Chapter 33 (1/2)

It's Our Choice, but…

The next morning, Arisa and I were wearing the black military uniform.

“You're sure about this, right Ed?”

“Yeah, I don't want unwillingness, and I don't feel like it, so I'll kill him with my all.”

“Fufufu, alright then.”

Arisa hugged my arm.

“…isn't this embarra.s.sing?”

“It's fine, isn't it? Things like that are irrelevant.”

She buried her face in my arm lovingly.

As she smiled at me, I strained my face.

The battle is closing in.

“Let's go, Arisa.”

“Yeah, Ed.”

(I wonder when was the last time—I fought someone with the intention to kill)

As that thought appears on the corner of my mind, I headed up to where Gram is at.

I pa.s.sed through the door to the reception hall that I've pa.s.sed through every day for the last week.

Today, I felt the doors are way heavier than it usually is.

“My, my, if it isn't Arisdono and Edgar-dono.”

In the hall, Lord Gram was sitting by the end of a long table.

He was completely different than the first time I saw him, and I can see a hint of cruelty and craftiness from his grin.

“…Did you make your decision?”

Gram listened closely.

He fixated his gaze towards me, and then towards Arisa.

We were silent as we proceeded in front of Gram.

“Yes, we've decided.”

“…Hoo. And? Are you going to leave the mansion as you are? Or do you have something that could fulfill the requirements to take that dire wolf slave with you?”

Gram's smile is br.i.m.m.i.n.g with composure.

“Of course. We have but one proposal to you…and that is a duel.”

“Hoo…”

Interesting, he nodded.

“I—Arisa Fio Asteria, the Fire Sorceress, challenge you, Duke Gram, to a duel.”

“Kukuku…Very well. Very, very well, Arisdono. The joy of battle is truly the one I wish for.

However, Arisdono, are you going to fight me?”

“Do you not want to?”

“Forgive my rudeness, but I don't have any interest in fighting you. In the first place, if I end up killing you, my comrades would certainly bash me for it!”

Gram laughed loudly.

“…then what do you want?”

“Isn't that obvious—Edgar dono, take her place and fight me.”

And then he glanced at me.

Our eyes met.

His eyes looks like it's saying to me, “You're not going to run, are you?”

“Fine, I'll take it.”

“…Ed……Alright.”

Seeing me giving an immediate reply, Arisa sighed as she looked at me.

“Lord Gram, Edgar shall partic.i.p.ate to represent me. Our wish should we come victorious in the outcome of the battle is the owners.h.i.+p of Ellie. What would you wish for?”

Hmm, grumbled Gram, thinking as he stroked his jaw.

“Then if I win, I'll make you one of us.”

“…comrades? Yours?”

Arisa asked, looking for a more detailed information.

“I mean it as it is. Don't be worried. I promised you'd be welcomed well.”

“…What kind of people are your friends?”

“That's something to look forward to checking out, Edgar-dono.”

Gram smiled and stood up from his seat.

He proceeded towards he exit without a word.

But the moment he exited the room, he left just a sentence behind:

“I'm looking towards the fight with you.”

The fight is tonight.

Ludo-san came to tell us that.

Ludo-san and Lunsan thought that we're only doing another mock battle…or so I felt.

Perhaps they don't know very much about Gram-san.

“Well then, Arisdono, Edgar-dono, I shall excuse myself.”

Ludo-san bowed slightly and went away, but I stopped him in a fl.u.s.ter.

“One last thing, Ludo-san,”

“What could it be, Edgar-dono?”

With his eyes still slightly narrowed, Ludo-san tilted his head slightly.

“Do you know where Ellie is kept?”

I went down the staircase leading to the bas.e.m.e.nt.

The place was enveloped by darkness.

Only several lamps were glittering, giving a mysterious illumination.

“Ellie,” I called out to the girl's name. “Ellie, are you here?”

As I said that, I could hear the sound of clothes rustling from deeper in.

And then,

“Who…”

It was from furthest cell.

That's where Ellie is kept.

Ellie was sitting on the bed, dumbfounded.

Did she notice me from my voice?

Her eyes, glistening dully in the darkness, turned towards me.

“Oh…It's just you…”, she whispered absentmindedly. “What did you come here for?”

She had an expression that says I really don't care.

It was the same expression she had when I first met her.

“…Ellie, you look really awful, you know”, I said with a chuckle.

“…” yet Ellie didn't say anything in return.

I slowly walked forward before finally leaning on the bars that separated me and Ellie.