The Duel with the Maid

He opened the delicate birdcage and clapped his hands.

A Star Crow immediately flew out of the cage and landed on Aurelian's shoulder. It tilted its little head, seemingly sizing up its master.

Aurelian stroked the Star Crow's head with a finger, then rolled up the letter and slipped it into the message tube strapped to the bird's right leg.

"Take this to Byron in Dusk City. You know the way."

"Caw, caw—"

The Star Crow cried out, flew off Aurelian's shoulder, and left through the window, disappearing into the sky.

After watching the Star Crow carry the letter far away, he turned and went back to the bedroom.

As soon as he opened the bedroom door, Aurelian saw Jeanne standing inside. Roundball was sprawled on the bed, using its long tongue to roll cookies into its mouth one by one.

A flash of silver caught his eye. He looked down and realized that the maid was holding the silver greatsword.

The maid turned around and said expressionlessly, her voice chilly, "My lord, please fight me."

"Uh..."

Aurelian froze, breaking into a cold sweat.

Why was Jeanne holding a magic weapon? Had she finally realized he couldn't be relied on and decided to cut him down? Or was it because he had tricked Fuzzy Ball into doing child labor and she thought he was a social degenerate?

"My lord, fight me," Jeanne said again.

"Can I refuse?"

Aurelian plastered on a fake smile so unconvincing that even he could see through it.

He felt like nothing ever went his way.

Darwin stood off to the side, looking terrified and trembling all over. Two Lower Rank powerhouses were about to fight in the training grounds.

He glanced over at his superior, Master, who was watching with rapt attention.

Ever since they had returned from Spruce Forest the previous week, Darwin had felt that his superior had suddenly become a different person.

All day long, he carried his knight's sword, Moonlight, around the training grounds, repeatedly practicing the most basic sword techniques, such as slashing and thrusting. He didn't even use the battle skills most important to a knight.

What worried Darwin most was that his superior seemed to have lost interest in the status of the nobility and no longer spent all day complaining about being assigned here.

Perhaps it had something to do with Master suddenly attaining Lower Rank strength in Spruce Forest last time, Darwin guessed.

A young voice pulled him back to reality.

"Jeanne, I won't hold back like the knight commander does. Otherwise, I won't even know how I lost."

Aurelian wasn't wearing his heavy knight's armor. He had come in light gear, holding Innocent Starlight in one hand and pointing it at the beautiful girl opposite him.

Master's face twitched at those words.

"My lord, I'll give it my all, too."

The maid was utterly serious. Then she drew the cross-shaped greatsword that had turned the Storm Overlord into an ice statue.

No, please, don't give it your all! I was just talking big!

Aurelian screamed inwardly. He knew just how strong Jeanne was, and she had even mastered the secret art of Ethereal Meditation. He had no idea how he was supposed to win.

"Fine. Give it your all."

He sighed, his face set with determination.

Even if he couldn't win, he still had to try.

Innocent Starlight hummed softly as its blade trembled. Brilliant starlight appeared, shining brightly.

He was giving it everything from the start, putting everything on the line.

Aurelian knew that Jeanne outclassed him in every way, whether it was swordsmanship, battle skills, or speed.

But there was one thing they had in common.

They both possessed Lower Rank Magic, so there was no difference in their fundamental level.

He didn't know what kind of magic Jeanne had, but it was surely a rare attribute. Still, he was confident it wouldn't counter his, because Star Magic had no natural enemy.

Earth, water, wind, and fire—the four common magic attributes.

Earth overcame water, water overcame fire, fire overcame wind, and wind overcame earth. They countered one another, while dawn and darkness suppressed each other. Only special kinds of magic, such as ice and stars, had no natural enemies.

Now that he had mastered Ethereal Meditation, if this came down to a pure contest of magic...

Aurelian believed he still had a chance!

Jeanne didn't back down either. Golden light flowed across Atonement's silver-white blade.

Holy, imposing, and above all others.

It was as though the gates of Heaven had opened, proclaiming their glory to the world.

The elite knights watching from the sidelines cried out in astonishment. This was their first time witnessing a clash between powerhouses at the Lower Rank Magic level!

Russell, who had a fiery temper, said to Thomas, the knight watching beside him:

"Thomas, I bet ten Moon Silver Coins that Lord Aurelian will win."

"Looks like you're throwing your money away. I'll bet another ten Moon Silver Coins that the Grand Knight Commander will definitely win."

Thomas was a good-natured man, but he loved gambling as much as Russell. Unlike hot-tempered Russell, though, Thomas usually won, while Russell usually lost.

"Woo-ya, woo-ya."

Roundball, happily munching on cookies in the distance, was confused. Why were its two favorite humans fighting?

"Take this!"

Innocent Starlight swung, sending a dazzling beam of sword energy toward Jeanne...

It streaked across the sky, and dust rose from the ground.

The maid stood firm, sword in hand. Atonement suddenly burst with Light of Heaven, enveloping Jeanne in a golden glow.

The fierce sword beam met the light and instantly vanished.

Thomas smiled at Russell, while the hot-tempered Russell just snorted and kept watching the fight.

Aurelian didn't lose heart when his attack was blocked. It had only been a test.

"Again!"

He kicked off the ground, kicking up a cloud of dust, and turned into a blur as he charged toward Jeanne, still surrounded by golden light.

He truly wasn't holding back. He just wanted to find out exactly where his strength stood, and how he compared with Jeanne, who stood at the peak of the Lower Rank Magic level.

Everyone watching held their breath, including Master. He kept wondering how long he would last if he joined the fight.

Framed by golden light, Jeanne remained expressionless, coldly watching Aurelian approach.

Aurelian's heart tightened. Was this another feint?

But he had no chance to start over. He could only see this through to the end!

Wielding Innocent Starlight in both hands, he swung with unstoppable force at Jeanne, who was only inches away.

At last, Jeanne, who had remained still until now, moved.

She raised Atonement.

Boom—

Centered on the two of them, a circular ripple of magic surged outward, sending the dust on the ground flying into the sky.