Winter of the Cold Rose (12)
"Forfeit this duel."
"...Seraphina, what do you mean by that?"
He asked, unable to hide his bewilderment.
"Exactly what I said. I am telling you to forfeit your upcoming duel with Marc Visus."
"No, no, that's not what I'm asking. We've been training so hard together all this time. Why are you suddenly doing this?"
"...I have only now finally made up my mind."
"Don't say that. Both of us poured our blood, sweat, and tears into training every single day, looking forward to that day. And now you're telling me to give up? Before I even face him?"
"Your opponent is Marc Visus. He is the one who resolved the black mage terror attack at the academy entrance ceremony and the dungeon outbreak during the midterm evaluations."
"Since then, he has awakened an unrivaled talent, and now he has even become the disciple of my father, Regulus Serion."
"Soon, he will inherit the Serion swordsmanship and become someone no one in the academy—or even on this continent—can dare to challenge."
"...That is the man you are going to duel. There is no way you stand a chance."
"...Seraphina?"
"Do you need to hear more?"
The bewilderment on his face gradually darkened, ultimately settling into a cold, piercing gaze.
"Can you tell me the truth?"
"..."
"What happened yesterday?"
As expected, she couldn't convince or deceive him with just this.
"...Marc Visus came to see me."
"What did that bastard say to you?"
"He urged me to return to the family now. If I did, he said he would forgive all the insolence committed by both myself and you. That includes my actions against the family, as well as your interference in the duel."
"Keep talking."
"What more is there to say?"
"The Seraphina I know isn't someone who would let things slide over just that. There must have been something else. Am I wrong?"
"...Naturally, I refused his terms and crossed swords with him immediately after. And... naturally, I lost. Even though I used every technique I had honed during our special training."
"He hasn't been slacking either; his skills have grown even further. Once I realized that, I judged that you could never defeat him."
"...It might be a bit late, but wouldn't forfeiting now be best for both of us?"
Even after my explanation, he stared at me with a look that said he wasn't buying it.
He narrowed his eyes, as if peering straight into my mind.
"No, that's still not enough."
"When facing an opponent with absolutely no chance of victory, a way to resolve the matter has presented itself. Isn't it only right to choose that path? Why else would I urge you to forfeit?"
"Marc said he was going to do something to me, didn't he?"
My eyes widened in an instant.
His expression was his usual blank face—no, perhaps even colder and more composed. He hadn't even stuttered, leaving me completely at a loss as to how he had read me so easily.
"I knew it. Don't worry too much about how I figured it out."
"...It might sound unconvincing and a bit annoying, but somehow, I just had a feeling that you would try to stop me for that exact reason."
We haven't even spent that much time together.
Yet this man knows me so well.
What a truly frustrating man.
"...You are right. Marc Visus said he would crush you far beyond what is necessary for a duel."
"...He said he would break your limbs one by one, leaving you with permanent, lifelong injuries. He might not even stop there; he might take your life...! Or at best, leave you barely clinging to survival..."
"I see... So that bastard Marc... really said that..."
Hearing my words, he let out a heavy sigh, looking somewhat troubled.
Strangely, it didn't seem to stem from helplessness or worry about what would happen to him.
Rather than fearing what Marc would do to him, he seemed displeased by the very fact that Marc was planning such a thing—or perhaps, that someone like Marc was even daring to attempt it.
"Do you understand now? This is what the situation has come to. So please, I beg of you, forfeit."
"Seraphina..."
"From the very beginning, all of this stemmed from my own incompetence. Because I was not strong, because I lacked the skill and talent, I fell behind others."
"...And yet, unable to accept that fact, I struggled hideously, only making matters worse."
"That's not true."
"You bore absolutely no responsibility for this in the first place. There was never any reason for you to get involved."
"I told you before, about that..."
"I remember! I know you couldn't bring yourself to abandon me because you consider me a friend. I let it slide back then."
"But do you honestly think that is a proper answer? Not at all! We weren't even close to begin with, were we? Our departments were different, and our social standings were worlds apart. We were merely acquaintances who sparred a few times! Do you understand what I am trying to say?"
Without realizing it, my voice grew louder and more heated. It was as if I were pouring out all the resentment and frustration that had built up inside me.
"Are you truly prepared to risk your life without hesitation for someone you barely know? What if they approached you with ulterior motives, or looked down on you from the start? Right now, you are devoting yourself to someone just like that! Why on earth are you acting so foolishly?"
His eyes shone with a faint, distant light.
Just like before, it wasn't a look of pity. He simply seemed to find this entire situation deeply regrettable.
"You have your own life to live, don't you? Do not let yourself be dragged down by someone like me, who is merely sinking under the weight of her own karma. Just focus on the days ahead, and on your own happiness."
My voice gradually lost its strength, shifting from a frustrated shout to a tearful whimper.
Watching me break down, Rofel gently reached behind my back. He pulled me toward him, wrapping me in a warm embrace.
Even though I knew his actions were incredibly sudden and strange, my arms had already wrapped tightly around his waist before I could stop them.
...His embrace was, as always, warmer and more comforting than anywhere else in the world.
"...Please. I do not wish to trouble you any further... Haven't you already done your absolute best for me..?"
"This is more than enough. In fact, it is far more than I deserve... Letting you wash your hands of this matter is the only way I can repay you...."
"I know it is far too late... but please, let me return at least a fraction of what you have given me...!"
I pleaded with him, my voice trembling on the verge of tears.
Still holding me close, he gently stroked my hair, tilting my head up to face him.
"You already know what I'm thinking."
He wore a faint, bittersweet smile. It was that same foolishly kind smile he always showed me.
"I'm sorry. No matter what comes our way, I won't abandon you. It's not out of pity, nor is it out of sympathy."
"I've simply decided, on my own, that you are precious to me, and I want to help you."
"So, I won't forfeit. I can't give up on this duel. For your sake, and for mine."
...Right. I already knew he wouldn't be convinced by something like this.
The man holding me right now is absurdly reckless, yet more upright than anyone else.
"...In that case, draw your weapon."
I pushed him away, stepping back to create distance, and drew my greatsword.
Though I couldn't hide or control the emotions swirling across my face, I forced a solemn, resolute expression.
Seeing this, Rofel adjusted his stance, understanding my intent. He took the ready position he had shown me dozens, hundreds of times before.
"I lost to Marc yesterday. That overwhelming defeat clearly established the gap between us. If you cannot even defeat me, isn't the outcome of your duel with Marc already obvious?"
I roughly wiped away the tears pooling in the corners of my eyes and pointed my greatsword at him. There was not a shred of hesitation in my movement.
...I had no choice but to stoke the flames of my fighting spirit.
"...If you truly refuse to forfeit the duel with Marc, then come at me with everything you have. I will not hold back either; I will face you with all my strength."
"...So, please..."
As we both finalized our combat stances, a massive cloud of dust kicked up. The moment the duel began, we kicked off the ground, charging straight toward each other.
"Crush me without mercy."