The reason I challenged the one-eyed knight to a duel was actually very simple.
It was to completely take over the 1st Knight Order.
Thanks to my hard efforts so far, I had confirmed that most of the knight sisters in the 1st Knight Order had developed some fondness for me.
But that still wasn't enough. Even when most of the knights gathered around me, some didn't even pay me any attention.
Of course, training—which was my immediate goal—was important, but even more crucial was recruiting the 1st Knight Order as my allies.
In that sense, the one-eyed knight picking a fight with me was actually the perfect opportunity.
If I won the duel against him, the honor- and strength-obsessed knights would naturally start seeing me in a new light.
Plus, in romance fantasy stories, it's a cliché for knights to underestimate the protagonist and start trouble. I had already prepared countermeasures for the duel in advance.
"Hey, rookie. Are you insane?"
"...Young Master, no matter how I think about it, this seems wrong."
However, there was one problem: I never dreamed the one-eyed knight was the captain of the 1st Knight Order.
I didn't expect someone of captain rank to hand over command to the vice-captain and sit alone. What now?
"...Hehe."
"You idiot! Not 'hehe'—you could really get fucked up! Got it?"
Lilien, who had rushed to my room upon hearing the news, grabbed my collar and raised her voice.
"I agree this time, Young Master."
"..."
"The 1st Knight Order captain is the strongest. Even stronger than me, the youngest head maid."
At the same time, Schwarz, who was sitting demurely beside me, chimed in with her chilling gaze supporting Lilien's words.
"Big Sister Second Daughter or Big Sister First Daughter might win... but not you."
"I-I'm a Belverk too."
"Bullshit. All you can do is heal anyway. How do you plan to beat the captain?"
I tried to make some excuse, but Lilien showed no signs of backing down this time.
"Forget using Crimson Eyes' basic physical prowess. You have no combat experience, and he's overwhelmingly more seasoned."
Honestly, despite her rough speech, each of Lilien's words rang true, leaving me no room to argue.
"...Young Master, I have one idea."
Just as I quietly shut my mouth, Schwarz suddenly leaned in closer to my face and spoke up.
"Appoint a proxy."
"...A proxy?"
"Find someone to fight the duel on your behalf."
I leaned back slightly from Schwarz, who was so close our noses nearly touched, and shook my head while muttering.
"Is there even someone like that...?"
But at that exact moment, I sensed presences from behind the slightly open door of my room.
- Peek...
When I turned my gaze that way, the maids peeking through the door crack flashed their eyes briefly before vanishing into the darkness.
"See? They're lining up over there."
"..."
"Any one of them would step up as your proxy if you asked."
What were they doing, clustering like monsters lurking in the woods?
Anyway, Schwarz's suggestion was plausible, but I had no intention of doing something so unmanly.
"Does it not appeal to you? Then appoint me as your proxy."
I was about to explain my future plans, but Schwarz seemed to read my mind and offered another idea.
"Didn't you just say you're weaker than the captain...?"
"...Well, it won't end well. Belverk maids and knights have the worst relationship."
Right. The maids who always followed me around never went near the knights' barracks.
From that, it was clear Belverk maids and knights were divided into factions.
"But that's what personal maids are for, Young Master."
So, if I followed her advice and made her my proxy, who knew what she'd suffer?
"No."
I couldn't allow that. I firmly shook my head with a resolute expression, rejecting her proposal.
"I don't want Schwarz getting hurt."
"Why?"
"Because we're bound by fate, right?"
Her eyes darkened even more as she leaned in like she wanted to devour me. I grabbed her shoulders to hold her back and flashed an innocent smile, declaring confidently.
"So you don't have to help."
"..."
"Because I'll win."
But Schwarz's gaze remained pitch-black dark. Did that mean she didn't trust me?
"...So this time, let me protect you!"
Hiding my hurt feelings, I gathered her hands in mine, smiled with my eyes, and declared once more.
I couldn't explain my plan with so many eyes around, but I hoped this would convey my sincerity at least a little...
"Haa... damn."
"...?"
"...Gonna hit the bathroom real quick. It's urgent."
But then, Schwarz bowed her head deeply, muttered something low, and suddenly bolted out of the room.
Her breathing seemed ragged for some reason—must've been really urgent.
"Hey, rookie."
"Yes?"
"If that girl tries anything weird, scream."
Lilien glared coldly at her retreating figure and said something cryptic, but I doubted it'd come to that.
How close are Schwarz and I? She nursed me 24/7 when I was sick, stayed by my side till I slept, and lately, we'd even had fun with childish hospital play.
I was desperately blocking her insistence on "maid duties" like bathing me, though. That's just too embarrassing for me.
"Anyway, honestly, it's a bit annoying..."
As I quietly blushed thinking about that, Lilien's low voice suddenly came from in front.
"If you beg me on your knees desperately, I'll specially act as your proxy or whatever."
Lilien sat with her legs crossed in an arrogant pose, glancing at me sideways as she made the offer.
"In return, call me Lilien-sama instead of Big Sister from now on, and... hmm..."
Lilien could definitely duel the captain. To face the Belverk sisters, you needed to be among the continent's strongest, so the captain would actually be at a disadvantage.
"No need."
"...What?"
"I can win."
But this was a duel I couldn't win that way.
Summons, golems, even undead were fine, but appointing a proxy meant it wasn't my victory.
I'd get past the immediate crisis, but my goal of taking over the 1st Knight Order would go up in smoke.
"The challenger appointing a proxy is just too petty."
"..."
"So I'll do it with my own power..."
But just as I tried explaining that to Lilien—
"Hey, cut the bullshit."
"Eek?"
"You little twerp, who are you talking back to?"
Lilien's face suddenly turned chilling as she grabbed my arms and flipped me onto the bed.
"Can you escape from me right now? Try. Fuck."
"Eek."
"I can crush you lightly and you still can't get out. And you want a duel? With the captain?"
Straddling me, Lilien gripped my arms tighter and leaned in close.
"Rookie. Do you want to die?"
"..."
"If you want to die that bad, should I kill you right here?"
Her eyes, now inches from my nose, were terrifying—unlike her usual self.
But there was no sense she was forcing an act.
Did that mean... this was Lilien's true feelings?
"Eut."
I flinched in fear without realizing it, and Lilien, still atop me, suddenly bit her lip hard.
"S-So. I'm telling you nicely, listen to me."
"..."
"D-Do you think I like doing this? It's because of our alliance..."
Then she abruptly looked away and started stuttering.
"Big Sister."
"Yeah?"
Sensing an opportunity for some reason, I squinted my eyes to squeeze out a single tear, made the frailest expression possible, and muttered.
"...It hurts."
A brief silence followed.
"Ah."
Lilien's eyes widened as she hurriedly released my hands, backed off, checked my face anxiously, then glared at me with a flustered expression.
"...Hmph."
She snorted softly, stood up, and turned away.
"Y-You idiot. Even when I give you a chance, you don't get it."
"..."
"F-Fine, do it alone then. Don't regret it."
But contrary to her words, her face reflected in the window was slightly flushed. Blinking, I spoke softly.
"Thanks for worrying about me."
"It's not that, you fucking idiot!"
It startled me a bit with the intensity, but it seemed that was just her way of showing concern.
"Big Sister is the best."
My arms had red marks and stung a little, but having someone worry felt good.
"...Fucking asshole."
Even if her words were harsh.
'I made her worry again for nothing...'
I wonder what Mother is doing right now. Is she as angry as Lilien, who slammed the door on her way out?
But I had too much to do to go to her office now, and more importantly, I lacked the courage...
- Chirp chirp...
After pondering, I decided not to go to the office today. Hearing a bird call from the window, I tilted my head curiously.
"...Hm?"
I swear I just heard a familiar bird call?
'Nah, no way.'
But when I turned to check the window, there wasn't a bird—or even an ant—in sight.
Of course. No way Peep flew all the way from the distant imperial palace to Belverk territory.
Must've mistaken another bird's cry.
*****
"Hold on, stop."
"...Yes!"
"Wait, is that Young Master Kairen?"
As soon as Schwarz returned from the bathroom looking refreshed, we headed straight to the entrance of Belverk's basement.
"Young Master, why on earth are you here?"
"...Ah, well."
"Belverk's basement is strictly controlled. No exceptions, even for you."
The guarding maid looked happy to see me but quickly put on a stern face and blocked my path.
Of course. The most famous rumor about Belverk from outsiders was the Monster Ducal House basement horror story.
According to it, the basement goes down 30 floors, screams and beast roars leak out every night, those who err in Belverk get dragged there, and the deepest level holds a monster that could destroy the empire.
Most were false or exaggerated, of course.
When I subtly asked Mother before, she looked quite flustered, so even she found the rumors ridiculous.
"Young Master, please go back. You're not even supposed to come here."
But the problem was, to win perfectly against the knight captain, I had to enter somehow for my plan...
"Can't you let me in just once?"
After hesitating, I pulled out the ultimate cheat key of this romance fantasy child-rearing world.
"I'll knit you a cool handkerchief myself. With my own hands!"
"..."
"...Still no?"
Honestly, it was silly for ducal security to break over aegyo, but what could I do about this world's logic?
"...Just this once."
"Thank you!"
"Shh, be quiet."
Exchanging glances with Schwarz beside me, the maid sighed softly and stepped aside for the basement path.
"Follow me, Young Master."
"...Yes!"
"Hold on tight to me. If you stray... No, just be careful?"
As pre-arranged, I squeezed my eyes shut and grabbed Schwarz's waist, following her lead.
"Found it."
About 15 minutes after descending winding stairs and traversing the corridor beyond.
"You can open your eyes now."
Finally at the destination, I quietly opened my eyes to face the key to this plan that Schwarz had secretly told me about before.
"Grrr..."
The next instant, a cold breath washed over me from ahead.
"Groooo!!!"
Emerging with flashing blue eyes was none other than the top-grade monster from the Mist Forest that had driven me to the brink of death—the Forest Lord.
Its mouth was muzzled, a mana-infused collar bound its neck, and wounds from Mother remained on its body.
Exhausted to the point it could only growl upon spotting me, it was completely neutralized.
"It was slated for disposal after that day, but per the Duke's follow-up order, it's been imprisoned here."
"..."
"But why the Duke spared it instead of killing it, I don't..."
This creature never left its habitat normally, yet it attacked me that day I entered the forest.
And my guess about why would be the key to winning this duel.
"Kyeng kyeng!"
As I stepped forward thinking that, a somewhat high-pitched cry came from behind the Forest Lord's cage.
"Grrrk...!"
The Forest Lord's eyes widened as it desperately tried to stand and block the back, but its legs gave out, collapsing weakly.
"Kyeng! Kyeng kyeng!"
"Grooo!"
"Grrrng?"
The next moment, adorable cries announced the arrival of what the Forest Lord tried to hide: small, cute wolf monsters that looked just like it.
"Why the Forest Lord suddenly left its territory, why it was more ferocious than usual, and why Mother couldn't bring herself to kill it."
"It all makes sense if the Forest Lord was a mother who had given birth to pups."
In short, the Forest Lord had forcibly expanded its hunting range to protect its newborns.
That explained why Mother imprisoned it here instead of killing the beast that nearly killed me.
"Schwarz."
"Yes?"
"By the way, did you bring what I asked for?"
Confirming my guess was right, I extended my hand for what I'd requested from Schwarz.
"Yes, here..."
"Thanks!"
"You're welcome, but what do you plan to use it for...?"
Taking the silver key she offered,
- Click...
I unlocked the Forest Lord's cage and stepped inside.
"Young Master!?"
I heard Schwarz's panicked cry from behind, but I kept walking forward with the most harmless smile I could muster.
"Kiiing..."
The pup monsters spotted me and tucked their tails in fear, but this was all for their sake.
"...Hi?"
From now until the duel, I'd have to feed them in place of the Forest Lord and befriend them.
"Good kids?"
That's right. My prepared countermeasure for the duel was these pups—and the Forest Lord.
In imperial duels, using personally tamed creatures is allowed. Unlike proxies, they're accepted as companions bonded through the duelist's skill.
Plus, it's my life on the line, not someone else's. Even if I risk myself with my Unique Ability, I can definitely protect the summons fighting alongside me.
And above all, doesn't a romance fantasy child-rearing protagonist need a mascot spirit or summon pet?
So first, make these pups my pets, and ultimately use them to tame the Forest Lord too...
"Ow, cold."
...Wait, hold on. What's this?
Distracted by the pups in front of me, I realized cold liquid dripping from above was slowly soaking my head. I blankly looked up.
"Grrrk..."
The Forest Lord had approached right in front of me at some point, glaring coldly down and drooling profusely.
"...Huh?"
Isn't this collar a bit too loose?