Volume 2 Chapter 12 The King's Vessel
"Why are you telling me to forfeit...?"
"Huh? You should already know. The outcome is clear even before the match starts."
Hollis shrugged as if to say 'What are you talking about?'
He looked genuinely exasperated at Ms. Nemophila, who was in a daze.
"I'm just saying this out of kindness. If we end up fighting, you definitely won't come out of it unscathed."
Since it's a free-for-all mock battle, it's obvious that's how it would go.
The intensity radiating from the man in front of her hinted at his considerable strength.
"I'm not good at holding back either, so if it comes to a fight in the succession war, I might accidentally kill you."
"..."
At the clear threat, Ms. Nemophila's face turned pale as if all the blood had drained from it.
This was outright intimidation.
It was a warning that if she participated in the succession war, he would mercilessly crush her.
There's no way someone with such strength wouldn't know how to hold back, so saying he might accidentally kill her was clearly a lie.
"That's why I came to tell you to forfeit. I heard from the people in the castle that you have a strong desire to participate in the succession war, and I thought you might really throw yourself into it."
Even knowing that the strong opponent in front of her was formidable, Ms. Nemophila would have definitely participated in the succession war.
Even if the chances of winning were almost nonexistent, she would reach for any slim possibility to save Ms. Kikrys's homeland.
"I have no intention of getting involved in a foolish leap, and from the start, you have no chance of winning, so go back to the capital now and tell father you want to withdraw. That way, we won't have to fight needlessly."
"..."
At Hollis's persuasion, Ms. Nemophila clenched her fists in frustration.
Even though she was aware of her lack of chances, she had a reason for not wanting to forfeit.
She was determined to become the king for Ms. Kikrys's sake.
Having already seen that resolve in her, it was clear without saying anything that she had no intention of backing down.
Still, why is this prince trying so hard to make Ms. Nemophila withdraw from the inheritance battle? What advantage does it give Hollis for her to step down on her own? It seems more convenient for her to participate as a stage to show off his power.
I hate to say it, but wouldn't it prove his strength more to easily defeat her, who is clearly lacking in power? Could it be that he's really just saying this out of kindness?
...No.
"The fact that a weakling like you is hanging on to me is enough to ruin my face. No matter how much I bully the weak, it won't prove my strength, and just having you in the ring is a huge hassle for me."
Hollis said this with a look of annoyance, then continued in a slightly lower voice.
"On the contrary, if you back down out of fear of my strength, it'll leave a strong impression on the upper class. It's pointless for you to even show up, so let's stop doing things that are disadvantageous for both of us."
Even if he were to win against Ms. Nemophila in the inheritance battle now, it wouldn't prove his strength.
Instead, if he could scare her into withdrawing, he could show his strength to the nobles he invited to the battle.
Having Ms. Nemophila show up would just be a nuisance for Hollis.
But still, isn't that a bit too one-sided of a demand? He's assuming that he can never win against Ms. Nemophila and telling her to withdraw for his sake.
"Hey, just hurry up and withdraw. I don't know what you're thinking being so positive about the inheritance battle, but someone like you can't become king. Why are you so obsessed with the throne?"
As Hollis pressed in with intimidation, Ms. Nemophila shrank back, making her tall stature seem like a lie.
However, she didn't completely fall silent and responded with strong determination.
"I'm going to become king and save Kikrys's homeland."
"Kikrys?"
"I've been with her since I was little. She's my important attendant."
The red eyes of Hollis turn towards the bent Ms. Kikrys.
"Hah! You think you can become king just for that filthy old hag? You really think you can win the succession war with such a shallow reason? I mean... that's just pathetic."
"..."
Ms. Nemophila's fist tightens even more.
But it doesn't get released anywhere, and her anger is suppressed by fear.
"First of all, Nemophila, the very fact that someone like you has a claim to the throne is a mistake. Weak since birth, scared of even little bugs despite your big body, and unable to show any charm──are you really going to be the king of this country? That mouth of yours, which barely opens, was only meant to say such ridiculous jokes?"
"..."
Ms. Nemophila can't retort at all.
Next to her, Ms. Kikrys stands frozen with a pained expression.
"...Hah, you can't say anything back, can you? As expected, a coward should just stay holed up and tremble quietly. You don't have the 'qualities of a king'."
Seeing Ms. Nemophila unable to say anything back, did Hollis take that as a loss of fighting spirit?
She was about to leave the house just like that.
Looking at Ms. Nemophila, who was silently hanging her head, she must have been convinced of her withdrawal.
As if to leave a final remark, Hollis turned back with a triumphant look on his face.
"Well then, about your withdrawal from the succession war, I'll leave it to you, coward."
But, as if to deny that...
Ms. Nemophila lifted her face and once again shouted at Hollis's back.
"I will become king."
"...Huh?"
"I will become king and save Kikrys's homeland. I absolutely will not withdraw. ...I won't lose to you, Hollis!"
"..."
It might be the first time I've heard her say something like that since we met.
Ms. Nemophila's loud voice echoed throughout the house.
Even while still showing signs of fear, she raised her voice in protest, as if to forcibly shake off that terror.
"...Heh, you still have the energy to say such things, huh?"
I wonder what he was thinking about that.
Hollis turned to face Ms. Nemophila and looked up at her from a low angle.
A pair of siblings with completely opposite height differences.
Right after that, Hollis frowned as if to show his anger and pulled a small "box" from his pocket.
"[Call]──[Gridman: Sand Knight]!"
As Hollis suddenly chanted that, a ball of light shot out from the box.
It fell right in front of Ms. Nemophila and popped like a soap bubble.
Then, what happened next was...
A "knight made of sand" appeared at the spot where the light burst.
"──!?"
Ignoring my astonishment, the knight lunged at Ms. Nemophila's arm.
As it pulled her arm and kicked her legs, Ms. Nemophila's large body was sent flying into the air.
With a violent impact and sound, she was thrown to the floor, letting out a voiceless groan.
Then Hollis approached, reaching out his right hand to grab Ms. Nemophila's blue hair.
"Ah... ugh...!"
"Don't look down on me, inferior race. I could easily beat you here and show you the difference in our abilities."
Despite being shaken by the rapidly changing situation, I focused on the sand knight to stay calm.
Was that Summon magic?
No, this isn't a Summon beast created by Summon magic.
It has an independent will and life, undeniably a "monster".
That was proven by the skill of the Divine Eye that I, as a Trainer, possess.
As I realized that, I instinctively shifted my gaze to Hollis's head and focused my eyes again.
[Job Class] Box Garden Master
[Level] 35
[Skill] Monster Breeder
[Magic] Command Magic
[Divine Blessing]
- Strength: B450
- Agility: A520
- Resilience: C380
- Magic: A+620
- Holy Power: F50
Box Garden Master.
The values of the divine blessing aren't particularly high.
However, it seems to be a job class that possesses quite a unique ability.
If I had to sum it up in one word, it's a job class that captures wild monsters and trains them to obey.
Not a magician, but rather a rare "monster tamer".
"Just say you're gonna forfeit already! Your participation is just a hassle for me. I don't care if it's for that filthy old hag over there. Don't ruin my reputation for such a stupid reason!"
"Ugh... ugh...!"
While being threatened and having her hair pulled, Ms. Nemophila lets out a pained groan.
However, the fighting spirit within her was still burning bright.
"I will... absolutely not forfeit!"
"You... damn bitch!"
Hollis's left fist is clenched tightly and swung toward Ms. Nemophila's face.
Overcome with fear, she closes her eyes, scattering the tears that had been welling up.
In that instant, I grabbed Hollis's left arm.
"Can you just ease up a bit?"
"...Who the hell are you?"
Thinking I shouldn't do anything reckless, I finally stepped in, unable to bear the sight any longer.
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