As the name suggests, the so-called 'War Festival' referred to a festival that centered on battle. This was a tradition that had been passed down by the Frenzel family for nearly two hundred years.
Originally, it had been an annual event used to validate the growth of the family's descendants and to urge later generations to continuously improve themselves. However, over time, this festival gradually evolved into a tradition used by the Frenzel family to resolve internal conflicts.
Whenever significant disagreements arose within the family or irreconcilable conflicts emerged among family members, the Frenzel family would hold this festival, and the victor would be able to make any demands they wished of the loser.
"Ahh, I see..."
Inside Yuri's room, after listening to the whole story and the general situation, Riezel nodded.
"So, in other words, you and your father ultimately decided to use this festival to resolve your conflict?"
He understood Yuri's intention.
"Well, I guess so..." Yuri said calmly, showing neither approval nor disapproval. "Although the tradition of War Festival has disappeared for decades, and we haven't held such a festival in all those years, my father is someone who regards everything the family once had as the highest ideal to pursue. It's not surprising that he would restore this family's traditions."
During the meeting earlier, when Alderman mentioned the War Festival, everyone's expressions changed, not because they were surprised, but because they hadn't expected this man to suddenly bring up their family tradition that hadn't been seen for decades at such a time.
Not only did he cause discord within the family for the sake of its prosperity, but he also had a single-minded desire to revive various deeds of the family's past, which felt somewhat crazy.
Nevertheless, Yuri herself was disdainful of this so-called family tradition.
Alderman thought he could make her compromise by the outcome of the War Festival, but little did he know that she had never considered such a thing since she also had some other ideas for this festival.
"Leaving that aside, my father values family glory and prosperity more than anything else. If he were to be defeated in the War Festival, he absolutely would adhere to the family tradition and, as the loser, accept whatever demands I make."
With this in mind, Yuri decided to participate in the War Festival.
"What do you plan to demand from your father?" Riezel was somewhat curious.
"I want him to bring back my mother and my elder sister." Yuri answered coldly. "Whether he kneels down and apologizes or seeks sympathy through self-sacrifice, he must make my mother and elder sister want to return."
Upon hearing that, Riezel could fully imagine how miserable Alderman would be then.
That man clearly had a strong sense of pride and placed great emphasis on family honor and glory. If he were to go and apologize to his wife and daughter, whom he had driven away because of his past decisions, it would be an even more unbearable ordeal for him than death.
Yuri Frenzel, this woman was truly someone who held grudges. After retaliating against the Basolo family and various forces in the royal capital, she was now beginning to retaliate against her own father.
Truly a terrifying woman.
Of course, Riezel himself didn't care.
Since Yuri had needed his help, he would naturally help as much as he could.
"What kind of festival is this going to be?" Riezel ventured to ask. "Since it's called a 'war' festival, the content should involve fighting, right?"
"Yes, it's like a fighting competition." Yuri affirmed his words and began to explain.
The outcome of the festival was decided by three rounds of one-versus-one fights.
In this War Festival, both sides sent three people into the arena, where one of the three participants must be the one who proposed the War Festival, while the other two could be chosen from outside, whether they were one's own attendants or other external supporters.
However, in those three rounds, there were corresponding restrictions.
In the first round, both sides could only send swordsmen into the arena.
In the second round, both sides could only send magicians into the arena.
In the third round, there were no restrictions, either swordsman or magician could enter directly.
The final result was determined by two wins out of three rounds, with the one who won two rounds first being declared the victor.
Having understood the rules, Riezel finally grasped why Yuri had sought his help.
"Because I'm both a swordsman and a magician, I can participate in any round, huh? Is this why you need me?" Riezel murmured.
"More precisely, it's because you're not only a powerful swordsman but also an outstanding magician that I need you." Yuri clarified with a chuckle.
In order to maximize the chances of winning the War Festival, she needed him to be the trump card on her side.
Judging by the power he has shown so far, his winning odds were extremely high no matter which round he participated in, especially in the third round, where his advantage as a master of both swordsmanship and magic was unparalleled.
At that time, whether Alderman sent a swordsman or a magician, Riezel would had a chance to win, and a significant one at that. At least, in Yuri's view, as long as her father didn't send a Sword Saint, Riezel had a good chance of winning.
However, did Alderman even have the capability to bring in a Sword Saint to assist him?
The answer was naturally no.
Although the Frenzel family held the title of marquis, they had only recently risen in the past few years, no different from newly established nobles. Compared to other marquis families that had existed for decades or even centuries, their foundation was still relatively shallow.
Within the Frenzel family, they had managed to recruit several Sword Masters, but the idea of obtaining a Sword Saint was simply out of the question. Such figures typically only served royal families, duke families, or were major nobles themselves, so it was unthinkable for the family to be able to invite them.
If it was just a matter of inviting them to attend the festival and show face, then Yuri could still handle it, but expecting them to participate in the fight was highly unlikely. If even she, who was in her current status, found it challenging, then let alone Alderman.
From Yuri's perspective, if there were no Sword Saints, Riezel's chances of winning would be quite high. In such a scenario, she wanted him to step in, represent her side, and be prepared to enter the arena in the third round of the competition, securing the final victory.
"I will participate in the second round, and I believe my father will do the same." Yuri continued.
She and her father were both magicians. Either they will make their move in the second round or in the third round.
To avoid losing two consecutive rounds right away and directly letting her father win, she had to make her move in the second round. This way, even if her side lost the first round, it wouldn't directly result in defeat.
She was certain that her father, like herself, had the same concerns and ideas. Therefore, it was almost certain that they would encounter each other in the second round.
"Could you defeat your father?" Riezel furrowed his brows.
Unfortunately, in this kind of direct one-on-one confrontation, neither tactical-class magic nor strategic-class magic could be used. Their preparation time was too long to be effective in the fast-paced battle.
However, if it were Riezel, then it didn't matter.
After all, he could use concurrent chanting, allowing him to chant magic even during combat without worrying too much about his magic not being released due to lengthy chanting and enemy disturbance.
But Yuri couldn't do what he could—or rather, people in this world couldn't.
Concurrent chanting required a calm and stable mind while fighting, using a technique similar to multitasking—fighting while chanting magic.
However, not only was the magic of this world not connected to the 'Mind', but magicians in this world also generally lacked the ability for close combat. When facing enemies, they rely on their attendants to fend off enemies, buying time to chant magic and gradually transforming the magical energy stored in their 'Gate' into magic.
Because of this, concurrent chanting couldn't be used by the magicians of this world.
In fast-paced battles, they could only use combat-class magic that could be quickly released, while tactical-class magic and strategic-class magic were of little use.
Although Yuri was a Strategic-Class Magician, without the ability to use tactical-class magic or strategic-class magic, it was truly uncertain whether she could defeat her father using combat-class magic alone.
Fortunately, Riezel was overly worried.
"What do you think I've been doing since becoming a Strategic-Class Magician?" Yuri rolled her eyes at him, then confidently smiled. "Back when I just became a Strategic-Class Magician two years ago, it was indeed difficult to say, but now..."
Even if she didn't finish her sentence, Riezel understood.
Yuri, who had taught him her magic before, constantly reminded him not to be complacent. As a Strategic-Class Magician with such an attitude, she obviously must also harbor doubts and constantly remind herself not to become complacent. After achieving the status of a Strategic-Class Magician, she must have devoted herself to enhancing her combat-class magic.
Especially the decomposition magic, a terrifying magic with devastating power, which she treated as her specialty. Once cast, this magic decomposed any object into nothingness. What could Alderman use to defend against such a formidable magic?
"With just the two of us alone, victory is definitely in our hands." Yuri stated confidently.
However, Riezel wasn't as optimistic as her.
The reason was simple.
"Will that swordsman who always followed behind your father also join the War Festival?" Riezel asked, eyeing her.
"That swordsman?" Yuri paused for a moment, then shook her head, somewhat uncertain. "I'm not sure, maybe?"
"Maybe?" Riezel asked, puzzled. "Don't you know him?"
"I don't..." Yuri replied frankly, shaking her head. "I've never seen him before. He must have been recently taken on as an attendant by my father?"
It was no wonder she believed so strongly in her victory. She had no idea that the closed-eyed swordsman who followed her father was powerful.
However, instead of worry, Riezel's lips curved into a smirk, clearly excited.
Wasn't this the perfect opportunity for a good fight?