"Haa, haa... What, what a joke... I actually...!"
"Phew... I won." The training session wasn't even over, and the outcome was already decided cleanly.
Cecilia's longsword fell to the ground, and she collapsed forward; I was pointing my sword at her.
To anyone, this was an undeniable victory.
I won!
And not by the referee's decision, but a genuine victory!
"This, this damn...! Using such despicable means...! Hey! This is sparring! Attack me!"
"Where's the despicable part? I was just defending!"
"That's not defense! It's practically running away!"
"Pfft. That's called tactics, Miss Cecilia." The loser still has so much to say! Just admit defeat, Cecilia! *Pfft...* Just as I expected, her temper flared; she gets agitated when things go wrong—I didn't expect her calculations to be so accurate.
Not only did I maintain distance for defense, but I also deliberately provoked her with "Are you chickening out?" As a result, Cecilia's eyes turned red with anger midway, and she charged at me furiously.
Provoking others is fun, but being outmaneuvered is awful. Especially for those who enjoy provoking others.
I maintained this distance, keeping a moderate defensive stance, and when my breathing became rapid, I unleashed a full-force spinning slash at Cecilia. The outcome was decided.
Having maintained a defensive posture the whole time, she probably didn't expect to be attacked suddenly. Especially at this crucial moment when she was starting to tire after being provoked.
Tsk. If she weren't a noble, I could have stomped her face a few times by now. What a pity.
"I...I don't admit it...! This kind of contest is absolutely...!"
"Oh dear. Our Lady Ying'ai. I didn't expect you to cry like this. Is this what a loser's excuse means?"
"...! You...you...you son of a bitch monster, how dare you...!"
"It's Shimo. Shimo. A bet should be honored, right? Ah, can nobles really go back on their word? It shouldn't be that bad, right?"
Hmm, such a wonderful reaction and expression.
She clearly wanted to restrain herself but couldn't help continuing to provoke!
Especially that expression!
It's exactly the same as Celestia's expression when she's trembling with anger!
"Do you want to die!? Are you insulting me!? How dare a mere monster...!?" Oh dear. It seems even nobles don't want to be humiliated.
Oh dear. What a difficult young lady to please.
"Oh dear, I believe Miss Cecilia wouldn't say that. If you haven't been hit where it hurts, you shouldn't be angry, right?"
"Shut up! That doesn't count! Hey! Let's do it again! Fight seriously!"
"Huh? In this kind of competition, losing your weapon means you lose, right?"
"I attacked more times!? Look at all the wounds on your body!"
"Oh dear, that's not even an itch. I'm tough, after all."
Indeed, even focusing on defense, completely blocking the swift sword weaving through the gaps was impossible.
But by reducing attacks and consolidating defense, the wounds inflicted by the rapier were merely minor scratches.
Besides, this horse's body was known for its resilience; this wasn't even an itch.
"Don't be so smug! There's plenty of time..."
"Ugh, why won't you admit defeat? If you've lost, just accept it..."
"Fuck you!!!" She seemed to stumble as she scrambled towards the fallen sword, but suddenly charged at me.
Because I hadn't planned to swing my horse's hooves, I couldn't stop her advance, and she reached me directly.
Before the thought of 'Could it be?' even crossed my mind, Cecilia's leg moved...—Bang! Cecilia's leg pierced between my legs, kicking me in the groin. "...Huh?" Cecilia's expression froze instantly, seemingly contrary to expectations.
As her expression changed, my body also moved uncontrollably...
"What is this crazy woman doing now?!" Thud!!! I punched Cecilia in the stomach with all my might.
"Cough, cough cough!!!" Damn... what did I just do?! Although I had considered the possibility that Cecilia might crush my testicles, and secretly resolved to endure it—my body just wouldn't cooperate…!
Even though it didn't hurt at all, my male instincts sent chills down my spine, and I retaliated!
"Ugh, ugh…! Cough…!" Cecilia collapsed to the ground with a thud, her eyes rolling back and her body convulsing.
Although there was only a dull thud, and my testicles were perfectly fine… this reaction was way too extreme… Damn it… I'm doomed… what do I do?
Her foaming at the mouth and limp body looked really bad!?
She's a girl, after all; her uterus and other parts shouldn't be damaged, right??
"Ugh…! Cough…! Cough cough…!"
"Whoa. Miss Cecilia. Are you alright…"
"What are you doing?!" As I frantically checked Cecilia's body, a huge roar came from behind me.
Turning my head, I saw a man staring at me with a stiff expression… His face was somewhat blurry from a distance, but could it be…?
"Cecilia! Cecilia! Are you alright!? Wake up!" The roaring man rushed over and knelt beside the fallen Cecilia, checking on her condition.
It must be that guy named Leo, who's supposedly engaged to Cecilia.
Damn it… This guy, who's both her fiancé and the hero, witnessed me hitting Cecilia in the stomach?… I'm doomed.
"Damn it…! Hey! Is anyone there!? Quickly, get Cecilia to the infirmary!" Leo shouted as he rushed towards the training ground entrance. Immediately, hurried footsteps sounded, and two or three soldiers appeared.
Following this, city officials dressed in suits or maid outfits also rushed over, immediately checking Cecilia and beginning to move her on a stretcher. "...This matter will be reported to the Lord. Divine Beast Shimo." Speaking with barely suppressed anger, the hero Leo glared at me with furious eyes.
...
"Um...that kind of thing..."
"Yes...I'm truly sorry..." After explaining the situation in the Lord's office, the Lord nodded with a troubled expression.
Cecilia seemed fortunately unharmed, but since there were witnesses, I had to find a way to explain the situation clearly.
Dragged before the Lord by the furious Leo, I tried my best to appear pitiful and explained. Even Leo, who had seemed ready to devour me on the spot,...
"I-I see..." After hearing my explanation, he also showed a troubled expression, and his anger gradually subsided.
They only witnessed me hitting her in the stomach? This timing is really…
"This is really tricky. Cecilia is really…"
"Th-um…you weren't hurt, were you, Divine Beast?"
"Luckily, the angle was right, and I'm safe." Even her way of speaking has changed after she understood the situation.
Yeah, even if he understands the situation, it's understandable to be angry after hitting his fiancée in the stomach like that.
Leo's personality is pretty good, isn't it?
…No, perhaps it's because of Cecilia's actions so far?
But judging from the atmosphere, it's fortunate that the worst situation was avoided…
"Yeah…this is really tricky…"
"I'm very sorry…"
"Ah, it's alright. As a man, I can completely understand your actions. The trickiness isn't there…"
Seeing the lord sigh and apologize again, the lord shook his head as if to indicate otherwise.
"The tricky part is Cecilia. She kicked two invited instructors in vital areas in her training, and if this gets out to other nobles, it could really be..."
It seems the tricky part is Cecilia's reputation. "...Originally, I thought that since I heard she would sleep peacefully on the first day of training, I hoped you would continue to accompany her in battle training. This way, she would expend some energy and wouldn't bother the soldiers or cause trouble."
"I-I see..."
"Actually, Leo and I could have handled this discreetly today, but there were just too many witnesses... If we continue to have you as the trainer, we'll be accused of letting Cecilia attack the legendary beast; but if we break the contract, no one can control her..."
I see. Although they want me to continue overseeing Cecilia, it's hard to explain to the witnesses, right?
After all, they're nobles; they'll care about gossip… Hmm, I don't want to miss this precious opportunity to be in contact with both Cerestian and Cecilia at the same time.
What am I going to do?
"I'm very sorry, Lord. I should have investigated more carefully before acting…"
"No, it's understandable that you did that, Shimo-kun. Rather, you should thank me for standing up for Cecilia."
Yeah, damn it. If you had handled it quietly, nothing would have happened.
...Actually, if I had just held back from kicking that stomach, I wouldn't be in this mess now.
Ugh…not only that, I could have let Cecilia savor the feeling of my son's balls.
Why couldn't I hold back… Ouch.
What should I do…?
"Oh? Is there something you all want to do together, Albert?"
A familiar voice suddenly rang out. Turning around, I saw a noblewoman in a magnificent gown—Cestia—walk in.
"Oh? Shimo, you're here too."
"Good day, Lady Celestia…"
Ugh, it's been so long, Celestia!
I've missed you so much!
But we're in front of the lord and Leo, and this is a tricky situation, so I can't just give her a happy hug!
"Oh. You suddenly said you were going into seclusion for training. Is it over, Celestia?"
"Hmm, kind of… But what happened?"
Seclusion for training!? She said she was holed up in her research or training place, so this is what she's been doing!?
Hmm…it seems she's preparing for our duel more seriously than I thought.
Speaking of which, level is probably some kind of upper limit, right?
So, Celestia, who was originally level 52 but weakened due to semi-retirement, has become stronger again?
…Damn, this is bad.
It would have been easier to research some new skills. "…Ah. I see…" Celestia listened calmly to Albert's explanation, then slowly nodded and looked at me.
Uh…even though Celestia is practically my female, looking at her now makes me feel a little uncomfortable.
Strangely, she seems very calm compared to before…why? "…Albert. Can I handle this?"
"Hmm? You?"
"Yes. Actually, I was thinking of making a request, or rather a suggestion, to Mr. Shimo. I wanted to use this instead of punishment."
…But now Celestia calls me by my name and even uses a respectful title.
I usually only hear Cecilia call me a useless monster, seeing Celestia like this is actually quite touching.
"Just tell everyone else I'll carry out the punishment, right? What do you think?" "…Since you put it that way, fine… But what suggestion do you have?"
"Hehe. It's nothing serious. Consider it a bet, I'll tell you later."
Ugh…! Could it be that she wants to help me? Celestia!? This feeling is truly touching… I was so sad that she was nowhere to be seen before! She really is my female candidate!
"Well, then it's up to you."
"Thank you. Albert. And Leo-kun. You agree to this arrangement, right?"
"Of course. Countess Celestia."
"Alright. Then…"
And so, today's events ended with Celestia's proposal accepted.
Hehe, Celestia…! You're definitely my female now! Want to come to the Demon King's Castle today!? I'll have a passionate mating session with you!
"Well then, I should head back to my dorm." Leaving the lord's office and walking down the corridor, Leo also returned to his dorm, leaving only Celestia and me.
Finally… good. Should I praise Celestia for what happened today…? "…Thank you, Celestia. Did you do this to help me?"
"Oh dear. Help? You've got a huge misunderstanding. You monster."
…Hmm?
"Well… let's have the duel we agreed on this weekend, four days from now."
…Huh? A duel? At a time like this?
"If I win, including what happened with Cecilia today, I'll banish you from Ladia."
…Really?
Weren't you here to help me?
"Please come prepared. This time is different from before. Hehe… Finally, I can get that disgusting monster out of Ladia… Ahahaha."
I wanted to hug Celestia, but I froze on the spot. She just left me there, turned, and walked away.
With a confident smile, she left me behind and disappeared at the end of the dimly lit corridor.