**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, a couple of years older than me.
“You’re Rest, right? The fiancé of Lady Viola and Lady Primula?”
“That’s correct… but who are you?”
“I’m Nick Beyle, a member of the House of Marquis Rosemary’s retinue!”
I had heard the name Beyle before. It belonged to a noble family that was a vassal of the House of Marquis Rosemary. The terms “patron family” and “vassal family” refer to the hierarchical relationships 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, vassal families often regard their patron family as their main house. Since a marquis holds the highest rank among nobles, aside from dukes who are related to the royal family, they tend to have many vassals.
“I’ll tell you this… I don’t recognize you! There’s no way I’ll allow a nobody like you to marry both ladies!”
Nick, the young man, glared at me with narrowed eyes, shouting angrily. Behind him stood several other young men, all of them glaring at me as well.
(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 me, as the son-in-law recognized by the head of the family, Albert, I understood their feelings very well. It was akin to a scenario from my previous life, where the school’s Madonna started dating an unnoticed nerd in class. For the other boys around, 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 plan to do since you don’t recognize me?”
Are you really challenging me to a fight? If that’s the case, I’ll have to teach you a lesson to avoid being looked down upon.
“Let’s have a race!”
“…A race?”
I understood the concept of a challenge, but did he really just propose a race?
“That’s right! We’ll race from here to the Marquis’s residence in the Rosemary territory! If I get there first, you have to withdraw as the ladies’ fiancé!”
“…A race is surprisingly peaceful, isn’t it?”
“Of course! There’s no way I’d resort to violence against a younger mage who’s on my side!”
Nick placed his hands on his hips, puffing out his chest in a defiant manner. Although he seemed to have some behavioral issues, he didn’t appear to be a bad person at heart.
“Well… I don’t mind racing, but I can’t withdraw from the engagement.”
“What did you say!?”
“No, the engagement has already been discussed with the ladies and their father, and the formalities are complete. Neither you nor I can just cancel it on a whim, can we?”
“Ugh…”
When I spoke the truth, Nick seemed to falter slightly.
“…That’s true. But you’re still going to race me! I can’t just back down after raising my fist!”
“That’s fine by me.”
In fact, this was a good opportunity. I needed to gain the recognition of the retinue and the vassal nobles as I married into the House of Marquis Rosemary. Having a chance to demonstrate my abilities like this was just what I wanted.
“I can’t withdraw from the engagement, but if I lose, I’ll inform your 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!”
“I’ll join as well!”
Other young men of the same age raised their hands to join. They must have been vying for the position of the Rosemary Sisters’ fiancé as well. Seizing the opportunity to showcase their strength, they insisted on participating in the race.
“Hahaha! It’s great to see the youth so spirited!”
“It takes me back… we used to challenge Albert like this!”
“Shall we place bets on who will win? I’m backing Diable’s apprentice!”
Meanwhile, the older mages watching from the sidelines chuckled warmly. Perhaps this was a customary event for the House of Marquis Rosemary?
(The House of Marquis Rosemary is renowned for magic, but it seems they have quite a few muscle-headed individuals… especially since the lady of the house is a wild boar…)
I felt a bit exasperated, but I preferred this straightforward challenge over the insidious harassment and gossip that could have been directed at me. I lightly stretched my limbs, preparing for the race.
“Alright… let’s get started! Are you all ready!?”
Nick signaled to one of the older mages. The mage nodded and raised his right hand.
“Everyone, on your marks… start!”
“【Accelerator】!”
“【Body Enhancement】!”
At the mage’s signal, the young mages dashed forward all at once. Using magic to enhance their bodies, they kicked off the ground and sprinted at breakneck speed.
“【Body Enhancement】! 【Accelerator】!”
Amidst them, Nick used both spells in parallel, sprinting ahead of the pack. As expected, he was capable of casting dual magic.
“Here comes the start dash! I’ll blast ahead and reach the goal…!”
“【High Accelerator】!”
Though Nick was running proudly, I zipped past him like a bolt of lightning.
“「「「「「Huh…?」」」」」
The sheer speed left the participants of the race dumbfounded, watching my retreating figure with wide eyes.