Kazuma's POV
2nd duel
"Whoever can bring the other to their knees in an arm wrestle!"
"I accept!" He said bracing himself up against me, and the moment the flag dropped, I instantly activated {Drain Touch} zapping away his strength.
"Kazuma Satou wins, with his opponent brought to his knees!" The judge declared with some of the knights sending me dirty looks.
3rd duel
"Kazuma Satou wins by his opponent losing his footing!" The judge declared as the knight was lying on a sheet of ice I had created.
4th-9th duel
"The winner is Kazuma Satou, again!"
10th duel
"Rules this time, the first person's face to come in contact with dirt from this arena will lose," I declared after thinking about it for a few minutes.
"Fine, I accept the conditions of this duel," The knight, in what seemed to be a pristine outfit accepted, does he think he can beat me easily, or is he willing to sacrifice his good looks for a win? Time to find out.
"{Wind breath}" I chanted, as I ducked low and aimed my hands towards the knight, causing dirt on the ground to fly towards him.
The knight brought his cape up to shield himself from the improvised sandstorm. Well, this wasn't as easy as I had hoped, but we have backups for a reason {Concealment}.
The knight in his dirty cape scanned the room the moment it was no longer covering his face. He immediately started slashing around himself, I guess he remembered how I snuck up behind the last guy.
I brought out my leather arrow as I strung it up very quietly from the other side of the arena, I used {Farsight} to look for an opening before I activated {Snipe} and let the arrow loose. He was so fast that the arrow got split in half, which caused him to be covered with sand.
The knight looked horrified as I used {Wind breath} again and this time he didn't even try to shield himself as he got covered in more dirt.
The judge looked tired and disappointed as he declared, "Kazuma Satou wins… again."
"That's my tenth duel, can't I get a break now, I am starting to get tired," I complained, which was met with boos from the peanut gallery.
"You are only excluded from duels if you have won 24 in a day, or someone else is dueling," The judge said.
"We are going to have a duel!" A guy with purple hair declared as he was dragging Subaru with him.
"Holy shit, what did you get yourself into?" I asked out loud.
"This lowly servant declared himself a knight, so if he beats me I will acknowledge him as such, but when he loses he must apologize for making such a dimwitted remark!" The purple hair guy said as Subaru grabbed a wooden sword.
"Oh, the knights are back," I remarked, most of them had left after I won my 5th duel, I guess they are interested to see what Subaru can do in a duel. Never mind, I think most of these guys want to see him dead. I noted to myself as I saw the death glares they were all throwing Subaru.
"Now as you stated, this duel isn't over until one of us gives up," The purple-haired Knight said.
"Yes!" I just looked at Subaru in surprise, first of all, that would come down to skill, which Subaru has yet to showcase, and secondly did he not just watch me do duels? Simply make rules that favor you!
"Good luck, don't die," I shot in as Felt and Beatrice walked over to me with some food.
"Are you going to help him?" Felt asked, clearly a little worried about Subaru, and while Beatrice didn't say anything, I did catch a look of concern.
"We can stay and watch, to make sure he doesn't get himself killed," I said before sitting down and eating some of the food from the banquet.
A red-headed knight walked over to the purple boy, as Subaru was doing his stretches.
"Julius you shouldn't do this, it's not like you," The redhead told Julius.
"Reinhard he insulted us, the knights of the kingdom, before the candidates one of which will be our future ruler, and he mocked the very chivalry we practice," Julius said in a firm tone, as he took the wooden sword from Reinhard.
"I will admit that he did say some things that went too far, but for such a matter, he need only be warned and corrected," Sorry Reinhard, I think Julius has made his mind up on this.
"No, this is not only my problem," He said firmly before raising his wooden sword over his head. "I hereby administer the death penalty to this insubordinate man, who sullied the knighthood's honor!" He declared so everyone watching could hear, causing all the other knights to cheer loudly.
Holy shit, is he really going to kill Subaru, I might have to step in now, but I'll let him finish his dialogue.
"Normally, you would be slain for the insolence you have showcased today, however, much to my dismay, you are Lady Emilia's attendant, therefore we will fight with wooden swords," Oh, well he might get bruised up, but I am sure he can get healed up after the duel is over.
"Then, shall we begin?" Julius asked, with one hand behind his back.
"Sure, I'm not gonna hold back!" Subaru roared as he charged forward, no Subaru, a frontal attack is what he is hoping you will do. To my surprise, Subaru went low and kicked up some dirt, but since he expected an attack from the front, Julius easily evaded, closed the distance, and knocked Subaru over.
"It appears you truly have no pride, what a simple, and vulgar way to live" Julius accused as he pointed his wooden blade at Subaru lying in the dirt before he winded up and smacked his sword hard enough against Subaru's face to elicit a sickening *CRUNCH*.
Then he proceeded to smack Subaru that way over and over again, ok he might be annoying, but he doesn't deserve to die. "IT'S ENOUGH!" I yelled, which got everyone's attention, except Subaru's.
He just took advantage of my momentary distraction to loudly chant "{SHAMAK}!" which filled the arena with thick black smoke, only for Julius to disperse the black cloud by waving it away with his sword, before following up with a blow to Subaru's stomach, making him bend over while clutching his stomach.
"Such low-level magic will only work on unintelligent beasts, you are irredeemably weak, and you do not deserve to stand by Lady Emilia's side!" Julius tore into Subaru lying on the ground panting for air, his face bloody and bruised.
"I said enough!" I repeated, this time stepping in between Julius and Subaru.
"You are interfering in an official duel, are you challenging me?" Ah fuck, if this guy beats me up Subaru you owe me so much.
"So what if I am, I have already beaten 10 knights, " I declared.
"Your underhanded tactics won't be as readily available, as I will be the one setting the rules, you do realize this?" He asked, this was a gamble, but maybe I could trick him, by making him focus on his chivalry.
"I know that, since Subaru isn't able to wield his blade, I will wield it in his stead, for the soldier depends on his blade and his mastery with it, but if he loses it, he has most likely already died," I quoted a bullshit proverb from one of my fighting games, but hopefully, it would be enough to influence him a little.
"Very well spoken, chef, for this duel, since I do not wish to humiliate you as much as that worthless mutt, I will rather have the rule be: if you lose your blade, you will also lose, do you accept my condition?" Holy shit it worked, THANK ERIS it worked.
"I accept, but first, can you please get him to a bed and heal him?" I queried looking over at Beatrice and Emilia, they quickly sprang into action and removed the now unconscious Subaru from the arena.
"Are you prepared to duel me, chef?" Julius asked in the same manner, but he didn't seem as certain about winning, as he had been with Subaru. Yeah I had beaten the other knights, but this guy seemed to be a bit higher on the totem pole. I also saw him holding back a lot of
I nodded before chanting "{Steal}" which I directed at Julius, he shielded himself from the blue light my hand emitted before I stood there with one wooden sword in each hand.
"UGH!" An audible sigh erupted into the arena as the judge declared me the winner again.
"Why do you look so mad, you didn't forbid me from using my skills," I said, a little high on myself.
"This is not our last duel CHEF!" Julius spat with venom in his voice, the slight respect he had for me completely gone before he tried to leave the arena.
"Kazuma Satou, I would like to challenge you to a duel," The guy named Reinhard said, with a soft smile.
"I can't deny you I guess, how about this, the first person to fall asleep in this battle loses," I suggested.
"That is fine with me, whenever you are ready," He said as he stepped forward.
Before saying anything else I cast {Shamak} which I combined with {Concealment} before I used {Escape} to get out of the smoke cloud unnoticed, before using {Dash} to get around behind him, activating {Backstab}.
But when I went to attack him with the pummel of Chunchunmaru I must have miscalculated. because I just flew right over him before he grabbed my leg, and stretched his other hand out toward me and I tried to catch it, but I missed, and before I was able to use {Escape} everything went black.
Felt's POV
When the smoke cleared, Kazuma lay in the arms of this knight without moving a muscle, I dashed towards them horrified of what might have happened to him.
"Kazuma are you ok?" I asked, not able to hide my worry.
"He is fine Lady Felt, I only took away enough of his mana to fall asleep," The knight tried to reassure him, but I only relaxed when his warm breath hit my hand.
"The winner is Reinhard Van Astrea!" the judge declared with a lot more enthusiasm, as the entire arena erupted into cheers.
"I guess you will be my sponsor then?" I asked, unsure if this guy was really a good fit.
"I am happy to do so Lady Felt, I will do my utmost to help you become our next ruler," He said with a gentle smile, but he might just be saying that, and at any point, he might try to backstab me.
"Well, first of all, you can help me find a bed for Kazuma to rest in, mister Astrea," I ordered.
"With pleasure, now please follow me," He said before leading the way.
Subaru's POV
I woke up in a bed with a different roof over my head than what I had gotten used to. That's right, we are in the capital. Wasn't I in a fight with that fucker Julius, why am I not hurting, or dead?
"Oh, he is awake, meow if you will excuse me, I'll return to my lady," the catboy Felix who had picked us up at Roswaal's mansion said, before leaving me alone with Emilia.
"Thank you, Felix," Millie said before she turned to me with a stern face.
"Why did you get yourself into a fight with Julius?" She asked in a serious tone.
"Because, he insulted me, and said I wasn't worthy to stand by you," I answered, having a hard time meeting her gaze.
"Just for that!" She sounded almost angry as she said it. "I always thought you did things for a good reason, but that is just-"
"Stubbornness, yeah I know, but-"
"Let me finish, I was going to say you were being childish, and proclaiming yourself my knight was tactless if it hadn't been for Kazuma stepping in Julius might have beaten you to death," She reprimanded me like I was a child.
"Wa-"
"And Felix said that your gate had gotten damaged from that little stunt you pulled in the arena with Julius," She continued not even letting me get a word out. "You are also the reason why Reinhard challenged Kazuma to a duel that has left him bedridden."
"I don't want to hear about Kazuma! He doesn't treat you as I do," I argued.
"I am aware of that, and to be honest it would be better if you did," She shot back.
"What!"
"Did you not listen to what I wanted, I want everyone to be equal, Kazuma has treated me as an equal, while you seem to treat me like I am something better than everyone else!" Emilia shouted at me angrily.
"But you are special, you are the one that-" I protested, but I was cut short in my explanation as that dark hand tightened itself around my heart, making me unable to breathe, much less talk.
She calmed herself before she continued speaking, "You certainly seem to have this image of a perfect girl who can do no wrong, but I am not her, she is merely a figment of your imagination." No, you are wrong, you are special, you saved my life when I was just a stranger to you, you are lovely, and you are perfect in every way.
"Kazuma just treats everyone like trash! I respect you, I am the one that has been there saving you, every step of the way!" I argued.
"You respect me? Was it the respect that led you to go to the royal selection even when I asked you not to!? Was it respect for me that led you to a duel with a well-respected knight of the kingdom, and is it now out of respect you refuse to see me as Kazuma does!?" She yelled at me, tears forming in her beautiful eyes.
Her words hurt me, Kazuma this, Kazuma that, before I even got a chance to stop myself I screamed at her, "WITHOUT ME YOU WOULD ALL HAVE BEEN DEAD! YOU OWE ME SO MUCH MORE THAN KAZUTRASH DOES! EVERY STEP OF THE WAY IT WAS BECAUSE OF ME! YOU OWE ME MORE THAN YOU COULD EVER UNDERSTAND!"
I was breathing heavily as I now stood on top of my bed, with Emilia looking at me in shock, no she was looking at me like I was some sort of stranger. If I could just tell her everything, but just at the thought I could feel the hand caress my heart.
Emilia averted my gaze by looking down at the floor, "You're right Subaru, I owe you more than anything I could ever hope to repay, but I think it is time I start repaying you, here take this, it should be enough to get yourself a good house, and enough to live on for quite some time," Emilia said as she threw a pouch of coins onto my bed.
She then rose from her chair and walked over to the door, without even taking a second glance at me she said with her best attempt to hold back her tears, "From here on out, let's never see each other again, it would be for the best, right?" Then the door closed.
I was now here, on a fancy bed, with lots of money. However, all I could feel now was emptiness and regret. I was all alone.
Felt's POV
"Are you sure Kazuma is alright?" I asked impatiently for maybe the 14th or 15th time, as I was walking beside Beatrice and this Reinhard guy carrying Kazuma.
"Lady Felt, I swear on my honor that your chef is not hurt in any way, he is simply missing some of the mana that is required to stay awake, in little to no time he will be up and going again," Reinhard said, but I still looked over at Beatrice for confirmation.
"Like I said before, he is most assuredly just asleep, he will wake up in 2 or 3 hours, I suppose," Beatrice repeated, as we reached another mansion, with the same symbol on its gate as this red-head wore on his chest.
"I guess this is your place?" I said as we stopped in front of the large gates.
"You are most correct Lady Felt, this is the house of Astrea, and for the foreseeable future it shall be your home," He said in the same way all the other high and mighty people had said it as I stole their purses, but he did strike me as genuinely welcoming. However, that could all just be a trick to let my guard down, and I won't fall for something that obvious. The moment Kazuma wakes up we need to strategize and see if we can really trust Mister Perfect here. What could his hidden agenda be?
"I shall show you to your room and then I shall place your chef in the infirmary until he wakes up Lady Felt."
"No, just leave him in my room, I want to watch over him for now, also Beatrice I have to discuss something with you," I objected as I caught her stare.
"I will be joining you, in fact," Beatrice said.
"Very well, if it is the Lady's wish I will humbly comply," Well he is listening to me, for now at least.
Kazuma's POV
What the fuck is going on, did I pass out? Wait, that means I lost, well couldn't keep that up endlessly. My arms feel so heavy what is going on?
"Eugh!" I groaned as I forced my eyes open. Seeing Felt clutched onto my left arm and Beatrice latched onto the right, solved the mystery of why my arms felt so heavy.
This is starting to feel like a pattern, but it isn't unpleasant. Beatrice seems to just want to keep me close to her. She is similar to Iris in that she hasn't had anyone around, and therefore got attached after we clicked. Unlike Iris, Beatrice is a spirit contracted to me, so we are together for the long haul.
Looking around I could tell I was in quite a fancy bedroom that I didn't recognize. So I guess the guy who defeated me is well off. Hopefully, he can help Felt even if I am gone unless he is a scummy noble.
"Are you awake?" A quiet question was whispered into my ear, as Felt got her face close to mine. She looked as tired as I felt, with how hard she was struggling to hold her eyes open.
"Yeah, did I wake you?"
"Mhmm."
"Tired?"
"Yeah, and you?"
"Yup."
Felt buried her face in my neck, and got out a muffled, "Then sleep."
"Ok," I complied, wrapping my now free left arm around her, while she was leaning her body weight into me.
I'm unsure how Felt feels about me… no, I am afraid. I am not reminded of Megumin anymore when I look at Felt's crimson-red eyes, I just see Felt. Am I forgetting Megumin? No, that's not it. I know how I feel about Megumin, but is being with Felt starting to make me feel similarly for her?
Tired as I was, and in such a comfortable position, I let myself fall asleep.
Megumin's POV
"So we have figured out that this thing is responsible for Kazuma's and Chris' disappearances," I said pointing to the million-sided dice, "Now our mission is to replicate the magic by making the dice activate again, given we have all tried to throw it and failed, Aqua you are in charge of building a dice tower."
"But how should it look?" Aqua asked.
"THAT DOESN'T MATTER!" Darkness and Iris yelled out in unison.
"It only needs to function properly, Lady Aqua," Rain said while doing her best to keep Aqua from crying.
I clapped my hands, grabbing everyone's attention before continuing, "When one of us rolls the perfect roll using the dice tower Aqua builds, Rain, Iris and I will be doing our best to reverse engineer the magic, or if that doesn't work, we will push through such a high amount of magical power that we will force a hole in reality, so that we can go in and grab our friends."
"Breathe Megumin, breathe!" Darkness urged after I had finished my plan.
"Huh, ok, now let's get to it," I ordered, as we handed Aqua materials.
Chris' POV
Priscilla had been looking over her food, lightly picking at it, "Your friend seems quite capable, could you arrange for him to meet with me?"
I gave her an odd look, "Why are you asking?"
"I would like to see if I can persuade him to join my camp, his talents are currently wasted on serving a street rat," She said in a mocking tone.
"I can talk to him about it, but I am not going to promise anything," I said as I excused myself from the table, and returned to my room.
I will have to talk to Kazuma tomorrow, he can't keep being so reckless with how volatile things appear to be in this kingdom. We want to be playing a small role right now until we find a way back home.
