The Villainess Whom I Had Served for 13 Years Has Fallen-Chapter 359: Bet (8)

What, truly, was the Holy Sword?

A weapon with the power to cut down evil? A righteous blade that drives away darkness? Or perhaps a sword that only those of pure heart can wield?

All of these descriptions were true in part, but at its core, it was a sword that granted strength to those who wielded it, making the swordsman stronger.

"Let’s goooo!"

Gripping the Holy Sword, Shuen clenched his fist and began to tap into its power.

—Release me...! You insolent girl! "Silence! A sword should act like a sword and stay quiet. Who are you to try and sit at the same table as your master?" —My power can only be wielded by the chosen hero... "You’re so noisy! Typical commoner behavior. This is why commoners need noble guidance!" —You little...! "Take this! Holy Sword Smash!"

Watching the match between Mikhail and Shuen, Malik let out a sigh, shaking his head.

“Even if Tetra Shuen can wield the Holy Sword, I doubt she’ll be a match for Mikhail.”

“...Yes, it’s like owning a fine horse but not knowing how to ride it.”

“Exactly. No matter how exceptional the sword, a child can’t wield it. Likewise, Tetra Shuen...”

But before Malik could finish, Shuen unleashed a massive wave of energy toward Mikhail, empowered by the Holy Sword.

—KWA-GA-GA-GA-GA-GA!!!

Malik was left speechless by Shuen’s move, one that most swordsmen couldn’t even begin to imitate.

“...?”

I leaned against the railing, a faint smile on my face.

“If it were an ordinary sword, yes.”

“...?”

“If it were just a sharp blade, then Shuen would be sure to lose.”

Malik scoffed, glancing at the cracked arena after Shuen’s strike.

“...This is insane.”

I tossed a casual comment his way.

“Even a cursed sword becomes a formidable weapon if wielded by a child. You’ve seen people who’ve been addicted to the power of a cursed sword, haven’t you?”

“Yes, back when I was in the knighthood, we had missions to subdue those who became possessed by cursed swords... Still, this is...”

“Shuenjel, here I come!”

“Quite the show,” I agreed, nodding with a faint chuckle.

“I never expected Shuen to handle the Holy Sword this well.”

Whatever the case...

“It looks like I’ve won our bet.”

Malik let out a sigh, nodding in reluctant agreement.

“It seems that way.”

Shuen was wielding the Holy Sword’s power without hesitation.

—That’s not how you’re supposed to use me...! “Be quiet!” —You must gather power with a disciplined mind and use it with respect... “So loud!” —What is going on in your head...?!

The Holy Sword was visibly bewildered by Shuen’s reckless handling. Though far from the embodiment of justice, Shuen was wielding its power with ease, using about 60% of its potential—enough to surpass Mikhail.

—Even that brat could only wield 30% of my power... But you...

The Holy Sword felt it—the whimsical worldview that Shuen seemed to have. It was as if she saw the world as a field of flowers.

Like the Holy Sword, Mikhail, having lost his weapon, was also at a loss, a helpless laugh escaping his lips.

‘This is troublesome...’

Shuen was unexpectedly strong.

Her skill was lacking, admittedly.

Her swordsmanship was comparable to that of a child wielding a wooden stick.

But...

“Here I come!!!”

With a fierce roar, Shuen sent another devastating strike toward Mikhail, who couldn’t help but laugh.

“Haha... No way to win against that.”

As he watched Shuen’s attack coming his way, Mikhail thought to himself.

Stay calm. Shuen’s an amateur—a blank slate who doesn’t truly know how to wield a sword.

Though her attacks are ferocious, if I can redirect the power of the sword, I should be able to overcome her.

If he could block just one strike...

“Shuenjel... Holy Sword Strike!!!”

Mikhail took a deep breath.

“Hoo...”

He watched Shuen, who was gathering energy before him, with a steady gaze.

Mikhail asked himself if this was truly an unbeatable opponent, like the monsters he’d faced in the battle for the Holy Sword.

The answer was a resounding no.

No matter how skillfully Shuen wielded the Holy Sword, she was still far from the monsters he had faced.

“Hooo...”

Mikhail took a slow breath, gripping his sword firmly.

Redirect the energy.

While fully blocking the Holy Sword’s power was nearly impossible, he could channel it back to overwhelm Shuen.

Slowly, Shuen’s sword inched closer toward Mikhail.

“Die now!”

Shouting threatening words as she advanced.

Steadily...

“Hu...”

—Whooooooooosh

He waited for the right moment.

“Today, I’ll show you the true dignity of a noble!”

“...” “The Tetra family’s secret technique...!”

Seeing the massive energy wave coming his way, Mikhail let out a wry laugh, feeling this was going too far.

“This is just...”

“You commoner...”

Shuen gritted her teeth, channeling all her pent-up feelings and resentment toward Mikhail into her blade, pouring every ounce of frustration she’d ever felt.

“Crushing Strike!”

Mikhail closed his eyes.

‘I can’t block that.’

He was finally experiencing the full power of the Holy Sword. It was also a level of strength he had yet to reach.

Having finished my duties as a guard, I wandered through the academy.

I stopped by the convenience store to check if it was running smoothly, reminiscing about the academy’s unchanged sights as I strolled around.

“Good thing I won that bet.”

Malik had accepted his loss and gone to deliver the congratulatory speech for the tournament. Shuen, after pushing the Holy Sword to its limits, ★ 𝐍𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 ★ had collapsed on the field and was taken to the infirmary.

Even on the stretcher, Shuen’s expression had been priceless.

“Heh... I won! I’m going to drain the empire’s coffers dry.”

Thinking of Shuen made me smile. In the novel, he’d been a tragic character who left in heartache, but now, he was enjoying his time at the academy more than anyone.

With a smile, I walked slowly down the academy corridors, bidding my farewells.

But there was one more thing I had to do.

—Click.

My footsteps felt heavy as I approached.

The excitement of the tournament was still in the air, but my steps toward this destination felt weighty.

—Click.

The hallways echoed with the sound of students chattering.

A first-place student from one department, a student ranking within the top of their class from another.

“If anyone skips the afterparty, they’re dead!” “Let’s go! Our class ranked fifth!” “Let’s go!!!”

Listening to their chatter brought a small smile to my face as I made my way to the academy’s first floor, where I paused to listen to the nearby conversation.

“Hoo...”

“Wow... You really held your own against Mikhail!” “No, I didn’t do that well. Besides, Mikhail went easy on me... haha.” “No way. If I’d faced Mikhail, I would’ve been down in one hit.” “Stop complimenting me. It’s embarrassing.” “Why...! You were really amazing, so of course, I’m going to praise you.”

Hearing Yuria’s voice brought a smile to my face. But the man’s voice chatting with her made that smile fade.

‘I suppose I should say it...’

—Be quiet! How am I supposed to sleep with all this noise!

The voice protesting in jest made me smile again.

—Knock, knock, knock.

The room fell silent at the sound of knocking.

‘Time to go in.’

Slowly opening the door, I looked at the faces inside.

Mikhail. “Oh...! Ricardo?!”

Yuria. “Huh...?”

Shuen. “A commoner?!”

And finally...

The Crown Prince. “...What is it?”

My business was with that man.

The one destined to become the empire’s sun, the most powerful figure in the academy. I had something to ask him.

I gave a quick greeting and walked toward him.

“Your Highness.”

“...” “Could I borrow a moment of your time?”

Let me make one thing clear—I dislike him. Not only as an enemy of Desmont but also for the way his gaze seems to pierce through lies.

“...”

The Crown Prince sighed lightly, casting an annoyed look at me. His expression suggested he didn’t enjoy being summoned like this, and I responded with a faint smile.

“It won’t take long.”

“...” “Three minutes is all I need.”

The Crown Prince glanced at me, then turned to Yuria, giving her a small smile.

“I’ll be right back, Yuria.”

Outside the infirmary, he let out a deep sigh, glaring at me with clear displeasure.

“So, what does the man who backed Shartia’s strength want with me?”

“Didn’t you also bring royal treasures, Prince Teo?”

“..."

The Crown Prince scowled, disliking the casual way I addressed him. But I held my ground, addressing him as Teo as I spoke.

“I just have one question.”

“...”

“What do you think of the western region?”

“...Ha.”

“If you intend to develop the west...”

“...” “I’d advise you to be careful.”