The Strongest Villain Sets Out: Reincarnated into a Merit-Based Clan, I Become the World's Strongest Swordsman - Chapter 53: Challenge from Sister

“N-Norn-nee-san? Why are you at the academy…”

Seeing her suddenly appear at the training ground, I was stunned.

Originally, Norn-nee-san was a knight who protected the northern territories. Last year, she annihilated vicious monsters that appeared from the farthest lands, including dragons, and showed such remarkable achievements that she was called “Norn the Massacrer.”

Thinking normally, I couldn’t imagine Duke Salvatore—Lucius would let her idle around. How did she get here…

Ignoring the various questions racing through my mind, she stepped forward right in front of me.

“Ah, seeing Luka’s face after so long. You’ve become quite robust.”

“Mmph.”

I was hugged without question.

While she only looked like a terrifyingly beautiful woman on the outside, the arm strength holding my body now was such that it wouldn’t budge even if I used my full power.

Amazing. It was like being pinned down by a giant dragon.

“Nee-san… it hurts.”

“Oops. My apologies. I got carried away seeing Luka.”

When I tapped her arm several times, Nee-san let go more easily than I expected.

I thought my bones would break. She still had ridiculous physical abilities as always.

“Well well, if it isn’t Norn-sama from the Salvatore ducal family.”

“You are… certainly the princess of Zehabaruto.”

“I’m Cornelia. It’s been a while since we’ve met face to face like this.”

Cornelia, who stood behind me, greeted Norn-nee-san who seemed like a demon lord.

Strangely, I felt like the intimidating aura Norn-nee-san exuded had increased. Moreover, Cornelia called Norn-nee-san with an honorific. While Norn-nee-san answered with a casual tone.

This was due to the achievements of the Salvatore ducal family supporting the royal family and the empire since ancient times. Father Lucius even had the right to voice opinions to the renowned emperor.

As his daughter and the strongest swordsman in the current ducal family excluding Lucius, Norn-nee-san gathered power and reverence equal to father’s.

Norn-nee-san had produced that many results. Enough that royalty couldn’t take disrespectful attitudes.

Of course, Cornelia had higher authority. You could tell from the fact that Norn-nee-san was using honorifics.

However, I reconfirmed once again that she was someone even Cornelia, who was praised as a genius, respected and looked up to.

“What is the princess doing here with Luka?”

“Training. We’re working hard to improve ourselves daily.”

“Luka and you all?”

Norn-nee-san’s gaze turned sharply toward the members other than Cornelia.

At that moment, the two other than Cornelia flinched and trembled their shoulders. They were streaming large amounts of sweat from their foreheads.

Good grief, I called out to her.

“I’d like you to stop intimidating my friends. They’re nervous, Norn-nee-san.”

“Mmph. I was just looking a little. How outrageous!”

“Eh…”

That menacing gaze from before was definitely not just looking. If anything, it was glaring. Seeing her show no signs of reflection, I felt the Salvatore ducal family bloodline.

“More than that, I’d like to see the talents Luka has chosen.”

“Hmm? What do you mean?”

“The three of you excluding Luka versus me alone. Shall we fight?”

“Huh?”

No way, I muttered internally. But Norn-nee-san’s face was serious.

“Wait wait. There’s no way they could beat you, Norn-nee-san.”

“You don’t know. They’re talents that Luka chose, right? They’ll entertain me a little, won’t they?”

“Ahaha! Interesting. I’ll do it. There aren’t many opportunities to fight Norn-sama!”

“Calm down, Cornelia. If you can’t beat me, there’s no way you can beat Norn-nee-san.”

“Luka should calm down. Fighting strong opponents is essential to getting stronger. You always say that, Luka.”

“That’s true, but…”

I liked fighting Norn-nee-san too. But this was different from that.

Look at her eyes. They were serious eyes. Even if Norn-nee-san held back, there was a possibility they could die instantly. She was that strong.

She would hold back so I wouldn’t die when fighting me, but there was no guarantee she would do the same for Cornelia and the others.

That person didn’t care if her opponent was royalty when she got serious. Sometimes she prioritized her own emotions.

“I-I’ll do it too! My pride won’t allow me to back down here!”

“Lucia.”

“Me too. I can’t run away if those two are doing it.”

“Even Sheila…”

Apparently my words weren’t reaching the three of them.

Personally I wanted them to stop, but it was true this would lead to their growth. Only if Norn-nee-san held back considerably, though.

I loved fighting strong opponents, but I hated fighting opponents at levels I couldn’t win against.

Because if you died, you gained nothing. Everything you’d cultivated until then became meaningless.

Therefore, death alone must be avoided.

I turned my gaze to the smiling Norn-nee-san and drove the point home just in case.

“Neesan… please don’t kill everyone.”

“Yes, I understand. Even I wouldn’t boldly pick a fight with royalty. If I were to do it, I’d massacre all the royalty.”

Hey.

I became anxious after all.