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𝐒𝐮𝐫𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧
The courtyard of the castle was filled with murmurs and cheers.
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“What an incredible match!”
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“Just being at this party makes it worthwhile!”
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“Prince Gale is truly remarkable! What a boldly aggressive attack.”
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“But that servant, Luke, is something else. He’s the first to withstand Gale’s attack to that extent!”
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Voices praising Gale and commending Luke’s valiant effort were competing in intensity, just like the two men’s battle.
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Despite the shower of praise, Gale glared at Luke with a demonic expression.
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(Surrender? To me, after making me use my unique magic, and you still stand!)
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Gale’s unique magic, “Absolute Domination,” allows him to control targets at will, a magic befitting a king.
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Defensive magic is mostly ineffective against “Absolute Domination,” as it dominates the opponent, including their defenses.
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Yet, Luke blocked Gale’s sword, suggesting his magical power might equal or surpass Gale’s. . .
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Gale was also troubled by another thought.
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(Did he. . . know the sword would break?)
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Luke must have known he couldn’t withstand the final blow.
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Yet, he faced it head-on.
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(Could it be. . . he measured the damage to our swords during the battle!)
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Indeed, that’s exactly what Luke had done.
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Knowing it was hard to decide a winner, Luke aimed for a draw by analyzing the accumulating damage to their swords.
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He knew the final strike would exceed their swords’ breaking point.
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That’s why he could face it directly.
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Still, stopping Gale’s earth-splitting slash was a chilling feat for even Luke.
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But Gale couldn’t understand that.
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(He withstood my unique magic and calmly observed the sword damage, can such a person exist?)
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Luke now appeared to Gale’s eyes as an unknown being in human form.
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(This guy is too dangerous. If I let him live, he will eventually become a major obstacle in my path.)
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Gale’s instincts as a warrior were telling him so.
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Above all, Gale’s pride did not accept victory in this manner.
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Receiving victory from the opponent’s side was something Gale detested the most.
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That it was Luke who did it was unforgivable to Gale.
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“. . .ble.”
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“What did you say just now?”
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Luke looked puzzled at Gale’s muttering.
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“Don’t joke with me!”
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Gale shouted.
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“You think it’s over just because a sword broke? I won’t accept that! I still have fists, magic!”
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“But if we continue fighting. . .”
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“Enough talk! If I say it’s not over, it’s not over! If you won’t come at me, I’ll come at you!”
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Gale readied his fist.
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The intensity emanating from his entire body had transcended anger and turned into a killing intent.
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Reluctantly, Luke also assumed a stance.
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(This is troublesome, if this continues, neither of us will come out unscathed.)
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It seems Gale won’t be satisfied unless we see this through.
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Luke made up his mind.
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Regardless of the outcome, he had no choice but to stick with it till the end.
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“Let’s go!!!”
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“Please wait.”
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Just as Gale was about to spring forward, a calm voice echoed.
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Simultaneously, the barrier Gale had erected vanished without a sound.
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“Who is it! Don’t interfere with me!”
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Gale turned around, his voice filled with anger.
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“Your Highness, it’s unbecoming of a prince to behave in such a manner.”
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A voice as refreshing as the autumn breeze responded.
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The woman standing there was breathtakingly beautiful.
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Her luxurious dress and accessories, along with her platinum blonde hair, shone brightly under the courtyard lights.
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Her beauty overshadowed even those adornments.
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“It’s Flora Nightingale-sama. . .”
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“As beautiful as ever. . .”
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“And what a majestic presence. Truly befitting royalty. . .”
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Luke was also familiar with her.
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Flora Nightingale, a member of the royal family and the current king’s niece.
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Known for her exceptional magical talent, it must have been her power that dissolved Gale’s barrier.
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“Flora. . . don’t get in my way. I’m busy.”
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Prince Gale responded bluntly.
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However, his aura of killing intent had dissipated, and his attitude seemed somewhat restrained.
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“I cannot allow that.”
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Flora, still smiling, stepped in front of Gale.
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Her emerald green eyes gazing at Gale showed no fear.
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“You’re still so impulsive, Prince Gale. Everyone is frightened, you know.”
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“Hmm. . .”
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Gale was at a loss for words.
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“You can’t lead the people if you lose your temper so easily. Even if you’re still a prince, you must maintain composure.”
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“I know that already, you don’t need to tell me.”
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Gale’s tone carried a hint of petulance.
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“What’s going on?”
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Alma, who had approached, was quietly asked by Luke.
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“That’s Prince Gale’s cousin, Flora-sama. It’s widely rumored that even Prince Gale can’t stand up to her.”
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“You must have been scared too, right?”
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Flora turned towards Luke.
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“I’m sorry. This person always behaves like this, frightening everyone. He’s not really a bad person, but I apologize.”
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“N, No, it’s not like that. . .”
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“Flora, you don’t have to apologize!”
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Gale scratched his head and glanced at Luke.
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“. . .I’ve lost interest. I’ll let it go for today.”
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Saying this, he left without looking back.
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Flora also bowed and followed him.
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“. . .What was that about?”
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“Who knows?”
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Luke and Alma could only tilt their heads, but it seemed the immediate problem was resolved.
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The party proceeded smoothly afterwards. Luke, having held his own against Gale, briefly became the center of attention, but no troubles arose until the party came to an end.
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“Alma-sama, Luke-sama.”
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A butler with grey hair stopped them just as they were about to leave the castle.
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“Flora-ojousama wishes to have a conversation with the two of you.”