I Became King by Following My Little Sister's Advice. Now the Princess I Forced to Marry Is Giving Me Death Stares, What Should I Do? - Chapter 14: A New Companion

Chapter 14: A New Companion

Van’s proposal for a rematch was accepted by Marquis Ulbers, who picked up a weapon again. 

This time, he chose a greatsword, the same as Van’s. 

Although he rarely used it on the battlefield, he was actually more skilled with it than with a halberd.

“…Once again, I accept your challenge.”

Marquis Ulbers faced Van again.

As a warrior, it was disgraceful to ask for a rematch after showing mercy in a duel.

Typically, he should have accepted his defeat gracefully.

(But… I want to see the true extent of this man’s strength!)

He couldn’t leave things unfinished.

Standing before him was a true hero, unlike himself, who was aging and declining.

This hero was poised to soar to great heights. 

Facing this young, rising talent ignited his fighting spirit.

“RAAAAAH!”

Marquis Ulbers roared and attacked first this time.

“Hm?”

Van, looking slightly surprised, blocked the series of strikes with his greatsword.

(He must be surprised! Behold the ambers of my life!)

Every living being in this world possessed an energy called ‘Mana.’ By burning the mana within his body, Marquis Ulbers explosively increased his physical abilities.

“RAAAAAAAAH!”

The continuous attacks didn’t seem like they were coming from someone wielding a heavy greatsword. 

Using his mana for each strike, it was as if he was sacrificing his life with every blow. 

In his prime, this might have been manageable, but for the aging Marquis Ulbers, it could be the end of his life.

(But still… I won’t stop!)

Even if his life ended here, it would be an honor to die fighting this hero. 

His warrior’s pride and instincts told him that now was the time to lay down his life.

“You’re fast and strong… I’m impressed.”

“How can you say that with such a calm face? Save those words for when you’re breaking a sweat!”

Van blocked and parried each strike without any signs of panic. 

He used his single-edged greatsword to deflect the attacks, not allowing even a scratch on his skin.

More impressively, Van hadn’t moved from his starting position. 

Despite the relentless barrage of attacks, Van didn’t step back even once.

(He’s strong, truly strong!)

There was no doubt in his mind—this was the strongest opponent he had ever faced. 

He wished he could have met him before his strength had waned.

(Let this be my final battle! I will defeat this future hero!)

Marquis Ulbers no longer had his initial goal in mind. 

This duel was meant to be a pretext for submitting to the new government, the Kingdom of Arlengs. 

It was a performance to convince his skeptical granddaughter, the lower nobles under his rule, and his soldiers to accept following the rebel leader.

Whether he won or lost, he planned to praise the new king’s bravery and pledge his loyalty to Van.

But now, those intentions were gone. 

All that remained was his desire, as a warrior, to defeat the formidable opponent before him.

“HAH!”

“Oh?”

Marquis Ulbers leapt high into the air. 

Using his mana-enhanced physical abilities, he soared over ten meters high.

“This is my greatest strike! Take this!”

Kicking off the air, he cast a wind spell, propelling himself even higher. 

He expelled mana from his feet to accelerate his descent, charging at Van with the force of a meteor.

“I see.”

Van looked up at the approaching Marquis Ulbers and nodded. 

In the next moment, Van also kicked off the ground.

“Gah…!?”

Before he knew it, Marquis Ulbers was sent flying through the air. 

It wasn’t a jump of his own will this time; it felt like he had been thrown.

(What… what just happened?)

Looking down, he realized he had been flung higher than the castle walls. 

His granddaughter’s wide-eyed face stood out clearly in his vision.

“Kuh…?”

Gravity took hold, and he began to freefall towards the ground. The sensation of floating quickly turned into a rapid plummet.

“NOOOOOOOO!”

“Whoa, there!”

“Ngh?!”

He was caught by someone mid-air.

“That was close. You need to brace yourself, or you could hit your head.”

“You… you?”

It was Van who had caught the falling Marquis Ulbers. 

His mana was depleted, and if he had hit the ground, he wouldn’t have survived.

“You saved me… but why?”

“My sist… Ahem…”

Van cleared his throat lightly.

“…You are too valuable to die here. It might be hard to follow someone as young as me, but would you serve our kingdom?”

“…I doubt there’s much this old body can do.”

The aftereffects of using so much mana had taken their toll. 

It would be difficult for him to fight anymore.

“Even without swinging a sword, you can still lead soldiers and train the next generation. Please, live to see the new era I’m creating.”

“…”

Marquis Ulbers, now set down on the ground, glanced to the side and saw his broken sword lying there.

At the moment he had attacked Van from the air, Van had leaped up, broken Ulbers’ greatsword, and thrown him skyward. 

Achieving such a feat in less than a second was nothing short of miraculous.

“I yield… Neighber Ulbers will now pledge his life to serve Your Majesty.”

“”RAAAAAAAAAH!””

As Marquis Ulbers knelt and bowed his head, the soldiers of the Ulbers family cheered for the victor. 

The fierce battle and the valiant display captivated everyone watching, transcending their roles as enemies and allies to earn their admiration.

With this, Van fully integrated the Ulbers family and their vassals, securing stability at the eastern border.