65. Kefir, Do You Understand the Limits of Power?

While anxiously waiting for Kefir and Ludwig’s duel, no matter how I looked at the script, the future was still unclear. But deep down, I felt anticipation because this time, the script took a turn for the better for me, Kefir, and the Queen, and the result was a “happy ending” for all.

I had to suppress my mixed feelings and, as a “sparring partner,” accompanied Kefir through her final preparation. Finally, the day came when we would negotiate with the representative of Great Britain’s true will, and one of Kefir’s “upgraded treasures” in the script—the Moon Fairy, Elise.

Now, at night, when Kefir, the Queen, and I arrived stealthily at the royal city of the Great British Empire, everything was ready for us. Under the moonlight, the royal city, bathed in the silvery moonlight, was as silent as if it were “asleep.” And in the even emptier garden, Elise and Ludwig had been waiting for a long time.

Elise would use the result of Kefir and Ludwig’s “duel” to decide the “勝負” between me and her. Up until this moment, Elise had not played any tricks. It seemed… this was really the will of the Great British Empire.

“I have prepared everything for you, chased away unnecessary servants, and dismissed the extra guards. No matter how earth-shattering what happens here is, it won’t attract the garrison of the royal city.”

Elise’s gaze turned to me, and she spoke slowly. Perhaps she felt that there was no need to probe my thoughts any further at this point, so she simply ignored me and beckoned me and the Queen over.

“It’s a pity that I can’t prepare a decent stand for you. Hmph, everything that follows isn’t a fun performance for us anyway. Euclid, Louise, come over.”

After glancing at Kefir, I took the Queen to Elise. This wasn’t a question of whether or not to help. With the power that my Queen and I possessed, all we would do in what followed would be to hold Kefir back.

“Ludwig, go.”

“Wow… y-yes, please don’t rush me…”

At the same time, Ludwig, who was still yawning, slowly walked to the center of the garden with Kefir. This was a “duel” in which we had known from the very beginning what each other would do, what we had done, and what tricks we had played. If possible, of course, I didn’t want to bet my own future on a “duel” with the Moon Fairy, but…

I had to trust in the determination of my fiancée.

My gaze turned to Kefir, and I finally put away the idea of “reminding Kefir with the script.” At this moment, I just hoped that Kefir would use her own abilities to complete the script, not listen to me or do what I told her. Now was not the time.

Just like Ludwig, I spoke next.

“Kefir, this time, don’t think about men anymore. Your sword will become dull…”

The Ice Fairy Arsareth’s magic sword drifted with snowflakes, and Kefir gripped it tightly. “Sword Saint, I’ve always wanted to answer this question seriously. Thinking also depends on the category. Sometimes, thinking may not make you dull. Instead, it might… make you sharper.”

“…Hahaha~ That’s why you humans are so interesting!”

Ludwig suddenly laughed in a very unrefined manner, reached out to cut through the void, and slowly took out the oversized sword that could be described as a large iron block.

“However, I don’t hate this troublesome approach. After all, everyone has their own way of pursuing power. Anyway, I would never get used to the way you humans use kissing and s*xual intercourse to improve your strength… On the contrary, I really want to try this kind of power. Kefir… this time, give it your all. Don’t… disappoint me!”

All the power and danger came in an instant, something that I, a newbie, couldn’t understand.

The “duel” was about to break out! This time, Ludwig didn’t use her “dual-sword mode” from the very beginning. However, even though she had to drag that oversized sword while walking, at this moment, she burst forth with a sharpness and danger that was far greater than her usual lazy state. Her figure leaped up with the sword in tow. When she struck, she set off a wave of rose petals!

And Kefir had already dodged it with her nimble movements. Kefir, who had never been careless and never would be, summoned the power of Zeus, the Thunder Fairy, after Arsareth! The leaping lightning carried Kefir’s figure, leaving only an afterimage behind. By the time Ludwig turned around, Kefir had already stepped on the other party’s sword and stabbed forward.

“Speaking of which, Kephir, do you find the power of the fairies useful?”

I knew full well that Ludwig, wielding the oversized sword, moved very slowly, but I had not anticipated that the “dual swords” were not Ludwig’s only trick.

The icy shards raised by Kephir’s sword were completely blocked by the barrier upheld by Ludwig’s other hand, and the shattered ice blades flew everywhere! Ludwig, she is the Sword Saint, but at the same time, she is also a genuine fairy with magical talent!

“Fairies are not meant to be used, my dear Sword Saint!”

“But you and your man are still pursuing this power, aren’t you? Humans are truly contradictory, always wanting to paint over their own actions.”

After fending off Kephir’s attack, Ludwig swung her sword, and the immense force and weight even uprooted the surrounding roses! Fortunately, at that moment, Kephir had already leaped over Ludwig’s head, landing on the sword’s blade.

Just as Ludwig had said before: she would hold back to maintain a tie. This time, she did not start with “dual sword mode,” which was already enough to show her restraint, while Kephir remained cautious. If things continued like this, it was absolutely certain that the two “big shots” would end up in a stalemate.

But…

I knew, we all knew: this duel would develop in a certain direction from the very beginning! Because: the Moon Fairy, Iris, did not intend for this duel to end in a tie! She did not want to “lose to me” and then compromise!

“Sigh… Kephir, just bear with it for a bit.”

Suddenly, Ludwig transformed back into that lazy demeanor, yet her trajectory of movement as Kephir leaped became strangely precise! Despite her heavy and slow movements, she accurately captured Kephir’s actions—no, her thoughts!

Then, just before Kephir was about to land, she unleashed that immense power with her heavy sword!

“!”

After the piercing sound of collision, even Kephir, holding Alsace, could not withstand this overwhelming force and was sent flying! And more than the queen’s tense gasp, what I was more concerned about was Iris’s reaction beside me!

[The Moon Fairy Iris begins to remind… Zzzz… O’Keefe, I think it’s about time to start, don’t blame me, Ludwig will know her limits.]

Accompanied by this script that had been directly altered, Iris wore a confident smile as she glanced sideways!

Just as she had “confirmed” to me earlier, she began to probe into Kephir’s thoughts and remind Ludwig of her actions!

“…”

And all I could do was remain silent, for even if I could use the script to remind Kephir, who knows when my script would be altered by Iris into something erroneous, or when it wouldn’t!?

If I acted now, I would only end up harming Kephir; there was nothing I could do!

Danger… was approaching.

Indeed, “danger” in every sense of the word; the things I suspected were mostly… about to arrive! Hold on, Kephir!

—

It’s coming!