Ch. 231

-Whether you dedicate this glory of victory to someone, or express gratitude to Count Trenpe for his guidance… anything is fine.

-I have no memory of being taught by the Count. He’s just a coward.

-Hiek…….

-He even picks his opponents with his sword. Where else would you find a swordsman that petty?

The audience erupted, voices surging with anger.

That guy has a special talent. A talent for provoking people’s murderous intent!

“Disgusting!”

“So what if he’s the Duke’s son!”

“Boo!”

The fury was intense—intense enough that it wouldn’t have been surprising if someone charged the arena. Of course, no one would actually dare, knowing they’d be cut down by Rovenin in a single blow. Everyone here knew the value of their own life. Any anger-management problem would be cured on the spot in front of Rovenin.

-……I, I see.

-I’m the one who won, so why are you all so curious about my feelings? Isn’t this meaningless?

-Well, it is, but…….

-I’ll be going now.

-Just a moment! Please answer just one more question!

-Useless…….

-It’s really the last one!

It’s only the second question, though.

-Wouldn’t you say it’s everyone’s concern? Many people are curious. Where will the Young Master’s next step lead……! If there’s anyone you have in mind as your next challenge, please let us know!

-Next…….

-Yes! There’s talk that after Count Trenpe, you’ll go seek out the Mercenary King.

-I have no interest in the Mercenary King.

-Yes? Why is that? He’s one of the best fighters you haven’t defeated yet.

-He’s lost to Count Trenpe before, and he’s a very foolish person.

-……That was quite a long time ago, and we certainly expected you to be interested in him…….

Did he just call the Mercenary King foolish?

I must’ve misheard. I dug at my ear and looked around, and a few people were doing the same.

The Mercenary King was as famous for being bloodthirsty as Rovenin. A strong, powerful madman—exactly the kind of person you should never touch.

Congratulations, Rovenin. Looks like someone other than me will kill you.

-I was interested for a while. But I’ve become more interested in someone else.

-Oh! Who are you thinking of challenging?

Now that I think about it, his eyes only light up when he talks about fighting, that guy.

I already feel sorry for his next prey. It’s none of my business, but if you can’t kill him, I’d recommend just losing once.

Because if you lose, he’ll keep pestering you until you win.

-Crowell.

-……Who?

-Her name was Geenie, wasn’t it……? Jin? Jan? Anyway, Crowell something.

“Ugh, it must be something Crowell, you crazy bastard. Crowell isn’t a name, it’s a last name…….”

“……Geenie.”

I muttered—and then I realized the name was too familiar. It was my name.

My brain froze for a moment. I couldn’t think.

The host had clearly understood, but he asked again. He sounded unconvinced too.

-You don’t mean Geenie Crowell……?

-Was that her name? The woman who survived the Dragon’s hand.

-Saintess Crowell…….

-Yes. That woman.

-Yes…… She’s alive! It’s a truly joyous occasion. A blessing to the continent, a gift from God! Surely a precious soul…….

-I want to fight that woman.

The entire crowd flinched as one, and words spilled out in unison.

“Crazy bastard…….”

“He’s gone mad.”

“……Run away, Saintess…….”

Some said it out loud. I couldn’t even speak.

-She survived the Dragon’s hand, right? And she has a history of blocking Breath…… Rumors can’t all be trusted, but I wonder how much of it is true.

-I desperately hope I’m misunderstanding…… You don’t mean you want to fight the Saintess……? You’re going to swing a sword at the Saintess……? At her…….

-Exactly. I’m so excited to compete with her.

He smiled for the first time, pure delight on his face. It was a chillingly beautiful smile—and that was when I, who’d been half out of it, finally snapped back to my senses.

“Boo! What’s wrong with that guy!”

“The Saintess is under protection, top priority! We have to protect her!”

“You’re the only one who can look at the continent’s beloved symbol of sacrifice and think that way! You crazy battle maniac!”

“Get a grip!”

The jeers were scathing, and most of what I wanted to say came flying from every direction.

And I really was going to stay still. Even when Rovenin beat the Count. Even when he acted disgusting. Even when he couldn’t remember my name and just slurred it out.

But I couldn’t stand that he’d completely forgotten he’d fought me before.

I knew he’d erased me from his mind because I was a loser.

“Rovenin Fedri!”

Driven by rage, I sprang up from my seat and shouted, planting my right foot on the chair in front of me.

Up until then, I just looked like one more furious spectator.

But as I gathered Mana in a rush and raised my killing intent more fiercely than I ever had in my life, a few sensitive people started to turn toward me.

“Yeah! Come on, you crazy bastard! You need a beating! I accept the challen-mph……!”

Ash!

“Mmph!”

“Shhh. Calm down.”

“Neahhhh!”

“Calm…… Cal…….”

Damn it, you angelic bastard!

I can’t do anything reckless because of you! Get off my right side! I’m going to dunk that red-haired psycho in water and use him as an Endairon headdress!

[That’s right! Calm down, Master! You’ll get sick! You’re a human who can’t even live for decades!]

[I’ll kill him!]

[That’s right! If you summon Endairon now, you’ll suffer from lifespan-shortening symptoms again!]

I bit down hard on the hand covering my mouth until I tasted blood, but Ash didn’t move it.

I even tried licking the bite, but I’d used that trick too many times now, and it didn’t work.

“Ughhh!”

I thrashed and fought with everything I had, unable to rein in my temper, but it was useless. In the blink of an eye, I was lifted and dragged from my seat.

Ash carried me out of the stands like a sack of potatoes, whispering urgently.

“I’m sorry. But this is not allowed.”

[Rai!]

[Huh? Ash?]

“Bite him!”

[How much? Can I draw blood? Yes? No? Just get him off? You’re being really picky!]

If I’m unclear, Rai can’t interpret the order properly, so the execution gets delayed.

Before Rai could figure it out, I’d already been dragged into the hallway.

No one was in the short tunnel where the exit was visible, and I was furious that Ash had, once again, stopped me from doing something.

No one gets to do that to me.

When Ash set me down near the exit, I swung my hand at his face the moment I was free—very like me, and something I shouldn’t have done.

“Die!”

Slap!

Yes, I slapped him. I hit Ash’s face. He could’ve dodged with his eyes closed, but he took it without even flinching, looking only at me as if it didn’t matter at all.

“Geenie! You know this isn’t the time to overdo it!”

“……Ugh, why are you just taking it!”

“If hitting me relieves your anger, then do it. But for my sake…… right now…….”

“You’re annoying!”

“Endure it for now. I know it’s a difficult request, but it’s for your sake.”

I knew the anger that should’ve been aimed at Rovenin was spilling onto the wrong person.

But I was so angry my chest heaved as I panted—angry and guilty at the same time—and once again I had to admit I was kind of a crazy person.

Tears welled up. I was embarrassed, because so many emotions tangled together at once that I couldn’t handle them.

I hated things not going my way. I hated Rovenin. I was furious that someone dared to stop me, and yet I couldn’t just hurt them.

I wanted to cry because I was so angry. And the fact that I wasn’t even sure I could beat Rovenin—despite being this furious—made it feel even more unfair.

[Uh…… Did Undine…… come out……?]

“Geenie…… I’ll apologize, okay? Don’t make that face.”

I didn’t know what to do with myself, but I was secretly glad for the warmth of the large body that pulled me into a tight hug. I hugged him back hard, like clutching a pillow to smother my rage, and let it all spill out.

“Why do you stop me from doing everything! That bastard started it—he wants to fight first!”

“Yes. I heard it too. But not here. And not now. You have to think about your physical condition too.”

“I’m almost fully recovered!”

“Yes, so you do know you’re still injured.”

…Ah, this feels kind of good.

Ash’s petting was strangely effective on my temper—so fiery it couldn’t even recognize a Dragon once I lost it.

There was a big difference in our builds, so I had to bury my face in his chest, but that was nice too.

I wiped away the tears that were about to stain his shirt and grumbled.

“I fought with worse injuries before.”

“What was the result?”

“……I lost.”

“The Young Master is injured right now too. Even if you settle things someday…… it doesn’t seem like today is the day. The situation isn’t good in many ways.”

His hands were large and warm. It was ridiculous—how being stroked somewhere between my back and waist was enough to calm my ragged breathing.

Is this how tyrants feel when they meet a woman like the morning sun and melt away? I felt like I could melt into those hands, just a little.

“Isn’t revealing your identity in front of all those people not what you want to do?”

“That’s right…….”

“If you only want to settle things with the Young Master, there will be other opportunities. A place that’s much safer, that doesn’t draw attention, where you can set aside everything in the way…… A place where you can compete solely as yourself.”

Ash sometimes says things that are too correct, and it makes me uncomfortable.

Unable to argue, I just pouted—and then I felt a brief kiss on the top of my head, so I looked up. The cheek I’d slapped was noticeably red.

The necklace’s magic is so meticulous it reflects everything—expressions, sweat, even scars. It only hides the original face. But it couldn’t change the way he looked at me.

“……I’m not apologizing. It’s because you defied me.”

“I don’t care about things like that. It doesn’t feel good for me either to stop you from doing what you want. If we call it a price…… this might be lenient.”

“……Are you stupid?”

“I hear that often from you.”

“Don’t other people say it?”

“Well, at least not to my face.”

Well, he is a prince.

I let out a quiet laugh, as if I’d never acted like a rabid dog at all. But Ash suddenly went rigid, pulled me out of his arms, and quickly shoved me behind him.

“What? What’s wrong?”

“Geenie, promise me you’ll stay still.”

I found out why right away.

Someone was standing at the far end of the hallway we thought was empty.

Slowly—no, with long strides—he walked toward us, and as he neared the exit where we stood, he emerged from the darkness.