A brief, awkward silence passed.

Grondal, who had been about to shout, held it in. From what he had seen so far, that bastard’s temper and skill were anything but ordinary.

So Grondal gave a gentle smile. Though his cheek twitched just a little.

He spoke as if trying to soothe him.

“I didn’t say I wanted you to give it to me right now. Just take it back out for a bit. I’m saying let’s talk about how it ended up in your hands in detail. I also want to check again if it’s really Gramdir.”

If it’s in subspace, you can’t forcefully take it. To steal it, you’d have to subdue the person and then have mages use mind control. Against someone of that caliber, that’s realistically impossible. You’d have to keep him locked up for months, and it would end in either death—or killing.

At Grondal’s words, Ghislain turned his head slightly and scoffed.

“Hmph.”

It was clear he was trying to coax him into pulling out Gramdir. Most likely, the moment he did, the fight would begin. If nothing else, that Dwarf King seemed like the hot-blooded type.

But Grondal was even hotter-blooded than Ghislain had guessed.

When Ghislain didn’t show any intention of taking it out, he decided on a show of force.

Boom!

Grondal raised his halberd with a growl.

“If you don’t take out Gramdir right now, I’ll speak through force.”

Benefactor or not, that was a separate matter. Grondal planned to take Gramdir first and talk afterward.

“Huh?”

At Grondal’s forceful energy, Ghislain looked bewildered. But even as he did, he casually picked up his staff.

“Oh, really now?”

Grondal, too, laughed in disbelief and got into stance. Ghislain also naturally readied himself.

Just as the two were about to clash, Lionel rushed in between them.

He was the only one among the group who had experience with proper social etiquette. So at some point, he had become the one to step forward and mediate situations like this.

“I believe there’s been a misunderstanding. That sword was truly acquired through proper means.”

“How the hell do you properly acquire someone else’s property? I didn’t properly give it to him.”

“Well, when we arrived at the trade city...”

Lionel gestured with his hands and feet as he explained how Ghislain had acquired Gramdir.

After hearing the whole story, Grondal looked stunned.

“You want me to believe that?”

“...”

“You’re telling me you won that treasure—hidden deep inside the royal vault—through some ridiculous bet? That doesn’t even make sense!”

Having a fiery personality meant being short-tempered. And people like that don’t usually think things through calmly.

His head was now filled with one single thought: take Gramdir back first.

“Hey! Don’t give me that bullshit—if you want it, just take it from me by force! Then I’ll hand it over! How’s that? Isn’t that the easiest way?”

Ghislain scratched his cheek. That was indeed the easiest and most preferred way for him, but still, he didn’t want to hit an elder who had gone through hardship with him.

But that just ended up touching Grondal’s nerves even more.

“Huh? You now? What’s with that face? That expression like you’re letting me off?”

“Well... not exactly.”

“Don’t give me that crap! I saw you fight earlier! You’re not the kind of guy who holds back in a fight, are you?”

“Eh, but it’s a bit much to do that while visiting as a guest...”

He didn’t say out loud, “How could I beat up a king?” Ghislain had that much tact.

His companions looked surprised at his uncharacteristic behavior. He was usually reckless, but here he was showing restraint?

But his expression was still relaxed. Or maybe just indifferent.

The hot-blooded Grondal tilted his head and asked, looking at Ghislain’s face.

“You’re thinking you’re letting me off, aren’t you?”

“...”

“Then what, you want to actually go for it? I’ve been wanting to see how well you fight.”

“Well... if you truly wish it... ah, I really want to live a polite life.”

Ghislain grinned and raised his staff.

Before anyone could say a word, the two of them swung their weapons and collided.

Boom!

The massive halberd and heavy staff struck one another again and again, shaking the underground hall.

Ghislain’s staff moved fluidly, while Grondal’s halberd crashed down with the weight of a mountain.

Bang! Boom! Baaang!

At first, the two clashed lightly, but before long, there was killing intent in their eyes as they attacked each other.

Once they actually started fighting, the thrill of each other’s strength kicked in.

The only downside was—both of them were exhausted.

Boom!

Once again, they collided and stumbled back.

Their breaths were ragged and rose up to their throats, but their gazes didn’t waver for a moment.

Grondal took a breath and began provoking first.

“You were fighting fine earlier, but now you’re all out of stamina? What’s a young guy doing panting already? Turns out you’re a weakling, huh?”

“That weapon of yours—must be tough for an older man to handle, no? It looks really heavy. You might drop it and hurt yourself.”

“Ha! Look at this brat. Weak body, but that mouth still works, huh?”

Boom!

Grondal’s halberd slammed down toward the floor.

Ghislain quickly retreated and swung his staff.

Fwoosh!

The tip of the staff sliced the air, targeting Grondal’s side.

Boom!

But Grondal twisted the shaft of his halberd and blocked it perfectly.

With a strong shock, both men were pushed back a step.

“Hah, not bad at all. If I were in top shape, I would’ve split you in half with one swing though.”

“If I were in ‘actual top shape’, you wouldn’t have had time to talk this much. So I’m actually feeling a little unfair here.”

“Ha! Damn brat... I do like that confidence of yours.”

The words were light, but their movements were not.

Boom! Boom! Baaang!

The staff and halberd clashed several more times, sending bursts of force like explosions.

Their energy and stamina had long since been depleted, but they were superhumans who could dominate the battlefield with technique alone.

Just watching such a high-level fight left everyone around them in awe.

Boom!

As their weapons collided again, both were pushed back several steps by the violent rebound.

With a moment of silence, the two briefly caught their breath.

Grondal growled and spoke.

“Why don’t you just surrender now? Your hands are shaking. Don’t you feel like something really bad’s about to happen?”

‘Ugh, my bones are aching. That bastard’s brutal.’

“I’m still young and full of energy. Your Majesty, I don’t think you should be overdoing it either. Your legs are shaking.”

‘What the hell? Is he made of steel? He’s still moving like that?’

Even before Ghislain had a chance to help, Grondal had already fought two prophets.

So he’d taken more wounds and expended more strength. And yet he was still fighting Ghislain evenly — a real monster.

Still, both were too proud to back down even an inch. Even though their arms were shaking so badly they could barely hold their weapons.

Grondal stroked his beard and spoke.

“You seem strong enough to carry off a treasure... but I still can’t give it to you. It’s mine.”

“Then let’s compromise and say I ‘borrowed’ it.”

“If you borrowed it, then give it back!”

Grondal shouted and charged again. There was no way he could allow this to end in a draw with some young punk — not with his pride.

Boom!

Their staff and halberd collided several more times.

Since neither of them often got to face opponents of this caliber, this was also a rare opportunity for both.

Bang! Bang! Boom!

As the fight intensified, those nearby stepped back to keep their distance. If they got caught up, they ★ 𝐍𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 ★ might be seriously injured by accident.

And frankly, it wasn’t a good look for the two of them to be fighting like this.

The six dwarf captains spoke with embarrassed expressions.

“Well... our king is a bit hot-headed... If he burns off some of that energy, he’ll come to his senses.”

From the Julien Mercenary Corps’ side, Lionel lowered his head slightly and replied as their representative.

“Our guy’s a madman too... Still, he should calm down soon.”

Thus, the others exchanged awkward looks and mutual understanding.

Even so, no one stepped in to stop them. Fights of this level were rare to witness.

Bang! Bang! Boom!

To be honest, if the two of them had been fighting at full power, the fortress would’ve collapsed by now. Fortunately, both were completely worn out.

Even the bit of strength they’d regained was quickly drained by the ongoing battle.

Eventually, both Grondal and Ghislain dropped their weapons, panting heavily.

“Oof... my bones...”

“Haah... this is insane.”

Both of them bent over, gasping for breath, hands on their knees. They no longer had the strength to hold their weapons.

But when it came to pride, these two had no rivals. Whoever said “let’s stop” first — that would be the same as admitting defeat.

Soon, the two of them started grappling and rolling on the floor.

“My fists are fists of iron! Feel the soul of the dwarves!”

“My first discipline was martial arts! Hrk? You said iron fists, but did you just pinch me?!”

Thwack! Thwack! Thwack!

Now completely drained, the two of them flailed their fists like lowly street thugs. It was embarrassing to watch.

And everyone knew exactly why two fighters of such skill were still going at it like this.

‘Their pride is insane.’

‘They’d rather die than lose.’

‘A battle of pride between two geniuses, huh.’

They were the type who wouldn’t stop unless someone physically pulled them apart.

Meanwhile, as they watched the exhausted Ghislain, both Osvald and Lionel had the exact same thought.

‘Right now... I could beat that bastard.’

Julien, Deneb, and Kyle weren’t around. This kind of opportunity didn’t come often.

But they didn’t dare act. Ereneth was standing right beside them, eyes narrowed and staring at the two.

As someone who handled spirit energy, her instincts were sharp. She could sense even a slight shift in mood.

And so, while those two idiots continued their scuffle, suddenly the door burst open and someone shouted as they entered.

“Father! I’m the one who stole Gramdir!”

The one who appeared was Torvalt, the man who had lost to Ghislain in a bet.

In fact, he was Grondal’s son — the prince of Vallscrum.

Hearing him suddenly say “Father,” Ghislain’s group turned to look at Torvalt, their eyes wide.

‘What? He’s his son? Then how old is he?’

‘He looks middle-aged, so it doesn’t seem like there’s much of a difference.’

‘Guess you really can’t judge people by appearances.’

They were finally coming to understand the lesson of Iralniel, the Elf High Chief.

After losing Gramdir, Torvalt had lingered around the Julien Mercenary Corps for days.

When they split up and checked into their lodgings, he secretly rummaged through their luggage.

— Why can’t I find it? Where did he hide it?

He even tried spying on Ghislain while he stood on a magic circle. But no matter how much he searched, he couldn’t find Gramdir.

Since it was in Ghislain’s subspace, there was no way Torvalt could find it.

Eventually, he learned that the Julien Mercenary Corps was helping the dwarves. He couldn’t miss it — dwarves were shouting about it everywhere.

Frightened, he had avoided the battle and headed for the fortress — to see his father, Grondal.

And there, he saw it.

Ghislain wielding Gramdir in battle against Rahmod.

— A-a-amazing!

He wanted to get closer, but didn’t dare. If he got caught in the fight, he might die.

So he could only watch from a distance.

After the battle ended, he made a decision in his heart.

— The rightful owner of Gramdir is that man!

He wasn’t the actual owner of the sword, but he decided it didn’t matter.

He was the heir to Vallscrum, and Gramdir would be his eventually anyway—so giving it away now was fine. That was his absurd logic.

After the battle, he covered his face and snuck into the fortress. His identity was quickly discovered, but no one made a fuss.

Partly because he was a prince, but mostly because Torvalt was already considered a scoundrel and a disgrace among the dwarves.

So, having followed Ghislain’s group, he appeared to clear up the misunderstanding when he realized a fight had broken out over Gramdir.

“Father! I gave Gramdir to him! So please stop now!”

“Whaaat?”

Grondal staggered to his feet. Ghislain was still lying down, gasping for air.

It was a clear display of which one had more ‘stamina’.

Though Ghislain felt slightly wronged—it wasn’t even his real body.

But Grondal wasn’t in any shape to savor his ‘victory’ either. With a twisted expression, he walked toward Torvalt. His steps were wobbly like he was drunk.

“So you’re telling me... the idiot who bet Gramdir away was you, Torvalt?”

“...Yes.”

“You disgraceful brat!”

Smack!

Grondal’s wide palm slammed into the top of Torvalt’s head.