Chapter 24
Chapter 24
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 24
Chapter Title: Duel with the Elf Princess
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The warehouse, neglected for so long, was filthy beyond belief. I climbed up to the pile of junk and picked off the helmet sitting on top like some Christmas ornament, then brought it down. Both Erina and Aei stared at me in utter disbelief.
"You kept the Hero's Relic like this?"
"We haven't had a need for it in ages."
In the original story, it just said, [The Hero received the relic from Lucius!], so there was no detail on how it was stored. But since I hadn't bothered reorganizing after transmigrating, maybe this was how Lucius originally kept it? I was a bit puzzled myself about why he'd store the relic like trash. Did he hate it or something?
"What a piece of work you are. Your skills are so pathetic, you won't even entrust village defense to us..."
Erina started criticizing me, channeling that classic elven holier-than-thou attitude. This was perfect for me. For Erina NTR sex to happen, she needed to snap here. I took off my glove, biding my time.
"Erina!"
The Hero scowled. But Erina kept yapping, undeterred by his attempts to stop her.
"You store the relic like garbage, and your hospitality is a mess. How can you call yourself Peta Sirius's bloodline? Aren't you ashamed of your father's name? Even he, who felled the Demon King before returning to the afterlife, would weep seeing you now."
"Erina! Stop it! I'm getting mad!"
The Hero was trying hard to intervene, but thankfully, he didn't shut her up. I furrowed my brows and pretended to be furious. Lucius had always hated anyone bringing up his parents. Come to think of it, this jerk knew my father and still treated me like this? What a bitch.
"That's why you damn half..."
Erina's face twisted in shock as my thrown glove smacked her right in the mug.
"I cannot let that insult stand. For the Hero's party to include such a lowly elf. Even I, as an elf kingdom princess, am disgusted by you. I challenge you to a duel."
Racist half-elf hater. Eat my rage.
Erina glanced between the glove on the floor and me, scoffing in disbelief. Her elven princess pride wouldn't let her grasp the disrespect she'd just received. Aei tried to step in and smooth things over.
"Now, Lord, our princess was rude..."
"Don't apologize on her behalf, Hero. An elf kingdom princess should take responsibility for her words. Especially after insulting a father in front of his son—she must intend to own that fully."
Erina didn't seem to think she'd lose. Fair enough; by elven standards, or even this world's, she was strong. The problem? I was stronger, and she couldn't see my status window to confirm it visually.
"Fine. Go ahead and try. What if you win? What, want me on my knees?"
Was that an offer for a submissive blowjob? Tempting, but I shook my head. I had my own plan.
"If I win, you leave the Hero's party."
"What?"
Both Erina and Aei looked at me in confusion. I pressed on.
"I can't see an elf like you contributing against the Demon King. As the son of a previous Hero's party member, I've learned holy power and martial arts, however humbly. If I prove stronger, there's no need for you in the group."
"Wait, hold on. Then what about me? Where do I go if I leave?"
"I'd be grateful if you'd act as regent for the territory while I'm away with the party."
An elf princess was overqualified for regent. The elf and human kingdoms shared lands, making her useful here. Me being a half-elf lord already solved any issues.
This kingdom's territorial law specified regents as 'nobles of baron rank or higher with proof of status, or high priests and above.' No human-only clause. Spouses or direct kin could serve as exceptions, but irrelevant since I was single.
Aei tried to de-escalate, but Erina waved him off.
"Doesn't matter. If I beat you here, won't your knights come after me? Right?"
"As if. I stand by my word. Are you the one backing out?"
Erina scoffed at that.
"A half-elf beating me? Go wild. Sure, I'll be your regent. But if I win, you'll strip naked, kowtow, and apologize before me! I'll summon every territory folk to watch you beg forgiveness buck naked. Got it?"
She went straight for naked kowtow. For a popular priest-lord like me, that was career-ending. No more dignity as priest or lord after that. I hesitated briefly, then nodded.
Naked kowtow vs. elf NTR sex buildup? Obviously the latter. Worth staking my honor. Life's beauty lies in bold challenges, right? I resolved to win. Gripping my mace, I told Aei,
"Be our duel witness, Hero."
Aei still looked uneasy. No surprise; who'd seen stakes this insane? As we headed to the courtyard, Robin eyed our tense group curiously. I told him,
"Robin. Keep people away from the area."
"What's going on, milord?"
"The elf princess Ahildern Erina and I, Lord Peta Lucius, are about to duel."
Robin blinked, scanned around, then tilted his head at me.
"Pardon?"
"I'm fighting that elf."
"Pardon?"
"We're dueling. Get it, Robin? Duel. D-U-E-L."
"Ah... uh... why the duel..."
"Just say 'Understood' and follow orders, Robin."
"...Understood."
Robin turned to muster personnel control. I stretched, eyeing Erina. She was already nocking an arrow. Time for the ultimate high-stakes showdown.
"Let's set the victory conditions clearly."
Before smashing her skull, I wanted rules locked in. No quibbling later, no vague judgments.
Erina found my nitpicking petty and scoffed.
"Do whatever. I'll win anyway."
"Saying 'I lose' or losing consciousness ends it."
"Fine. Bring it! I'll leave you too starved to eat properly."
We both turned to Hero Aei. He hesitated, sighed, raised his hand. If unavoidable, accept—that was his worldly wisdom. He'd given up reining in Erina.
"Then, the duel between Elf Princess Ahildern Erina and Peta Territory's Lord Peta Lucius begins."
Aei dropped his hand. Instantly, Erina loosed an arrow at my arm. I twisted aside; a transparent wind arrow followed to the prior spot. A wind spirit flickered behind her.
Summoning spirits in a duel? Shameless. I readjusted my mace, charged, and shouted,
"Bless."
⚡ SKILL ACTIVATED ⚡ Bless Increases the target's stamina, attack power, defense, and speed.
Lucius's class was priest. Priests excelled in physical attacks and buffs—basically a super-strong paladin. Buffed, my body felt lighter as I surged forward. Startled by the speed shift, Erina hastily nocked and fired another arrow, backing away.
But my mace casually swatted it aside. Spotting the wind arrow nocked, I dodged again. It flew to where she'd shot from before. The wind spirit couldn't adjust angles independently.
I was right in her face now. Erina reached for another arrow, but my mace struck first. It smashed her bow hand with a heavy metallic crunch; she dropped the bow.
That should've pulverized her hand with the bow, but some barrier softened it. Unbelievable impact for a blocked hit. As she crumpled, I swung again. She raised her hand to block once more.
Bam!
No direct contact, but the strike echoed thunderously, dropping her. For the unsteady Erina, I swung full force once more.
Crash!
Glass shattering rang out everywhere. Erina stared at her wrist in panic. Only then did I notice the sparkling bracelet there, now fading.
"Sylph!"
Erina cried out in anguish. No more defenses left for her. Time for punishment.
I grabbed her hair, yanking her toward me. She raised her hands to pry mine off. In that instant, I slammed my fist into her unguarded gut with everything I had.
Bam!
"Guhk..."
"Erina!"
Hero Aei's panicked voice rang out, her groan beneath it.
The solid impact shook me. That loaded punch mashed her innards; I felt it. Erina dry-heaved, dropping to her knees. Pointing at her, I cast Heal.
Only faint pain lingered. Her internal injuries were fully mended. Erina, dazed and staring blankly, snapped back. I seized her hair again, lifting her. Same as before, she reached up to free herself. And