Volume 3 Chapter 12.1 (1/2)

Volume 3 Chapter 12.1

Translator: Kureha

Editor: Weasalopes

「How the hell did it end up like tis… ?」

Hiroshi muttered to himself as he started to lose touch with reality, with a wooden sword often used for practice in his hand. The thought of needing to face the giant in front of him exhausted Hiroshi. Many people stood around them to watch their battle.

「So you showed up without running away.」

「I still don know why I need to somethin’ like tis…」

To fully determined Dentlis, Hiroshi gave an unenthusiastic response.

「You’ve been rejected fair n’ square. So can’t ya just cut this foolish act and move on… ?」

「If you gave up after failing once or twice, you will never get anything you want.」

Dentlis did have a point. It was a very straight forward justification. However, such determination could only be perceived as a clinginess regarding relationship matter.

「Why do I hafta fight ya? I’m purty sure I’ve got nothin’ to do with tis.」

「Now that we have come this far, there is no point asking any questions. Now fight me like a brave warrior!」

「al’ight, al’ight,」

With Hiroshi’s enthusiasm only decreasing, he held the sword with its tip slightly pointing towards the ground.

「Now, if I win this duel, you will surrender your Haruna-kun to me.」

「How many times do I need to tell ya that we ain’t datin’…」

Dentlis’s enthusiasm skyrocketed as Hiroshi showed a very slight motivation towards this duel. However, Hiroshi still felt very burdened, especially after what Dentlis has just said.

「I am sorry, workshop owner.」

「If ya really feel that way, could ya please do somethin’ to stop that man… ?」

「Unfortunately, if he did listen to me, this duel would not have been a thing in the first place.」

「So I’ve git no other option…」

As Hiroshi desperately looked for a way out of this situation, he pleaded to the Queen who seemed very apologetic about this situation. Hiroshi won’t gain anything from winning this duel. But losing wasn’t an option either. For him, this was a very bothersome situation. Even if Hiroshi loses, if Dentlis does anything forceful without Haruna’s consent, then they can easily make this national matter, so the duel was pointless. However, the process of making this a national affair was very troublesome. So, he can already imagine what his party members would say if he loses this duel.

「Now, let us confirm the conditions for the last time.」

Although seeing how un-motivated Hiroshi was, seeing that he has accepted the duel, the Queen spoke.

「This will be a one-on-one duel, using a weapon which the participants are most familiar with. The duel will continue until one of them become unable to continue the combat. Skills which possess enough force to kill someone or skills which are used with the intent of killing their opponent is banned. A participant who uses such skill will be disqualified and will lose the duel with no exceptions. The person who loses this duel will be banned from approaching Toudou Haruna from this point onwards. Do both participants agree to this condition?」

「Of course,」

「Yup, whatever’s fine…」

The Queen, who was has agreed to be the witness for this duel stated the condition and confirmed the agreement from both parties. The Queen nodded and raised her arm to signal the start of the duel.

「I must admit, I am impressed that you managed to take down that Gram Dawn. However, I don’t think you deserve Haruna-kun!」

「I really don care…」

Dentlis’s determination only seems to increase. He rushed into the battle with immense force. While Hiroshi remained un-motivated. Attacking back only because he has to.

Ten minutes later, Dentlis continued to attack without planning ahead. His weapon started to wear out. His stamina started to run low. He let his guard down from exhaustion. Then, Hiroshi attacked with continuous Smash. Dentlis was flung up into the air multiple times and Hiroshi won the battle with ease.

==

When the duel ended, the Queen had few questions which she wanted to ask Hiroshi. So, excusing his friends, she took him to the Eastern hut to talk to him. Expectedly, the audiences were waiting for the seclusion barrier to be lifted.

「I am very sorry for causing you such a burden.」

「If ya think you’ve caused me some burden, then please, ‘t least try n’ have ya subordinates under control…」

「I could not agree more with your words. However, Dentlis is more of a guest than subordinates. So, it was difficult for the court to make a move as well. Even if there was a special condition on your side, on the surface level, you’re just an ordinary adventurer. So, matters relating to an intimate relationship will be put aside as personal issues.」

「On top o’ dat, people say whatever they like ‘bout ya decision. May I ask exactly in what area ya status is helpful?」

「What a blunt statement you make.」

To Hiroshi’s dead honest comment, the Queen gave a bitter expression and returned yet another honest comment.

「Anyway, do you not think it was strange?」

「Strange?」

「Indeed, Dentlis can be blunt but he is not an airhead. He would have known that the way he fought would not have impressed the song muse. Well, I am sure even you would know that much…」

「Welp, he didn’t look ill, n’ there wasn’t anythin’ odd when he heard Haruna-san’s song. So I don think there was an issue on his side.」

「But it was true that he was very out of character when he fought today. Workshop owner, did you not think it there was something strange when you were fighting Dentlis?」

「To be frank, the reason why dat duel was a thin’ in the first place was strange.」