Chapter 422: A More Challenging Position

“Ooooooh—!”

As Harvis walked onto the stage with his eye-catching broadsword, the audience erupted in cheers.

The Kingdom’s noble and the Empire’s prince stood facing each other on the stage under everyone’s gaze, exciting the crowd.

It couldn’t be helped.

“It seems everyone is looking forward to our performance.”

Harvis didn’t look around, but smiled at Shien, who was standing opposite him.

“Performance?” Shien stopped yawning and said noncommittally, “They just want to see how well we can fight, right?”

That was the case.

Many people had used this stage before.

Every day, they showcased their abilities in various ways, some amazing, some unimpressive, but without exception, none of them achieved any results in the end.

Lucy hadn’t raised anyone’s score, making them a candidate for her husband, so the audience had long since lost hope.

Moreover, there were also quite a few people who were just there to make up the numbers or cause a commotion. Therefore, recently, fewer and fewer people came to watch the performances around the stage.

But today was different.

Today, two highly topical figures were on stage.

One was the Viscount rumored to be formidable, the current top candidate in the husband selection competition.

The other was the Empire’s prince, a legitimate descendant of the Hero.

People wanted to know how capable the former was and what the latter could achieve.

Compared to these two figures with numerous titles, most of those who had been on this stage before were just clowns.

And this time, there were also many things others wanted to know.

If Shien, the top candidate, lost, would the Kingdom lower his score and raise Harvis’s?

Did the Kingdom’s treasure prefer a husband with greater martial prowess?

What kind of partner did Princess Lucy want?

Someone with a background? Someone capable? Or someone with strength?

These were the things others desperately wanted to know.

Under such circumstances, regardless of whether Shien, the top candidate, won or lost, the outcome would reveal a lot of information.

For example, if Shien lost, but his score wasn’t lowered, and he didn’t lose his position as the top candidate, it would prove that the Kingdom didn’t value strength. ȒÁＮȎ𝔟Ɛș

Conversely, if Shien lost, and Harvis’s score increased, replacing Shien’s position, it would prove that the Kingdom valued strength.

This was what people wanted to see.

After all, the outcome of the husband selection depended entirely on the princess’s preferences.

Without a standard, people could only search for the rules themselves, strive to climb up, and finally win both fame and fortune, and the beauty’s hand.

Therefore, in the eyes of many, whether Shien or Harvis won, they weren’t interested.

Because both Shien and Harvis were their rivals, their love rivals. They naturally couldn’t support either of them and even hoped that both would lose.

They were only concerned about the outcome of this duel.

Of course…

“For those commoners of the Kingdom, they really want to see our abilities, or rather, how capable I am.” Shien curled his lip. “Your Highness is also being evaluated, so you better put on a good show.”

“That’s only natural.” Harvis said frankly. “After all, we’re dueling in the Kingdom’s capital, in front of everyone in the Kingdom. I can’t lose face.”

Otherwise, the Kingdom’s people would show no mercy when mocking the prince of their rival, the Empire.

“You’re really straightforward.” Shien chuckled, but there was a meaningful look on his face. “Alright, let me see how capable the Empire’s prince is compared to that neurotic Valkyrie.”

These words made Harvis narrow his eyes.

“Could you be…”

Harvis wanted to say something, but he didn’t succeed.

The reason was simple.

“Look… look…!”

“It’s Princess Lucy!”

“Princess Lucy is here!”

With these ecstatic shouts, the entire venue erupted in cheers that soared into the sky.

On the open-air platform above the main gate of the palace, Lucy had appeared at some point, overlooking the stage below. Her snow-white hair fluttered in the wind, her crimson eyes shining with an exquisite light. Her posture was elegant, her aura outstanding, making people feel as if a goddess had descended, captivating their hearts.

“Is… is that Roselucia Mitra?”

Wolram, who had been looking at the stage with a playful expression, gasped, his eyes filled with astonishment and passion as he looked at the beautiful princess who had suddenly appeared.

“Such terrifying magic power…”

Rockto beside him couldn’t help but stare at Lucy, exclaiming in amazement.

“She’s just a human, yet she looks more like a goddess than most goddesses.”

Even Nadue, who was unnoticed, looked at Lucy with admiration.

“Truly worthy of being the Kingdom’s treasure.”

Harvis couldn’t help himself either. Seeing Lucy appear, his eyes lit up for a moment, his heart stirred.

And even these people were like this, let alone the nobles and commoners, who were stunned and cheered. Most of the young nobles even revealed possessive expressions, their greed, fanaticism, and infatuation on full display.

“Such a beautiful woman, why isn’t she mine?”

Edel, who had appeared in a corner at some point, looked at Lucy with lust and desire in his eyes.

Among everyone, only Shien could look at Lucy calmly, complaining inwardly,

(This girl is putting on her princess act again.)

However, her beauty and aura were truly flawless.

Shien originally thought he would be immune to Lucy’s charm, but even after doing everything they had and hadn’t done, seeing Lucy like this, his heart still couldn’t help but race.

This showed the level of Lucy’s beauty.

(I’ve decided, I’ll try a more challenging position tonight.)

Shien made this decision.

Lucy, unaware that she had been targeted by a certain wolf, completely entered her princess mode, looking down at the stage from above, her clear and melodious voice echoing,

“I’m just here to watch. Don’t mind me.”

Lucy said calmly, secretly giving Shien a look, seemingly urging him to perform well.

Shien also gave Lucy a look, seemingly saying, “If I perform well now, you’ll be mine tonight.”

Lucy seemed to receive the message, rolling her eyes at him discreetly, then nodding slightly.

Shien smiled with satisfaction, but his gaze didn’t move away. He looked at the person beside Lucy.

There, another person slowly walked out of the palace.

“Haha, this duel today is worth looking forward to.”

Ancil laughed heartily.

“To be honest, I’m also a little excited.”

Lia smiled.

Charl watched below with a serious expression.

Aldia stood behind Ancil, his face impassive.

The appearance of the royal family brought the atmosphere to a climax.

“Are they really paying so much attention to this battle?”

Wolram was a little surprised, then became excited.

Clearly, this guy wasn’t just a fool, but also a troublemaker.

Rockto, on the other hand, stared intently at Aldia.

“Aldia Elvenbein…”

Rockto’s eyes were filled with fighting spirit as he looked at Aldia.

Edel, in the corner, looked at Lia, who was standing with Lucy and whispering to her, the desire in his eyes no longer concealed.

“Even if I can’t get the Kingdom’s treasure, I must have this First Princess.”

Lust burned in Edel’s heart.

Of course, this had nothing to do with Shien and Harvis on stage.

“I didn’t expect the Mitra royal family to come out as well.” Harvis turned his gaze to Shien and smiled. “It seems we have to take this duel seriously, Viscount Buztout.”

“Perhaps.” Shien didn’t deny it and said nonchalantly, “Speaking of which, you haven’t said how we’re going to compete yet. Do we lose if we fall off the stage, or do we have to be defeated?”

“Falling off the stage, or one side admitting defeat, will be considered a loss.” Harvis didn’t hesitate and said directly, “I believe you’re a sensible person and won’t refuse to admit defeat even in death. Therefore, whichever side exhausts all their means and still can’t defeat the other, that side will admit defeat.”

“Oh?” Shien couldn’t help but be surprised. “What a novel way to decide victory.”

Harvis’s straightforward and inoffensive manner earned Shien’s favor.

Compared to the neurotic, stubborn, and aggressive Capeline, this prince of the Empire seemed more approachable.

He then said,

“Also, let’s not use magic in this duel.” Harvis glanced around and shrugged. “If we use magic, we might accidentally injure the innocent spectators around us. Let’s just have a sword fight.”

“Alright.” Shien had no objections. Seeing how straightforward the other party was, he didn’t hesitate either. “Shall we begin?”

“Yes.” Harvis smiled slightly. “Let’s begin.”

After that, neither of them spoke.

“Clang!”

Only the sounds of their swords being drawn echoed clearly.