episode_0042

“Withdraw from this duel.”

“…Seraphina, what are you talking about?”

Unable to hide his confusion, he asked me back.

“It is exactly as stated. I am telling you to withdraw from the upcoming duel with Mark Visus.”

“No, no, that’s not what I’m asking. We’ve been practicing well together all this time. Why are you suddenly doing this?”

“…I have simply come to a definite decision now.”

“Don’t say such things. Both you and I have worked hard every day, pouring sweat and blood, thinking only of that day. But now you’re telling me to give up? Before even facing the opponent?”

“The opponent is Mark Visus, from the start. He is the one who resolved the terror incident by black mages that occurred during the Academy Entrance Ceremony and the dungeon runaway situation that happened during the mid-term evaluation. Not only did he awaken a remarkable talent to a level no one can challenge since then, but he has also become a disciple of my father, Regulus Serion. Soon, after inheriting Serion’s swordsmanship, he might become someone unchallenged not only in the Academy but across this continent. …You are facing such a person in a duel. There is no way you have a chance of winning, is there?”

“…Seraphina?”

“Is there anything more that needs to be said?”

His face, which had been filled with confusion, gradually darkened, and finally, he sent a cold and chilling gaze.

“Can you tell me honestly?”

“…”

“What happened yesterday?”

As expected, I could neither persuade nor deceive him with just these words.

“…Mark Visus came to find me.”

“What did that guy say to you?”

“He advised me to return to the family even now. He said that if I did that, he would forgive all the rudeness that I have committed so far, as well as yours. This includes my words and actions that defied the family, as well as your actions that interfered with the duel.”

“Tell me more.”

“What more are you asking me to say?”

“The Seraphina I know isn’t someone who would just gloss over things like that. Surely, something else happened. Didn’t it?”

“…Naturally, having refused this condition, I immediately exchanged swords with Mark. And… as expected, I was defeated. Even though I mobilized all the techniques I had honed through special training. As expected, it seemed he hadn’t neglected his training either, as his skill had grown even further. The moment I realized that fact, I judged on my own that you could absolutely not defeat him. …Although it’s a bit late, wouldn’t withdrawing now be better for both you and me?”

Even though my explanation was finished, he looked at me with a gaze that showed he was not convinced. And as if he could see right through my mind, he narrowed his eyes.

“No, that’s still not enough.”

“Facing an opponent with absolutely no chance of victory, a sole method to smooth over the matter has appeared. If so, isn’t it obviously the right thing to do to choose that method? Is there any more reason for me to recommend you withdraw?”

“That Mark guy must have said he’d do something to me, right?”

For a moment, my eyes widened. His expression was the same neutral face as usual, or perhaps even colder and more detached than that. Since he didn’t even stutter, I had no idea how he had seen through me.

“As expected, that’s the correct answer. Don’t worry too much about how I knew. …It might sound unconvincing and a bit annoying, but this time too, I somehow got the feeling that because it’s you, you would stop me for that reason.”

Even though the time we spent together isn’t that long. This person knows me too well. He is truly a strange man.

“…That is correct. Mark Visus, he said he would stomp you into the ground more than necessary during the duel test. …He said he would break your arms and legs one by one, leaving you with lifelong aftereffects. Perhaps unable to bear that much, he might even take your life..! Or you might end up barely clinging to life…”

“Is that so… As expected, that Mark guy… said that…”

Upon hearing my words, he let out a sigh, looking somewhat troubled. Strangely, it didn’t seem to be due to feelings of hopelessness or worry about what would happen to him in the future. More than the fact that he would suffer something at Mark’s hands, it seemed he disliked the very idea that Mark would do something to him, or rather, the fact that someone was resolved to take such action against him.

“Do you understand well now? The situation has progressed to this point. So please, I ask you to withdraw.”

“Seraphina…”

“From the beginning, all these things originated from my incompetence. Because I was not strong, because I lacked skill and talent, I fell behind others. …Despite that, I couldn’t accept that fact myself and struggled uglily, making things escalate.”

“That’s not true.”

“From the start, you had absolutely no responsibility for this matter. I mean, there was no reason for you to intervene anywhere.”

“I told you before, about that part…”

“I remember! I know that you couldn’t possibly abandon me, your friend. Back then, things ended ambiguously. But do you think words like that can be an answer? Absolutely not! Weren’t you and I not originally well-acquainted? Not only our departments, but our statuses were also clearly different. I mean, we were just acquaintances who had dueled a few times! Do you understand what I mean?”

Unconsciously, my voice gradually grew agitated and forceful. As if I was venting the pent-up resentment that had accumulated over time.

“Are you thinking of risking your life without hesitation for someone you haven’t known for long? What if the other person approached you with ill intentions, or was ignoring your very existence from the start? Right now, you too are likewise devoting yourself to such an opponent! Why on earth are you doing such a foolish thing?”

His eyes shone faintly. It wasn’t a pitying look, just like the last time. It just felt regrettable that this moment was happening now.

“You too have your life, don’t you? Don’t get interested in someone like me, who is just sinking caught in my own karma, and don’t get held back. I mean, just focus on the days to come and your happiness.”

My voice gradually lost strength, and it changed from a roar full of complaint to a whimper. And Rophel, who was watching me in that state, gently brought his hand to my back. Then, gently pulling me towards himself, it soon turned into an embrace. Even though I knew his action was truly sudden and strange, my arms were already embracing his waist tightly without me realizing it. …His embrace was indeed warmer and more comfortable than any other place.

“..Please. I don’t want to cause you any more trouble… Haven’t you already acted for my sake to the best of your ability..? Up to this point, it was enough, no, more than enough for me… Getting you to step away from this matter even now is the greatest reward I can possibly give…. I know myself that it’s too late… but please, let me repay you even a little…!”

With a trembling voice that sounded half like tears were about to fall, I spoke to him as if pleading. He, who was still holding me, stroked my head as if gently pushing it back, and lifted my gaze towards his face.

“You already know how I feel, don’t you.”

He was smiling with a slight bitter smile. That genuinely foolish yet kind smile he always showed.

“I’m sorry. Even if something comes, I won’t abandon you like this. That’s not pity, and it doesn’t stem from feelings of sympathy. It’s simply that I cherish your existence in my own way and want to help you. So I won’t withdraw. I can absolutely not give up on this duel. For your sake, and for my own.”

…Yes, I already knew from the start that he wouldn’t be persuaded by just this much. Because this person, who even embraces my very existence, is absurdly reckless and more upright than anyone else.

“..If so, then, take out your weapon.”

I pushed away the one who was embracing me, stepped backward to create distance, and drew my greatsword. I couldn’t hide or compose the surging emotions on my face yet, but I put on a determined expression as if forcing myself. Seeing my action, Rophel also adjusted his posture as if he understood well. Then he took the ready stance he had shown dozens, hundreds of times until now.

“I was defeated by Mark yesterday. That overwhelming defeat clearly determined the superiority and inferiority between him and me. If you cannot even defeat me, who was defeated like that, wouldn’t the outcome of the duel between you and Mark be obvious?”

Roughly wiping away the tears that had slightly welled up in the corners of my eyes, I pointed the greatsword at him. There was no hesitation in that action. …I had no choice but to burn with fighting spirit.

“…If you are truly not going to withdraw from the duel with Mark, then come at me with all your might. I too will face you with sincerity, without holding anything back. …So please..”

As their combat stances were complete, a huge cloud of dust swirled. At the same time as starting, he kicked off the ground and charged towards where his opponent was.

“Trample me mercilessly.”