To keep a secret that should not be revealed and smoothly get out of this difficult situation, I had to manage my expression well.

At the same time, I couldn’t neglect observing Aslin, who was always ready to close the distance between us with a single swift move.

‘She’s really beautiful.’

I swallowed my thoughts about the appearance of the bride standing confidently before me and scrutinized Aslin and her surroundings.

The grip on her shoulder and the massive sword in her hand, which seemed mismatched for her small frame, reflected the moonlight and dazzled with a blinding brilliance.

Despite being a weapon designed to take lives, the way the moonlight danced on the blade captivated everyone’s attention, highlighting its mesmerizing aspect.

But anyone ensnared by that enchanting allure and approached carelessly, like a moth to a flame, would meet their end in the morning dew of the battlefield.

I know this well. With that enormous sword ill-suited to her build, she cut down numerous formidable opponents and protected the empire from the monsters invading its increasingly vulnerable territories during the prolonged civil war.

Because of the reputation and notoriety she built, she was known not by a title that matched her beauty but as the “Sword Demon,” a name that emphasized her strength and infamy.

Honestly, given the terrifying figure she cuts on the battlefield, she deserves to be called “Sword Flower” instead.

When the new emperor bestowed the title of “Sword Demon” upon her, Aslin’s lack of reaction cemented this title both internally and externally as her official designation.

If she stood without that sword, countless butterflies would flock to her, intoxicated by her floral charm.

However, the sight of the Sword Demon with a large sword on her shoulder waiting for me radiated a beauty and danger that would repel those butterflies.

Whether she knew my mind was racing with various thoughts as I looked at her or not,

“There’s nowhere to run, so just stay put. I don’t want to hear any gossip from chasing you around.”

As her voice, intended to halt my attempts to escape, provoked me, I found myself observing her more closely beyond my surroundings.

Her blue hair, unique to the members of the Sword Saint family, representing the empire’s finest swordsmanship.

Her neatly arranged features, highlighted by her green eyes contrasting her hair, made her stand out not as the strongest swordswoman but as the empire’s greatest beauty.

However, her seemingly delicate exterior hid a body honed through rigorous training, whose presence was evident even through her uniform, making her impossible to simply label as beautiful.

Her expressionless face, which belied her pretty features, only heightened the intimidation she exuded.

If not for the sword in her hand, or even with it, her appearance naturally evoked a sense of beauty rather than sharpness.

I suppose I should start by breaking that stoic expression?

“If you put down that sword, I won’t run. How about it?”

“…You’re the first.”

As she responded firmly to my desperate attempt to lighten the situation and took a step closer, her once expressionless face grew even colder.

…Ah, maybe I should’ve just kept my mouth shut.

As I watched Aslin closing the distance between us, I pushed away all the negative thoughts swirling in my mind.

For the first time, her expressionless face softened, replaced by a slight frown.

It wasn’t exactly anger, as it lacked intensity, nor was it disappointment, as it seemed too shallow for that.

“You’re the first groom in our family’s history to flee from a wedding night duel with the bride.”

With every word she spoke, Aslin’s rising emotions were clearly evident as anger, even without her frown.

And the problem was that her anger was directed at me.

...Is this something to be so angry about?

I’d heard rumors that when someone from the House of Caladbolg takes a spouse, they duel on the first night.

Even so, I thought it was inappropriate to engage in such a duel in that place, so I slipped away.

Yet, Aslin’s expression, as she approached me, emphasized that my actions were seen as a disrespectful act towards her.

No, this is more than a political marriage; it’s practically a form of abduction.

The purpose of integrating me, the last surviving practitioner of swordsmanship from the Sword Duke, into the family was to extinguish the lineage of the Sword Duke House, leaving only the Sword Spirit House.

They planned a formal marriage only to either destroy my mana core, rendering me incapable of wielding a sword again, or to take my life.

And now she’s this furious because I evaded the wedding night?

They’re going to kill me anyway; they should at least let me enjoy some time. Isn’t it too much to start this on the first night?

“I already told you, I really hate fighting with swords where I’m supposed to end the day.”

Suppressing my dissatisfaction, I tried to brush off Aslin’s icy gaze and steps with forced light-heartedness.

“...”

Although she paused her steps momentarily, the coldness in her eyes remained unchanged, indicating my efforts were ineffective.

Hmm, this is problematic.

My mind was racing with various ideas to defuse the situation, blossoming and withering like flowers.

However, these thoughts were useless, discarded as quickly as they emerged, leading to another futile idea.

I considered kneeling and pretending to be humble to calm her anger or boldly shouting, “I’ll take the duel!” and stepping forward, but these impractical thoughts were swiftly rejected.

In peak condition, I might have been able to face her formidable sword skills without winning but also without losing. Unfortunately, I was still recovering from wounds sustained in the final battle of the succession war.

If it were just external injuries, I could endure them by fortifying my body with aura. But regrettably, the wounds from the end of the civil war were internal.

The core needed to store mana within my body and convert it into superhuman aura was slightly damaged.

This internal injury, though not significantly hindering daily life, was a considerable setback.

Before my core was fully restored, not only was it impossible to store mana collected through my breathing technique, but even converting the faint mana preserved in my broken core into aura was beyond reach.

Receiving the transcendent sword strikes from the supreme swordswoman who inherited the Sword Spirit lineage was nearly impossible.

If it were just once or twice, I might have been able to deflect them with innate skill or counterattack by exploiting the brief openings revealed in their large movements.

But such efforts would be limited to only a few instances. Facing an unfatigued superhuman who wields their sword tirelessly on that hellish battlefield, I could not even dream of a prolonged fight.

Thud-!!

The sound of footsteps shattered my train of thought, drawing closer with each step.

It wasn’t a misperception to consider this sound as Aslin’s anger directed at me, standing still and doing nothing.

Seeing her standing there, poised with her sword drawn, made it clear that a duel with her was unavoidable.

‘How many exchanges can I endure?’

My mind naturally began calculating how many of her strikes I could withstand.

With each step she took closer, I thought of a surprise attack to overcome the unfavorable situation but dismissed it as absurd.

As she took another step closer, I entertained the idea of making a pitiful surrender to pass the moment, but this too was quickly dismissed.

Perhaps it was the realization that I inherited the blood of a Duke, becoming clearer as time passed.

Or maybe it was my twin brother’s plea to save my life at the cost of his own that lingered in my mind, telling me not to bow my head or knees to anyone from the Sword Spirit lineage.

I was tormented by an inner voice, growing stronger, that might have been an illusion, urging me not to kneel before anyone.

“If that’s the case….”

Aslin’s words, chilling as the night air, even felt like a warm breeze compared to her icy tone as she closed the distance between us, radiating an intimidating presence that made my unhealed internal wounds quiver.

…What should I do? Avoiding her might not be hard, but if I do, it won’t end well.

For now, I decided to focus on what she would say and then think about what to do next.

I steeled myself, concentrating on every move Aslin made as she slowly approached me.

I prepared to dodge if she decided to swing her sword without further words, though I couldn’t counterattack.

But, contrary to my preparations, as she reached the distance where a single sword swing could obliterate my upper body,

“Does this mean we can finish our duel if we change the location?”

Her curious question was the first thing I heard from her as we faced each other.

“…Y-Yes, that’s right.”

My reply stuttered out of my mouth, beyond my control.

‘You idiot! Just because her tone softened, you can’t just agree like that!’

Despite my internal screams echoing in my mind, Aslin’s expression softened, and her lips curled gently.

She genuinely seemed relieved, not just saying it for show, which left me bewildered.

It had been a long time since I felt this flustered.

Not since I saw my twin brother, Endymion’s joyful reaction upon seeing my face through the shattered iron mask that inadvertently protected him,

- “I have a twin brother who shares my blood....”

Instead of expressing rightful anger or disgust, he was genuinely happy. Since then, I hadn’t felt such bewilderment.

Seeing warmth gradually fill the Sword Demon’s expression, I realized this bewilderment would likely become the most memorable moment in my recollection.