Chapter 183
Somehow, time flies by in the blink of an eye when you're busy with all sorts of things.
Troubles really are time thieves—just dealing with them steals away your precious moments.
Sigh, "Did I manage to make it in time?" "Liberta-sama, you’ve worked hard." "Yeah, Liberta, you’ve been really busy lately, huh?" "Ah, between preparing for Amina’s live performance, training Nel in combat, and sacrificing my own leveling time to draft the Duke’s civil officer training plan… I seriously wished I had a clone skill."
This is the coliseum. There are no spectators. Only those connected to the two families are present.
I’m seated in the best spot overlooking the arena—technically, it’s a corner of the Edelgard Ducal House’s section.
Gazing down at the empty coliseum, I let out a sigh. Just thinking about what’s coming next makes the stress pile up even more.
"Claudia is with Nel, right?" "Yes. Additionally, His Grace the Duke has provided soldiers for her escort." "We’ll need to stay vigilant against any underhanded tactics. They’ve already tried all sorts of interference."
Most of this stress comes from the duel, so you’d think I’d feel a little lighter knowing it’ll all be over today, but—
"Ugh, my stomach hurts." "Would you like a potion?" "Too much isn’t good for you, so I’ll pass for now."
Just thinking about the duel about to begin makes my stomach ache. Even though I’ve leveled up and strengthened my body, stress still eats away at you.
Maybe I should’ve just fought myself if it was going to be this nerve-wracking.
"Are you concerned about the other side’s situation?" "Yeah."
The desire to see the full picture of this duel with my own eyes won out, so I secured this spot where I can oversee both families.
"Whoa, the other side looks super gloomy." "Is it because their whole life depends on this fight?" "His complexion looks like he’s about to collapse."
Unlike the relaxed atmosphere of the Edelgard Ducal House’s camp, the noble family from the eastern continent on the opposite side of the coliseum is eerily quiet.
"So that’s the cheating bastard, huh?"
Next to a fidgety, restless man stands a bespectacled guy I recognize, looking solemn. On the other side of the chair sits another familiar face—pink hair.
His face is a bit younger than in the original, but there’s no mistaking him.
"An acquaintance?" "More like someone I’d rather not know."
My words must’ve carried too much emotion because Amina asked if I knew him. I do know him—but not in a way I’d ever want to be associated with—so I quietly avert my gaze.
"Our side’s security is pretty heavy too." "The head of the ducal house is here. This is actually on the lighter side."
My gaze shifts to the Edelgard Ducal House’s camp.
A tent is set up with chairs underneath, where the Duke and Lady Esmeralda are seated.
Both are dressed in formal attire, exuding an aura of nobility. Lady Esmeralda, in particular, has been undergoing daily "beauty enhancements" by the maids up until today, and the result is… striking. The stares from the spoiled brat across the way are downright intense.
He doesn’t even notice the icy glare from the pink-haired lady beside him.
Satisfied after observing the two, I nod to myself and turn my attention away from the heavily armored soldiers surrounding us.
According to Ingrid, this is still considered a light escort. Just how large would a full-scale security detail be?
"I see."
I’ve seen military marches in story events, but scenes like this—high-profile noble escorts—are rare.
As I’m lost in thought, someone appears in the arena.
"Getting a temple priest as the referee was the right call." "If we’d chosen a noble from this country as a witness, suspicions of foul play would arise. It’s common for those who serve the gods to oversee duels."
A man in priestly robes stands at the center of the coliseum.
"Now begins the duel between House Edelgard and House Shenro!"
There’s no cheering since there are no spectators, but tension still fills the air.
"O Meteria, Goddess of Duels! Bear witness to this battle!"
A prayer is offered to the gods, and the statue of the goddess overlooking the arena begins to glow.
The statue of Meteria, the goddess who governs duels. How exactly does it light up, anyway?
"For the West! Nel, duelist of House Edelgard!"
As I’m pondering pointless details, the referee calls Nel’s name. Clad in swamp dragon full-body armor and wielding a brand-new halberd, Nel steps forward.
"Nel! Do your best!"
Amina shouts in encouragement, and Nel turns toward us with a grin, giving a thumbs-up. I return the gesture, silently wishing her luck.
"For the East! Ares, duelist of House Shenro!"
And then, opposing her, steps forward the man Shin had warned me about.
Dressed in steel-colored armor, a longsword at his left hip, a buckler in his left hand, and a cape draped over his shoulders—he looks every bit the knight.
"Hmm, mithril equipment?"
Seeing his gear, I feel some relief knowing Nel’s armor is superior.
At least they didn’t pull out some family heirloom using their wealth. That would’ve been troublesome.
"No suspicious magic tools either." "There’s a chance he’s hiding something, but his accessories seem purely stat-focused."
His equipment looks like standard frontline gear, but knowing what’s inside him, I can’t let my guard down.
I can’t help but scan for anything suspicious—rings, bracelets, necklaces, glasses, tiny wands—but nothing stands out.
"The cape is the only questionable thing."
But just looking has its limits. Claudia is supporting Nel as her second, and the referee is a temple official.
They shouldn’t be able to pull any dirty tricks.
Still, I know that’s just wishful thinking.
"Then there’s under the armor, or even inside his stomach." "Isn’t that a bit too paranoid?" "That’s the kind of opponent we’re dealing with."
While the referee explains the rules to Nel and Ares, I keep analyzing potential threats. Then, the two turn toward the goddess statue.
"Both houses, declare your demands before the gods!"
At this moment, the demands of both families are sworn.
"What is House Edelgard’s demand?""Upon victory, House Edelgard demands one of House Shenro’s trade port rights and the permanent exile of the instigators, Guns and Lily, from the southern and eastern continents!"
As expected of His Grace the Duke—his declaration is full of authority.
"What is House Shenro’s demand?""U-Upon victory, House Shenro demands that all matters related to this incident be dismissed without consequence!"
In contrast, the young master’s voice wavers as he desperately tries to mask his fear with bravado. The difference in presence is clear.
"It’s finally starting." "Yes."
With this, the duel’s conditions have been sworn before the gods.
"The gods have accepted both houses’ words! Next, the warriors shall swear their oaths!""I, Ares, swear to fight this battle with honor!""I, Nel, swear to fight this battle with honor!"
First hurdle cleared. With the oaths sworn, the duel is now set in stone. An item I once saw before emerges from the goddess statue, flying into Nel and Ares’ hands as they equip it.
"Liberta-sama, do you think Lady Nel can win?" "If Ares fights purely as an adventurer, her chances are solid. But if he fights in his true style… her odds drop to about 30%."
I understand Ingrid’s worry. But no matter how much experience we crammed in, there just wasn’t enough time.
If we’d had at least a year, things might’ve been different. But the world isn’t that forgiving.
"Will she be okay?" "We’ve done all we can. That’s all I can say."
We’ve stacked the odds in her favor, but there’s no absolute guarantee. This is an uphill battle.
The two equip their duel tokens and take their positions at a set distance.
"Combatants, ready!"
At the referee’s call, Ares draws his sword, and Nel raises her halberd.
**"Begin!"**
At the signal, both dash forward simultaneously.
Nel takes the initiative.
Her weapon has the reach advantage—a halberd that functions as both a spear and an axe. She leverages its stats to keep him at bay.
"He’s parrying well." "That’s part of the plan."
She focuses on thrusts, moving constantly to prevent him from closing the distance. But Ares, likely due to his extensive experience, doesn’t recklessly charge in. Instead, he uses his sword and shield to gauge Nel’s attack patterns.
"Ugh, if only I could sing—" "Don’t. Divine punishment would rain down on us." "I know."
At a glance, Nel is the one on the offensive. But in reality, her attacks are being deflected, and her stamina is being drained.
I stop Amina from intervening and keep watching the fight unfold.
"Relax, Nel’s staying calm."
She doesn’t seem frustrated by her attacks missing. If Ares is trying to adapt to her style, Nel is also studying his defensive habits.
Proof of that—when Ares’ guard slips for a split second, she shifts from a thrust to a sweeping slash. Ares dodges it with a backstep instead of blocking.
"Her attacks can land. The stat difference isn’t that big."
Watching this, I can’t help but wish I were the one fighting. Ares’ movements aren’t designed for monsters—they’re purely for human opponents.
He’s fought countless battles.
As a character, he’s among the worst, but his skill is undeniable.
As a player, I’d love to face him head-on like this. Suppressing my gamer instincts, I keep my eyes on the fight.
"Really?" "Ares and Nel haven’t gone all-out yet, but their speed is comparable. Plus, the fact that he chose to dodge instead of block means he judged that taking Nel’s hit would be bad. His movement suggests it was a deliberate evasion."
After countless PvP battles, you learn to distinguish between feints and genuine attacks. Since this is pre-canon, Ares isn’t in his final form yet.
Nel’s stats, boosted by EXBP, are keeping her in the fight.
Now, it’s all about—
"Ah!"
—whether Nel can outmaneuver Ares’ tactics. Amina gasps as Ares deflects Nel’s strike with his buckler and counters with a slash aimed at her neck.
But Nel blocks it with her vambrace, retaliates with a one-handed halberd swing, and forces him back.
"That was close!" "She reacted to that?"
Nel isn’t rushing her attacks, but a quick finish would be ideal. The longer this drags on, the more Ares’ experience will tip the scales.
"Best if we force him to reveal his cards first."
But holding back too much risks losing outright. Using a defensive skill to block that counter was the right call.
Now that she’s revealed one skill, there’s no point hiding it. Nel shifts to a more aggressive stance.
With her Water Armor skill, she can mitigate some damage.
That’s why I taught her how to activate it in localized areas.
If she uses her halberd purely for offense and minimizes defensive stances, she can press harder than before.
"Now, how will he respond?"
I know Ares’ skill set from the inside. Since he’s still growing, I’m not sure how many skills he has now, but I know which ones to watch for.
"Well, he’ll lead with that one."
Right on cue, lightning crackles around Ares’ sword. The worst possible matchup for Water Armor.
"Enchant Skill—Thunderclap."
And with that, he reveals his lightning-infused blade.
T/n Sorry for being lates