Chapter 162: Conclusion and New Objective (1/2)

“Eeh…about her…about Rifreya, uhm…I do think favorably of her. However, I can’t be together with her because of my own circumstances. That’s what I told her when we separated -just around 10 days ago. And so, being suddenly thrown talk about marriage has taken me by surprise.” (Hikaru)

“By circumstances, do you mean marrying that girl called Jeanne?”

“No, that’s not it at all. She is just a party member.” (Hikaru)

“Party member? It didn’t look like that though… Fumu… Then, just use her as a party member. Boil her or bake her as you wish.”

“Boil her or bake her, you say…” (Hikaru)

Just what do you think of your own daughter…?

No, Rifreya said she didn’t get along well with her family… Now that I think about it, diving the dungeon because it doesn’t seem like she can become a templar doesn’t seem like a plausible reason. It might be that she actually wanted to leave that house.

If not for my little sisters, I myself would have chosen to leave the house…

In the time I was speechless, the duel of Rifreya and Jeanne continued.

The attacks of Rifreya increased in speed, and the vicious sword dance without break was not allowing even Jeanne any room to fight back.

But Rifreya’s attacks were not connecting.

Jeanne has heavily armored, so Rifreya herself can go all out in her attacks, but if Jeanne were to get hit by an attack like that, even with a plate armor on, something might happen even with just one hit.

Rifreya must have thought this isn’t going to end, so she goes for an even bigger attack.

Jeanne moves forward to match that attack.

The two were at a distance where their noses were on the verge of touching, and ended up with their sword and shield grinding against each other.

“——”

I saw Jeanne mutter something in that clash.

Rifreya’s eyes open wide.

“——”

Jeanne said something more, and Rifreya bit her lips.

“—-!”

With her following words, Rifreya’s legs lost strength.

Her knees dropped to the ground, and she was completely defenseless.

But Jeanne didn’t pursue it, and was looking down at Rifreya.

I couldn’t pick up anything since it was so low, but just what in the world did she say?

Jeanne is the type that clearly says things that are hard to say, but she isn’t the type to lie.

Was she insulted in a way that it shocked her?

Rifreya soon stood back up.

She took distance for now, and took a battle stance with her sword while her shoulders shook, and then, she shouted.

“If what you said is true, then more of a reason to defeat you! For the sake of my own future!” (Rifreya)

This one was loud, so I could hear it.

No, seriously, what did Jeanne say?

“Come! Show me you can cut open your future!” (Jeanne)

Jeanne readies her shield again and shouts.

I think she is completely roleplaying a game character here.

To be more precise, having come to a fantasy world that is an isekai, it would be more correct to say that she is devoting herself to roleplaying the resident of a fantasy world.

There’s no doubt her personality and way of speaking would change from time to time, creating a character.

The heat of the crowd also rose, and there’s even people who were betting on who was going to win. If it were me, I would feel so uncomfortable, I wouldn’t be able to take it, but Jeanne must be the type that likes to stand out. The type that is suited for an isekai transfer.

Rifreya ran with her greatsword low as if dragging it, brought out one hand to the front, and she finally pulled out her trump card.

“[Light!]” (Rifreya)

A compressed sphere of light itself appeared right in front of Jeanne instantly.

It is decently bright in front of the dungeon’s big spirit stone that’s emitting light, but it has enough intensity to blind someone in an instant.

The user doesn’t get affected by that light.

Rifreya must have wanted to create an opening with this ability and decide it in one go.

—But the result was the opposite.

Jeanne began charging towards the sphere as if she had been waiting for this, jumped in for an attack against the unguarded Rifreya, and straddled her.

Spirit Abilities don’t work on Hated Ones.

Jeanne must have been aiming for the timing when Rifreya used a Spirit Ability.

It is the same as it was with me.

However, if it is Rifreya who has far more strength than me, maybe she can manage somehow even in a mounted position…is what I thought, but it looks like she has conceded.

Rifreya exchanged words with Jeanne while she was still on top of her.

The winner supposedly can ask the loser to do anything, so it must be about that.

It seems they finished talking about that real quick, Jeanne helped Rifreya get up, they dusted off and walked towards us.

“Looks like they are done.”

“Yeah. I am glad it ended with no one injured…” (Hikaru)

Now that things are done, it was an anticlimactic end, but it is true that I am relieved by this.

It seemed as if Rifreya had lost her calm there, and I thought that, if it was Jeanne, she would be able to end this without injuring her, but I am glad it ended exactly as I thought.

It probably wasn’t fair to tell her beforehand the battle style of Rifreya.

I thought Rifreya would be more saddened from losing, but she looks as if nothing has happened.

Jeanne said something to her, so it must be that.

“I won, Kuro. We got a dps!” (Jeanne)

Jeanne smacks my shoulder.

Well, yeah, that was the original intention, but…

“Hikaru, it seems like I have misunderstood Jeanne-san. I will be in your care again. Looking forward to working with you.” (Rifreya)

Saying this, Rifreya lowered her head to me.

We regroup with Jeanne just like that, and walk off while chatting.

What’s this…? What happened?

Even though she was pissed off just a few moments ago, at some point in time, they got along…?

“Looks like things have wrapped up. I knew it. Rather than talk, it is better to communicate with a duel. It is the shortest route to understanding each other’s hearts…”

For some reason, Rifreya’s mother was watching in understanding here. I am the only one who can’t keep up.

Or more like, please don’t think of battles as a way of communication. You normally don’t choose that.

Jeanne called Rifreya and her mother, and they talked while walking.

We entered the house we rented just like that, and I was left behind still unable to keep up with the situation.

…And then…

The conclusion was that Rifreya has entered the Battle Junkies party, and she will be helping out in the dungeon conquer of Jeanne.

The marriage talk is gone for now. Or more like, it would be more accurate to say that I didn’t try to dig out that topic back.

Rifreya had passed the templar exam the next day she returned to her home, and she apparently registered in a reserve unit. And so, she has already officially obtained the title of a templar.

I thought a templar is a knight that works in the church, but it seems that wasn’t the case.