In This Life I Will Be The Lord Novel - Episode 198

“A duel, Lady Lombardi?”
Finally, an Imperial Knight stepped forward, seemingly trying to dissuade me.
“No. That’s a good idea.”
But he was quickly cut off by Astana, who wore a cynical smile.
He scrutinized Ramona, who stood beside me, from head to toe.
Astana’s face, smiling while even drunk, was the epitome of baseness.

“The loser will apologize to the other person. A sincere apology, no backing out.”
“Yes, fine.”
Astana nodded without much thought at my words.
“Sir Sloan, you will be my proxy in the duel.”
Astana called out to the knight who seemed the most experienced among the four escorts.
“Yes? But, Your Highness…”
The knight, called Sloan, broke out in a cold sweat, looking between me and Ramona.
“Duels fought for honor require representatives of similar skill.”
His words weren’t exactly malicious.
This knight, Sloan, was probably a high-ranking official.
So, it must have been awkward for him to duel a female knight, who appeared to be in her early twenties, with the Prince’s honor at stake.

I subtly glanced at Ramona.
Ramona had an uncharacteristic expressionless face, staring straight ahead.
She seemed very angry.
I quietly asked such a Ramona, “How do you feel? They’re talking like that.”
Ramona looked at Astana and Sir Sloan with a firm face and said, “If you’re not looking down on me, then let’s proceed with the duel, Sir Sloan.”
“That’s absolutely not the case, and…”
Sir Sloan, who was mumbling awkwardly, finally let out a sigh of resignation.
“Don’t hold back, crush her, Sir Sloan.”
Astana whispered to Sir Sloan again with a cynical smile.
I can hear you, though.

Sir Sloan looked at me with a very uncomfortable expression and asked, “Are you truly alright with this, Lady Lombardi?”
I was starting to get a little annoyed.
It’s good to be considerate, but Sir Sloan’s words and actions are nothing but disrespectful to Ramona.
I crossed my arms and replied, “What is your exact name and rank, Sir Sloan?”
“Yes. I am Edian Sloan, Deputy Commander of the Imperial Third Knight Order.”
“Ah, I see. I’ve heard the Imperial Knights train the Imperial Swordsmanship very deeply, is that right?”
“That is correct, Lady Lombardi. I myself have trained in Imperial Swordsmanship for fifteen years since joining at the age of twenty.”
Sloan replied, thumping his chest, seemingly proud.
“I seeee.”
They said that the more thoroughly one had learned Imperial Swordsmanship, the weaker they became in front of Ramona.
And as expected.
Ramona’s tightly stiffened face had softened slightly.

“Proceed.”
Astana chuckled at my words.
Since there was no Cello Liquor, he was sipping a glass of wine he had found somewhere, which truly made me want to punch him.
“Excuse me.”
Sir Sloan addressed Ramona in a polite voice.
“What is your name? I feel I should at least know.”
“I am…”
Ramona looked directly at Sir Sloan and answered, “My name is Ramona Brown. You may call me Sir Brown.”
Sir Sloan’s eyes were shaking wildly, as if an earthquake had struck, which was quite a sight to behold.

“Did you hear? There’s going to be a duel!”
“A duel?”
“Yes! And it’s between His Highness, the First Prince, and Lady Florentia Lombardi!”
The rumors spread quickly among the nobles.
“Why suddenly?”
“Well, His Highness, the First Prince, said something to Lady Lombardi…”
The aftermath of the Brown family’s reappearance after decades had not yet fully subsided.
“My goodness, this banquet is truly the best!”
“So many exciting things happening one after another!”
The nobles cheered and rushed in groups to the place where the duel would take place.

“Shouldn’t we get going soon, Your Highness?”
Tedro, impatient, asked Perez.
Ramona was a close peer who had shared six years of academy life with them.
He wanted to be there for every moment as his dear friend took the first step towards fulfilling her family’s long-cherished dream.
“We should.”
Perez began to walk at a leisurely pace.
Soon, Perez and the trio arrived at the grassy area where people were gathered in a circle.
As the Second Prince and Lady Florentia Lombardi’s fiancé arrived, people whispered and quickly made way for him.

“The duel preparations are already complete.”
Regnite whistled softly.
It was rare for a duel to take place on the same day without a set date.
It was even rarer for a duel to begin immediately without hours of preparation.
“His Majesty doesn’t seem to want to stop it either.”
Or rather, he couldn’t stop it.
The insult uttered by the First Prince was that severe.
Emperor Jovanes had even taken a seat in the very front row to watch the duel.
Beside him were Rulac Lombardi and Gallahan Lombardi.
They were witnesses to a duel that was beyond spectacular.

“There’s no backing out now.”
It was perhaps natural, as everything had been meticulously planned.
Regnite murmured softly, looking at the gathered nobles, the confident First Prince who knew nothing, and the two knights facing each other with swords drawn.
“Your Highness’s fiancée is truly a frightening person. To think all of this is one person’s doing.”
At his words, Perez slowly turned to look at Regnite.
As if to say, ‘What a given.’
“It’s Tia.”
And then he looked back at the duel ground with eyes full of expectation.
His sparkling eyes were also filled with deep affection for his beloved.

“They’re exactly alike, exactly alike.”
Regnite shivered slightly.

“It is an honor to cross swords with someone from the Brown family, Sir Brown.”
Sir Sloan said in a low voice, looking at Ramona.
It wasn’t an empty compliment.
Not only Sir Sloan but also the knights of the Imperial Knights who had gathered upon hearing the news all wore similar expressions.
“…Thank you.”
Ramona replied, trying her best to hide her complex emotions.

Just then, Emperor Jovanes rose from his seat with a slightly hardened expression.
It was a duel from which Jovanes had nothing to gain, no matter who won.
If he had his way, he would throw Astana, who had caused all this trouble, somewhere immediately.
Emperor Jovanes said briefly to Ramona and Sir Sloan, “If you are ready, begin.”
At the imperial command, the two knights bowed to each other.

Srrrung.
Two swords emerged with a chilling sound.
The nobles, rarely witnessing such a real sword duel between knights, gripped their hands and focused intently.
Sabak-sabak. Ramona and Sir Sloan began to move slowly, facing each other with their swords drawn.
Each step was heavy and deliberate, as it could directly lead to victory or defeat.

Just then, Sir Sloan advanced first.
It was a move to not prolong the duel.
One step, two steps.
With long strides, the distance between the two quickly closed.
“Hwaa!”
With a short yell, Sir Sloan swung his sword towards Ramona.
It was a simple yet perfectly penetrating and seasoned move.
But Sir Sloan’s sword was blocked by Ramona’s short, deflecting sword stroke.
Ramona’s subsequent attack was also formidable.
Grrrk!
In an instant, it went up Sir Sloan’s sword in reverse.
The sharp sword tip was aimed at Sir Sloan’s neck.

Ping!
Sir Sloan, experienced, did not panic and wound Ramona’s sword.
It was a technique often used in Imperial Swordsmanship, transitioning directly from defense to offense by utilizing the opponent’s strength.
However, an unexpected situation occurred afterwards.
Karang!
A sharp metallic sound rang out, and Ramona’s sword thrust forward again, menacingly.
“…H-huh!”
Sir Sloan gasped and leaned back.
Thanks to that, he barely managed to break Ramona’s offensive, but deep wrinkles were etched on his brow.
He couldn’t understand.
His technique had clearly worked.
For a moment, Ramona’s sword moved as if ignoring that flow.
“Uh-oh…?”
The same reaction came from the Imperial Knights watching the duel.
“Something just…”
The nobles who wielded swords and were attending the eve festival all showed the same expression.
Sir Sloan was clearly superior in the duel, but Ramona’s sword instantly overturned it.

“Haaat!”
Sir Sloan, as soon as he found his balance, lunged again.
Kang! Kang! Kaang!
The sound of the two swords clashing was fierce.
Ramona, in particular, gritted her teeth and met Sir Sloan’s heavy sword.
But the difference in physical strength and experience was unavoidable.
Ramona began to be pushed back little by little.
“Ahhh…”
Regretful gasps escaped from various places.
At the same time, a cynical smile spread across Astana’s face.
He sensed his victory.