Rachel.

『Neutral Region — Nupokute Forest』

"Oh, I forgot to ask, what're you doing here Vesta?" (Rumia)

"Well, you see.." (Vesta)

Rumia and the rest of her group looked at Vesta quizzically, wondering what he meant.

Vesta scratched the back of his head, then finally decided to spill the beans.

"Well, Rachel actually invited me here," he said.

Lutessa raised an eyebrow. "Invited you? Why Sir Vesta?"

"I'm not entirely sure," Vesta admitted.

Rumia raised a brow.

"You see... after our duel, she just told me to show up on the last day of the Ranker Season, which is today. Maybe she's considering me for Ranker status?" (Vesta)

Lamperogue being his usual unexpressive self, sighed.

"Sorry to burst your bubble, but she told me the same thing. I highly doubt she's considering either of us." (Lamperogue)

Vesta's face fell. "Well, a guy can dream, can't he?"

Lutessa chimed in, "It does make sense that she invited both of you. You both lasted more than ten seconds against Miss Rachel."

Vesta and Lamperogue nodded, accepting the compliment.

Rumia noticed a paper in Vesta's hand and asked what it was.

Vesta fumbled to hide it, but Lamperogue snatched it from him before he could do so.

"An unfilled betting slip?" Lamperogue said wistfully.

Vesta sheepishly shrugged.

Right after, he yanked it out of Lamperogueʼs grasps.

"I've heard that it pays well if you know how to analyze the challenger Rachel is going up against." (Vesta)

Rumia sighed. "Fine, you can go ahead with your bet. But I have a condition."

Vesta raised an eyebrow. "What's the condition?"

"Bet that Archibald can last twenty seconds against Rachel," she said firmly.

Vesta gaped. "Twenty seconds? That's impossible."

Rumia smirked. "Just trust Archibald. And I only want you to bet a hundred silver pieces."

Vesta sighed and agreed. "Okay, I'll bet on Archibald lasting twenty seconds, but not a silver piece more."

He took a deep breath. "I guess I'll head back to the stands and find a good spot. See you guys later."

It was funny they referred to it as the stands.

Because they'd literally have to stand.

As Vesta trudged away, Rumia couldn't help but feel a twinge of excitement.

Would Archibald really be able to last twenty seconds against Rachel? Only time would tell.

...

Archibald looked towards the fore of the Grimgar tree, eager to catch a glimpse of Rachel.

The sound of the crowd's cheers grew louder, enticing his curiosity.

Slowly, they began to part, forming a path for the Ranker.

Archibald's eyes widened as the girl he had only seen on posters and in tales emerged.

She was younger than he had imagined.

Only fourteen years old.

She had long glossy platinum-red hair tied in twin-tails and light blue eyes that shone like sapphires.

She was dressed like a female swordsman, with a white attire and red breastplate and armor on her forearms and shins that reflected the sunlight.

Archibald was momentarily caught in Rachel's gaze as she scanned the crowd.

She then greeted everyone with a wave of her hand, and the adventurers went wild, cheering as if they were doting fans.

Rachel then asked if there was anyone left to challenge her.

One of the officials stepped forward and informed her that only one person remained and that was Archibald.

Rachel's face twisted a little as she expressed her disappointment. "Only one? I was hoping for a few more," she whined. "Why didn't they let people from other territories come?"

The official explained that it wasn't established in their unofficial rulebook that people from other territories could come for a rematch after the Ranker had moved to another territory.

The official, was an unofficial official handling an unofficial event. Sigh.

Rachel sighed and expressed that it was something the committee should consider adding next time.

"(Rachel may not have the biggest boobs in the world, but don't let that fool you. This girl can move like nobody's business. Her clothes are flowing and the way she moves is mesmerizing. You can't help but notice the little bits of skin peeking out from her outfit, adding a hint of eroticism to the mix. Even though she's not exactly busty, her figure is still pretty damn enticing. And let's not forget about her butt. It's like a work of art, expertly presented for the world to admire. Honestly, I could stare at it all day. In fact, I wouldn't mind catching a glimpse of her panties while I'm at it.)" (Archibald)

Archibald wore a long-sleeved, loose-fitting shirt made of light yet durable fabric, in a dark red color that blended with his hair.

Over the shirt, he wore a sleeveless leather vest with metal plates sewn onto it for protection.

His pants were made of the same fabric as the shirt, also in a dark red color.

They were fitted but not skin-tight, allowing for free movement.

He wore sturdy brown boots that reached up to his knees, with metal toecaps and heel guards. He also wore fingerless leather gloves with metal plates at the back of the hand for protection.

Overall, Archibald's attire may not be as flashy as Rachel's, but it was practical and suited his needs as an adventurer.

Archibald and Rachel found themselves in the midst of a circle of adventurers, all of them with their eyes fixed on the two fighters square off.

The surroundings were a sprawling, open clearing, with a backdrop of distant mountains and a bright blue sky overhead.

As they faced off, Archibald couldn't resist a cocky remark. "I'm sure you're strong and all, Rachel," he said, "but I don't plan on losing to a girl who hasn't been training since she was three."

The spectators gasped in surprise at his words, and even Rumia, off to the side, couldn't help but throw in her two cents.

"Nice smack talk, Archibald," she said, though he couldn't hear her from where he stood.

But Lamperogue, standing nearby, piped up with a word of caution: "Don't encourage his behavior, Rumia..."

Rachel, who was naturally kind-hearted, couldn't help but respond to Archibald's taunts.

"You're too proud for your own good," she said, a hint of a smile on her face.

Archibald merely smirked. "Well, you're observant, I'll give you that," he said, his tone dripping with sarcasm. "But I don't think it'll matter much once our swords start clashing."

Rachel chuckled. "I like you already," she said. "It's just a shame that I'll only get to experience your supposedly great swordplay once."

Archibald glared back at her, but he couldn't help the smile that crept onto his face. "Don't worry, if you lose, you can always challenge me for a rematch another time," he said, his confidence unshakeable.

Rachel smiled back at him. "I don't think that will be necessary," she replied.

Archibald yawned, stretching his arms overhead.

"Were you too worried about the fight to get any sleep last night?" Rachel asked him.

Archibald smiled back at her. "Nah," he said. "I slept like a baby. I just yawned because I'm getting bored of your talk."

Rachel rolled her eyes. "Well, don't worry, I'll make sure to give you a reason to wake up," she said.

Archibald's mischievous smile widened as he proposed his new challenge to Rachel.

"Let's remove the thirty seconds rule and fight until a clear winner emerges," he said, his eyes gleaming with excitement.

Rachel's eyes widened in amazement. "I guess he was right about you," she said, chuckling, not specifying whom.

Archibald shrugged nonchalantly. "Doesn't matter," he said. "Do you accept my challenge?"

Rachel smirked. "Of course I do. But let me add my own proposal."

"Sure, it's only fair you do that." (Archibald)

"When I win, you must grovel beneath me and lick my feet for all—" (Rachel)

Archibald's face twisted in delight. "I forfeit," he declared, much to Rachel's surprise.

She exclaimed, "What? You're giving up just like that?"

"Shall we get to licking?" he wore a creepy smile.

"What the hell is wrong with you?!" Rachel was dumbfounded.

Rumia, one of their friends, piped up. "Archibald is being a pervert again," she said, causing Lutessa to smile knowingly. "Oh Sir Knight! He's always like that."

Lamperogue shook his head. "No, this time he's trying to throw Rachel off her game," he said, gesturing towards Rachel who was already blushing.

Rachel had had enough. "Let's just start the fight," she shouted, eager to prove her skills.

Archibald grinned seductively and said, "Step on me, mommy," causing Rachel to groan and the adventurers to burst into laughter.

The two fighters got into position, swords at the ready.

Rachel was determined to win, no matter what weird challenges Archibald threw her way.