Daska’s words declared the end of the duel.
Even as his voice echoed across the dueling arena, the surroundings remained dead silent.
The people around the makeshift arena only raised their cheers after Rei lowered the Death Scythe he had thrust at Zeros and deactivated the Flame Emperor’s Crimson Armour, causing the crimson magic power to fade.
At that moment, the excitement of those who had fallen silent before from the pressure and heat emanating from Rei reached its absolute peak all at once.
『Uooooooooooooooooooooh!』
War cry like cheers burst out from the the spectators.
They probably understood instinctively. Just how high level a skill they had just witnessed.
「H-Hey, man. The moment I looked at Rei just now, I felt an incredible pressure……」
「Y-Yeah. Me too. And there was like, red air centred around Rei, right?」
「There’s no mistaking it. I think it’s probably Rei’s skill.」
「I heard he was skilled in fire magic, but……is that red thing fire magic too? Actually, even watching from this far away, it felt hot to us.」
「Who knows. But while Rei might be skilled in fire magic, he often uses wind magic too, right? You know, like unleashing slashes that fly out. Besides, he couldn’t use that flaming tornado without wind magic, right?」
「……Crimson Rei, huh. I knew people said he was strong, but I never thought he actually possessed such overwhelming strength. Usually rumours spread by being exaggerated, you know.」
「Ah……yeah, I get it. In Rei’s case, the rumours actually feel milder.」
「Even so, that man who’s supposed to be the next head of the Earl Eliel family, how on earth did he get the nerve to duel Rei? And wagering half his family’s property for the sake of a single woman……」
「Hmph, that man has caused quite a lot of trouble in the short time since he came to Gilm. He has probably learned his lesson after this.」
「No, no, it’s not just this, you know. They will lose half their property, right? Won’t it become impossible for the Earl Eliel family to manage their territory?」
「……The man who brought that about will definitely be disinherited.」
「Yeah, that’s for sure. But even if he’s disinherited, this duel was already carried out under the Earl Eliel family’s name, so they can’t renege on it.」
Voices of the spectators chatting like that echoed around, and naturally those voices reached Keep’s ears as well.
「I lost……? Me, the next head of the Earl Eliel family, lost to a poor noble like that? Such a……stupid thing……」
Keep muttered in a daze.
Unable to believe that Zeros had lost, he looked around wondering if it was a dream or something, but Zeros was still slumped on the ground as before.
Looking around, the knights seemed to be keeping their distance from him as well.
No, if anything, they even seemed to be sneering at him.
That sneer was entirely Keep’s own imagination of course, but the current Keep didn’t seem to realise that at all.
Having thought that far, he suddenly noticed that his trousers felt cold.
「What is this?」
Surprised by the coldness for the first time, he looked down and a stain spreading out.
On the soil that had been cleared of snow for the duel, urine that had flowed from Keep’s crotch was spreading.
Realising that, Keep’s mind went completely blank for a moment……and the next moment, he was forcefully pulled to his feet by Furtos.
「Well then, everyone, I apologise, but my master seems to be feeling a bit unwell, so we will take our leave for now. Margrave Rowlocks, regarding the duel, we will contact you at a later date, would that be acceptable?」
「U-Umm. That’s true. It would be best to do that.」
Even in Daska’s eyes, Keep had soiled himself out of fear and was in a state of complete stupefaction, perhaps unable to admit it to himself.
Judging that they wouldn’t be able to have a proper conversation in this state, Daska nodded at Furtos’s words. However……
「No matter what happens to Keep-sama, the duel has properly concluded. As such, the result of this duel will be legally handled as an official outcome. Naturally, the wager placed on the duel is included as well. You understand that, right?」
「Yes! I promise to convey that without fail.」
「……I see. Then that is fine. You may leave.」
「Excuse us. ……Hey, let’s go!」
Barking at the knights, who wore expressions of complete disbelief at what had just happened, Furtos led Keep away from the area.
Snapping back to their senses, the knights hurriedly followed behind them.
「Seriously……to wet himself no matter the circumstances……he’s nothing less than a disgrace to the nobles of the Royalist Faction.」
A noble from the the Royalist Faction who had been dispatched to Gilm muttered bitterly.
Gilm was a land ruled by Daska, a central figure of the Neutral Faction, and at the same time, it was on the frontier.
In other words, anything could happen at any time, no matter how strange.
There was even the possibility that a horde of monsters could attack the city.
Since they were dispatched to such a place, it was only natural that those with courage were a fundamental requirement, whether they were nobles of the Royalist Faction or the Aristocratic Faction.
……Though because they had courage, there were also many nobles who acted even more insolently.
Of course, there were some among them who were not that courageous.
Even so, none of them had engaged in such an unsightly display like Keep just now.
「Compared to that……to be able to stand back up like that after being that close to Rei, that man named Zeros is quite impressive.」
At the words muttered by one of the nobles, the other nobles nearby directed admiring gazes toward Zeros, who was trying to stand up.
Rei approached Zeros and spoke as he put on the New Moon Ring.
「Now then, what are you going to do from now on?」
「Ah? What do you mean, what am I going to do?」
Holding his halberd, Zeros asked as he tilted his head in confusion, not understanding what Rei was saying.
「What do I mean……you lost to me, right? In that case, to the Earl Eliel family, you’re the main culprit who brought about their ruin. If things go poorly, they might send assassins after you, you know?」
「Hah, assassins sent by a guy like that are small fry to me, small fry. If there was a monster like you among them, that’d be a different story, though. ……There isn’t, right?」
Perhaps feeling anxious as he spoke, Zeros asked Rei if he knew.
However, since Rei didn’t understand the detailed circumstances either, all he could do was shrug his shoulders slightly.
「Hmm, if you’re worried, it might be fine to just head to another city. The Royalist Faction naturally keeps a strict eye around the Royal Capital, so why don’t you try going to somewhere in the countryside?」
The one who called out to Zeros was Daska, who had been watching the exchange between the two.
「Another city?」
Zeros asked in confusion.
Zeros had intended to return to Abuero as things stood.
Staying in Gilm was an option too, but he didn’t want to leave Abuero, where his lover was.
Because of that, Daska’s suggestion to go to another city that was neither Gilm nor Abuero was completely unexpected.
「That Keep won’t be much of an issue, but sooner or later, people related to the Earl Eliel family will come to Gilm. At that time, if you show your face, whether in Abuero or Gilm, they definitely won’t be happy with you.」
「And they’ll dispatch assassins, you mean?」
「Well, that part depends on luck. If the person coming to Gilm is deeply loyal, they might send some. But wouldn’t it be better for you to have fewer dangers?」
「If it were just an issue for me, that wouldn’t be so bad, though.」
Zeros thought for a moment at Daska’s words, but eventually let out a sigh and looked up.
While a blue sky so dazzling it was hard to believe it was winter weather spread out above, Zeros’s heart was by no means clear.
「Ah, what a pain. Why on earth did things turn out like this?」
「No, that’s because you accepted a request from a guy like that without thinking, right?」
Rei spoke, as if saying it served him right.
「Hahahaha. Well, don’t say that. For now, I’ve prepared a room for you during this festival, so please rest and recover from your fatigue there.」
At Daska’s words, Zeros let out a breath of relief.
The time he had stood facing Rei with the Flame Emperor’s Crimson Armour deployed wasn’t very long.
However, in that brief period, Zeros’s energy had been heavily drained.
Even though he acted fine right now, if he were told to fight someone else right away, it would probably be impossible. Those were Zeros’s honest feelings.
Compared to Zeros, Rei showed no particular signs of fatigue as he shook his head at Daska.
「No, I’d like to enjoy the festival, so I’ll pass. Besides……」
Stopping mid-sentence, Rei turned his gaze toward the rejoicing trio of Mouet, Baslero, and Ashie.
It was true they had won today’s duel, and with this, Ashie would no longer be taken by Keep.
However, their opponent was still Keep.
Half of the Earl Eliel family’s property was wagered on the duel. He couldn’t imagine Keep would be willing to hand it over quietly.
They had attacked the Baron Cisne residence several times before the duel and failed.
However, knowing he had nowhere left to run, Keep was not the type to give up just because of that.
In fact, if Mouet and Baslero died, the wager would effectively be voided.
To be precise, it was more accurate to say that without anyone to receive it, the wager would cease to exist.
That was precisely why Rei had deliberately removed the New Moon Ring to keep them in check, burning his presence deeply into their minds.
Even if none of Keep’s subordinates had the ability to sense magic power, it was certain that some of the nobles would have hired people with that kind of ability.
Hoping that word would spread from them and keep Keep from making useless moves, Rei spoke.
「I’m thinking of acting as a bodyguard for the Cisne family for a short time. Fortunately, I have Set with me, so even if someone sneaks close, it will be fine.」
Seeming to realise that Rei had called his name, Set approached Rei while giving a cry from his throat.
Zeros was startled by the Griffon suddenly appearing right before his eyes, but Set paid no attention to Zeros, rubbing his face against Rei while happily giving a cry.
Although Zeros was an opponent they had fought, Set showed no signs of disliking him.
At the very least, compared to his attitude and dislike Rhodes, it was a world of difference.
「Ah, Set-chan, don’t go!」
As soon as the duel ended, Johanna, who had immediately been petting Set, shouted reluctantly, reaching her hands out as if chasing after him.
「Hold on, Johanna! What do you think you’re doing, hogging him all to yourself!」
The one who called out to Johanna was Milein.
As usual, she brought Ekril and Sulunin behind her, raising an accusing voice against Johanna.
Although the two had an exchange close to a duel a few days ago, the match ended without a victor, leaving things at a stalemate.
In terms of pure strength, Milein was superior, but the gap had been narrowed because Johanna had undergone Rei’s harsh training for a long time, and according to Johanna, due to her love for Set.
「What is it, is there a problem with me being with Set-chan? If anything, that’s only natural!」
「There’s no way that’s true!」
It was hard to call it a catfight, the anger emanating from Milein and Johanna was too great.
Even so, the reason it didn’t reach murderous intent was probably because they understood that doing so would make Set sad.
「Guru~?」
In fact, Set, who had been frolicking with Rei, turned his gaze toward Milein and Johanna, who were glaring at each other, tilting his head as if asking what was wrong.
「I-It’s nothing at all. I was just talking with Johanna for a bit. We’re not fighting at all, so don’t worry.」
「Yes, that’s right. Milein and I get along great.」
Smiling at each other, they shook hands as if to show Set how well they got along.
……Though in reality, they were putting all their strength into trying to crush each other’s hands.
「Ah……yeah. Sorry, but Set and I are going to go enjoy the festival soon.」
「Ah, then I’ll guide you.」
「Hold on, Milein, do you mind not cutting in? Obviously I’m the one who’ll guide him.」
「My, things like this are first-come, first-served, right? Come on, Set-chan. Shall we go? And Rei as well, on the side.」
Rei gave a wry smile at being treated as an afterthought, but seeing Sulunin bowing apologetically behind Milein, he shook his head to say don’t worry about it.
「Right, then let’s go. ……Ah, Johanna, could you guys continue guarding for a bit longer if possible? I’ll look around the festival to check if there’s anyone making strange moves.」
「……It can’t be helped. Looking at how things went, there’s no telling what methods the other side might use. Besides, since we’re hired, I’ll work properly.」
Though somewhat reluctant, Johanna nodded.
Standing nearby, Rent directed a grateful look at Rei, looking somewhat relieved.
Rent had fallen in love with Johanna at first sight and was trying to woo her, but Johanna was head over heels for Set.
Since Johanna herself hadn’t had much interest in romance until now, she perceived the affection directed at her by Rent not as romantic affection between a man and a woman, but as affection between comrades.
The biggest obstacle in wooing Johanna was, as expected, Set. ……And Milein as well.
Not to mention Set, whenever Milein met Johanna, she bared her rivalry and bickered with her.
Such battles between women were something Rent didn’t really want to get involved with, even if Johanna was one of the women in question.
……Though while Set received the full blast of affection from Milein and Johanna, the fact that Rei was number one to Set remained unchanged.