The Duchy of Felicity was one of the smallest countries in the continent. It was almost the size of a small city-state, like Singapore. Of course, unlike regular cities, this one city was still pretty enormous. Looking around, Winley jumped and exclaimed in admiration, “Wow… Brother, look! It’s the Duchy of Felicity!”

“Hm.”

Winley’s eyes sparkled as she looked at the beautiful, huge waterway surrounding the entire city. Feeling a similar sense of awe, Davey said in pure admiration, “It’s magnificent.”

There wasn’t much that the Duchy of Felicity could boast about, but the beauty and magnificence of its capital was certainly comparable to any other empire. The enormous waterways surrounding the city were connected to various parts of the city, creating an appearance as beautiful as a blooming flower.

As Davey was admiring the scenery quietly, Baris got off his horse and started explaining with a smile on his face. “The Duchy of Felicity is a small city-state built on ancient ruins, so it is famous for its exterior appearance. I see from your expression that it is to your liking?”

“Yeah.”

As Davey expressed his honest impression, Baris proudly puffed up his chest. “Hahaha! It’s a good thing I prepared this, since you like it so much. Since the competition lasts for four days, you should have enough time to see it all.”

“That’s right, brother. You can start exploring the city tomorrow. For now, why don’t you follow this idiot to the amphitheater, the pride of the Duchy of Felicity?”

“Amphitheater?”

“Yes! I heard it’s a brilliant stadium with beautiful waterways. Since it’ll be crowded tomorrow, let’s just go see it today!”

“Shall we?”

“Don’t steal my words!”

“Heh! Why don’t you go and meet management? I’m going to explore the city with brother.”

Winley couldn’t participate in this competition because she had never learned about swords, but she had come along to accompany Davey and to cheer on her older brother. Even though the siblings hated losing to each other, they were sincere people.

* * *

The Duchy of Felicity’s major business sector was none other than tourism. In fact, not only was the city exterior incredibly beautiful, but the architectural style and the various sculptures within the city were beautiful and mysterious too. Among them was the amphitheater, which Davey arrived at with Baris and Winley. It was a must-see attraction for other nobility touring from different countries.

“Apparently, it’s usually used as an arena. Gladiators and monsters, or those who want to compete, gather to participate in the competition.”

“It’s unnecessarily brutal,” Baris grumbled, as if he somewhat didn’t like it.

“The general public that’s used to peace is bound to want provocative things.”

Baris smiled bitterly at Davey’s words. But still holding onto big dreams, Baris murmured, “But I heard that the human rights aspect is getting better, at least. Maybe someday, the Rowane Kingdom…”

“Anyways, how many are participating?” Davey asked Baris while looking around the stadium.

Winley pushed Baris away and giggled. “I heard that a total of eight countries are participating this time. Even though he’s like this, Baris is the representative of the Rowane Kingdom.”

“Hey! What do you mean? I’m like what?”

“Heh!” Winley giggled before showing off a strange sneer. “Starting with the very first host country, the Pallan Empire, representatives will be selected from various countries, including the Rowane Kingdom, the Fellip Kingdom, and the Shordan Kingdom.”

The purpose of the continental swordsmanship competition was seemingly to discover the talents of the younger generation, but because of this system, it was ultimately seen as a battle of pride between countries.

“Of course, since it is a competition for the younger generation, only people under the age of 20 can participate.”

“Then, what about the ones who weren’t selected?”

“Well, it is a competition for the most talented people of the country to gather. It seems that a swordsmanship competition only looking out for talent is not in season,” Winley grumbled with dissatisfaction. “If it’s really to discover talent, they should give people from all around a fair chance to compete…”

“There would be too many participants to do that.”

That was true as well. Ultimately, it was just like fool’s gold.

“Ah, right! I hear that the Sword Princess from the Pallan Empire is participating in this year’s competition.”

“Sword Princess?”

“You’ve never heard of her? She’s pretty famous. Even the little ones from the Rowane Kingdom would know her name.” Baris asked Davey, feeling strange that Davey knew nothing of this princess.

“Hmm…” For Davey, however, the name really did not ring a bell. He took pride in how clear his past memories were, so he could only conclude that she became known when he was in a coma.

As Baris tilted his head in confusion, Winley got very angry and kicked him in the shin. “Hey! He was in a coma then!”

“OW!”

“Heh! Suits you well!”

“You little!”

Davey blankly stared at the two bickering and fighting for a moment. Then, with a groan of pain, Baris explained, “[Illyna de Pallan] is the apple of the emperor’s eye, since, as you know, the Pallan Empire has eight imperial princes and just one imperial princess.”

“Hm… The Pallan Empire is definitely a strong country.”

“Of course, she is famous because she is the only imperial princess of the strong Pallan Empire. But that’s not enough reason for her fame. Princess Illyna is truly famous because of her title as the ‘Master of the Divine Sword’.”

“Divine Sword?” Davey was intrigued by the phrase ‘Divine Sword.’

“Yes, the divine sword [Caldeiras] was famous for being the favorite sword of the ancient hero, Sword Lord Ares.”

It’s been a while since Davey’s heard the name [Caldeiras]. Even though the personality of that lazybones Sword Lord wasn’t great, his sword skills were unquestionable. And if that was the divine sword Ares used, Davey remembered hearing about it until his ears almost fell off. ‘Was it the sword he used to slash the Demon Lord?’

“[Caldeiras]…”

There were two people who taught Davey about swords: one was the Sword Lord Ares, who was part of the ancient history of the Tionis Continent, and the other was the Heavenly Destroyer Dokgo Jun of the Demonic Cult. Since Ares was someone from this world, it wasn’t odd that traces of him were left here.

“The divine sword doesn’t have a scratch—not even on the blade—even though it’s been thousands of years. I hear ‘Ego ’is embodied in it and that it’s an incredibly magical sword that can cast magic on its own.”

“‘Ego’… Huh.” Davey pondered. ‘Ego’ was the sword soul that embodied itself in the weaponry, containing the spirit of a craftsman and the affection of the swordsman.

Smiling as always, Winley explained further. “The divine sword that didn’t pick a master for hundreds of years recently picked its master, and that’s Princess Illyna.”

“Big brother, there is another reason behind her fame.”

“Another?”

“Yes, it is…” Baris paused for a moment before giving a creepy smile. “She is one hell of a beauty.”

“Oh, that is interesting.”

“Not just any beauty, but she is called one of the Five Beauties of the Continent.”

What about Princess Illyna being the master of [Caldeiras], the favorite sword of the Sword Lord Ares? This was the most intriguing thing Baris had said to Davey that day.

* * *

A nobility’s way of life was rather simple.

The ones competing in the continental swordsmanship competition were all representatives selected by their country, and were also the rising stars that would lead the country in the future.

Would these countries just make them do battle? Of course not. In a way, it was natural to hold a banquet so that these rising stars, the future leaders of their countries, could build friendly relations.

Although, it was a little odd that Davey and Winley, who were only accompanying Baris, were also attending the banquet.

“Um…”

“Is it not to your liking, Your Highness?” Amy cautiously asked.

Davey looked at himself while trying to stifle his groan. “Don’t you think it’s a little too flashy? Do you have something a little simpler?”

“No! This is already on the simpler side, Your Highness!” Frowning, Amy shouted as if she could not compromise anymore.

Davey felt guilty as he looked at Amy’s frown. He felt like, perhaps, he overworked her too much. “Ahem…”

“Your Highness, your dignity is directly linked to the dignity of the Rowane Kingdom. Even if you don’t like it…”

“Okay. Since you care about this, it’s fine. Let’s go like this.”

“Yes!” Amy, who seemed on the verge of tears, finally answered energetically.

Davey was busy preparing to attend the banquet. He found it a relief that the effort was a lot less for men. As for Winley, she remarked that this was a living hell for her.

“Heh. You’re just putting lipstick on a pig.”

“You!!”

Thump!!

The two little twins bickered after getting ready to attend the banquet. While they were glaring and growling at each other, Winley noticed Davey first and ran towards him with a sparkle in her eyes. To Winley, it seemed that Baris, whom she just kicked in the shin, was out of sight. She exclaimed, “Oh! Wow! Brother, you are so handsome!”

“Thanks.”

“Unlike that player over there.”

“Hey! Why am I a player?

“Well, am I wrong?”

Davey wondered what if someone saw the two bickering and fighting again. But of course, he knew that the siblings were actually pretty close despite acting like that.

“You’re pretty. If someone saw you, they might think you’re a fairy.”

“Hehehe… Brother, you…”

It seemed like Davey was just saying this to flatter Winley, but it wasn’t just empty talk. Her green dress that matched her hair was a pretty look befitting of her age. It was neither too extravagant nor too mature. Davey thought, in a few years, she was going to break some hearts.

Winley, who seemed to be in a good mood from Davey’s compliment, twirled around in her dress and reached her hand out to Davey. “So, handsome prince, will you give me the honor of escorting me?”

“I think you are putting the cart before the horse, but it’s something I can do.”

As Davey gently grabbed Winley’s hand, Baris clicked his tongue. “What a fox.”

Of course, Winley, who was very delighted, pretended not to hear Baris. It was a common occurrence in their daily life.