Chapter 94. "Of Course, I’ll Win." (2)
【Didn’t I warn you not to be too kind? I told you countless times they’d start acting cocky. Why don’t you ever listen to me?】
So this is why older sisters and younger brothers can’t get along, Astrid thought. If she were honest, Varian had been bigger than Ashray, or at least not smaller.
Yet even Varian had been overpowered and pinned down by Astrid in close combat. And now Ashray dared to claim that because he had been training while Astrid had taken a break for a year, she wouldn’t break him like she used to?
【Unbelievable. Absolutely ridiculous.】
‘For once, I completely agree with you.’
“Did I say something wrong? I wasn’t lying, was I?” Ashray muttered, scratching his head as Astrid stared at him. He wasn’t entirely wrong—his sister had spent a month recovering from her injury and hadn’t been to the battlefield in six months. Even with her divine blessing, Ashray figured that her lack of training would give him the edge.
“Hah.”
The tense exchange between the siblings was interrupted by Baizik’s deliberate clearing of his throat.
Clearly intending to defuse the situation before it escalated, Baizik drew their attention with a slight smile.
“Astrid doesn’t seem to agree with your assessment, does she?”
“Of course not. They don’t call me the White Snow Leopard of the Snowfield for nothing.”
“Well, I have a title too, Sister,” Ashray retorted with a smirk. Despite admitting that he might lose, he still seemed to believe in his chances, which Astrid found baffling.
“Well, well. With two knights of the Heavy Cavalry puffing up their chests like this, the atmosphere in the carriage is anything but peaceful,” Baizik commented dryly.
He had a point. It wasn’t exactly proper for two younger nobles to square off like this in front of a senior of his standing. Realizing this, Astrid and Ashray quickly apologized.
“…My apologies.”
“I’m sorry.”
“No, no, it’s quite alright.”
Baizik waved off their apologies with a dismissive gesture and a faint smile. Then, as if struck by an idea, he offered a suggestion.
“Well then, how about some entertainment?”
“Pardon?”
The sudden and unexpected proposal left both Astrid and Ashray blinking in confusion.
“It’s perfect timing, isn’t it? We’re in the middle of a plain. Let’s stop the carriage for a while and settle this here. This old man would love to see the next generation of warriors in action.”
Baizik’s meaning was clear: instead of arguing about who was stronger, they should fight it out directly.
Astrid and Ashray exchanged glances.
“That’s an excellent idea, Elder.”
“I agree, Elder.”
And just like that, the matter was decided.
The carriages came to a halt one by one. The retinue stopped in sequence, and soon Baizik, Astrid, and Ashray’s carriage also stopped. Astrid stepped out first, followed by Ashray, with Baizik descending last.
“A true warrior doesn’t settle disputes with words. Show us your mettle in a proper duel. It will be an excellent lesson for the young knights here to witness the dignity of two warriors of the Heavy Cavalry.”
The stage was set, and neither Astrid nor Ashray could back down now.
“Sister, I’m not the same person you used to beat down.”
“And?”
Two attendants struggled to carry Astrid’s massive greatsword. It took one person to carry the pommel and another to lift the blade, both straining under the weight.
Yet Astrid took the sword in one hand with ease and began swinging it lightly, the blade slicing through the air with a whoosh.
The sight of her handling the heavy weapon effortlessly stunned the onlookers. Swinging such a massive blade with perfect balance, Astrid didn’t show the slightest sign of strain.
Meanwhile, Ashray’s war hammer was also delivered. He accepted it with both hands, resting the hammerhead on the ground as he loosened his fingers.
【Are you sure you’re up for this?】
‘I’ll be fine. Watch closely. I’ll show you how the real deal fights.’
For this duel, the real Astrid had stepped forward, taking full control. The fake Astrid, lingering in the subconscious, quietly wished Ashray would avoid too much injury.
“You’ve grown bold, little brother, from lack of proper discipline. Don’t worry, I’ll fix that for you.”
Astrid’s remark drew a laugh from Ashray.
“When have you ever shown mercy, Sister? You don’t need to hold back this time either.”
“That’s good to hear.”
“Are both sides ready?” Baizik asked.
The spectators formed a wide circle around the siblings, keeping a safe distance. The open plain provided the perfect battlefield, with Astrid and Ashray standing roughly ten paces apart at its center.
“I’m ready whenever you are,” Ashray said.
“I’m ready too,” Astrid replied, driving her greatsword into the ground. The blade sank deep into the earth, refusing to budge.
“Sister, what are you doing?”
“Fighting you barehanded should be enough of a handicap, don’t you think?”
Astrid cracked her knuckles, the sound echoing ominously. She took a deep breath, shifting into a balanced stance—left foot forward, right foot back, knees slightly bent, and body lowered for optimal stability.
“Come at me whenever you’re ready, little brother.”
“You’ll regret underestimating me,” Ashray said, his pride stung. Astrid’s strength was undeniable, but Ashray wasn’t weak. He had sharpened his skills through countless battles with barbarians, gaining both power and experience.
“I’m not as easy to beat as you think!”
With that declaration, Ashray launched himself forward, his war hammer swinging in an upward arc.
Though large, his muscular build belied his speed, and the hammer’s weight carried enough force to crush armor and bone alike.
Astrid sidestepped smoothly, letting the hammer’s head pass harmlessly by. As it soared upward, Ashray pivoted, turning the pommel into a spear-like thrust toward her.
Astrid deflected the strike with her hand, pushing the shaft aside and throwing off its trajectory.
“Too slow.”
Her left hand shot out in a hook aimed at Ashray’s side. But as if anticipating her move, Ashray spun clockwise, driving his elbow toward Astrid’s temple with his full weight behind it.
The strike missed.
Astrid had ducked just in time, her body lowering to evade the blow. She smirked, clearly unimpressed.
“Close, but not close enough.”
Ashray gritted his teeth, sweat forming on his back. His sister’s movements were impossibly fast, and she seemed to predict his every attack.
“Feel free to switch weapons,” Astrid said with a taunting grin.
“If you insist.”
Ashray called for his gauntlets. After donning the spiked steel gloves, he clenched his fists, the metal gleaming menacingly.
“Let’s end this quickly,” Ashray said, surging forward again.
He reached for Astrid’s collar with his left hand, catching the fabric. Before he could deliver a punch with his right, searing pain shot through his left armpit. His grip faltered, and he staggered back.
“When did you—!?”
Astrid had slipped under his guard and twisted his arm. In the same motion, she hoisted him into the air despite the size difference.
Boom!
Ashray hit the ground with a deafening crash, a cloud of dust rising as his body slammed into the earth. Astrid pinned him down, raising her fist.
“You dare try to hit my face?”
Ashray struggled, knees jerking upward to strike Astrid’s back. She responded with a flurry of knees to his chest, denting his breastplate.
“Still standing? Impressive.”
Ashray wobbled but stood, his defiance earning a smirk from Astrid.
“You’ve improved… but it’s over.”
With a swift kick to his side, she sent Ashray flying. His massive frame tumbled across the field, scattering dust and spectators alike.
“It’s settled,” Baizik declared, stepping in to end the fight. “That’s enough for today.”
As Ashray groaned in the distance, Astrid stood tall, not a drop of sweat on her brow.
“I went easy on him since I didn’t use my weapon,” she said casually.
Baizik wiped his forehead. Leopold, stay strong, he thought grimly.