## Chapter 629 – I Won’t Forgive You

“An envoy came from Lady Izbant’s side. What on earth happened, Paladin?”

I went to the church to find Saintess Kadia, and she said this while handing me what looked like a fancy envelope.

As expected, the Lady also received the Baron family’s letter.
That’s why she contacted the church.

“Well, you see, Saintess. I told you I caught a Death Worm last time, right? I went to see it, and got into a bit of a squabble with the Haylen Baron family’s people… and somehow ended up in a duel under Lady Izbant’s attestation.”

Saintess Kadia took out a cigarette pack from between her breasts, crossed her legs, and pulled out a cigarette, lighting it with divine power.

“A duel?”

She asked back as if she had heard something interesting.

“Yes, a duel. With my Paladin skills, I naturally beat them to a pulp with my bare hands, and after they got their asses kicked and went back, they sent me a formal challenge. Lady Izbant must have thought her honor was tarnished because of that, so she sent a letter to the church to contact me.”

This was the summary of the incident.

ㅡHoo.

The Saintess, who deeply inhaled and exhaled smoke, said,

“…The demons have been quiet lately, and now you’re getting caught up in something like this. Our Paladin seems to have a knack for making trouble. Don’t you think?”
“Hehehe, making trouble is also a skill, isn’t it? Anyway, can I read it?”
“Go ahead. It’ll be faster to read it first and then talk.”

I immediately received Lady Izbant’s letter from Saintess Kadia.

        「Recipient」
Kim Kat, Associate Priest of the Brass Celestial Society.

The recipient was me, and the handwriting was very neat and clean, like a work of art. It was a very elaborate script.

Did Lady Izbant write it herself?

Unlike her actions and image, she writes very beautifully. And the sender is Leila Izbant. Is that Lady Izbant’s name?

I just found out now.

Anyway, I immediately read it.

「Forget about Marquis Lormalza and the duel. As long as you, the Barbarian Warrior, are in Izbant, I guarantee that the Haylen Baron family will not be able to cause any harm, and I will provide immediate protection if they attempt to do so.」

The content seemed to convey the Lady’s anger.
She doesn’t hesitate to use vulgar language even when writing.

For now, the Lady is viewing this ridiculous duel very negatively. She seems quite pissed off.

「However, despite the fact that I became the guarantor and the Haylen Countess also agreed, it was unilaterally broken, causing great insult and damaging my reputation.」

That’s certainly true. The Haylen Countess clearly not only directly requested the duel, but also received Lady Izbant’s attestation. It doesn’t make sense to unilaterally break it after requesting it first.

「I tolerated it because you seemed lacking, but you are more of an idiot than I imagined. You even sent a considerable amount of money, saying you would rent the arena without permission. I was going to just take it and shut up, but I thought you, the Barbarian Warrior, would also feel greatly insulted, so I’m asking for your opinion.」

“Keuk…!”

She’s asking for my opinion directly!
I couldn’t be more honored!!!!!!

「You don’t have to accept the duel, but if you want to duel, I will definitely attend. This time, I will attest and attend in the name of Izbant.」

Besides that, it was written that other noble families who maintain good relations with Izbant would also participate as attestors.

Is this… just telling me to duel?

And if so many people from Izbant’s side are moving, the Haylen Baron family will surely gather all their connections and bring them as attestors. Well, that’s probably what they mean by gathering people.

「Even while writing this letter, my fists are trembling and I’m so heated that I’ve broken two desks. Please reply.」

That was the end of the letter.

The duel is ridiculous and doesn’t have to be done, but if I do it, she’ll bring people to make sure I’m not at a disadvantage. Besides that, she seems to be putting pressure on the Haylen Baron family in any way possible because she was personally insulted.

「P.S. The Death Worm sale is going smoothly, so please look forward to it.」

“Who dares to insult Lady Izbant!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”

The bug who pissed off my business partner and comrade, Lady Izbant!!!!!

ㅡI will never forgive you!!!!!

I kicked the seat and stood up, roaring.

My chest felt like it was about to burst. This was clear hostility and malice…! Cheonma Kim Kat never lets things like this slide!

After roaring like that, my chest calmed down a bit.

“…Are you calm now?”

Saintess Kadia, who had been smoking the whole time, rubbed out the cigarette in the ashtray and said.

“Yes, I’m calm now, Saintess.”
“I think I roughly understand what situation the Paladin is in.”
“Hehehe, you’re so smart. That’s why I’m saying this.”

Then let’s ask the most important thing.

“Although I belong to the church… I haven’t officially joined yet. Anyway, as someone related to the church, is it okay for me to do this duel?”

I’m about to become a Paladin.

So, since I’m not alone, I must ask my direct superior, Saintess Kadia, for her opinion and permission.

“You must have felt quite insulted. I, the Saintess, cannot stop a personal matter to protect the Paladin’s own honor. Well, you haven’t gone to the capital to receive formal appointment yet, so officially you can be called an Associate Priest.”

An Associate Priest is not an official member either.

“There seems to be a big problem with the procedure… but since you felt insulted, it’s better to do it if you want to duel. I’ll praise you for trying to get permission from me first. You have a very good mindset as a Paladin.”

The Saintess smiled faintly and took out another cigarette.

“Hehehe, you’re my superior, so I have to tell you if anything happens. Anyway, thank you for allowing me.”

I asked first because it might damage the church’s reputation.

“The Haylen Baron family… well, we don’t receive any donations from there, so it doesn’t matter.”

Anyway, I got permission, so that’s good.

“Then, since I’ll probably be dueling soon, please come and see it to take a break. Since I’m doing it myself, a special seat will be prepared.”
“Hmph, I can take a break for a while. Well, I can’t not see our Paladin dueling. Let me know when the date is set. I’ll bring all the church people to watch.”

If I’m going to do it, I should call all the people I know and make it a big deal.

I don’t know what those bastards will do, so I have to call everyone I can. Since the church is watching, they won’t be able to pull any tricks. If Elise was here, I would have told the Radiant Holy Cross Society to come and watch too.

Anyway, those bastards will pay the price for messing with me.

I’ll chop them up with my own hands.

“Then I’ll let you know the schedule later. Oh, but did anything else happen with demons or heretics?”
“Fortunately, it’s quiet. So I’m dealing with pending work. I, the Saintess, hope nothing happens.”
“Hehehe, I hope so too. Oh, Saintess. Could you send a letter to Lady Izbant’s side? I don’t want to send it personally.”
“If you write it here, I’ll send it directly.”
“Thank you.”

I immediately borrowed paper, pen, and ink from Saintess Kadia and wrote a letter to the Lady.

「To the esteemed Lady. Although this duel is unfair and outrageous, I have decided to duel because I cannot just stand by and watch the scoundrels who have tarnished your face. No matter who the opponent is, I, Associate Priest Kim Kat, will do my best to smash them and serve to restore Izbant’s reputation. I am very grateful that you asked for my opinion directly to a humble warrior like me, and I thank you for your concern. I am feeling the greatest gratitude in my life.」

I added some flowery language to clearly express my intention to duel. This should be enough for a letter. There are no major problems in terms of etiquette.

Saintess Kadia, who received my letter, sealed it.

“Then I’ll be busy preparing for the duel, so I’ll go back now. Thank you, Saintess!”

I left the church like that.

Fortunately, Saintess Kadia said she would attend with the church members.

This is more than enough.
Originally, the church doesn’t get involved in disputes between nobles.

Unless it’s a matter involving heretics or demons, they don’t interfere. The Haylen Baron family is obviously doing something stupid, but that doesn’t mean they’re heretics. Whatever the case, the most important thing is that they’ll be my audience.

Didn’t they request a formal duel in a noble way? They’re bringing in attestors and spectators from all over the place. So Izbant is also matching the formalities.

Anyway, I swallowed my anger and returned home.

When I opened the door, my wives, who had just finished washing up, were sitting together and talking, wrapped in towels.

“You’re back. Hey, did the challenge arrive?”
“Oh, Nuna.”

It seems like Ari told her.

I immediately removed my equipment and sat down next to them.

A pleasant scent was wafting from all directions, probably because they had just washed up. I can’t keep my mind straight.

“Did you hear it from Ari?”
“Ari explained it to me just now after I came out of the shower… By the way, Marquis Lormalza? Who is that? Risha Unnie? Do you know?”
“Well, I don’t know at all.”

Winia and Risha said while reading the challenge.

“You both don’t know? Karin?”
“Nuna doesn’t know either.”
“Then is he a pushover?”

When I asked that, Winia answered.

“If he’s a Marquis with a title as a magician, he probably isn’t a pushover. Maybe we just don’t know him.”
“Is that so.”

I don’t care about the Baron’s attestor. I’ve already recruited Lady Izbant and Saintess Kadia.

“Kat, Kat. But who are you dueling with?”

Claudie said with a face that seemed to be expecting something. If our Claudie is expecting it, I have no choice but to win.

“That’s the thing, Claudie. It wasn’t specified.”

Only the location was specified in the challenge.

“It wasn’t specified? Even though they sent the challenge directly?”
“That’s what I’m saying.”
“Hmph… that’s strange.”

It is strange. Considering they sent a formal challenge, they didn’t follow the basics. I know they’re just reckless bastards, but this is too much.

“I think they’re probably going to invite a really strong guy to fight instead.”
“Well, if those bastards have any brains, they will.”

I wonder how strong a duelist they’re trying to bring in.

Since they saw me beating them up, they’ll definitely bring in a strong person.

But the cost of bringing in such a strong person would be high, and above all, the duelist would have to bear the risk of antagonizing Izbant.

They’d have to invite someone who’s hard to find, but even if the Baron family has a lot of money, is there any reason for them to bother doing that?

“Why are you talking so leisurely? They know our husband’s skills, but our husband doesn’t know who’s coming out, right? That means it’s really disadvantageous. The challenge was written like shit in the first place, so you don’t have to do it.”

Karin said worriedly.

“Karin.”
“Why.”
“They don’t know my skills either. I didn’t even use my full power when I beat those bastards.”

They were such pushovers that I didn’t even need to use my sword.

“Ugh… well, it’s good to be confident, but…”
“And not do it? They’re going to mess with me, so I have to go and kill them. Right?”

I said while stroking Karin’s wet hair.

“This male bastard, really… look at the way he talks.”

Karin blushed, rubbing her thighs, as if she liked my spirit. I should touch her a bit since she just took a shower.

“I already sent a letter to the Lady saying I’d accept the duel.”
“Well… then there’s nothing we can do.”

Karin nodded.

“Hehehe, Kat. You’re so brave. I’m worried, but… Kat. Mama wants to see. Mama wants to see Kat win the duel. And it’s in the arena… Haa!”
“Hehehe, look forward to it.”

I smiled while gently grabbing Claudie’s butt.

“Hey, you blackie? Are you really going to do it?”
“Of course I have to. Winia. Once you’re underestimated, you’ll be attacked until the end. I was already thinking about it when I beat those kids back then.”
“But… it seems dangerous…”
“It’s okay. I’m confident I can chop up any bastards who come.”

Winia looked worried.
But I’m not afraid at all.

Because I’m me.

I never get scared, and I’ll make them pay the price for their rudeness. No matter what anyone says, I’m Kim Kat. I don’t run away from someone who challenges me head-on like this.

As long as my wives are watching, I can’t back down.

Even if the opponent is strong, would they be stronger than a Death Worm? Would they be stronger than a Basilisk? Even if they’re a powerful Baron family, the talent they can invite is limited. Then there’s no way I can lose.

“…Husband.”
“Hmm?”
“From now on, Nuna will use her sword.”
“What?”
“I’ll lend you Nuna’s sword, so use it when you duel. We have to increase your chances of winning. And let’s do some training for the duel starting today.”