Chapter 73: Sold a Fight to the Strongest ③
Translated by AmaLynne
「……Why are you getting into a dueling frenzy while I’m in the bathtub?」
A refreshed Delight looked up to the heavens with a towel wrapped around his waist.
Sighing loudly, Delight, as is his habit, reached for his drink.
But he was stopped by his daughter Fran.
「Father, please don’t drink.」
「Tsk, all right! But it makes me want to drink! For what reason is this kid supposed to duel with that bastard Albert! You better explain it to me so I can understand it!」
「Before you do that, please change your clothes. You’re in front of a guest.」
「I can’t find my clothes! I called you from the bathroom several times, but when you didn’t show up, I thought something must be wrong, but I never dreamed that Albert was here!」
「There’s a change of clothes right there.」
「Take it.」
「Yes.」
After receiving his clothes, Delight quickly changed and then sat down on the couch, as did Sam and the others.
「Anyway, let’s start from the beginning. How did you end up in a duel?」
「I challenged him to a duel.」
「…That’s too much. No, to begin with, you’re the one who challenges him to a duel, but he’s also the one who takes the fight against the kid.」
Delight with his emotional state, wondering whether he should be appalled or offended, he begins to shake his leg.
Fran apologized to her father.
「Father, I’m the one who caused this in the first place.」
「Oh? What do you mean?」
Fran told his father.
That Albert had been courting her to be his woman for several years and was persistent.
That he is still persistent and came to the mansion again today.
And that she was insulted, so she slapped him, which made Albert angry, and Sam covered for her when he was about to hit her.
「……So about the duel?」
「I could not allow a man like that to be a court wizard, much less call himself the most powerful.」
「You’re an idiot.」
「Maybe.」
「Normally, you don’t pick a fight with the most powerful man in the kingdom. But, well…」
Toothless and slightly embarrassed, Delight bowed his head.
「I thank you for defending my daughter.」
「Father.」
「I’m a father, too, and I wouldn’t be calm if I heard that my daughter had been slapped before she got married… Well, when I let my daughter take care of a drunk like me, I’m probably just as likely to be a man who messes around with women.」
Neither Sam nor Fran could find the words to say to Delight, who mocked himself for saying so.
「But, what the heck, how could Albert have been so mature as to leave after getting into a fight with a kid?」
「Strangely enough, Albert was on board. I told Sam-kun to clear his head and wait… I think he’s up to something.」
As Fran explained, Albert left so easily that Sam, who had sold the fight, was disappointed.
And he did so after agreeing to fight a duel.
Even Sam was surprised that Albert accepted the duel.
What’s more, he was smiling as if he was looking forward to it.
「I mean, kid.」
「Yes.」
「―――No, I’ll call you Sam. I’ll put your skills aside, but I’ll give you credit for having the guts to pick a fight with that son of a bitch without being scared.」
「Thank you.」
「So, what are the odds?」
「Well, I think I can handle it.」
「…You. Listen, court wizards don’t take duels lightly. They rarely challenge a duel, even if they are willing to put their status on the line. Even if they did, the question is whether the country would recognize it or not… Sam said he would take the court wizard and the most powerful position from Albert, and if we have to fight over this, it will be in the presence of His Majesty the King!」
「Um, why?」
「Huh, I knew you didn’t know that part of the story.」
Sighing, Delight explained.
In the first place, the king is the one in charge of the court wizard.
Even if they are dispatched in the event of war, they are not allowed to go out without the king’s permission.
Nevertheless, before the king makes a decision, the magical army, the knights, and the nobles discuss the matter, and then the king makes the final decision.
In other words, even if Sam wanted to duel Albert, he would first have to convince the army and nobles, and then get the king’s approval before he could even fight.
「Conversely, if I win against Albert, I’ll be recognized by the king as both the court wizard and the most powerful.」
「Why are you being so positive? Well, if you get permission and the duel is approved, and in case you win, that’s what will happen.」
「That’s a good thing. All I have to do is beat him, that’s all.」
It is not a matter of confidence or lack thereof.
As Ur’s discipline and successor, and as someone who aspires to become the world’s most powerful wizard in the future, being a court wizard or the most powerful wizard in this country is just a passing phase.
If that is the case, it is only natural that he will win such a duel.
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