It was when all four of us, the Warriors of Light, were still traveling together.
　Eldora, a former apprentice knight, was extraordinarily strong.
　Instead of the hapless ones who didn't know the word "ta" for "battle," he was fighting like a lion, dispatching demons with a swift, fierce pace.
　Perhaps that's why Eldora was able to level up much faster than the rest of us.

　Even though we are all warriors of light, the four of us were given different powers by the Divine Spirit Prominence.
　And to begin with, Eldora was suited for leadership, or rather, she had an individual, complete ability.
　As a vanguard, she had a high level of proximity ability, and she could even use strengthening magic to increase her and even use recovery magic.
　This is truly a foul ability.
　It's far different from me, who can't use magic at all, Teresa, who only has the ability to support her, and Lad, who is in trouble without a wallflower.

　I'm going to have to fight Eldora in a duel with them.

I don't know why.... I wonder why this is happening...

　And it's natural to want to blurt out........

It's time for you to make up your mind, Ray. Are you a man?

　The person who got me into this mess has been muzzled.

　The reviewing area in the castle's front yard has taken the place of today's coliseum.
　Belly was pointing all over the bleachers that had been set up.

Look, look, look, there's your father looking at you.　Over there is my brother Kamigata. You see, most of your uncles are here, as well as ministers, nobles, and former masters of the Order. Even the most powerful knight, Sir Dane, is here. Show your good qualities in front of everyone and prove yourself worthy of my knighthood, Ray!
I'm going to hate you, Berry.

　When I turned my zitty eyes on him.

Yes, go ahead. You can hate me if you want.

　Berry took it in with an imposing attitude.

After Ray becomes the Knight of Beatrixine, I have the confidence to take my time and make you happy that you became a Knight of Beatrixine. I guarantee you'll forget all your resentment in no time.

　He said those lines without hesitation that made it hard to reply.
　It's a bit of a selfish thing to do, but that's what I like about you, Berry.
　I'm a weakling.

I'm not going to be able to do anything about it. I've made up my mind.
That's my knight in shining armor!

　Berry gave me a big smile and then complimented me.

You can't do anything about it.

　The first time I lost my eye contact with the corner of my eye, the corner of my eye was shut off.
　The first thing I did was to throw myself into the air, and I stepped out into the battlefield.

Hey, Ray. If you were expecting me to be scared of you and run away, you've managed to stand on this stage. That's all the credit you deserve.

　Eldora came first and waited in the center.
　He was also accompanied by a woman who was two (...) ten (...) years old (...) and a woman who was two (...) years old (...) and a woman who was two (...) years old (...).
　It's a fight to determine who is more worthy of being the Knight of Beatrixine, so Eldora argued that it makes sense to cross swords while protecting a woman, and Berry agreed.

'Well, Ray!　Listen, that man's cocky mouth. You should say something back to him, too.
Yeah, I don't need it. I don't need it.
'I see. 'I will speak with my sword, not my mouth, and remind that irreverent man that he is not a man. That's admirable.
I didn't even say that!

　I was impressed as I tsked at Berry's light-hearted comment.
　In the midst of a duel, she is unarmed, and she makes light remarks even though Berry might be in danger. That's how bold she was.

　The last person in the center of the dueling arena, the knight who played the role of judge, explains the rules again.
　Loudly, so loud that even the retainers in the bleachers can hear her.

'By mutual consent, we will use a training-edged sword for the duel!　It's settled when you surrender or one of you loses the battle!　And any single scratch on the lady you are each supposed to be protecting will determine your defeat!　Against all odds, a knight defends his lady against all odds.　Both sides again have no objection to this!
Yes!
No, I didn't.
'Good!　So, once again, you will swear before His Highness the Grand Duke, Princess Beatrixine!　Even if Sir Eldora has wounded his precious skin, this is a duel, and no blame shall be placed on him!　Is that all right?
'Of course!　I will not behave in such a cowardly manner, I swear!　Father, brother, and all of you gathered here, I ask you to be well aware of this!

　Berry announced stoutly and His Highness nodded on behalf of everyone in the bleachers.

'Though I have every confidence that Ray will absolutely protect us.
That's a lot of responsibility...

　I whisper back to Berry, who whispers and says it with ease. My voice trembles with nervousness.

　And at that time, Eldora also speaks to me using the 〈Ordination of Light〉, in a heartfelt voice that only we can hear.

"Hey, Ray. Look at the girl I brought with me."

　Caught up, I stare intently at the woman hiding behind Eldora's back.
　What is it? She's wearing a dress, but she doesn't look like a lady.
　And she was trembling badly behind Eldora's back.

"This one, you see, is a maidservant to my countess. She's a poor woman, serving us well to support her sick parents. Again, she participated in the duel, knowing the possibility that she might be harmed by your sword this time, too."
"Bollocks, I wouldn't do anything so terrible!"
"Law. You said that, didn't you?"

　Eldora gave me a reflexive answer, and I gave her a smirk and a sneaky smile.

"You're not going after this woman, are you?　I don't have to protect this guy, do I?　You can take responsibility for the words you say, right?"
"................."
"By the way, I've told this woman that if she gets hurt and tries to defeat me, I'll fire her. Do you understand, Ray?　You could end up with your sick parents on the street. I guess the only way to eat is to sell them flowers any longer. d*mn, that's a pitiful story, isn't it?"
"Eldora.........

　I couldn't help but feel a strong anger.
　Normally I would never be able to do such a thing, but I couldn't help but glare at him.

　But Eldora had an air of composure, and with a mocking smile on her face

"Let me tell you something, I'm not afraid to go after the princess, okay?　I'm not going to settle for just a bone or two. You have to discipline me for what happens after I become that woman's knight. You'll have to learn to be afraid of me with your body."
"........I won't let you......."
"Oh?"
"I said I wouldn't let you!　I'll beat you squarely and proudly, and I won't let Berry hurt you by even a hairline!"
"...You've started barking, Ray."

　Eldora's eyes narrowed as if she didn't like it.
　He glared at her.
　But I can't be depressed anymore!　Even I glare back, defeated.
　Sparks fly from eye to eye, and the kinaesthetic smell of the dueling arena fills the air.

Then, both sides, prepare yourselves!

　The knight acting as a judge raised his right hand high in the air.

　I hold my training sword in both hands.

　Eldora is a sword in his right hand. His sword in his right hand and his shield in his left.
Unlike me, who was only equipped with an iron breastplate, he was wearing a formidable armor.
　Moreover--

"God Spirit Prominence, bless me!

　You can cast Reinforcement Spells on yourself to increase your Status, Defense and Evasion powers.
　Can I count that as part of my "preparation"?　But I can't even be mad at this level of cowardice anymore...!

We're ready, Mr. Chief Judge.
Then... let the duel begin!

　The knight acting as judge swung his raised right hand down.

　Me and Eldora charged at exactly the same time, pointing at each other--