"As for whether anyone gets hurt..."
Haimo turned to look at Sasamori Aya, who was already itching to try.
"That will depend on Miss Elf's abilities."
"This girl..."
"Has much thicker skin than you imagine."
"..."
Hearing Haimo's words,
Sasamori Aya flexed her wrists, producing crisp cracking sounds.
"If you're only worried about hurting me."
"There's no need."
"Just come at me."
"If I die."
"That will only prove that's all I amounted to."
"..."
By then,
the fighting spirit rising steadily from Sasamori Aya pressed toward her as though it had taken physical form.
-A pure, undisguised desire to fight.
"Since you're that prepared."
Hearing this,
Ryu took a deep breath.
She gently leaned the broom in her hand against the wall.
Then,
she untied her apron, folded the white apron stained with soot, and placed it on a nearby chair.
"Since both you and the god insist."
"Then..."
"I'll suppress my level."
"And be your opponent."
By then,
in the center of the hall,
the two faced each other.
Everyone else had retreated to the edges of the hall, leaving the space to them.
Even Tsubaki
was leaning against a pillar with her arms folded, watching with interest.
Although she did not know Ryu's background,
still,
she recognized the clothes Ryu wore as the staff uniform of the Hostess of Fertility.
"No weapon?"
Ryu looked at Sasamori Aya, whose hands were still empty, and frowned slightly.
"No need."
"This is my weapon."
Sasamori Aya shook her head coldly.
Her long, straight black hair swayed gently with the movement.
She held her five fingers together and straightened them.
"This is my weapon."
"For me."
"As long as I want."
"Any part of my body can be sharper and harder than a blade."
"?"
*Her body was a