"What’s this? Even after I've set the stage this perfectly, you still can’t make a decision? That’s exactly why you’re a dropout."
"…!!"
Isaac sneered, his voice dripping with mockery as he belittled Zenon. His eyes wide, Zenon stared back at him from point-blank range as Isaac continued.
"Well, if you’re still too paralyzed to act after all this, then there’s nothing to be done. Stay a loser and mope for the rest of your life."
"You…!?"
"Oh, are you angry? But it’s the truth, isn’t it? You’re a loser and a coward who can’t make a single decision. Don't go getting pissed just because I hit the nail on the head."
"Me, a loser…!? Why you…!!"
Zenon's clenched fists trembled violently. It wasn't just his hands that were shaking; his voice was as well.
It’s working… Isaac thought, smirking to himself.
Finding Zenon almost endearing for how easily he fell for such blatant provocations, he continued to pour on the taunts.
"Your future is already written. You’ll just keep falling further and further, your precious Claire-tan will be snatched away, and you’ll spend your life sucking your thumb while you watch me become the hero. You’ll spend the rest of your days in regret, thinking, 'If only I’d faced him in a duel back then, maybe things would have been different…' Well, even if there was a different future, the only thing that would change is the timing of when you lose Claire."
"Shut up… shut up…! I’m no loser…!!"
"Oh, maybe you're right. Since you couldn't even stand on the field of battle, I suppose you haven't actually lost yet. In that case, you're just a spineless coward. But from here on, you’ll become a true loser. I’m looking forward to it, Coward Zenon-kun. I wonder when the day will come when your beloved Claire-tan is snatched away by another man? Once I’m her next owner, I’ll hold her right in front of your eyes. I’ve always wanted to try playing the part of the Netori Man…!"
"You, you, you…!!"
"Tell me when it happens. Let me know how it feels when your ultimate favorite character—the last hope you had left—becomes someone else’s property. Man, I’m really looking forward to it… Netorare Man Seto-kun!"
"U-uaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaargh! You bastard!!"
"Ze-Zenon-sama!!"
Under the relentless barrage of insults and psychological prodding, Zenon’s already fragile psyche finally snapped. Howling like a madman, he shoved Isaac back and slammed his fist directly into the man’s face with everything he had.
In his fit of blind rage, he spat out the words he never should have uttered.
"I'll kill you! I'll kill you! I'm not a coward or a loser! I won't lose to someone like you! I'll prove it by beating you to a pulp! I accept! The duel!!"
"A-aaaaah…!?"
"…Good. Then it’s a deal. You’re the one who said it—no one else. You’ll duel me. Just so you know, it’s too late to say 'never mind' after going this far, okay?"
Claire watched with a face full of despair as Zenon, consumed by his emotions, fell head-first into Isaac's trap. Now that he had accepted the duel so aggressively—and while physically attacking Isaac—there was no backing out. Even if he regained his composure later, the excuse of wanting to take it back wouldn't be accepted.
She hadn't heard exactly what Isaac had whispered to Zenon, but the moment things turned suspicious, she should have stopped him, even if she had to drag him away by force.
There was no way the current Zenon could defeat Isaac. If he lost the duel and his last hope, Claire herself, was taken away, Zenon's mind would be completely destroyed.
She had to avoid that outcome at all costs. After thinking frantically, Claire staked everything on a single glimmer of hope and spoke to Isaac.
"W-wait, Lord Isaac! As you can see, Zenon-sama is in no mental state to duel. If he faces you now, the outcome is already decided."
"Yeah, well, I get that. But that doesn't mean we can just pretend this exchange didn't happen, right? After all, this guy punched me. I have no reason to back down after being told he's going to kill me, do I?"
In truth, Zenon’s punch had barely registered, but Isaac replied to Claire with the aggrieved tone of a victim. Looking back at him, Claire spoke the words she hoped would serve as a final lifeline.
"What Lord Isaac says is perfectly reasonable. However… it is simply impossible for the current Zenon-sama to fight. Please, would you consider accepting the proposal of appointing a substitute?"
"A substitute? You mean someone else fighting me in Zenon’s place?"
"…Yes. Please, I beg of you. Allow someone else to stand in the duel as Zenon-sama’s substitute…!!"
Bowing her head deeply, Claire pleaded with every ounce of desperation she possessed. After staring at her for a long moment, Isaac suddenly broke into a wide, predatory grin.
"…Fine, I’ll accept that. I’m a generous soul, so I’ll indulge a selfish request from the girl who’s about to be mine. Though… well, I don’t think it’ll turn out the way you’re hoping."
"…!"
As he spoke, Isaac reached out, took Claire’s chin in his hand, and forced her to look up. He stared intently at her beautiful, refined features from inches away, making no effort to hide his lust.
"We’ll hold the duel tomorrow at noon. And once it's over… you’re mine. I’m looking forward to tomorrow, Claire—and every day after that!"
A sickening chill raced down Claire's spine. Behind them, an enraged Zenon tried to lunge at him again.
Watching the two of them struggle, Claire recognized the sheer level of danger Isaac posed. Resolving that she had to protect Zenon from this man no matter what, she prepared to take her next step.