The Villainess Whom I Had Served for 13 Years Has Fallen

TLed by NolepGuy

Chapter 181

The Day of Decision had arrived.

The fifteen days, which could be considered short or long depending on perspective, had passed in the blink of an eye.

It could be said that the time was insufficient for any preparation.

For a swordsman, fifteen days was too short a time to prepare for anything. Achieving enlightenment and reaching a New Realm in such a brief period was easier said than done, and it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that no swordsman had ever accomplished such a miracle.

Even with a great master and a perfect environment, achieving such a feat ultimately depended on individual ability.

However, arrogantly enough, we achieved that miracle, and Hanna grew so much that the Cup of Growth I had prepared for her overflowed.

She pursued the Essence of Aura,

and advanced toward the Sword’s Goal.

Though I didn’t know what Hanna’s ultimate goal was, she grew rapidly—so much so that even Rowen found it hard to believe.

11 p.m., under the moonlight.

At the late hour when no one was around, we stood in the middle of the Training Grounds, where a cool breeze blew, waiting for our opponent.

Hanna, trying to calm her trembling heart, kept drinking water as if her insides were burning.

I approached Hanna and carefully spoke to her.

“Are you nervous?”

“Haha. If I said no… would that sound too much like a lie?”

“Yes.”

“Haah… I feel like I’m going crazy.”

Hanna let out a dry laugh and looked at me.

“I thought I wouldn’t be nervous… but I’m shaking a lot. You said I could win, but I’m sorry—I can’t stop trembling.”

Looking at Hanna, I nodded, telling her it was understandable.

After all, Hanna’s entire life was riding on this moment that she had sprinted toward without rest. Accepting it calmly would have been the stranger reaction.

For some, this might be an opportunity to prove their worth to their master, but for Hanna, this duel was tied to her longing for the sword and the significant matter of marriage.

If, by some chance—which I deemed impossible—Hanna were to lose, I had no intention of accepting the outcome.

I could reluctantly nod to her giving up the sword, but I would never allow her to waste a marriage with someone she loved on something so trivial. Even if I had to take down Rowen, I was determined not to let things go that way.

Not that such a thing would happen, of course.

This duel was of immense importance to Hanna. It was tied to the reason we first met and might be her last chance to prove her sword to her father.

Instead of offering vague encouragement like “You’ll do great,” I gave her a pat on the shoulder to cheer her on.

That would give Hanna more strength.

The time was approaching.

The moment that would become the Day of Decision for someone was drawing nearer.

During this process, Hanna must have been stressed from encountering Rowen at the Academy and watching her father teach swordsmanship to others.

The Academy students had obtained what she had so desperately longed for without much effort, and the appearance of a disciple named Mikhail must have only added to her sense of deprivation.

To realize that everything she had ever wished for had started merely to block her Own Sword must have brought an indescribable sense of disillusionment.

If I were in Hanna’s position, I would have been in despair.

I couldn’t fully grasp Hanna’s feelings. “Presumptuous” would be the right word to describe any attempt to do so.

It might sound arrogant, but I had achieved much with the sword and had grown smoothly without any obstacles.

Considering that the only annoyance I had faced was the Young Lady’s tantrums, I thought it inappropriate for me to judge Hanna’s hardships.

So I spoke with conviction.

Rather than offering meaningless consolation, I gave Hanna faith.

I told her she could win.

“You can win. Just do as we’ve been doing.”

“Of course. Whose disciple do you think I am? I’m the disciple of the world’s strongest butler.”

At Hanna’s spirited response, I smiled and nodded.

“You know it well.”

Hanna’s Earrings, which I had gifted her, swayed in the moonlight by her ears. Watching her slightly trembling earrings, I clenched my fist. She could do it.

Barring any major surprises, Hanna could defeat Mikhail.

The Hanna I had seen and the Martial Arts of Mikhail both supported that belief. Even in the Original Work, Mikhail’s Martial Arts at this point couldn’t keep up with the current Hanna, so I was certain she would win.

Hanna’s Sword had grown that much and had never stopped. Even if Mikhail had gained tremendous enlightenment or learned Histania’s Swordsmanship, it wouldn’t significantly affect the duel.

-Plod.

In the distance, a familiar silhouette began to appear.

Mikhail approached with heavy footsteps, while Rowen walked with a nonchalant stride, as if he already knew the Outcome.

I massaged Hanna’s shoulders and whispered softly.

“Don’t be nervous.”

“Phew. I’ll try.”

“Even if you lose, I’ll stop the marriage, so don’t worry.”

“What…?”

“Just trust me. Not that it’ll happen, of course.”

Brushing off Hanna’s startled question lightly, I looked at the clock and addressed Rowen and Mikhail.

“You’re late.”

Rowen shrugged his shoulders and replied nonchalantly.

“I arrived right on time. Isn’t it your fault for waiting?”

“Pfft…! I see. I thought you’d run away.”

“You have quite the ego.”

“Thank you for the praise.”

Rowen clicked his tongue, looking at me disapprovingly.

“This will be the last time I see you.”

“I feel the same way.”

“…”

I glanced at Mikhail, who stood beside Rowen. With eyes full of Determination, he looked at Hanna and me.

Taking a deep breath, Mikhail grabbed the sword at his waist and spoke in a heavy Voice.

“I’m sorry.”

Mikhail bowed his head as he looked at Hanna.

“…”

“I’ve thought a lot about it. Why you made this choice. Why you challenged me to such an unfavorable duel. I’ve thought and agonized over it.”

Ignoring me, Mikhail continued his monologue, and I watched with an awkward smile.

Whatever it was, he must have realized something to be saying such things. It would be nice if he just forfeited.

Not that such a thing would happen, of course.

Mikhail spoke to Hanna. Apologizing for not understanding her and admitting he had been rash, he bowed his head and continued to apologize.

“If I had thought it through a little more, I wouldn’t have accepted this duel. I was reckless.”

“Just draw your sword.”

“You grew up in a good environment. I think you’ll have an even better Future if you return to it…”

“Shut up and draw your sword.”

Grinding her teeth, Hanna spoke through clenched teeth at Mikhail’s meaningless apology.

Even so, Mikhail continued to apologize. As if he had already won the duel, he spoke with unwavering eyes.

“I will win.”

“I now have a reason I must win.”

“So… I’m sorry.”

The wind was cold.

Staying here any longer would likely result in catching a cold, so I turned to Rowen and spoke.

“Let me ask you one thing.”

“What is it?”

“If Hanna loses, will you proceed with the marriage you mentioned last time?”

“…”

“Let’s settle this before we begin.”

“…”

“Isn’t it unfair to tie two conditions to the duel? We only asked for Isolation, but demanding marriage as well seems unreasonable.”

“I’ll think about it.”

“…”

With a cold smile, I spoke to Rowen.

“Just thinking about it isn’t good enough.”

“We already agreed to accept the outcome, didn’t we?”

“Isn’t it unfair for one side to bear more losses?”

“This began with the acceptance of unfair terms.”

I erased my smile and spoke.

“You’d better not push your luck.”

A cold tension filled the air.

Rowen’s anger and the young swordsman’s warning clashed against my audacious words, stirring up a gust.

-Clap.

I clapped my hands and said.

“Let’s begin now. I’m tired of seeing your faces.”

Looking at Mikhail and Hanna, I asked.

“Are you ready?”

The two swordsmen nodded, raised their swords, and stood at opposite ends of the training grounds, waiting for the signal.

“Death’s Aura is prohibited.”

Rowen raised his hand, cutting me off, and said.

“I allow it.”

“Are you joking?”

“If they can block it, why not? Feeling the wall of reality might break their spirit.”

“Ha…”

Shaking my head, I replied.

“I won’t block it.”

“Do you want to see your disciple get hurt?”

“No.”

Looking at Mikhail’s sword, I said.

As I stared at Mikhail’s long sword, which I had always thought was his weakness, I felt fifty percent sure of victory.

Mikhail still seemed unwilling to let go of his stubbornness.

“It seems like your disciple will get hurt quite a bit.”

“Ha…”

As the fluttering petals fell to the ground.

Rowen’s low voice softly echoed within the training grounds.

“Begin.”

The two swordsmen kicked off the ground and charged forward.

Hanna’s sword sliced through the fluttering petals, and Mikhail’s sword also cut through the drifting pink petals as they advanced.

And then.

-Clang…!

Amid the storm of their sword dance.

“What is this?”

Even I, standing on the verge of becoming a Sword Master.

“…”

And Rowen, who was already a Sword Master.

Stood still, unmoving.