Reincarnated as the Descendant of a Fallen Noble

Chapter 11:  You Have to Get Hit If You Act Cocky. (2)

Gadolph was trembling, sweating as if it were pouring rain.

Seeing this, Cobalt shot him a gaze full of suspicion and asked.

“Gadolph. Was it you who touched the money?”

“Huh? N-no way. H-hehe…”

“Then why are you sweating so much? And that expression.”

“That’s, well…”

Thunk!

At that moment, Hardin kicked Gadolph with his foot and moved his lips silently.

‘Hey, don’t say anything?’

‘Huh? But…’

The situation was already grave enough.

As the two exchanged suspicious glances, Viscount Cobalt furrowed his brow and asked again.

“What are you doing, Hardin?”

“Huh? What do you mean?”

“I’m the one asking questions here! Gadolph, answer me!”

“A-answer…”

Roll, roll.

Gadolph’s eyes darted around as he nervously looked back and forth between the two men.

‘If I talk… I’m dead.’

Hardin shaped the words with his mouth.

“Speak, Gadolph!”

Viscount Cobalt raised his voice and pressed him.

Gadolph’s pupils shook even harder as sweat gathered on his forehead.

‘…What do you expect me to doooo!’

Just then, Cobalt roared.

“Hurry up!”

“T-the thing is!”

The moment Gadolph seemed to make up his mind and took a deep breath to speak—

Smack!

“Ugh!”

Hardin’s hand suddenly flew and struck Gadolph hard on the back of the neck, sending him tumbling forward as stars spun around his head.

“Grrr…”

“Oh dear, my hand slipped.”

Hardin grinned and flicked his hand casually.

“…”

Everyone stared fixedly at Hardin.

Their gazes were filled with nothing but suspicion and bewilderment.

Hardin’s eyes twitched slightly.

‘…Was I too late?’

Tch, was my hand slower than my eyes…

Hardin scratched his head awkwardly and spoke.

“Haha, why is everyone looking at me like that?”

While everyone stayed silent, Viscount Cobalt pressed his fingers firmly against the bridge of his nose and asked.

“Hardin, why was Gadolph watching your reaction?”

“That’s what I’d like to know… why indeed…”

“And why did you strike his neck just now?”

“He looked like his neck was stiff, so you could call it… a sort of massage?”

“Do you really think that makes any sense?”

“Why not, there’s nothing wrong with that…”

When Cobalt glared at him as if he would bore a hole through his head, Hardin quickly averted his gaze.

‘Look at that face…’

How could anyone handle family affairs with such terrifying descendants?

Cobalt scowled even deeper and said.

“Hardin, don’t tell me… were you the one who touched the vault?”

“Which vault are you referring to?”

“Don’t dodge the question. Obviously, I mean the family vault.”

“Well… how did that go again.”

“Answer properly! Now! Was it you who took the money?”

Hardin waved his hands exaggeratedly, feigning innocence.

“Ehei, I didn’t steal anything. What do you take me for?”

“Then explain yourself! Why did you hit Gadolph?”

Now… there was no place left to retreat.

Hardin let out a long sigh through his nose, crossed his arms, and declared boldly.

“Ahem, I didn’t steal it. I borrowed it.”

“…What?”

When Viscount Cobalt asked again with a blank look on his face, Hardin quickly waved both hands.

“Just as I said, I borrowed it. Money I’ll repay someday. You understand, right?”

“What are you talking about…”

Everyone’s mouths hung open.

‘Crazy, did the Young Master really steal it?’

‘Good heavens…’

As confused murmurs spread all around, only Hardin maintained a nonchalant demeanor as he spoke.

“Don’t worry. I’ll pay it back soon enough.”

It was at that moment.

“Brother! What nonsense are you spouting!”

The Third Young Master, Malion, shouted fiercely, his face twisted like a snarling wolf.

The usual mask of sneers and ridicule was nowhere to be seen.

His teeth ground together, and veins bulged across his forehead.

He had endured when Hardin wasted money at the knight academy without achieving a thing.

Because that man was the family’s Young Master.

He had endured even when he lost his mana through his own mistake, and still lived soaked in liquor.

He had endured when he laid hands on the domain’s people and the servants to vent his anger, when he committed all manner of idiocy.

Because he was his brother, because he was the family’s Young Master.

Because that wretched man would someday become the future of this house…

He had endured, endured, and endured again.

But now, that man had even dared to touch the vault’s money?

‘That lunatic.’

Malion’s body trembled violently, and heat rushed through him in a suffocating wave.

He looked ready to explode in rage at any moment.

Meanwhile, over on the Calpion side—

“Hmph…”

…So that’s how it was.

Donfel stared at Hardin with an expressionless face, then lifted the corner of his lips in a crooked smirk.

This brief commotion was more than enough… to grasp the situation.

‘Hardin, Hardin, Hardin…’

How amusing, truly amusing.

Your depths know no end—just like back in the academy, and even now.

‘Thanks to you, this has gotten simpler.’

When you go sticking a blade to your own neck like this…

Donfel leaned back in his chair with a slanted posture and spoke curtly.

“So then, what has become of the money?”

“…”

Cobalt and Malion’s expressions twisted further.

Viscount Cobalt shut his eyes tightly, then opened them with trembling lids and spoke in a strained voice.

“I’m sorry… The situation has come to this.”

He lowered his head deeply, then lifted it again and continued.

“Given how things stand, could you possibly show some leniency?”

“Leniency… you say?”

“Just extend the repayment date a little longer. I will repay it in full with interest.”

Donfel pretended to ponder with an arrogant expression, then answered calmly.

“No.”

“…No?”

“That’s right.”

Donfel turned his head aside and jerked his chin.

The retainer standing at the front produced a sheet of parchment and held it out, speaking in a firm voice.

“It is clearly stipulated in the contract signed with the Vinter Merchant Guild. If the debt is not repaid by the deadline, the collateral must be surrendered that very day. These contract terms apply equally to the Daphne Viscounty, as guarantor.”

“…But.”

Viscount Cobalt tried to reason again, but the retainer cut him off and continued.

“According to the contract, that collateral appears to be the Daphne domain itself.”

“…That is…”

In that moment, the air inside the hall turned cold as ice.

The meaning of those words was simple.

If they couldn’t repay the money today, the Daphne domain would pass into the hands of the Calpion Viscounty.

‘It’s over.’

‘Good heavens.’

As everyone in Daphne watched their faces drain of color, Viscount Cobalt spoke with a desolate expression.

“Donfel, this is an exceptionally special circumstance. So please, if you could just…”

“No, we will proceed according to the contract.”

“You truly intend… to take the domain itself? Must you go this far?”

Despair clouded Viscount Cobalt’s face.

On the other hand, Donfel remained perfectly composed as he answered in a flat tone.

“Does it matter?”

“…What?”

“Daphne was already a family in ruin. Are you trying to say that handing over your lands now makes things any worse?”

“….”

As Cobalt clenched his jaw so tight it trembled, Donfel turned his head and spoke.

“Am I wrong, Hardin Daphne?”

Everyone’s eyes turned on Hardin all at once.

‘Just what has he done…’

‘…Bastard.’

‘This is all because of that man.’

Their stares were filled with resentment and rage.

If only that man hadn’t caused so much trouble, it would never have come to this…

“Well then, let’s proceed quickly with the transfer procedures…”

As Donfel spoke leisurely, Hardin slowly relaxed his blank expression, then shook his head.

“You lot, saying things like that… don’t you feel the least bit ashamed?”

“…Hm? Are you talking to me?”

When Donfel asked back, slightly bristling, Hardin continued in a calm voice.

“Yes, you. More precisely, I’d say scum like you don’t have the right to talk.”

“Scum? Are you referring to us, the Calpion family?”

“That’s right. Stealing the land of the house you once served, shattering another’s mana circuit… ingrates like you—what else would you call that but trash?”

Donfel’s brow tightened, and the Daphne retainers’ faces were overtaken by shock.

“Brother! For heaven’s sake, shut up!”

“What nonsense are you spouting!”

Cobalt and Malion cried out desperately, but Donfel answered with a voice that remained steady and undisturbed.

“Hardin Daphne, is this your attempt… to show some defiance?”

“It’s not defiance. I’m just stating the truth.”

A cornered rat bares its teeth—was that it?

Donfel exhaled sharply and spoke again.

“…So, what is it you’re trying to say? I doubt you opened your mouth for no reason.”

“Oh, sharp of you. That’s right—I’d like to offer you all a chance.”

“A chance?”

“Yes, a chance for you to prove you’re not trash.”

“I’m sorry to disappoint you, but I don’t intend to show the slightest mercy to your lot…”

Donfel sneered as he began to reply, but Hardin cut in, his voice firm.

“Duel me. Right here.”

“A duel?”

Donfel raised one eyebrow high and asked.

“Did you just say… a duel?”

“Yes. A duel.”

“….”

A duel?

In that instant, an old memory flashed across Donfel’s mind.

 Out of the way, trash.

The moment he had destroyed Hardin’s mana circuit.

Donfel slowly licked his lips with the broad sweep of his tongue and spoke.

“You… are you speaking in your right mind?”

“Why, do I look insane to you?”

“….”

That bastard…

Donfel’s arrogant, leisurely expression had vanished without anyone noticing, and in its place, a quiet anger settled over his face.

Hardin drew the sword from his hip and let out a crooked grin.

“Sorry, but I’m not insane. I said it because I have my reasons.”

“Reasons?”

“That’s right. If I win this duel, you’ll write off all of my family’s debt.”

Hardin closed his eyes tightly.

“But if you win…”

And when he slowly opened them again—

Fwoosh!

A vivid blue glow blazed in his eyes.

“I’ll give you something very valuable.”

In that instant, everyone, Donfel included, reacted with shock in their own ways.

“That’s…”

“Hardin?”

That blue radiance—proof he was using reinforcement, the most basic skill of a mana user.

‘That bastard’s circuits should have been destroyed…’

Even Donfel himself, who had shattered Hardin’s mana circuits—

‘How is this possible?’

‘Brother… got his mana back?’

The family and retainers, who had exhausted themselves over the years trying everything to restore Hardin’s mana, were left gaping.

Hardin’s mana circuits had been crushed into pieces by Donfel’s own hands, and nearly everyone had believed recovery to be impossible.

So how was he standing there, using reinforcement as if nothing had happened?

While all around him people opened and closed their mouths in mute astonishment, Donfel asked in a low voice.

“You… what did you do?”

Hardin placed a hand over his lower abdomen.

Then, focusing all of his will, he drew the surrounding mana into himself.

Blue Hole—when the surging force of the Wave Swordsmanship’s mana circulation method fused with the maelstrom of his mana core, Hardin’s hair fluttered in the air.

‘What is that?’

‘Just what in the world…’

None of the mana users nearby could hide their amazement at this strange, unprecedented flow of energy.

Hardin smiled crookedly and spoke.

“I used this.”

Donfel’s eyes narrowed to slits.

‘Ho… So you brought yourself some fresh meat, is that it?’

To repair shattered circuits required not only a fortune but also one’s own resolve and tireless effort.

And even then, there was no guarantee of success.

The Hardin Daphne Donfel remembered was a dullard—a rotted wretch with not a scrap of grit.

If that man had somehow restored his circuits overnight, there could only be one answer.

“You… How did you get your hands on that secret technique?”

At Donfel’s words, everyone’s jaws dropped.

‘Brother got hold of a secret technique? When?’

‘…If not, none of this makes sense.’

Everyone recalled Hardin Daphne as a man who shut himself away in his room, wallowing in wretched self-pity.

To be blunt, he hadn’t been particularly impressive even before he lost his mana.

So how had that man, of all people, acquired a secret technique, and even managed to reclaim his mana so effortlessly?

While all eyes were riveted on him, Hardin spoke again.

“I don’t intend to tell you where I got it. It’s quite a special secret technique. So… I’d like to stake the manual of this technique on the duel. What do you say? Interested?”

Of course, no such manual existed.

The secret that had restored this body was all inside Hardin’s own mind.

But…

‘If that bastard has even a shred of sense in his head, there’s no way he won’t take this offer.’

Donfel mulled it over briefly, then lifted the corner of his lips in a faint smile.

“To be honest, I’m intrigued.”

A secret technique that could restore mana even to such a worthless wretch…

‘It would be quite useful.’

For the price of crossing blades once with such trash, the reward was more than plentiful.

Then Hardin smiled leisurely and said.

“Good. In that case, let’s consider the deal settled…”

Just then, Cobalt cried out in alarm.

“Hardin, are you truly saying you’ll go through with this duel?”

“Yes. And?”

“On whose authority!”

“Well… mine, I suppose? I did cause all this trouble, so I’ll clean it up too.”

“Don’t talk nonsense! Even if you’ve regained your mana, do you really think you stand a chance?”

The retainers standing beside them gave slight nods.

Everyone knew it—simply regaining mana didn’t make Donfel a foe who could be faced so lightly.

Cobalt raised his voice further.

“Have you already forgotten what happened to you?”

At that moment, fragments of the past came flooding back.

—My lord! It’s terrible! The Young Master… the Young Master has been gravely injured!

—What did you say?

The memory of that day when Hardin, whom he’d cherished like a jewel, returned from the academy gravely wounded.

And now his son meant to walk back into that hell again… What father could allow such a thing?

Then Hardin shrugged lightly and replied.

“Yes, I’ve forgotten.”

“What?”

“My memory’s been rather poor lately. I can’t seem to recall the old days very well.”

Cobalt’s face twisted in anguish.

“No. Absolutely not! Come to your senses, Hardin!”

As Cobalt reached out to grip Hardin’s shoulders and stop him, a voice interrupted.

“Father.”

“Malion?”

Malion stepped between Cobalt and Hardin and spoke.

“Allow the duel.”

“What are you saying, Malion! Step aside!”

“This entire matter began because of Eldest Brother.”

Malion adjusted his glasses and continued, his tone as cold as ever.

Cobalt paused and looked at him.

“What?”

“Either way, if this goes on, the family is finished. Rather than ending with nothing… isn’t it right to at least give Eldest Brother a chance to take responsibility?”

“But…”

“Father, this is the time to think about the family.”

Malion’s voice was stripped bare of any emotion.

Cobalt Daphne’s face quivered, and he couldn’t bring himself to speak further.

Watching this, Donfel crossed his arms and let out a curt remark.

“How foolish, Viscount Cobalt.”

“…What did you just say?”

“To my eyes… it seems you are letting your emotions rule you.”

Then he turned his gaze to Hardin and stared straight at him.

“To lose the chance to save your house because of petty feelings… Surely that’s the one thing a lord must never do.”

In that instant, Donfel licked his lips with his tongue.

“Isn’t that so, Hardin?”

“Yes. You’re exactly right.”

Hardin nodded calmly.

“Hardin…!”

Cobalt cried out with a face on the verge of tears.

Then Hardin slowly wiped all trace of a smile from his face. He turned to face Viscount Cobalt squarely and spoke.

“Father. You… are the lord.”

“…”

His blue eyes, as calm and deep as a still sea, seemed to pierce right through something inside Viscount Cobalt.

His shoulders began to tremble slightly, and his head slowly lowered.

Viscount Cobalt knew it himself.

This duel between Hardin and Donfel.

That the odds were nearly nonexistent, that it was reckless beyond all reason.

‘I am… the lord.’

Even so, he knew that if they didn’t fight here, the house would simply end.

A lord had to choose to protect the house, however faint the chance might be.

Before he was Hardin Daphne’s father, he was the father of everyone in this domain.

Viscount Cobalt lifted his trembling hand with difficulty and spoke.

“Do as you will… Hardin.”

His voice quivered. On that face was a strange mingling of sorrow and worry.

Donfel shrugged his shoulders and said.

“It seems the agreement has been reached nicely.”

Then he slowly turned his head toward Hardin and shot him that characteristically flat, dispassionate gaze.

“Then, since the duel is now official, prepare yourself. Hardin Daphne.”

“…Fine. Let’s go to the back courtyard.”

Hardin nodded gravely and turned his back, stepping out the door ahead of everyone.

And in that moment—

‘Got him.’

A wide grin stretched across his lips, shadows darkening his face.

---

The Daphne mansion’s rear courtyard—a barren clearing with little more than a few trees standing here and there.

People of both houses, Calpion and Daphne alike, stood lined up in rows.

“A duel… really…”

“…The Young Master got his hands on a secret technique?”

“Even so, isn’t the chance of victory slim?”

The Daphne retainers’ faces were full of expressions caught between doubt and resignation.

“Finally, I’ll get to see Lord Donfel’s skill again.”

“Just because that fool regained some mana doesn’t mean he can win.”

“This will be entertaining.”

On the Calpion side, everyone wore looks brimming with confidence and ease.

They were all certain of the outcome.

Donfel would win this fight.

Even if Hardin had recovered his mana, there wasn’t a soul here who didn’t know the gap between Donfel and Hardin was as vast as that between a dragon and a worm.

Just then, a Daphne retainer called out.

“The Young Masters are arriving.”

From either side, Hardin and Donfel walked in, and every gaze turned toward them.

Thud. Thud.

Donfel was the first to step forward. Gripping his massive bastard sword with both hands, he drew a cross in the air and spoke.

“Donfel Calpion, eldest of the Calpion Viscounty. Under the name of God Faeron, I enter this sacred duel and swear absolute obedience to its outcome.”

Step. Step.

From the opposite side, Hardin walked forward gripping a longsword and made the same gesture as Donfel.

“Hardin Daphne, eldest of the Daphne Viscounty. Under the name of God Faeron, I enter this sacred duel and swear absolute obedience to its outcome.”

Hardin lifted his gaze, while Donfel looked down at him.

A height difference of nearly a full head. Donfel’s hulking, rugged frame against Hardin’s skinny, wasted body.

A massive bastard sword, gleaming and perfectly maintained, facing a shabby longsword whose edge hadn’t even been properly sharpened.

Everything about them stood in stark contrast, and to anyone’s eyes, the outcome appeared preordained.

Silence hung in the air for a long moment.

At last, the retainer acting as officiant turned to Viscount Cobalt and asked.

“Viscount Cobalt, do you… grant your approval for this duel?”

Viscount Cobalt forced himself to still his trembling body.

He let out a deep sigh, one after another, his face shifting expressions with every breath.

Standing beside him, Malion quietly reminded him.

“Father.”

“…Yes.”

Cobalt shut his eyes tightly, then opened them again, and in a low, strained voice, he forced the words out.

“…I, Cobalt Daphne, lord of the Daphne Viscounty, in place of the radiant God Faeron, acknowledge this duel as rightful… and hereby declare it.”

At that instant, Donfel raised his bastard sword high and took his battle stance.

Oberhau—the posture meant to cleave down in a mighty overhead strike.

Though it left openings, it was a symbol of utter confidence that a single blow would crush the opponent.

Donfel twisted his lips into a crooked smirk.

“That secret technique you claim to have obtained… I’d like to see just how impressive it really is.”

Fwoooosh!

A fierce blue radiance ignited in his eyes.

“Hnnng…”

“I…I can’t breathe…!”

All the faces gathered in the courtyard twisted in strain.

A pressure like needles stabbing into every inch of flesh.

Cold sweat beaded across foreheads, and every hair on their bodies stood on end.

It felt as though there wasn’t a man standing there—but some colossal predator.

‘He can’t possibly stand against this.’

‘Is the Young Master really expected to fight that…?’

Despair filled the faces of the Daphne household.

But in that moment—

“Yeah, look forward to it. I’ll show you properly.”

So thoroughly your senses will be knocked clean out of your skull.

Hardin smiled lightly as he spoke.