Volume 6 Chapter 46 Two Swords - The Second Duel
I'm looking at the swords hanging from her waist.
Mikage has 2 swords, one on each side of her waist. Normally, she only carries one on her left side.
'Did you just notice now? Mikage brought in that long thing wrapped in cloth from the carriage. I just found out it was a sword too.'
Thinking back, Gram was right. I guess I was 'more invested' in this duel than I thought. And it was Mikage who helped me realize that.
"...Move aside, Mikage."
In front of his sister, Getsuya spoke in a flat voice, hiding his emotions.
"What do you plan to do, brother?"
"That's obvious."
Getsuya's sharp gaze pierced through Mikage's shoulder and aimed at me.
"I'm going to cut down that man who disrespected Rouza-sama."
Without a moment's hesitation, Getsuya declared it. If Mikage wasn't standing in front of him, he would have drawn his sword and attacked me right away.
Facing her brother's anger, Mikage shook her head in disbelief.
"You've always been like this. You seem calm on the outside, but when it comes to Rouza-sama, you lose your cool. ...So, I knew this would happen."
With a tone that felt a bit mocking, Getsuya's gaze turned back to Mikage.
"Did you forget, brother? This duel is a fight between Yukina-sama and Rouza-sama, where they risk their lives. What you are trying to do is to disgrace Rouza-sama."
"I will accept the punishment later. If needed, I am ready to cut my own stomach. However, the consequences for harming our lord will be──."
"My lord and your lord are different. Do not mistake that."
In response to Getsuya's angry outburst, Mikage remained calm and interjected. In front of her sister's gentle demeanor, Getsuya slightly eased his anger. However, it was not that he had calmed down; he was just forcing himself to hold back his emotions to speak.
"Then, what would you have done if you were in my position, Mikage? If your loyal lord was defeated by some unknown person?"
"If I were in your position, I might have acted just like you are now."
Mikage answered her brother's question a bit awkwardly. They shared blood and had spent more than half their lives together as family. Deep down, they were indeed similar as siblings.
"I know you have your own feelings about this, but I must say it anyway."
Mikage's firm stance was not just as a sister to her brother, but as a guardian standing in the way to protect me, her lord.
"I cannot overlook the disrespect towards Yukina-sama. If you insist, you must first get rid of me."
"...Fine."
For just a moment, in the blink of an eye, Getsuya seemed to smile a little, looking somewhat pleased. It might have just been my imagination, but perhaps he was happy to see his sister grow.
But in the next moment, the killing intent that was aimed at me shifted towards Mikage.
At this point, it was clear that no matter what I said, it wouldn't change anything. They needed to settle things not just for their lords, but for themselves as well.
As the tension between them grew, a few mercenaries rushed over to me. They were probably the ones Aina called. I flinched under Getsuya's fierce glare.
"Don't worry, I'm not running away. I'd just be in the way if I stayed here. More importantly, Mikage..."
With the help of the mercenaries, I managed to stand up and turned my voice towards Mikage.
"I don't plan to interfere, but remember this: if you disappear, I'll hold a grudge for life. I'll never let it go."
It might sound pathetic to still have lingering feelings at this point, but I honestly conveyed my feelings to Mikage.
"Rest assured. The life you saved is now tied to your future. I won't treat it carelessly anymore."
I was a bit surprised. Until now, Mikage had always been willing to risk herself for me. But now, she seemed different. I had never seen her so confident and full of spirit.
As I was being dragged away by the mercenaries, Rouza was also carried off by his guards to the edge of the hall.
The two left in the center drew their swords at the same time. Because they were from the same school, their stances looked identical.
"You are also one of Shiraha's names. Don't think that brotherly love will matter in front of loyalty to our lord. Be ready to lose an arm."
"I already intend to. Brother, be prepared as well. I have no feelings for those who would harm my lord."
Mikage's sword at her right hip was still in its sheath. It seemed she wasn't going to fight with 2 swords.
Even though I had a little doubt, I sat back down on the ground and had no choice but to watch the outcome of that brother and sister with Kyunei beside me.
──There was no need for a signal.
The brother (Getsuya) and sister (Mikage) stepped forward as if they were in sync.
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