Chapter 49
Pushing through the crowd, I saw my beautiful Sister Elizabeth being held by both arms by a greasy old man who looked like he'd enjoy lewd and humiliating play.
No! I have to help her quickly!
Elizabeth is supposedly a Pentagon magician. She wouldn't lose so easily, but with both arms restrained, she can't hold her staff or use magic.
"I don't care about that! There's a woman here who's clearly unwilling! That's all that matters!"
Meanwhile, the handsome man trying to save Elizabeth was tall with a dignified face.
"Lady Elizabeth and I are already engaged... Right, isn't that so?"
The greasy, frog-faced man leaned in close, making Elizabeth turn her face away sharply.
Engaged?
I've never heard anything about that.......
"That arrangement was *voided*!"
"No, it's still valid."
"Then I shall nullify it here and now!"
"Are you *sure* you can say that? Do you realize how much the Silver family supports the Goldens?"
"That's......"
Elizabeth's words caught in her throat.
That damn frog bastard's *disgusting*!
He's threatening her using economic leverage.
Japan or here—some things *never* change, huh?
"Elizabeth. You've been cold to me at work too. From today, you'll *properly* act as my fiancée."
"I'm *cold* because you can't keep your hands to yourself!"
The handsome man boldly retorted.
So the frog bastard's a sleazy-looking harassment-prone creep.
*Total* scum.......
"My lady."
Turning around, I found Clarice standing behind us.
"Clarice, why are you here?"
"Lady Misa insisted on seeing you all at the ball, so I obtained special permission to enter. Now, my lady—why is Beske Silver doing *that*?"
"He suddenly claimed he's Sister Elizabeth's fiancé!"
"He's *still* saying that?"
"That engagement was *definitely* canceled, right?"
"Of course. It was merely a political gesture."
"That's a relief......"
The slimy frog bastard licked his lips, eyeing Elizabeth like prey, ready to sink his teeth into her arm.
"Let *go*, you *frog*!"
Finally at her limit, Elizabeth glared with her usual defiance. But the man ignored it, circling behind her to press his face against her neck.
I gathered mana to cast *Air Hammer*.
"You *filth*! Duel me *now*!"
The handsome man aimed his staff at the frog bastard.
A duel? *So cool*—
For now, I dispersed the gathered mana.
"Stop, Lord Hamil!"
"Hmm, a duel? No point. Elizabeth and I are *already* engaged."
"*That* was *voided*!"
"Oh? Then I suppose our *support* ends here."
Watching the scene unfold, I whispered to Clarice:
"Is our family *that* dependent on his support?"
"This year, *especially*. The Golden mines are understaffed—workers keep collapsing from that flu."
"But if Father finds out......"
"That creep'll be *buried*."
"Right?"
Elizabeth, nearly in tears, shouted at Hamil:
"Enough! This is *my* problem—I'll handle it!"
"But......!"
"I appreciate your concern."
"I *can't* walk away!"
"As your *peer*, I advise you *not* to interfere further."
"Lady Elizabeth!"
*No, Sister! Not like that—bat your eyelashes and whisper "Help me..."!*
"Sister *Elizabeth*!"
I blurted it out.
Catching my frantic winks, Elizabeth flushed crimson, then shot me a look: *Seriously?* I nodded.
Hesitating, she lowered her eyes—then looked up and opened her mouth.
But she faltered, words dying.
"What's *wrong*, Elizabeth? Let's *discuss love* in the garden."
The frog bastard yanked her arm—
—she stumbled, falling onto her skirt, exposing her legs. The crowd gasped. *Rude*, but *stunning*.
Finally resolved, she peered up shyly at Hamil.
"L-Lord Hamil...... p-please...... help me......"
The sheer *cuteness*—men froze, women clutched their cheeks. *Elizabeth*, sharp-tongued and proud, pleading with teary eyes? *Of course* it worked. Hamil, dazed, stepped toward the frog.
"*Fight me* like a man, Beske Silver!"
*Perfect*!
Elizabeth was paralyzed—not by the frog's creepiness, but by her own *line*.
The frog dodged the challenge. Boos erupted. This is *Greifner*—refusing a duel *publicly* is *shameful*.
"My lady."
Clarice leaned in, her face pale.
Urgent. *Unusual*.
"What's wrong?"
"I've realized something... *grave*."
"What?"
"I *hoped* I was wrong. But my knowledge, experience, judgment—*all* point to one conclusion. My lady... it's *unthinkable*."
"*What*? Be *clear*."
"My lady......"
She gulped.
I leaned closer.
Her panic was *rare*.
"That man......"
"Yes......?"
"That man is......"
She nodded slowly, like sand in an hourglass.
*What the hell, Clarice?!*
"I *doubted* it at first......"
I pressed closer.
Maybe I *shouldn't* hear this.
"That man......"
"Yes......?"
"That *disgusting frog*......"
"The disgusting frog is......"
"*Definitely*......"
"*Definitely*......?"
I swallowed hard, tense.
Clarice screamed in a whisper—a strangely skillful shout.
"It's the wiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiig!!!!!!!!!!"
——the wiiiiiiiiiiiig
——the wiiiiiig
——wiiiiig
——iiiiig......
——iiig......
——ig......
"......"
"............"
"WHAAAAAT THE HEEEEEEEEEEEELL!?!?"
Clarice's words echoed in my ears.