The Spirit Song Inn – Tavern
The hastily erected dueling arena was further hyped by the adventurers, creating an unusual fervor, perhaps due to the alcohol or the effects of the festival.
“Well, there’s even entertainment like this today. Gerard and Sera are quite something. So, who’s their opponent?”
“Kyaa! Go, Sister Sera!”
“Hey, what’s all this commotion about? Huh?”
“C-Claire!? It’s not like that, it’s just that things escalated due to circumstances…”
“Oi, beastman! Try to last for ten seconds!”
Since most of the adventurers gathered in the tavern were acquaintances, the majority were cheering for Sera. Well, considering the cause of the commotion was tantamount to blackmail, the outcome would likely have been the same elsewhere.
“Hah, you can say whatever you want. Ten seconds isn’t even funny.”
“This is the first time we’ve agreed on something. Three seconds is more than enough.”
” ” ” Oohs! ” ”
As Sera held up three fingers, the venue erupted again. Nagua’s veins were practically bursting from the provocation.
“…I haven’t introduced myself yet, woman. My name is Nagua. If you’ve heard of ‘Feral Beast’ Nagua, you’ll know me. Huh?”
Nagua’s words caused some of the adventurers to gasp.
“If you’re ‘Feral Beast’, aren’t you one of the mercenaries working for ‘Ice Princess’?”
“That Gaun, the one famous for his ferocity?”
“Wait a minute. I heard he was defeated by a swordswoman last year.”
It seemed that not a few people knew Nagua. Could the opponent in the last piece of information have been Silvia?
“I don’t know. Who is that?”
“Tch! That’s why ignorant women are so… Never mind, let’s just get this started.”
“Yes. Rion, give the signal.”
“U-uh…”
Rion looked at me with unease.
“Rion, it’s okay. Just trust Sera. No matter what, she’ll never do anything to cause us trouble.”
If she hadn’t been drinking, that is.
“Wait, Nagua.”
Just as the fight was about to begin, Silvia called out to Nagua.
“You should stop. You can’t win against her, Nagua.”
“Hah, to hear a joke from Silvia is lucky today! Don’t worry. I’ll take down a woman like this in an instant, and then we’ll have dinner.”
“Um, I’m not joking…”
“Just go back to the wall already.”
Waved away by Nagua, Silvia reluctantly returned to her spot. Seeing her being comforted by the red-haired girl while looking dejected, she might be surprisingly weak mentally.
(‘Silvia, I understand. You put on that act to worry about that woman, didn’t you? But with how much you’ve said, I can’t back down now.’)
Moreover, he was completely misunderstanding.
“Sorry to keep you waiting. Now, let’s do this.”
Nagua crouched low, leaning forward. His stance was like that of a hunter stalking prey. In contrast, Sera stood her ground, unmoving. There was no sign of her taking a stance.
(‘What the hell? Is this guy even serious?’)
“Then, let’s begin.”
Rion raised her hand. The gazes of everyone in the tavern fixed on her small hand, and a moment of silence fell. Everyone watched with bated breath. Amidst the tension, Rion’s arm swung down.
Nagua charged forward from his low stance. His movements were as agile as a beast’s, reaching blinding speed in an instant. It was astonishing acceleration.
“Now, let’s have some fun bu-fef!”
“—Three seconds.”
Appearing before Nagua was Sera, who hadn’t even taken a stance moments before. Had Nagua even recognized Sera? In the next moment, he was sent flying by Sera and neatly sucked into the swinging doors leading outside the Spirit Song Inn. The sound of him tumbling violently continued for a while, and the tavern remained in stunned silence until it finally stopped.
“Oh, he ended up outside after all.”
Sera returned to her standing posture. **(paragraph break)**
“Na, Nagua!”
The elven woman, Ariel, ran outside with a cry. Had she imagined this outcome after hearing Silvia’s warning? At her cry, the adventurers also snapped back to reality.
“W-what. Did you see what happened?”
“No, all I saw was Sera suddenly appearing in front of ‘Feral Beast’ and doing something…”
“I saw it! Sister Sera’s fist hit that man in the face!”
The adventurers, now spectators, seemed to not understand what had happened. Most of them were around Rank D. If they could recognize the final blow that sent Nagua flying, that would be commendable.
“Emma, Kokudori, did you see it?”
“The attack was three in total, no, four? It was on the verge of being comprehensible even if you only watched. Even I wouldn’t be able to win against her in a one-on-one.”
“…I’m surprised. To accurately hit Nagua’s jaw with that acceleration from such a defenseless state.”
Silvia and the dwarf Kokudori, along with the red-haired Emma, seemed to have a general understanding of what had happened. I’ll leave the Appraisal Eye for the actual day, but these three seem more capable than Nagua and Ariel.
To explain the details, Sera delivered four attacks in three seconds.
As Nagua approached at high speed, Sera stepped into his guard with a single stride and lightly threw a jab at Nagua’s jaw. Light, but precisely aimed by Sera. I wouldn’t want to receive it. Nagua’s brain was violently shaken, and he lost consciousness at this point.
Normally, he would have fallen to his knees and the match would have ended, but Sera didn’t allow it. She then uppercutted Nagua, who was about to fall, sending him slightly airborne. He was quite busy sinking and floating.
Then, as he briefly floated, she immediately landed a left to the body, and finally, a right straight to the face sent him out of the ring. He was practically a punching bag. Even so, Sera had held back. If Sera had hit him with her full strength, Nagua would have been unrecognizable even with bare hands, and he definitely wouldn’t have died, though he’s seriously injured. He’ll just have to be healed by his companions.
“Even though your companion was defeated, you’re quite leisurely. Aren’t you going to pursue her like that elf?”
“Um, she seemed to go easy on him, so I think it’s okay.”
“Why do you think so?”
Sera, of course, and Rion, are under my ‘Concealment’ enchantment. Even an S-Rank’s Appraisal Eye wouldn’t be able to penetrate it, so they shouldn’t be able to see their Status.
“…Just a feeling?”
Ah, this one’s a feeler like Sera.
“Older Kel, this person seems to be barely holding on. The elf companion is currently casting healing magic. A few teeth are broken, though…”
Rion sent me a status update.
“Understood. Leave the rest to the elf and come back.”
“Yessir!”
That should put their minds at ease. Now for our own problem.
“Silvia says so, so he’ll probably be fine. I think it’ll be a good lesson for Nagua. As for the trouble we’ve caused… um…”
Emma’s words trailed off. Well, I understand her feelings. Her party members, led by the S-Rank adventurer Silvia, picked a fight with someone of lower rank whose identity was unknown, and then lost. There were also many adventurers who witnessed the scene. From a position of responsibility, this was a matter that concerned Silvia’s reputation. She was probably hoping it wouldn’t get out of hand but was bewildered, not knowing what to do. Well, I don’t want to make a big deal out of this either.
“That’s right… Gerard.”
“Hm?”
I sent a telepathic message to Gerard, who was gently cradling a sleeping Ryuka on his lap. I’d rather not remember your smooth-talking skills from the Elf Village, but please show them here.
“Hmm, understood.”
I handed Ryuka to Rion, who had just returned to the tavern, and Gerard walked to the center of the tavern, which had been the dueling arena. He carried a wooden podium. Once the podium was set up, Gerard steadily climbed onto it and cleared his throat.
“Everyone, how did you find this spectacle between Sera and the Feral Beast today!? Even though it was a staged match from the start, it was quite thrilling, wouldn’t you agree!”
Gerard’s speech continued. What I had instructed Gerard to do earlier was to turn the duel into a complete fix-it show. If there are facts that cannot be hidden, then change the fundamental perception of them.
“W-what! It was acting!?”
“The speed was so fast I couldn’t even see the movements. S-Rank adventurers are really amazing…”
“W-well, Claire, it was Kel’s doing after all… so please forgive us already…”
“Oh my. That was part of the banquet’s entertainment, wasn’t it~? I was completely fooled!”
It was a truly captivating performance, after all. However, I owe Claire payment for the table. I did break it. But even if I returned it with compensation, Claire wouldn’t accept it… Alright, I’ll add a bit extra and give it to her as a whole! Including Uldo’s medical expenses!
“I’m sorry for deceiving you! As an apology, however poorly, I will pay for all the drinks today. Tomorrow is an important Ascension Ceremony, and there are mock battles as well. Everyone, drink up and let’s liven things up tonight!”
” ” ” Ooooh! ” ”
This was the greatest excitement of the day. Everyone loves free drinks. And the more they drink, the more Claire’s pockets will be lined. Naturally, I can hand over the payment. Alright, this is resolved too!
“Um, why go this far? There’s no benefit for you in doing this…”
“Then, could you grant me one request?”
“—!”
Emma and Kokudori reacted with cautious vigilance, as if to say, “I knew it!” No, I’m not going to ask for anything unreasonable, so please rest assured. It’s a perfectly wholesome request.
“Silvia. Fight me seriously in tomorrow’s mock battle.”
“Seriously?”
“Yes, that’s my only request.”
“…How does that concern you?”
“That’s— Ah, sorry. My companion is back. You can ask any adventurer around here. Well then.”
“W-wait!”
Sera returned from the dueling arena, which Gerard had monopolized. Her red eyes had faded somewhat, but she was still a little teary-eyed. This is the biggest problem for me from here on. I’ve said what I needed to say. I no longer have the time to deal with Silvia and her group.
