The Red-Haired Menace
Just look at how these guys’ eyes are sparkling.
Enk, Gail, and Chad were already buzzing with excitement, their bodies itching for action.
Lox and Ash, on the other hand, were growing visibly paler by the second. Probably because they actually knew the person involved.
After all, Robenin was a distant relative of Ash’s.
I’d heard the rumors before. Among the imperial princes, the only one with any real talent for swordsmanship was the Second Prince, Ephiros. Of course, that wasn’t surprising—his mother had been a knight of the imperial order.
At any rate, the Emperor wasn’t about to let such talent go to waste.
He mobilized the empire’s greatest instructors and poured every resource into honing that gift. Talk about diamond-spoon level educational zeal. The story of how the Emperor assigned Robenin Pedri as Ephiros’s friend was practically legendary.
“Oh? My son has talent with the sword? Here, have a friend.” And just like that, he tossed over the continent’s greatest swordsmanship genius—the eldest son of the Pedri ducal house and future Duke himself, Robenin Pedri.
Many whispered that this was proof the Emperor was already considering the Second Prince as his successor. Since I attended the nobles’ academy, I’d had to sit through lectures that treated the whole thing as “continental politics.”
Damn bastards. They’re so ridiculously talented that everything they do ends up as a page in history.
The reason Ash drew the Empress and her sons’ jealousy wasn’t just the Emperor’s blatant favoritism. Profound love always invites profound envy.
“Ash? What do you think?”
“Why even ask? Any swordsman would want to go! A spectacle like this won’t come around again in a lifetime! Right, Ash?”
I’d been lost in thought, but I glanced over to check if Ash was losing his composure again. Surprisingly, he looked calm—aside from speaking even less than usual.
I’d expected him to be rattled since he was terrible at lying, but he wasn’t.
“It would be quite rare,” he said.
He seemed to grow calmer as time passed.
So his “face-explosion” illness doesn’t flare up at random.
“It’s more than rare! Just seeing it once would give you stories to tell your children and grandchildren for the rest of your life. We have to go!”
“Pfft—haha! Listen to Enk talking about grandchildren. You’d have to get married first.”
“No, you’d have to start dating first.”
“You guys… shut up! I’ll handle my own love life!”
Even to someone like me who wasn’t an expert, this was the kind of thrilling fight no self-respecting swordsman could possibly miss.
A public duel between Sword Masters—of which there were only a handful across the entire Elan Empire alliance.
While the rest of the party grew louder and more hyped up, Ash simply gave a single calm nod before turning to the merchant who’d delivered the news.
“When will this duel take place?”
The merchant raised his eyebrows dramatically, as if introducing a fine product.
“Exactly one month from today. The night when only the red full moon rises.”
“The timing’s perfect.”
“Our schedule should allow it!”
“Let’s go, Ash!”
Tonight both the blue and red moons hung in the sky. Once every three months there was a day when one moon vanished, and days when both appeared as full moons.
“Kahaha, young people really are full of energy. It’s not like you can’t get tickets. If you can find any, you should definitely go. Right now Pammington is packed with people trying to buy passage—even paying premiums. Everyone’s dying to witness this duel of the century with their own eyes.”
Despite the merchant’s tempting words, Ash eventually shook his head. His refusal was firm.
“I’m sorry, but I have no interest in going.”
“What?”
“I believe it’s far too barbaric. A duel should be sacred. Turning it into mere entertainment and consuming it like this… I cannot approve.”
“…He does have a point…”
“But I want to see it…”
At their leader’s negative reaction, Enk and Gail looked as crestfallen as children who’d had their snacks stolen.
I knew there was another reason behind Ash’s response.
Hiding his identity made running into someone he knew incredibly uncomfortable. Naturally, he’d want to avoid it.
“Then let’s take a vote! Majority rules!”
“Yeah! I’m in favor!”
Completely unaware of Ash’s feelings, Enk shouted, and Gail raised his hand with sparkling eyes to show enthusiastic support.
The two men looked at Chad, urging him to join them. Strangely enough, Chad had a tendency to follow Ash unconditionally.
“Uh… I do want to see it. But if Ash says that… maybe we shouldn’t? I’ll… stay neutral?”
“You idiot! If Ash told you to die, would you die too?!”
“There’s never been a time when ignoring Ash’s warnings ended well. I want to watch, but…”
“Ahem. I’m against it too. We’re going to Heidricke for a far more important purpose. Let’s not lose sight of our goal.”
Ash’s confidant Lox naturally voted against it. The divide was clear.
“We can stop by Hirilyke first and then head to the festival grounds! There’s plenty of time!”
“How do you know how long it’ll take to find what we’re looking for?”
“Ugh, you guys are so frustrating!”
“We’re not going there to play around.”
Two votes against, two in favor, one neutral.
I realized the deciding vote had somehow fallen to me right as I was reaching for another piece of stolen meat.
Five pairs of eyes suddenly locked onto me with terrifying intensity.
I set the stolen meat down on my plate.
“Ah, you’re asking for my opinion too?”
“Of course! We’re a party, aren’t we?”
“Let’s go, Miss Jeanie!”
“Hey, what do you think?”
The precious final vote had landed in my hands.
Knowing that our destination would be decided by my opinion, I thought it over quite carefully.
I could understand why Ash would feel uncomfortable seeing Robenin while hiding his identity. His argument about not turning a malicious duel into entertainment also made sense. And Lox was right—we had a more important mission in finding the chalice.
So…
“I’m in favor.”
At my bright smile, the two who had voted yes cheered openly.
Ash let out a deep sigh and looked at me with slightly resentful eyes.
“I didn’t know you enjoyed watching fights.”
“I don’t.”
But I really, really want to see that bastard get crushed.
The enemy of my enemy is my friend!
I should go cheer for Count Trenpe. If I get to watch Robenin Pedri get beaten to a pulp, I’d even wave a glow stick.
“It seems we’re going, then?”
“Yes… thanks to you.”
“You all seem close. It reminds me of my younger days. Thanks for the fire—I’ll be on my way.”
“Thank you for the news. Oh, by the way, did you encounter any bandits on the road? If there are any dangerous stretches, could you let us know?”
Sharing information was one of the most basic and important courtesies among travelers.
They exchanged everything from interesting rumors to potential hazards.
“First time in these parts? This area is safe no matter where you go. The bandits have been wiped out.”
“Really? That’s the first I’ve heard of it. I was told that because there are so many merchants on this road, there are also many bandits.”
“It used to be that way. But didn’t Lord Pedri pass through here recently and slaughter every bandit he came across?”
“And on his way back this time, he butchered what few remained. The survivors all fled beyond Daniz. The area should be safe for a while.”
Good grief. That crazy bastard. How can someone just butcher people like that?
So cruel!
What I do is justice. What others do is evil!
“It’s become an unwritten rule among bandits not to touch any lone man with red hair. Thanks to that, red hair dye is selling like crazy!”
“I had no idea something like that happened.”
“These days, old men, women, and even children are all dyeing their hair red. Everyone’s busy trying to copy the young lord.”
What? Why is he looking at me again?
“I thought so earlier too, but that young lady over there—with those sharp eyes—she’d look quite good with red hair…”
“What did you say?! You old geezer, I’ve had enough—! Mmph! Mmmph!”
“Hahaha, what’s gotten into this young lady? Haha.”
Ash’s physical abilities were on a completely different level from mine. Before I could even lunge at the merchant, I was caught in an iron grip. My mouth was covered too.
Look at those reflexes!
“…Weren’t you about to curse at me just now?”
“No, sir. Our girl doesn’t bite… I mean, she doesn’t curse.”
“She’s literally growling right now.”
I don’t bite!
I just occasionally kill people!
Who are you telling to dye their hair red?!
I bit down hard on Ash’s palm, but he didn’t even flinch.
Doesn’t that hurt? It has to!
Ah! I won’t kill you! Just let go for a second!
I thrashed wildly, trying to escape the hand that held me gently yet inescapably.
“You’d better… head that way quickly. It’s quite dangerous right now.”
“So it seems… quite the fierce young lady.”
“Lethgooo! Nowww!”
Let go! Let me go!
He’d endured the biting, and it seemed he had no intention of allowing a second headbutt from behind.
Damn it. I needed a new tactic.
“I’ll be going now. Since we met like this, it must be fate. I wish you all the Goddess’s blessing on your journey.”
“Yes, please go quickly. Hurry…”
“Run…”
“Ah, right! I should give you one of these. I have some left over.”
Oblivious to how troubled Ash and Lox looked, the merchant casually rummaged through his belongings.
I realized struggling was pointless and stopped resisting for a moment since it seemed he was about to give us something for free.
What is this merchant trying to give us? He seems like a kind-hearted person. Maybe I won’t kill him.
“It’s a bit defective so I can’t sell it. Don’t feel burdened and take it.”
Since Ash was busy restraining me, Lox accepted the item in his stead.
What is that? It was some kind of plaster sculpture. It was so crudely made that it was impossible to tell what it was supposed to be.
“It’s a miniature statue of Saint Crowell! Praying to it brings incredible blessings…”
I licked Ash’s palm all over until I finally slipped free, then snatched the statue and hurled it with all my strength into the campfire.
“This piece of crap!”
The statue shattered into pieces.
Just like my pride!
“…Good heavens! What are you doing?!”
“Who said you could sell that?! Don’t sell it! Don’t you dare sell them! I’ll destroy them all! Don’t tell me that whole cart is full of these?!”
“Jeanie!”
Ash, who had quickly recovered from the shock of me licking his palm, grabbed me again.
I’m going to burn that cart down!
“I’m sorry! I’m so sorry! Our young lady has no manners!”
“Eek! Don’t let that woman go!”
“Argh! I won’t forgive this! Let go! Let me go! As long as there’s breath in my body, I won’t stand for this! What the hell is this stupid statue?!”
“Calm down! Here, here. Have another bird leg!”
Ash waved a roasted bird leg in front of my growling face.
Tch… You think I’ll fall for something like this?! Do I look like some kind of beast?!
“Want two?”
“Hah… You. What do you take me for, trying to placate me with something this cheap? Are you out of your mind?”
“Saying that while holding two in both hands…”
“Consider yourself lucky.”
I am a rational, civilized person with dignity.
I am a merciful being who knows forgiveness.
When you catch two birds, you get four legs. Giving me three of them…
Isn’t this true love?
“I won’t let it go next time!”
Out of respect for the gesture, I’ll forgive you just this once. I sat back down.
In the campfire, that disgusting statue was still burning.