kscans

Chapter 43 - A Man's Pride

Tina was stunned by Rodel’s bombshell of a proposal.

"W-What are you talking about?! Why on earth would I have to marry you?!"

Rodel replied to her shout.

"Why? Isn’t it obvious? You and I are the adventurers who represent this kingdom. There’s nothing wrong with two people like us getting married. In fact, the entire country would rejoice, and it would undoubtedly be a grand wedding. Me, the chosen one who wields Light Magic, and you, Tina, who can slay massive monsters with your outstanding tactics. Isn’t it the perfect match?"

With that, Rodel stood up from the sofa and spread his arms wide. Until now, I had watched with indifference. It was a conversation between the two of them, and I saw no need for me to intervene. But his words stirred two emotions within me: anger at this guy for his ridiculous statement, and relief that Tina would never accept such a thing. The prince, who had been a spectator until now, spoke up.

"Wait a moment, Rodel-dono. I can’t have you making such arrangements on your own."

Rodel turned to face the prince who had interjected.

"Oh, Your Highness. I didn’t realize you were here. I was so captivated by Tina that I failed to notice. My apologies."

Rodel said, bowing his head in apology. But it was clear to anyone that his attitude held no remorse whatsoever. The prince clenched his right fist but said nothing. The man before him possessed the rare Light Attribute and was, in some ways, more valuable than the king himself. Losing his temper would achieve nothing. As the prince endured, Rodel continued.

"However, why should this trouble you? Marriage between a man and a woman is a natural thing. Even royalty has no right to interfere."

Rodel’s tone was mocking. The prince exhaled slowly.

"Marriage is indeed a matter of freedom, but Tina-dono seems to be against it. To proceed without any consideration for the other person’s feelings is something I must object to, not as royalty, but as a human being."

At the prince’s words, Rodel looked at Tina. Her expression was one of clear disgust. Rodel looked puzzled.

"...Tina, why the reluctance? I would think a beautiful woman like you would be considering marriage, would you not?"

Tina responded to his remark.

"...Yes, on that point alone, I agree. However, I have no intention of marrying you. That is because... I already have someone I love."

Upon hearing this, Rodel was dumbfounded.

"...Huh? ...What are you talking about? To think that someone as beautiful and strong as you has fallen for another man—that’s preposterous. It couldn’t possibly be anyone but me, could it?"

Tina answered Rodel's utterly absurd words.

"He’s right here. The man standing next to me. He’s Shinsuke, an A-rank adventurer just like you."

As she spoke, Tina clung to Shinsuke’s right arm.

Her face was slightly flushed, embarrassed by her own bold actions. As for me, Tina's sudden move made me so tense my expression froze. Rodel’s eyes widened in shock at the scene. In the midst of it all, the prince spoke.

"That is wonderful news! I will report this to my father. The two heroes of the Kraken subjugation are in love! Such a splendid thing is a rare occurrence indeed."

He said this with a beaming smile. He seemed quite pleased, but I couldn’t understand why he was happy enough to report it to the king. Rodel, hearing this, scoffed.

"...Haha, that’s quite a funny thing to say. That man is an adventurer who only made it to A-rank thanks to you, isn’t he? A useless bum who can’t do anything on his own. To say you love someone like that... this joke has gone too far."

Rodel shook his head with an air of exasperation. Tina, seeing his attitude, glared at him.

"This is no joke. I love Shinsuke, and he loves me. What’s more, we sleep together at night."

Tina spoke with a deeply blushing face. My own expression didn’t change, but I felt embarrassed as well. From Tina's demeanor and expression, Rodel seemed to realize she wasn't joking. With a face full of anger, he looked at me.

"...Shinsuke, was it? A mediocre adventurer like you could never be a match for such a beautiful woman. Break up with her at once. And never show your face before her or me again."

Rodel’s command was utterly unreasonable. His condescending attitude had thoroughly angered me, and I made my decision. I stood up from the sofa.

"Why should I have to listen to you?"

I asked him directly. Rodel replied.

"Isn’t it obvious? I am an A-rank adventurer and a chosen one who possesses the rare Light Attribute. You, on the other hand, only became A-rank thanks to Tina. You didn't earn it through your own skill. It’s clear to anyone who is superior, isn’t it?"

Rodel scoffed. Clear to anyone, he said. I was about to suggest we ask the people around us, but I stopped myself. It would be pointless to say anything to a guy like this. In fact, both Tina and the prince wore looks of exasperation. Still, I was under no obligation to obey his command.

"...What nonsense. The only people who would listen to such a reason are those with no confidence in themselves. Besides, Tina already told you, didn’t she? She doesn’t want to marry you. To be so persistent despite that... how pathetic."

I spoke with a tone of exasperation and disappointment. Seeing my attitude, Rodel’s face twisted in anger.

"What?! You’ve got some nerve. ...But what was that last part? It was so nonsensical I couldn't understand it. What backwater mountain did you crawl out from?"

To Rodel’s mocking tone, I replied.

"For someone who claims to represent the kingdom to not understand these words is truly unbelievable. Your ignorance is so pitiful it brings tears to my eyes."

I put my right hand to my eyes and pretended to cry, yoyo. Seeing this, Rodel’s face contorted with rage once more.

"?! ...Fine. I’ll take that as a challenge. ...Shinsuke, was it? I challenge you to a duel!"

Rodel declared, pointing his right index finger at me. What a short-tempered guy, I thought. Between Ave and now Rodel, I wondered if all the chosen people in this world had such similar thought processes. My face remained impassive.

"...Fine. So? When and where?"

To my question, Rodel answered.

"Tomorrow, at noon. The location will be the Royal Capital’s arena. It will be a party battle, but I believe there are only two of you. In that case, we shall also fight with two. Any objections, Glad?"

Rodel asked Glad. Normally, Glad would have responded to Rodel’s selfish idea with a level head, but he was not calm at that moment.

"...Fine, Rodel. You take that man. I will fight Bardos-dono. Any complaints, Bardos-dono?"

Bardos replied to the question.

"You’re on! I welcome a fight with a strong guy like you. I gladly accept your offer!"

With that, Bardos stood up.

Leona was surprised. Even if it was at Rodel’s instruction, she knew full well that Glad was not such an aggressive man. The prince, seeing the exchange between the four men, spoke.

"...In that case, I will report to my father so that you may fight. Please, fight to your heart’s content."

The prince had realized it was too late to stop them. The four men nodded at his words, and ‘Flash’ left the room. Silence filled the air among the remaining members of ‘Intense Thought’ and ‘Beautiful Sword,’ along with the prince and princess. Tina broke the silence.

"I’m sorry. This has turned into quite a mess."

I replied to the apologetic Tina.

"Don’t worry about it. To be honest, I was getting pissed off. Just looking at guys like him is irritating."

Tina looked at me with a worried expression. Meanwhile, Leona spoke to Bardos.

"...Bardos, I know you well, so I won’t try to stop you, but let me say just one thing. There is a difference in the quality of your weapons. Glad’s shield is made with an abundance of Mithril. Your axe, even with a wind magic stone, is just plain iron. If you attack it head-on, your axe will undoubtedly break."

Leona’s voice was filled with concern. Hearing her words, Bardos pondered what he should do. And so, the room turned into a strategy meeting against ‘Flash.’ The princess, watching all of this, mused.

"...A battle for a woman’s affection. Excellent. Truly excellent. My creative spirit is soaring."

She then focused on taking notes. The prince, as an observer, simply watched everyone’s interactions. Just then, a single bird outside the window took flight, unnoticed by anyone.

Meanwhile, ‘Flash’ walked down the corridor.

Rodel was irritated. Irritated that he had failed to subjugate the Kraken. His plan was to report to the king that he had found a legendary weapon but hadn’t obtained it yet, just as the Kraken left the sea. Then, he would claim that the Kraken had fled in fear of him. But since ‘Beautiful Sword’ had successfully defeated the Kraken, his own reputation had surely fallen. So, he had hastily come up with the idea of marrying Tina. If he married her, his reputation wouldn’t suffer. In fact, he believed it would rise, as he would be the one who had captured the heart of the woman who defeated the Kraken. That was why he had made the proposal, but the woman in question had fallen for some nameless man and had even slept with him. The plan wouldn't work. In this duel, he would utterly crush that man and make her his. Then, a glorious future would await him. So Rodel fantasized.

Glad regretted what he had said about the duel. Thinking calmly, there was no need to go along with Rodel’s selfish challenge. But when he learned that Leona was in love with Bardos, Glad’s heart had filled with jealousy. He had agreed to Rodel’s proposal to see for himself if that man was worthy of Leona.

Matilda and Marial, watching the backs of the two men, concluded that the next day’s duel would be quite chaotic and decided to remain spectators.