"A duel arena…is that it?"
"Yes. She said she'd kill me to avenge herself…"
I hurriedly summoned Lisbeth and Claire, showing them the duel arena invitation from Celestia.
Although written with aristocratic politeness, Celestia's unusual killing intent could be felt between the lines.
Ugh…what am I going to do?
If I refuse, she says she'll kill me right outside the city?
Was I too trusting of my Сock?
I should have known better than to let my guard down; I should have let Celestia become even more deeply infatuated with my Сock!
"Pfft... I can feel you're making a futile struggle."
"This isn't the time to laugh, Liz... If you really get ambushed..."
"Don't worry. Females who have experienced Master's Сock can't escape his grasp♡ It's just a bluff♡" Lizbet, having finished reading the letter, gave me a disdainful smile, reassuring me in a nonchalant tone.
Really...? Lately, I've definitely sensed that my Сock is unusual... but the hostility in this letter is quite strong.
Besides, although this happened on Earth, considering the nature of noble duels... this noble duel arena is clearly designed to kill me.
Can I really relax?
"But since it's already been sent... Claire. What do you think?"
"Hmm. Yes... Celestia and Master... Master. Then accept it."
"...Really? With Celestia?" After a slight hesitation, Claire said decisively, "Let's fight."
What's going on?
Why are my females so calm?
Why are they so calm?
"Celestea's level is 52, right? Even if my attribute values are relatively higher than her level, I still have a chance, right?"
"Please don't worry. In my opinion, Master and Celestia are almost evenly matched."
Seeing my incredulous expression, Claire and Lisbeth seemed to understand my look and began to explain to me in gentle voices.
"Levels are related to the upper limit of abilities. Although Ethel quantity is another matter… to put it simply, levels are like expanding the capacity of a bucket."
"You add attribute values to that bucket through training or activities. The attribute values increased when you level up are like water waiting for the bucket to grow."
"And that water will keep decreasing if left unattended… Celestia probably hasn't trained or participated in any activities for a long time. So…"
In other words, during her time as the Lady of the Lord, she has become weaker than before…?
And in Claire's opinion, my current level is similar to Celestia's?
Then… there is a possibility of winning.
"In that case..."
"...This is actually an opportunity."
"Yes. That's why I said it. She's making a futile, death-defying struggle♡"
"She probably knows she's weakened. That's why she sent you this dueling arena, Master."
"Out of her disgust for monsters and her pride, she couldn't possibly come herself, but her female instincts reminded her of you, Master... Thinking about it this way, doesn't this dueling arena seem a little different?"
After listening to the two of them, I did begin to interpret Celestia's emotions in the dueling arena from a different perspective.
Yeah. Saying she wanted to kill me, she's actually making a cute, death-defying struggle, isn't she...?
"That being said, a level 52 shouldn't be underestimated..."
"After all, she has experience. We need to be fully prepared before we go♡"
"She used to be an ice mage...? In that case..." My females, while preparing a reply to Celestia, began discussing how to advance the duel.
Alright. Now you're confident? Celestia. A futile, death-defying struggle. You'll regret this. Just you wait.
......
"Although I don't know what it is… be careful going and coming back, okay?"
"Phew. Don't worry, sister. I'll be back soon." Three days later, on the day of the duel with Celestia.
In my Lamborghini form, Leona handed the inner garments of my armor to my females.
Leona had originally planned to work only for about a week after moving in, and then only one or two days a week thereafter.
When I told Leona in this state that I urgently needed ice-resistant clothing, she gratefully postponed the shop's opening to prepare these for me.
And today. After the fire mage Lisbeth assisted Leona all night, the ice-resistant clothing worn under the armor was finally completed.
"This delayed the shop opening... I'm so sorry, sister."
"Hehe. It's alright. The investor, Shimo, said he urgently needs it. Two or three days... More importantly, remember, resistance can only prolong the time, it can't completely stop the attack. Remember that!"
"Yes. I understand. Well then, go back and rest well today. The shop opening will be tomorrow..."
"Okay. Be careful on the road."
With Liana seeing me off, I set off towards the lord's city with my females.
......
"...I didn't expect you to actually come without running away. Seems quite confident." At the entrance to the lord's city. Celestia, who had been waiting for a long time, approached and stared at me.
She wasn't wearing that ornate noble dress that anyone could tell was for a nobleman, but rather an outfit quite like an adventurer's.
Hmm. Unlike Lisbeth, who is also a mage, this outfit seems to be her custom-made attire.
It definitely gives the impression of being a high-level outfit.
Her cloak and wand were quite ornate… coupled with her slightly open mage robes… Celestia, a former noblewoman, looked like a sexy mage from a fantasy game; this style had a unique charm.
"Pfft. What confidence do I have? I only came because you summoned me and I couldn't refuse."
"You leisurely brought women here… Didn't I write in my letter that I was going to kill you today to wash away my shame? Are you going to bring them along for the duel?"
"Ah, the two of them are just observing. They won't fight. If necessary, let them wait somewhere far from the duel location."
"…Fine. Even if they're there, they won't show you any mercy."
Although Celestia said she was going to kill me and glared at me, for some reason, her attitude seemed to lack the force of a murderous intent.
…Judging from this, I probably won't die, right?
"Come on. Get in the carriage first."
"...Tsk. Still putting on airs..."
She clicked her tongue as if dissatisfied, but still obediently bent down and mounted my bent back.
And so, carrying Celestia, we slowly moved through the city, then passed through the city gate.
"But, does the lord know about proposing a duel like this?"
While slowly accelerating away from Radia, I shamelessly asked Celestia.
"...He doesn't know, but it doesn't matter."
"Hmm?"
"...It's just that I simply cannot tolerate you. There's no need to consider anything else. You should worry about your life."
Oh dear. Quite resolute, huh? No matter what the lord says, she'll kill him first and then consider the consequences...?
If that's the case, why not just ambush him or send an assassin...? What an insincere woman.
That insincere attitude. I'll correct you properly.
"...Shouldn't this be enough? How much further do you want to escape?"
"Hmm. True. Then let's stay here..."
A vast, empty plain except for a few scattered trees.
So this is the dueling arena. Hmph... Even if someone dies, no one will know once they're buried and gone.
"So, getting ready... uh!?"
"Oh dear, what's wrong?"
Celestia, after getting off my back, stroked her wand and took a deep breath.
Although she showed a determined expression when she turned around, her eyes widened and her face flushed when she saw me.
"Ah~ Is it because of this? Pfft. It's not the first time I've seen this." The fabric I was wearing while posing as Mapoloni slipped down, revealing me proudly displaying my Сock to Celestia.
Just the reaction I expected.
Looks like you've been thinking about this guy all along?
Celestia?
"Th-this…!"
"My clothes always slip off when I change form. It's really unavoidable. Could you please wait a moment?"
As I opened my arms, the females who had been waiting nearby began to dress me, carrying my clothes and armor.
Crestia blushed, staring at me and my females with disbelief.
"This is outrageous…! Utterly shameless…!"
"Oh dear. Isn't Master's body captivating, Your Excellency?"
"Any female would be mesmerized by this perfect body…♡"
"Ugh…! Even the Saintess and Miss Lisbeth…!?"
"They are my women. Is there a problem?" Celestia looked at them, who were dressing me like maids, with disbelief, her face gradually contorting as she unleashed her fury upon me.
"...As expected, you are a monster who shouldn't live...!!!"
"That's hardly a secret, is it? You should have suspected it long ago... More importantly."
Once my armor was fully donned, Lisbeth handed me the reins.
The two who had helped me adjust my attire quickly retreated to a distance so as not to interfere with the duel.
Looking at the two of them, I slung the saddle over my shoulder and posed the question I had prepared beforehand to Celestia.
"If the Countess wins and wants to kill me... what do you intend to do if I win?"
"You, a mere level 20 or so, dare to think you can beat me...!?"
"There's no absolute certainty in victory or defeat, is there? We need to confirm things first."
Dare to challenge me? Be prepared, Celestia?
"If I win, please stay at our house tonight. Countess Celestia."
Hearing my words, Celestia's body trembled instantly, her expression freezing.
"I'm quite fond of Lady Celestia's body. So I've been hoping for your visit, but I never expected to be sent to this dueling arena. Do you know how surprised I am?"
Hmm. I was definitely startled. I thought you, Celestia, would be the one to come to me, all haughty and tsundere.
"Since things have come to this, if I win, you'll have to spend the night with me at my house. A fiery night that will be etched into that body and those memories."
"You…you want to humiliate me again…!!!" Although Celestia tried to appear calm, a subtle wavering was revealed in her angry expression.
Celestia was recalling her experience at the Lord's City party, my Сock.
"Since it's a duel to the death, this price is to be paid. Ah, are you afraid?"
"Shut up! You rude wretch! I'll kill you here today!!!" Celestia's roar seemed to be trying to shake off the image of my Сock that was flashing through her mind.
With that roar, a magic circle appeared in Celestia's hand, and she began to shower ice crystals.