Episode 21.4 (2/2)
Once he declared that, Lecan thought that he might have said too much. And yet, Tomaj responded in a way that went over Lecan's expectations.
”Lecan-dono. I cannot overlook the slander you accuse our house of. I challenge you to a duel.”
”Hou.”
”Tomaj!”
”Aniue!”
The earl and Henjitt looked at Tomaj in shock.
”Unfortunately, I cannot go myself due to my position. You will have to excuse me sending a proxy in my stead.”
Lecan was pleased with Tomaj challenging him.
Fighting by sitting around and clashing words is far from Lecan's specialty. He had been feeling very irritated since the beginning, he was about to reach boiling point there.
Thus he involuntarily grinned when he heard the word 'duel'. That's Lecan's specialty.
”What kind of duel? Is it one with some shady umpire that's gonna decide your proxy's victory regardless of how the duel goes?”
”If you're going that far, it will be a duel to death then. A one-on-one duel, the one who lives in the end is the victor. The winner takes all belongings the loser has.”
Lecan grinned even harder.
”Hou, that's interesting. Meaning you'll get <Dagger of Harut> if I die huh?”
”That's right.”
”What do I get if your proxy dies?”
”You get everything the proxy has.”
”Not enough. I don't know if that proxy guy's even got things I want.”
”What more do you wish.”
”Right. I'll have an apology letter from Earl Golbul.”
”What”
”Is that not only right? You asked for this duel because I pointed out how House of Earl Golbul violated the Kingdom Laws, did you not? Then my victory will be the prove that I'm right.”
”Mu. That is true.”
”Earl Golbul shall write an apology letter to Vouka town lord, apologizing for violating Kingdom Laws, and attempting to unjustly extort property of a gold rank adventurer of Vouka.”
”W-what? Why must father apologize to Vouka town lord.”
”Are you dumb. I've come here to show <Dagger of Harut> to Earl Golbul as requested by Vouka town lord, Golbul knights under Earl Golbul name violated my right as a gold rank adventurer of Vouka town. What is there to ask other than an apology from Earl Golbul to Vouka town lord.”
Lecan talked while thinking his narrative was pushing it, but he started thinking that it was actually quite reasonable as he spoke the words.
It's at least more sound than Henjitt's unilateral complaints to Lecan, and Tomaj's logic in trying to settle this with a duel.
”Tomaj. Who is, this proxy?”
The earl asked with a low voice. Low yet still sounding somewhat shrill.
”We have Bargos on standby. However--”
”Most excellent. Adventurer Lecan. Do not forget the terms we both have agreed upon.”
”Yea. Then let us begin.”
Tomaj sounded flustered as he saw Lecan walking toward the door.
”Eh? No uh, we need to prepare for the location first, and also gather people that will be present there. The duel is for tomorrow or the day after.”
”Quit messing around.”
”What”
”I'm not staying a night in this town. The duel is to be held today.”
”No, but, the witnesses--”
”You and Earl Golbul are enough as witnesses. Either of the two has to die anyway right?”
”Y-yeah. Then at least please have lunch. We'll get things ready in the meanwhile.”
That's a welcome offer. Lecan was starving.
At any rate, laughter could be seen in Earl Golbul's and Henjitt's eyes.
It might be their trust on that Bargos guy, or perhaps they're plotting something.
Doesn't really matter either way.
It would have been bad if they kept clashing words then. Who knows what kind of pitfall Lecan could fall into.
If it's a duel, he'll just break through it no matter what traps await.
He can't thank Tomaj enough for suggesting such a lovely way to settle the matter.