(Francis’ Pov)
【”So, in the end, you were just a fool. The fact that a small fry like you got my hopes up ever so lightly is a disgrace that will follow me through life. How are you gonna make up for this?”】
【”Oh well. You’ll entertain me enough by struggling as best as you can, like the small fish that you are.”】
【”That thing just now, was it Ether…?”】
【”Take it. The duel is not over yet.”】
【”…..I see how it is.”】
However, what Harold proposed was a duel. Harold already had the advantage so he had nothing to gain by carrying his point across through that contest. And that was why that action helped Francis slightly understand Itsuki’s appreciation of Harold. Because to Francis, it didn’t seem like something a self-centered man would do.
No matter how unpleasant that fact was for Francis, he was made to understand it with his own body. Francis’ attacks all missed their target, and every time, he was promptly dealt with by being striked, kicked, and flung away. Moreover, whenever that happened, Francis, who was bent down on the ground, was made to drink Ether by Harold, and was forced to fight.
【”Stand up.”】
Itsuki had said that Harold was not a bad man, and that he had taken on the many bad rumors about him on purpose. If, for argument’s sake, that were true, then Harold had likely thought that it was impossible for himself to stand before Erica because she’d be at risk by his side, or something along those lines.
【”You’ve got to be kidding me…”】
【”What did you say?”】
【”I said, you have got to be kidding me. You’re strong enough that I can’t even reach your feet. So why don’t you try to protect Erica in a more straightforward way?! With your strength, you can do that, right?! And that would be the best for her too, wouldn’t it?!”】
Francis shouted his heart out. He was angry at Harold, but he was also ashamed of himself for not being able to defeat him.
【”……”】
【”Harold, you’re a man who can do what I can’t. But you don’t even try to take on that role and you try to entrust other men with it. So if Erica were to become unhappy because of that, I’ll blame you!”】
【”You’re sure running your mouth a lot for someone who doesn’t know anything.”】
【”You’re not worth killing so I’ll give you an advice, bastard.”】
Said Harold, with cruel eyes, to Francis who could only look up to him.
【”Erica isn’t some frail and fickle woman who can do nothing but be protected by others. She has the strength to fight, and an unwavering will to oppose her own fate. Don’t got thinking she’s just some pretty little flower. Because really, Erica is a mighty tree.”】
Francis’ understanding of Erica and his feelings for her were no match for Harold’s.
【”….. It’s my loss.”】
【”What? Do you not see this, you moron?”】
【”Don’t make me say it again. The problem’s with the rule that we agreed on before. I was never qualified to have a duel with you, Harold.”】
【”Mhm, then, this time, let’s call it a draw, shall we?”】
【”Tsk.”】
Perhaps still dissatisfied, Harold clicked his tongue and turned his back to the duo. But Francis called that back to a stop.
【”Harold, wait. Even if according to the rules, this is a draw, in the fight itself, I was completely defeated. So I’d like you to make me follow what you say as we agreed.”】
The purpose of the duel had been replaced with a marriage to Erica out of nowhere, but in reality, that was the actual main purpose.
【”This is getting boring already. If you want to hit on Erica, do as you like. I just wish you could become a man who matches her.”】
【”Say, Itsuki.”】
【”What is it?”】
【”I was really stupid, wasn’t I?”】
【”I don’t know what’s that coming from, but it’s unusual for you to speak ill of yourself.”】
【”In various ways, he showed me the difference in status between us, as a warrior, but also as a man.”】
【”I still have a long way to go. But today, I feel that I have seen the path which I should aim for.”】
I’d like you to thank my new Patrons, Excelless and Elizabeth E, thank you very much for your support! And thank you to all the other Patrons as well, of course!
