Chapter 42: A Bluff with Confidence
ㅤ”Ah…… I’m sorry, suddenly……”
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ㅤIndeed, this female adventurer named Mariela has large, round eyes and is quite cute. She has the confidence to think she can win over any man with a little push. She’s quite pretty for an adventurer, and it’s clear she takes care of her appearance. The way she fidgets with her hair ornament and apologizes with downcast eyes lacks the typical adventurer’s boldness, making her seem more like a timid young girl. To me, it seems rather disingenuous.
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ㅤ’Well, well, well…… what should I do……’
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ㅤI can’t believe she wasn’t in the dungeon. Or did she come out quickly? I don’t want to think about it, but there’s a possibility she was waiting for me and Milia.
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ㅤ’Milia said she returned yesterday. Does that mean she got that information somewhere?’
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ㅤJust imagining that sent a shiver down my spine. She seems persistent. She’s definitely got guts, staying in this town even after being rejected multiple times.
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ㅤ’It seems impossible to just fade away without getting involved.’
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ㅤIt can’t be helped. In this case, I’ll work for the peace of Blood Territory. I do hold the title of Duchess of Blood after all…… I have to at least nip any unsettling buds that are spreading in the territory.
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ㅤ”How did you know I was Tempest?”
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ㅤI asked, feigning displeasure and intimidation as if it were our first meeting. Of course, I pretended not to know the information I had just heard, that they were snooping around about me and Milia.
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ㅤ”Um, well. I asked other adventurers who the most amazing magician in this Adventurer Town was, and everyone unanimously mentioned Tempest-san’s name…… They said you were a very beautiful person with black hair and black eyes!”
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ㅤHer eyes sparkled. She wanted to say, “The cute me praised you, didn’t I? You must feel good now, right?” I wish she could flatter me a little more skillfully. It’s too obvious.
ㅤShe probably hasn’t been able to gather anything but harmless information. It seems she’s already being treated like a troublemaker. Any sensible adventurer wouldn’t want to get involved with her.
ㅤIt seems she doesn’t know about the episodes where I used magic that involved other adventurers in the past, or where I bossed them around. The adventurers wouldn’t want to incur my wrath either.
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ㅤ’Does she think I’m Reid’s lover? Or is she still in the stage of observing the situation……’
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ㅤEither way, she’s trying to gain favor and extract information. The fact that she’s approaching me directly shows her seriousness, and it’s disheartening.
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ㅤ’I heard she’s been picking on people left and right.’
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ㅤShe probably acts submissively to those she can’t pick on, and aggressively to those she considers beneath her. The already negative impression I had of her is sinking even further.
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ㅤ”It’s true that my magic is amazing and my face is beautiful, but so what?”
ㅤ”……Eh?”
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ㅤShe looked stunned. It seems she didn’t anticipate this response. I have a reputation for high self-esteem, you know! By the way, I didn’t miss the slightly disgusted look on her face. You two in the back!
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ㅤ”I, I…… I want to become more proficient in magic and be helpful to everyone……!”
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ㅤPerhaps embarrassed by my reaction, or pretending not to have heard my previous comment, she started acting like a brave heroine.
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ㅤ”Even so, asking someone you’ve just met to be your mentor…… Isn’t that a bit too rude?”
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ㅤWow, I’m such a mean woman. Come on, let’s see how far she’ll go to flatter me.
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ㅤ”Th, that’s right…… I’m sorry. As rumored, you are truly a wonderful person, so I just……”
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ㅤAs expected, I can’t hide this noble aura, huh~ I’d like to say, but I want to end this charade already.
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ㅤ”Whatever.”
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ㅤI tried to sound indifferent. According to Reid, she probably won’t take the hint just from being indifferent.
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ㅤ’Actually, she’s just pretending not to notice.’
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ㅤIt’s not that she can’t pick up on hints, but she’s acting knowing full well. She’s either tenacious or just plain stubborn……
ㅤSeeing her dejected expression as she looked down, her knights showed their anger.
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ㅤ”Don’t talk to her like that!!! Who do you think you are!?”
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ㅤOh! As expected, Oliver seems hot-headed. He picked a fight with me, displeased with my attitude. Gust just glared at me with sharp eyes.
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ㅤ’Who do I think I am? I’m the Duchess!!!’
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ㅤIs this the perfect time to reveal my identity? But, it wouldn’t be fun to reveal it to such small fry.
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ㅤ”Alright, alright. I’ll watch you for a bit, just because you’re so eager. Let’s see how well you can use magic.”
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ㅤShe doesn’t really want to become my disciple. She just wants to get close to me.
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ㅤ”Wow~! I’m so happy~! Thank you so much!”
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ㅤHer face was shining. The men watching from the side were smiling, thinking how cute she was.
ㅤI would have preferred to see a messy love triangle between childhood friends rather than the trouble with Reid.
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ㅤ’Know your enemy and know yourself, and in a hundred battles you will never be in peril.’
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ㅤIt wouldn’t hurt to know their abilities. You never know when they might attack.
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ㅤ’I don’t want to think about it, but…… I wouldn’t want to be ambushed in the dungeon……’
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ㅤIt would be great if the difference in our abilities was so significant that they wouldn’t even consider it. But I can’t judge that without seeing their magic.
ㅤHowever, looking at their party composition, I can guess that their main role is probably to support the vanguard.
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ㅤ’There aren’t many people who can use offensive magic as powerful as mine~’
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ㅤI smirked inwardly.
ㅤIn fact, most magicians who work as adventurers, with a few exceptions, are in that position. They can use long-range attacks, defense, and healing, and having just one in the party greatly expands the strategic options. Even if they aren’t that powerful, they can still contribute significantly.
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ㅤ”Then, tomorrow, in the suburbs……”
ㅤ”Let’s borrow the training grounds at the barracks now.”
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ㅤCan you wait until tomorrow?! I want to finish this as soon as possible!
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ㅤ”Huh? There’s no way we can borrow that place.”
ㅤ”We won’t know unless we ask.”
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ㅤOliver seemed bitter, perhaps remembering that there’s a temporary detention center for troublesome adventurers near the barracks.
ㅤThe barracks are quite close to the dungeon. This is because they need to be able to respond quickly if anything happens in the dungeon.
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ㅤ”Excuse me. Could we borrow the training grounds for a bit? I’d like to adjust my magic.”
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ㅤThe young gatekeeper at the barracks glanced at me, then,
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ㅤ”There’s no way we can……! N-no, well, I mean…… we can…… It’s not being used at this time…… Um……”
ㅤ”Could you check with your superiors?”
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ㅤExcellent, excellent. He remembers my face and understands that he shouldn’t make a fuss even if I come here as an adventurer. He was stammering, though.
ㅤAnd in the end, after waiting only a few minutes, we received official permission. Many of the soldiers who fought alongside me against the giant serpent in Neville were there. Those who knew my situation well came out to see what was going on.
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ㅤ”It seems there’s a reason…… and, permission has been granted…… granted for this time only.”
ㅤ”Thank you very much.”
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ㅤMariela was clapping her hands and saying, “Wow~ amazing~!” Let me tell you, it’s not because of your face that we got permission! It’s thanks to my title! Don’t get any wrong ideas!
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ㅤ’And stop giving the gatekeeper those suggestive looks!’
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ㅤHe’s looking troubled because he doesn’t know what’s going on! It’s irritating. Aren’t you supposed to be infatuated with Reid?!
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ㅤ”Stop doing that.”
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ㅤI blurted out without thinking. Do I sound like an old maid? But I’m also involved because she’s obsessed with Reid and disrupting the relationships in Adventurer Town. I wouldn’t be doing this if she was interested in someone else.
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ㅤ”Eh? What are you talking about?”
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ㅤHer mouth was smiling, but her eyes weren’t. It seems she didn’t want to be pointed out. She’s actually scary! What? Is that her type?!
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ㅤThe training grounds were well-maintained. I felt bad about messing it up, so we borrowed a corner of the grounds. I could also feel the gazes of the soldiers.
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ㅤ’Now, I wonder if I can make a condition that if she can break a mud wall I’ll take her as a disciple……’
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ㅤOf course, it would be a mud wall with its hardness greatly increased. I’m sorry, but I’m going to make her embarrass herself. I have absolutely no intention of taking on a disciple.
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ㅤ”Tempest-san! Could I ask for a mock battle? If my attack can even slightly reach you, please take me as your disciple!”
ㅤ”Eh?”
ㅤ
ㅤ……Eh?
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ㅤ”Mariela!”
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ㅤOliver intervened to stop her. He understands that a match between a B-rank and a C-rank is a bad idea. It would be a disaster if something happened to his beloved Mariela.
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ㅤ”But Tempest-san, I don’t think you’ll acknowledge my abilities unless I do something like this.”
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ㅤ’I have no intention of acknowledging you no matter what you do!’
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ㅤDoes the fact that she’s the one proposing this mean she’s confident?
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ㅤ’Could she actually be incredibly strong!?’
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ㅤNo way. Eh? No way?
ㅤI couldn’t help but feel anxious, but these negative thoughts are not good. They will affect my magic.
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ㅤ’Well, it should be fine. If she were stronger than me, she wouldn’t be C-rank.’
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ㅤPerhaps this psychological warfare is also part of Mariela’s strategy.
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ㅤ”Alright. Let’s do that then.”
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ㅤI saw Mariela smile mischievously. She’s definitely planning something.
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ㅤ”But in return, if you lose, you have to listen to anything I say.”
ㅤ”Hey! You’re B-rank! Aren’t you ashamed of trying to make such a cowardly promise!”
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ㅤStop saying things that irritate me, you man. Isn’t this kind of attitude the reason you can’t win Mariela’s heart? I lost my motivation to give him any advice.
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ㅤ”Shut up! I’ll be your opponent next, so just stay put until then!!!”
ㅤ”What!?”
ㅤ”Oliver! It’s okay…… We’re the ones who asked for this.”
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ㅤWith Mariela’s single word, Oliver held his breath and backed down. Gust was just observing the situation. Mariela has quite the presence. Is she actually the leader of this party?
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ㅤ”Then I’ll aim for that hair ornament of yours. Of course, I’ll be careful not to hurt you. Is it okay if it breaks?”
ㅤ”Yes.”
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ㅤAt that moment, I saw a man widen his eyes in surprise. It seems it was a gift from Oliver…….Can I change the target now……?
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ㅤ’Even I would feel bad about doing that!’
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ㅤI’ve trapped myself with my own words. I have to aim without breaking it……
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ㅤ”Then we’ll start the moment this coin drops.”
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ㅤ――Ping
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ㅤWith a high-pitched sound, the mock battle began.