Chapter 127 – If I Win, Marry My Sister
Chapter 127
If You Win, Marry My Sister
Date : Day 23 of Grimleaf 1024 Aethellgard Concord Year.
Hyoren, Elise, and Ina were back in the Merchants' Guild's private room, finalizing the contract for their new house. The leather sofas that had seemed merely comfortable before now carried the weight of the decision being made upon them. The magic lamps overhead cast their warm glow across the documents spread across the polished table—illuminating the papers that would transform their intentions into reality.
Yelan finished writing on several official-looking forms before arranging them neatly on the table. Her pen moved with practiced precision—each stroke deliberate and clear. When she was finished, the documents were aligned with the kind of meticulous care that spoke to her professional nature.
"This will be your final contract and property deed."
She adjusted her glasses slightly.
"Two million Kres for the property itself. Two million for repairs and restoration. And another two million for the appliances and magic tools."
She pushed the documents toward them. The papers slid across the polished surface of the table.
Hyoren picked up the papers and skimmed through the contents.
His eyes moved across the text—taking in the legal language and specific terms that governed their purchase. The words were formal. This was the deed to their new home. Their new headquarters. The foundation of their future.
"The deed will be under my name, huh..."
Elise leaned closer from his left side, her silver hair cascading lightly against his arm as she looked over the document too. The strands caught the light.
"You're the party leader. Just accept it."
Ina also leaned in from his right side, carefully checking the listed costs. Her cat tails swished slowly behind her. Her amber eyes moved across the figures—verifying each number against her own calculations.
"The contents look good. The material cost for repairs, appliance pricing, labor fees... everything is reasonable."
Hyoren nodded before placing the papers back onto the table. The documents settled against the polished wood.
Yelan smiled professionally. Her fox ears twitched slightly.
"Then before we finalize the contract... Please provide the payment."
Elise immediately produced her Guild Card and handed it over.
Yelan accepted it before processing it with the same magic tool they had used previously. The device hummed softly as it worked.
"Payment confirmed."
She returned the card to Elise before reaching for another magic tool placed nearby.
This one was much larger. The device sat on a separate table—its presence commanding attention in a way that the smaller transaction tool had not. It was clearly designed for more important matters.
A pale blue orb floated in the center of the device, softly glowing. Etched into the metal surface was the symbol of Zalkier—a quill, sword, and ledger.
Yelan placed the contract beside the device. The papers settled into a designated space—clearly designed to hold documents during the binding process.
"Now then. Mr. Hyoren, please place your hand on the orb."
Hyoren did as instructed, resting his palm carefully against the glowing sphere. The surface was cool against his skin.
Yelan then placed her own hand onto the magic tool as well. Her fingers positioned themselves on designated points around the base—each one marked with small runes that glowed faintly as she made contact.
Her expression became solemn. The professional demeanor remained—but there was something more beneath it now. A weight that came from invoking divine authority in matters of commerce and contract.
"With Zalkier as witness. With sword, quill, and ledger as the medium. And with me as the contractor..."
She closed her eyes for a bit, before opening again.
"Contract!"
The entire magic tool glowed brightly.
The light was intense—not painful, but impossible to ignore. It seemed to fill the room for a moment—washing over them with a radiance that felt both ancient and immediate.
Hyoren watched the process carefully. This was his first time witnessing a contract finalized under divine authority. And honestly, it felt important. Sacred, even.
After several seconds, the light slowly faded. The glow retreated—pulling back into the orb until only a faint shimmer remained. Then two documents slid out from the side of the magic tool. The papers emerged smoothly.
Both of them radiated faint magical energy.
The glow was subtle—visible only if one was looking for it. But it was unmistakably present—a mark of divine validation that could not be forged or replicated. The official deed. Stamped with Zalkier's divine symbol alongside the property details. The symbol seemed to shimmer slightly.
Yelan picked up one copy. Her movements were careful—treating the document with the respect it deserved.
"This deed has now been officially validated under Zalkier's authority. The Merchants' Guild will retain one copy. And the other belongs to you."
She handed the document toward Hyoren. The paper felt different in his hands—heavier somehow, though the weight was likely more psychological than physical. This was more than a simple record of purchase. It was proof—backed by divine power—that this property belonged to them.
"Please return in five days to receive the keys after repair is complete."
Hyoren accepted the deed before handing it to Elise.
Elise carefully stored it inside her storage bag immediately. The document disappeared into the dimensional space—safe from damage or loss.
Then Hyoren looked toward the two women beside him. Both nodded lightly. The house was officially theirs now. The deed was signed. The payment was made.
Only five more days remained before repairs finished. The thought carried both anticipation and impatience.
Hyoren turned back toward Yelan.
"Thank you for helping us find a base, Yelan. We truly appreciate it."
Elise smiled warmly as well.
"We really found the perfect place for us. Thanks."
Ina simply nodded beside them in agreement. The gesture was understated but sincere.
Yelan's fox ears perked slightly, and this time her smile became more genuine instead of purely professional. The change was subtle but noticeable—the mask of the merchant giving way to something more personal.
"No, the Merchants' Guild should be the one thanking you. That manor has been sitting in our inventory for two years already."
She sighed softly. The sound carried a note of relief—the kind that came from resolving a problem that had lingered for too long.
"If it remained abandoned much longer, structural problems would eventually appear. We might've needed to dismantle the building entirely. And that would've cost us a great deal."
She bowed politely toward them, her fox ears dipping forward with the motion.
"Thank you for your purchase."
Then she straightened herself again. Her posture returned to its usual professional stance—but there was something lighter about it now.
"And please visit us again if you require anything in the future."
The three stood afterward and exited the private room together. Their footsteps echoed softly against the polished floor.
The heavy doors of the Merchants' Guild Hall closed behind them. The sound was solid. The noise seemed to mark a boundary between the ordered world of commerce they were leaving and the vibrant life of the city they were rejoining.
***
The cool, ordered silence of the building was immediately replaced by the warm and chaotic sounds of Akela's streets once more.
They had spent more than half of their total funds in a single morning. The sum was staggering—enough to make anyone pause and consider the weight of what they had done. But they hadn't merely bought a house. They had bought comfort. Efficiency. Security. Things that could not be measured in Kres alone but would pay dividends in the quality of their daily lives.
And as they stood there together, all three felt an undeniable sense of satisfaction.
Hyoren looked up toward the sky. The motion was unconscious—a habit he had developed since arriving in this world, where the dual suns served as the primary marker of time.
The dual suns of Kresneger had already begun descending toward the horizon. Sol had shrunk even further—now little more than a bright point of light that would soon disappear entirely. Luna dominated the sky—her silver light casting long shadows across the streets below. In another two hours or so, day would fully give way to night.
"Dinner is still a bit early, and our business is already finished."
He glanced toward the two women beside him. The question was implicit—asking for their input on how to spend the remaining hours of daylight.
"Where should we go now, Elise? Ina?"
Elise and Ina exchanged a glance before smiling at each other, as if they had already silently agreed on something beforehand. The look was brief—a flicker of emerald meeting amber that communicated more than words could have. Whatever passed between them, it was clear they had reached a conclusion without needing to discuss it aloud.
Ina stepped forward slightly.
"I need to pick up some documents from the Guild."
Her cat tails swished lightly behind her. The movement was rhythmic—reflecting the energy she felt at the suggestion.
"Care to accompany me?"
Hyoren instinctively looked toward Elise for confirmation. She was his partner, after all. Her opinion mattered.
Elise nodded casually, her silver hair swaying softly with the motion. The agreement was effortless—carrying none of the hesitation that might have accompanied a less welcome suggestion.
Hyoren smiled afterward. The expression was genuine—reflecting the simple pleasure of having plans that aligned with everyone's needs.
"Alright then, Ina. Let's go to the Guild first, then we can look for dinner afterward."
He started walking first. His footsteps set the pace—neither rushed nor leisurely, but carrying the steady rhythm of someone who knew where they were going.
"Let's go."
The two women quickly caught up beside him. Ina naturally moved to his left side. Elise walked on his right.
Even then, Hyoren still found the situation strangely surreal.
Two women walking beside him—each beautiful in her own way, each choosing to be there rather than being obligated. It almost felt like he was carrying flowers in both hands. Yet—part of him honestly thought this felt nice and comfortable. The warmth of their presence on either side created a sense of belonging that he had not expected to find in this world. And somewhere deep inside, he found himself hoping moments like this could continue for a long time.
The three walked together through Akela once more.
They passed beneath the small archway and the slope separating the districts and returned to the lively chaos of the Adventurer's District. The transition was immediate—the ordered calm of the Merchants’ District giving way to the vibrant energy that characterized the home of Akela's adventurers.
The streets were crowded with afternoon activity.
Vendors loudly shouted about their wares—hawking everything from fresh skewers to replacement sword straps. Adventurers browsed supplies—examining goods with the critical eye of people whose lives might depend on the quality of their equipment. Parties gathered around food stalls and taverns while discussing quests or dungeon plans—their voices overlapping in a cacophony of excitement and strategy.
The energy of the district felt alive. It pulsed through the streets—carried in the footsteps of people who had chosen a life of danger and reward. This was where Hyoren belonged—not in the quiet residential areas or the polished administrative districts, but here among the adventurers who understood what it meant to risk everything for the chance of something greater.
Hyoren, Elise, and Ina moved steadily through the crowds together, overtaking slow-moving wagons and weaving around arguing adventurer parties. Their progress was efficient—three people who had learned to navigate the chaos of the district without getting bogged down by the obstacles that less experienced travelers might find impassable.
And before long, the familiar sight of the Adventurer's Guild Headquarters appeared before them once again.
A massive two-story structure built from Ironwood and stone. Simple in design. Yet undeniably majestic. Like a fortress dedicated to professionalism and order. The kind of building that naturally commanded respect simply through its presence. Above the entrance hung the guild's symbol—two crossed swords behind a shield.
But an unfamiliar sight greeted them.
A man stood tall at the top of the last step leading to the door. His posture was rigid—unmoving except for the subtle shifts that came from breathing and the occasional twitch of his ears.
Many passersby glanced at him with curiosity, but the man himself seemed completely unbothered. He stood still, eyes scanning the plaza like a guard statue—watching everyone and everything with the kind of attention that suggested he was waiting for something specific.
Hyoren looked at the unfamiliar man with a heavy presence. The assessment was immediate—his instincts registering the stranger as someone worth paying attention to.
He was a Cat-clan beastkin just like Ina, but where Ina was petite and cute, this man was a pillar of lean muscle. The contrast was striking—two members of the same race who represented entirely different approaches to physicality. Where Ina's frame suggested speed and agility, this man's build spoke of raw power and endurance.
He stood tall, around 185 centimeters, with broad shoulders that strained against the straps of his well-worn leather armor. The leather was scarred and patched—bearing the marks of countless battles and the kind of use that came from someone who relied on their equipment daily. His hair was a vibrant fiery orange, matching the tabby pattern of his ears and the long cat tail lashing behind him. The color was striking—impossible to miss in a crowd and clearly marking him as someone who stood out even among beastkin.
Two hand axes rested at his hips, their handles darkened from years of use while their blades gleamed with a freshly sharpened edge. The weapons were well-maintained—cared for with the kind of attention that suggested they were more than just tools.
His face was handsome in a rugged way. Strong jaw. Sharp cheekbones. Eyes that seemed to miss nothing. He bore a striking resemblance to Ina. The similarity was undeniable. Even while looking serious, there was still a hint of playfulness betrayed by the twitch of his ears and the swish of his tail.
Then his golden eyes, sharp and predatory, locked onto Hyoren with absolute focus. The gaze was intense—carrying the kind of weight that suggested he had been waiting specifically for this moment. For this person.
"YOU!! You must be Hyoren Enjo!"
His voice was a deep, resonant boom that cut through the din of the plaza in front of the guild. It wasn't a question. It was an accusation. The words carried across the crowded space—drawing attention from nearby adventurers and passersby who turned to see what was causing the commotion.
He stepped closer, one hand drifting near the hilt of his axe, and his mouth was curled into smirk. The expression was confident—carrying the kind of self-assurance that came from someone who had faced danger before and emerged victorious.
"I'm Jackey! I challenge you to a duel!"
***
Hyoren stood still as he looked at the smirking Cat-clan beastkin. He froze for a moment, not answering the challenge yet. The request was so unexpected—so far outside the realm of anything he had anticipated—that his mind required several seconds to process what had just happened. One moment he had been walking toward the Guild with his companions, and the next he was being challenged to a duel by a stranger who apparently knew his name.
Murmurs from the adventurers around the plaza slowly grew louder. The crowd had noticed the confrontation—drawn by the volume of Jackey's declaration and the unusual nature of the challenge. Heads turned. Conversations paused. Eyes fixed on the small group gathering near the Guild steps.
"What is it? A challenge over one of the women? This will be good."
"Those dark-haired guy and the elf ranger who are with Vice Guild Master Ina are from Freedom Party. So who's the Cat-clan man? Jackey? Never seen him before."
"A duel? Time for betting! Hahaha!"
"Betting? I put my Kres on that hulking beastkin!"
Hyoren ignored the murmurs and glanced to his left, toward Ina.
She looked like she was desperately trying to hold back her exasperation. Her face was a study in controlled frustration—the kind of expression that suggested she had dealt with this particular problem many times before and had long since exhausted her patience for it.
Ina stepped forward and shook her head.
"What are you doing here, you stupid little brother!"
Her cat ears perked sharply. The movement was pronounced—reflecting the intensity of her frustration.
"I already told you not to come! Stupid!"
The big man, Jackey, barely flinched, though he at least had the grace to look slightly chastened.
His smirk faltered for a moment—a brief crack in his confident demeanor—before returning with even greater intensity. He rubbed the back of his head while his smirk widened into a full-blown grin. The gesture was sheepish but unapologetic—the kind of motion that acknowledged fault without actually expressing regret.
Ina turned around.
"Forgive my little brother. He is not a bad person. Just... stupid."
The word hung in the air—delivered with the kind of affection that only a sibling could inject into such an insult.
The man—Jackey, tried to interject.
"Hey, Big Sis!"
Jackey gestured animatedly with both hands, trying to explain himself.
"It's because you kept mentioning this Hyoren guy in your letters that I hurried all the way here from the Golden Cat Plateau!"
Ina let out a tired sigh. The sound was heavy—carrying the weight of someone who had just realized the consequences of their actions in a very public way.
"Hyoren, Elise, this is Jackey, my little brother. He's twenty-four. Twenty years younger than me."
She then turned toward Hyoren and Elise. The introduction was matter-of-fact—delivered with the resigned tone of someone who had accepted that this conversation was happening whether she wanted it to or not.
"He's a fledgling Bronze-ranked adventurer, Level 12... if I recall correctly. He is a frontline physical damage dealer. He mostly operates in the dungeon near our hometown. Usually solo, but he often joins parties as a temporary mercenary."
Ina crossed her arms before continuing.
"He's honest, kind, hardworking... but also kinda stupid and thinks with his muscles."
She added with another sigh.
"I left him in our Cat-clan hometown when I was transferred to Akela to become its Vice Guild Master. He mostly operates in the dungeon there."
Jackey took his sister's less-than-glowing introduction in stride. He stepped forward and offered Hyoren a calloused hand.
"Jackey. Nice to meet you."
His grip was firm, yet surprisingly gentle.
"The reason I came here so fast is because my Big Sis keeps talking about you. So I wanted to see you for myself."
Then his grin widened proudly.
"And make you my Big Sis's husband! I worry about her! She's already forty-four and still not married!"
He shook his head. The motion was emphatic—conveying disapproval that seemed entirely sincere.
"And she keep fooling around with men. Never settled with single one! That was bad! Every men in Golden Cat Plateau know her!"
A stunned silence fell over their small corner of the plaza. The crowd that had been murmuring moments before went quiet—their attention caught by the sheer audacity of what had just been declared. The words hung in the air.
Elise's polite smile vanished instantly, replaced by a flash of cold steel in her emerald eyes.
The transformation was immediate—the warmth that had characterized her expression throughout the morning evaporating like morning dew under harsh sunlight. She took a subtle half-step forward, placing herself slightly between Hyoren and the overeager beastkin. The movement was small but significant—a repositioning that would allow her to intercede if necessary.
"I'm afraid that's not an offer you can make. Nor one we would accept."
Her voice was dangerously soft. The words were delivered with a calm that somehow made them more threatening than if she had shouted.
Hyoren, meanwhile, was completely lost.
His mind, normally a finely tuned instrument of logic and strategy, ground to a complete halt. The situation had escalated beyond anything he could have anticipated—from a simple challenge to a declaration of marriage intent in the span of seconds. He slowly raised a hand.
"Wait. Hold on. So... why the duel?"
Jackey blinked, as if the answer should have been painfully obvious.
"If I win the duel, you marry Big Sis!"
Hyoren stared at him. Then at Ina. The words refused to compute—his mind struggling to connect the concept of a duel with the concept of marriage in any logical framework.
Ina immediately facepalmed.
"My marriage life is not yours to decide, stupid little brother! And it's not your business about how many men I play with!"
Elise also stepped in, arms crossed tightly over her chest. Her emerald eyes had darkened considerably.
"And Hyoren won't marry Ina."
Hyoren tried to defuse the situation.
But Hyoren couldn't think about it for long. The crowd around them was starting to grow, and he needed to calm things down before it escalated further. More adventurers were gathering—drawn by the promise of entertainment and the increasing volume of the confrontation.
He looked back at Jackey, his expression utterly blank. The neutrality of his face was deliberate.
"Okay. A duel. You already stated your condition if you win. But what if I win?"
Elise narrowed her eyes slightly.
"So you really want Ina, Hyoren? You're going to accept the duel and pretend to lose?"
Hyoren hastily waved both hands.
"No! Elise, don't misunderstand! I'm just trying to give this Jackey a logical thing to consider!"
Elise stayed silent—for now.
Hyoren's question seemed to completely short-circuit Jackey's brain. The confident smirk on his face faltered, replaced by genuine confusion. He scratched the back of his head. The gesture was unconscious—the kind of motion that accompanied deep thought or the absence of it.
"Uh... You going to... win?"
Hyoren stopped himself from facepalming. The urge was strong—but he managed to resist it through sheer force of will.
"Yes. Win... and lose... those are the outcomes for ANY duel... You said if you win, I'll marry Ina..."
He gestured over himself.
"But what if I win? What's your stake in this?"
Jackey looked utterly lost. His expression shifted through several stages of confusion before settling on something approaching helpless bewilderment.
"I... don't know?"
He turned toward his sister for help. The motion was almost pitiful—a big, strong warrior reduced to seeking guidance from someone he had just tried to marry off.
Ina, seeing an opportunity, immediately seized it. Her expression shifted from exasperation to calculation in the span of a heartbeat.
"If Hyoren wins..."
Her voice suddenly became sharp and clear. The change was dramatic—from tired frustration to focused determination.
"Jackey will enter Freedom Party! Hyoren, you can use this stupid brother of mine! He was strong. And your party is only consist of two now. Adding him would make dungeon diving easier!"
She looked at Hyoren. The gaze was direct—carrying the kind of intensity that suggested she had been waiting for exactly this opportunity.
"Let's see. Hyoren, you just switched roles to a tank from a damage dealer. Elise work will be mostly scout. So your party would lack a damage dealer right? Use this stupid little brother of mine if you win!"
She shot her brother a triumphant look, which he answered with a slow, thoughtful nod of acceptance. The exchange was quick—a silent communication between siblings that conveyed understanding and agreement without requiring words.
The absurdity of the situation washed over Hyoren.
A duel for marriage versus a duel to gain a new party member.
It was the most bizarre and transactional challenge he had ever encountered. He glanced at Elise. She was still silent.
Then he looked back at the big, earnest, and frankly simple-minded Cat-clan beastkin. He genuinely didn't know whether he should accept this ridiculous challenge or not. The logic was sound—gaining a party member would be valuable—but the circumstances were anything but normal.
Elise finally spoke.
Her voice had lost its edge, it carried something softer. The change was subtle but significant—suggesting that she had reached some kind of internal conclusion.
"Okay. Accept his challenge, Hyoren. Ina was right. Entering a dungeon with just two people is a bad idea. We need someone who can deal damage while you take the hits."
She placed a hand on his shoulder. The contact was warm—a contrast to the chill that had been emanating from her moments before.
"But remember this, Hyoren. This is a duel where you could actually marry Ina. The outcome will be witnessed by many people, and no one will dismiss it afterward. You could truly have Ina for yourself. Even I couldn't easily dismiss a decision made through an official duel under guild watch."
Her emerald eyes were no longer dark, and her face had become perfectly still. The expression was unreadable—not angry, not jealous, but something else entirely.
It was almost as if she was calmly explaining the very real possibility of him actually marrying Ina. Hinting at the possibility of her accepting Ina.
That sudden shift in expression confused him again. Hyoren couldn't understand what Elise was thinking anymore. Her behavior had shifted so dramatically—from welcoming Ina to threatening consequences to now apparently accepting the possibility of him marrying the cat-clan woman.
So he chose the safest response possible.
"Don't worry. I won't lose."
He glanced at Ina. The idea of having Ina as a "prize" felt wrong.
Especially when he already had Elise. The thought of treating another person as a trophy to be won—regardless of the circumstances—sat uncomfortably in his mind.
Deep inside, he did want Ina, of course. But he had already decided he would bury those feelings. Elise was his partner. His love. Whatever attractions he might feel toward others would remain unspoken and unacted upon.
Then he looked back at Jackey, quietly assessing the beastkin's physique.
The man was clearly strong—his muscles defined by years of combat and training. His dual axes suggested a fighting style that relied on speed and precision rather than brute force.
This man looks strong... but I won't lose. And we'll end up with another party member.
He smiled faintly. The expression was small—carrying a hint of the irony he found in the situation.
"Talk about good timing, right? We needed another party member. And Ina's little brother should be more trustworthy than some random person."
Finally, he stepped forward and shook Jackey's hand. The grip was firm—matching the beastkin's earlier gesture with equal pressure.
"Alright... I accept your duel, Jackey."
The duel between Hyoren and Jackey was settled. The words hung in the air—carrying the weight of a commitment that could not be easily withdrawn.
The gears of fate had begun to turn. And soon, something within the complicated relationship between them would shift.