Bordeaux spoke calmly.
"Nor do I have any intention of playing along with this charade."
The Knight Captain's expression hardened.
"Charade, you say?"
At his signal, the other knights lowered their spears toward Bordeaux. The adventurers standing between them hurriedly moved aside.
Bordeaux continued.
"Yes. It was you who summoned that Lesser Demon."
The Knight Captain snapped back angrily.
"Are you trying to mock me?"
Bordeaux chuckled.
"You intend to gloss over it, but I must say… your efforts are pathetic."
The Knight Captain drew his sword.
"You dare defy the principles of this nation?"
"Oh, no," Bordeaux replied lightly. "It saves me a great deal of work, so I'm actually all for it."
The Knight Captain frowned. "Huh?"
Bordeaux continued evenly.
"The request was to slay a revived demon yes, but there was no restriction stating the demon had to be the only one killed."
He went on.
"And judging by this nation's principles, I'd say the logic is the same. I've simply determined there's no reason I should be the only one rebuked."
The Knight Captain narrowed his eyes.
"I don't know, adventurer. I believe it would be in your best interest to cooperate. We have all of our men here. No matter how strong you think you are, you're outnumbered."
Bordeaux covered his mouth as he laughed softly.
"Really? Numbers mean very little to someone like me."
He lowered his hand.
"I came here to slay a demon. And if you're telling me there are likely several demons among us… would it not be easier to simply make do with everyone present?"
The minister's face went pale with sweat.
"You bastard… what are you saying?"
At that moment, the crowd stirred. As woman stepped forward. Gasps echoeing through the hall.
Couger muttered, "Shizue-san—"
Shizue Izawa ignored him. She walked forward until she stood in line with Haru, then drew her sword.
Her voice was steady.
"By 'do away with everyone,' do you mean killing everyone present here?"
Bordeaux turned to face her.
He pulled back the portion of the cloak covering his face.
A handsome face was revealed, maroon-colored hair framing sharp features.
What caught Shizue off guard were his eyes.
She thought silently.
…A maroon sclera?
Bordeaux smiled.
"The Conqueror of Flames, Shizue Izawa. Must be nice, having such a cool nickname."
"Well," Shizue replied, "thanks for the compliment."
"You asked me a question, Ms. Shizue," Bordeaux said smoothly. "And as a gentleman, I'll give you an answer."
His smile twisted into something manic.
"I do indeed plan on massacring everyone here."
The hall fell silent. As adventurers present began to sweat.
"It's all for the greater good of the world outside," he continued. "If even one of these insects escapes, they'll only go on to harm more people. Don't you think?"
Shizue raised her sword, pointing it directly at him.
"No matter how reasonable your argument sounds," she said, "I can't allow you to carry it out."
Bordeaux chuckled.
"Are you going to stop me, Shizue?"
"Of course I am."
She launched herself forward.
Bordeaux's smile widened in enjoyment as a gray gauntlet materialized around his left hand.
He caught her sword mid-swing and sparks flew as metal clashed.
Shizue said faintly, almost carefree. "Your name is?"
Bordeaux laughed.
"You want to know my name? How sweet."
He tilted his head, tapping his free finger against his chin.
"Let's see…"
From the sidelines, Couger stared in disbelief.
"Oi, oi… why is he so relaxed fighting Shizue-san?"
He swallowed.
"I know he's strong… but isn't this ridiculous?"
Back with Shizue and Bordeaux.
Bordeaux paused, thinking for a brief moment.
Then he smiled.
"You can call me Ebicha."
Shizue's eyes widened slightly.
…Japanese?
She pressed him immediately.
"Are you Japanese?"
Bordeaux laughed.
"I don't know," he replied lightly. "Am I?"
As he spoke, the gray gauntlet separated slightly, his stance shifting.
He lunged.
Shizue reacted instantly, raising her sword to block.
"Don't underestimate me," she said sharply.
Flames roared to life along her blade, heat rippling through the air.
Steel and flame collided with Bordeaux's gauntlet.
Sparks scattered across the hall.
The two moved.
Bordeaux stepped in with a short, precise strike from his left arm. Shizue twisted her wrist, redirecting the blow and countering with a flaming slash aimed at his shoulder.
Bordeaux leaned back just enough to avoid it, the heat brushing past his cloak. He followed with a straight punch, the gauntlet cracking against her guard.
Shizue slid back several steps, boots scraping against the stone floor.
She surged forward again.
Their exchange was brief but intense. Shizue's sword traced arcs of fire through the air, while Bordeaux met every strike with a single arm, deflecting, parrying, and countering with minimal movement.
This was like child's play for Bordeaux. He didn't even change his expression.
An adventurer shouted in disbelief.
"He's keeping up with Shizue Izawa!"
"Who is he?!" another yelled.
"A monster…" someone whispered.
From the side, Couger smiled grimly, sweat forming on his brow.
Idiots.
He watched closely.
He's not keeping up with Shizue…
Shizue is struggling just to keep up with him.
That guy isn't even taking this fight seriously.
Shizue pressed the attack, forcing Bordeaux back toward a pillar. She swung downward, flames exploding outward.
Haru caught the blade again with his gauntlet.
The impact cracked the stone beneath their feet.
Shizue narrowed her eyes.
"Just who are you?"
Bordeaux chuckled.
"Should someone who's about to die really be concerned with that?"
He twisted his wrist, forcing her blade aside, then leapt back before striking again.
"Knowing would only bring you despair," he continued calmly. "If you even understood it at all."
He jumped forward.
Gauntlet and flaming sword collided once more.
A small explosion of fire burst between them, heat washing over the hall.
Bordeaux leaned in close enough that only she could hear him.
"Of course," he said softly, "who I am is none of your business."
Shizue pushed back, regaining her footing.
"…True," she admitted. "It isn't."
She raised her sword, flames intensifying.
"But letting you run free would be far too dangerous."
Her expression hardened.
"I'm sorry," she said quietly. "But I'm about to get serious."
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