Chapter 96: Delegation from the Lutein Kingdom

Maximus spoke in a voice filled with emotion. “That barbarian helped the princess get here. I know he is her savior. If, as the Tower Master says, the Lutein Kingdom has been overtaken by something, then he’s the one who warned us to prepare. Even though it annoyed me to be treated like some errand boy, I understood his value.”

His face showed clear irritation, and there was a strong sense of refusal directed toward Ketal. He continued, “But now I just cannot figure it out. Who is this barbarian that he’s meddling in such a critical matter?”

“Maximus—” Barbosa spoke, but was interrupted by Maximus.

𝑓𝘳𝘦𝑒𝑤𝑒𝘣𝘯ℴ𝘷𝘦𝓁.𝑐𝑜𝑚

“Yes, I know it’s what the Tower Master wants. But that doesn’t mean I have to accept it.” Maximus was visibly annoyed. “Why is everyone so focused on that barbarian?”

“Hm,” the Tower Master interjected, nodding. “Ah, so you weren’t here at the time.”

Maximus hadn’t been around when Barbosa spoke of Ketal with the Tower Master. From his point of view, it was impossible to understand Ketal’s significance.

“You say you can’t accept it, but why does that matter to us?” The Tower Master seemed genuinely puzzled. In his eyes, Maximus wasn’t bound to him in any way, nor did he hold any special value. That calm indifference made Maximus’s face grow even more tense.

“Let’s not take it that far,” Barbosa cut in, trying to defuse the heated mood. His expression was difficult to read.

As far as the Tower Master was concerned, what happened to Maximus didn’t matter. Being a Hero, he found little value in a Swordmaster’s strength. However, Barbosa saw the situation differently.

Maximus was a Swordmaster: a Transcendent and the strongest swordsman of the Denian Kingdom. Barbosa understood why he was so angry. Though part of Maximus’s loyalty came from lingering patriotism, there was a deeper reason.

He had always stood at the center of attention, and the kingdom arranged everything around him. He never had to deal with bothersome matters. For him, the Denian Kingdom was simply a place where he could comfortably earn respect and prestige without lifting a finger.

Yet now, everyone cared only about the barbarian, giving no attention to another Swordmaster. That caused Maximus to feel deeply insulted and humiliated, which explained his raised voice.

I’m not even sure who’s really in charge anymore,

Barbosa thought. Although Maximus served Barbosa, Barbosa had no authority to issue commands freely. With a sigh, he asked, “So, what exactly are you hoping for, Maximus?”

“A duel...” A twist formed at the corner of Maximus’s mouth. “I want to fight the barbarian.

Ketal smiled, while Barbosa frowned.

“Maximus, are you sure about this?” Barbosa asked him.

“I want to see with my own eyes how strong he is. I want to know the extent of his power. If he shows at least enough for me to acknowledge, I will stop interfering,” Maximus declared. “The Tower Master shouldn’t have any reason to meddle. It makes sense to confirm his strength.”

“If that’s what you want, I don’t plan on intervening,” the Tower Master said with a small laugh. “But it depends on whether the barbarian agrees.”

“Are you going to run away, barbarian?” Maximus asked.

“Not at all,” Ketal replied, smiling so brightly that Maximus hesitated for a moment. “I accept the duel.”

***

They moved to the training yard.

Elene gave Ketal a worried look. “Ketal, are you really okay?”

“I don’t see any issue,” Ketal replied.

“I know you’re strong, but...”

She knew Ketal wasn’t weak. He had defeated many knights from the Lutein Kingdom and even brought down Adamant. However, the Transcendent Ketal had taken down was a mage. Ketal was a barbarian who fought with his physical prowess, which could give him an advantage against a spellcaster.

This time, though, his opponent was a Swordmaster—someone with a strength that offered no matchup advantage. Worse still, his level was clearly above Adamant’s.

Ketal’s face lit up with curiosity. “I wonder how he compares to Kain.”

“You mean the Swordmaster of the Gehandra Kingdom? He’s strong, of course, but he only reached that level recently,” Elene explained.

Not every Transcendent was equal. Once someone gained strength beyond human limits, they needed time to master it. A newly ascended Swordmaster and a veteran of several years were worlds apart. Both Kain and Adamant were recent entrants to that realm. On the other hand, Maximus was different.

“Maximus had been a Swordmaster for ten years,” Elene continued.

Since he had reached that state so long ago, he could wield Transcendent power with perfect finesse.

Ketal murmured in fascination. “How curious. Kain looks much older.”

“Talent isn’t fair to everyone, I guess.”

Maximus was undeniably powerful and considered a true Transcendent.

Ketal’s lips curved into a grin. “I see.”

“If things get even a little dangerous, please surrender. The Tower Master is watching, so you’re not in real danger, but you never know,” Elene said.

“I’ll keep that in mind,” Ketal replied, then walked to the center of the training yard.

On the opposite side, Barbosa was offering similar advice to Maximus. “You’re not to injure him, Maximus.”

Barbosa also doubted Ketal was that strong. He knew Ketal had beaten Adamant, which meant he wasn’t weak, but Ketal’s ignorance of Myst likely limited his power. Against someone like Maximus, who stood solidly among the true Transcendent ranks, Ketal shouldn’t stand a chance.

Barbosa believed the Tower Master's interest in Ketal was due to his unusual nature, not his actual might.

“Don’t worry, Your Majesty. I’ll control my strength so I don’t hurt him. Although, this is still a duel, so there might be accidents.” Maximus glanced at the Tower Master. “If that happens, please step in, Tower Master.”

The Tower Master let out a short laugh. “Very well. Do your best.”

Maximus scowled at that seemingly dismissive response, but he and Ketal stepped into position.

Maximus eyed Ketal as he drew his sword. “There’s no need to use a training blade, I assume.”

“It doesn’t matter,” Ketal replied with a hint of anticipation.

He recalled his previous battles against Transcendent opponents: Swordmaster Kain and Adamant. Both had shown him miraculous feats—tangible illusions and the harnessing of natural forces—that left him awestruck. Yet, they had been called the weakest among the Transcendents. In contrast, Maximus was a seasoned Transcendent. Ketal wondered how powerful he would be and how extraordinary his abilities would feel.

Thinking back to his childhood of reading fantasy novels, Ketal’s heart pounded with excitement.

Barbosa glanced at the Tower Master, who nodded.

“I’ve put up a barrier. You can start now,” the Tower Master said.

Barbosa nodded and turned to them. “Then, let’s begin. I hope no one gets hurt.”

As soon as Barbosa finished, Maximus gathered his Myst. He wasn’t interested in conversation; he wanted to demonstrate overpowering force. His energy coursed through his body. Every Swordmaster had a personal sword style, and Maximus’s was remarkably simple: he minimized the outward Aura and cycled all his power within himself, accelerating his speed again and again until it reached the extreme.

A thunderous crash echoed. Chunks of earth tore from the ground. Elene and Barbosa never caught even a glimpse of him moving—he was already in front of Ketal, moving so fast it seemed like teleportation.

Elene gasped. “Ketal!”

Maximus smirked. He saw Ketal standing motionless, as if he hadn’t noticed Maximus’s speed. Maximus reached out, intending to grab Ketal by the throat and slam him into the dirt.

He’s definitely faster than Kain,

Ketal thought, marveling at Maximus’s speed. He caught Maximus’s forearm.

“W-what?” Maximus froze.

How did he catch my arm?

Ketal twisted his grip, forcing Maximus to flip.

“

Ugh!

” Maximus tried to resist, but it was impossible—like struggling against a giant’s hold. “D-damn!”

In desperation, Maximus lashed out with his knee, striking toward Ketal’s temple at a speed that would overwhelm even a weaker Transcendent. The impact connected with a deafening roar, stirring up a cloud of dust that filled the training yard.

“Maximus, no!” Barbosa cried, horrified.

That fool just struck Ketal with full force!

No one could survive a blow like that. As the dust settled, everyone stared in disbelief.

Maximus’s knee was pressed against Ketal’s head, yet Ketal stood unmoving, still gripping Maximus’s forearm.

“Wha...” Maximus couldn’t comprehend what had happened. He’d unintentionally used full power—enough to shatter solid rock—so a human skull should have burst on impact. However, Ketal was unfazed.

What on earth...

That was Maximus’s last coherent thought.

Ketal reached out and seized him by the scruff of the neck, and Maximus collapsed like a puppet with its strings cut.

“He’s faster than Kain, but that’s it,” Ketal mused. He tilted his head, wondering why the so-called true Transcendent was so underwhelming. After a moment’s thought, he nodded. “Maybe he was holding back.”

It was just a friendly spar; surely Maximus hadn’t gone all-out. Ketal felt disappointed because he wanted to see the true strength of a veteran Transcendent.

I guess there’ll be another chance,

Ketal thought.

Meanwhile, the onlookers stared in shock. Barbosa gasped at the unconscious Maximus, and Elene stood dumbfounded.

The Tower Master chuckled softly. “He was handled like a child.”

***

The duel came to an end. When Maximus regained consciousness, he said nothing at all. The Tower Master turned to Ketal and asked, “How was it?”

“He was fast, but that’s all. There was no need for him to hold back,” Ketal replied.

At those words, the Tower Master laughed. “You believe he was holding back?”

“He didn’t show any real Swordmaster techniques, did he?” Ketal said, shrugging.

All he had seen was speed, so he assumed Maximus had been restraining himself. The Tower Master didn’t bother to correct him.

So that’s the extent of Maximus,

the Tower Master thought.

In truth, the Tower Master was a little surprised. He had fully expected Ketal to win against Maximus, but not quite so effortlessly.

Just how powerful is this barbarian?

A spark of curiosity lit the Tower Master’s gaze.