“Duel? You want me to take up a sword against a woman?”

“If you wish, I can duel you with wooden swords, but are you that scared?”

Conrad furrowed his brows as if he was taken aback. Above his face, Ian’s face, which had looked delighted at my sudden offer to spar, came to mind.

What if Ian had been here? Just imagining his reaction made me almost laugh for some reason.

“Do I look like I’m scared right now? I’m trying to be considerate of you.”

“Oh, considerate?”

It seems like something I should be bestowing upon you, doesn’t it?

“Yes. I’m known for my skill within the Guardian Knights…”

“Fine. Let’s not show any mercy during the duel.”

Conrad spoke, beating his chest as if he was frustrated.

“I have no intention of dueling you…”

“Official duels should be in the arena, but it seems you have no intention of going there, so we have no choice.”

As I casually picked up the sword I had stuck in the ground, Conrad raised both hands as if he had no intention of fighting.

“You really want to duel me? What kind of confidence is this?”

“Everything will become clear once our swords clash.”

Conrad pressed his forehead with an awkward expression. Then a knight from the Guardian Knights who had been standing next to him spoke.

“Sir Conrad, if it’s your wish to cross swords, please grant it once.”

The one who reacted angrily to that statement was Simon.

“You, on the other hand, should consider it an honor to cross swords with Senior Rosebelia Winters.”

“Sir Conrad should consider it an honor?”

“Senior Rosebelia Winters does not accept duels.”

“Isn’t that because she’s afraid her true ability will be revealed?”

“It’s the opposite! She’s too strong, so she avoids duels.”

A Guardian Knight scoffed as if there was no worth in arguing.

It seemed like it might turn into a battle between the White Knights and the Guardian Knights, so Conrad glanced at Rinart. Rinart, who had been standing with a stern face, spoke.

“Everything will become clear once the swords are crossed, as Lady Rosebelia said. It’s up to the knight, but to me, refusing a duel looks like running away.”

“I’m not running away…”

As Conrad trailed off, Rinart spoke again.

“Is there anyone here who has another complaint about calling the female knights ‘Sir’ except Sir Conrad?”

There was no answer to Rinart’s question.

Looking at the faces of the Guardian Knights, they didn’t seem eager, but it seemed that none of them had the courage to come forward like Conrad.

Since even the Emperor had referred to her as ‘Sir,’ it would be awkward to refuse.

“If Sir Conrad wins, you may call the female knights whatever you like. But if I win, all female knights must be properly referred to as ‘Sir.'”

Since Conrad seemed to acknowledge my skills, if I proved by defeating him that I was better, surely the other knights would follow without objection.

Once that judgment was made, my mind filled with a desire to end this duel quickly.

“…”

I spoke to Conrad, who still seemed hesitant.

“Sir Conrad, you’ll regret it if you don’t draw your sword now.”

Conrad sighed deeply and drew his sword from its sheath. The Guardian Knights standing around discreetly stepped back, creating a fairly large space.

It was then, as I glanced up at the darkening sky and adjusted my grip on my sword.

“What are you doing here now?”

Could it be, this voice.

“I greet Commander Gabriel.”

Upon hearing Rinart’s voice, I closed my eyes tightly.

“Rosebelia, explain what’s going on.”

“I have challenged Sir Conrad Piers to a duel.”

“A duel?”

“Sir Conrad here says that he cannot call a female knight ‘Sir,’ so…”

Gabriel raised his hand as if to tell me that I needn’t say more. He then turned his gaze straight to Conrad.

“Why are you doing this here? Why not go to the arena.”
I was not the only one surprised by the unexpected words. Conrad opened his mouth, tilting his head as if he could not understand Gabriel’s words at all.

“Commander, my name is Conrad Piers of the Guardian Knights. A knight from the White Knight Order may get hurt, so why don’t you stop it?”

“Heh heh. Who said someone got hurt? There won’t be such a thing, so stop worrying unnecessarily.”

“Yes?”

“You will surely regret it if you do not take this duel seriously. So approach it with sincerity.”

The playful look in Gabriel’s eyes turned fierce in an instant.

“What is this…”

Gabriel abruptly turned towards Linart, as if not wanting to talk anymore.

At that moment, Gabriel’s cloak brushed over Conrad’s face, and the corner of Simon’s mouth twitched as he watched from the other side.

Anyway, I can’t stop it.

“How about having the duel at the arena at noon? I’ll introduce Rosebelia.”

“Then, I will introduce Sir Conrad.”

Gabriel spoke, and Linart also stepped forward. Conrad’s face was turning pale as the situation escalated more than he had expected.

“No, I…”

“See you at the arena, Sir Conrad.”

Leaving Conrad with his mouth agape, I followed Gabriel towards the main building.

“I apologize, Commander.”