard to believe, but it was true.
“My age is...”
“Let’s talk somewhere else. Oh, wait. Are you... a noble?”
It was a reasonable suspicion. Amusingly, Katrina’s demeanor became more reserved, and Leo, with a playful cough, made her turn pale.
‘Damn. No wonder he’s handsome. I’m in trouble. He’s injured... I hope this doesn’t lead to charges of lèse-majesté.’
“No, I’m a commoner.”
“You son of a bitChapter Draw your sword.”
*
Leo, with a swollen eye, chewed on his bread quietly. They were in a familiar restaurant, with Katrina sitting across the table sipping water.
“So, you came to the capital on a whim?”
Beating someone up over a joke like that... Leo realized he needed to rethink the “great affection” achievement and obediently answered.
“Yes... I haven’t been here long. But the knight entrance exam is over, and I’m out of money...”
“Why aren’t you smiling?”
“I was hoping for some help. Knight.”
Such a thug of a woman. Just you wait.
Forcing a smile, Leo spoke, and Katrina smirked. She didn’t seem worried about any repercussions.
“Help, huh... I can help you.”
“How?”
“Join our knight order. I’ll recommend you.”
Finally getting to the stage he wanted, Leo cleared his throat.
“No, I plan to join the Royal Guard. I heard their entrance exam is in a few weeks.”
“The Royal Guard? Why would you want to join that rigid group? Our knight order is much freer and better. If I recommend you, you can join without even taking the exam.”
“I appreciate the offer, but...”
- Gulp.
This was a crucial moment. Leo knew that if he showed his skills, Katrina would recommend him to the knight order, and he needed that recommendation.
He swallowed the bread in his mouth and acted a bit unenthusiastic.
“The Royal Guard seems much better. The kingdom’s knight order has to go to war if something happens, but the Royal Guard just protects the palace, right?”
“What do you mean ‘just’? There’s no such thing.”
“...It’s a saying from my hometown. I want to live comfortably. Whether it’s the Royal Guard or a knight, you train every day anyway. It’s better to work in the palace if you can, right?”
“What kind of kid are you? What do you take knights for...”
Oh right, a genius.
Even though he was young and hadn’t trained much, with skills like his, it was understandable he would see knights as mere nuisances.
‘No, I shouldn’t agree with him.’
Katrina shook her head. Thinking about how to persuade this insufferable brat, she spoke up.
“Listen, wars don’t break out that easily. Plus, knights get better pay and more holidays. Royal Guards don’t get that. You’d be stuck in the palace, and promotions are slow. In our knight order, you could rise quickly.”
“But the pay difference isn’t that big. Even if I get leave, it’s not like I can travel far. Promotions only go up to knight commander. Usually, the captain and deputy captain are nobles.”
“...”
How does this country bumpkin know so much? Katrina gritted her teeth.
“That’s not entirely true. Who knows? At your age, becoming a Swordmaster isn’t a dream. Then you could become a knight commander like Count Herman Forte and live in luxury.”
“Swordmasters live in luxury no matter what they do.”
“......”
He’s right.
But being so blunt tested Katrina’s patience to its limit. She wanted to say, “You bastard, I won’t recommend you! Do whatever you want.” But she knew this unenthusiastic guy would probably become a Royal Guard without her recommendation.
So, she offered her last persuasive point.
“...It’s hard for Royal Guards to get married. Both their dorm and workplace are in the palace. Where would they meet women? Being a knight is much better.”
However, even this argument crumbled with Leo’s reply.
“I already have a girlfriend.”
“Great! You’re amazing!”
In the end, the table flipped with a loud shout. Pieces of bread flew through the air spectacularly.
*
“This is my house. Here’s the key.”
Grumbling, Katrina handed Leo the key.
The house was covered in dust. The thick layer of dust on the threshold made it clear no one had lived there for a long time.
It was Katrina’s old house, where she had lived before moving in with Ellen, located southeast of the royal castle.
Despite its shabby state, Leo was satisfied. It wasn’t far from the theater where Jenia and Lena were staying.
“Alright, I’m leaving. You remember where I live, right?”
“Yes, I memorized it.”
Still grumbling, Katrina muttered something that sounded like “damn brat,” but Leo saw her off with a bright smile.
That smile vanished as soon as the door closed, sending up a cloud of dust. There was no more need to pretend.
“Phew. At least I have a place to stay now...”
Jenia had agreed to take care of his sister, but Leo couldn’t stay at the theater himself.
He planned to start living a somewhat complicated double life.
First, he had to get Katrina’s promised recommendation. He needed to become a Royal Guard this time.
There were two reasons for this.
The first was to deal with Gilbert Forte. If he didn’t take care of that bastard, Lena from the childhood friend scenario would be expelled from the capital church.
Killing him was easy. But the aftermath was severe, as he had realized in the previous beggar siblings round.
He lost time fleeing, and most importantly, he couldn’t get Count Gustav Peter’s help.
This time, he planned to keep Gilbert Forte from going to the capital church without killing him.
Leo thought there was only one way. He had to enter the palace and prevent Gilbert Forte and Princess Chloe de Tatian from causing a scandal.
Since the Swordmaster sent his son to the capital church after the scandal, he just needed to prevent the kiss in front of the Prince of Astin.
This might also prevent a war. Last time, even after killing Gilbert, a war broke out, but who’s to say the princess didn’t kiss someone else because of his death?
Since the engagement scenario with Noguhwa prevented avoiding the {War} event, this was an option to consider.
The second reason was to meet Count Gustav Peter safely.
It was almost certain that Count Peter and Cardinal Berg were father and son.
Cardinal Berg was a key figure in defeating Prince Eric de Yeriel of the Conrad Kingdom, who served Oriax.
Leo had seen him summon the giant figure of a god in the childhood friend scenario.
Compared to the absurd benefit of “Counter” that Rev had, it was nothing, but it was still a great power. He was someone Leo needed to persuade.
The problem was that he wasn’t cooperative with the returning prince, Leo de Yeriel.
So, he needed the help of Count Gustav Peter (or Baron Monarch), who wasn’t cooperative either.
In the 9th round, where he was separated from his sister, the count had recognized Leo and Lena but pretended not to and told Marquis Benar Tatian.
‘It’ll be the same this time.’
Marquis Benar Tatian was a terrifying man. Leo still couldn’t imagine facing him. He had to avoid him at all costs.
Hence, he needed the title of Royal Guard. If a Royal Guard wanted to meet someone, it was usually because of the king’s orders, making it easier to meet Count Peter.
As a knight of the royal family, even if Count Gustav Peter told the marquis, the marquis couldn’t touch him.
Of course, being discovered wasn’t ideal.
More than the marquis, if it became known that he was a runaway prince from the Conrad Kingdom, who knew what would happen?
Leo raised his arm to dust off the bed.
Looking at the simple leather bracelet with two remaining red beads, {Barbatos’s Bracelet}, Leo finished his contemplation.
He planned to use everything he had.
First, he would become a Royal Guard and meet Prince Cleon de Tatalia, whom he had never met before. After gaining the achievement of earning slight favor from the nobles serving the Tatalia royal family, he would find the count and use this bracelet to charm him.
Leo knew Count Gustav Peter was a frugal man who didn’t wear accessories.
Therefore, the charm would certainly succeed.
In addition, if he could use {Royal Blood} and {Nobility} to secure his loyalty... the {Master-Servant Relationship} achievement would activate.
Count Peter would reveal all his secrets to Leo, including how to win over Cardinal Berg.
Leo lay down on the thin summer blanket.
Even with dust flying around, his eyes stared straight at the ceiling.
Chaeha.
I will return. I will go back and apologize for all the wrongs I’ve done.
Leo only fell asleep much later, planning contingencies for every possible mishap. Thus began his double life in Orville, where he secretly checked on Lena at the theater and investigated problems as a Royal Guard.
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