Chapter 31
Translator: penny
Chapter: 30
Chapter Title: Duel
After treating Fluffy, I collapsed into bed as if passing out and woke up to find that the day of the duel had already dawned.
"Young Master, are you really okay?"
"The duel is just a few hours away..."
"Duels in Belverk aren't child's play, you know? They're life-or-death battles..."
I rubbed my sleepy eyes, still half-asleep and yawning, then flashed a quiet smile at the barrage of questions from the maids who had sneaked into the room after gauging my mood.
"...Heehee, I'm fine."
Strictly speaking, last night's gamble was a desperate attempt, but I had something to rely on, of course.
"I'll flatten the Captain's smug nose!"
The system message floating before my eyes was backing up my confidence.
Recommended solution: Just do things the way you've always done.
At the very least, the system messages had never lied to me so far.
That meant my plan for this time was, fortunately, the right answer.
"You look brimming with confidence, which is a relief, but there's one thing to watch out for."
Seeing my confident expression, some reassuring info suddenly came from the maids, who seemed a bit relieved.
"Do you know why someone of the First Knight Captain's stature is still a spinster who's never even met a man?"
Now that I thought about it, I was a little curious. Despite the large scar over one eye, the First Knight Captain had quite a refined appearance.
"...Well, rumor has it she made a vow on her name when she was young?"
"...?"
"The story goes that in the heat of youth, she swore to marry whoever could defeat her."
No way. This felt like a setup I'd seen in my past life. Had this become a cliché at some point too?
"She ignores men even though she's of marriageable age, so it must be true."
"Maybe she'd lose on purpose if a cute guy came at her... Ugh, gives me chills."
"Win or lose, it's trouble either way. What about our adorable Young Master..."
But listening further, it seemed like the maids' rumors were a bit far from the truth. This is why you need to hear both sides.
"Stop teasing and get out."
"Oh my, so spirited."
"Ahh, Young Master is too strong~"
I pushed the backs of the maids spreading fake news in front of me, and they giggled happily as they let themselves be shoved out.
Lately, everyone seemed to see me not as a dignified heir but as some mascot. I should probably discipline them soon.
"Sigh."
With that thought, as I returned to bed to prepare for the duel starting in a few hours—
"Chirp!"
"Huh?"
Suddenly, a familiar bird's cry came from the window ledge.
"Peep!"
Thinking I might have misheard like last time, I turned and spotted Peep perched there, widening my eyes and approaching.
"What brings you here... Ow! Ouch?"
But Peep, who had been glaring quietly, suddenly started pecking my hand wildly.
I stumbled back in a fluster, and Peep flew to my shoulder, still glaring with an unsatisfied look.
"This is... a letter?"
Scratching my head and eyeing Peep cautiously, I finally noticed the note in its beak and carefully took it.
[Wishing you great results in the duel.]
The note had the same short, concise encouragement in the same handwriting as the contract from the debutante ball.
"You brought a letter from the Imperial Princess!"
"...Chirp."
"Heehee, thank you!"
Though I'd received plenty of cheers in the mansion, getting one from the heroine herself was different.
I'd worried she might dislike me after our abrupt parting without proper goodbyes, but thankfully, she was keeping in touch via Peep.
"I wonder how the Princess is doing these days."
Grinning at the unbroken connection with the heroine, I murmured softly.
I didn't know much, but if she didn't even have a name, she was probably living a marginalized life like I had before.
Did that mean her only friends were Peep and me right now? That was a bit sad.
"...I want to see her again."
For the promise to give her a name, I wanted to meet again someday—but when would that be?
"Ow? Why this time?"
Lost in thought, Peep suddenly started pecking my cheek with its beak.
It seemed a bit shy this time, unlike before, but I couldn't keep tolerating this.
"This won't do. Time for some training."
"...!?"
"Heehee, come here."
Resolved to correct Peep's bad habits this time, I snatched it from my shoulder mid-peck in a blink.
"Bad bird, or not bad?"
"...!!!"
"You can't just peck people randomly. Got it?"
I wrapped it in my hands, petting vigorously with a stern face. Peep froze, looking utterly flustered.
"So from now on... Gah?"
Suddenly, it slipped free and charged into my chest.
"...Ow ow."
"Chirp!!!"
"Naughty bird! Come back!"
Before I could reach again, Peep flapped irritably and zipped out the window.
"I've thought this since way back, but it's one feisty bird..."
Peep perched on a branch out of reach, glaring with fiery eyes. I couldn't help but sigh.
"...It could take after its owner a bit more."
If it had the Princess's cool, gentle personality, how nice would that be? From now on, no more Peep—Naughty Bird it is.
Leaving Peep on the branch behind, I finished preparations. As the duel time arrived, I headed out of the mansion with Schwarz.
"Young Master, fighting~!"
"You got this, you got this!"
"We're watching over you!"
The maids lined up outside held handmade banners cheering me on.
Banners read things like 'Young Master Fighting!' and 'Down with the Knights!', covered in doodles of me defeating the Captain.
Were these really Belverk's black mages who could stop crying kids? Hard to believe until I saw it myself.
"Hey, who are we even cheering for?"
"...Play it smart."
"Haa... What a mess."
Nearby, in the makeshift duel arena in the garden, members of the First Knight Order who'd grown friendly with me had gathered.
I felt a bit sorry for dragging them in, but now that it was here, I couldn't back down.
"...Really going through with it, you idiot."
As I steeled myself, Lilien sidled up, her voice full of irritation.
"Hey, forfeit now. Before you get hurt..."
"Did you come to cheer me on?"
"...Fuck. No. Just passing by?"
Despite her words, after cursing, she headed between the maids and knights' seats.
"......"
I watched warmly, then averted my gaze.
My mother, Duchess Astridje, stood expressionless beside Lilien.
'...Is she angry after all?'
Unlike unspoken rules like no heir interference or personal maids, 'duels' were official Belverk regulations.
That's why I hadn't seen Mother all week—to avoid any possible aid.
Even if possible, I'd decline. This time, I wanted victory through my own power and effort.
"Young Master."
As I stood confidently in the arena waiting, Schwarz approached and whispered.
"I just checked the cage. There's a problem."
"Huh?"
I'd sent her to check on Fluffy's condition—what now?
"The Forest Lord and her pups are gone."
"...What?"
"The servitude scroll is missing too."
I tilted my head puzzled, then froze at Schwarz's urgent report.
"Wha... wha..."
Fluffy and the pups gone? Why? By my calculations, they should still be there.
"...Is this part of your plan too, Young Master?"
Breaking a sweat at the unexpected turn, Schwarz leaned in with her pitch-black eyes.
"Y-Yeah! It is. My plan."
"...Really?"
"Sch-Schwarz. Don't you trust me?"
Of course, I couldn't show doubt now, so I thumped my chest and smiled.
"If you say so, Young Master..."
Schwarz stared long, then bowed with a faint smile and stepped back.
- Thud, thud...
The next instant, footsteps approached from ahead.
"......"
The First Knight Captain, in light armor instead of her usual plate, strode across the arena with a chilling aura.
"...H-Hi!"
She stood silently before me, so after glancing around, I greeted her as bravely as possible.
"No need for a weapon?"
Ignoring my greeting, she eyed me coldly before asking.
"N-No need."
"Better not get cocky."
"I-I can beat you without a weapon!"
Tension peaked as the duel neared, but I shouted to boost my momentum.
"...Very well."
The Captain nodded quietly, drew her sword from her waist, and her eyes gleamed.
"By Belverk's rules, I'll fight in earnest."
Then, a bone-chilling energy gathered on her drawn sword, sparking with crackles.
- Zzzzt...
Whispers erupted around us.
"...Sword aura? She coated her blade with it?"
"Too much against a kid."
"Even with Crimson Eyes, Young Master's not even ten yet..."
The maids who'd cheered me moments ago looked panicked.
"...Looks like she's serious."
"Well, Captain wouldn't hold back."
"Such a cutie, what a shame..."
The knights, farther off, murmured worriedly.
"Tch..."
"......"
Lilien glanced nervously at Mother beside her, but Mother's face remained coldly impassive.
Seemed neither would intervene.
Well, it was my choice, so no helping it. Time to start?
"...Huh?"
"What is she doing?"
"Looks like she's preparing something..."
I took a deep breath, extended both arms, tensed my plump belly, and bellowed the name powerfully.
"Fluffy!"
I was startled since it vanished from the cage, but Fluffy would answer my call.
Not sure about superstar vibes, but it probably escaped early and hid nearby.
Now, it'd appear dramatically, captivating everyone.
"......"
But despite holding the summon pose, only cold wind passed through the empty arena with just me and the Captain.
"...F-Fluffy?"
Did it really leave for freedom, Fluffy?
- KABOOM...!
A earth-shaking impact enveloped the arena.
"Eek."
Dodging the third sword aura barely, Kairen groaned involuntarily at the deep sword scar revealed in the settling dust.
"...I'll give you a chance to surrender."
The Captain strolled leisurely forward, whispering coldly down at the dust-covered Kairen.
"No more chances."
A flicker of hesitation in Kairen's eyes.
"...I'll pass."
But he shook his head firmly, refusing with resolute calm.
"Can't be helped."
The Captain raised her sword skyward without delay.
"...Y-You're just gonna watch?"
"......"
"At this rate, the kid..."
Lilien, sweating as she watched, urgently raised her voice to Astridje beside her.
"Interfering in a duel is taboo."
"But still...!"
Astridje fixed her gaze ahead, voice icy.
"Lilien, watch quietly."
She murmured softly, lips curving faintly.
"...My son seems about to show something very amusing."
Then, the Captain's sword plunged mercilessly at Kairen.
"Young Master!"
"...Ugh."
"Can't forgive that."
From the tense spectators, anguished cries and cold mutters burst simultaneously.
- CRUNCH...!
But from that moment, the situation flipped.
"Hngh?"
Instead of expected give, metallic grinding and chill shot up her hilt. The wide-eyed Captain retreated hastily.
"...What?!"
Even retreating swiftly, her sword, blocked by something, wouldn't return.
- Clank...
Suddenly before her, a mysterious beast appeared from nowhere.
It crunched the aura-coated blade to shards with sharp fangs, then glared at the Captain with frosty breath.
"Wh-What? That thing..."
"Wh-Where'd it come from?"
"We-We need to stop the duel...!"
Maids and knights startled to their feet halted en masse.
"Wait, look at that."
"...Isn't that a servitude mark?"
"Then, no way..."
They belatedly realized the beast's forehead bore a servitude seal.
"Grrr..."
The Lord of the Mist Forest, never tamed even by past Belverk heads, stood before the Captain, breathing coldly.
"...Fluffy!"
Half-blended into the small shadow of its first master in life, eyes sparkling wide from the ground.