4.26.

"No matter. You're a righteous person, I forgive you."

"Get off."

"Hehe, that tickles."

'Damn it..!'

The sweet smell of her skin was making him dizzy. Different from Schwii's body, it didn't contain any aphrodisiac, it felt more naturally arousing.

"Stop struggling.. sheesh."

Sequencee continued resisting until Reese finally released him.

"Embarrassed?" she giggled.

"I knew I shouldn't have met you," Sequencee rubbed his cheeks.

"Oh, that's cruel."

"Just leave me alone.."

"No. By Iona's request, I'm to make sure you're safe."

'So she doesn't mind that I'm a demon? Oh right, she doesn't.'

Reese stood by Sequencee. Both of them continued to observe as the people entered.

"Are you seriously not entering yet?"

"I'm also waiting for the hero."

"Hm?"

"They will have to pass through here to get in, no?"

'Right..'

Her words were like a prophecy. Before Sequencee could find Trhumen, the heroes' party arrived first. Aaron donning his mythril-silver armor, Her Highness Evelyn wearing her priestess robe, while Shiro and Risa wore the academy training uniform.

Their arrival caught the attention of many people in the surroundings.

And just then, Evelyn caught Sequencee standing at the corner with Reese.

'That girl.. who?'

Her eyes widened then narrowed.

"Oh, look who's here," Risa also noticed Sequencee.

"Let's go," Shiro said.

"He's got much more of a harem as you have, big bro."

"Shut up."

The heroes' party headed Sequencee's way.

"Do they know you?" Reese asked.

"Don't go on and brainwash them."

"Who do you think I am huh? Am I that untrustworthy.. I need to talk to them either way. Makes things easier. You should've told me that you knew them to begin with," Reese couldn't stop trembling.

"Good morning."

"Morning Sequencee."

"Congratulations on your win during the New Dawn Magic Showdown Sequencee," Evelyn said with a plastic smile.

As a side note, Evelyn tried to find Sequencee at the ensemble's celebration that day. But she came a little too late– Sequencee had already left for Mochi Corner/

"Thanks.."

"It's an honor to be acquainted. My name is Reese Rine," the cardinal curtsied.

"Ooooo… that's cool," Risa's eyes widened.

"What?" Shiro asked.

"Check her stats," Risa whispered.

"..."

"Why are you here?" Aaron asked.

"A duel."

"A duel?" Evelyn tilted her head.

"Yes. A duel. It's a complicated matter involving some troublesome stuff.." Sequencee drawled

"A duel? I thought its.." Reese received the itinerary of today's schedule from Aaron, her hands trembled, "You should've told me about it! I could've helped!" Evelyn exclaimed.

"But.. it's not like you're involved.."

"Do you take me for naught? Do you think I wont help?

Her sincerity astounded Reese. Apparently Sequencee's relationship with the hero's party went beyond simple acquaintances.

"Hero Shiro. May I ask for some of your time? I have an urgent matter I need to discuss with you regarding the coming days," while Evelyn was busy with Sequencee, Reese appealed to the hero.

"Uh.."

"Yes!" Risa answered in his stead.

"It's classified information that concerns your safety, so if I may request, this discussion should take place somewhere private," Reese added quietly.

"As their guardian, anything concerning their safety should also be relayed to me," Aaron said.

"Yes sir. I was planning to tell everyone at once."

"Tell me what's going on. Next time you have things to do with nobles you should've just brought it up to me," Evelyn complained.

"Her Highness Titania is already involved in the matter. And I'm not certain if you could do anything about it either," Sequencee sighed.

"I absolutely wouldn't be able to do anything if you remained silent."

"I'll resolve the situation myself. It's fine."

"At least tell me what's going on."

The two bickered.

"Let's go in already Evelyn~" Risa grabbed the princess by the shoulder.

"Excuse me for a moment– Sequencee, follow me. We'll talk inside," the princess gently laid Risa's hands down and grabbed Sequencee by the wrist.

"I have someone I need to wait for," Sequencee said to excuse himself.

"Doesn't matter. You can always find that person later."

"Your Highness. I'll tell you the story but for now.."

"No! Risa, drag him with you."

'Is she trying to make a scene? Everyone is watching.. wait. Trhumen!'

"Your Highness, he's here, he's here. Just let me go talk to him first."

"Where?" Evelyn gave a sweep of the crowd who were all looking their way.

'This is going to be complicated..'

Pushing Evelyn's hand off, Sequencee slowly walked towards the inquisitor. Seeing the entire heroes' party following him, Trhumen froze up.

"Apologies sir," Sequencee bowed.

"What's the matter..?" he asked.

"Her Highness wishes to know what's happening."

A pickle. Trhumen became a pickle.

"Sir, may I humbly request some of your time?" Evelyn said with a smile.. but she wasn't smiling at all.

Cold sweat poured down his back.

===

"So that's why this duel is arranged?"

"It's done to prevent the information from leaking."

"Matters like this should be settled by the empire's inquisitor department, no?"

"Pardon me, Your Highness. They've already been notified of the matter; I am the representative."

"Who is the governing representative?"

"There is no governing representative."

"How could this be?"

"It's a case to be resolved within itself. There's no need to bring the case to the high court."

'They want to avoid tarnishing their image.'

If a noble child were to kill themselves, it would mean that the family is unsound. If this case were to be known by other nobles, the entire Stravince family would be shamed for not taking care of their daughter properly.

Yet, they're holding a duel to prevent the leak of information? What kind of joke was that? Was this person, Lance, an idiot?

"Now that I know of the matter, I can intervene can't I?" Evelyn remarked.

Trhumen's expression contorted.

"Your Highness. I beg of you to allow us to settle this matter ourselves. You need not to trouble yourself."

"Your Highness. It's fine. I know what to do," Sequencee said.

"A duel to the death. You think I would permit that?" She glared at him.

"I'm not going to kill him, Your Highness."

"Then what do you intend to do?"

"Pardon me for speaking. Your Highness, we plan to resurrect him after. High priests will be on site should anything happen."

"Let me see the terms."

"Come again?"

"The term of the duel. A normal duel doesn't require a document, but a duel involving death does. What are both sides wagering?"

"I don't have the contract with me at the moment.. Your Highness.."

"I declare it void."

"Your Highness.."

"I declare the duel void. Did you not hear me?"

The royal family's words were absolute. That was how it worked in law. And even if Evelyn didn't have real authority to break a contract, all she needed was to rile up the royal court or her father to make it happen for her.

"..."

"Your purpose is to avoid the information from leaking for a duration of time. As the document has been signed by both parties, if you remain silent about the matter, the other party would not know that the contract has been annulled by me. There is no need to risk the life of the other party, Sequencee can simply knock him out and then duel shall end there."

"Yes.. Your Highness.."

"Where is the contract?"

"It's in Her Highness Titania's possession."

"Sir Trhumen, thank you for your time you may be dismissed."

"..."

Evelyn grabbed Sequencee by the arm and pulled him out of the room.

"Were you not aware that they could've simply put him to sleep if they really wanted to keep the information from leaking? What were you thinking when you declared the duel? There are other methods you could use, you just had to choose the most problematic one."

"The contents of the document. If I win, the entire county will stop trying to bother Leticia."

"That's the term you set?"

"Yes."

"... I'll look over the document once."

The two of them headed to the waiting room for the students of Eluive Academy. Walking down the hall, some of the students who noticed Sequencee together with Evelyn greeted them with respect. As they passed, a perplexed expression surfaced on their faces.

A new rumor was going to spread– in fact, the scene caused at the registration booths earlier had already sparked the flames.

They opened the door to the exclusive viewing seats located inside a boxed glass room. It gave a wonderful view of the battlefield, but– Titania wasn't in. It was a shock to many of the high authoritarians, high nobles and even princesses of the other nations that the imperial princess had graced them with her presence. Sequencee of course, felt unnerved, seeing so many powerful people in one room.

Evelyn spent some time exchanging pleasantries, but she didn't forget her purpose. She asked if they knew where Titania was– but the response was lackluster. The biggest possibility, mentioned by one of the princess', was that Her Highness Titania is in the lounge accompanying her students.

Leaving with thanks, the two headed to the individual academy lounges.

"Do you know what I'm most afraid of right now?" Evelyn asked.

"No."

"That they've added something to the contract that'll put you at a disadvantage. The papers have already been bound by contract magic, correct?"

"..Yes."

"There are many loopholes one can use to take advantage of people. While I may not be the best at contracts, I'm aware of how it works."

"I know that.."

"If you don't kill him, the contract will not come into effect. If you revive him, depending on whether you have an additional clause clarifying the matter of revival, it would create a discrepancy."

'There's no amnesty part of the contract.. which means I'll actually have to kill him. The contract said nothing about what would happen if we revive him after his death..'

"Moreover, what if they're just trying to get you to kill him? As far as I know, calling a high priest with the ability to revive someone should be impossible on such a short notice. Who exactly is supplying the healers?"

'Wouldn't there typically be high priests around a big tournament like this? After all, there are chances that people would be injured despite precautions.'

".. I'm not sure."

"What if they couldn't revive him? What would happen then? More so.. what would people think of you when they see that you've killed someone?"

Sequencee thought to ask Iona about Titania's location but remembering how she was here to guard against intruders, Sequencee decided not to.

"I need to get to the contract before the duel begins, otherwise I won't be able to rectify it," Evelyn gritted her teeth.

"Ah, Your Highness!"

"Linton."

"Oh, Sequencee too. Hello!"

They bumped into Linton and Linzy.

"Congratulations on your win Sequencee! Never thought you'd actually beat us!" Linton's tail wagged, Linzy's expression was dark.

They looked like siblings alright.

"Thanks.."

"Linton, do you have a gift to find people?" Evelyn asked.

"Find people? No. But I have a good sixth sense. Who are you trying to find?"

"Remember the elf princess?"

"Her Highness Titania?"

"Yes, her."

"Just earlier, we met her. She said she went to find some higher up people. Oh, also, Sequencee, why do you have a duel?"

"Which direction did she go?"

"She went there, and I don't know the rest," Linton pointed to the right.

It was the direction leading to the tournament committee's boardroom.

["Ladies and gentleman! Thank you for coming in celebration of the first ever tournament for the New Dawn..!"]

The event was beginning–

"Sequencee.. I think you should go prepare yourself now. It's the first event. I'll try my best to find the contract," Evelyn's voice trembled.

"Got it."

Evelyn looked into his eyes.

"Please be careful.."

It was too late to stop the duel now.