Empire’s Strongest VS Adamantine Spear
Adamantine Spear: the name given to Bernardo and to his weapon. The spear he wielded was cast of pure steel. A normal soldier could barely lift the weapon, but Bernardo uses it with ease. With this weapon, he charged forward.
“For your insolence, you shall die by my spear!”
Like a one-man cavalry, Bernardo thundered towards Dion with such force like a tornado.
Clash!
Guin!
A metallic sound reverberated through the air. The next instant, the overlapping forms of Dion and Bernardo parted again. Bernardo came to a stop behind Dion. There was a momentary silence which was disturbed by Dion.
“I see. A deadly thrust indeed. It’s definitely commendable, but I do have to ask though…”
Dion turned to face Bernardo with a smile and pointed his sword at him.
“How are you going to stab me with the spear that lost its tip? Are you going to beat me with just a stick?”
Immediately afterwards, a beautifully cut tip fell from the sky, making a whistling noise. The soldiers nearby gathered to look at the scene. A cut spear tip is common in the battlefield. However, Bernardo’s spear was made of pure steel. The fact that the tip was cut means…
“Cutting through steel. An impressive feat. It seems I have a competent foe.”
Bernardo turned as well and examined the clean-cut section of his once spear. In that moment of clashing, Dion’s swung his sword at such a high-speed that it turned the spear into merely a stick.
“Well, you need to put on a show when there’s audience, right? Especially if one of them is your royal mistress. So, what are you going to do now with that… uhmm… stick?”
“Hmph. You think I’m giving up? I’m going to beat you to death with it.”
Bernardo smiles as he twirls his steel rod. Eventhough it is no longer a spear; it is still a heavy steel rod that can easily smash in the skulls or break the bones of opponents. He wasn’t one bit perturbed by what happened to his weapon.
“Haha, you’re a gag! I’m starting to like you. Glad to know that there’s crazy people in Remno like you. Mind if you ask the name?”
“Bernard Virgil. Second Knights, Leader.”
“Oh, it’s the famed Adamantine Spear. I see, you certainly live up to your name. Remno’s got great fighters in their service, huh? ”
“Let me hear your name as well, Knight of the Empire.”
“Dion Alaia. I don’t mean to brag but I consider myself the strongest knight in the empire. Well, now that I mention it, I guess I do mean to brag.”
Bernardo laughed at Dion’s quip.
“Hmm, if you really are the strongest, then Tearmoon is not a big threat. ”
“…Big words Adamantine Spear. Be sure that you can back them up or you’ll regret having a loose mouth.”
Dion pulls out his sword that was stabbed on the ground. He dual-wields again.
“Charge, pierce, and breach: these are the three tenets of a spearman. Regret is not one of them.”
Bernardo poised with his headless spear. Immediately after, the tension sparked again. The surrounding onlookers held their breath for the upcoming continuation of the fight.
But then… A sharp but dignified voice boomed through the silent tension.
“Enough! Both of you, stop! Everyone, you are in the presence of Princess Mia, sheath your weapons!”
It was Ludwig, who seemed to suddenly appear beside Mia. Dion glanced at him and sighed, then stabbed his swords into the ground. Then Ludwig glanced at Bernardo.
“Tsk.” on the other hand, lifted his stance with a bitter face.
There were two reasons why he charged. One is, of course, to overcome the situation where a strange man is pointing a sword at his prince. The second and more important reason was to take command of the situation – to have the power. Unfortunately, with his weapon now lowered, he was no longer the center of attention. All the eyes are now focused on the figure who is occupying the center stage, Princess Mia. The ball is now in her court, she now holds the attention and the control of everyone around…
“Huh …?”
…which seems to be the last thing she expected. She wasn’t the only royalty around after all. There is Prince Abel who, although second in line, is the prince of that land. There is Prince Sion, who holds the same rank as Mia. Nothing about her should have stood out.
However, Dion overwhelmed Bernardo, the kingdom’s pride. Then Dion obediently lowered his sword upon commanded. This is an undeniable proof of her authority. Through Ludwig’s ingenious display of social manipulation, he was able to put Mia on top of the hierarchy of power among those around.
With a mixture of pride and anticipation, Ludwig is convinced that he has set the stage for his master. So, he passed the baton to her…
…. She really did not want to be passed the baton. Her legs are still shaky. Her face is a mess from crying…
Eh? Eeehh? Why is everyone looking at me?
Being the focus of the gaze of the soldiers and everyone, Mia’s chicken heart quivered and squawked with terror. She wanted to hide… no, she wanted to run away.
So, she turned to her most reliable loyal retainer. With a pleading look, she turned to Anne for help. Anne promptly nodded, wiped away her tears, cleaned her face, touched her hair, and nodded again.
“Don’t worry Mia-sama. We’re right behind you.”
Mia then realized that her fate is sealed.
Ah, I see… There is no escape for me.
With no other choice, she resolved herself and turned to the soldiers. In addition to just having taken a bath last night, her eyes glistened from tears earlier. This gave Mia an aura of ethereal beauty.
Later, when Elise published “The Biography of Princess Mia,” she recounted the testimony of the soldiers who were present that day. The passage read as follows:
“When she appeared, it was as if the moon goddess had landed on the battlefield.” (Note: Ellis’s translation)
