[The ‘Tin Knight’ complains that when doing a quest like hunting 30 wild boars, the boars that were usually easy to find suddenly become scarce!]

“Enough, stop talking nonsense and focus on the battle.”

The Tin Knight grumbling and Dorothea chiding him.

The progress of the two was incredibly smooth.

There were no opponents who could withstand the Tin Knight’s god-like force, and participants who targeted Dorothea, who calmly walked beside him, were also frustrated by the powerful barrier created by her staff.

Without the need for other team members of the same color to step up, or for Dorothea to use necromancy, just letting the Tin Knight roam freely had already taken out more than three teams.

So much so that the time spent looking for enemies was longer than the time spent in actual combat.

Of course, that wasn’t necessarily a bad thing.

While the Tin Knight might not care either way, Dorothea preferred simple and convenient fights over difficult and strenuous ones. It was even better if they could avoid fighting altogether.

However, even Dorothea couldn’t help but feel perplexed by the situation where not even a shadow of the Lion Duke’s bloodline was seen even as the test passed its midpoint.

“…Where did they all go?”

No matter how powerful the Tin Knight was, it was impossible to defeat enemies they hadn’t even encountered.

It was too much to say they hadn’t met yet because the field was too wide, as pillars of light surrounding the arena were gradually closing in, preventing the test from dragging on too long.

In other words, the structure was such that it became easier to meet other teams as time passed, yet they hadn’t even seen a shadow of Lennart.

There were two possibilities.

Either they were just unlucky and hadn’t found them yet, or they had already been eliminated by other teams.

Especially in the latter case, it wasn’t entirely impossible, as there would be other powerful teams targeting the Lion Duke’s bloodline, like Adelaide or Algind.

How much time had passed like this?

The two finally managed to find the Lion Duke’s bloodline, but the fierce battle that the Tin Knight had expected didn’t happen this time either.

“Push forward! The enemies are almost gone!!”

“Ugh, these things one after another…!!”

The young men of the Lennart Ducal family, surrounded by other participants, were being driven into a corner.

While the young men were clearly superior in skill, there were only about five on the Lennart side, whereas the enemies numbered almost a hundred. It seemed that two teams with different colors had allied, and with such a difference in numbers, even the Lion Duke’s bloodline couldn’t do much.

This was even more so because those who had made it to the third test were talents that would rank in the upper echelons within the Empire, each and every one of them.

In the end, without the need for the Tin Knight and Dorothea to intervene, the Lion Duke’s bloodline members lost their marks and were eliminated. The allied forces that tried to eliminate Dorothea’s black team after riding this momentum ended up getting a taste of their own medicine. It was the price for messing with the walking tin can of disaster.

Furthermore, similar incidents occurred several times.

“There! There’s Lennart!”

The abnormal situation where the Lion Duke’s bloodline members, who should have been sweeping through the test site as strong contenders, were instead being chased like prey.

The reason was clear.

The Lion Duke’s bloodline members were all torn apart without forming complete teams, with only a small group of people moving together.

Even the largest group didn’t exceed ten people, so it wasn’t strange that other participants were eager to hunt them down.

If achievements were to be evaluated based on performance in the test, there was no clearer “achievement” than taking down members of the Lennart family.

“Sir Knight, Miss Witch!”

[The ‘Tin Knight’ says that someone with characteristics very similar to the target is approaching at high speed!]

[The ‘Tin Knight’ expresses his willingness to face off against the mysterious Lennart Mask!]

“Don’t do it, idiot.”

After hitting the back of the Tin Knight’s head with her staff, the party that finally managed to join up entered information exchange time.

“All the Lennart guys are either scattered or already out, did you do this, Adel?”

“No, I thought Sir Knight had done it.”

[The ‘Tin Knight’ complains that he hasn’t even fought properly here!]

“Is it that Algind girl? Or were there other skilled ones…? Sophia, what’s wrong?”

Seeing Sophia lost in thought without speaking, Dorothea expressed her doubt.

Sophia seemed to choose her words for a moment, then spoke, “Those who have a way out and those who don’t. When backed into a corner, which side would be more desperate?”

“What?”

“When a perfectly fine ship is in danger of sinking, where does the passengers’ resentment turn? Probably towards the captain, right?”

“What are you talking about all of a sudden?”

At Dorothea’s urging, Sophia answered, “As always, it means our plans have gone awry.”

***

Sven von Lennart.

This twenty-five-year-old noble youth took great pride in his bloodline.

Those who inherited the blood of the hero, the Lion Duke, counted among the strongest warriors in history.

A distinguished family among distinguished families who fought more bravely than anyone as the Empire’s sword against foreign enemies and made the greatest contributions to the Empire’s growth into the current great power.

True nobles who, despite being born with excellent innate physiques, didn’t just rely on that, but constantly repeated competition and self-discipline.

Truly a great family.

Truly a glorious family.

The young man who had fallen asleep listening to the Lion Duke’s heroic tales since childhood and repeatedly trained while vowing to become such a hero himself found it all the more difficult to forgive the current state of affairs.

The Imperial Family checked Lennart just because they were strong, even though they had never attempted rebellion.

The ugly false accusations of trying to maintain power by sacrificing a branch family, and the rabble swayed by this.

It was truly outrageous.

Without the Lion Duke, the Empire couldn’t have even become an empire, and without Lennart, the Empire would have long since faced collapse at the hands of foreign enemies.

This terrible situation where those who were able to ascend to noble positions because of them and those they had protected all this time were denying Lennart.

Sven was enraged.

Sven lamented.

Sven resolved.

He would prove it with skill. He would protect the family’s honor with this sword and illuminate the future.

Even the other young men of the family, who were usually in a competitive relationship, burned with determination to join forces as comrades just this once.

Whoosh!

At this moment, Sven and his comrades were being miserably crushed, in stark contrast to their past vows.

Blood flew and splattered, teeth rolled on the ground, and comrades collapsing without even being able to scream properly.

The surprise attack was too sudden, and the attacker’s force was overwhelmingly powerful, unlike anything they had experienced before.

The sight of the renowned elites of Lennart’s bloodline being hunted down one after another without being able to put up a decent resistance.

Am I dreaming right now?

The events unfolding before his eyes were so lacking in reality that he couldn’t help but think such thoughts.

However, the training built up over time didn’t lie.

Unlike his mind, which had half entered reality denial, his body that had faithfully repeated training extended his sword without hesitation.

Clang!

Sven’s sword clashed with the attacker’s, and their bodies came so close that their shadows overlapped.

Only then could Sven properly observe his opponent’s appearance.

A robe covering from head to toe. A mask hiding the face.

But the characteristic small frame, the glimpses of bright golden hair, and the heavy sword strikes using a two-handed sword made it not difficult to guess the identity.

Adelaide von Lennart.

The ugly traitor who dropped the main family’s honor to the ground and joined hands with the Empress!

“Ooooh!”

Using rage burning like fire as fuel, Sven swung his sword like a madman.

The will not to lose—to not be defeated—pushed his back.

However, the difference in skill was overwhelming.

The traitor who deflected Sven’s all-out sword strike so lightly kicked Sven’s ankle, sending him flying.

The tall man over 180cm flipped upside down like a light twig, spinning in the air.

Unbelievable brute strength emanated from such a small frame.

Before that body could even hit the ground.

Whoosh!

The traitor’s sword strike mercilessly pierced Sven’s side.

Along with dizzying pain, air was forcibly expelled from his mouth.

Whether it was hit with the flat of the blade, or some measure had been taken with the edge, there was no flowing blood other than slight bleeding from skin abrasion.

Considering this was a real battle with real swords, it was a surprisingly light wound.

But Sven couldn’t feel relieved by this fact.

Rather, he felt humiliation and anger.

After dirtying and trampling on their honor, pride, and self-esteem.

How could sparing only their lives, as if doing them a favor, be considered mercy?

After roughly tearing off the mark on his shoulder, the attacker disappeared again.

Sven, left behind, looked at the state of his other comrades, but it seemed he was the only one still conscious.

In fact, even if there were other comrades who hadn’t lost consciousness, it wouldn’t have mattered.

They had already been eliminated.

Yes, eliminated.

The moment he realized this fact, another emotion began to spread in Sven’s heart, which had been covered with anger and humiliation.

If we can be defeated so one-sidedly, will the others from the main family be okay?

Of course, among the participants was Hilda, who was evaluated to soon grasp the title of the strongest.

Even if not her, there were many bloodline members with skills superior to Sven’s.

But what if even they were defeated?

What if no one passed the test?

What if the Empress’ plan to strike them down really succeeded?

Sven trembled.

The third emotion following anger and humiliation.

The name of the wedge that would turn the pride of lions, who still had room for dignity and face, into hungry and ferocious beasts was fear.

***

Dozens of shadows gathered around the girl wearing a mask and robe.

The girl asked, “Did you succeed?”

The shadows nodded.

For those who had intentionally lost in battles with other teams, backstabbed their allies under the guise of coincidence, and exposed their allies’ positions to the enemy after saying they would go scouting, their actions were remarkably proud.

In a way, it was natural.

Guilt wasn’t the feeling of shame for one’s actions.

Only those who knew their actions were shameful could barely feel it.

Those who sincerely believed their actions were ultimately for the good of the family couldn’t feel any shame.

The Council of Elders had deliberately gathered such people and entrusted them with a “job”.

The masked girl.

Hilda von Lennart tore off the mark hanging on her shoulder.

The other shadows also removed their marks in the same way.

It was done in the blind spots of the spirits and surveillance magic tools, but even if some evidence were to fall into their hands by some means, it didn’t matter.

The reason the evidence secured by Dorothea’s party in the Magic State had meaning was because the Witch of the North Orin, who could guarantee its authenticity, was neutral and universally recognized for her skill.

However, this was impossible for the Witch of the South Glinda.

Not because her skills were inferior to the Witch of the North’s, but because she wasn’t a neutral figure.

No matter how plausible the evidence Glinda might bring, to the Lennart people, it would be nothing more than ridiculous slander.

Hilda directed her gaze beyond the forest and thought of someone her age who would be there.

“—Don’t be too disappointed. If we’re going to do it anyway, it’ll be more fun in the real thing than in this prim and proper place.”

***

1 hour and 3 minutes after the start of the competition.

The test ended at a time twice as fast as originally planned.

Among the 200 participants who passed the test, only one bore the name Lennart: Adelaide von Lennart.

Faced with this truly shocking result, people were stunned.

As word spread that the main family members, far from fighting to the last, were hunted down by other participants without even being able to fight properly, the shock turned to mockery.

“Lion Duke, Lion Duke, they said, but it’s nothing special? Looks like it’s all just hype, and there’s nothing much to the substance?”

“I personally tore off their marks, you know, and seeing them struggle desperately to survive, they looked more like mice than lions! Hahaha!”

“Once the Imperial Guard is newly established, the military authority that the Lennart family is holding onto will be gradually taken away. I should make connections early.”

“How dare these bastards run their mouths like that!!”

The jealousy and discontent that had been suppressed under the brilliant radiance of Lennart bore fruit under the public opinion that “Lennart is now obsolete”.

If it was human nature to admire and praise a shining existence, it was also human nature to look down on and despise that existence when it failed.

Of course, there was a considerable gap between public opinion and reality.

The power and influence held by the Lennart family were still abundant, and even if the Emperor’s direct army was created, it would be impossible for them to push Lennart aside cleanly, at least not in the immediate future, though it might be possible in the distant future.

According to the original plan, the weeding out was supposed to be limited to a part of the family, particularly the extremists among the radicals who were beyond help and the Council of Elders who incited them.

However, once the entirety of Lennart became a laughingstock, things started to progress in a strange manner.

The radical faction was outraged.

The neutral faction was also outraged.

Even the moderate faction couldn’t help but be shaken.

The lions, wounded in their pride and driven into a corner, began to demand “measures” from their leader.

“I’ll inform you once again, Head of the Family. The Council of Elders requests the implementation of ‘stronger protests’ against the Imperial Family, which is attempting to discard us after use, ignoring the loyalty our family has shown so far. This is the signature of those who agree with the Council’s will.”

Rustle, rustle.

After frowning at the enormous amount of signature documents pouring onto the desk, the Duke of Lennart asked back, “By stronger protests, what specifically do you mean to do?”

“Abolition of the Imperial Guard establishment. Punishment of those who spread malicious rumors about those responsible for the Empire’s national defense.”

“That’s an absurd demand. The Imperial Family won’t accept it, will they?”

“We have to make them accept it,” the head of the Council of Elders said calmly, but with a dull fire burning in his eyes. “—Unless they want to see the entire Ducal family and its subordinate forces secede as an independent principality.”

***

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