Merchant Noble is out (3/4 chapters for today)
Duel
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*Kiin! Kin! Kin!*
The sound of swords clashing between Casablanca and Louis echoed. Before anyone knew it, the fighting soldiers had ceased their battle, holding their breath as they watched the two engage in a duel.
They were both royalties. Though they had likely trained with swords more than the average person, neither had any real combat experience. Their movements were stiff, far from skilled. Even an amateur like Arc could tell. However, the intensity and murderous intent emanating from the two more than made up for their lack of skill. Though they were siblings by blood, neither hesitated. They were wholeheartedly intent on killing each other.
“For me, it’d be like having a deathmatch with Yanna-neesan. I could never do that.” (Arc)
How much hatred could they possibly have for each other?
Watching the two gleefully slash at each other, Arc couldn’t help but feel sorry for them.
After a while, their movements started to slow. Neither of them was used to such physical exertion, so it was inevitable. By tomorrow, both of them would surely be suffering from terrible muscle pain.
That is, assuming they were still alive.
At this point, Louis’s physical advantage as a man began to show.
“Uoryaaaah!” (Louis)
Louis’s heavy strike caused Casablanca to stagger.
“This is bad!” (Arc)
She barely managed to block the next blow, but the impact caused Casablanca to drop her sword. Louis wasted no time and slashed at the unarmed Casablanca.
“Protect Her Majesty the Queen!” (Arc)
By the time Arc shouted, Fran had already moved.
“Casablanca-sama!” (Fran)
Fran stepped between Casablanca and Louis, blocking his sword and pulling Casablanca to safety.
“Get out of my way! Don’t interfereeee!” (Louis)
Louis’s furious shout echoed as he missed his golden opportunity. However, Fran calmly deflected Louis’s sword and retreated with Casablanca.
“Waaaahhhh!” (??)
The battle among the soldiers, which had paused to watch the duel, erupted once more.
The soldiers of the Kingdom Army swarmed Louis, while the Lureid Kingdom soldiers fought desperately to protect him. In no time, a human wall of dozens of soldiers formed between Casablanca and Louis.
“Don’t run, Casablancaaaa!!! Coward! Coward! Coward! Come back and fight meeee!” (Louis)
Louis’s anguished cries were drowned out by the chaos of battle. Perhaps out of frustration from letting her escape, Arc thought Louis seemed to be crying.
—
**Thud thud thud thud thud thud thud
Amid the chaos of resumed battle, the sound of horse hooves suddenly thundered across the battlefield. Looking up, they saw a massive cavalry charge advancing from the left flank toward the center.
“Finally, they’ve arrived.” (Casablanca)
Casablanca, who had been rescued by Fran, breathed a sigh of relief. The commander of the Third Battalion, Lily, approached the retreating Casablanca to deliver a report.
“I report! The former Eastern Frontier Marquis has arrived with 5,000 cavalry! The noble coalition forces on the left flank have been completely routed. Jeanne and the former Eastern Frontier Marquis are now advancing together toward the center.” (Lily)
“The Eastern Margrave…?” (Arc)
“The former Eastern Margrave is on our side.” (Casablanca)
Seeing Arc’s confusion, Casablanca explained briefly and then gave an order to Fran.
“Fran, we’ve won. Don’t let this opportunity slip away. Launch a full-scale attack.” (Casablanca)
“Understood. Arc-dono, please take care of Casablanca-sama.” (Fran)
Fran left to lead the charge, leaving Arc and Casablanca to retreat further back.
—
They continued riding for some time, moving through the battlefield to avoid being spotted.
Casablanca’s golden armor stood out too much, so they retreated behind a mountain.
After a while, they found an ideal spot. It was a small spring, fed by a gently flowing stream behind the mountain.
“Let’s rest here.” (Arc)
At Arc’s suggestion, Casablanca slid off her horse, nearly collapsing as she landed. She crawled to the shade of a tree and lay down, utterly exhausted.
“Ahhh, I’m so tired.” (Casablanca)
“Here, some water, Casablanca-sama.” (Arc)
Arc fetched fresh, clear water from the spring, and Casablanca tilted her head slightly upward. She didn’t even have the strength to lift her armored torso.
“Feed me, Arc. My arms are too tired from wielding a sword; I can’t even hold a cup.” (Casablanca)
“Understood. Please excuse me, then.” (Arc)
Supporting her head with his left hand, Arc helped her drink with his right. It was almost like tending to a baby.
“By the way, where’s your guard?” (Casablanca)
“Yulia? She’s currently guarding my brother, Tyr.” (Arc)
Before the battle began, Arc had sent her to protect Tyr.
“Why not you?” (Casablanca)
“Because I was assigned to you, Casablanca-sama. I never expected to end up on the front lines, though.” (Arc)
Arc spoke bitterly. If he had known Casablanca planned to go to the front lines, he would have brought Yuria without question. But who could have predicted the queen herself would charge into battle? As a result, Arc had endured some terrifying experiences.
“Haha, I got so excited at the thought of seeing my brother again.” (Casablanca)
Casablanca laughed cheerfully, showing no hint of remorse. In truth, her decision to enter the battlefield had turned the tide of the battle.
—
Casablanca suddenly breathed heavily.
“So hot. It’s no wonder, fighting under the blazing sun in this armor. I’m burning up.” (Casablanca)
“There’s a stream over there. How about taking a dip?” (Arc)
“Arc, take off my armor.” (Casablanca)
“Pardon?” (Arc)
“I can’t remove it by myself.” (Casablanca)
She knocked on her armor, clearly annoyed. Indeed, she had needed help donning it earlier. But Arc had no idea how to remove it.
“The armor isn’t split into upper and lower pieces like regular clothing, so taking it off is a hassle.” (Casablanca)
Following her instructions, Arc began to work.
“Undo the stopper at the back to loosen the armor a bit. Yes, just like that.” (Casablanca)
“Next, pull my arms through the neck opening and then, pull me out completely.” (Casablanca)
“Got it. It’s like a mermaid shedding her skin.” (Arc)
“A mermaid?” (Casablanca)
“Haven’t you heard of them? They’re mythical creatures said to appear in the sea.” (Arc)
Chatting as they worked, they finally managed to remove the armor.
“Ah, I feel alive again.” (Casablanca)
Freed from the heavy armor, Casablanca stretched luxuriously. Her sweat-soaked undergarments clung to her skin, leaving her nearly exposed.
“I’ll go rest over there, then.” (Arc)
“Oh? You’re going to leave the queen alone? If something happens to me, your entire family will lose their heads, you know.” (Casablanca)
“…” (Arc)
Resigned, Arc sat down within sight of Casablanca to keep an eye on her. The sound of splashing water reached his ears as she bathed. It was customary in the kingdom for unmarried women to avoid exposing their bodies to men. To be discreet, Arc busied himself maintaining his unused weapon, careful to avert his gaze.
—
“What a peaceful place.” (Arc)
Despite being so close to the battlefield, the mountain’s presence seemed to muffle the sounds of combat. All he could hear was the gentle babbling of the stream and the occasional chirping of birds. It felt strangely out of place, given the violence happening just beyond the ridge.
Before he knew it, Arc began to nod off.
“Hey, Arc.” (Casablanca)
A sudden call jolted him awake, and he opened his eyes to find Casablanca standing before him, completely naked.
“Wha—! Casablanca-sama! What is this?!” (Arc)
Startled, his eyes instinctively locked onto her figure. It was a sorrowful reflex of any man. Her physique was more toned than his sister Marie’s, with a slightly smaller chest. But her delicate curves were more refined and beautiful. Casablanca’s eyes gleamed with mischief as she teasingly licked her lips.
“Would you like to hold me?” (Casablanca)
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