Chapter 28: Reactions

Chapter 28: Reactions

~Third POV~

Listening to the news of Julius one of the proclaimed strongest knights losing a duel he requested shocked a few people within the parade grounds as murmurs and rumors were already spreading about this.

Roswaal who was speaking to Miklotove saw the reactions of his guest defeating Julius seizing the chance to help Emilia favor without hesitation, "Quiiite good, isn't heee? To be able to beeeest Julius is surely no small feat."

Miklotove answered as his eyes widened seeing how Julius one of their promising Knights in the Kingdom lost the mock duel to this extent, "He certainly is. His magic is very… curious to say the least. To battle against Sir Juukulius so easily is no easy feat. Where exactly did you find such an individual Roswaal?"

The court mage put a finger to his chin, uttering a long and less than dignified tone of his response, "Hmmmmmmm, oddly enough it was him who came to Lady Emilia by the work of fate saving her from a tragic faaaaate. I suppose I'm luuuuuuky that Emilia made a verrrry strong ally."

To the side, Crusch moved next to Felix, whose ears were twitching as she began her eyes glued to the spectacle in front of her, "Felix."

Her knight answered in a serious tone, "Yes, Lady Crusch-sama?"

Crusch remaining in a calm tone asked examining the scene wishing for information, "What can you tell happened in the very short minutes that this match occurred?"

Felix simply nodded as he replied in a serious tone about Mash getting scolded by Emilia in a new light, "He's a Yin Magic user using Yin Magic I haven't seen before. And saw nothing except him commanding the shadows putting Julius in this state with a full-blown [Shamak] spell concealing his moves."

Crusch nodded slowly taking time to adjust to the unknown that is Mash Bastion Emilia's friend in a new light, 'He kept his real fangs hidden purposely using [Shamak] on everyone without seeing what happened. Tch. The man is surely something to be reckoned with even in a mock match winning now showed Julius is having his reputation damaged. And here I thought it would be Roswaal that posed a challenge… I underestimated Emilia-san's follower.'

But the young duchess wasn't the only one deep in thought. Anastasia watched the results of Julius' scene unfold with a small smile on her face. Showing emotions when around rivals was a foolish and amateur move, something she had long gotten rid of.

It took many years to perfect her kind and warm expression, but Mash managed to damage her campaign with how rumors and tales of him toying with her knight seemed to have been beaten up to unconsciousness.

How was she supposed to predict that her knight, the finest of knights, would lose to some random stranger? Her confidence was misplaced, and Julius turned out to hardly be a match for their newest adversary Emilia's follower Mash Bastion.

Anastasia examined Mash in a new light like the duchess as a force to not be taken lightly in a serious tone in her thoughts, 'He heard of Julius' reputation and planned accordingly. To even take in Julius' personality upsetting him as part of the plan… Quite scary, this one. I've gotta stay sharp. Julius played right into his hands so far. A very scary enemy to handle.'

Of course, there was major heartache involved in watching the results. Yet the reputation of her knight as the virtuous one who can hardly lose, the reputation she was in part hoping to base her campaign on, would no longer be able to be the backbone of her plan.

Back next to Roswaal, Emilia looked on as Mash established his superiority and was a bit surprised, he even won since the whole reason she came was because a Knight overconfidently thought that Julius would make it so one-sided. Now that wasn't the case as the mock match came in Mash's favor.

Reinhard from her right soon responded getting Mash's attention with his words, "He's quite something. Not many could defeat Julius so handily."

Emilia nodded but Mash corrected them shaking his head at the whole match against Julius in a tired tone, "Not really. I only got Julius because he was overconfident with pride in being a Knight that I managed to win. Ever heard the saying pride before the fall? If he was serious to begin with then our roles would've been reversed."

Their eyes turned towards Mash as he replied shrugging his shoulders dissuading any rumors going on, "I mean I know I'm strong but not that strong against Julius. I simply got lucky taking advantage of his pride and arrogance working in my favor and surprising him. If he said no to no magic, then I would've been defeated."

Both nodded at his words being genuinely honest as Reinhard sighed glancing at his friend being taken away to be treated by Felix on the side shaking his head, "I know he can be quite protective of a Knights honor. But I do think that Sir Julius may have overstepped their boundaries a bit, but maybe I should have stopped Julius. Then again, he did need to get slightly grounded. He'd rush off to the other side of the country to find someone who insulted us knights otherwise."

Julius was always a good friend of Reinhard, one of his best, but his almost obsessive defense of knighthood and honor could be a bit much at times.

However, Mash eyes Crusch both gazes meeting each other as he grinned before excusing Reinhard holding Emilia's hand in a polite tone, "No problem then. By the way, I look forward to when we meet again, Reinhard. And hopefully, your lady will agree to an alliance later."

Mash finished saying his words, waving the Sword Saint goodbye. Once the knight was off, Mash quickly turned to Emilia, saying to her in a kind tone, "Now then with this day almost done with I think it's time to discuss some business with Crusch. I have an offer she can't refuse and will help strengthen your campaign."

Emilia was surprised but seeing the Royal Selection began trusting her friend's words curious about the deal as well, "Oh really? Well, I can trust you Mash-san. You've been helping me a lot and you wouldn't mean anything bad right?"

He nodded as he looked for the other candidates gathered here. Only Crusch and Priscilla seemed to be around as Anastasia left to see to her Knights recovery.

First, he walked up towards Crusch as he began to talk to her showing a light bow of respect, and said seemingly stunned her, "Hello Lady Karsten, I've wanted to know if you want to negotiate an alliance between the Emilia and Crusch Camps on equal terms!"

His words seemed to stun Emilia listening as well and Crusch examined his words replying out of curiosity, "On equal terms an alliance huh? Am I to assume that the authority to negotiate this alliance has been passed on to you from your Lord?"

Roswaal nearby listens intently to Mash's words smiling as he gives his permission in a serious tone, "Well I don't see howwwww in any way I could possiblyyyy lose out in this ordeal. Any of his words will count as my own."

Mash nodded in understanding as he began his sale towards Crusch listening to his words with mild interest, "I can be pretty useful. I even know something that you'd find yourself extremely interested in."

Doubt in her voice Crusch calmly raises an eyebrow questioning Mash's words in a doubtful tone, "Interesting? How so? What could you possibly say that is valuable to me?"

Opening his mouth forming a grin made Crusch's eyes widen in disbelief not sensing any lie coming out from his mouth as his grin widened pointing his finger at his head, "Like how you need directions to the White Whale operations and abilities of the beast."

She then narrows her eyes in seriousness before scrunching her eyebrows together in confusion, "You didn't lie, but that's also suspicious. And I've never met you before, how could you possibly have known?"

Roswaal smirked seeing this interaction Emilia was impressed as Mash continued speaking in a calm tone, "If you want to speak on this subject I would suggest in a private matter. Maybe you could invite me over in 2 days."

Crusch questions Mash with a sharp gaze trying to intimidate him, "Why 2 days? Why not right now?"

Mash replied in a deadpan tone gesturing to the people listening to their conversation in a blunt tone, "Because we're in the castle and my information could tilt the standing between candidates massively in your favor. Why would I not want to take advantage of that?"

Crusch goes silent in thought as she nods her head towards Mash looking towards Roswaal in a curious tone, "He is a very interesting person. Could you perhaps give him over to me for the time being?"

Roswaal crossed his arms as he explained to the Duchess in a casual tone, "Sorrrrry, but I don't command him as he a guest. He is as free as he can be…"

Crusch seeing this turns to Mash but quickly denies it crossing his arms together in a deadpan tone, "Sorry my Lady but I'm a friend of Emilia and a casual freeloader. But for now, something important I must do needs to be addressed –"

*Tmp*

However, an arrogant tone from Priscilla interrupted their talks stepping forward and making her presence known, "Commoner, I see you managed to avoid me mongrel. But the show you put on was very entertaining to watch you flail and win."

Crusch raises an eyebrow as Priscilla smirks at the fanning herself in a proudful tone an offer towards Mash, "You provided quite the show mongrel. Thus, I your future ruler shall grant you the right to come to my side. After all, it's not too late for you to leave that half-elf side and join the winning team."

Mash gave her a deadpan expression turning around and offering his hand in a respectful tone to Emilia, "Well since the event is done. It's only proper for a gentleman to lead you back Emilia-san. Shall we? I'm sure Rem is already getting impatient."

Emilia blinked at this but seeing people trying to poach Mash her friend from her fellow candidates took this moment to leave with a smile on her face, "Indeed, let's go."

Both casually ignored Priscilla much to her surprise Mash ignored her to leer at the boy making Priscilla grin at this turning around and addressing her Knight, "Al I think I had enough fun for the evening. The best I've seen no thanks to that Commoner. Sooner or later that mongrel will follow the true winning team."

Crusch sees Roswaal leave closely behind with Emilia and Mash sighing out loud with a bemused smirk on their face, "Sigh… such a shame to lose a very important discussion. But I suppose I can wait till he comes to us."

Turning around to leave the event of the Royal Selection has only just begun along with other events beginning to unfold…

/////

Inside the hotel room, Mash looks at his arm shaking as he clenches it muttering to himself in worry and concern, "Am I that afraid to face the challenge ahead?"

Images of possible failure if Mash fails to help Crusch enter his mind. But most prominent the Witch Cult comes to his mind paling remembering where Subaru failed having the villagers killed. Or where Puck kills Subaru for failing to keep Emilia safe.

Clouded with doubt and fear of possible death Mash frowned trying to go to sleep. But the sensation and possible failure of death clouds his judgment muttering, "I mean… running away is another option right…"

Turning around on his bed Mash looked at the window showing the moonlight sky pondering to himself out loud his eyes wary closing them before going to sleep, "I mean… giving up isn't a bad thing, right? But then what will happen to them if I fail…. They will die if I don't do something…"

Closing his eyes and going to sleep Mash's mind was conflicted about the of possibilities failing. Doubting his unwavering confidence in handling the situation…