I Decided To Abandon My Family In My Seventh Life (Dropped) - Chapter 03: Duel with the Knight

Chapter 03: Duel with the Knight

“…And now, we shall commence the duel between Sir Hugo Glenville and the knight, ‘Kenneth Rogers.’ Both of you, step forward.” 

“Yes.” 

“Hah!”

At the signal from the Knight Commander’s words, we stepped forward with swords in hand.

In this duel, however, we would fight with real intent. 

It wasn’t surprising, as all six previous lives had been the same. 

Yet, it was a testament to how little my life was valued, to pit me against an active knight in a genuine contest when I had never even held a sword (or so I believed).

Furthermore…

“Go, Kenneth, give it your all!” 

“Hehe… Sir Rogers, please refrain from holding back…”

Louis cheered excitedly, and my stepmother gave instructions while concealing her mouth with a fan. 

Why did I desperately seek their approval and try so hard to ingratiate myself with these people?

“Now… take your stances!”

Drawing our swords from their scabbards, we positioned ourselves and aimed the tips at each other’s brows.

And then…

“Begin!” 

“Hehe… My apologies, young master. Please don’t take offense.”

With a slight lift of his mouth’s corner, Kenneth in front of me uttered those words. “Don’t take offense,” huh… You’re right, Kenneth.

Right now, my mood is at its worst. So even if I’m killed, don’t feel guilty.

—Thud!

Gripping the hilt of the sword with both hands, I kicked the ground and swiftly closed the distance.

“Whoa, unexpectedly fast.”

Kenneth, watching my movements, seems impressed, but his tone still holds a hint of composure. He probably believes my attacks are nothing significant and that he can easily handle them.

However…

“Kuuh!?”

Suddenly, I lowered my body almost grazing the ground and struck at Kenneth’s shins. 

His defense at the lower part is still lacking, as usual.

But well, haha, my sword is designed to prevent the blade from cutting. 

It’s truly abnormal to go this far against a mere fourteen-year-old who has never held a sword before.

Anyway, that’s beside the point.

“Take this!”

With his shins wounded, anger flushed Kenneth’s face crimson as he swung his sword diagonally, his rage making him vulnerable at the throat.

—Swoosh.

“!? Ga… Ga, ha…!”

Without hesitation, I thrust my sword into Kenneth’s throat.

“Uwaaaahhhh?!” 

“Kyaaaahhhh?!”

Louis and Anna scream at the sight of blood spattering. 

Haha… They could have just looked away from the start.

“Hugo! I won’t allow such behavior towards valuable retainers of the Marquess household!”

My stepmother rises with quivering anger, her eyes widened. 

Even though this is undoubtedly a proper match.

“…Knight Commander.”

Covered in blood, I called out to the Knight Commander, indicating my victory.

“That’s enough! T-The winner is Hugo-sama! What are you all doing?! Quickly, take Kenneth to the healer!”

“Y-Yes, sir!”

The other knights, stunned by the situation, hurriedly carried Kenneth for treatment. 

Haha, with his throat pierced through to the bone, there’s no saving him even if they try healing magic now.

But more importantly…

“Father, I offer this victory to the Glenville family.”

Without changing my expression, I knelt and lowered my head.

“I never expected you to have such talent. I misjudged you.”

Now then… Just like in my first life, if I defeat Kenneth, they’ll probably groom me as an assassin. 

But…

“…Having defeated a knight of our marquisate, a reward is certainly in order.”

“Dear! A reward…! No, it’s nothing…”

Whether surprised by my father’s words or not, my stepmother’s voice grew harsh, but she fell silent under his sharp gaze.

“Just for the record, what reward do you seek?”

Haha… even though he has likely already heard it from ‘her.’ 

Quite theatrical of him to ask.

“…In that case, I have just one wish.”

“Speak.”

In my past life, I would undoubtedly have wished to be recognized as a family member. 

But… that wish no longer resides within me.

“Yes… Could you please make use of insignificant me to establish connections with other influential nobles?”

“You dare to presume so much!”

Haha, coming from you, who was nothing more than a baron’s daughter.

“I see… so essentially, you’re suggesting that I offer you up to other nobles?”

“Yes, you can interpret it that way. And once I’m successfully taken in by them and acquire everything, then…”

“I see… If you have that much determination, I won’t say anything further.”

Upon saying that, my father lifted the corner of his mouth. 

Haha, revealing his thoughts like that shows his lack of guard, this lenient marquis.

Well, from his perspective, it’s a win-win situation. 

If it goes well, he gains something. And even if it fails, he can dispose of a troublemaker. 

Either way, he doesn’t lose, I suppose.

“Very well. I shall seek a suitable match for you. Until then, you shall continue your training at the remote estate.”

“I appreciate your consideration. Thank you.”

With a satisfied nod, my father, along with my stepmother who still couldn’t hide her anger, and Louis and Anna with pale faces, returned to the estate where they resided.

“Haha…”

It worked out well.

Now my father will likely approach the Grand Duke of Woodstock with the proposal, and until I enter the ducal household, he won’t interfere with me, including that stepmother of mine. 

Doing so would jeopardize the arrangement for me to join the Duke’s family.

I stood up, sheathed my sword, and ignored the resentful glares from the knights as I made my way back to the remote estate.