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TL: ALT
Chapter 7 – A Duel with the Black Wolf Clan?
“You! Bet on Onee-sama’s freedom and fight me!”
She pointed her finger at him. Wataru stood there in a daze.
In his entire life, he had never imagined that he would be declared war on in front of a crowd.
Who would have thought he would be challenged like this?
Rather than anger, he felt astonishment and admiration.
Wataru smiled faintly.
“Eh, I don’t want to.”
“W-Why not? Accept it!”
“No, I’ve never been involved in fighting. Besides, it doesn’t benefit me.”
“What?! You’re not going to release Onee-sama!?”
Cloche looked as if she couldn’t believe what she had heard. Wataru nodded.
Even if he were offered a large sum of money, there was no way he would give up Aire.
Who would accept a duel proposed unilaterally?
“…Yes, that’s what I said.”
“I-I can’t believe it. You’re a man, aren’t you?”
“The risk and reward are completely out of proportion. If I lose, I’ll lose Aire, won’t I? What if I get hurt? I can’t even consider it.”
Cloche was stunned by his blunt reply.
Was he that stubborn, or was his desire to save Aire that strong?
Judging from his reaction, it was probably both.
Regardless of the method, he had a kind and good heart.
“T-Then, let’s have a duel with Onee-sama. If I win…”
“I still can’t accept that. There are several reasons. First, Aire might get injured in a duel. Second, if she loses, I’ll lose her. Even if I win, I gain nothing. Cloche-san.”
“H-Huh? What do you mean?”
“You suddenly challenging someone to a duel is completely unreasonable, isn’t it?”
“U-Unreasonable? I-I’m being unreasonable?! You’re joking, right!?”
“I’m serious.”
“Mugigigigi! Refusing a challenge is cowardly!”
“Isn’t it more cowardly to suddenly challenge someone in their area of expertise?”
“Mukiii!”
This isn’t a dog; it’s a monkey.
Cloche bared her teeth and growled, but she didn’t attack Wataru or force him into a fight.
She was a reasonable opponent because she could talk and follow the rules.
Wataru was surprised by the sudden turn of events, but he remained calm because he could communicate with her.
Many people exchange words but don’t really communicate; Cloche wasn’t one of them.
Wataru and Cloche continued their conversation when Aire poked her head out from beside Wataru and spoke in a small, apologetic voice.
“I’m sorry about Cloche. I think she’s just being kind because she likes me.”
“I understand. She’s very worried about you and calls you ‘onee-sama’ all the time.”
“I’ll fight.”
“Even though I know you wouldn’t intentionally lose, wouldn’t it be better for you to lose?”
“I think it’s because the contract mark prevents me from doing anything that would put my master at a disadvantage, so it’s probably okay. Probably.”
“Oh, so you mean you can’t harm your master?”
“Yeah.”
“Still, there’s really no reason to fight.”
Being unable to harm the master is different from acting in a way that is disadvantageous to oneself.
Wataru thinks about freeing Aire and Mariel from slavery someday.
However, that day has not come yet, and it should not be forced by others.
“Master, how about this?”
“Hmm?”
Mariel tried to push Wataru, who was struggling with his decision.
Standing between Wataru and Aire, Mariel turned her sharp gaze toward Cloche.
“Nice to meet you, Cloche. I’m Mariel.”
“Y-yes, nice to meet you.”
“Wow, that was impressive. She calmed her down right away. As expected of Mariel.”
“Mariel might have a talent for handling dogs…”
“Onee-sama! I am a proud descendant of wolves, not dogs!”
“I’m a woman with the strength of a tiger and the cuteness of a cat-nya!”
“Ugh, you’re so cute…”
When Aire and Cloche started talking, the conversation stalled.
Mariel forcefully took control of the conversation.
“The problem is that the conditions are not equal. If you win, you gain something; if you lose, you lose something. That’s the way of the world.”
“So, you want me to replace the slave trader with another slave?”
“No, that’s not it.”
“W-What do you mean that’s not it? Why not? If I find another slave to replace Aire-oneesama, then…”
“Are you seriously saying you can find a warrior as skilled as Aire right away?”
“T-That’s a valid point! It would certainly be difficult to find a warrior as skilled as Onee-sama. Not to mention her beauty and cuteness! Even if I offered a fortune, I couldn’t find anyone like her!”
Mariel nods to Cloche, who seems shocked.
For some reason, Aire sticks out her chest proudly.
There’s no need to emphasize those breasts right now.
Wataru didn’t speak, but he thought of a comment.
“That’s right. If you lose, Cloche herself will become a slave.”
“W-what? Me? You mean this Cloche de Brad will become a slave?”
“That’s right. As a warrior of the Black Wolf Clan who can match Aire of the Golden Tiger Clan, it’s a fair price.”
“That may be true, but I—”
“If you can’t do it, then leave. We don’t want to force you into anything.”
Before she knew it, it had become a given that Cloche would become a slave as part of the bet.
“H-Hey, hey! Mariel. Are you sure it’s okay to accept this challenge?”
“Isn’t this a good opportunity? You were worried that you couldn’t go out without Aire, and that you couldn’t give her any time off.”
“That’s true, but I might lose Aire.”
Those words were unacceptable to Aire, who prided herself on her strength.
She gripped Wataru’s arm tightly, causing him to wince in pain.
“It’s okay. I won’t lose.”
“O-oh, You’re confident, aren’t you?”
“I don’t know. I used to be stronger than her, and I trained her a lot. But she was the most talented member of the Black Wolf Clan. I’m looking forward to seeing how strong she’s become.”
“H-Hey, hey.”
“Do you not trust my strength?”
“Ugh… If you lose, even by the slightest chance, I won’t forgive you! I’ll make you pay dearly, so be prepared!”
Aire nodded happily at Wataru’s words.
Aire agreed to do it, and Mariel made the plan.
If this meant letting Aire go, Wataru would deeply regret it.
Still, he trusted their judgment. Although he didn’t want to make such a bet, he couldn’t refuse their proposal.
No, he didn’t want to refuse.
“All right, then you’ll fight Aire as my representative! If Aire loses, I’ll free her from slavery. But if you lose, you’ll become a slave. Be prepared to lose all your rights!”
“T-That’s exactly what I want! I’ll do my best to defeat onee-sama and set her free!”
“Well, I’ll win, of course.”
“Why would you say that?!”
The battlefield was moved from the large square to the outdoor training ground.
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Of course, Aire will win the duel. 😋 Thanks for the treat.
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