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Airi's POV
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"I'm supposed to throw away my title when fighting this kid?!" (???)

As I walk down the street towards the east gate, I could hear shouting just ahead of me.

Because of the coincidentality of it, and my own curiosity, I found myself drawn towards the noise.

As I shifted my way through a crowd, I could see a formation of soldiers all lined up, each holding an annoyed look on their faces.

I shift my gaze to the source of the shouts, only to see Etsu and Ryu standing in front of a soldier.

"I'm a noble! Why should I compensate for this commoner?!" (???)

"You aren't compensating for anything, a soldier's job is to put their life on the line for their country, no matter what they have to lose." (Etsu)

Hmm. An egotistical noble.

"What's going on?" (Airi)

I feel multiple eyes on me as I step forwards, and the crowd I just walked through starts muttering between each other.

"Ah, Airi, Ryu beat him in a duel, then he got angry because Ryu's just a brat." (Etsu)

"Hmm? Why doesn't he do it again?" (Airi)

"The duel?" (Etsu)

I nod my head at Etsu affirmation, then turn my gaze to the soldier.

"What's your name?" (Airi)

"Leon Argefelt, son of Baron Atig Argefelt." (Leon)

"Then, Leon, why do you not duel him again, if you didn't like the outcome of the previous one?" (Airi)

"A-ah, yeah, let's do that. Brat, another duel!" (Leon)

Ryu simply sighs as he holds up his sword. His eyes dart all across Leon's body before the fight starts, probably trying to predict what move Leon'll make.

Etsu does the countdown, and as he reaches 0, Leon dashes forwards, his sword in a thrust position.

As he closed in on Ryu, his sword moved to his side, switching his attack to a swing.

Without missing a beat, Ryu ducked under the swing, taking full advantage of his smaller body size.

As if leaving him a chance to realise what happened, Ryu waits before sweeping his legs, knocking Leon down on to his back.

"Is that it?" (Ryu)

"You little--" (Leon)

As his anger took control of him, Leon picks up his sword again, swinging it towards Ryu.

Almost like a reflex, Ryu pulls his sword from his side to receive the attack from Leon.

The power behind Ryu's swing knocked Leon's sword out of his hand, sending it flying towards the crowd before lodging itself into the ground.

"Aaaand that's it! Ryu won!" (Etsu)

Etsu seemed to be enjoying this as he announced the winner of a duel like it was a tournament.

"..." (Leon)

An aura of silent anger seemed to swirl around Leon as Ryu sheathes his sword, before quickly dissipating as he gives up on revenge.

The silence around the area continues as Leon stands up and walks towards his sword, unlodging it from the ground and sheathing it.

Facing Ryu, he opens his mouth as if to say something, before giving up and returning to his original post, his head hung low.

With no further action, the crowd surrounding us quickly dissipates, each person resuming what they were doing before.

"Where's Astrid and Kana?" (Etsu)

"They went to buy some things for the fight. I think Astrid said she wanted some mana potions, and Kana was supposedly running low on arrows." (Airi)

"I see. We'll have to wait a little longer then." (Etsu)

Etsu's speech pattern returns to its usual, the previous excitement and vigor from before now painted over with a slightly formal tone.

"... Say, Etsu." (Airi)

"What is it?" (Etsu)

"Why do you speak slightly formally? Kinda like a noble?" (Airi)

"'Kinda like a noble'? I am a noble, Airi. Well, I suppose my first title would be a soldier, but I am of a noble lineage." (Etsu)

"You are?" (Airi)

"I am. It's not the highest rank, but I am part of a Viscount family." (Etsu)

"Viscount, huh? What area of land does the family have?" (Airi)

"Hah, that's a personal question, Airi." (Etsu)

"Ah, sorry, just my curiosity." (Airi)

"Hm, not that it matters, we manage the noble area of Aerilon." (Etsu)

"Aerilon? Isn't that the town north of the Reiche Forest?" (Airi)

"It is. Surprisingly prosperous too, since the amount of trade that happens is mainly due to the adventurers being so close to the forest." (Etsu)

"So you're rich?" (Airi)

"My family is, I live off the soldier wage." (Etsu)

"Then why'd you become a soldier?" (Airi)

"Hmm. Being a noble was... Stifling, I guess. Felt like I was always putting on an act." (Etsu)

"An act?" (Airi)

"Yeah. If you showed anything when talking business, you'd fail as a noble." (Etsu)

Hearing this, my mind traces back to the conversation I had with Ryu in the bar.

"'The silver spoon isn't always as shiny as it seems to be', huh." (Airi)

"... I'm guessing Ryu said that." (Etsu)

Judging by Etsu's response to my mutter, Ryu had probably caught onto our conversation and reacted to what I said.

"Say, Ryu?" (Airi)

Ryu turns his head to me.

"Have you ever been to Aerilon? The town above the forest?" (Airi)

"... I have." (Ryu)

Responding to me, Ryu hangs his head slightly, as if remembering something bad, and my mind recalls Siquema Village.

"Ah, sorry..." (Airi)

He doesn't respond to me, and instead walks over to one of the buildings close to us and sits against it.

"Did I step on a nerve?" (Airi)

"Maybe..." (Etsu)

My gaze stays on Ryu for a few seconds before it is torn away by a shout from further up the road.

"Captain~! Etsusu~!" (Astrid)

Astrid's cheery voice brings a lot of attention to us, as it resounds down the street. Standing next to her, Kana slowly shakes her head and I could slightly make out her saying "Too loud" to Astrid as they come closer.

"We're ready." (Kana)

"I see. Then, let's get started." (Captain)

Standing on top of the boxes he was once sitting on, the Captain gathers the attention of the soldiers, as well as a lot from the surroundings.

"Soldiers, you are gathered here to fight to protect this town! Our mission is to subjugate the Fenrir currently in the forest! It is estimated to be rank S! We will give you more details as we go closer to the forest! Let's go!" (Captain)

A loud shout erupts from the soldiers as we start moving, the people on the street parting from our path.

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Author Notes
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I'm surprised at how little motivation I had to write this chapter. I first started writing this after chapter 41 had been published, and I published chapter 42 yesterday.

It took way too long to write this, and I hope this doesn't continue, but I don't plan on taking a break.

Anyway, hope you enjoyed the chapter!