Darkness leaned in to whisper to my ear, her voice hushed yet charged with reverence.
"He holds the title of one of the most powerful swordsmen in history, not only within our own history books but also in those of other kingdoms..."
Her voice almost caught in her own throat as she whispered his name into my ear.
"The prince of The Kingdom of Belzerg, Belzerg Stylish-Sword Jatice..."
Prince Jatice slowly took a step into the meeting room, immediately shifting the room's atmosphere.
"Can I come in?"
...
So, this was Prince Jatice... I recognized him as Iris's elder brother, the one who was reportedly leading a relentless war against the Demon King and his forces on the frontlines.
Iris had mentioned that she hadn't seen him in quite a while.
Perhaps he had come to protect Iris as well, upon receiving news that the Demon King's army had nearly captured his younger sister.
He wore an exquisite white trench coat, adorned with luxurious gold buttons that were elegantly fastened. His attire included expensive white fabric pants and shoes with golden ties. While this color scheme was quite common among nobles, it suited him exceptionally well.
Judging by his appearance, he seemed to be older than me, if not around the same age as Darkness. Undoubtedly handsome, he rivaled the looks of most nobles, if not surpassing them by a landslide.
I won't even be surprised if this man had a harem of his own noblewomen or if he ever makes the Demon King's daughter fall in love with him when they meet eyes.
I had encountered two other notable and handsome male swordsmen before: Alderp's adoptive son, Balter, and that Katsugiri fellow with the cheat sword.
However, this man...
He emitted an entirely distinct aura compared to the other two.
Balter possessed a sympathetic and virtuous personality, cherished by everyone in Axel. No matter how rude you were, unless you were Kazuma, he wouldn't be the least bit affected. Instead, he would empathize with you and somehow manage to guide you away from your negativity.
As for the wielder of the magic sword, Katsugiri, while he didn't possess a perfect personality—he had a tendency to voice whatever crossed his mind due to his belief that he was superior because of his sword—he remained willing to protect people with his life, especially women. There was a concealed womanizer aspect to him, I was almost certain of it.
Yet, there was something profoundly distinct about this man, setting him apart from the rest.
He carried an air of profound seriousness at all times, seemingly not one to take jokes lightly.
"Prince Jatice... Please accept my apology for my earlier impoliteness. I deeply regret speaking to you in such a tone."
Claire expressed, her hands held against her chest as she bowed at a ninety-degree angle.
"You are forgiven, Claire."
He responded, briefly granting his forgiveness to her before walking calmly to his designated chair.
Each of his footfalls resounded through the room, magnified by the profound silence that enveloped the space. It was as if everyone was waiting for him to either speak or give permission for others to speak.
Before settling into his seat, he positioned himself behind the chair opposite Aqua, gazing down at her.
Aqua, clearly apprehensive, instinctively crossed her arms over her chest.
He then took a step closer, his attention shifting to Megumin. His gaze seemed to recognize her as a Crimson Demon, analyzing her attire and the staff she held.
"Nice staff," he commented.
Evidently, he understood the potency of Megumin's staff in her hands.
"Why thank you. Finally, someone who recognizes the potent this staff holds in my hands! Should I introduce-"
Prince Jatice walked away before Megumin could continue her pointless dialogue any longer.
With another step, he focused his eyes on Iris, who returned his gaze with a concerned expression.
The tension between them was almost felt by everyone in the room, evident from the fact that they didn't even exchange greetings.
"Lady Lalatina."
Prince Jatice acknowledged her with a nod.
"Greetings, Prince Jatice. It's been a while."
Darkness responded, her tone devoid of nervousness. Just a brief moment between the two indicated enough for me to believe that she was either very comfortable around him or was currently embodying her noble persona.
Finally, I was the last person to be subjected to his scrutiny.
We exchanged eye contact briefly until I averted my gaze to the side, not wanting to escalate the staring contest.
Truth be told, I found myself somewhat intimidated by this man.
"Who is this man, casually seated on the Princess's throne?"
The moment he asked that question,
"Forgive me, Prince Jatice. This individual refused to heed my request to vacate the chair. Instead of complying, he challenged me by asking if I had any objections to his presence on the Princess's throne. I regret my inability to rectify the situation."
Claire jumped in, snitching on me the moment the question as inquired.
"Prince Jatice, allow me to reprimand this man and give him a word."
Darkness added, seizing the opportunity to take control.
As much as I wanted to click on my tongue, I couldn't help but note that the moment someone of even higher authority than Iris appeared, both Claire and Darkness wasted no time in exposing me and attempting to force me off the chair again.
I swear, if I end up facing a trial and execution over a mere chair, I'll definitely wish for reincarnation as a noble just to plot my revenge.
"I allowed him to sit there, Prince Jatice. He has my permission. Is there any reason for concern?"
Iris stepped forward, speaking up in my defense against her own elder brother.
I found myself struggling to discern who the true older sibling was in this situation. Moreover, I wondered why she no longer referred to him as 'onii-chan.'
After a prolonged, tense silence, Prince Jatice finally responded,
"No."
His tone remained even, and he promptly took his seat without escalating the tension further.
However, I thought I was in the clear with Iris's excuse but it seems I was wrong.
Prince Jatice still kept his eyes lingering on me, even after sitting down.
With deliberate movement, he reached for something near his waist, the sound suggesting the presence of something heavy and metallic.
Bringing his arm upward, he revealed a massive sword, equal in size to the legendary sword, Gram. Despite its apparent normalcy, resembling any regular iron-forged sword, the sheer weight of the weapon was evident.
Prince Jatice lowered the colossal sword onto the table, the impact causing the table to shudder and a loud thud to resonate through the room.
More importantly, why did he put his sword on the table, in front of me?
Was a it a sign of respect? That's what I've seen from mafia movies in Japan...
Considering his position and the seriousness he emanated, perhaps I should do the same as a gesture of respect. After all, his contributions to the kingdom demanded recognition and respect.
Plus, with his higher authority compared to Iris, he could essentially end my life without repercussions.
I reached for my strangely named sword and carefully placed it on the table, directly in front of Prince Jatice. The sound it produced was significantly softer and less resonant compared to his, indicating the clear disparity in size and weight.
He seemed to scrutinize my sword for a moment, intensifying his already serious expression, before returning his gaze to me.
The comparison between his massive sword and mine was like a dwarf compared to a towering titan.
"Are you an idiot? Why would you place your weapon in front of him?"
Darkness's whisper reached my ear from behind.
"Isn't that a sign of respect?" I whispered back.
At least, that's what I had assumed.
"No! Who on earth told you such nonsense? Placing your weapon in front of someone on the table signifies that you're challenging them to a conflict or a duel based on mutual agreement."
Yikes!
I almost inadvertently signed my own death warrant with that stupid idea.
Puzzled and shocked expressions adorned the faces of those around me.
Claire and Rain appeared close to fainting.
Megumin and Iris displayed nervousness, unsure of what might transpire next.
And then there's the clueless girl... well, let's just leave her out of it.
"He's fine. What intrigues me more, Lady Lalatina, is the dynamic between you and him. You talk to him as if you were his own mother. Is there a reason behind this closeness?"
Prince Jatice's question caught both Darkness and me off guard.
Oh no, does he somehow know? Who could have leaked that information?
Darkness stood straight upright, bringing her hand to her chest.
"Your observation is mistaken, Prince Jatice. This man is merely the leader of the party with which I am associated. We share nothing more than a working relationship as party members. It would be unseemly for a noble to form any sort of close connection with a commoner. I am present here primarily to caution him about the norms of nobility and to enforce appropriate conduct. I would discipline him severely if he were to engage in any foolish actions, such as challenging you to a duel..."
Ouch, that stings.
But it's worth it if it keeps this man from uncovering the truth between Darkness and me.
I would rather avoid to pick a fight with him at all cost.
"Very well..."
Darkness and I breathe a sigh of relief.
"From this moment forward, no one else shall speak on this man's behalf. He shall speak for himself. Anyone who speaks for him will face severe punishments, even you..."
It seemed Prince Jatice was directing his final statement at Iris, effectively preventing her from stepping in to defend me.
Darkness appeared troubled by the fact that she was now forbidden from speaking on my behalf.
I couldn't shake the feeling that this man already held a strong distaste for me, and perhaps not without reason.
"Claire, fetch a glass of water for me and our esteemed guest."
Prince Jatice ordered with a snap of his fingers.
"Of course, right away."
Claire hurriedly left to get the requested water, seemingly reduced to a mere housemaid by his words alone.
Interestingly, unlike most other nobles I've encountered, this man seemed to prefer water over alcohol or wine.
Perhaps he wants his body to be in the best condition possible to fight the Demon King and his army.
"While we wait, introduce yourself to me. You're unfamiliar to me, and your appearance doesn't match that of a noble with their characteristic blonde hair and blue eyes..."
"I am Satou Kazuma... a commoner... I'm known for defeating four of the Demon King's generals. I also played a role in rescuing Iris from a divine relic that caused a body-switching incident. Additionally, I assisted your little sister in securing war funds from the Kingdom of Elroad."
I said in a very fast manner.
Everyone inside the meeting room gave the two of us puzzled looks, wondering what was gonna happen next.
He examined everything I spoke, the way I spoke, and how I looked when I spoke to him for a prolonged moment before commenting,
"Interesting..."
Before he could elaborate further, Claire arrived, just in time, with the water.
"Here is your water, Prince Jatice."
She said as she placed two glasses of water on the table in front of us.
What happened to this lady? She was the strict onee-san who always seemed to be on my nerves but now she's an obedient housemaid.
Not that I'm against it.
Prince Jatice accepted the glass of water in silence, taking a sip and exhaling as if in relief.
He then placed the cup back on the table with grace.
"You seem like a strong and hardworking person..."
There was something in his tone that didn't sit well with me.
It was as if he was trying to provoke, intimidate, uncover my true identity, or perhaps he already knew who I was.
"Are you... a strong and hardworking person?"
"If the moment calls for hard work... then I will put effort into it."
Shit, why did I say it with nervousness and anxiety in my tone...
Now he seemed to be attempting to provoke fear in me, perhaps even wanting me to be intimidated by him throughout the interaction.
"So, you'll only exert effort when the situation demands it?"
Before I could nod...
Three loud knocks on the door abruptly interrupted our conversation.
This time, no voice accompanied the knocks from outside the door.
"Who could be so important as to interrupt both a meeting about the Princess's safety and the Prince's conversation?"
Claire posed the same question as before, before proceeding to open the door herself.
In an instant, everyone except Aqua, Megumin, Iris, Prince Jatice, and me gasped audibly, their legs seemingly turning to jelly.
The knights, Claire, Rain, and even Darkness all dropped to their knees, bowing deeply to the individual who had appeared at the door.
"Your Majesty..."
Claire addressed the newcomer.
Woman, stop trying to bring up social status into this very room every time an anonymous person knocks on the door!
The next time you say, 'Who dares interrupt the King's speech?', it's gonna be a goddess showing up, like Eris-sama.
Oh, right... we already have a goddess among us, though she's far from your typical goddess in terms of looks and personality.
Maybe the Demon King himself might show up to this meeting room instead then!
If there was one person I least expected to encounter today, it would undoubtedly be the King of Belzerg himself.
To be honest, I thought he would be the type of man to look extremely strong like the kings I've read stories from, someone imposingly muscular with a massive beard, and the type to wear a revealing shirt that revealed his massive muscular chest and arms.
Instead, the King stood at a height similar to both Darkness and me. His build appeared slender for his age. The top of his head almost exhibiting signs of balding as his golden crown concealed patches of thinning blonde and grey mixed hair. His medium-sized golden beard and a somewhat delicate frame contradicted the traditional image of a mighty monarch.
His attire consisted of an elegant, plain light blue shirt adorned with a few golden buttons along its upper half. This color scheme extended to his trousers, similarly adorned with golden buttons, completely opposite of what the Prince wears. Behind him flowed a red garment, resembling either a coat or a cape, trailing behind him and nearly brushing the floor as he walked.
One peculiar observation was his apparent lack of knights or generals accompanying him.
He entered the meeting room unaccompanied, without any visible security, seemingly vulnerable to an assassination attempt.
While he might appear physically unimposing, I am smart enough to recognize that his position as king wasn't achieved through physical prowess alone, and underestimating him would be a grave mistake.
"I'm sure everyone is aware of who I am. It's a pleasure to meet all of you gathered here."
He greeted with a welcoming tone, displaying an openness even to someone of my commoner status.
I had expected that our king was somewhat of a barbaric tyrant that does whatever he wants for his own gains.
But I keep forgetting to remember that there already existed a ruler with vast territories, who was evil and dictatorial—the Demon King.
The worse thing he could possibly be doing would be to abuse his powers for his own gains, and then people would eventually form a revolution, overthrowing him and repeating history over and over just like my world.
"Lady Dustiness, I wasn't aware of your presence here. Welcome. I see you've brought your companions along."
The king greeted, directing his nod toward Darkness.
"It's an honor to see you again, your Majesty. How may I be of service?"
Darkness lowered herself onto her knees once more.
"Do as you've always done—take care of my daughter while my duties keep me occupied. Given the events of last night, it's evident that we've had a close call. Until we uncover the culprit, I'd appreciate your vigilance in protecting Iris as much as possible."
"Thank you for your kind words, your Majesty. I shall certainly fulfill my duties." Darkness responded.
It was easy to forget that Darkness had been responsible for looking after Iris in her earlier years. Her comfort around the King, Prince Jatice, and Iris was understandable.
I should ask her everything she had done in the past before she met me.
Turning his attention to me, the king noted my presence on the Princess's throne.
"You seem familiar to me. Are you the esteemed Satou Kazuma, the individual who aided our kingdom in vanquishing four of the Demon King's generals, secured war funds through negotiations with the Kingdom of Elroad, and rescued my children from the clutches of Alderp?"
I was taken aback by the king's words, feeling overwhelmed by the recognition and authenticity in his tone.
I hadn't anticipated the king to be the first to acknowledge my contributions and do so genuinely.
"Yes, sir! I am indeed the person you've described."
We exchanged a handshake, prompting a sense of bewilderment among the onlookers.
"It's a pleasure to meet you. I'd like to personally express my gratitude for your service to our kingdom. If time permitted, I would bestow upon you the various rewards I've considered, but..."
The king's sentence trailed off as he studied both me and Darkness.
"Before we delve into discussions about my daughter's safety—although I assure you, her well-being is of paramount importance—I am confident that we can apprehend the culprit today, aided by Prince Jatice. I'm an advocate of quick action, speed is key, much like our approach to defeating the Demon King expeditiously. The second topic, which may require more time, pertains to you, Satou Kazuma..."
"M-Me? What could possibly be of concern to you regarding me?" I stammered.
"It's not a matter of trouble, rest assured. You see..."
The king allowed his words to linger, capturing both my attention and Darkness's in the process.
"It concerns the nature of the relationship between you and Lady Dustiness."
In that moment, we both knew that there was no point in denying or hiding our situation if the king himself had come to know of it.
"We've been aware for quite some time... Rumors have circulated even among the frontlines, originating from the town of Axel,"
Prince Jatice chimed in, confirming his awareness between the two of us.
"O-Onii-sama, y-you and Lalatina a-are together?!"
Iris tugged at my sleeve, clearly taken aback.
Prince Jatice appeared visibly troubled by her actions.
"That's surprising... I had no idea the two of you were involved."
Rain commented.
"Out of all the individuals, I didn't anticipate Dustiness-dono falling for someone short, lazy, and, well, unattractive like him..."
Claire, please say it to my face next time.
Why are we even trying to keep it a secret at this point? I feel like every time we try, someone important finds out about it.
"A particular noble family seems to have spread out the information throughout the kingdom, possibly last night. I only just received word about it."
The king stated briefly before shifting his chair closer to the table.
It was most certainly that young lady who proposed a marriage to me. It has to be!
All those lectures from this crusader about keeping it a secret... and I did my best to while...
If only Darkness hadn't blurted out all those embarrassing declarations of affection in front of everyone, including the young lady, we might have avoided this situation altogether.
"You see, my young friend, Kazuma... Lady Dustiness is an exceptional woman who has contributed significantly more than most nobles within this kingdom. Her strength and influence hold great potential for our kingdom. I'm sure you've recognized this as well..."
Honestly, not really...
"Therefore, I've been contemplating... Please understand that I don't intend to belittle or undermine your relationship, for I'm certain that both of you share deep feelings. However, we propose that you and Lady Dustiness break off your relationship to enable her to fully realize her potential for the betterment of our kingdom..."
The king's words hung in the air, his gaze unwavering.
Aqua and Megumin gasped, instinctively covering their mouths to hide their shock.
In contrast, Darkness and I appeared visibly troubled by the gravity of the king's ultimatum.
Curiosity got the best of me, and I glanced over at Darkness to gauge her reaction.
Her demeanor spoke volumes—her shoulders slumped, arms drooping in a posture of resignation.
Her gaze was directed downwards, reflecting a sense of defeat.
"Please understand, Kazuma. I'm willing to offer you rewards should you choose to accept my proposal. A lifelong stipend from my own pocket, a multitude of beautiful women at your disposal—though finding one that rivals Lady Dustiness's exceptional beauty and character might prove challenging. For Lady Dustiness, she would attain a status surpassing even that of her father, a mark of distinction for her family lineage known as the 'Shield of the Kingdom.' She would likely be content remaining by Iris's side, and ultimately, whoever she selects as her husband will have the responsibility of fathering strong offspring... regrettably, that individual cannot be you."
Christ.
This looked like a cliché plot, most definitely!
A commoner faced with the choice to relinquish his love for the sake of a noblewoman's use as a breeding stock...
It disgusted me to the brim.
"Kazuma... Understand that I am not a tyrant king who would arbitrarily order the execution of a commoner who declines my proposal. I won't force you to part ways with Lady Dustiness. In fact, you're free to reject my offer, and there will be no repercussions. However, consider this: In a world where our primary objective is the defeat of the Demon King, is your romantic connection with Lady Dustiness truly helpful to our cause? Don't you all desire what is best for the kingdom, for its people... especially you, Lady Dustiness?"
The king shifted his gaze back to Darkness.
Drawing upon my experience as an Advisor during the Aqua and Eris celebration festival, as well as my familiarity with Vanir's negotiation tactics.
I knew that the king was employing a method to downplay our relationship. He sought to manipulate or persuade us into viewing his proposal as more advantageous, utilizing the looming Demon King threat as a bargaining chip.
It appeared I was the only one who saw through his strategy.
The other three girls seemed to have lost hope, likely convinced that negotiations with the king were futile.
"I am sorry, but I cannot accept your offer."
The trio of girls raised their heads, astonishment clearly etched on their faces.
The king's lips curled into a subtle smile.
"While I can appreciate the thought of being surrounded by women and secured financially, enjoying the freedom to indulge my desires... I'm already a billionaire, unburdened by debt, and content in a loving relationship with Lalatina. I think I am satisfied with everything I have because I worked hard for all of them. And to accept a blind offer to cast all of that aside for something I didn't work hard for... it would be foolish for me! In layman's term... I will not break up with Lalatina."
I also wanted to add that she would not be married off to some other noble, used like breeding stock to give birth to strong children.
But the thought of that made me vomit that I couldn't even say it.
All eyes were fixed on the King, awaiting his response, as he stared at me in contemplation for a prolonged moment.
"I like you already..."
The King remarked to himself with a sly grin, rising from his seat.
Maybe that was all he wanted to ask and was done.
As he walked past Prince Jatice, he uttered a casual statement loud enough for everyone to hear...
"Don't take all day..."
With that, he handed over authority over the meeting room to Prince Jatice.
After the King exited the meeting room, leaving behind an ominous atmosphere,
Prince Jatice emitted a chuckle, his gaze fixated on the closed door
Then he sighed...
"Bout time..."
Before I could react...
Prince Jatice sprang from his chair, nonchalantly placing his feet on the table, his hand clamped over my mouth, a forceful grip that silenced any protest.
In one fluid motion, he hoisted me onto the table, slamming me down in a manner that caught everyone off guard.
Stunned, I lay prone on the table, unable to utter a single word due to his firm grip.
"I've been waiting for this! I've heard many great stories about you! You're not from here, we've got a tradition called a 'royal beatdown'. It means I get to ragdoll you around for all the trouble you've caused for me and this kingdom! You'll pick it up."
His words were laced with an intense malice that sent a shiver coursing down my spine.
In that moment, his true intentions were revealed in the open for everyone to hear—his expression brimming with an almost primal yearning to unleash his fury upon me to beat me down like a stray dog.
"Prince Jatice-"
"Prince Jatice-"
Before Darkness or Iris could intervene,
Prince Jatice launched himself off the table, still clutching my mouth.
Then he proceeds drags me across the table, his massive sword and my strangely named sword that my body was slammed into, dragged with me from behind as well.
The impact scattered cups, papers, and pens, resulting in an utter mess within the meeting room.
With still only one arm, Prince Jatice executed a sweeping motion, yanking me off the table and slamming my body onto the window.
The entire window shatters and I received multiple cuts, including a few large glass shards stabbed straight into my back and shoulders.
We were on the second floor of the castle but he casually jumps out of the window, with me still in his grasp.
We were now airborne, plummeting from the second floor of the castle.
"Kazuma!"
"Kazuma!"
"Kazuma!"
"Onii-sama!"
I could hear their faint call of my name before both Prince Jatice and I descended down to the hard concrete floor.
The unyielding concrete ground met my body with a brutal impact. I was slammed down with Prince Jatice's overwhelming strength, rendering me incapacitated and unable to even sit up straight.
"Heal!"
I hear a group of female archpriests shout in unison.
My destroyed body was healed in an instant, the glass shards removed from within me, thanks to the sheer amount of spells casted upon me.
I regained full control of my body and gradually became aware of the scene unfolding around me.
About a dozen archpriest grouped together to heal me completely brand new.
Hundreds of knights surrounded me and Prince Jatice, almost as if they were waiting for this to happen. Is that why there were fewer knights in the meeting room, let alone, inside the castle?
Even if I chose to flee, the sheer number of knights made escape absolutely impossible. They would apprehend me before I could make any meaningful progress.
As I attempted to stand, Prince Jatice launched a sudden front kick, striking my chest and propelling me across the open space, only to collide with the ring of knights encircling us.
"That was for Claire and Rain! Now show me this demon king general-killer I've heard so much about!"
His words resonated, a clear demand to challenge me to combat.
He also seems aware of what I had done to Claire and Rain to traumatize them to the core.
The knights who caught me pushed me back to the arena.
But my body seemed to have been trembling tremendously, reminiscence of my previous battle with Apex Crimson.
This opponent I was about to face surpassed me in all aspects.
I was going to receive heavy damage... no doubt...
With my back against the wall of knights, I realized I had no choice but to confront Prince Jatice head-on.
With no words, I charged forward, putting all my strength into a punch aimed at his face. I was aiming for a punch to the face to see what he would do.
As expected, he caught my punch with ease, demonstrating his superior combat skills.
In response, he swiftly launched a front kick toward my face, catching me off guard and causing me to stumble back, disoriented from the blow.
"You insult me holding back like this!"
He taunted, clearly disappointed by my initial approach.
This time, Prince Jatice initiated the attack, launching a punch directly toward my face. Knowing that I couldn't withstand his powerful blows, I evaded by quickly backing away.
However, he surprised me by closing the distance with astounding speed, grabbing my shoulders and kneeing me in the stomach.
Before I could recover, he delivered another powerful front kick to my chest, sending me sprawling backward.
"How were you ever able to achieve the feats you've accomplished with such a weak body and weak mind like this!"
He jeered, his words stinging. But not as much as his blows.
The pain was excruciating, and I found myself kneeling momentarily to catch my breath and regain my composure.
The sounds of hurried footsteps reached my ears, and I knew that Darkness and the others had finally arrived at the scene.
She and I exchanged am anxious and worried glance but I couldn't let my guard open, not in front of a dangerous opponent like him.
I forced myself to my feet, facing Prince Jatice once again as I prepared for the next round.
Suddenly a knight who was inside the meeting room, retrieved both Prince Jatice's sword and my own, and tossing them to us.
My bow and arrows were thrown to me as well.
With weapons now in hand, Prince Jatice wasted no time, lunging forward with his sword and delivering a powerful side swipe aimed at cutting into my abdomen. I quickly sidestepped to avoid a direct collision with his blade, realizing that my own sword was no match for his in terms of sheer power.
The battle was escalating rapidly, my heart racing as I faced off against an opponent who clearly outclassed me in strength and skill.
The weight of the situation settled heavily upon my shoulders, and I knew that I had to dig deep and find a way to hold my own against Prince Jatice's onslaught.
"This is the man who bested Mitsurugi Kyouya, who wields the legendary cursed sword Gram?! Twice?!"
Twice?
How could he have known...
Before I could dwell on that further, Prince Jatice launched another attack, leaping forward with his sword aimed diagonally at me.
I reacted quickly, colliding my sword with his, sparks flying as our weapons met with intense force.
It was clear that I was outmatched in strength, and I struggled to hold my ground against his assault.
"You know my secret...?"
I managed to say, my voice strained as I struggled against the force of his strike.
"The 'Silver-Haired Thief Brigade' thing? Yeah..."
He replied nonchalantly, showing that he was well aware of my other identity.
"Then you know what I'm capable of!"
Trying to intimidate him into backing down, he must've known what I was able to do to the entire Royal Capital when I stole the divine relic from Iris and when I caused them to chase after me in the kingdom.
Prince Jatice kicked my sword and me, knocking me back several feet.
"Show me!"
It didn't work.
I knew I couldn't continue to hold back, especially now that he was aware of my true capabilities.
Prince Jatice intended on charging towards me with his sword anyway,
But this time, I'm done trying to run away... I'll have to at least prevent myself from losing.
"Freeze!"
I deployed my spell towards him.
He blocks the attack with his sword, with it, also being encased with ice.
But he simply slams his frozen sword on the ground, shattering the ice completely.
"Now we got us a fight!"
He declared with a devilish smile, charging at me with renewed energy.
His speed caught me off guard, and I found myself struggling to keep up with his relentless attacks.
I had never engaged in an official sword duel before, my only real experience being my fight against Darkness during her meeting with Balter.
But I was determined to give it my all, clashing swords with Prince Jatice in a series of rapid exchanges that sent echoes of clashing steel throughout the arena.
The silence of the crowd only intensified the tension, broken only by the sounds of our fierce battle.
"This is the man who defeated Belda The Dullahan?!"
He continued to mock my swordsmanship, and my achievements.
Think of something, quick, Kazuma.
Find a way for him to lose his footing so his blows aren't so strong...
Releasing my right hand from my sword that had been restraining his weapon, I allowed Prince Jatice's blade to sink even lower, its sharp edge slicing through a few inches of my shoulder.
"Freeze..."
I silently muttered, conjuring a sheet of ice beneath him, making the ground slippery.
"Clever. Clever won't beat me!"
He stepped back, realizing my tactic.
Dammit, that was all I could think of for now... How else can I beat this man?
"Prince Jatice! Cease this reckless duel! What has he done to deserve this from you?!"
Iris's furious voice cut through the tension, providing me a moment to recover from the deep gash on my shoulder.
"Sorry about hurting your little 'onii-sama', Iris. But do you really think I'm gonna let him get away with the overwhelming paperwork and financial damages he's caused for me and everyone else? Besides, he's agreed to it by putting his sword in front of me. Though even if he didn't, I still would've done the same."
Prince Jatice's back was turned to me.
Now was my chance.
"Snipe!"
He tilts his head to the side, catching the arrow with his own bare hands.
Crap.
How do I beat this man?!
"If you're not fighting dirty, then you're not fighting to your fullest potential, right?"
He shattered the arrow with a tight fist, his words resonating as he pressed the attack.
Our swords clashed repeatedly, onlookers holding their breath as our confrontation unfolded.
"You're starting to piss me off if you don't start taking this seriously! Why are you holding back?! Afraid to get your hands dirty?! You should be better than this!"
He yelled out, using a portion of his actual strength to push me away, with only his sword.
Ugh, this guy is starting to also piss me off, even more than the sword user of Gram...
I needed a plan. Desperately, I searched for an effective strategy. The ice trick was useless against him.
Casting Drain Touch in front of an audience was out of the question. Other spells such as Bind would likely prove futile.
My best option was to feint an attack and exploit an opening at his flank.
I initiated the clash, putting every ounce of strength into driving him onto the defensive.
It seemed to be working. I repeated the same sequence of strikes, aiming to make him anticipate my moves.
As his sword shifted to defend against my anticipated attack, I seized the opportunity, swiftly switching hands and thrusting towards Prince Jatice's waist.
But what I stabbed wasn't his waist... but was his hand.
My sword easily pierced through his hand, his palm sliding along the blade until it reached the hilt.
Yet, to my shock, there was no sign of pain on Prince Jatice's face.
Instead, he deepened the wound, pushing his hand further into the blade before wrapping his fingers around the crossguard of my blade.
Astonishment washed over me as he proceeded to deepen the wound even further, his grip now encompassing my hand that clung to the handle.
"Was it luck?!"
Hoisting me up by my own sword, Prince Jatice discarded his weapon momentarily and landed several blows to my abdomen as I winced in agony.
"Did all those demon king generals die to blind, fucking luck ?!"
The pain became so excruciating that my body went limp, my grasp on the sword weakening, eventually resulting in him throwing my limb body towards the opposite end of the surrounding knights.
Gaining back my senses, I was really starting to get pissed off.
Undermining me of my achievements as if he knew everything about me.
Without a second thought, I charged at him, my hands now devoid of weapons.
"Steal-"
My foot slipped on something as I fell to the ground on my chest.
Pushing myself onto one knee, I glanced back to see my own sheet of slippery ice that I froze earlier.
"Dumbass!"
He flung my sword back at me, and I managed to catch it with reflexes honed by combat.
Before I could regain my full stance, he pressed his overwhelming sword against mine, forcing me down on one knee.
Now, the higher ground was his, and I found myself on a single knee, at a significant disadvantage.
"You think you can come here? Become a big brother for Iris. Harass everyone in the Royal Castle with your stupid shenanigans?! That ain't how it works! You're just a filthy commoner, who should be on their knees at the presence of your Prince!"
He said to me, with a gnarly and raspy tone as our eyes exchanged an intense staredown.
Dammit.. I was losing strength... My body wasn't trained to last long in a fight like this..
Prince Jatice noticed my weakening strength, pushing my sword aside with his own with insane precision.
And then, with the bottom of his handle, he delivered a swift strike to the side of my head.
My head met the ground, my body aching, and my consciousness fading like a distant whisper.
"No!"
My ears picked up the sound of a desperate yelp.
Turning my head with sluggish effort, I glimpsed at Darkness, restrained by Claire, Rain, and the knights, struggling to break free as she reached out for me.
With the last of my strength I could muster, I extended my hand towards her.
And her hand attempting to reach mine, tears welling up in her eyes.
My vision had finally succumbed to the darkness... and I was left alone...
...
When I finally opened my eyes, I found myself in a familiar place, seated in a distinct chair I had grown accustomed to.
Was I dead?
My gaze fixed on the empty chair in front of me.
It was the kind of chair a goddess would usually sit on and greet me, telling me that I was dead and about to be reincarnated into another world.
I had hope to see Eris-sama.
Knowing her, she was probably going to lecture me about not causing anymore ruckus in the Royal Capital and that I should just join the Silver-Haired Thief Brigade.
I needed to be resurrected, to come back to life-
.
.
.
"O-ho no... I say when we're done..."
.
.
.
A surge of blue electricity engulfed my chest, complete shock coursed through every cell in my body, pulling me back away from the realm of the heavens.
"ERRHHHMM! MMMMHHHVAAHH! UWAHHHH!"
I awoke back, descending down back to the mortal world with a scream of soaring and searing pain.
The pain was unbelievably unbearable, my nervous system thrust into overdrive.
I groaned loudly, struggling to comprehend the overwhelming painful electrifying sensation coursing through me.
As my senses gradually returned, I found myself back in front of the castle, encircled by a multitude of knights.
Darkness had been finally subdued by the knights and Claire, forced to merely watch the unfolding scene.
Prince Jatice stood confidently, waiting for my recovery.
"I'm not leaving until I see the real you... Get up!"
He gestured with his hand, ushering me to stand up.
What the fuck was that?
Did he shock me with a beginner electric spell to jolt me back into consciousness?
That was something I never expected a world like this to use...
If I recall, doctors use electricity to shock the patient to revive them as well.
Was it like a off-brand spell of Resurrection?
Ugh, my head is killing me... I was most certainly having a concussion, fatigued from the ongoing battle and I wasn't in good condition to continue...
But being mocked by a handsome, tall, strong guy like him was absolutely annoying.
One thing that pisses me off the most was Darkness, her desperation to rush to my aid thwarted by his actions. The fact that he denied her, nearly reducing her to tears, ignited a rage within me.
Without a word, I grasped my sword and charged straight at him.
Was I afraid of him? No, not really. After all, I had already confronted true terror in my first battle against Apex Crimson – an enemy who foretold the deaths of me and my companions.
But was I slowly breaking down?
Yes.
I was being pushed to my absolute limits, a test of endurance and strength. But how much longer could I hold out?
With no plan, I just went ahead and charged at him with everything I've got until I could officially die.
If I go unconscious, he'll just shock me with electricity to wake up. And then he'll do it again, and again, and again.
Until I finally die.
Once more, our swords clashed, the metallic clang resonating through the air.
At this point, he was able to damage me with multiple cuts around my legs, shoulders, and arms because of my increasing tiredness.
"You're fucking hopeless! You spit on the hard work of the family clans of Claire and Rain, as well as everyone who contributed to my kingdom! I can't believe they lost to you!"
"Just shut the fuck up! Why the hell are you doing this?! To put me down?! To force me to separate from Lalatina?!"
"As I've already said, Satou Kazuma..."
He grabbed the blade of my sword with his own hands, stopping it from it's trajectory.
"Did you really think you can get away with injuring my knights... sexually harassing the housemaids... troubling the butlers... causing millions of Eris in damages from your shenanigans... causing a ruckus for both Claire and Rain..."
Prince Jatice and I exchanged front kicks, the momentum toppling us both as we lost balance.
We both stood up simultaneously from our fall.
"And above all else... corrupting and influencing my little sister, Iris!"
Were those all the reasons why he started this whole fight to begin with?
"It's not my fault you weren't there for her!"
"The fuck you say?!"
"Iris lacked an elder brother figure! She chose me as that figure, someone who was present for her unlike you!"
"Oh we got a MODEL BIG BROTHER here!"
Prince Jatice and I charged at each other once more, grabbing our swords that dropped between us when our kicks exchanged blows.
"Who are you really?! Show me! Show me the demon king general-killer!"
"You should be more concern with hurting your little sister's feelings by hurting her older brother figure!"
"I could give hot-shit about your brotherly advice! I want to see the MASKED-MAN THIEF and his TERROR!"
Tch, this man cares little about anything else.
He's consumed by his desire to fight me, to find a rival worthy of his combative skill.
Though I can't blame him if he spent most of his life in the frontlines, fighting the Demon King and his army...
"Let the MASKED-MAN THIEF out! Let me see him!"
He yelled out with such yearn, as if he wanted someone who could challenge him, rival him in combat.
Enough of this shit...
"You started this— I will end it!"
"Good! I'm looking forward to it!"
Summoning my final shreds of strength, I relentlessly pounded his colossal sword with my smaller one.
"You will join the demon king generals in the afterlife!"
Forced onto the defensive, Prince Jatice struggled to counter my onslaught, repeatedly bludgeoning his sword.
I lasted for a good ten seconds until...
I eventually stopped my actions... gasping for air, my arms going numb, my legs about to give in, and my vision fading...
I dropped my sword.
And my body was about to fall.
Prince Jatice managed to hold on longer than I had thought, though I shouldn't be surprised at this point.
No way was I going to beat him.
He probably wasn't even trying at all.
Prince Jatice grabs me by the neck, holding me up high in the air for everyone to witness...
"I finally see why the demon kings generals, Claire, Rain, and my knights lost to you... even this... lesser version of you... But I am not one of them! I've trained ever since I was able to walk on my own two feet... I would rather die at the hands of the Demon King than die by the hands of a weak man like you..."
I gave it my all...
Prince Jatice whispered into my ear one last time,
"And when I finally end your life... I have plans for your Lalatina... She's going to suffer excruciating torture to pay for your crimes!"
Suddenly, a surge of unknown strength, perhaps my own adrenaline rush finally kicking into action, erupted from inside me.
I grabbed Prince Jatice's arm that held me by the neck with both of my hands.
Drain Touch.
He loses his grip on my neck entirely.
"Gah! What on earth! Drain-"
Create Earth!
Wind Breath!
I unleashed a gust of sand into Prince Jatice's eyes, temporarily blinding him and shattering his guard.
"You insufferable-"
With the last of my true strength, I unleashed a fist of fury, aimed squarely at his jaw.
"RAHHHHHHH!"
A fierce war cry tore from my throat, one I thought I would never emit in my entire lifetime, as my fist met his face.
He staggered backward, a few steps giving him the balance he needed to stand firm once more.
The knights gasped audibly, murmuring amongst themselves.
"To think he was the first person to ever lay a blow on Prince Jatice himself..."
Claire uttered with shock.
With my entire stamina drained, exhausted beyond measures, I lost all functions of my body, and fell onto the ground.
But before I could hit the ground completely, I felt a pair of gentle hands catching my head, and slowly putting me down on a soft lap pillow.
Darkness had rushed in to save me before I could injure my head any further.
And then Aqua and Megumin came by to my side.
"Kazuma.. I'm so sorry..."
Darkness's voice cracked down mid-sentence, her tear-filled eyes meeting mine as I gazed up at her.
Her tears fell onto my face, and I mustered a smile despite my terrible condition.
Prince Jatice let out a low chuckle, apparently unfazed by my punch.
"There he is..."
He wiped a smear of blood from his mouth, then pointed directly at me.
"There's the Masked-Man Thief who defeated four of the demon king generals..."
His satisfaction seemed apparent as he spoke, his desire for fighting completely diminished.
Slowly, Aqua began her healing magic, and I managed to sit up straight.
"Congratulations, Kazuma. You've survived the royal beatdown. Now..."
This time, his sword pointed at me.
"I challenge you to a royal duel, Satou Kazuma. Run away, and you'll be branded a coward across all the kingdoms. You'll never live a normal life again with everyone harassing you and your party members. Accept, and you'll face me in a royal coliseum, in front of hundreds of spectators. If you win, I'll leave you and your companions alone, forgive you of all your crimes, and respect you as a strong and hardworking person. But should you lose..."
He then points his sword at Darkness.
"Lady Lalatina will become my bride."
Oh brother...
Can I get a break at all from this world?
"And furthermore, your archwizard and archpriest will be delivered to the frontlines, aiding our war against the Demon King. Their talents are better suited serving the kingdom rather than leaving them with a man like you."
Another ultimatum, just like the king's... though it's way better than being forced to separate from Lalatina.
"I can't fathom why Lady Lalatina has chosen a feeble, lazy man like you. Nor do I care to criticize her romantic choices. However, I've been close friends with Lady Lalatina since childhood, longer than you have. I'd prefer to see her in the embrace of a capable, diligent man, someone worthy of her affection and presence, rather than you, weak, and exhausted from a mere battle..."
Ugh, he's reminding me of myself when Darkness's father gave me that ultimatum to take Darkness as my bride.
I thought of the same thing.
I also wouldn't let Darkness marry off some weird guy that I don't know.
And right now, Prince Jatice is thinking of the same thing.
"From your expression, it seems you've already reached your decision. Very well. You'll have a week to train to your utmost potential. Use whatever weapons or spells you see fit. I'll be prepared..."
Prince Jatice snapped his fingers, and the knights dispersed, each returning to their reassigned tasks.
With Prince Jatice gone from the scene, Iris approached me cautiously, her concern evident as I remained seated on the ground, struggling to catch my breath.
"Onii-sama... I'm terribly sorry that I couldn't stop him. I was too afraid to..."
"Don't say anymore. It's alright. I had this coming for an extremely long time."
Only now did I realize the incredible fortune I'd enjoyed, evading severe consequences thanks to Iris's high authority and the leniency shown by Claire and Rain.
It wasn't until a male noble with a higher authority than Iris decided enough was enough and put me in my place. And I deserve every beatdown I got.
More importantly, did the king have any hostility towards me? Well, considering he didn't execute me on the spot, he must not hold too much hostility.
He even mentioned he liked me.
All I have to deal with is the prince of this kingdom.
More troublesome problems once more...
It's like every turn I make, I was bound to find trouble.
"I'll speak to my father and have the duel called off."
"Even if you ask, I'm pretty sure your father gave him permission to do everything that's happened until now. So there's no use into trying to convince him. I'll face your older brother in combat and knock some sense into him. Speaking of which, why is there such animosity between you two?"
I asked Iris.
"W-Well... he sent me letters, urging me to stop seeing you after Claire and Rain sent him letters detailing every misdeed you've committed. I didn't reply to his letters at all, as he's never met you in person. He probably holds a deep grudge against you, and now that he's here... he likely aims to finally put an end to your shenanigans..."
So that's why they're both mad at each other?
Just because the two of their minds didn't aligned?
Have these two ever heard of a damn discussion?
"I don't have the right to judge your sibling relationship but sounds like the two of you need to talk a lot in order to catch up. That being said, is there a room where I can lay and rest on? I'm extremely exhausted right now..."
"Of course, right this way."
Iris led the way with Darkness and Megumin carrying my arms to aid my walking.
...
For the remainder of the day, I slept in one of the guest rooms to rest and recover my wounds.
Thanks to Aqua's healing magic, my wounds had healed, and my stamina had returned back to full bar surprisingly.
But I needed to use this time to think about what to do with my current situation.
I've already made my decision.
In just a week's time, I would engage in a royal duel against Prince Jatice of the Belzerg Kingdom... all just for a girl... Not that I'm trying to make Darkness a bad person or anything.
I just never thought that I would be in this situation at all. To fight in front of hundreds of spectators.
Megumin's words from the balcony hit me instantly...
'There is not a doubt that someone would eventually come to challenge you for Darkness.'
I mean she's not wrong.
Darkness had always been surrounded by suitors, wanting her to be their bride.
Yet, of all individuals to step forward as my first challenger, it had to be none other than the Prince of Belzerg himself.
Talk about terrible luck.
Huh, that also reminds me...
Before Alderp disappeared, during the farewell party that Iris held for me, he mentioned that only Prince Jatice could be considered a worthy match for Darkness.
It's entirely impossible that Alderp was able to switch bodies with Prince Jatice considering he had disappeared completely without a trace. Even if such a switch had occurred, Alderp would have hurriedly retreated from the front lines and promptly proposed to Darkness. So that's out of the question.
Furthermore, his swordsmanship was undeniably exceptional and precise, surpassing any I'd ever witnessed. This prince was no imposter or infiltrator, like the Prime Minister of Elroad.
He was the real deal.
That being said...
How on earth am I gonna beat this guy within a week's amount of time?
Clearly he wasn't even trying his hardest, and he withstood the most powerful punch I'd ever thrown.
The door to my room creaked open.
"Are you awake, Kazuma?"
Darkness entered, bearing a tray laden with steaming egg-drop soup, a cup of water, a generous portion of medium-rare sliced steak, and a bowl of steamed rice.
"Yes, I'm still alive. Is this perhaps dinner for me?"
I had been locked up in this room for god knows how long. Not that I was forced to since I decided to stay here.
But it appears that the sun was starting to set.
"Indeed. I've been relieved of my duties since Claire is on night duty, guarding Iris's room. She willingly volunteered for the night shift, mentioning that she wanted to sleep with Iris as an extra precaution."
Figures.
That woman has a thing for Iris but no one besides me seems to notice...
"That's quite convenient. Are you planning to spend the night in this room with me? After all, the entire castle seems to be aware of the situation. No need to keep it hidden."
"Hey, how could you act so casual when just a few hours ago, you were fighting to the death with Prince Jatice?"
Darkness dragged over a chair, placing the tray of delectable food on the nearby dresser.
"Because I can be? By the way, what's the deal with that enormous mirror? Is it in every guest room?"
Before us stood a sizable mirror, an odd placement indeed.
"It's a fixture in every guest room. It's there to ensure that castle guests harbor no hostile intentions that might endanger others. They've installed one-way mirrors so the knights can monitor the guests while they rest. But since you're trusted, no one is keeping tabs on you. I've already confirmed that. The mirror is also enchanted with thunderstorm rain, so it reflects your true self."
Both Darkness and I regarded the mirror with some curiosity.
"What's with that depressed tone of yours? Is there anything you want to speak about before I eat?"
There was something obviously bothering her mind as she kept glancing down on the floor, pondering in her deepest thoughts.
Also because the mirror showed her with tears streaming down onto her cheeks.
Finally, she let her head drop into her hands.
"Ugh, I'm such a clumsy woman. I preached about keeping our relationship secret, yet I'm the one responsible for this mess. Declaring my affection in front of everyone, and especially before that young lady. Perhaps if I had suppressed my feelings for you... things wouldn't have escalated to this point."
I had suspected she had something on her mind, but what on earth was this idiot blathering about now?
Was she doubting her feelings and our relationship?
"Kazuma... I'm at a loss. I don't know what to do anymore. This issue we face is beyond understanding, beyond my capabilities. We're powerless against the Prince and the King... What can we possibly do?"
She turned to me, her expression riddled with anxiety and concern, her eyes on the brink of welling up.
Guess it's my time to shout some words of encouragement, the same thing she did to me back at the campfire when she confessed her feelings and I almost broke down crying.
I took hold of her hands gently, drawing her closer.
"We do what we think is best, even if others don't like it. We've done the impossible before and suffered the consequences. And we'll do it again. However, this time... I have to handle it alone. Let's be real, Darkness, something like this was inevitable."
She averted her gaze as my words lingered.
"And stop dwelling on the past so much. What happened yesterday, can't be changed so it's best if you don't think about it. Cheer up, Lalatina. That sad mood won't get us anywhere. For me, okay?"
While her lips didn't curve into a smile, at least the frown on her lips disappeared.
"Alright... but Kazuma, are you certain about handling this by yourself? Is there anything I can assist you with?"
"Give me a moment to think it over. I've got a full week to train, so there might be a shortcut to gaining strength quickly. In the meantime, could you perhaps..."
My voice trailed off as I peered at the fresh dinner tray meant for me.
"Oh, you want me to feed you? I was planning on doing that already. It's the least I can do to help..."
Darkness picked up the tray and settled it on her lap.
"Kazuma, do you recall the first time I tried to feed you? You instantly rejected me, remember?"
"I do."
"Can you at least say 'please feed me' while putting your hands together?"
"Why are you trying to tease me at a moment like this? Fine. Please feed me, Mamatina."
"Mamatina?! A new pet name for me?!"
"Yup."
"I suppose I don't mind. Is it acceptable if I call you Satou instead? Hardly anyone addresses you by your last name. I was wondering if I could, being your girlfriend."
"How about this: I'll stop using Mamatina from now on. And you, in turn, don't use Satou anymore? Hearing it from you feels oddly... off, and not in any inappropriate sense."
"Alright, I won't use it. But you can still call me Mamatina."
"Just hand me the tray already if you're going to chatter rather than feed me!"
"S-Sorry. Here."
With that, Darkness approached with her fork, bearing a piece of sliced steak.
"How does it taste?"
"You're asking as if you made it."
"Umm.. that is because I did?"
"Really? It's actually quite delicious. Did you spend your skill points on cooking just for me?"
"Yes. After you continuously insulted my cooking skills, I felt compelled to improve."
"I appreciate it, Lalatina."
Normally I would tell her that it was a waste for her to be spending skill points on such needless skills.
But... I've grown a lot from her. Every action she takes seems to revolve around me, and I've grown to value and cherish that. So, the least I can do is show my gratitude, and that's enough to satisfy her.
"Was there any other reason for you to be cooking, aside from my benefit?"
She offered me another piece of sliced steak, which I accepted.
"I was assigned to cook for Iris too. No chefs are permitted to prepare her meals, and the butlers aren't allowed to serve her. So, I'm taking on both roles, and it's surprisingly manageable."
"That makes sense. Given your familiarity with feeding Iris when she was younger, they must trust you a lot. By the way, once all of this is resolved, you should introduce me to Slyphina. I also want to meet your father and let him know that I plan on making you my bride after dealing with Prince Jatice."
"Why the sudden declaration? I don't mind the idea of us getting married, but do you truly think you can defeat him?"
"Oh, the marriage part was just a joke. I mean, I can't really defeat him. He's been training since he was practically in diapers. My goal is more about finding a way to hold my ground against him. Do you have any insights? You must know some of his weaknesses given your history as childhood friends."
"Wait, you were joking about the marriage proposal? So, you don't really want to...?"
Darkness was sent back to her previous depressed state.
"H-Hey, let's stick to the main topic. I do want to m-marry you, but that's something for us to consider in the future. I'd need your father's approval, an Eris priest's blessing, and we'd have to find a suitable place. With the amount of money I have we can probably spend a lot... Wait, why am I already planning this out? Focus! Do you know of any of Prince Jatice's weaknesses?"
She burst into laughter at my flustered expression.
"Unfortunately, no. I've never actually fought him. Our interactions have been limited to the occasional meetings when our fathers held their weekly discussions."
"Wait, so you're saying there's no dramatic childhood love story where you and the Prince shared deep feelings for each other as you've interacted occasionally, then heartbreakingly torn apart by fate and then reunited as soon as you both turn into adults?"
"Absolutely not. I never harbored any romantic feelings for the Prince, and I'm quite certain the feeling was mutual. It was usually the daughters of visiting nobles who were more taken by his status. And if he had feelings for me, I'm certain he would've expressed them long before I met you."
"That's really odd. Why would he threaten to take you away from me then? It doesn't make much sense..."
"I truly don't understand his motivations... but Kazuma..."
Darkness reached out, placing her hand on my cheek to draw my attention to her eyes.
"Promise me that you won't let him take me away from you..."
Her voice held a soft, melancholic tone, and her words struck a chord within me.
Why did she have to phrase it like that, turning this situation into some sort of heroic tale where the protagonist fights valiantly for his love? But I couldn't deny that it tugged at my heartstrings.
Naturally, I reached up to hold the hand that cupped my face.
"I won't let him. After everything we've been through, I'm not about to let some guy who shows up out of nowhere take away the person I care about most..."
"Kazuma... when did you start speaking so romantically and affectionately?"
She wore a smile, almost proud of the progress I'd made.
"I don't know. Maybe recent events have brought it out of me. But right now, I really want to kiss you. Can I?"
Her eyes closed in response.
"You may..."
Leaning in, our lips met once more, reaffirming the connection between us.
Even after all this time, every kiss still felt as exhilarating as the first.
I loved her more than I could express, more than I ever thought possible.
Her beauty was breathtaking, her personality captivating. I often found myself wondering why she chose me over someone like Prince Jatice, who was undoubtedly strong and handsome.
But within seconds, our kiss grew more intense, our tongues dancing in a familiar, passionate rhythm.
However, she managed to murmured a sentence in a midst of my tongue still in her mouth.
"Kazuma, we should stop before-"
"Are you two ready? What the heck?!"
"-...before that happens..."
We pulled away from each other, our own saliva dripping from each other's mouth as we both registered Aqua and Megumin standing in the doorway.
"Darkness! I told you to feed him and tell him to prepare, not to get all horny and make out with him! Ugh! I shouldn't have trusted you!"
Megumin scolded her, clearly not interested in the intimate scene.
Aqua and Megumin both had their bags packed and ready.
"Prepare for what? Where are you guys going?"
I inquired, puzzled by their sudden departure.
"We're going back home, obviously. What else did you expect?"
Aqua responded, as if she hadn't overheard anything about me and Prince Jatice.
"Back home?! Why are you leaving? We were supposed to stay here for a week."
"And do what? Let you get your ass kicked by that annoying, arrogant prince, then have him take Darkness away from us, and finally have me and Megumin sent to the frontlines? No way we're letting that happen! I'd rather stick with you."
"But we'll be labeled cowards."
"Pfft! So? Your daily insults are much more hurtful than the words of some random person. Besides, we're can just defeat the Demon King, and then we won't be labeled as cowards anymore and everyone would love us! Problem solved!"
She grinned cheerfully as if defeating the Demon King was an easy feat.
"Darkness, are you joining them too? Are you planning to run away as well?"
I directed my attention to her.
Her guilty expression told me everything I needed to know.
"Darkness... were you willing to throw away your entire family name away and entire way of living just for me?"
My concern was evident in my voice.
"Absolutely! I've said it before when my father was gravely ill, and I'll say it again. I'm more than willing to give up everything for you, for Megumin, and for Aqua. Just so I can embark on adventures with the four of us again."
"I didn't realize you were that serious... Oh boy..."
I feel like I need a nap to think about this sudden declaration.
"Even if I lose my family name, I won't be troubled. I have you... My true name could be Satou Lalatina!"
"Ugh, that sounds so strange! Wait... how about Dustiness Satou Lalatina? Does that sound better?"
"Surprisingly, it does. Should we make it official?"
"Hey, we're both still here, you know..."
Megumin's interruption was perfectly timed, with good reason.
"Sorry. Anyway, I would like for all of us to stay here. I intend on dueling with Prince Jatice. I've already decided on it."
Both Megumin and Aqua were taken aback.
"What?! Are you insane?! There's no way a Hiki-NEET like you can beat him! He's ridiculously strong!"
"Aqua's got a point, Kazuma. As much as I admire your strength and courage... you were clearly outmatched. What makes you think you can win against him if he's also training during that week?"
Tch, they're underestimating me again.
Do I need to remind them of the roof over their heads, the food they eat, and all the comforts they enjoy thanks to my ingenuity and skill?
"I think Kazuma can do this..."
Darkness interjected into our conversation.
"What?! Darkness, you believe him?! Why are you on his side? Even if I secretly buff him, there's no way he can beat that narcissist loser!"
Now I really want to punch this lady.
"Darkness, we know you have deep feelings for Kazuma, and I do too. But let's be practical here. This guy is incredibly strong!"
Even Megumin was attempting to reason with her.
"But does it matter? Every opponent we've encountered has been stronger than any one of us alone. Every challenge we've faced has been beyond our individual capabilities. This is no different. No matter how daunting the path, Kazuma has always been there to rescue us... from our own problems. He saved me from an arranged marriage, saved your village twice, and even sacrificed himself to protect Arcanletia. What do you both say? Maybe we should let Kazuma save us once more."
Megumin and Aqua had the most tsundere expressions, looking away and sporting a faint blush.
"W-Well, I guess I'll let Kazuma have his moment of heroics just this time."
Megumin was the first to come over, making her way around the bed and sitting beside me where I was still resting.
She took hold of my left hand, gripping it tightly and resolutely, showing no intention of letting go.
"Don't let that guy send me off to the frontlines to use me as a weapon..."
She stared at me with her crimson eyes glowing once more.
Aqua finally gave in and casually walked towards the three of us, sitting on the bed near my legs were, and clutching the bottom of my shirt.
"Make sure you kick that guy's butt for me..."
She maintained her bashful demeanor and kept averting her gaze.
Meanwhile, I felt another soft hand clasping my right hand, a familiar touch.
Darkness also had her grip on my hand, even firmer and tighter than Megumin's hold.
"Kazuma... promise me that you won't let him take me away from you..."
She repeated once more, but still had the same effect on me.
All three of them gazed at me, their eyes reflecting a mixture of sadness and a glimmer of hope.
Dammit.
What was this sensation?
I hadn't anticipated that these three girls would all act so earnestly and actually rely on me to rescue them from a terrible fate...
For once, I actually feel like a capable leader that could be relied on by a bunch of beautiful women.
To think that when I first started, this was my dream... and now that it's a reality... I'm absolutely overwhelmed by the weight of responsibility...
If I fail... it's over...
Aqua and Megumin would be sent to the frontlines to be used as weapons of war.
Lalatina would be forced into a loveless marriage, doomed to eternal sadness and unhappiness for the rest of her life.
And I would live a miserable life, alone, remembering every day of the stench of my failure because I wasn't strong enough to protect all three of them.
"Kazuma..."
"Kazuma..."
"Kazuma..."
They echoed my name in harmony, their voices laced with sadness and solitude.
Before I could react, my attention was drawn to the large mirror situated before us.
The girls' backs were turned to the mirror, so I couldn't see their reflections.
But more surprisingly, the person they were gazing at and clinging to... wasn't me...
The same dark, shadowy figure with glowing green emerald eyes I'd encountered in my own water reflection, and the nightmare I was in, was resting on the bed, replacing me entirely.
The ominous figure and I locked eyes.
In an instant as I blinked, he disappeared completely, with my original self placed back into it's location.
I looked back at the girls once more, with smiles now appearing in their faces.
Closing my eyes, I took a deep breath and exhaled slowly.
It seemed I am left with no other choice.
I never thought I would be doing this but...
I'm going to have to train...
