I’m Looking for the Male Lead for the Ending - Chapter 27

Chapter 14.2

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As Grand Duke Kaisian appeared on the stage, people quickly figured out his identity. The unexpected appearance of the figure brought excited voices from all corners of the stadium.

“Is that really Grand Duke Kaisian? Are you really not mistaking him for someone else?”

“It’s definitely him! I saw the Grand Duke himself applying for participation in person at the registration desk!”

“W-Wait, why did he suddenly decide to participate in the competition? He wasn’t originally supposed to join, right?”

“Well, I don’t know! Anyway, this year is going to be very exciting! People are already going crazy trying to predict who will be the winner between Young Lord Aidelis and Grand Duke Kaisian!”

“Ha, really. I never thought I’d witness a duel between the Grand Duke and Young Lord with my own eyes.”

The trumpet sounded, signaling the start of the match, but it was futile to calm down the already excited crowd. However, as the match began, even those who had been chattering away and predicting the outcome fell silent, surprised by what unfolded on the stage.

“….”

Clang.

As the sword, which had been swirling through the air, landed on the stone floor with a somewhat dull sound, the stadium fell silent.

People had a stunned expression as if they couldn’t believe what they had just witnessed. Even the judge, still dumbfounded by the sudden turn of events, belatedly announced that the Grand Duke had won.

Only upon hearing the judge’s voice declaring his victory did the Grand Duke raise the sword that had been aimed at his opponent’s neck. The opponent, a commoner contestant who had faced him, collapsed onto the ground as if his legs had given out.

People, who had been watching while holding their breath until they saw the Grand Duke descending the stage, erupted into cheers. Applause and whistles rang out as if those sounds were about to leave the stadium.

The two people, who had been watching him dumbfoundedly, subconsciously released the breath they didn’t even realize they had been holding.

“W-What on earth just happened?”

Fortunately, it seemed they weren’t the only ones who were confused. The voices of the buzzing crowd also carried a deep sense of confusion. It was understandable because the Grand Duke, who had been standing quite far away from the man, abruptly aimed his sword at the opponent’s neck in the blink of an eye.

“D-Did you see that?”

“It happened so quickly that I couldn’t see it exactly…”

“Whoo. Honestly, I’ve heard that the Grand Duke is skilled, but I never expected him to be this impressive.”

“…I feel the same way. Not long ago, when they said that those guarding the borders were able to repel invasions from outsiders all thanks to the Grand Duke’s efforts, I thought it might have been exaggerated…”

“….”

“But after watching the match just now, it seems even those words may not fully capture His Highness’s skill.”

The man opened and closed his mouth several times as though he was unable to believe what had just happened. As he swallowed his saliva, he glanced around to check for his surroundings and spoke to the group in a lowered voice.

“Ma, maybe it’s just my giddiness to say this…”

“….”

“But I have a feeling that the winner of this year’s tournament might change.”

The group looked around nervously in response to the man’s murmuring. As excited words began to pour out from the people’s mouths, laughter erupted soon after.

Certainly.

The group also nodded in agreement with his opinion.

‘He really won…’

As my ears were ringing with the excitement of the crowd, cold sweat broke out on my hands from witnessing the match in person. I glanced away, trying to keep my expression from crumbling with anticipation.

I could see my father’s fists shaking with anger.

“…That sly b*stard! It must be intentional. There’s no doubt he purposely waited until the very last moment to apply for participation in the competition, trying to get the upper hand from Aidelis.”

Saying so, he forcefully slammed the armrest of his chair, making a loud sound. Anger and anxiety flashed in my father’s eyes.

When I saw that, I was confident that the answer I had chosen a moment ago wasn’t wrong.

‘Father knows how to handle a sword. So for him to be so uneasy, it means that the Grand Duke Kaisian’s skill must be comparable to Heron’s or even surpass it.’

My lips became dry from nervousness.

If he truly wins this tournament, it would be clear evidence that my life, which had been rolling on the same without the slightest change, was starting to change differently.

‘Maybe this time…’

With anticipation, I clenched the lapis lazuli brooch, trying to steady my thumping heart.

My gaze involuntarily shifted towards the stage.

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