Chapter : 360
Chapter : 360
Sayma gasped softly. She pushed her thick glasses up her nose with a shaking finger. Her brilliant tactical plan was totally backfiring. She had lied to Scott to avoid a marriage. Now, Scott wanted to fight her fake boyfriend to the death on national television.
Laxmi’s jaw dropped open. She looked at Scott, and then she looked at Ken. "A duel? With Ken? Are you serious right now?"
Naomi crossed her arms tightly. She glared at the nobleman. "You cannot challenge a specific servant. The tournament is a team match. We fight together."
"I am officially requesting a solitary engagement," Scott insisted stubbornly. He kept his eyes locked on Ken. "If he is a true man, he will accept my challenge. He will prove his strength in the arena."
Ken stared at the serious nobleman. Ken felt absolutely zero desire to prove his strength. He hated fighting. He hated sweating. He hated doing cardio. A one-on-one duel in a massive arena sounded like the absolute worst chore in the world. It required running. It required dodging. It required far too much energy.
Ken immediately threw his hands up in the air in a gesture of total surrender.
"I politely decline your challenge," Ken declared casually. He gave Scott a big, goofy smile. "I do not want to duel you. You win by default. Congratulations. You are the champion."
Scott blinked in surprise. He frowned deeply. "You cannot decline. I issued a formal challenge of honor. It is a matter of pride."
"My pride is incredibly flexible," Ken argued lazily. He shoved his hands deep into his pockets. He started listing ridiculous excuses to get out of the fight. "Plus, it is fundamentally unfair. You are a highly trained noble with a fancy glowing sword. I am just a guy in a cheap suit. I do not even own a weapon."
"I will fight you without my weapon if necessary," Scott countered fiercely. "We can fight with bare hands."
"I am allergic to punching!" Ken lied smoothly. He leaned his head back and complained loudly to the ceiling. "My knuckles are very sensitive. If I punch someone, my skin will turn red. It is a severe medical condition. I have a doctor's note at home."
Luna let out a sleepy yawn from the back of the group. "He is right. Ken is very delicate. He once complained that his pillow was too hard."
"I am not fighting you," Ken repeated firmly. He looked at Scott with sleepy eyes. "I am a total pacifist. I believe in solving problems with long naps and good snacks. Also, my left knee hurts when it rains, and it might rain tomorrow. So, I am officially opting out of this duel."
Julian laughed cruelly from the back. "He is a coward, Scott. I told you. He is a pathetic beggar. Just ignore him."
Scott ignored the Prince. He looked at Ken. His brown eyes filled with deep, burning frustration. He simply could not accept that Sayma chose a lazy coward over him. It made no logical sense. He believed Ken was mocking his feelings.
"You are insulting my challenge," Scott said. His voice grew very strict. "If you truly care about Sayma, you will stand up and face me. You will defend your relationship. If you refuse, you are proving that you are not worthy of her affection."
Ken opened his mouth to reply. He fully planned to agree with Scott. He planned to say he was completely unworthy so he could go home and take a nap. He did not care about looking brave in front of a rival team.
But before Ken could say a single word, Sayma moved.
The Vice-Captain stepped forward quickly. She realized that if Ken backed down now, Scott would know the entire relationship was a lie. If Scott discovered the truth, he would tell his parents. His parents would tell her parents. The arranged marriage would immediately resume. Her strict family would force her to leave the 13th Unit forever.
Sayma could not let that happen. She needed to maintain the fake romance at all costs. She needed to trap Ken in the lie.
Sayma walked right up to Ken. She reached out gracefully. She linked her arm tightly through Ken's arm. She pressed herself close to his side. She put on a flawless, highly dramatic performance of a loving, supportive girlfriend.
Ken froze. He looked down at Sayma in pure confusion. "Uh, Vice-Captain? What are you doing?"
Sayma smiled sweetly at him. Then, she turned her head. She glared directly at Scott. Her dark eyes were full of absolute, unwavering confidence. She projected the image of a proud, devoted partner.
"You are completely mistaken, Scott," Sayma announced loudly. Her voice echoed down the bright marble hall for everyone to hear. "Ken is not mocking you. He is simply trying to spare your feelings. He does not want to humiliate you in the arena."
Scott’s jaw tightened. "I do not need his pity."
"It is not pity," Sayma lied beautifully. She held Ken's arm even tighter. "Ken is an incredibly brave, profoundly capable warrior. He fights for me every single day. He just prefers to keep his true power hidden. He does not need to boast."
Ken tried to gently pull his arm away. "Sayma, please stop talking. You are making him angry. I really do not want to do cardio tomorrow."
Sayma completely ignored Ken's quiet protests. She lifted her chin. She looked at Scott with a totally serious expression. She made a massive, highly publicized declaration.
"My boyfriend absolutely accepts your formal challenge," Sayma proudly declared.
The entire corridor went completely silent.
Laxmi covered her mouth with both hands to hide a massive grin. Naomi shook her head, thoroughly amused by the ridiculous situation. Zinia chuckled quietly. Risa looked back and forth between them with wide, innocent eyes. Elma watched from the side. Her face burned a vibrant pink color. She glared at Sayma's hand wrapped around Ken's arm. Elma felt a massive surge of pure jealousy.
Scott stared at Sayma and Ken. He took a deep breath. His face hardened with absolute determination. He gave them a final, stiff nod.
"Very well," Scott stated formally. He pointed a finger at Ken. "I will see you in the arena tomorrow, Ken Eliot. We will settle this once and for all. Do not try to run away."
Scott turned around. He walked back to join the 7th Prince's vanguard. Julian threw one last, arrogant smirk toward Princess Iris. The rival team turned around and marched down the hallway. Their armor clanked loudly as they disappeared around the corner.
The 13th Unit was left standing alone in the bright corridor.
Sayma instantly let go of Ken's arm. She took a step back. She pushed her glasses up her nose. She looked incredibly relieved. Her fake romance story was safe. Her parents would not force her into the marriage.
Ken stood perfectly still. He stared blankly at the empty hallway. He slouched his shoulders as far as they could possibly go. He let out a long, miserable wail of pure despair.