Chapter 135: The Former Marquise’s Brilliant Method 8
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And so, I was knocked to the ground in three exchanges.
After talking such a big game, only lasting three exchanges would normally make someone depressed, I suppose.
But that was impossible.
No, really, facing that was obviously impossible. Just managing to exchange blows three times deserves an award.
Right from the first exchange, something outrageous came at me.
Solntseri’s Sacred Sword, Rainivati. A Magic Sword, and a Magic Tool for using Space-Time Magic—a magic that even Erica-san says she can’t use properly.
Erica-san’s strike, with the blade coated in a film of Space-Time Magic, was absolutely no joke.
When I asked, she said that swinging the Sword like that normally would obviously break it. A strike unleashed with such power, enough for Erica-san to say that, was more than enough to make the idiot who blocked it head-on with his Sword regret it.
If there hadn’t been solid bedrock beneath the ground where I stood, it wouldn’t have been strange if I’d sunk into the earth. In fact, without it, I wouldn’t have been able to withstand that first blow.
Naturally, my arms, having blocked something like that head-on, were useless. Just managing two more exchanges after that makes me want to praise my own body.
My thrust aimed at her shoulder, something close to a sore loser’s move, was naturally dodged lightly, merely causing a few strands of Erica-san’s hair to flutter.
Satisfied with the ending—being kicked to the ground by Erica-san, a long-held dream of mine—I looked up at Erica-san, who was making a small fist pump.
Noticing my gaze, Erica-san looked away shyly.
“Did I get too carried away?”
Why ask me that?
“As the one who was easily knocked down, I’m actually relieved that you got even a little carried away.”
Honestly, I was a little scared that when I opened my eyes, I’d find Erica-san looking down at me with cold eyes.
The part of me thinking, ‘That wouldn’t be so bad either,’ is being ignored.
“Easily, you say.”
Erica-san gave a wry smile as she offered me her hand.
“That strike was made fully prepared to break the Sword if necessary, you know?”
Hey, hey, being prepared to break Solntseri’s Sacred Sword during a Promotion Exam is going too far.
As I took Erica-san’s hand and grumbled, she looked offended.
“Taking an attitude that gets a lady all worked up and then saying that isn’t very manly, is it, My Lord?”
I see—so it’s my fault—
While thinking that, for some reason, Erica-san’s strangely alluring gesture made my heart pound.
Anyway.
Erica-san stroked her hair with one hand.
“Um… do you think hair is part of the face? No, I don’t mean anything by it, but…”
What’s this? Is it some kind of riddle?
“Hair is… well, hair, I think?”
Unable to grasp the meaning, I answered honestly.
“Well, yes, that’s right, isn’t it? Hair is hair.”
Erica-san stated the obvious, looking slightly dejected.
While I was inwardly tilting my head, confused about the meaning of Erica-san’s question, she regained her composure.
“Still…”
Erica-san pulled me fully to my feet.
“I was more surprised that you were still hiding such an ability. Just how many hidden cards do you have?”
I tilted my head, brushing the dirt off my trousers.
What’s she talking about?
Seeing me like that, Erica-san made a strange face.
“Surely not… Was it unconscious?”
“What was?”
Since I didn’t understand, I asked honestly, and Erica-san sighed.
“Knowing you, you probably think there just happened to be some hard rock under the ground by chance.”
Being praised for my good luck made me happy.
“I am lucky. After all, I managed to marry the best woman in the world.”
Erica-san covered her face with one hand as if enduring a headache.
Honestly, you…
Lately, I’ve secretly started to think that I really do want Erica-san to like me.
I realized it after trading blows with the Gemstone Dragon. Even if I get rejected, what I like, I like.
Trying to be satisfied with just the good fortune that cleverly fell into my lap wasn’t like me.
Act noble-like, with courtesy and moderation, not desperately, gracefully, maintaining a smile even when rejected by the object of one’s affection, without excessive attachment.
Am I an idiot?
Am I a noble or something?
Oh right, I am a noble.
Anyway, having been rejected once by Erica-san, I’m now trying my best to get her to like me.
Right now, I’m practicing complimenting her. Incidentally, I’m also thinking I want to send her Flowers.
Erica-san put on a noble-like smile, her emotions unreadable.
“You should say those things to the one you love, you know?”
I get bluntly rejected.
Ah well, if I’ve been rejected once, being rejected any number of times is the same.
Eguchi-kun from the academy used to say it too: Don’t flinch, push forward.
Though