Chapter 9

The day after the party.

Mari sat on her bed, hugging her knees.

She was biting her thumbnail but then stopped to mutter to herself.

"Who the hell is that mob character! Why does she mess up my perfect plan?"

She had been holed up in her room, claiming to feel unwell since yesterday, but she had convinced herself that the boys she was targeting for her strategy were shocked by the duel proposal.

"It's fine. Those five won't lose, and besides, that mob character seemed kind of unreliable and weak, so it's fine. Actually, just looking at her makes me irritated. She reminds me of my dead brother."

Muttering that her brother was really no good, the knock on the door was quickly followed by her personal servant, Kyle, entering.

"H-hey, wait a minute! You should wait for a response!"

Kyle, who showed a dissatisfied attitude when reprimanded by Mari, sighed.

"I'll be more careful next time."

"I already told you that last time."

Kyle, who efficiently prepared breakfast, was perfect in both appearance and work. However, his personality was a bit quirky.

That's why he was left unsold and returned to the slave market even when he was sold. That was the setup.

"Today's breakfast has a lot of vegetables."

"…I don't really like vegetables."

"Eat it. You're such a pitiful master."

The way he spoke, as if he didn't even consider her his master.

(In the game, he was a cute younger brother character who was tsundere but did his job well, but this is getting annoying every day. Well, he's a handsome young man, so I can tolerate it.)

After a few weeks of living together, Mari thought it was good to have a handsome young man take care of her.

She thought that if there were men in her original world who could do housework and treat women well, she would have done well too.

"What about the duel?"

Kyle poured tea into a cup and handed it to Mari.

"The permission to use the arena has been granted. I heard from the other servants that Jilc and Blood had a hard time persuading the school. The guy named Leon is apparently one of the top students, so everyone said the match wouldn't even be a contest."

"R-really?"

Relieved, Mari started eating her breakfast.

"You should be more appreciative. It was a lot of trouble to gather information from the other servants."

"Oh, thank you."

Despite his somewhat condescending attitude, she tolerated him because he looked good and did his job well.

(Sigh, I'm so patient. Any other girl would have gotten rid of this kid long ago. But I, with my broad heart, tolerate him.)

While thinking about her broad heart, Mari continued.

(The plan is a bit off track, but this way, I can quickly get rid of Angelica. That girl, when I provoked her a little, she immediately challenged me to a duel. She's really stupid.)

Knowing Angelica's passionate nature, she deliberately provoked her at the party. She got close to Julius and then immediately showed intimate behavior with another man, like holding hands.

(I need to prepare a lot during the summer break. I need to collect items from the dungeon and also retrieve that thing.)

That thing was supposed to be the protagonist's equipment.

Mari knew it would be the key to the story's future.

◇

"You really messed up yesterday."

I stood in my ransacked room, arms crossed, looking up at the ceiling.

Luxion, who had disappeared, reappeared.

The sphere descended to my eye level and projected an image around it.

"Master, some boys broke in and ransacked the place while you were out. The perpetrators are from the group you belong to, and there's another group behind them."

Since I had challenged the crown prince, the rich group probably used a lower-caste group to do the dirty work.

When I returned from the school building, the situation was terrible.

In the footage, I could see Daniel and Raymond, who were being ordered around.

"Even those two were forced to do it?"

"They have a fragile friendship."

"They just prioritized their own future. I can't blame them for following orders with such gloomy faces. You have a small heart."

Luxion, irritated by my provocation, retorted.

"I don't want to hear that from a cowardly master. By the way, betting has already started in the school for this duel."

In the footage, I was a huge underdog. However, even if someone wanted to bet, they could only make a small amount of money by betting on the prince and his group. In fact, the bets hadn't even been placed.

"I'm so unpopular."

"Did you think you were popular? Anyway, our preparations are complete. The supplies will arrive on the day of the duel. What will you do until then?"

I thought for a moment.

"Can you prepare ten thousand gold coins? No, five hundred platinum coins would have more impact. Anyway, I want to bet everything on myself. This kind of thing has to be fun, you know."

"You're really a terrible person. Besides, you could have intervened as a mediator without accepting the duel. I don't see the need to provoke them."

I paused before answering.

"…Do you want me to just watch those five guys with Mari? I'm the type who solves problems all at once."

"You fail a lot."

"I don't intend to be involved for long. I want to finish this quickly. And the provocation was just a feeling. That condescending attitude really pissed me off."

"…I see."

The school is a kind of separate world, isolated from the outside. There are implicit rules that apply within the school.

Most students probably only see the duke's daughter challenging the prince and his noble friends. It's clear who is stronger.

However, it's troublesome because it doesn't end within the school.

"Well, I'll go to the bookmaker after picking up the platinum coins. If I bet this much on myself, the students will bet on the prince and his group."

They'll think I earned this money from the dungeon, and it's better if they don't get suspicious.

I'm looking forward to it.

"I'll send it immediately. Go to the floating island at the port. Oh, your two friends are waiting near your room."

I left the room, and sure enough, there were Daniel and Raymond, their heads down.

Seeing their pale faces, I couldn't blame them.

Raymond whispered.

"S-sorry."

Daniel looked regretful.

"They told me not to get close to you… We couldn't resist."

Seeing the two of them on the verge of tears, I called out to them and walked past.

"If you bet on me in the next duel, I'll let you make a profit. …I'm sorry, both of you. I caused you trouble."

I quickly left the scene.

◇

The school cafeteria.

A group of about five boys were gathered there.

"What do we do? This isn't much of a bet with such a one-sided duel."

"Everyone is betting on the prince."

"At least if all five of us were here…"

The bookmaker overseeing the bets.

I approached them, pushing a cart. The five boys looked startled when they saw me, but I calmly continued.

"I want to bet everything on myself."

I opened the box, revealing a pile of platinum coins that shone brighter than gold. The five boys, seeing the pile of platinum coins, which were more valuable than gold, were speechless.

"With this much, the bet should be valid, right? Also, I'll leave this here. If anyone tries to run off with it, I'll know. I'll announce the amount I bet."

They are students who want to graduate from the school safely.

They probably don't want to make enemies with other students in the school.

If it's a sure win and a profitable bet, there will be fools who will bet even if they have to force themselves.

One of them confirmed with me.

"Are these all platinum coins? R-really, you're betting all of this?"

In modern terms, it's like 1.5 to 2 billion? Well, it's that much.

It's a large amount for students to handle.

"Of course. I'm the guy who conquered the dungeon. What's wrong with betting all my wealth on myself?"

The five boys, taking a deep breath, started to verify if they were all real.

"With this much, there will be people who will bet."

"We need to advertise quickly!"

"This is going to be exciting!"

I'm glad they're excited.

A voice came from behind me.

"…Baltfalt, I need to talk to you."

I turned around.

I thought it would be the second son or the second daughter, but it seems Angelica was the first.

The room fell silent.

◇

The place I was called to was an empty room.

It seemed to be a place where boys usually hold tea parties.

"I said I wanted to talk to you, and they lent it to me willingly. You must have a good relationship with the teachers."

Perhaps the teacher—no, the master, was considerate. If it's the master, who embodies a gentleman, such consideration is natural.

I was so touched that I almost cried.

"…Baltfalt, you should withdraw from the duel."

Angelica, looking a bit haggard, asked me to stop the duel.

"Since we decided on it at the party, it's too late to back out now."

I don't care about face, but I want to participate.

Angelica smiled weakly.

"Didn't they do the same to you? Your room was trashed. They seem to be thoroughly attacking us until the duel."

They're trying to give us no chance of winning, even a one in ten thousand chance.

The prince and his group probably don't know.

It's the people around the prince who are being considerate. What loyalty!

But I can't forgive them for challenging me.

I'm a small man and a nobody.

So, if I'm attacked, I'll retaliate normally.

Usually, I would wait for the fuss to die down, but this time I decided not to just let it go.

"I have no power left. I can't do anything you expect."

I sighed.

"Did you hear from your family?"

Her shoulders trembled in response. She hugged herself tightly.

"…I was told that challenging the duel was hasty. But, but… I wanted to do something. Anything. I wanted to keep that woman away from the prince! Then my mind went blank. When I wrote back, I was told to behave. I'm finished. At best, I'll be under house arrest or sent to the border. At worst—"

—commit suicide. Repay with your life.

I don't think it will come to that.

"You're mistaken. To be honest, I don't care about the duke's family."

Angelica looked up, surprised.

"W-what? Then why did you step forward at the party! Are you stupid? You're definitely stupid! Listen, whether you win or lose this duel, you're finished. Your opponents are the prince and the nobles. What do you plan to do after challenging them?"

Breathless from her rant, Angelica looked at me, and I gave her a meaningful small smile.

"I don't care. I don't need the status or honor of a noble. Do you know how the lower-class students are treated in the upper class? If you work hard to become independent, you end up catering to the whims of girls every day. I'm tired of it. So, I thought I might as well beat up all the people I hate and quit."

"You'll involve your family too!"

"I'm an independent knight, even if it's a provisional one. Well, my family is a different household."

"Provisional?"

Angelica tilted her head, but my goal was not there. I can't leave Mari alone either.

"You want to keep Mari away from the prince. I want to beat up all of them. See, we're a good match."

Angelica stumbled back a few steps.

"Are you crazy? Your opponents are the top students in the year."

That's not a problem.

If this duel had happened in the third year—no, even the second year, it might have been tough, but at this stage, I have a higher chance of winning.

"I'm fine. I'm strong."

"Can you be trusted! I remember hearing that many adventurers who conquer dungeons are a few screws loose. Are you one of them?"

"That's disrespectful! I challenged because I thought I could win. Besides, you're the one who challenged me!"

"Y-yes, I know that was a mistake! I'll take responsibility. You should stay in the school. I can't involve you… Just stepping forward at that time was enough."

In a world where everyone seems like an enemy, she probably saw me as a hero who came to help without any ulterior motives. In her mind, I must be a hero.

I'm just a nobody, a small man.

"No, I can't back out now. It would be embarrassing to do so."

"…Do you know that Greg and Chris are among your opponents? They are really strong, no joke."

That's right. Not just those two, but the other three are also outstanding in the year. In the school, but not outside.

"And why did you bet so much on yourself?"

…She's really a genuine lady.

She saw the pile of platinum coins but wasn't particularly surprised. Normally, people would be shocked or faint.

I envy her.

"Want to bet? You'll make a profit if you bet on me."

"No thanks! Do I look like I need money?"

That's why ladies are… well, it's fine.

"The harassment will end soon. There are only a few days until the duel."

I left the room.

◇

The day of the duel.

The arena in the school, where armor can be used, is very large.

The spectator stands are protected by a magical barrier, ensuring safety.

Thinking about how many students have had duels here… I can't really muster any emotion.

In the changing room, I looked at myself.

"It suits you. Well, of course, since I made it specifically for you with the right materials."

The suit, matching the machine color, is dark gray, with pants and a vest worn over a tight inner layer. The neck is protected.

"It's not what I expected. I want a redesign."

"I refuse. The performance is the same even if the color or design is slightly different. Please endure it even if you don't like it."

Does he really think of me as his master?

I put on the jacket and left the changing room, where Olivia was waiting.

"---Ah!"

She had been leaning against the wall, and when I came out, she hurriedly approached. I felt her very close.

"Um— I can't do anything, but I'll cheer for you! I'll cheer for you, Leon!"

Being cheered on by the protagonist is a strange feeling. Normally, she would be on the other side.

"Did you bet on me? If you did, you made the right choice. I'll let you make a big profit."

When I raised my thumb to leave, Olivia denied it.

"Eh? I didn't bet. I think betting is wrong."

"O-oh."

She said it with such clear, beautiful eyes that I felt embarrassed remembering that I had bet a large amount on myself.

Is this the power of the protagonist?

As we walked from the changing room to the arena, the five on the other side were already there.

They had already prepared their impressive armor, showing it off to the audience.

The armor looked more like robots, standing about three meters tall. They were powered suits that could even fly, strange humanoid weapons.

"Wow, flashy colors."

The prince's white armor was followed by a row of armor with flashy decorations.

When I came out, a chorus of boos erupted from the audience.

I saw Daniel and Raymond in the stands. When I looked at them, they showed me a red ticket as proof that they had bet on me, trying to hide it from others.

You get a blue ticket if you bet on the prince and his group.

"Those guys… Well, I'll do my best."

When I came out, Angelica ran over.

"Hey! Why didn't you bring any armor? You were so confident, but you didn't bring any, right?"

She was becoming less reserved with me,