A Dark Fantasy Spy

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The primordial thrill of a duel is a culture where romance and sanctity coexist, a thrilling and sensual tightrope walk that dances between custom and lawlessness.

Why is a duel sacred?

Because it involves honor and courage.

The courage to willingly lay down one’s life for honor. That resolute determination enhances the sanctity and romance of the duel.

Of course, for the audience, concepts like honor and courage are of no concern. All they want is to watch blood splattering and limbs being severed in a brutal showcase!

Culturally speaking, something must be consumed for it to grow, and when more people enjoy it, it gains plausible meaning, doesn’t it?

However, there’s a common misunderstanding.

This is the bias of modern individuals addicted to mass media, the equation of “duel = man’s privilege”!

This is a highly skewed, sexist, and uneducated way of thinking. There’s nothing in this world that can only be done by men or women, aside from cross-dressing and drag.

And a duel is a fight where the honor of the brave is at stake! Regardless of gender or age, if anyone’s honor is threatened, anyone is free to challenge their opponent to a duel!

Naturally, women are not exempt.

This truth was personally demonstrated by a ‘magic-hating, greatsword enthusiast’ who was born male but found themselves trapped in a woman’s body, battling a scoundrel boy with no sense of honor in a one-on-one duel!

Also, the ‘female nobles of Imperial Russia’ who inherited passionate tempers as fierce as Siberian blizzards have been known to draw swords themselves, decorating the history with brilliant hues of red while dealing with those conniving fox-like women (who were also nobility) gossiping behind their backs.

Whether old or young, there’s no order of precedence!

Whether you’re a man or woman, once you draw your sword, you must cut off the opponent’s limbs first!

Fight to win, and if you lose, you die!

This clearly proves the sanctity and fairness of duels “by all and for all” (although the police, prosecution, and courts may judge differently).

Therefore!

A duel is a sacred culture that everyone, regardless of gender or age, can enjoy.

As long as you have the confidence to take responsibility for your own words and actions (cowards should just stay curled up!), you can carelessly wag your tongue and preserve your life! (Of course, only if you win; if you lose, you’re done for!)

In other words,

If we shift our perspective just a little…

“Please, just let me see once more, Professor!”

“No.”

“Help! This crazy old wizard is trying to kill his disciple!”

“…Is that so?”

What a clumsy fool who can’t even keep her tongue straight despite her lack of skill!

If you receive this challenge, abandon all hope!

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Episode 18 – The Man Club

Armed with a pair of flaming skewers, Camila attempted to cast ‘Help me, oh please!’. However, she was ultimately crushed by the calamity she had summoned upon herself.

“No matter how many times I see it, what a ridiculous habit! Calling your teacher a crazy wizard? Tsk, tsk.”

“Uguu….”

The palm slapped against her lips! It was the admonishment of a teacher who couldn’t suppress his exasperation at his apprentice’s frivolous tongue.

Camila, caught by the nape of her neck, slumped like a kitten.

Her legs dangled helplessly in the air, and with drooping eyes, she conveyed utter despair. The Duke regarded the captured Camila with disapproval.

“What a reckless child. Did you really need to speak ill of your teacher?”

“Then how about you do better….”

What did I ever deny you? In that split second, a flash of light crossed the teacher’s eyes, but it seemed the disciple had a lot to say.

Caught in the Duke’s grasp, Camila began to voice her immense grievances.

“How can a teacher toss me into a den of monsters under the guise of training? That alone is unjust, but then pulling me out to face a one-on-one duel! And then saying I lacked training because I didn’t land a single effective blow?! While I was left winded, you just toss me back into the monsters!”

To think we have to stay at the Colosseum 24/7 without a moment’s rest! Even ancient Roman gladiators didn’t live like this.

Food wasn’t even served on time.

“No break, no food! What’s the meaning of this?!”

At least gladiators were fed three meals a day. The Duke was a vile master, denying rest and even offering scant meals.

Thus, she declared her grievances. Camila insisted.

“Plus, our abilities are restricted, yet you fight with all your might!”

The Duke raised an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed by her protests.

“Isn’t that only natural?”

Am I the one training? You are the one who must train.

Those words were too outrageous! Camila cut him off mid-sentence, asking bluntly.

“How can that be natural?”

“I’m not a carefree person, child. You aren’t in a position to leisurely train either. Learning from me, a mere 24 hours may not be enough. Naturally, you must grind through nonstop!”

“….”

“And training is inherently tough. Even if you push to your limits all day long, you wonder if you’ll see any achievement at all. Let alone if a child eats what they want daily and rests whenever they feel like…”

Growth and training are supposed to be hard, and facing constraints is par for the course. This is why the teacher scolds the weak disciple, and why the silly disciple whines.

However, it seemed the teacher’s words were falling on deaf ears.

Even while being lectured, Camila was fidgeting, preparing something.

“Besides, they should have eaten well enough. Before complaining about insufficient meals, think about how much you usually eat….”

“An opening!”

Just then, as their heated debate continued, one flaming skewer shot like a dagger.

At that moment, as the Duke tilted his head back to evade the ambush, the freed Camila wrapped a small flame around her fist.

“I bent my knees to gather momentum!”

Ha! Here it comes! With her fiery fist clenched, she plunged into her opponent with overwhelming speed, and the clash of hands and feet began.

As strikes arched through the air, the Archmage gracefully dodged them, gently stepping away, and smoothly evading attacks aimed at her abdomen.

Swish! As she sidestepped, a low blow aimed at her torso brushed past her ribs. Whoosh! A swinging fist aimed for her face was deftly evaded as she turned her head away.

Teasing her opponent, the Archmage continued to evade with light gestures, while the disciple carefully identified her openings and charged forward.

Just before her punched met its mark, snap! her fist was caught.

“…Huh?”

Caught, not blocked, left Camila stunned. A sudden gale swept around her, and before she knew it, she was hurled towards a distant area swarming with monsters!

What the—

“Isn’t this a bit too much?!”

Her voice echoed into the distance as she disappeared over the horizon, expressing her outrage.

With a snicker, the teacher who had just thrown his disciple shot a smirk.

“To attack before my words had even completed, how audacious of you!”

– Are there even any rules to this duel!?

“Shut it! You little brat!”

And so, the disciple, who only displayed her ugly side before her teacher, fell right into the monster-infested zone.

The monsters welcomed her vibrant new presence (??: Worm, who is that? / ??: We’ve been waiting for someone like you!), and likewise, Camila shrieked out in joy.

This signaled the start of the cat-and-mouse chase.

“What a fool without a single sense of honor. What will become of that child…?”

The Duke shook his head, dusting off his palms with a sigh.

He then composed himself and, with a finger beckoning the alchemist who sat demurely, urged her to come forth without hesitation.

“It’s already your turn. Come now, Raniere’s child.”

“…Going now, Grandmother.”

The alchemist clad in magical tools ascended, while the Archmage’s flames swallowed the sky.