With the appearance of the Silver Sword Saint Leon, Dudley, to everyone’s surprise, resorted to self-defense.

“L-Leon-san! Please listen to me! Everyone keeps mocking me!”

“Dudley. Calm down.”

The Silver Sword Saint Leon gently admonished him with a quiet voice and then grabbed the back of Dudley’s head, forcibly making him bow.

At the same time, Leon also lowered his head and first apologized to Raymira.

“Princess Raymira. I sincerely apologize for the trouble caused by my son. I will reprimand him sternly later…”

Such a fatherly, self-interest-driven action. The Macba family likely wants to prioritize their relationship with the royal family.

“Hmph.”

Raymira crossed her arms and looked down at the Silver Sword Saint Leon.

“Leon-san. Your reputation has clearly been declining lately. And now, your son’s behavior… isn’t it just too sloppy?”

“I have no words. I offer my sincerest apologies again, Your Highness.”

—That’s… he doesn’t really mean it.

Sadly, as someone who has interacted with the Sword Saint, I can tell he isn’t truly apologizing from the heart.

“Really, it’s awful, Leon.”

Walking up to them was—Altro Wister, the Swordmaster.

He was a descendant of a prestigious family that had forged the finest swords for the Macba family for generations.

“I told you, if you kept acting like this, the Macba family would definitely decline.”

“I have no words; I apologize.”

See? He’s just repeating the apology to Ray as if it were mechanical, showing no sincerity.

“You…!”

Perhaps noticing this, Altro seemed to be seething with anger.

Clearing my throat, I stepped forward and spoke again.

“By the way… what exactly are you two here for? To be honest, I’m not in the mood to even look at your faces right now.”

Though my tone was too casual for addressing the Sword Saint, it didn’t matter. We’re related by blood, but I couldn’t muster any respect for him.

“…………”

Leon raised his face and once more looked at me.

“Arios, huh… I’ve heard of your achievements with the Arceus Salvation Party. As someone who once had dealings with you, I’m truly glad.”

“Thanks.”

“I heard there were many B-rank adventurers around? You’ve grown enough not to drag down your seniors now.”

“…………”

I wonder if he’s doubting me or simply doesn’t want to believe it.

Leon seems to view the recent takeover of the Arceus Salvation Party’s hideout in a negative light.

“That’s not it!”

It was, of course, the little girl I had helped back then who contradicted him.

“Arios-san did amazing things! He was the quickest to come and save us!”

“What…?”

Leon squinted his eyes. One of his eyebrows twitched.

“Wait, Arios. Your movements…?”

“Is something wrong?”

“No… It’s nothing. There’s no way that’s possible.”

He seemed to have solved it in his mind.

Well, I don’t quite understand it.

“Anyway, could you leave already? I have no interest in having small talk with you two.”

“…The once timid man has started saying things like this.”

Leon twisted his mouth into a smirk and then pulled out a piece of paper from his pocket.

“This is an official notice from Prince Rufa. In one week, at the Battle Arena, Dudley and Arios will have a duel. I want you to participate.”

“What…?”

A duel with Dudley.

And at the Battle Arena in the royal capital, no less.

The place is a venue for various events, with seating for over ten thousand spectators.

…I see, so this is what it’s about.

Considering Leon’s desire to maintain face, he must think that, after I recently took down the Arceus Salvation Party’s hideout, my actions have embarrassed the royal family.

…To recover face, he intends to crush me in front of a large crowd.

“…………”

Without realizing it, I felt my fists trembling.

…The father I had always loved.

But now, it seems like there’s not even a shred of affection left for me.

Instead, he’s willing to use me as a stepping stone for the Macba family’s prosperity…

“Fine.”

I took a deep breath and replied decisively.

“I accept the challenge.”

Not as the son of the Sword Saint, but as a swordsman of my own.

I couldn’t back down here, especially to sever my ties completely with my family.

“Heh… I see.”

For a brief moment, Leon showed an ugly smile.

So this is his true nature.

“Don’t misunderstand me, Leon-san.”

As Leon reached for my arm, Raymira boldly glared at him.

“Arios won’t lose. Even if he’s up against the Silver Sword Saint himself!”

“If you understand, then get lost, you fool.”

Altro also joined in, and Leon and the others were more or less chased out of the village.