Chapter 68

### Duel.

It is occasionally held among nobles.

The reasons for a duel vary depending on the situation, but a common reason is that the person who has been insulted uses it as a means to restore their honor.

When challenged to a duel, one has the option to accept or decline, but if word spreads that one has declined, it is considered so dishonorable that one cannot survive in noble society.

However, I have been expelled from my family.

Even if I can't survive in noble society, it's not that much of a problem for me.

"Of course, I won't run away, will I?"

Sanches said this with a sarcastic tone.

In front of him stood Orobos, whom Sanches had just hit.

While Sanches doesn't say it directly, he is implying:

"If you run away from the duel, I will have Orobos punished for assault."

Well, since Orobos is a demon, he could probably escape to the demon world no matter what punishment he faces.

But such logic doesn't matter.

"Yes, of course I will accept the duel."

Orobos got angry on my behalf.

If so, it is my duty as a master to respond to his loyalty.

"Then, let's decide the rules of the duel."

"I don't mind a simple one-on-one battle with you."

"Hahaha, you want the incompetent Norman to fight me? Stop making such ridiculous jokes."

Really, it would be fine for me to fight Sanches one-on-one. I'm not the same as when I couldn't use magic.

In the past, duels were generally fought to the death, but now the common understanding is to set rules to prevent it from escalating to a matter of life and death.

However, accidents do sometimes happen.

"There is something suitable for a duel. To be honest, we came to this dungeon to complete an emergency quest."

"An emergency quest...?"

An emergency quest, as the name suggests, is a quest that needs to be resolved urgently. Typically, it involves something like a monster appearing in a mountain where it usually doesn't, and the request is to exterminate it.

It is rare for an emergency quest to be issued within a dungeon.

"It seems that a monster that usually only appears in the lower levels has appeared in the middle levels, causing a disturbance in the dungeon's ecosystem. More specifically, because this monster has appeared in the middle levels, the monsters that usually inhabit the middle levels have fled to the upper levels. As a result, the monsters keep climbing up, and there is a fear that they will eventually reach the outside of the dungeon. Therefore, it is necessary to exterminate the monster that caused this disturbance before that happens."

I see. Indeed, this is something that needs to be resolved urgently.

That's why Sanches brought the knights to this dungeon.

"What is the name of the monster that caused this disturbance?"

"It's the Many-legged Dragon."

The Many-legged Dragon, huh. It sounds like a strong monster.

"The rules of the duel are very simple. The one who defeats the Many-legged Dragon first wins, is that acceptable?"

"Yes, that's fine."

I was originally planning to hunt monsters in the dungeon, so I have no complaints about the rules.

"Also, it would be unfair if the numbers are not equal. If you and your three companions, plus that big dog, are going to explore the dungeon, then we will also do it with four people."

Sanches brought more than ten knights, and he is planning to leave most of them here.

"Sir Sanches, that...!"

"It would be a poor show if we won with a large number of people."

One of the knights tried to object to Sanches' idea, but Sanches silenced him.

From my perspective, it doesn't matter how many people they bring.

"Also, a reward is needed for the duel. How about the winner can make the loser do anything they want?"

Sanches laughed and proposed this.

"Of course, that's fine."

Since we are having a duel, it wouldn't be worth it without such a reward.

"Hehe, that's great! If we win, we'll make you strip naked and do a dogeza in public!"

Sanches spread his hands and said this with a delighted look.

What a tasteless fantasy.

"Then, I'll ask you to do something similar."

"Hahaha, I can't help but wonder why the incompetent Norman still thinks he can win. Shouldn't you practice your dogeza now?"

"Master, don't—"

Orobos, who had been holding back, was about to step forward, but I stopped him with a hand.

"Then, since the rules are all set, let's begin. The duel."

"Yes, that's fine."

The moment the duel between Sanches and me began.