Just as the woman lunged forward with a wide, reckless swing, Roxanne’s rapier flashed.
The woman tried to leap back, but her momentum carried her too far. She lost her balance and landed hard on her backside.
"Six months ago, I could hardly touch you, but it seems my attacks connect now. What is the matter? Please, show me your real strength."
"Tch. Still as slippery as ever..."
The woman stood up, her face twisted with pure hatred. She swung her sword again, but Roxanne evaded every strike with calm, practiced ease.
"I felt you were stronger six months ago," Roxanne remarked.
In truth, it wasn't that the woman had grown weaker; it was that Roxanne had grown significantly stronger over the last half-year.
"I was so close... Why... Right there!" the woman screamed.
Ah, I see. This was Roxanne's fault.
Roxanne’s evasions were the absolute minimum necessary—dodging by a hair’s breadth. She saw through her opponent’s attacks so perfectly that she didn't need to waste an inch of movement. However, from the opponent’s perspective, it felt as if their attacks were always on the verge of landing. The sword passed within a centimeter—no, a millimeter—of her skin every single time.
To the woman, it must have seemed impossible for anyone to perform such a stunt repeatedly. She likely convinced herself that Roxanne was just lucky, and that the next strike would surely find its mark. She had probably thought the exact same thing when they fought six months ago. She believed she could win if she just tried one more time.
And this was the result.
Roxanne’s personal skill was truly in a league of its own. She had been able to fight to a draw with a Beast Fighter Level 29 when she was only Level 6. Now that she was a Beast Fighter Level 32, the woman wasn't even a challenge.
"I felt I had become a little stronger under Master’s tutelage, and I wanted to see how far I had come. But you aren't even enough to serve as a yardstick."
"Damn you! That’s impossible!"
"I’m finished with you."
Roxanne spoke with the cold dismissal of someone who had lost all interest. She lunged, her rapier striking the woman square in the throat. The precision of the blow sent the woman flying backward. She recoiled and collapsed, lying flat on her back.
That strike had to be effective. Taking a direct thrust from a rapier to the throat was usually fatal.
"N-Not... not yet..."
Remarkably, the woman began to tremble, trying to push herself up. As she pulled her knees in to stand, a broken cord fell from her neck to the ground. It was a Substitution Misanga. It must have reached its limit and broke after taking the blow for her.
The woman seemed to realize what it meant. She froze, unable to stand. If she took another hit, she no longer had a misanga to protect her.
"It seems you schemed in many ways to bring my family to ruin," Roxanne said, leveling her sword. "However, I suppose I should be grateful to you for that. Because of your actions, I was able to meet a wonderful Master."
Roxanne took her stance. One more thrust, and the match would be over.
"Roxanne."
I called out to her from behind. This was enough. It was better to end it here. I didn't want Roxanne to have to kill her.
"Is that all right?"
Roxanne lowered her weapon, stepped back a few paces to create distance, and turned to look at me. I shook my head slightly, and she seemed to understand.
"It’s fine," I said.
"If we stop now, it will technically be a draw."
"That’s okay... right?" I asked, looking at Sherry.
"It is not ideal, but if you are satisfied with that result..."
Despite Sherry’s hesitant answer, I beckoned Roxanne over. It was better than forcing her to finish the job.
"Use that!" a voice roared from the other side.
It was Sabo.
"But..." the woman stammered.
"It’s fine! I was watching. That man didn't give her a Substitution Misanga. If you do it now, you can turn this into an honorable draw instead of a loss!"
"B-But..."
What was Sabo talking about? What exactly was an "honorable draw"?
"You did well," I told Roxanne as she reached us.
"Yes, Master."
"As expected of you, Roxanne-san," Sherry added.
"Amazing, desu," Miria chimed in.
I welcomed Roxanne back while keeping a close eye on the other party, suspecting they might still try something. The woman on the ground didn't move. By any standard, the match was decided.
"I have watched Master’s fighting style from up close for so long, so I thought I might have improved, but this was even more than I expected," Roxanne said.
"I-I see."
"It is all thanks to your tutelage, Master."
I was fairly certain that wasn't the case at all.
"The opponent has not surrendered, so this will be recorded as a draw. Are you satisfied?" Gosler asked, approaching us.
Roxanne looked to me. I nodded, and she gave her consent. Gosler then went over to the Baradam party and asked the same. Sabo stepped forward.
"It can't be helped."
"Then, I declare this duel a draw," Gosler announced.
Sabo walked past him into the center of the courtyard. He approached the woman, who was still slumped on the ground.
"You disgrace to the Baradam House."
Sabo drew his sword in a blur. He decapitated the woman where she sat.
"Ah."
The sound escaped my lips before I could stop it. I was stunned.
"I gave her a Self-Destruct Ball for emergencies. I never imagined she would actually be outmatched. Someone lacking even that much resolve has no place in the Baradam House."
Ignoring the woman’s head rolling on the stone floor, Sabo turned his gaze toward us. A Self-Destruct Ball was an item that dealt massive damage to an enemy at the cost of the user's life. So, that’s what an "honorable draw" meant—a double knockout.
"What do you think you're doing?!" Gosler demanded, stepping toward him.
"This is an internal matter of the Baradam House. This woman was legally under my Patriarchal Rights. There is nothing illegal about this execution."
"I see. Regardless, I must confirm your Intelligence Card."
Gosler backed down far too easily for my liking. It seemed that even if a murder happened right in front of him, he couldn't interfere if it was claimed to be a family matter.
"But a draw is convenient," Sabo said, pointing his finger at Roxanne while showing his card to Gosler. "You have brought shame upon the Baradam House. To lose a duel and not even be finished off is the height of dishonor. To wash away this stain, I challenge that woman to a duel here and now."
"A request for a rematch from the losing side can usually be refused to prevent endless feuds," Sherry whispered to me. "But because this was officially a draw..."
I realized why she had said a draw wasn't good. It left the door open for a rematch.
"Can we just leave?" I asked.
"Only if you are prepared to be a laughingstock."
"Please, Master, let me do it," Roxanne pleaded.
If being a laughingstock was the only penalty, I would have preferred to run, but I knew Roxanne wouldn't be satisfied with that.
"I have only used fifty doping medicines, as per regulations," Sabo declared. "If you have the courage, accept."
"There is a theory that taking too much doping medicine is useless, so many stop at fifty," Sherry explained.
The common belief was that doping medicine only increased levels without boosting parameters. To avoid wasting money, people leveled up to 50 with medicine and did the rest themselves. Had Sabo raised the remaining 49 levels through effort?
Wait. If that was the case, wasn't Roxanne actually stronger?
If a Level 49’s strength was all he had, and Roxanne at Level 6 had outclassed a Level 29, then at Level 32, she should be able to handle him easily.
"Actually, I’ll be the one to go," I said.
"No, Master! I should. Sabo is famously strong. It’s too dangerous."
"If Roxanne does it, she’ll probably win too quickly anyway."
However, there was a chance he had raised his level higher than 49 and just wasted the medicine. Given he was Level 99, he probably raised himself to around 50 and then used the rest of the medicine anyway. Without Appraisal, most people wouldn't know a Beast Fighter's true level.
If he was a true Level 99, Roxanne might actually struggle. But that was fine. If Sabo was indeed Level 99, it meant he was at the maximum value—the limit. Which meant I could use Extreme Drop Dead.
"What? You have a lot of nerve, boy," Sabo sneered.
"Sabo is incredibly strong, Master," Roxanne insisted. "He is known as a monster among the Wolf-kin. I cannot let you be exposed to such danger. If something were to happen to you..."
"It’s okay, Roxanne. Your Master isn't as weak as you think."
"Y-Yes, Master."
Ignoring Sabo’s posturing, I managed to persuade Roxanne. I couldn't afford to lose her. I wouldn't take that risk. The man had just murdered his own relative; if he could win, he wouldn't hesitate to kill Roxanne. I had to be the one to step out.
"He seems fairly strong, though," I added. "I might not be able to hold back. If I end up killing him, is that a problem?"
"No, Master."
"It is fine," Sherry agreed.
I had their consent.
"Do you accept the challenge?" Gosler asked.
"Is there any problem with me acting as proxy?"
"The challenged party has the right to appoint a proxy. The challenger cannot refuse."
"I won't be able to hold back, so I'll probably kill him," I told Gosler.
"Whatever happens in a duel is simply the nature of the match," Gosler replied neutrally.
"What are you two whispering about?!" Sabo roared. "It doesn't matter who the proxy is, no one can beat me!"
"Think of it like this," I said to him. "If you want to fight the dojo master, you have to beat the head instructor first."
"More nonsense!"
"I’m serious. Unlike Roxanne, I don't know how to go easy. If you don't want to die, you should walk away."
"Empty threats!"
I figured he wouldn't listen. It wasn't a threat, though; it was a warning.
"You really shouldn't make me angry," I said.
"That’s my line, brat!"
"I didn't get much sleep last night, you know. I’m not really in top form. It’s been a rough day."
"Shut up and start!"
Well, I tried.
"Then, if there are no objections, I authorize the duel. Shall we begin?" Gosler asked.
Sabo barked his agreement, and I nodded. I didn't draw Durandal. I wasn't sure if I could win a straight-up sword fight against a Level 99. It was better to settle this differently.
If things got bad, I’d use Overwhelming and chug tonics. Since they had tried to use a Self-Destruct Ball, item use should be fair game. Then, I would spam Equivalent Exchange. I wasn't sure if the sum of my MP and HP exceeded a Level 99 Beast Fighter's HP, but if it didn't, I’d be the one who died.
However, that was only if he was a "true" Level 99. If his base was Level 49, I had nothing to worry about. Even if he was base Level 60, I should be fine. I had managed against a Level 67 Pirate, after all.
Sabo was wearing a Substitution Misanga, so I would need to hit him with magic twice. That was where the items came in. With Overwhelming, I could chug recovery potions at a speed invisible to the naked eye.
I could win this.
"Both parties, step forward!"
Gosler gave the signal. Sabo lunged immediately.
I visualized Extreme Drop Dead and targeted Sabo. There was no visible change. Sabo continued his charge. I checked with Appraisal and saw that the Substitution Misanga had vanished from his equipment. Extreme Drop Dead worked perfectly, even against a Level 99.
I allowed a small smile to cross my face as I stepped forward. I visualized Extreme Drop Dead a second time.
As Sabo drew close and prepared to swing, I visualized Overwhelming.
I didn't use the skill to move fast. I used it for absolute certainty. I ducked slowly into his guard, moving with deliberate precision to ensure I dodged his blade. My movements felt slow to me, but they were perfectly timed.
I grabbed Sabo’s arm—the strength had already left it. With careful focus, I pulled his arm toward me, ensuring his sword remained pointed away. I hooked my leg behind his. I didn't even have to sweep hard; I just shifted his center of gravity.
The effect of Overwhelming wore off. A second later, Sabo crumpled to the ground.
"Um..."
"It’s only just begun, but..."
Roxanne and Sherry spoke to me as I stepped back. Even Roxanne hadn't quite grasped what had happened.
"It’s over," I said.
"T-That was incredible, Master. I saw you move in, take his arm, and trip him, but I couldn't understand the timing at all."
So she had seen it. Outwardly, it looked like a simple martial arts move. Even though I had used Overwhelming, Roxanne’s eyes had followed the motion.
"To defeat him in an instant without even drawing your sword..." Sherry whispered.
"Amazing, desu," Miria added.
"He is definitely dead," Gosler confirmed, checking Sabo's pulse. He looked baffled. He likely had no idea how a simple trip had killed a man of Sabo’s level.
Extreme Drop Dead was a terrifying tool; it could bypass everything to kill the minimum Level 1 or the maximum Level 99.
"I had heard Sabo was monstrously strong," Roxanne said. "No one has been able to defy the Baradam House until now. To defeat him so easily... as expected of my Master."
"I don't know about that. I think you're still the stronger one, Roxanne."
I never really found out how strong Sabo was. Perhaps that was for the best.
"Unbelievable... Sabo is..."
"Roxanne was strong enough to beat the lady, but to think someone could surpass Sabo like this..."
The remaining four members of the Baradam party were shell-shocked.
"I, Gosler of the Harz Duchy Knight Order, have witnessed this duel," Gosler announced to the survivors. "I testify that this was a legitimate duel where both parties fought with their full strength. I warn you: let there be no retaliation."
Gosler began lecturing the Baradam members. I figured I should say something too. Aftercare is important; I didn't want them coming after us for revenge later.
"This was a duel, and the outcome was unavoidable," I said. "I hope we can leave this here without any lingering grudges."
"Y-Yes. We understand. We have no intention of starting a fight with someone who can kill Sabo. Regarding his equipment..."
"The equipment?"
I had expected a potential attack, but they seemed more worried about the gear than their dead leader. If they were already thinking about loot, we were probably safe.
"The loser’s equipment belongs to the victor," Sherry explained softly. "However, it is common practice for the winner to decline it to show they didn't pick the fight for profit. Sometimes, if there is a deep grudge, the winner will take exactly one item."
So, I should turn it down to prove I wasn't a gear-hunter. Things were always so complicated.
"Roxanne, what do you think?"
"I hold no grudge against him."
"We don't need the equipment," I told the other party.
Sabo had been wearing some gear with skills, but it wasn't worth the risk of a blood feud.
"Thank you... We will take the equipment and his Intelligence Card back with us. We leave the disposal of the body to you."
"Understood."
"Please," they said, bowing to Gosler before beginning to strip the body.
They didn't even want the body? I suppose in a world where people disappear into mana in the labyrinths, the concept of a physical corpse holds less weight. But they needed the card as proof of death.
I had considered using a Knight’s skill to appoint Sabo as a Village Chief Level 1 before killing him, but I was glad I hadn't. If they saw his card and found his job had been changed to "Village Chief," they’d know something fishy was up. That wouldn't have been very knightly.
"This way," Gosler said, gesturing for us to follow him. He ordered a few nearby knights to handle the cleanup and led us back into the castle.
"Master, I am so sorry for causing this trouble for you," Roxanne apologized as soon as we reached the lobby.
"Don't be. I’m the one who told you to make the first match a draw."
"But still..."
"It’s fine, Roxanne."
"Yes, Master."
I suspected Roxanne was more shaken by the day’s events than I was. She didn't need to be worrying about me.
"Michio-dono, you continue to amaze me," Gosler said, sounding genuinely exhausted. "Even I couldn't see what you did. I found a broken Substitution Misanga at his feet, which means you must have hit him at least twice. I knew you were no ordinary adventurer, but this is beyond my imagination."
I wasn't even an adventurer, but I decided to play along.
"He was a difficult opponent. If I had held back even a little, it might have been dangerous."
"The woman, Roxanne, also showed overwhelming strength. You should head home before the rest of their party arrives. I happened to be here today, but the Duke is currently out. We can talk more another time."
I found myself suddenly very uninterested in coming back next time. I just wanted to go home.
"Roxanne, are you okay?" I asked as soon as we stepped through the front door.
"Yes, Master. I am fine. Please... don't worry about what that woman said."
"About me being a weak man? I’m not worried about that."
Honestly, it felt mostly true anyway.
"No... about me manipulating men."
"I’m even less worried about that," I said with a smile. It was a baseless insult, even if it was true that every man who saw Roxanne couldn't help but look twice.
Roxanne smiled back. She seemed okay.
It wasn't until that night, when the four of us were lying in bed together, that I realized I was wrong.
"I might have caused a lot of trouble for my aunt’s family," Roxanne murmured into the dark.
Roxanne had lived with her aunt before becoming a slave. The family that the woman had tried to ruin was her aunt’s. The shock had been lingering after all. This wasn't the time for me to be thinking about "hustling" under the covers.
"Forget about today," I said gently.
"My uncle made me agree to become a sex slave, and in exchange, he secured a condition from the slave trader that I would never be sold to a Wolf-kin. At first, I thought he was a cruel man, but... perhaps he was trying to protect me."
If that woman had intended to keep harrassing Roxanne, she could have simply bought her once she became a slave. Roxanne’s uncle had been forced to sell her, but he had laid the groundwork to prevent her from falling back into the hands of her enemies. This must have been the "circumstances" Alan the slave trader had mentioned. Because she couldn't be sold to Wolf-kin, he couldn't put her up for auction where he couldn't control the buyer.
"If we start looking at it that way, I’d have to thank that woman," I said. "It’s because of her that I was able to find you. So, don't let the details weigh you down."
"Thank you, Master."
"As long as you and I are happy, that’s enough. Being happy is the best revenge against people like her."
It was a proverb from somewhere—living well is the best revenge.
I pulled Roxanne closer with one arm. She silently rested her head against my shoulder. She had been through a lot today, but I wanted her to overcome it. I wanted her to be happy.
Preferably, with me.
Feeling the weight of her head against my shoulder, I finally drifted off to sleep.