NOVEL WEB Chapter 26.2
Stage 1-26. The Day Before The Duel
The pressure suddenly intensified. …From behind.
Calm down, Alice, Mashiro…!
You’re way more furious than Arnia, who’s already irritated!
I’m more worried about when you two will lose control than about dealing with him!
Arnia, can’t you feel that I’m trying to help you out here…?!
“I haven’t been able to have any fun since then. My stress is through the roof. At least help me blow off some steam.”
“That’s a disappointing request. Unfortunately, I’m not about to play punching bag for you. If you get that, leave.”
“Well then, I guess your servants will have to take responsibility with you.”
I grabbed his outstretched arm and squeezed it.
You idiot! Are you trying to get yourself killed!?
“Heh… You’re that desperate, huh? Seems like those two behind you must be pretty important… I’m getting more excited by the minute.”
Of course, I’m desperate! I don’t want to paint this place red with blood!
If you provoke them anymore, I can guarantee there’ll be a corpse here in no time.
Killing the crown prince would be really bad. My fun isekai life would turn into a fugitive survival story overnight.
“…Let me tell you one thing. Don’t you dare lay a finger on my precious harem with your filthy hands. If you get it, leave now.”
“Ouga-kun…”
“…I offer even greater loyalty to you, Ouga-sama…”
“Heh, you’re really getting attached to each other, huh? Well, whatever. Once the duel’s over, everything will be mine.”
““……””
Arnia cast a lecherous gaze over the two, looking them up and down.
…Hey, Arnia. Even I’m starting to get pissed off, you know?
There’s no way I’d be in a good mood after seeing someone act so disrespectful toward what’s mine.
“…Is that your demand?”
I stepped between them, then let go of his arm.
“Yeah. I’ll save the innocent commoner and protect my fiancée from the villain. A perfect story, don’t you think?”
“Is that so? It falls apart at the point where you’re guaranteed to lose.”
“…You bastard. All talk, aren’t you?”
“No point in arguing about it here. Everything will be decided tomorrow.”
I didn’t want this to drag on any longer, so I cut him off mid-sentence.
“So, go home.”
I pointed in the direction Arnia had come from, clearly telling him to leave.
This is the third time I’ve asked him to go.
Hopefully, he’ll get the message this time… Looks like he’s said all he wanted to say.
At last, Arnia turned on his heel, shooting one last glare in my direction.
“…Yeah, fine. Don’t run away. Tomorrow’s the day your life ends.”
“No, tomorrow’s the day you’re reborn.”
I watched him walk away until I couldn’t sense anyone’s presence around us anymore.
…Phew, he’s finally gone…
“Ouga-kun…!”
“Whoa!?”
Soft…! There’s something soft pressing against my back…!
Mashiro hugged me from behind, and the tense atmosphere that had filled the air suddenly dissipated, bringing us back to normal.
She stayed there, burying her face into the nape of my neck.
Her silky hair tickled a little.
“I feel so lucky…”
“Yes, to have received such words… Serving you, Ouga-sama, is the pride of my life.”
“…I just took responsibility. It wasn’t anything that big.”
“…It’s exactly that part of you, though.”
“Huh? What did you say?”
“I said, ‘Let’s stay like this, please.’”
Guess I’ll just keep walking with Mashiro on my back.
Alice moved beside me, as usual.
…Yeah, this is what feels right.
“But, Ouga-sama. Are you really sure about this?”
“What do you mean?”
“The crown prince’s strength… It’s greater than we initially expected…”
If Alice is hesitating to say it, then she must’ve sensed it clearly.
In other words, there’s a possibility I’ll need to use [Delete].
But I have no intention of using [Magic Burial].
When it came to Mashiro, there were hardly any witnesses, so I didn’t care. But this time, the entire student body would be watching.
I also talked about how to handle things with my father before I enrolled.
I’ve thought this through.
“Don’t worry. It’s all factored in. I’ll crush him completely, regardless.”
“…I see. That is indeed the best course of action for the future. I apologize. My thoughts were too shallow.”
“No, I’m glad we’re on the same page. Don’t worry about it.”
I slipped my hands around Mashiro’s smooth thighs to make sure she didn’t slide off.
When I squeezed them, they felt soft and a bit plump.
“…Ouga-kun?”
“Nothing. Let’s head back to the dorm. We need to prepare for tomorrow.”