I think it was good that Mr. Ra kidnapped me, Prine said.

I was taken back again by a nobleman, Lord Franca, and I stood in front of him. All that was left was for him to put the ring on my finger and I was done.

I hate it, I think now. I hate the thought of being someone's wife, even if it's just for show.

What the--!

The mage in me felt something. This ring...

It's--it's a cursed item. ......!

Probably of the type that can take away the target's consciousness and manipulate it. I recognize the ancient inscriptions.
Lord Franca smiles.

He seems to have noticed, but it's too late. With this ring you will become my wife.
'............! ............!

--I can't hear my voice,......! No way. ......! It's because of this dress ......!

I find that my physical freedom has been taken from me. All I can do is squeeze my hand to keep the ring from being fitted.

I thought your father was a bit more clever than this.

--The Master! You don't think he's married to ......?

'How can you refuse to respect my daughter's wishes when you say you respect hers? ....... But - then it's all right if you ask ( ) for me from you.'

The ring will last maybe three days. If we're married by then, there'll be no escaping the nobleman.
I'm really going to marry this man. ......!

--I'm not going to ...... let that happen!

I've cleared up the misunderstanding, I'm ready to start over with Ra-kun, I'm ready to tell him I love him... ......!

'I want ...... Ra-kun, I want ...... Ra-kun! If it's not with Mr. Ra, I hate it. ......!

The magic power inside me-- [the witch's boon] explodes all at once.
As if a fog had lifted, the magic that bound me burst forth and flew away.
The curse is lifted.

'You, your voice is ......!

I shouted, not caring about the astonished Lord Franca.
I shout the name of my favorite person.

Help me, Ra!





'--I'll take care of it, Prine!

He leaps to his feet and swings his saber at the same time.
My sword passes through the space where Lord Franca's right hand had been a moment before.

''--Sh*t!

The Franca lord, who had retreated slightly earlier, glared at us and swore at us.

'Uu...... Ra-kun......'
'Oh, hold still, Prine.

Prine, perhaps drained of the power to lift the curse, fell to her knees.
I stand in front of Prine and point my saber at him.

'...... Ra-kun, that's the brainwashing ring,......!
'I knew it. ....... I knew there was something fishy about you, aristocrat!

The audience is abuzz at my sudden resurrection - or rather, at the sight of the monster Z.
This is not good. If an attendant intervenes and stops the show, Lord Franca will hide the ring of evidence. That puts us at a disadvantage.

--This is what I'm talking about.

I spin around on the spot with a smile on my face. My cape flips.

"'Monster Z' is a fancy way of saying..."

Underneath the cloak, he changed into a nobleman's costume. Thanks to the magical music and chanting on the stage, and the Mirage Ball that amplifies and magnifies them, my cloak can easily change its costume.

Then, I raised my saber high and announced myself.

My name is Zofira, the monster! I am the one who will defeat fake aristocrats like you!

'Oh ......!
'New pattern. ......!

--Crackle, crackle, crackle, crackle!

The audience erupted in surprise and applause. It seems that the audience was pleased with the unusual performance. I feel as if the level of Kachiri and the clowns has been raised one more notch. It's really a strange job to be raised in this way.

Lord Franca is really annoyed, not acting.

Who says it's a fake?

'You scoundrel, using the cursed ring to brainwash the innocent girl! You may be able to fool the eyes of the Guild, but you cannot fool the eyes of this monstrous Zofira!

'It is not a cursed ring.

'Then give it to me! Let the mages present here find out!

The audience started to make a commotion.
Some of the audience members must have suspected that the Lord of Franca had indeed brought the cursed ring.
If he gives up the ring quietly now, we win...

Don't be silly! You are going to steal my ring! I won't play into your hands, you thieves!

Lord Franca shouts loudly so that the audience can hear him.
I knew it.
I mean, he's not acting, he's serious.

You're just pretending, fake aristocrat!

'You're the one who's out of your misery! Fine, I'll finish him off one more time!

'Hmm, a duel... I'll take that as a yes! You evil aristocrat!''

'Watch your language, you clown!

He shouted and kicked the ground at the same time.

With a clang, the sabers crossed. The fierce clash lasted only a moment. Immediately, Franca returns his hand, slides his sword, and pokes him.

He dodges just in time to counterattack, but as if he had read the spot where he was going to attack, Franca's body is scraped away. I retreat, running left and right, barely catching it. But...,



'Ggh--?'

Unknowingly, arms and legs are thinly sliced. The sword that I thought I had parried was just slightly unable to catch it.
I readjusted my saber, stepping with a clatter.

--This guy is strong ......!

It's not just swordsmanship lvl 25. Maybe 30, or even higher ......!

'--Hyu!

With a sharp exhalation, Franca swings her saber. The attacks are getting more and more intense, and my margin is running out. Finally..,

'Gwah ......!

I was cut deeply in the left side. Blood seeps through my clothes and drips onto the ground.

It's over, clown!

Franka steps in and tries to put the finishing touches on me. He's strong. I was no match for a first-rate warrior. My swordsmanship alone was not enough to reach him. But..,

You're right.

The same warrior would have lost. But now I am not.

I am a clown!

He spins his body to dodge Franca's attack. He won't notice. A faint band of light floats softly beneath my cloak.

I step back, to the right, to the left, and every time I step, a particle of magic floats by.

That I was dancing magic as I fought.

'What's ......?

I stepped back and took a bow. I lifted my hat and closed one eye.

'What you're seeing is the skill of a clown, the dance.

The wound in my side heals and I feel slightly lighter.
This was a skill that the clown could use now that he had advanced to a higher level. It is an auxiliary magic similar to "Dancer". It has the effect of a small recovery for a certain period of time and improves one's technique.

'Now let's start over, nobleman.

Franka laughed as he straightened his hat and readied his saber.

'You've got to be kidding me. ......

Then he takes out a bottle from his pocket.
A potion? Before he could think, he charged. I tried to make him drink whatever was inside, but my saber was blocked by him.

The empty bottle rolled onto the stage with a clank. Franka was already behind me.

--What?

The saber was swung at me, but I just barely blocked it. But I couldn't see the kick.

Goha ......!

I got hit right in the solar plexus, and my body was blown away in a funny way.

It's not a--potion,......!

Clearly, the situation had changed. Franka's movements, which had been fast even in the past, were now even faster. It was like the Messerdevil.

Do you know the magic called "Dragonic Power", clown? It's an enhancement magic far beyond your tricks. I'm sure it's--'

Franca approaches, "Katsutsu, katsutsu, katsutsu.
A smile of a beast that plays with its prey is on his face.

'You don't need to know. I'm going to die here anyway.

A man who has mastered the art of war is coming to kill me..,

'Ra-kun!

Prine, shedding her cursed wedding dress and cloaked in the cloak of the Cat God, unleashed her magic.