“Wait a moment.”

Just before Leon and the others were about to leave, Raymira stopped them.

“That duel… We don’t have any benefits from accepting it. I demand compensation.”

“Compensation…?”

Leon, who had stopped, looked at Raymira, and she placed both hands on her hips, replying, “Of course.”

“First, provide enough money for Arios to live for a year. And—please guarantee that I can be away from the royal castle for a longer period.”

“Eh…?”

Dudley made a dumbfounded sound.

“R, Raymira-sama… Does that mean you’ll be spending more time with Arios…?”

“Yes, is that a problem?”

“However, Raymira-sama, I was planning to guard you—”

“Huh? What did you say? Could you repeat that? I couldn’t catch it with such a mumbling voice.”

“No… Never mind…”

Raymira stood there, looking as if it was only natural. In contrast, Dudley appeared dissatisfied but didn’t respond. It seemed that Raymira had intimidated him earlier.

“Princess Raymira.”

Leon also looked slightly troubled.

“We can guarantee the ‘money for a year’ part… But as for the second request, that’s not something we can promise…”

“Is that so?”

With Leon fumbling over his words, I pressed on.

“In that case, think carefully if you want to accept the duel.”

“Ugh…”

“Oh…?”

Raymira looked at me in surprise, so I whispered in a low voice.

“Well, I don’t like being on the losing side either.”

“Hehe… I’m happy, Arios♡”

Leon, who was further pressured, had a face like he had bitten into a bitter bug, but after a few seconds, he muttered in resignation.

“…Understood. I’ll speak with His Highness Rayfar.”

“Ah. Please do.”

After this exchange, Leon and Dudley left.

★

The day of the duel was set for a week later.

At the “Battle Arena” in the royal capital.

In front of a large crowd, Dudley and I would face off in a serious duel.

To be myself, and to sever ties with my family—there’s no way I can afford to lose here.

“You’ll be fine, Arios.”

It was Kaya, an A-rank adventurer, who said that.

“Since the first time we met, I thought you were the true Sword Saint, Arios… and the person needed for the future. So, don’t be scared. I’ll come cheer you on.”

The warmth of the hand that tightly gripped mine felt so comforting.

After being exiled from my family, I felt like I had experienced more human warmth.

“Thank you. The opponent is a Sword Saint candidate, so I won’t be careless.”

“Hehe, yes♡”

Kaya smiled brightly.

“And… after the duel, I was thinking maybe the two of us could go out, would that be alright?”

“Huh…? I don’t mind, but…”

“Wait, Kaya! What are you saying in the middle of all this chaos?!”

The one who interrupted was Raymira Rii Arceus—now, my childhood friend, Ray.

“After the battle, I’m going on a date first! Kaya’s not allowed!”

“What? You’re royalty, so you need to be more reserved!”

“Hmph, whatever. I’ll do what I want!”

Ray and Kaya continued arguing, sparks flying between them.

It was hard to understand, but something was clearly happening.

“Heh. A popular man has a tough time,”

Guild Master Altro smiled wryly.

“Arios, watching you reminds me of the tale of the first Sword Saint.”

“The first Sword Saint…?”

“Yes. No matter how much talent one has in the sword, never being complacent and constantly striving to get stronger… That’s exactly what you’re like.”

“Haha. That’s… a bit too much of an honor for me.”

“Oh, come now, don’t be so humble.”

Altro gently patted my back and said with a smile,

“If you ever have any trouble, don’t hesitate to ask. You are an important resident of our Rastal Village.”

“Altro… Thank you.”

“I also… want to thank you properly.”

Mary approached and said with a smile.

“Arios, you’re someone irreplaceable to me. If you hadn’t helped me back then, I…”

“Mary…”

“As a maid, I might be presumptuous, but… I really want to thank you. After the battle, would you go with me…?”

“Wait a minute, Mary! What are you trying to do sneakily?!”

“Eh?!”

Ray immediately intervened, and the area became even noisier.

“Really, how noisy…”

Altro murmured but looked at us with a somewhat amused expression.