Chapter 28

Returning to Noelle's perspective.

The yakuza arc is down to its last episode.

I hope you've enjoyed the story as it comes to a close.

"Hey, you're calling me by my first name? Aren't you going to call me 'Finnocchio-oneesan'? Even among the direct subordinates, my rank is higher, you know~?"

"Why are you here...?"

"Why, to serve as the witness for this duel, of course."

"A witness!?"

There's nothing more satisfying than trapping someone who thinks they're smart.

Albert, already on edge from the betrayal of his subordinates, was now so flustered that he might as well have died from hyperventilation.

I called Finnocchio. I asked her to serve as the witness for the duel.

As a direct subordinate of the Luciano family, Finnocchio is both an ally and a business rival to the Gambino family. If she could take them down without any risk, she would surely agree to be the witness.

Moreover, the Gambino family has become a thorn in the side of the main family due to the drugs. Though they've been overlooked thanks to the previous generation's achievements, the main family would have wanted to take action against them sooner. If Finnocchio serves as the witness, it would effectively be her achievement, giving her even more reason to accept.

As expected, Finnocchio readily agreed.

The condition I offered was a reward of fifty million fil.

If Albert is expelled as the family head, the successor will automatically be the underboss, Rios, but that would be temporary. In reality, the one who will take control will be Finnocchio, who will oversee the duel.

The Gambino family's annual revenue is about three billion fil. Managing that would make fifty million fil a mere pittance.

I could have offered a larger sum, but it would have been unwise to offend Finnocchio. Even if she agreed, it would have been a debt rather than a fair deal. Creating a debt with a yakuza family is dangerous.

So, fifty million fil. That's the limit.

"Is that so... I see!! So you were the mastermind, you crazy clown!!! You were manipulating things behind the scenes to frame me!?"

Misunderstanding the situation, Albert pointed at Finnocchio with a smug look. Finnocchio sighed, unimpressed.

"No, you idiot. I didn't do anything. The one who set you up was Noelle over there. You were just dancing to her tune."

"Lies, I don't believe it!! There's no way a kid like that could set me up!!"

"Whatever. You were just being stupid."

Finnocchio coldly dismissed him and shook her head.

"Anyway, I have to visit the brothel next, so my schedule is tight. Choose your proxy duelist quickly. Or, you can fight yourself if you want. It'll be over quickly then."

"I don't recognize this duel!! Don't just push things forward—"

"At this point, shut up, you maggot!! If you're a direct subordinate, show some resolve!! If you continue to make a fool of yourself in front of me, you'll have to be prepared for the consequences!! Ahh!?"

Finnocchio's sudden outburst made Albert tremble.

"...Damn it!"

There was no way out. Albert finally gave in and nodded.

"...Fine, I'll accept the duel. But in return, promise me that if my chosen duelist wins, you'll recognize me as the head of the Gambino family."

"Sure. Not only that, I'll ask the president to forgive you for storming the explorer's bar with a large group of subordinates."

"...What?"

"Oh, that was bad. You not only challenged all the explorers but also ran away crying after being tricked by Noelle. The president was furious."

"Ugh..."

Albert, clenching his teeth in frustration, looked at me. What a fool. He acts without thinking, which is why he ends up in such situations.

Albert took a long time to choose his proxy duelist, looking at his subordinates. Eventually, he pointed at one man.

"Kouga! You, you'll fight in my place!"

Of course, that's what I expected.

He probably wanted to choose Rios, the strongest among his subordinates. But Albert can't trust Rios now. If Rios were to lose on purpose, it would be over. So, the only one he can trust is Kouga, bound by a contract of servitude.

Kouga, responding to Albert's call, stepped forward.

"Like Noelle said, an Easterner has appeared. This means we can kill him."

Thinking the matter was settled, Almar began to emit a sinister aura. He must have been training in the mountains, as his aura was now even more deadly.

However, I had no intention of letting Almar fight Kouga again. I grabbed Almar by the neck and pulled him back.

"Ugh!? What are you doing, Noelle!?"

"Sorry. I'll handle this. Almar will just watch."

"Huh!? What are you talking about!? Noelle can't win! You should know that!"

That's true. I can't win in a normal fight. But I won't allow a blemish on my path to the top. It can't happen.

"Once this is over, I'll treat you to a meal. Just wait."

"You'll be dead before that happens!?"

"Do you think so?"

"Anyone would think so!"

"Then you're still a novice."

"Huh? Hey!"

Pushing aside the unconvinced Almar, I drank a combat stimulant and approached Kouga. I can't change the duelist now, even if I wanted to.

I will settle this with Kouga.

---

"This is the third time, isn't it?"

It started raining. Raindrops slid down my wet bangs. We faced each other, and I smiled. Kouga's cheeks relaxed in a pleased smile.

Kouga, rekindling his fighting spirit, exuded a more intense and sharper presence than before.

"Hmm, you seem really determined. Aren't you bothered by being a proxy duelist for someone like Albert? Even if you win, you won't gain anything."

"Such a small fry doesn't matter to me. I'm just happy to fight you."

"High expectations for someone you've already beaten once."

"Someone who lost once is now challenging you again. Even a fool like me can understand that. You must have a plan, right? I'm looking forward to it."

"Hah, you're smarter than my idiotic, flat-chested woman. Then you understand, right? I won't hold back. You should come at me with all your strength."

"Understood. I won't hesitate. This is the third time, and it's the real deal."

Kouga placed his hand on the hilt of his sheathed sword and crouched deeply.

It was the same stance he used in the fight with Almar. I learned from a library in another city that this stance is necessary to activate the sword skill: Iaijutsu Flash.

This skill increases the attack speed and power by five times when the sword is drawn from the sheath.

If I recklessly enter his range, even with my black dragon coat and the effects of the combat stimulant, I would be cut in half without a chance to react.

It's an attack beyond my limits.

But I've already planted the seed. It's something Kouga himself said.

"This is the last time. Before we fight, let me tell you something useful."

"What is it? Tell me."

"Stubborn oil stains can be removed by rubbing them with an orange peel."

"Huh? What are you talking about—!?"

The moment Kouga tilted his head, I started running. We were already close. The surprise gave me the advantage, and Kouga's reaction was delayed.

Not only that, but when I closed the distance so quickly, Kouga tensed up, thinking I was about to use a secret move.

He was more tense because he knew I wouldn't challenge a previously defeated opponent without a plan.

What could I be planning? The time he spent thinking about it was his downfall.

The conditions to activate the sword skill: Iaijutsu Flash are to be in a sheathed state and to draw the sword in one swift motion.

Kouga, with me closing the distance, missed the timing completely. Even if he tried to draw his sword now, I would be in his guard before the skill could activate. At this point, there was no need to fear the skill.

But Kouga's thinking was flexible.

Realizing I would enter his guard before he could fully draw his sword, he immediately changed his grip and drew the sword halfway, ready to push me back without fully drawing it.

Impressive.

I intended to prevent him from fully drawing his sword by pressing the pommel, but I had to change my plan. I charged at Kouga in a low stance, using my right arm to guard my head and neck.

"I'll give you my right arm!"

The blade, pressed against my arm with the rotation of his hips, cut through my bone halfway. Thanks to the drug, I felt no pain. I contracted my muscles to entangle the sword.

"What, you!?"

Kouga's eyes widened in shock. I struck his jaw with a palm strike from my left hand.

"Ugh!?"

I succeeded in shaking his brain. Though he didn't faint, he couldn't withstand the force and leaned back. I gathered my strength to deliver a follow-up attack.

A technique I learned from my grandfather, the immortal demon, causes cardiac arrest by striking the chest with a fist.

However, most enemies in real combat wear armor. Striking their chest with a fist is unlikely to cause cardiac arrest.

So, the immortal demon devised a technique.

I jumped and spun, delivering a powerful kick to Kouga's chest, enhanced by the centrifugal force from the spin.

The strongest ultimate technique of the immortal demon, not relying on skills.

Its name is—

"Thunderclap"

The moment the spinning kick hit, a sound like a thunderclap echoed. The kick, using the strength of my legs, which is twice that of my arms, temporarily stopped Kouga's heart through his armor.

"...Cough... Huh..."

Kouga collapsed, falling to the ground.

I couldn't have won in a fair fight. But with the right conditions, there's no one I can't defeat. This is the path I aim to follow, as taught by my grandfather.

"Kaaah..."

I took a deep breath and exhaled, maintaining my combat stance. Even after defeating an enemy, I don't immediately relax.

Eventually, Finnocchio called out loudly.

"The match is over!! The winner is Noelle Stollen!!"

The subordinates, who had been watching the fight, erupted in cheers.

"...Phew..."

Finally, I could relax.

---

"Noelle is really stupid."

After the duel, I entered an empty house to rest. The rain was getting heavier, pounding against the windows.

My right arm, nearly severed by Kouga, had stopped bleeding thanks to a healing drug. It wouldn't fully recover today, but it should be functional in three days. I could also seek a skilled healer.

"Noelle is really stupid."

The backlash from the combat stimulant was less than expected, but that's because my body is building a tolerance. The next time I use it, I might not get the desired effect.

"Noelle is really stupid."

"...Shut up. Don't say it three times."

Almar, whom I had ignored, was looking at me with an angry face.

"If you had let me handle it, you wouldn't have gotten such a serious injury. You're really stupid."

"...Ha, I won, so it's fine, right?"

"That's not the point. I'm Noelle's companion, and my role is to fight. Noelle's role is to be the strategist. Don't take my role away."

Her unusually serious expression made me feel guilty.

"...I'm sorry. I won't do it again."

"Really? Can you promise?"

"I promise. I swear on my grandfather."

"Then I believe you."

Almar's expression softened, and she smiled gently.

"From now on, rely on your big sister properly."

"You're not my big sister... Well, whatever..."

I was exhausted and very sleepy. Maybe I should take a short nap.

"By the way, Albert ran away."

"What!? What do you mean he ran away!?"

"When everyone was celebrating Noelle's victory, he slipped away in the confusion."

"Hey, that's bad, isn't it?"

"Don't worry. The Gambino family is searching for him. They'll find him soon. I think he'll be floating in a ditch by tomorrow morning."

Almar's explanation relieved me.

"Got it. Then it's fine. ...Chelsea can rest in peace too."

"Chelsea? Who's that?"

"Never mind. Forget it."

Suddenly, there was a knock on the door.

"Who is it?"

"It's Rios. Can I come in?"

I exchanged glances with Almar before responding.

"Sure, come in."

Rios entered the house with his usual broad smile.

"That was a great fight. You're a real man."

"Thanks."

"You've caused me trouble. I'm sorry."

"Don't worry about it. Albert is finished. I feel better now."

"That's good... I'm relieved. If you have any problems, let me know. The Gambino family will fight for you."

"Stop it. I don't need help from a yakuza family."

"Hahaha, that's the right attitude."

Rios turned to leave, speaking over his shoulder.

"You reminded me of someone I admired. Thank you, Noelle Stollen. I'll never forget this."

After Rios left, Finnocchio arrived.

"Noelle, good work~. I have something to talk about. Is it okay?"

I wanted to rest, but I couldn't turn her away. I called her as the witness, after all.

"What is it? Can you be brief?"

"Of course. I have plans later. But I want to talk to you alone. Can she leave?"

"...Sure."

I nodded, and Almar left the house.

"So, what is it?"

"I don't like beating around the bush, so I'll be direct. Noelle, join our family. I won't treat you badly. If you want, I can even give you the Gambino family. You would be a convincing leader for the subordinates."

"Me, the head of a yakuza family?"

The sudden, unrealistic offer made me laugh.

"Hahaha, are you serious? I'm just a sixteen-year-old kid."

"Age doesn't matter. What matters is the capacity of a man. Isn't that true for explorers too?"

"I guess. But I already turned down that offer before, didn't I?"

"Yes. That's why I'm asking again."

"...No matter how many times you ask, my answer won't change, Finnocchio."

"Really?"

"Really."

I stated firmly, and Finnocchio's shoulders drooped.

"I see. You're set in your decision."

"I'm sorry."

"It's fine. I expected this answer."

Finnocchio straightened up and smiled at me.

"Hey, did you know about my job class?"

"...No, I only know it's a combat class."

"Then let me tell you. My job class is the A-rank Scout, the Executioner. I lack direct combat abilities compared to other frontliners, but I have various special skills."

"...Hmm."

"It's also a great show. Sometimes I perform it for entertainment. Let me show you. Just a moment. Lalala~"

Finnocchio, humming a tune, took a handkerchief from her chest pocket and placed it dramatically on her empty palm.

"Lalala~ la~ la~ la~ la~. Now, no blinking! One, two, three! Ta-da, ta~da!"

When she removed the handkerchief, a strange red object was on her palm. It looked like a fruit but was grotesque and unsettling.

Moreover, it was pulsating... thump, thump...

"What do you think this is? This is Noelle's heart."