After Glaster appeared, Arthur's [death intuition] kept flashing.
Not quickly.
But continuously.
Those flashes warned Arthur that the woman before him was far more dangerous than he had imagined.
With someone who always hid behind the scenes like this, you never knew what trump cards they possessed-or how many they had prepared to keep themselves safe.
Arthur understood people like that all too well.
Because-
He was one of them.
So when this lady proposed a sword duel witnessed by the "Imperial Contract," Arthur knew she understood him better than he had imagined.
Otherwise, she could never have proposed such a duel.
She must have glimpsed the "truth" of his swordsmanship.
Was it that crazed beggar?
Or some unconscious movements during the Swordsmanship Tournament?
Arthur could not be certain.
But there was one thing he knew for sure.
One person like him in the world was enough.
Any more?
That would be rude.
Besides, it would make his life far too exhausting.
So Glaster had to die.
Because he did not want to die yet.
Watching Arthur yawn and rub the tears from the corners of his eyes, Glaster regarded him with keen interest.
"Was that the influence of your bloodline?
Or some Mystic Art?
So the 'Imperial Contract' really doesn't isolate or eliminate one's connection to bloodlines and Mystic Arts!
sigh."
As she spoke, the lady sighed.
Then, without waiting for Arthur to speak, she continued.
"Although I'd already suspected it, seeing the result is still a little disappointing-Arthur, do you know?
I paid a fortune to get this 'Imperial Contract.'
I kept wondering what occasion would call for it.
I never imagined it would be this."
The lady looked at Arthur again.
An ardent light once more appeared in her pale green eyes.
She continued speaking.
"Of course,