Chapter 85: A Challenge from a Lowly Noble
“Hey, you!”
“Hmm…?”
Just as I was about to head home, a rough voice called out to me. Turning around, I found a young man standing there, two or three years older than me.
“You’re the one called Rest, right? The fiancé of Lady Viola and Lady Primula?”
“That’s correct… but who are you?”
“I’m Nick Vale. A member of the Rosemary Marquisate’s retainer group!”
I had heard the name Vale before. It belonged to a noble family that was a subordinate to the Rosemary Marquis House. The terms Yorioya (upper noble) and Yoriko (lower noble) define the hierarchical relationship among nobles, where higher-ranking nobles supervise and protect those of lower rank. While there isn’t a strict master-servant relationship like that between the royal family and the nobility, many lower nobles often regard their upper nobles as their main house. The Marquis, being the highest noble title aside from the Duke, who is a relative of the royal family, tends to have many lower nobles under his wing.
“Let me make this clear… I don’t acknowledge you! There’s no way I’ll allow a nobody like you to marry those two ladies!”
Nick, the young man, glared at me with narrowed eyes, his voice filled with anger. Behind him stood several other young men, all of them glaring at me in a similar fashion.
(Ah… well, I can’t really blame them, can I?)
I couldn’t help but smile wryly. Regardless of whether Nick and the others had the right to criticize someone recognized as a son-in-law by Albert, the head of the main house, I understood their feelings all too well. It was akin to a nerdy background character suddenly dating the school’s Madonna. For the other boys, it must have been hard to accept.
(I’m marrying women as remarkable as Viola and Primula. Naturally, I have to accept the jealousy of other men.)
“I see… so what do you intend to do since you don’t acknowledge me?”
Are you really challenging me to a fight? If that’s the case, I’ll have to show them I won’t be looked down upon.
“Let’s race!”
“…Race?”
I understood the concept of a challenge, but did he really just suggest a race?
“Exactly! From here to the lord’s mansion in the Rosemary Marquisate, we’ll see who gets there first! If I arrive first, you have to withdraw as the ladies’ fiancé!”
“…A race? That’s surprisingly peaceful.”
“Of course! There’s no way I’d resort to violence against a younger magician who’s on my side!”
Nick placed his hands on his hips, puffing out his chest in a defiant manner. He seemed to have some behavioral issues, but he didn’t appear to be a bad person at heart.
“Well… I don’t mind racing, but I can’t withdraw as their fiancé.”
“What did you say!?”
“Well, the engagement has already been discussed with the ladies and the lord, and the formalities have been completed. Neither you nor I can just cancel it on a whim, can we?”
“Ugh…”
When I presented my reasoning, Nick seemed to falter slightly.
“…That’s true. But I still want you to race me. I can’t just lower my raised fist now!”
“That’s fine by me.”
In fact, this was a good opportunity. I needed to earn the recognition of the retainers and lower nobles of the Rosemary Marquis House as I married into the family. Having a chance to demonstrate my abilities was just what I needed.
“While I can’t withdraw from the engagement… if I lose, I don’t mind reporting to the lord that I might not be worthy of being his daughter’s fiancé.”
“You said it… then let’s get started right away!”
“I’m in too!”
“Count me in!”
Other young men of the same age raised their hands to join. They too must have been vying for the position of the Rosemary Sisters’ fiancé. Seeing this as a good opportunity to showcase their strength, they insisted on participating in the race.
“Hahaha! Young folks are full of energy!”
“Brings back memories… we used to challenge Albert like this too!”
“Shall we place bets on who will take first place? I’m betting on Dibble’s apprentice!”
Meanwhile, the older magicians watching from the sidelines chuckled warmly. Perhaps this was a customary event for the Rosemary Marquis House?
(The Rosemary Marquis House is renowned for magic, but it seems to have quite a few muscle-headed individuals… especially since the lady of the house is a wild boar herself…)
I felt a bit exasperated, but I preferred this straightforward challenge over any underhanded harassment or backbiting. I lightly stretched my limbs, preparing for the race.
“Alright… let’s begin! Are you all ready!?”
Nick signaled to one of the older magicians. The magician nodded and raised his right hand.
“Everyone, on your marks… start!”
“[Accelerate]!”
“[Body Enhancement]!”
As the older magician gave the signal, the young magicians took off running all at once. They used body enhancement magic to kick off the ground and sprint at incredible speeds.
“[Body Enhancement]! [Accelerate]!”
Amidst them, Nick used two spells in parallel, sprinting ahead of the pack. As expected, he could perform a duet of magic spells.
“Here comes the start dash! I’ll leave them in the dust and reach the goal…!”
“[High Accelerator]!”
However, just as Nick was boasting, I zipped past him like a bolt of lightning.
“‘What…?’”
The sheer speed left the participants of the race dumbfounded, their eyes wide as they watched my retreating figure disappear into the distance.