Episode 26.12-13 (1/2)
The questions and answers resumed once they got back to the lounge.
Shira spoke of her expert knowledge with her unique views on life to answer Skalabel's questions. At times, Amamir, Norma and Kotojia also threw their own questions.
They had dinner early.
Afterward, Eda and Norma left to accompany Shira, while Skalabel left with Cawin, Lecan went out through the back door.
His room at the detached building is just a stone throw away.
Someone called out to him.
”I'd like to borrow a bit of your time.”
Lecan stopped and turned around.
”Zaka Kingdom Royal Knights' Vice Commander, Neisan Aspell.”
”I'm Lecan.”
”I'll get straight to the point. I wish to have a bout with you.”
”I refuse.”
”Now that's unexpected. To think you would turn tail from a bout.”
”I'm the one surprised. How do you figure it's all right to have a duel now.”
”It is not a duel. It's a bout.”
”Same difference. Both you and me are working as guard right now.”
”You are on your way back to your lodging after finishing your duty.”
”My duty is on-going even when I'm in my room. Even in sleep, I keep watch on where Shira is. So I can rush out anytime if there's something amiss. Doing this duel stuff is only going to hinder my duty. What are you gonna do if our enemy launch an attack in the middle of our duel?”
”Your worry is unwarranted. I have excellent subordinates.”
”Hou. So you're saying I can play around and duel in peace cause you guys, Skalabel's escorts gonna take care of Shira, is that it?”
”Indeed.”
”Then if I tell you that I, Shira's guard, will also keep watch on Skalabel from tomorrow onward, you guys will go back to the capital ahead of time.”
”That cannot be done.”
”Because you don't trust me?”
”That's not the problem. Escorting Skalabel-sama is our duty.”
”Same with me.”
”Mwu.”
”Don't ask someone to do something you yourself can't.”
”Mwu.”
”In the first place, won't the prime minister lose face if you the leader of Skalabel's escort fight me, Shira's guard in a sword match while you're staying in this town?”
”Mwumwu.”
”Besides, aren't you ashamed of using your status as Skalabel's entourage to challenge me. Get Skalabel back to capital first, then go back here before even thinking of doing this stuff.”
”Mwumwumwu.”
”Say someone challenges you to a match while you're on duty guarding the royalty at the capital, won't that be deemed an attack on royalty?”
”Yeah.”
”That's what you're doing right now, you're attempting an attack on Shira. Meaning I'll have to cut Skalabel down.”
”W-w-w-what did you say.”
”It's only right. You attacking me is like Skalabel attacking Shira. What's wrong with fighting back your attacker.”
”Hold it! I did not attack.”
”Ssh. Keep it down.”
This guy's a dumbass, thought Lecan.
But he's a staunch martial artist.
Lecan does not dislike this kind of folks.
As a matter of fact, Lecan isn't against fighting this vice commander guy himself.
The aura cladding his body is enough to make Lecan consider that. His fighting prowess rivals that of Lecan.
Lecan may have a trump card in magic, but this guy must have extraordinary equipment on him, and he must have heard about Lecan's match against the other vice commander, affording him time to come up with countermeasures. It'd be a good match if they do fight no doubt.
However, Lecan is holding himself back due to the situation.