Leaning against the desk, the king sluggishly chipped away.
Really, what was the tense atmosphere we were in earlier...


''Well... I was going to explain, but come to think of it, we haven't played the game yet, have we?''
What, are you going to do it here? No, and I'm not going to go through the motions now without an explanation.


Wang straightens his back again and gives off a crisp vibe.
It's not deceiving at all.
But the speed of the changeover was needlessly amazing.


'I'll explain it to you. But only after I've made things clear about Amelia. ...I've got some things on my mind. If you win, I'll leave Amelia to you. But if we win, you'll have to leave Amelia behind.


Amelia jolted as her father said that in a cold voice, and her body shook with fear.
I narrow my eyes.


'So who is your opponent?'
'Of course it's Kirika. As Amelia may have already told you, Kirika is Adventurer Guild Rank Gold. She's one of the few highest ranked adventurers in this world.


There's no shortage of them, right?
I smiled at the king, who smiled at me that way, and I smiled at him.
It's great.


I'll be waiting for you in the square in five minutes. I'll be waiting for you in the square. "I'll be waiting for you in the square in five minutes. If you don't get cold feet, I'll leave Amelia behind and you can use her as a messenger.


After all, a villain is a good fit for this king, isn't it?
I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make it work.

He did it five minutes later so he wouldn't have to get me ready.
And the reason we left first was to get ourselves ready.
We designated the square we had just left because it was a place we knew well.
You can tell that they were also trying to find the right time to say something about the game from what I said right after I let my guard down.

It is true that I have a combination of skills as a king.
But I may have misjudged my opponent's strength.


''Don't worry, Akira can win.
Yeah, hey Amelia.


I'm sure you'll be able to find something to say to Amelia to cheer her up.


What?
I think I like you a lot, you know? Yeah, I like her.
"・・・・・・・・・・・・?


Amelia quietly tilts her head in confusion.
Her face, ears and even her neck are all red, so it's not like she doesn't completely understand.
Convenient.


'Do you like me, Amelia?'
Huh... Akira, what's going on with you all of a sudden?


Staring into her eyes, Amelia put her hand over her heart and writhed.
'Are you okay?


If I don't tell you now, I'll probably be too busy from now on.


Even so, I'm still in a state of what the hell am I saying?
I think it's not just my imagination that I feel like if I don't say something now, I won't get another chance.
As I waited patiently, Amelia finally looked up.


''Wow, I... I... suh, I like it too!
Right. Thank you. I feel fine.


I said it without any embarrassment.
I knew Amelia loved me.
I'm not some damsel-in-distress game heroine and I'm not an insensitive protagonist.
Good, good, I patted my head and Amelia blushed even more.
Cute yatsume.

Once I got into the spirit of the game, I put out my handheld weapons on the long table.


You'll be able to find a few dark weapons, a rope you picked up in the labyrinth, the 'Night Sword God', and a small magical stone for throwing. It's just a matter of how to win by combining shadow magic and presence concealment. ... Well, what will be will be.


I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make it work.


I'm sure you're not going to be able to blink, Amelia, right?


You don't have to say who, but you know exactly who.


Yeah, thanks.
For what?
'For fighting for me.'


Saying that, Amelia laughed softly.
Because she always had a straight face, the very rare smile that sometimes appeared was dazzling.

Even at a time like this, "Don't fight for me! A line comes to mind.
It's a very similar word, but with a very different connotation.
Amelia is much prettier than all the heroines lying around, and she has a much better personality.
Amelia will look even more radiant when she's standing alongside a man with a low facial deviation like me.


''You're welcome.''


I did my best to remove my gaze from the glittering Amelia and we headed for the square.




'Shall I commend you for not running away?
''No, I'll win anyway, and Amelia will praise me for it.''


There was a square platform in the square that wasn't there earlier, about fifty meters on one side, and a large number of elves were crowding around it.
The platform must have been created by an earth magician.
It was a complete spectacle.
Well, it's not every day that a duel hosted by the king would happen.
I urged Amelia to the king's side and I climbed onto the platform by myself.


''Have you finally realized that you are in love with your sister?
'No, he's been aware of it for a long time. I confessed earlier and I have no regrets.
''...That's about it. Your sister is truly loved, isn't she? I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make it work.


Kirika chuckled as she said this and drew the slender sword from her waist.
I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make it work.
I also drew the Night Sword God.
I turned the blade over.
Kirika's eyes narrowed when she saw that.


"You don't intend to kill me? That's sweet. I'm going to kill you, okay?
Good. It's not like I'm going to kill you. Amelia will be devastated if you're dead.
Would you mind not including me in a formal duel?
That's bad. I'm not going to be able to get the best out of it.


With the blade turned back, I took a stance.
Kirika was proud that it was just for show, and she held her sword at chest level.
It's a stance that allows you to release a thrust in the shortest possible time, but it doesn't necessarily mean the thrust will come.
We both only looked at each other.


'Then, in the name of the King over my daughter, Amelia, I hereby acknowledge the duel between Kirika Rose Quartz and Akila Oda. The duel will continue until one of them is rendered incapable of fighting or falls from their platform and declares their surrender. The use of magic will not be allowed this time. Only skills and their own techniques are allowed. If you are found to have used magic, you will be disqualified at that point.


So the king looked around.
So the judges are the elves around him.
Everyone looks at Kirika with an ecstatic expression, probably because they are still under Kirika's fascination.
It's completely away.

But that's fine.


Good luck, Akira!


I say, red in the face but not overwhelmed by the hustle and bustle around me, this voice is all I need.
I nodded in that direction and closed my eyes.


'Then begin!


At the same time as the king's words I opened my eyes and kicked the ground.


''!
''...Huh, it's like this.''


I let out the breath I had unknowingly held and caught the fallen Kirika with one arm.

The king and the elves around him stopped moving in their systems as if time had stopped, with only Amelia's face shining
He claps his hands in a clap.


'Hey, what's the verdict?'
・・・・・・ and the winner, Aquila Oda.


At his prompting, the king kept his face and only moved his mouth.
A dexterous fellow.

The buzz of the elves returning to hear the decision.


Hey! Kirika-sama is down!
It's not possible. That's a foul play, of course!
That's right! Our Lady Kirika is an unbeatable general. She can't lose.
"My King, don't you think you're being too generous in your judgments?


Complaints become words and forms, and the hustle and bustle returns to the square.
Apparently they didn't even see what I had done.
Is it that there are glimpses of those who could see due to their dynamic vision?

I ignored any of those voices and approached the king.


I'm going to take Amelia. I'll take Amelia, and you'll have to explain it to me.
Oh, yeah.


I laid Kirika down in front of the king, who was still stuck in confusion.
The lack of breasts made her somewhat lighter than Amelia.


'Akira, were you just thinking about being rude?'
No, I don't think so.
Yeah, okay.