The Final Match
In this male-dominated empire, a noble's prestige is measured by how masterfully he can tame women. Treat them with mere condescension and you're labeled a Minor Noble. But break them like lust-crazed beasts and raise them as obedient pets? That's the mark of a Grand Noble.
The Empress opened this tournament so she could take the champion as her husband.
At least, that's what she claimed. The truth was far simpler: she planned to win it all herself and safeguard her throne and dignity in one stroke.
She must think she's nearly there by now.
Yet here we stood—the Empress and I—at the final match of the very tournament she had created.
"So it comes down to you and me in the end."
Her long crimson hair was bound in a high tail that swayed behind her like a battle standard. Beautifully defined muscles and sun-bronzed skin announced her as a true warrior.
But—
"Empress, that declaration of yours hasn't changed, has it?"
The final victor shall be taken as my husband.
"...It has not."
She spoke the words slowly, as though each syllable cost her something. Though she fought to keep her body still, a faint flinch ran through her when she answered.
So even she fears this.
She couldn't possibly imagine losing. Still, the stakes were enormous. This single match threatened to strip away everything she held dear. No wonder her nerves were frayed.
A single droplet of sweat slid down the weapon clenched in her fist.
Her gaze had locked onto the wives standing at my side.
"Making them behave according to our noble customs isn't as simple as it looks, is it?"
My wives watched me with flushed cheeks and hungry eyes, their expressions dripping with open desire for their husband.
"......"
The Empress said nothing. She simply glared at me in silent accusation.
Only the final match remained.
"Right then. Shall we begin?"
-Waaaaaaaaah!!!
Beneath those thunderous cheers hid the Empress's unease.
If I lose this match, I'll become exactly like them.
If I lost, I could simply return to my life as a general. But the moment she tasted defeat, she would lose her title, her authority, her very dignity as Empress.
"Cassius Valerius."
She spoke just as I moved to step into the arena.
"I will never dance to your whims."
Her expression had never been more serious. I answered her with a relaxed smile.
"...Of course not, Your Majesty."
A true victor never wastes words.
-Waaaaaaaaah!
The crowd was already roaring with anticipation, eager to watch me break that arrogant Empress. By tomorrow, everything in this empire would be different.