Volume 5 Chapter 199, After Transmigration_3

Translator: Nonon

Proofreader: Silavin

 

Even if I went to where that guy is, I would only be able to hit him a few times.

After being held back by his guards or followers, the only fate waiting for me would be execution at worst and exiling at best. I’m sorry, but I don’t want to die because of that guy, and I won’t let it end with just a few punches either.

However, the school festival’s upcoming tournament is a different matter. The tournament matches are treated as duels. They don’t end until either party admits defeat, and they’re generally one-on-one.

It’s customary for all members of the Royal Family to take part in it, as a way to demonstrate their dignity.

I’ve heard that the Second Princess, who’s a senior, participates every year. In that case, that guy will also be there.

I had previously joked around with Tan and others about things like, ‘Who’ll survive until the finals?’

‘Whoever loses will buy us a free lunch meal!’

‘Winner already gets a free lunch meal!’

So I had at least signed up to participate. With my skills it would be hard to win, but I wanted to aim for the top and try my best to fulfil the stupid promise I’d made with them.

 

“Come to think of it, you’re going to be participating in the tournament after this… I’m sure you know this, but go all out against Prince Carmine and lose.”

 

I don’t know what Raven thought when he looked at me, but that’s what he said. Essentially, he was telling me to have an entertaining match. Go at it seriously, make him struggle, and then give him the thrill of a comeback, something like that.

… Canary’s matter must already be settled in his mind.

 

“Did you have feelings for that woman? According to what Father told me, you rejected her when she tried seducing you, so I assumed she had no appeal as a woman… What, did school life change your mind?”

 

If I had to say, I did have feelings for her.

At the academy, Canary’s employment status, the people she served, and the things she had to take care of had all changed, so there must have been quite a change in how we felt about each other. I’d hate to admit it, but the trigger was, the attempted night-time visit last year, and since then we’ve gone out to the Capital in civilian clothes, eaten together at Mr. Orange’s diner, and taken it as a good opportunity to learn about each other.

 

“I see, so you’ve had relations. Looks like you know how to use a slave, at least. You won’t end up inexperienced with women like Gen.”

“… Why would you think that, Raven? It had nothing to do with her being a slave, she was like an Older Sister to me.”

 

Relations. In other words, a coitus between a man and a woman. Unfortunately, that didn’t happen.

Rather than seeing her as a sexual partner, she’s more like my Younger Sister in past life, or like an Older Sister who needs to be taken care of, but makes me feel at ease when she’s around, somebody whom I feel friendship and affection for—

 

“There is no way for a man and woman to form a relationship of friendship and trust unless they’re Family. Ultimately, it’s bound by something other than carnal desire and lust. Moreover, she’s a slave. They’re different from birth, so you either use them or be used.”

 

Man, those people are really—-

 

“I’m sorry, Older Brother. It seems that I have been shaken by the unexpected events that had happened. I, Clo Heartfield, will act in a way that will not bring shame to myself. Therefore, I will make full use of my physical abilities and show you a magnificent duel, so please do look forward to it.”

 

I bowed and recited completely true words one after another.

Raven seemed satisfied by my attitude and left after adding a few words.

I decided what I had to.

I was feeling surprisingly calm, fully aware that my feelings were sinking deep within me.

 

◆

 

I met Gen before my match. He was telling me something, but I said ‘you’re too noisy’ and left, he didn’t say anything back or come after me.

After the first round of mixed-sex matches, I felt nauseous so I went to the bathroom and met Sumi on my way back. She looked like she wanted to say something, but she didn’t say anything. When I asked “what is it?”, she stiffened up and did not move for some reason, so I just left.

After parting ways with Sumi, I moved to a place where I could see the matches and for some reason, the Second Princess, who happened to pass by, started talking to me.

Her red hair and purple eyes, characteristic of the Royal Family, reminded me of that guy so I did not want to see it, but I did not want to come across as pretentious, so I replied appropriately.

However, I don’t remember what we actually talked about.

As I watched other first round matches, I spotted Prince Vermillion in the VIP seat in the distance. Maybe he was here to watch as a member of the Royal Family. It didn’t matter, but I wondered if my presence here was somehow related to his route. If I’m going to duel that guy–no, that’s irrelevant. I took the opportunity to look around him, but the violet-haired girl was nowhere to be seen.

 

The second round. My opponent was that guy.

 

What good fortune. What bad luck.

I was happy that I was given an opportunity. Now that I was given an opportunity, there was no turning back.

If I let this opportunity go, I would never get another chance. If I had let it go today, I might have calmed down.

This is a revenge for my precious friends, and this is just me taking my anger out on him.

 

““In the name of —-, this match is—””

 

I was about to do something that would make me unable to look neither at the woman I looked up to as my Older Sister nor my friends.

However, I wasn’t mature enough to endure this situation right now, and I didn’t care about my family or future either.

 

“So you’re my opponent for the second round. You don’t have to worry about me being a Prince. I’ll use my full power to win. And you’re also a Noble, right? When you lose, accept your defeat gracefully. I don’t want to get into a slugfest because you won’t accept the defeat. I don’t want to get injured again for a stupid reason either. Well then, let’s have a good fight, Noble student whose name I don’t know.”

 

That guy said to me while I was reciting my duel oath.

 

—- Okay, I can’t do this anymore

 

It’s not strange for him not to know about a single Noble like me. But this nonchalant attitude of his broke the last thread of my rationality.

This guy doesn’t even appear in Ring of Fire outside of the story setting, so whatever happens, it shouldn’t affect any route.

So it should be fine. Whatever happens.

 

““Now, let the first match of the second round— begin!””

 

The moment the voice signalling the start of the match rang, I closed the distance between us and sank my fist in that guy’s stomach.

 

“Set (Enhance), Set (Accelerate), Set (Load) —- On (Start)”

 

While nobody, including that guy himself that was hit, could understand what happened, I grabbed him by the hair and channelled all my mana to strengthen myself without thinking about the consequences

 

“A (Focus), α (Ignore), a (Activate), On (Start). —- Well then, let’s have a good slugfest, Second Prince.”

 

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Author’s note:

The serious part is over now.

 

Translator’s note:

Throughout the whole story, Clo is obviously very rude towards Carmine. Cyan and Clo call himアレ, which basically means ‘that thing’.