After dinner, a petite shadow fell across Barghest, who was lifting a stone weight beneath the shade of a tree in the courtyard.
"Barghest, I can accept your challenge."
"Ha, hahahaha! Wonderful, you finally agreed! Let's settle who is the strongest knight among the fae right here. Father is here too, so let him be the referee."
Hearing this heavenly response, Barghest beamed with delight. She immediately tossed aside the stone weight in her hand, and the thing, weighing nearly two hundred pounds, smashed a deep crater into the lawn.
The full-figured Fae Maiden, her body covered in toned muscles, cracked her knuckles and strode forward.
However, just before the battle, Merlutsyn's gaze flickered as she spoke in a low voice.
"But before we duel, I have one request..."
"No problem! Whatever conditions you have, just say them! Whether you want me to hold back or add more weight, as long as you'll fight me!"
Barghest readily promised, impatiently taking up her stance.
"Let me pet your head..."
"Huh?"
"Is that not allowed?"
"Well, it's not that it isn't allowed. It's just a strange request..."
"Then forget it. Shall we call off your duel?"
Samael, who had been dragged in as a referee, yawned and added from the side.
"It's not strange, not strange at all! Come pet me already!"
Seeing Merlutsyn, who had finally changed her mind, turn away indifferently, Barghest forgot all about scratching her head and hurried after her. She agreed to the request, lightly closed her eyes, and obediently stood in place like a docile large dog.
At last getting her wish, Merlutsyn shed her previous coldness. She exchanged a glance with the referee, who was colluding with her from afar, and her golden eyes brimmed with excitement.
However, after a full five minutes, Barghest's head