We secured a plot of land measuring forty thousand square meters. After the land scout left, the orange-haired man standing next to the king stepped forward to make a request.
"Your Majesty, I have a request."
I knew who this orange-haired man was—he held a very high position.
"Lord Anthony, speak," the king replied.
"I have heard that Lord Karen is the Rainbow-rank adventurer known as the Black Knight, the one who conquered the dungeon. I wish to understand his strength. I ask for Your Majesty's and Mr. Karen's permission."
Hearing his request, I hesitated and looked at him. The king then introduced the identity of his guard.
"Karen, this is Duke Anthony Somart, the strongest Sword Saint in the world. I too want to witness the strength of the one capable of hunting down the Enemy of the World. I ask that you agree."
Indeed, this orange-haired man was the Sword Saint who had won the World Swordsmanship Tournament.
Aimebisalon was the founding country of the tournament, so it was held every July. This year Lina and I had gone to watch, witnessing the Sword Saint's twentieth consecutive victory.
I wasn't great with the sword, but even I could tell his technique was steady and solid—nothing flashy, just pure mastery.
But for the king to want to measure my strength… was he trying to find a way to deal with us? If I defeated the Sword Saint with swordsmanship, wouldn't that make him fear us even more?
"…Fine. I'll accept the duel. But I'm not sure I can satisfy you."
Even if it ended quickly, it was better to speak humbly.
"I understand that adventurers and knights fight differently. Attack however you like—hands or feet are fine—just don't use magic."
The Sword Saint's tone annoyed me. He spoke as if adventurers were dishonorable. We literally risk our lives to earn money—we don't have fixed salaries like knights.
I'll just beat him with sword so cleanly he can't come up with excuses.
"But to keep things fair, remove our equipment, use training swords."
"Mr Karen, do not regret this later."
"Looking forward to it."
We both removed our gear, moved a bit farther away, and took wooden swords in hand. Once someone shouted "Begin," the duel started.
I exchanged a few forced blows with him. Then, swiftly, I pressed the wooden blade against his wrist. Winning didn't require killing—just taking away the opponent's ability to fight.
The Sword Saint stared at the wooden sword on his wrist, seemingly giving up. I pulled back. Immediately, he swung upward at me. I dodged and tapped his wrist with my sword—hard. He dropped his weapon in pain.
"I… I lost in swordsmanship…"
He stared at his trembling hand in disbelief. I stared at him in disbelief too—he tried to attack again? Was he stupid?
I didn't know exactly how strong the Sword Saint was, but I decided to help maintain his dignity.
"Duke Somart, you're being modest. You weren't fighting seriously, were you?"
"No, Mr Karen. The one being modest is you. I took this duel very seriously. I clearly understand our difference in strength now. I concede."
Good. The Sword Saint was defeated by me. It served as a useful warning to everyone present. We returned to the king.
"Your Majesty, please allow me to temporarily step down from my duties to train. I will not lose again."
The moment he stood before the king, he knelt and requested leave to train. Did he want to fight me again? No… probably so that he would never lose to anyone again—so the king would feel secure.
The king responded with a tone both angry and calm.
"Lord Anthony, you are the Sword Saint. I understand your frustration, but it seems you are failing to grasp the situation. That disappoints me."
Denied. Makes sense—our neighboring country was preparing for war, and he wanted time off to train? What was he thinking?
"Your Majesty, my deepest apologies. I was foolish. Please punish me."
"See me later."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
The Sword Saint returned to his position, but now looked at me with worship in his eyes. Why?! Stop that! It's scary!
Then someone approached the king with a document.
"Your Majesty, the letter is complete."
"Good work. You may go."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
The king handed the letter to me.
"Karen, deliver this letter to the guild master of the Adventurers' Guild."
"Understood."
I accepted it and looked at the envelope. What was the king sending to Dex? He could've just called him in earlier and spoken directly. Then the king asked:
"Curious about the content?"
"Is it a secret?"
If it wasn't, he could just say it aloud.
"No. You'll understand when you get there."
"Well."
So what was it then? My curiosity was only growing.
Just then, the land scout returned with a tray—papers and a pen.
"Mr. Karen, Ms. Lina, the land registration is complete. If there are no issues, please sign here."
"Alright."
Lina and I checked the documents. Seeing no problems, we signed.
"These are the keys to the gates and doors."
He handed me a massive ring of keys—over thirty keys. I was stunned. Why did a single home need so many doors?!
I took the keys and thanked him. With all my goals achieved, it was time to wrap up.
"Thank you. Your Majesty, I have one more thing, I wish to file a complaint about the guard at the southern gate."
I told you I'd remember him. He wasn't escaping punishment.
"What did he do?"
I explained everything from start to finish: how he wasted our time—time that could've made us hunt down Samidoride much earlier—and how he even laid hands on me.
"But I don't know his name. I only remember he had a yellow beard."
The king slammed the armrest of his throne in anger.
"Outrageous. He wasted precious time and even laid hands on someone. Karen, how do you wish to punish him? I will carry it out."
"I leave it to Your Majesty."
The failure of a subordinate was the responsibility of his superior. The king should handle the punishment.
"Very well. Minister, dismiss that gatekeeper from duty and imprison him for obstruction."
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
With everything settled, it was time to leave. I smiled and bid the king farewell, adding a small blessing.
"Thank you for addressing my complaint, Your Majesty. We shall take our leave. I wish you success in leading this nation toward a bright future."
"Thank you. I shall do my best."
After bowing, Lina and I finally left the castle. It took more than twenty minutes just to walk out.
So exhausting. I never want to come here again.