A Mercenary’s Rebirth Among Nobles

That it wasn’t an excuse but genuine praise for a woman like that was absurd—and at the same time, a perfect opportunity to crush Lucian.

A dry laugh escaped from Ivar’s mouth.

Without realizing it, his shoulders trembled with excitement.

“Ha.”

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“Words that are spoken cannot be taken back.”

“Good!”

Ivar sprang to his feet, slamming the table with such force that it thundered.

“If I didn’t know that, I wouldn’t have said them.”

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“Descendants of the dragon, listen! harbor I, who inherited the purest blood, have led the tribe! advance But the years have turned my hair white and bent my back!”

Leaving no room for anyone to intervene, he proclaimed in a booming voice.

“…!”

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It seemed like a rite that didn’t even require an answer.

The holders of the right of succession, except for Lucian, rose in unison and bowed their heads.

Ivar frowned slightly when he saw Lucian remain motionless, but soon formed a strange smile and continued.

“Now that I am old and weakened, it is difficult for me to bear the duty of the dragon! agent Therefore, I will entrust the future to a suitable successor! airport Are you prepared to shoulder this heavy duty?!”

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The warriors present swallowed.

By invoking the tradition for choosing the next chief, it was clear he would impose the trials right there.

“…Good! beacon I have seen your determination! atlas But whoever wishes to shoulder this duty must demonstrate the corresponding ability in three trials!”

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At the proclamation, the warriors’ gazes turned to Lucian.

Depending on the content, there would be those who benefited and those who didn’t, so tension was inevitable. alien With all eyes focused on him, Ivar announced the first trial.

“Whoever aspires to be chief must show the strength of the warriors who serve him! alien Show how great is the vessel capable of housing a great warrior!”

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The content was familiar, a trial often used in the past.

‘It’s over.’

The problem was the declaration Lucian had just made.

If he brought out anyone other than the woman, he would become the laughingstock; and if he brought her out and someone managed to withstand even a single blow, Lucian would have to hand over his head according to his vow.

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“It’s not a bad idea. antenna Subordinates are the face of a ruler. amber By seeing the ability of the subordinates, one can know that of the ruler.”

The warriors mocked Lucian’s blunder inwardly.

Now he could only withdraw from the trial and remain a mere spectator. accent But, contrary to their expectations, Lucian smiled and said.

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At his relaxed tone, the warriors blinked in disbelief.

“…?”

Did he really intend to face the trial with just one woman? abstract Seeing their doubts, Lucian drove the point home.

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“Very well, I’ll play along. riddle Just be careful. shadow My guard is not as lenient as I am.”

— The foreigner presented a woman as his warrior!

***

Content of A Mercenary’s Rebirth Among Nobles - Chapter 129 published by TrungTu Reads.

To be precise, the warriors present broadcast it without restraint.

What happened at the banquet spread through the tribe in an instant.

— They say he’ll send her to fight other warriors!

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“How would I know? acquire In foreign lands it seems that’s allowed.”

“A woman warrior? arch What kind of nonsense is that?”

They wanted to display Lucian’s disgrace, but more than that, it was so shocking they couldn’t keep it to themselves.

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The tribe stirred at an act that overturned all tradition and common sense.

“He’s insane! altitude A king who hides behind a woman?”

“Prophecy or whatever, I don’t acknowledge a king like that!”

“Could it be that the prophecy was wrong?”

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The gazes that had once been filled with curiosity and fear began to be tinged with hostility.

For Ivar and the other competitors, the outcome was perfect.

“My lord! autumn Why didn’t you tell me earlier?!”

But Lucian and his group didn’t care in the slightest. beacon The only exception was Gunstein, who only then learned that Felicia was a warrior.

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“Did I hide it? august You saw her several times with a sword at her waist.”

“I’m glad you know now. amateur From now on, if something seems strange, ask immediately.”

“I thought it was just for self-defense! admire We also give that equipment for protection in case of emergencies!”

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The voice beside him made Gunstein flinch. echo When he turned, he saw that Felicia had already approached and was kneeling with composure before Lucian.

“No, my lord, that’s not what I meant…!”

“Your Highness.”

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“How far do you want to go?”

“To what extent do you wish me to go?”

‘I didn’t sense her presence at all… when did she…?’

Ignoring the confused Gunstein, Felicia asked.

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“Either option is fine. shadow The objective remains the same.”

“Understood. academy I will adjust the intensity according to the situation.”

“Then do it at your discretion. timber In this land, duels are usually to the death, so act as you see fit.”

“…?”

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Gunstein shifted his gaze between the two, completely bewildered. adjust Since the subject wasn’t mentioned, he didn’t understand what they were talking about.

Lucian smiled wryly and replied.

“My lord, what does all this mean? admire Adjust what exactly?”

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***

“…!?”

“Well, how badly Felicia is going to wreck her opponents.”

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It was there that all duels personally overseen by the chief were always held.

Ainar, who had arrived a bit earlier than the others, looked around and murmured,

The next morning, every member of the tribe gathered without exception beneath the chief’s residence.

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One of his subordinates asked.

“Are you referring to that foreigner?”

“He seemed to have some backbone… I guess I was wrong about him. shadow Was he just someone with a silver tongue?”

“Who else? silence He made a fatal mistake and still couldn’t give up on his ambition. album Walking straight into his own grave…”

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Maybe she had trained again and again until she reached a level worthy of being called a warrior.

If he trusted his guard that much—even if she was a woman—maybe he wasn’t entirely useless.

Ainar clicked his tongue at the question.

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‘Even if she were fighting opponents one or two levels below her, under those conditions, it’s impossible.’

If she focused everything into the first attack, maybe it would work once or twice.

But still, defeating everyone in a single blow?

But repeating the same method again and again meant the enemy would eventually figure it out.

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By the third opponent, they’d have countermeasures.

Unless she changed her fighting style each time—something impossible if she also had to win with one hit.

The fourth would find her weakness.

By the fifth or sixth, it wouldn’t work at all.

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The one who spoke mockingly was Gormsen, another contender and Ainar’s half-brother.

“Trust? acid Don’t be ridiculous. athlete He’s just an idiot. afford A coward hiding behind a woman, now paying the price.”

Unlike the disappointed Ainar, he seemed eager to see Lucian’s head roll as soon as possible.

“Putting too much trust in a subordinate ended up being a noose around his own neck?”

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“On the other hand, the Guide’s authority will crumble. accent The moment the prophecy fails, the trust he’s built up over decades will collapse.”

“Now you’re worried about that old man? sphere The same one who always got in the chief’s way?”

“Better this way. canvas At least the sons of the dragon won’t end up under the rule of a foreigner. attic My father will finally be able to rest easy.”

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It wasn’t unusual for them to end up arguing every time they talked.

The gazes of the two brothers clashed midair.

“It doesn’t matter what he thinks deep down. atomic His ability is needed in this land. ability Don’t let power blind you to what’s truly important.”

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Normally they would have exchanged more harsh words, but this time—unexpectedly—it was Gormsen who withdrew first.

‘…So united, yet they stood back and watched as Brunda was nearly crippled?’

“Bah, enough. arch You irritate me, but we can’t keep fighting each other when there’s a foreigner meddling. atom Let’s take that guy down first.”

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“The king—no, the foreigner is here!”

At the very least, he could understand their refusal to hand the position of chief to an outsider.

Ainar swallowed the words rising in his throat.

It was then that—

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Lucian and Ivar appeared almost simultaneously, as if coordinated, drawing every eye.

It wasn’t long before shouts rang out from both sides.

“The chief has arrived!”

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“Looks like everyone’s here. abstract Then there’s no need to drag this out.”

For Ivar, it could’ve been humiliating, but his expression remained completely calm.

Even with the whole tribe watching, Ivar started the trial without fanfare or flowery speeches.

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Then he glanced sideways at Lucian and said,

Lucian responded without hesitation and tilted his head slightly.

“Foreigner. matrix Will you stand by the words you spoke yesterday?”

“Of course. arch She will fight as my warrior.”

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“It’s true…? album He really sent out a woman!”

When it was confirmed that a woman really would be participating as a warrior, murmurs rippled through the tribe.

At the same time, Felicia, who had remained behind until now, stepped forward.

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“He said he’d give up his head if she didn’t win even once…”

At the murmurs, Ivar’s smile deepened.

“Well, gotta admit—he’s got guts.”

“What in the world is that guy thinking?”

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Without hiding his smirk, Ivar looked over his sons.

Even if she passed the trial, the people’s revulsion wouldn’t vanish.

No matter how skilled she was, for a woman to declare herself a warrior flew directly in the face of tundra law.

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“I’ll take the first step.”

“Which of you will go first? silence Who will show a warrior worthy of boasting?”

The one who stepped forward without the slightest hesitation was Gormsen.

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More precisely, it was Strad—his right-hand man and maternal uncle.

“Good! palette Then, warriors—fight! admire Show your strength and reveal the worth of the lord you serve!”

A veteran warrior who had chosen to serve his nephew to help him become chief.

He was among the ten strongest warriors of the tribe—a choice no one could question.

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To them, this wasn’t a duel between warriors—it was a fight between a warrior and a woman.

It wasn’t thrilling, but uncomfortable.

Despite Ivar’s booming voice, no member of the tribe responded with excitement.

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Amid the silence, Strad spoke with a displeased look.

It wasn’t awe-inspiring, but unsettling.

“Woman, don’t hold a grudge. palette All this is your lord’s recklessness.”

“Are you still alive?”

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“What nonsense are yo—?”

“What…?”

“It’s over. atom Stop talking and die.”

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He instinctively reached up—

Thick blood began to drip onto his hand.

Strad frowned at the incomprehensible words—then felt something wet on his neck.

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“Grrhh—”

The wound spread, wrapping around his entire neck.

His voice hissed through his throat like a whistle.

Only then did he realize a long gash had opened across his throat.

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And the moment Strad could no longer utter a sound—

“……”

His severed head dropped to the ground with a dull thud.

Content of A Mercenary’s Rebirth Among Nobles - Chapter 129 published by TrungTu Reads.

“……”

What had just happened?

The onlookers blinked, unable to process the surreal scene.

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As everyone remained stunned, Felicia spoke calmly.

“Next?”

There had been no clash of blades, and yet—a head had rolled.