A massive crowd had already gathered at the site of the upcoming duel.
The vast majority were Gilm’s residents—ordinary citizens. There was also a significant number of adventurers who had come specifically to witness Rei’s strength with their own eyes.
In Gilm, Rei had become famous as an Untouchable Presence, yet those who had actually seen the true extent of his abilities were few. The event where the most people had been able to confirm Rei’s strength was, of course, the Spring War. However, many had been unable to participate in that war or had chosen not to, and a significant number of adventurers had arrived in Gilm only after the conflict had ended.
Naturally, they had heard stories from their fellow adventurers and understood that Rei’s strength was not mere talk, nor were the rumors just wild exaggerations that had spun out of control. Still, for those who wanted to witness that power for themselves, this festival centered around a duel was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. None of them had any desire to fight Rei personally, but watching someone else do it was a different story entirely.
Furthermore, from the perspective of the merchants and commoners, this battle was simply excellent entertainment. For those who had been troubled by Keep until now—those who had endured him picking fights with their shops or seizing their goods—it was only natural that their voices grew loud as they cheered for Rei.
Apart from the common folk, the nobles were also paying close attention to the duel. Though for the nobles of the King's Faction, the dominant sentiment was likely a sense of bewilderment as to why things had come to this.
Unlike Keep, who had arrived in Gilm just before winter, most of these nobles had lived in the city for several years—some for over a decade. Because of that, they naturally conducted thorough information gathering. Finding out just how much power Rei, who was so cooperative with the neutral Daskar, truly possessed was a top-priority piece of intelligence. Consequently, many viewed the path to the destruction of Count Eriel's House as a certainty.
"Hey, look. There are so many Knights."
"Yeah... It's likely a precaution to prevent Lord Keep from having an outburst when he loses."
"Wagering half his property just to fight Rei and lose... what was Lord Keep thinking, agreeing to a duel with those conditions?"
"And apparently, it all started because he tried to snatch away a maid serving Baron Cisne's House."
"Right now, House Eriel must be in a state of total panic. It wouldn't be surprising if the boy was disinherited over this."
"True. They probably never imagined he would go through legal procedures with Margrave Larkus acting as the witness. Now that everything is signed and sealed, House Eriel can't say anything to change it."
"As someone from the Noble's Faction, I welcome the weakening of the King's Faction's influence."
"Is that so? If a house like Eriel is crushed, it means a source of infection within the King's Faction is being excised. Wouldn't that actually make the King's Faction healthier in the long run?"
"No way... Was Lord Keep sent to Gilm for that very purpose?"
"To drive a wedge into the Neutral Faction while simultaneously letting their own nuisance be destroyed? Certainly, if that were the case, it wouldn't matter which side fell..."
"Surely it's just a coincidence? I doubt anyone could read that far ahead."
"I don't know who drew this picture, but even that person likely didn't expect him to end up crossing paths with Crimson."
Nobles of the King's Faction, the Neutral Faction, and the Noble's Faction continued to exchange whispers.
Amidst this, the protagonists finally made their appearance, as if guided by the sunlight pouring down from the heavens.
The first to appear was Rei. Clad in his usual Dragon Robe and holding the Death Scythe that was taller than he was, he was accompanied by Gryphon Seto at his side. Muet, Basrero, and Ashie of Baron Cisne's House followed closely behind.
Appearing from the opposite side was a figure Rei did not recognize. He wore metal armor and carried a halberd in his hand. In terms of pure physical size, he was a head taller than Rei—no, even larger than that. His physique was wrapped in muscle compared to Rei, and as he stood before the boy, he literally looked like an adult facing a child. In the hand not holding the halberd, he gripped a metal helmet, allowing his imposing expression to be seen clearly.
"H-Hey... who's that guy? Was there an adventurer like that in Gilm?"
One of the adventurers who had come to watch called out to his nearby acquaintances upon seeing the opponent. He had been active in Gilm for several years, but he had absolutely no memory of the man standing before Rei. Of course, he didn't know every single adventurer in Gilm, and the frontier saw a high turnover of people. Even so, if it were someone that conspicuous, it wouldn't have been strange for him to know the name or face.
Among the nobles, rumors flew regarding who House Eriel had brought forth, but no one knew his name or face. However, anyone with a certain level of skill understood that the man was a capable fighter, regardless of whether they were adventurers or nobles.
Walking behind that man were Keep, Fultos, and three accompanying Knights. In the few days leading up to the duel, Keep had learned what kind of person Rei was. He had tried to raid Baron Cisne's House to target Muet so Rei wouldn't show up, and had even tried to bribe Rei to bring him over to his side. But all of those attempts had failed... and in the end, he had been dragged to this place of dueling.
"Hey, Fultos. Is that man really going to be alright? He certainly looks more impressive than the other guy." Keep could not hide his expression of anxiety as he spoke to Fultos beside him.
"It's fine. That man is a fairly famous B-Rank Adventurer from Abuelo. No matter how much of an Alias Holder Rei may be, they are both the same rank... besides, I believe I mentioned our trump card for emergencies."
Fultos answered Keep with an expression full of confidence, but his inner feelings were far more faint-hearted. For now, he was managing to keep it from showing on his face, but he didn't know how much longer he could last.
In the first place, even if they're both B-Rank Adventurers, the track record they've built up is too different. The opponent is someone who destroys entire armies on his own. That man, Zelos, is surely strong for his rank, but I can't imagine him winning against Rei. If so, it'll be fine if the trump card works out. And even if it fails...
He glanced at Keep, who wore an anxious expression, and took a small, quiet breath.
As long as there is a clear person responsible, it will take time for pursuers to be sent even after I disappear. There might even be a possibility that they won't send pursuers at all. If that's the case, before Count Eriel's House can send anyone, I'll head to some other country... Fortunately, thanks to Lord Keep, I have plenty of funds.
As Fultos thought about sacrificing Keep to escape if it came to it, Zelos finally opened his mouth.
"So, you're Rei. You certainly don't look very strong at a glance. But I assume that Great Scythe isn't just for show, either?"
Zelos spoke with a predatory edge, but there was not a hint of carelessness in his eyes. His face showed that he recognized Rei as an opponent undoubtedly stronger than himself. And yet, a ferocious smile played on Zelos's lips. With his imposing features, that expression could easily be described as villainous.
"...I see. I wondered what kind of opponent they'd prepare, and they came up with a battle maniac like you. If there was someone like you around, I should have heard of you. You're not an adventurer of Gilm, are you?"
"Correct. I'm an adventurer from Abuelo. Zelos, B-Rank."
Rei showed an expression of understanding. Even so, there was no carelessness in his eyes. Holding the Death Scythe, Rei continued while glancing at Daskar, the overseer of this duel, who was approaching.
"By participating in this duel, I assume you're naturally prepared to die. Is that right?"
"Hah. Prepared to die... Prepared to die, huh. I can certainly tell you're strong just by facing you like this. But even so, who decided that you're the one who's going to win? I've made my way up by defeating many who were above my rank. I have no intention of losing in a place like this!"
With that shout, Zelos swung his halberd in a great arc. The strike, which seemed to crush the very wind, possessed enough skill that even Rei could accept his B-Rank status.
"When I heard the story from that noble, I thought about smashing his head in with this halberd. But once I heard I’d get to fight Crimson, I’ve never been prouder of my own patience."
"...No, you're not patient at all." Rei inadvertently muttered at Zelos's words.
Hearing Rei's comment, Daskar drew close and spoke with a faint smile.
"Now then, we shall begin the duel. The result of the match will be decided when one side surrenders or becomes incapacitated. If Rei wins this duel, half of the property of House Eriel will belong to Baron Cisne's House. If Zelos wins, the custody of Ashie, the maid of House Cisne, will go to Lord Keep. Neither side has any objections?"
At Daskar's words, Muet and Keep each nodded.
"Hah! If you can't get a woman without using force, that's about as pathetic as it gets!"
In that moment, a voice echoed from out of nowhere, and a heartbeat later, the dueling grounds were enveloped in laughter.
"W-Who was that just now! Show yourself!" Keep, having been made a laughingstock, shouted out loudly, his previous anxiety boiling over into rage. However, the voice that had come from the crowd was impossible to pinpoint.
"Hey, Phron. Don't go heckling so much. It'll make this fine liquor taste bad." Brasso spoke to his partner while taking a sip from his wooden cup.
Since they were blended into the crowd, almost no one besides those immediately around them would realize the shout was Phron's doing, but Brasso grumbled that if the duel were delayed, he wouldn't be able to enjoy his drink.
"Shut up. Seriously, what is with that guy, Keep? Causing such a massive uproar just to woo a woman. If he's a man, he should try wooing her with his own charm instead of using his parents' money and power. ...Though I guess he's causing this scene because he has zero confidence in himself."
At Phron's words, the people around them, both men and women, nodded in agreement. Those who looked slightly uncomfortable were likely individuals who had experience using things besides their own charm in the past.
If these words had been spoken in the noble’s section, it might have caused various problems. Fortunately, Phron and Brasso were standing where the commoners gathered, so it did not become an issue. ...Though, whether it was heard by the target or not was a separate matter.
"Silence! Lord Keep, please return to your position."
"Margrave Larkus! Do you intend to let the one who insulted me go untouched?!"
"...Lord Keep, if you do not return, I shall judge that Lord Keep himself intends to perform the duel."
"Urgh..." At Daskar's words, Keep groaned in frustration but returned to his original spot. His fear that if he fought Rei himself, he would surely be killed under the pretext of the duel was too strong. Considering the coldness of the gaze Rei directed at him, it was certainly not mere paranoia.
(Damn it, you Gilm bastards... all of you, making a fool of me. Just you wait, once this duel is over, I'll make you regret that attitude!)
Keep fell silent as he returned to his spot, though he struggled to keep his inner rage from showing. However, Keep was fundamentally unaccustomed to suppressing his emotions. To anyone watching, it was clear that he was barely containing his fury.
The guarding Knights searched for words to soothe their master's mood, but they knew that saying anything careless now would only lead to them being blamed, so they kept their mouths shut. Normally, Fultos would handle such situations, but he currently showed no sign of speaking.
The Knights exchanged glances, wondering what to do, but before they could prompt Fultos into action, the situation moved forward.
"Now then, are both of you ready?"
At those words, Rei held his Death Scythe and Zelos held his halberd as they faced each other...
"We shall now conduct the duel between House Cisne and House Eriel. ...Begin!"
The moment Daskar gave a great sweep of his hand, the surrounding spectators all broke into cheers. Simultaneously, Rei and Zelos stepped forward, moving to close the distance between them.
A faint smile was on Rei's face, and a ferocious grin was on Zelos's, reflecting their respective states of mind to the absolute fullest.