Kaguya’s expression darkened slightly.
She took a deep breath, the sense of justice in her heart preventing her from tearing up her grandfather’s promise in public.
Even so, it was impossible for her to accept a man she had never even met as her fiancé.
This was the only way.
Having formed a plan in her mind, Kaguya looked up at Mizuki.
“Since it was grandfather’s decision, I will not reject it outright.”
“However, I can easily wait ten years before going through with the engagement.”
“You understand what I mean, don’t you?”
“So, I will give you a choice.”
“Will you duel me?”
“If you win, I will honor this marriage and become your wife.”
“If you lose, you must willingly give up on this engagement.”
“That way, it is fair for both of us.”
A choice?
Mizuki knew things would not go so smoothly, and his thoughts raced.
Decline the offer?
That would only make the situation awkward.
If Kaguya did not refuse outright and simply dragged it out, wouldn’t that risk souring relations with the Astraea Familia?
For now, the members of Astraea Familia seemed relatively kind, but it was hard to say how things might turn out later.
Agree to the duel?
There was no way he could beat Kaguya, a level 3 adventurer.
What should he do?
“That is not fair!”
Before Mizuki could reply, Haruhime spoke up from behind him.
The young renard gathered her courage to protect Mizuki.
“Lady Kaguya is a level 3 adventurer, while Lord Mizuki is not an adventurer at all. This duel is completely unfair!”
Kaguya glanced at Haruhime and replied calmly, “I will have our goddess place restrictions on me. I will not use any of my level 3 abilities or status advantages.”
Astraea, the goddess of justice, could indeed restrict her children’s falna.
Even so, her years of combat experience were not something Mizuki could match.
Mizuki offered a wry smile internally.
Was there really any difference?
He still stood no chance.
Mizuki tried to shift the terms, “How about we have a footrace instead?”
Kaguya frowned at the suggestion and was about to speak when a gentle, divine voice drifted down from the second floor.
“That is enough, my children.”
Everyone looked up to see a goddess in a pure white dress walking down the stairs with a warm smile.
She possessed a stunning, curvaceous figure.
Her demeanor and presence exuded purity and nobility, though her bountiful chest naturally drew the eye.
Anyone could tell at a glance who she was.
She was the goddess of justice, full of kindness, compassion, and love.
Lady Astraea.
She had clearly overheard the conversation.
“Regardless of any duel, it is getting late, so let us put everything on hold until tomorrow morning.”
Alise, who had been chuckling a moment before, immediately stood up straight with a bright smile and waved to the goddess.
“Lady Astraea!”
Ryu also set down her pen and bowed slightly, a soft smile gracing her lips, looking at the goddess as if greeting a beloved elder sister.
The tension in Kaguya’s shoulders melted away as she turned toward the stairs.
“Lady Astraea, do you intend to intervene in this?”
Although her words were somewhat blunt, her tone was quite gentle.
“Kaguya, you should learn to be a loving wife in the future instead of acting so cold,” Astraea teased with a warm smile.
Lyra rested her head in her hands, muttering, “Here we go again, the goddess is playing the wife role again.”
Alise, the captain of the familia, pointed toward Mizuki and Haruhime nearby, reminding her, “Lady Astraea, we still have guests today!”
Astraea walked into the room, looking at Mizuki and Haruhime with a reassuring smile.
“Guests from afar, welcome to our familia.”
“The duel Kaguya proposed was indeed rather sudden.”
“You must be exhausted from your long journey. Please rest here for the night, and we can discuss your business in the morning, all right?”
Astraea was offering Mizuki a graceful way out.
However, to everyone’s surprise, Mizuki shook his head.
Meeting everyone’s gaze, he spoke in a calm voice.
“Thank you for your kindness, Goddess.”
“However, I accept the duel Lady Kaguya has proposed.”
The room fell silent in surprise.
“Lord Mizuki!” Haruhime cried out in distress, tears welling in her eyes, unable to understand why he would agree to such an unfair request.
Alise whistled, looking Mizuki up and down with genuine admiration.
“You have quite the courage, boy!”
The most shocked person was Kaguya herself.
She had assumed Mizuki would take the opportunity provided by the goddess to back down and delay the matter.
She never expected him to accept so readily.
“Are you serious?”
“Of course,” Mizuki answered steadily.
“However, as Lady Astraea said, it is late, so let us hold the duel tomorrow morning.”
Mizuki smiled faintly.
He was not acting on impulse, he had weighed his options before answering.
His proficiency with Gale Slash had already reached ninety percent.
With an entire night ahead of him, he could push it to the maximum and unlock a new reward.
If that new reward proved powerful enough, he might actually secure this bride.
And if it turned out to be an escape ability instead, well, a sensible man knew when to compromise, and he could simply admit defeat!
Astraea looked closely at Mizuki, her smile softening even further.
“Very well.”
“Since you have made your choice, let it be so.”
“Lyra, please show Mizuki and his companion to the guest rooms.”
“Right away, Lady Astraea!” The pallum girl gave a crisp nod and led Mizuki and the worried Haruhime toward the guest quarters.
Watching Mizuki walk away, Alise slung an arm around Kaguya’s shoulders, whispering into her ear with a mischievous grin.
“Kaguya, your fiancé seems pretty interesting.”
Kaguya pushed Alise’s arm away.
“I did not know our righteous captain was so fond of gossip.”
Alise clasped her hands behind her back, circling Kaguya with a playful laugh.
“I never imagined our Yamato Nadeshiko would actually have a fiancé, haha!”
Kaguya clicked her tongue in annoyance.
“Captain, how about the two of us duel first?”
While the two bickered, Astraea pulled Ryu aside and whispered softly, “Ryu, make sure Kaguya does not notice, go speak with Mizuki, and tell him…”
***
Inside the guest room.
Lady Astraea had thoughtfully arranged a meal for them.
After eating, Haruhime returned to her own room, still filled with anxiety.
Mizuki lay back on the bed, closing his eyes to focus his mind.
Before long, a soft knock came at the door.
Who could that be?
Mizuki opened the door to find the blond elf, Ryu Lion, standing outside.
Her expression was cool and aloof, though Mizuki understood that most elves carried themselves that way.
“Mizuki,” Ryu began calmly.
“Lady Astraea asked me to deliver a message.”
“Kaguya takes every duel seriously. Even if our goddess seals her level advantages, you still have no chance of victory.”
“Her years of combat experience are far beyond what an ordinary person can handle.”
Ryu paused, extending a small pouch of coins.
“This is the valis the goddess prepared for you.”
“You may leave under the cover of night. The goddess will speak with Kaguya and provide a proper resolution to the engagement.”
Mizuki looked at the pouch in front of him, raising his hand not to take it, but to gently push it back.
“Thank you, and please thank the goddess for her kindness, but I must decline.”
He gave a slight shake of his head, the back of his hand brushing against Ryu’s fingers in the process.
Ryu went still for a brief second.
She normally disliked physical contact with men, yet this time, she felt none of her usual aversion.
Confusion flickered through her mind.
Why was that?
Ryu smoothly drew her hand back, keeping the pouch.
Unaware of her inner turmoil, Mizuki continued, “I will still participate in the duel tomorrow.”
Ryu looked up, a hint of genuine puzzlement in her clear eyes.
“Why? You have no chance of winning, there is no point in doing this.”
“How do you know it is pointless if I do not try?” Mizuki smiled.
“In that case, do your best.”