Chapter 158

Sensing that the atmosphere was unusual, the spectator stands, which had been noisy all along, fell into silence.

However, Asad's ears were picking up sounds that didn't match the situation.

―Chirp, Chirpy! I did as you told me to, didn't I?

―.......

―This fellow is pretending not to know! Dragon, can you hear my voice? I only did as Chirpy told me to. So if something went wrong, it's all Chirpy's fault!

―C-coward! Bad!

―Who are you calling a coward!

Despite hearing the bickering spirits' conversation, Asad's expression remained stern. In front of Asad, who was emanating coldness, Hasan's complexion grew even darker.

Kinaine glanced at Asad's back.

He must be acting... right?

After all, it had been a plan they had discussed from the beginning.

Hasan couldn't hear the voices of the guardian spirit and Chirpy. Kinaine and Asad had used this fact to have Chirpy relay the plan to the guardian spirit.

The guardian spirit had said it had only used its power to the extent that it wouldn't break the contract, never using its full abilities. That had been the maximum rebellion possible for the guardian spirit who had to protect someone it didn't want to.

Upon learning that the guardian spirit had the ability to reflect the damage it received with several times the force, Kinaine had asked it to use that power when he attacked Hasan. Since Asad already knew about this plan, he had immediately protected Kinaine before the guardian spirit used its power.

If it hadn't been for Asad...

Kinaine's gaze surveyed the sword fragments densely embedded around him. If it hadn't been for Asad, it would have been difficult to avoid being hit by those fragments.

So far, everything was going according to plan. Now only Hasan's choice remained. But Kinaine already knew what choice Hasan would make. Because he knew Hasan, and Hasan's greed.

"...I apologize. I forgot to remove it as I always carry it with me. It was by no means intentional."

Hasan hurriedly made excuses to Asad, unable to hide his bewilderment.

"I too want a fair match. Please give me one more chance."

As expected, Hasan made a choice that didn't deviate much from Kinaine's prediction.

Almost there.

Kinaine staggered to his feet. Only then did Asad turn his head to look at Kinaine. Meeting his eyes, Kinaine nodded slightly.

"Well, I'll let your opponent's opinion decide what to do."

Asad answered as planned and closed his mouth. Though they were indoors, the temperature around them was dropping rapidly.

It wasn't acting. Kinaine realized that Asad was genuinely upset. And that his mood had been on a downward trajectory since entering this arena.

Why hadn't he noticed?

Normally, he would have noticed right away. But he had been uncertain all along.

Only then did Kinaine realize what was different.

Asad was holding back.

In the past, Asad would have gotten angry the moment he was upset, acting selfishly without regard for others' circumstances. Yet now he was exercising patience.

Kinaine knew that Asad had no interest in the guardian spirit's well-being. So Asad's restraint must be solely for Kinaine's sake. He was changing Asad. That also meant that feelings were developing in Asad.

Was that okay?

His heart stirred anxiously.

Intellectually, he knew that everything was going according to plan. If they safely recovered the guardian spirit from Hasan like this, he would become Asad's mate. He would earn that qualification.

But something felt strange. Why couldn't he envision his happy future?

"I apologize. This is entirely my fault. I will compensate for this situation to your satisfaction later."

Kinaine came to his senses at Hasan's voice.

Hasan wore an embarrassed expression, but Kinaine knew it was fabricated to persuade him.

"You are a good swordsman. I value those with skill like yours. If you're interested, I'd like to offer you the opportunity to become a knight, separate from the compensation."

Becoming a knight meant receiving a title. It was a proposal that would have been tempting if Kinaine had been an ordinary mercenary who knew nothing. It was essentially saying that if Kinaine's wish was for money or power, Hasan could provide it.

Hasan extended his hand.

"Before that, I'd like to genuinely compete with you. Won't you give me another chance?"

Kinaine grasped that hand in return.

"I would gladly do so, Your Majesty."

The clasped hands should have separated immediately, but Asad pushed Hasan away. After separating the two, Asad extended his hand toward Hasan.

"Then before continuing the duel, I'll hold onto your item."

"Understood."

Hasan removed the gauntlet from his right hand. A bracelet that didn't match the armor was fastened to his wrist.

As Hasan was about to remove the bracelet, he suddenly hesitated.

"......"

He was conflicted about taking off the bracelet.

The moment he removed this bracelet, he would be exposed to danger. If Kinaine were to use black magic on him at that moment, he would have no choice but to suffer.

"What, aren't you going to start?"

Asad's irritated voice cut through his thoughts.

"If you're not going to do it, let's just end it here."

The dragon seemed to be getting annoyed from boredom. Hasan realized he had been deliberating for too long. It seemed that fear had arisen from trying to remove the bracelet he had been dependent on both physically and mentally.

But how could Kinaine attack him? He couldn't even leave the separate palace.

"No."

Hasan shook his head and touched the joint of the bracelet. With a click, the bracelet came undone.

"It's a precious item to me. Please take good care of it."

Hasan handed the bracelet to Asad.

Hasan didn't know exactly what kind of item this bracelet was. Nor the meaning of the act of transferring the bracelet to someone else's hands.

Asad's lips curved into an arc.

"Is that so? Too bad."

"Pardon?"

The moment Hasan asked, Asad gripped the bracelet resting on his palm.

"Guardian spirit, I nullify the promise. You are free."

Crack! Without anyone touching it, the bracelet split into two pieces and fell to the ground.

―Freedom! I am free!

Simultaneously, the guardian spirit's jubilant voice echoed throughout the arena. Although only Asad could hear it.

"W-what have you done!"

The bewildered Hasan hurriedly picked up the broken bracelet. But that wouldn't make the bracelet reattach. Even if it could be reattached, it would never regain its original abilities. The promise had already been nullified.

And Kinaine didn't miss the opportunity given to him.

"What...!"

Hasan narrowly avoided the sword swung at him. Consecutive attacks followed, but they weren't as fast as before.

Wait, a sword?

Hadn't his opponent's sword shattered?

Suddenly, he thought the opponent's sword looked very familiar. It couldn't be helped. That sword looked exactly like his own.

A lightning realization struck him.

"Was this your doing!"

Having realized his opponent's identity, Hasan roared and charged at Kinaine. But before he could thrust his sword, his body stiffened. It was as if his entire body had been tightly bound by invisible ropes.

Hasan could easily guess whose ability had caused this impossible situation.

"Lord Asad..."

"We've recovered the guardian spirit. Nine, what do you want to do now?"

Asad asked his opponent.

Hasan realized his thoughts were correct. Though the appearance was different, that person was definitely Kinaine. The change in appearance must have been due to the dragon's ability.

I heard they had grown distant, but was even that rumor spread to deceive me?

He had to admit it. That Kinaine had won this round. But Hasan had no intention of submitting quietly.

"Lord Asad, please don't do this. You are falling for Hasan's scheme again, just like before. Hasan... just as he made me harm Lord Asad long ago, this time he wants Lord Asad to harm me."

"I've been thinking for a while, why do you think I would believe you?"

Asad retorted with a smirk.

"What meaning do you have to me?"

"I have not spoken falsehoods to Lord Asad. If it's hard to believe, please look at the ring finger of my left hand."

Asad checked Hasan's finger with mocking eyes.

There was a familiar ring.