When I was working as a civil servant, I was found out to be a muscle-brained knight by the princess knight and got sent to the front lines - Episode 69

Episode 69

As the clock struck 9 in the evening, it was finally time for the last battle. Captain Maria Valenti, who had repelled 99 students over the course of three hours. Though each student showed considerable skill for their age, they paled in comparison to the captain.

The discerning citizens of the capital enjoyed the captain’s masterful techniques, yet felt somewhat unsatisfied.

It’s worth mentioning that the ambassadors and spies from various countries who attended this event felt even more despair than when they watched the battle between the king and Jez. While the battle between the king and Jez could be rationalized as a showcase of the Tashman Kingdom’s pure strength, some even claimed they had given up thinking due to the students’ overwhelming abilities.

Nevertheless, today’s final combatant was none other than Luca Norman, the “Student Council President.” He was the son of the Northern General Gerald Norman and well-known among the citizens of the capital as the three-time consecutive winner of the Student Combat Tournament.

He was expected to give the best performance yet. However, considering the captain had been fighting continuously for three hours, some speculated she might be somewhat fatigued.

There was a contradictory atmosphere in the air, with the audience expecting the overwhelming strength of the captain yet also anticipating the valiant struggle of the young challenger.

Finally, as both took their stances, Captain Maria Valenti held her practice sword naturally, devoid of any unnecessary tension, just like the previous 99 times.

Her stance, although supposed to be common in the Unified Sword Style, appeared refined to the point of being completely different.

Meanwhile, Luca Norman, fitting his fists with the Meriken sacks, also took a relaxed stance, devoid of any tension.

(Note: Well, knuckle duster if you’d like)

At the same time, although it was before the match, a gentle magical power began to condense in his fists.

The quiet air between the two gradually spread throughout the entire arena, and the cheers strangely subsided.

When the referee finally signaled the start of the match,

Surprisingly, for the first dozen seconds, neither of them made a move, maintaining a silent standoff. The audience watched with bated breath.

Those unfamiliar with martial arts were puzzled, but René, watching from the VIP room, raised an eyebrow in surprise.

Even Lilly, who had been leisurely sipping wine and nibbling on cheese and prosciutto moments ago, straightened slightly and watched the match with a serious expression when she noticed René’s reaction.

Seeing Lilly’s change in demeanor, Cynthia, who was supposed to lack martial arts training, raised a puzzled expression and asked Jez, “Senpai, Senpai, are Captain Maria and your brother doing something?”

“Oh, they’re exchanging feints right now.”

According to Jez’ explanation, although it seemed from afar that Maria and Luca were not moving and just observing each other, they were actually exchanging feints using their eye movements, body weight shifts, and shoulder muscles.

“They’re doing something incredibly advanced!”

“Senpai’s little brother is amazing!” Cynthia exclaimed, pretending to be unaware.

After a brief silent exchange, Luca Norman finally made his move.

—

“Wow, so this is Captain Maria Valenti.”

Facing Maria, Luca unleashed various feints as soon as the match began, only to realize that none of them were effective. Each feint was effortlessly brushed aside, leaving no openings. Maria’s skill was overwhelming, demonstrating a mastery of the fundamentals that made Luca ponder the significance of such mastery.

Luca had sparred with extraordinary individuals like his father, Gerald, and Jez numerous times before, but the woman before him was a different kind of monster altogether. His father and brother were irrational in their approach. They moved purely on instinct or feeling. “I thought I could do it, so I did it” was their style. While his father was straightforward and power-oriented, his brother, in a devious twist, was capable of handling academic and administrative tasks despite relying solely on physical prowess in combat.

His brother, possessing such remarkable talent, had paved the way for him. As a child, Luca had been angry and conflicted upon realizing this, but now he understood. His brother believed he could surpass him. If that was the case, he wanted to live up to that expectation. He wanted to surpass his brother in both martial and scholarly pursuits. And from then on, he dedicated himself to training to surpass his father and brother. Since coming to the capital, he had won the Student Combat Tournament three times in a row and become the Student Council President.

That’s why he knew: the captain before him represented one of his ideals. She was the perfect opponent to gauge his current abilities. He couldn’t afford to be clumsy here. “Brother, watch me!”

Luca Norman, who had been quietly exchanging feints, suddenly moved.

The speed of his movement seemed like teleportation to the common folk.

Swinging his fist, charged with magical power since before the match, but even that was a feint. Using the momentum of his fist, he twisted his body and unleashed a spinning roundhouse kick.

He had been preparing this move extensively before the match, guiding his consciousness to his fist with the Meriken sacks and infusing it with magical power. Even during the earlier feint exchanges, he had only focused on attacks with his fists and elbows, completely exposing himself.

That was the plan, but…

“Hmm, not bad, but still too naive.”

The sensation of the kick vanished, and before he knew it,

“Take it head-on. Unified Sword Style, First Strike.”

Maria’s brilliant counter landed, sending him flying.