We were to duel in the center of the circle of onlookers who had gathered.

While Sufia gazed at His Highness Claude worriedly, Bridgette, who had not spoken in a while, showed displeasure, which one could see if you looked closely.

“Then, when this coin falls to the ground, that’s the signal to begin, is that correct?”

“That’s not a problem. However, what will you offer me if I win?”

“How about ten gold coins?”

*Crackle *crackle

Ahh. I can see countless blue streaks forming on Bridgette’s forehead after hearing His Highness Prince Claude’s words.

That’s like being told, ‘Your price is ten gold coins.’ I’d also be angry if someone said that before me.

But it was before Bridgette, someone who would not hesitate to cut off her own parents’ legs for me, to whom she swore allegiance.

It would be better to start the duel before Bridgette becomes a royal murderer. Since she has to endure a lot in this situation, she might just go into a killing frenzy at any moment. I can tell from how the killing intent oozing out from her is gradually getting worse.

“…”

“What’s with that expression?”

“It’s nothing. Then let’s start the duel.”

“Good. Do your best when you crawl on the ground.”

The coin got tossed up by His Highness Claude and fell to the ground. The moment I heard the high, metallic sound—

“I lost.”

— raising both of my hands up in the air, I surrendered.

“What do you mean?”

“It’s nothing personal. I am not hostile to the royal family, and it would be against my intentions to wound or even defeat His Highness Prince Claude, even in a duel.”

“… Kaisar, do you really think you can not only fight me but also win? You’ve been nothing but trash for years.”

“No, but time is luck, and anything can happen.”

I mutter as if to dodge His Highness Prince Claude’s provocations.

“More importantly, I lost, so I’ll free Bridgette from her servitude, is that correct?”

“Yeah. Hurry up.”

Then I call Bridgette to release her from my servitude.

At that moment, our surroundings got filled with cheers and shouts of abuse against me. I could hear His Highness Prince Claude getting praised like a hero who had rescued the heroine from the villain.

“I’m sorry, Bridgette. I was late in helping you.”

“…”

“I’m sure you experienced nightmares whilst enslaved by Kaisar. You can forget all the bad things, and I promise you I won’t ask how you got treated.”