"This should ensure that no more students are foolish enough to engage in a duel."
"You're right. People without resolve shouldn't be dueling in the first place."
Rather than simply being avoided as the man who ruthlessly decapitated Castor, I would likely settle into a role as a symbol of fear.
That was a natural outcome, so I didn't mind. I had wanted to show the students of this Academy that a proper duel led to such grim results; in that sense, this was for the best. If this served as a deterrent, then no more idiotic dueling commotions would break out.
"I think we should use this opportunity to have the Student Council call for a Prohibition of Duels."
"I'm sure everyone will agree," she replied.
Her response was short and somewhat cold. I wondered if killing Castor right in front of her had been a bad idea after all, but it was too late now, so there was no point dwelling on it.
I believed a Prohibition of Duels would pass unanimously right now. If I had Alicia and the others take charge of the motion, her standing would likely improve. Given that someone had actually died, everyone would be convinced if Alicia—who had first-hand experience with the horrors of a duel—was the one to speak up.
"But you... you will be feared forever."
"That's fine."
If it could overwrite the memory of Alicia's own dueling scandal, then I didn't care. She was my fiancée, so there was a chance she would be feared alongside me, but given the reputation of the Abandoned Land, it was more likely that the worse I became, the more people would pity her.
In fact, depending on my actions, I could ensure it turned out that way. This world was so distorted that such a line of thinking was considered normal, and House Brave existed right in the center of that distortion.
Alicia could make friends no matter how harsh the situation. She was a woman of immense charm. If her reputation was restored as a result, I didn't mind if she eventually broke the engagement due to the circumstances of her House. It would be a bit lonely, but I would simply protect her from the shadows.
No, I wouldn't mind protecting the entire country for her sake. Originally, that was the duty of House Brave—a destiny decided for me the moment I was born—
"—I don't want that."
Alicia stepped in front of me. She looked as if she were on the verge of tears, but she stared straight into my eyes as she spoke.
"If that's the case, I'd rather choose to be feared and hated right along with you. I'm not as strong as you are, but even so, I refuse to let you be alone."
Alicia grabbed my sleeve, her grip tight.
"Don't try to push me away. If you do, I really won't be able to catch up to you."
"Alicia... I didn't mean to..."
"Being protected doesn't feel bad, but I want to stand beside you, not behind you. I'll endure whatever hellish training I must, so please... don't let go of my hand yet."
Her words resonated deep within my heart. Including my previous life, had anyone ever told me they wanted to be hated alongside me? No, never.
I was simply happy. She was kind, yet there was something nostalgic about her presence that made me feel incredibly calm. It was a wonderful sensation.
A literal Holy Mother? If Mariana was the Saint, then Alicia was the Holy Mother. I had the feeling that if this weren't such a distorted world, and if Edward hadn't been an idiot, she would have been a woman fit to lead the nation.
I dropped to one knee before her.
"Alicia... put a collar on me."
"Huh?"
Her bewildered expression made me smile; it reminded me of the time I had first vowed to protect her.
"Put a collar on me to show that I belong to you. Forever."
I wasn't joking. I was perfectly fine with being Alicia's property. In fact, I preferred it.
"I won't push you away, and I won't let go of your hand. If you call, I'll be there. Words are cheap, so let this be my proof."
I reconfigured the barriers in my mind—not to shut the world out, but to ensure I never built a wall against her again.
"I'm sorry for making you worry."
"I'm sorry for being so selfish, too... I really don't care about the duel itself, but when I thought about what it meant for our future..."
"I'll be with you forever from now on, so you can rest easy. Though, looking at it this way, it feels like I'm the one being protected by you."
She was my guide through this mad heart and distorted world. If anyone else challenged me to a life-or-death struggle, I would still kill them without hesitation. That wouldn't change. But knowing there was even one person who truly looked at me and accepted me was enough to bring me pure joy.
"...So, are you two going to kiss or what?"
While we were standing there in embarrassed silence, Mariana—who was still supposed to be unconscious on my back—suddenly spoke up.
"When exactly do the two of you plan on kissing?"
"Ma-Mariana! You were awake?"
"I was reading the room and faking being passed out. But this is getting so sappy it's making me itch, so just hurry up and kiss already! I can't stand just watching! Nfu, nfu!"
Mariana was getting worked up. Her heavy breathing was incredibly annoying.
"A-k-k-kissing is way too early! As students, we should maintain some level of moderation, and we're only at the engagement stage, so doing something so sudden is just—"
Alicia's face turned beet red as she began to panic, realizing Mariana had heard everything we'd just said.
"Putting on a collar and then kissing right after is a bit of a niche combination, isn't it?" I mused.
"I suppose you're right," Mariana agreed.
I thought so too. It was definitely a specific taste.
"But don't you think those kinds of niche things are better sometimes? For a change of pace?"
I agreed with that too, but doing it in front of an audience was a bit much.
"If you're awake, get down."
"Bunyaa!"
Since she was conscious, there was no need to carry her. I simply let go and let her tumble to the ground.
"We can never just have a normal, serious moment, can we?"
"Ragna, that's because you're always saying such outrageous things..."
Was it really that outrageous? If I was her property, then our fates were bound together. From now on, I would face the students head-on as Alicia's Watchdog.
I didn't care if I was hated as the Mad Dog of the Student Council. I would simply impose my tyranny on any student foolish enough to underestimate her.