Free Web NovelChapter 64: Ch 64: The Bet
"Grand Master Kael, you are finally back. You were taking a little longer in the bathroom than we expected, and it was starting to worry us. Are you sure everything is alright on your side?"
The council leader spoke in a fake-concerned voice. He was pretending to care for Kael on the surface, but anyone could see that he was actually mocking him and even accusing him of being a coward.
"Ah, the reason we took our time was because we wanted to give you time to prepare. Unless...are you already done with your preparations? That was rather fast. It’s almost as if you were prepared to fight us or something."
Kael replied casually before anyone else from his party could.
Both Leon and Iris had foul mouths, which were usually fine to let loose, but not in this situation.
These council members were experts at manipulating the narrative. It was also easy for them to ruin someone’s reputation in a flash.
Kael was not worried about himself, but both Iris and Leon were a different matter. (Especially Leon, who had tried so hard to appeal to the public as a hero in his past life.)
The council leader looked ready to spit fire after hearing Kael’s words. But Kael was no longer interested in him.
Instead, his eyes moved toward the pair standing not too far away from them.
The older-looking of the two had armor and a decently strong aura. He felt like someone who had the potential to become a Sword Master but was not there yet. So he would not be much of a problem for Iris if she kept her cool.
However, the cloaked figure beside the holy knight...that was a different matter.
That person was trying to hide their presence, but Kael could see the seal placed on that power so clearly. And it was even comparable to his own at this stage.
’Is that...a Holy Knight? So the temple did end up getting a Holy Knight after all. But...something feels odd. Should they not be all over that kid by now?’ fгee𝑤ebɳoveɭ.cøm
Most of the council members were shallow people who flocked toward power. They would try to make their presence known to a Holy Knight if they knew there was one nearby.
So there was only one explanation he could think of at the moment—the council did not know that the Holy Knight had snuck in.
Kael did not know why the knight had come, but he suddenly became vigilant.
’Based on what I know of the temple, they will likely pair the older knight with Iris and the younger one with Leon. I better warn Leon-’
The younger Holy Knight suddenly looked at him, and a familiar face flashed through Kael’s mind. That was a face he knew, but his memories had faded enough that he could not recall every detail.
Still, it was a person he could never forget. After all, they had come from the same orphanage for nobles.
’That’s...Ken Russell... He became a Holy Knight a few years ago. The last time I saw him was...’
During that time when he had died...
A war had broken out, and Ken had sacrificed himself on the front lines. He was different from the other temple people who were greedy and selfish. But he had his own flaws...
Like getting bored easily and causing mischief.
’Fuck! Looks like this is not the temple’s fault but Ken’s own decision. Does he want to cross swords with the hero to see how well he performs?’
Ken’s involvement suddenly opened so many cans of worms that Kael did not even want to think about it. So he shoved it all aside for now and pretended he did not notice what was going on.
All this happened within a few moments while the council leader gathered himself. Once he had recovered, he turned to look at Kael with fire in his eyes.
"The council always keeps this place ready in case of tense situations, but it is a pity that the hero is being made to fight. It is unfortunate, but necessary at the same time. So let’s not drag this out any longer and get to the fight."
Everyone moved toward the back of the council building, where the training grounds were located.
A barrier protected this place, so people could go all out whenever they wanted...not that it was going to stop a Sword Master if they got serious.
"We shall have our first fight between Sir Ivory and the ex-slave. Does anyone have a problem with this arrangement?"
"I am fine with it."
"I don’t mind either."
Both Ivory and Iris replied, ignoring the fact that the council member had called Iris an ex-slave instead of using her name.
However, Kael felt pissed off by this and decided he was not going to let the insult slide.
His magic acted quickly, and he lifted the man into the air before anyone could even move.
"G-Grand Master, what is the meaning of this?"
The announcer asked in a panicked voice as he flailed around, trying to get down. The others attempted to use force to bring him down, but it was useless.
"I don’t like the way you addressed my companion. I have already used my words more times than I can count to correct your behavior. But since it seems like you don’t understand speech, I have no choice but to use violence."
Everyone went silent at his declaration before someone finally reacted.
"This is tyranny! Grand Master, put him down! To think all of this is happening over an ex-slave-"
That person joined the first one in the air, but this time with a broken ankle.
"Anyone else want to try insulting my companion?"
Kael asked, but the only person he was truly concerned about was Ken. Everyone else here was easy to deal with.
Luckily for him, Ken seemed entertained by what was happening. The others...looked far too worried to enjoy the situation.
"Grand Master, please stop this tyranny. If your companion has something to prove, then let her prove it during the fight. Someone like you should have more dignity than to resort to violence-"
"And people like you should have better manners than to insult my companion. Well, how about we make a bet? If Iris wins, you will never call her a slave again. In fact, you will remove her name from the slave registry and recognize her as a noble."
"This is madness-"
"But if she loses, I will fulfill one request the council makes of me. What do you say?"
Kael asked, and everyone looked shocked by the declaration.
