.｡.:✧ Chapter 72 ✧:.｡.

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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: FusionX
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The orchestra intensified its performance, swirling around Elise as the center of an escalating storm.

‘It’s different.’

That was my immediate thought upon seeing Elise’s stance.

Her swordsmanship wasn’t developed through survival or honed wildly like mine but was crafted and refined with care by someone.

Not a greenhouse flower, but a diamond meticulously shaped by an artisan.

Elise’s swordsmanship was of that caliber.

‘So, it wasn’t just luck that she beat Ares.’

Ares’s defeat in the practical exam before the break wasn’t mere chance. The magic embedded in her rings added to her prowess.

With two on her left and two on her right, four spells in total were enhancing her, transforming her into someone else entirely in moments.

“I know how strong you are, Daniel. Let’s go full force from the start!”

Her golden treasure sword swung towards me as screams erupt from the partygoers. I stepped back, scanning my surroundings. I hadn’t expected her to be this aggressive, especially without bringing a weapon…

“Wait! My lady! What are you doing?”

“We must restrain her!”

The private guard’s of the Sermon family, the party’s hosts, rushed over, drawing their swords to surround Elise. Given it was a masquerade, they likely didn’t recognize her royal status and attempted to detain her.

“Inferior beings, begone!”

With a wide swing of her sword, Elise sent the guard’s flying, tumbling across the floor. Seeing this, the remaining nobles turn pale and start fleeing.

Despite the chaos, the musicians continued playing, having been warned of Elise’s identity by the maid. They judged stopping now would be riskier.

‘They’re not dead.’

I picked up two swords dropped by the guard’s, one in each hand, and then it hit me.

“It was you.”

“Excuse me? What do you mean?”

“You were the one who killed Apviel.”

Elise looks confused, but I’m certain.

In my previous life, when I ventured deep into the Demon Forest to find ancient beasts, Apviel was already dead, his insects mourning their king.

Ancient beasts rarely left the forest, and internal conflicts were forbidden. Unless their lifespan ends, these ancient beings seldom die.

Yet, Apviel was dead in my past life.

I speculated someone killed Apviel, who had come to kill Adriana. Seeing Elise’s power now, I was convinced.

She killed Apviel in my previous life.

For a moment, her power seemed to surpass that of Apviel himself.

‘Of course, she had help.’

Perhaps professors or people like Eris who visited Ares or the dean had united to assist her.

“I couldn’t show my full strength during the exam. This time, I’ll use all my power. I want to win you over completely.”

“Do all royals turn out twisted like you?”

“Insulting the royal family too! You’re truly the best! It’s just a shame about that sword. Should I ask Bertia to bring you a proper one?”

Elise looked disdainfully at the swords in my hands. Despite their lack of quality, I retorted with a smirk.

“Isn’t this too little of a handicap? How about, I just use one hand to defeat you?”

“Ah! Make my heart race! I feel like it’s going to burst!”

Muttering to myself about her insanity, I realized arguing with her only pleased her further.

I advanced and swung my sword. Elise, savoring the moment, countered with a smile.

“Ah, that’s heavy. You were holding back that time.”

“Keep it moderate.”

“How can I? This is the most thrilling moment of my life! Is this what love is, Daniel?”

I decided not to respond.

As we exchanged blows, and I started to gain the upper hand, Elise smiled mysteriously.

“I’m not just skilled with a sword, you know?”

Suddenly, a giant sword erupted from the ground, aiming for my legs. I narrowly dodged, only grazing my waist.

“Did you think a princess would only learn swordsmanship? I’m also full of talent in magic.”

Indeed, Elise ranked high in both swordsmanship and magic at the academy. Hiding her sword skills meant her magical prowess was also concealed.

Golden magical circles formed around us, and swords made of light launched at me.

‘These are spells shaped like swords.’

Clearly, she had been taught by a skilled magician, crafting spells as beautiful as transparent glass art.

I started deflecting the magic with my mana-wrapped hands, and Elise, tearing the hem of her dress for mobility, lunged at me.

“You’re open!”

Sparks flew as I crossed the swords like scissors, trapping her treasure sword between them. One of my swords broks under the intense friction.

But knowing it was about to break, I used the broken piece to counterattack Elise.

“Ah!”
The shattered sword embedded properly in her shoulder.

Unbeknownst to many, a broken sword can inflict even more pain on the opponent. The fragments easily embed in the flesh, and the irregular blade increases the damage.

Bleeding from her shoulder, Elise stepped back and slowly placed her hand on it.

The blood flowed crimson.

Seeing her own blood as if for the first time, she showed a reaction of fascination and then smiled brightly.

“It hurts! I love it! This is the first time for me! Hahaha!”

Now, almost to the point of disgust, Elise nodded in approval at the sight of her own blood and readied herself again.

“I can’t go easy now.”

She had intended to go easy, but seeing her current state, she realized she couldn’t end it like this.

It seemed she had been coddled too much, and it was time for a bit of a painful lesson.

“I’ll try not to kill you.”

***

“I’ll try not to kill you.”

At that moment, the atmosphere in the banquet hall shifted. The band, previously engrossed in their performance, faltered, and a grimace twisted Elise’s lips.

‘What?’

It was certainly Daniel McLean until just a moment ago.

He excited her so much, an unpredictable and rough man.

But now, the aura he exuded was simply…

“A beast?”

Yes, a beast.

And not just any beast, but one of immense size and overwhelming power, standing right before her.

“Ha, hahaha!”

So, he still had hidden strength?

Elise felt a pang in her stomach.

Despite feeling uncomfortably wet below, she gripped her sword tighter.

“……What?”

She couldn’t react in time.

The black-haired beast was suddenly swinging his sword in front of her.

Dead.

Yes, she thought she was surely dead.

“Princess!”

Suddenly, her maid, Bertia, was standing in front of her, drawing her sword to protect her.

Maid Bertia.

Though a maid by title, Bertia was Elise’s closest aide, once a leader in the king’s secret service, now serving as Elise’s maid and bodyguard due to injuries sustained on duty.

They had intended for her to retire, but Bertia and Elise, bound by a certain connection, began her duties as a maid.

It was Bertia who had taught Elise swordsmanship.

And now, Bertia…

“Cough!”

Spat blood and crashed to the ground.

Even retired due to injury, the former leader of the king’s secret service, known as the king’s left hand, was swiftly knocked down by Daniel McLean, who did not stop there but stepped on her, shattering her spine.

“Argh!”

“Do not interfere without thought.”

A menacing murderous intent.

Elise felt a chilling fear she had never experienced before, binding her as if with chains, and she involuntarily knelt.

“Ah, aah…”

Perhaps realizing she had lost all will to fight, Daniel slowly lowered his sword and snatched the protruding long necklace around her neck.

Her neck bent as if caught by the collar.

The necklace, being a fine piece, did not break despite his rough handling.

“Learn your lesson. Normally, you should be the one lying on the ground.”

“…”

“You have a good servant. She took the hit for you.”

“…”

Daniel released the necklace, and Elise’s strength drained away.

Step by step.

Daniel’s indifferent footsteps receded, and Elise slowly looked up at the chandelier.

“Bertia, are you okay?”

“Cough, yes… I’m, fine.”

Bertia, despite her more severe injuries, offered Elise a potion, but Elise shook her head.

“I’m fine, you use it.”

“……Princess.”

“Quickly, you saved me.”

At her words, Bertia drank half the potion and sprayed the rest on her wounds.

“I failed. He’s not a man I can handle.”

“……”

Bertia, too, glanced toward the terrace Daniel had exited and nodded slightly.

What exactly was his identity?

How could someone merely 18 years old reach such a state?

‘As if beyond human…’

Even Bertia, who had operated in the secret service, felt an unprecedented pressure and fear, instinctively shrinking back.

This wasn’t a matter of overcoming through training.

No matter how brave a rabbit is, it trembles before a tiger.

It was that kind of issue.

“If I can’t have him…”

Elise, like a broken doll, chuckled and murmured.

She caressed the mark on her neck, left from the necklace pulled by Daniel, and whispered.

“Maybe I should become his instead?”

Bertia, watching Elise in a daze, wished inwardly.

‘Would you come back and hit our princess just once more?’

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