“Ding-dong— Mission: Choose one of two. Option 1: Make these two humans and all accompanying personnel disappear. Reward: one Low-Tier Transformation Card. Option 2: Teach him a harsh lesson, letting him understand that a deity’s majesty cannot be violated. Reward for success: one Holy Maiden Sword of Jades.”
“……………..”
‘Alright…’
‘To think that my meddling had actually triggered a side quest!’ Leya was truly speechless.
After listening to this fellow babble on for so long, she had assumed he was someone of great importance. Yet, it turned out his life was only worth a single Low-Tier Transformation Card.
If Leya hadn’t misunderstood the system’s use of the word ‘disappear,’ that is.
‘He truly was a paper tiger…’
What surprised Leya most, however, was the system’s stance. It had remained silent until now, leading her to believe it disliked her actions. After all, it was a system meant to destroy worlds, and here she was, saving lives.
She couldn’t quite explain why; perhaps it was simply due to her upbringing and environment. Leya, though reclusive, possessed a fundamentally good heart and detested seeing others harmed because of her. She abhorred even more the sight of someone bullying another in her presence.
As for actually killing someone over this, well, emmmm…
Though Leya felt a genuine internal conflict, having never even killed a chicken before, her current decision wasn’t entirely her own.
Simultaneously, an inexplicable force within Leya was preventing her from taking such a path. It was as if a voice whispered, ‘Regardless of the woman, this young man must not die.’
With a sigh of resignation, and considering all factors, Leya reluctantly turned down the Low-Tier Transformation Card.
“Darling, she dared to ignore you, humiliating you in front of everyone! You simply must teach her a proper lesson!” Debbie leaned in close to Harvey’s ear, whispering persuasively.
“……………..”
‘This…’
As events had unfolded thus far.
‘How could Leya not have seen through it?’
From start to finish, this entire ordeal was the doing of that woman, Debbie, who had been subtly goading Harvey into action.
‘Ah…’
‘He truly was a troublesome fellow.’
What was truly exasperating was how readily Harvey seemed to fall for her ploys.
Despite this, Leya had discerned a subtle dissatisfaction and impatience from Harvey towards Debbie, suggesting he was well aware of how truly vexing the woman could be.
Yet, Harvey still chose to help her confront Leya.
‘Strange…’
‘Why was that?’
“Yes, of course, rest assured, Debbie. I will handle this matter properly, you needn’t worry…”
Harvey nodded, then waved his hand with a nonchalant expression.
Yet, what truly perplexed Harvey was the utter lack of panic on Leya’s face, even at this moment. It defied all logic!
He had been prepared to overlook everything the moment she showed even a hint of submission, or perhaps a willingness to negotiate, and then happily invite her for afternoon tea!
But she hadn’t…
Indeed, not only did she show no fear, but she appeared ready, even eager, for a fight. This vexed Harvey greatly. ‘Why were girls such strange creatures?’ he mused.
‘Honestly, he just couldn’t understand it…’
In truth, Harvey had considered other reasons for the girl’s fearlessness. For instance, perhaps she had powerful backing.
But that was impossible!
Harvey had met many second-generation members of the Empire’s six great families at various banquets. If a maiden this beautiful and of such extraordinary temperament truly existed, she would undoubtedly be the centerpiece of any gathering.
Therefore, if that were the case, how could he possibly have failed to notice her?
‘Troublesome…’
Having no other recourse, he subtly gestured to his most capable guard. He indicated that the guard should show leniency, stopping short of serious harm.
Then, without waiting to see if the gesture was noticed or understood, he commanded:
“Malt, take your men and go! Apprehend her!”
“Yes, sir!” Malt, the captain of the guard, immediately nodded. He then pointed to two noticeably slender soldiers in the ranks, saying, “You two go. Don’t be too serious; she’s just a girl after all.”
Indeed, it seemed Malt truly was Harvey’s most capable subordinate. He had quickly grasped Harvey’s intentions. Thus, he deliberately selected two less experienced guards, aiming to give the blonde young lady some leeway.
However, what he—or rather, everyone present—had not anticipated was…
Suddenly, a clear, decisive shout rang out:
“There’s no need!—”
“Hm?”
“Since this is a battle, it is only right to stake one’s honor, casting all thoughts of life and death aside. If that is the case, how can there be room for even a single misstep or half-hearted effort? To speak of ‘not being too serious’ is an insult. If my gender concerns you, then I invite you to personally test whether the greatsword in the hands of ‘just a girl,’ as you call her, is truly as light as you perceive it to be.”
“……………..”
‘This…’
Upon hearing this, Malt’s brow furrowed. As a martial artist, his honor and reputation were paramount, cherished above all else. For them, he would risk everything!
Therefore, after Leya’s verbal provocation, a flicker of displeasure ignited within him.
‘This girl was truly ungrateful,’ he thought. He had held back, unwilling to strike a killing blow, solely out of respect for Harvey and his reluctance to contend with a mere girl.
He had dispatched two weaker soldiers from his ranks, intending to teach her a minor lesson, perhaps even just scare her off. Yet, she outright refused and began lecturing him instead.
And that wasn’t all. Leya then brandished her sword, sweeping it to encompass all the soldiers present. An even more astonishing declaration followed!
“Otherwise, there are more direct methods. Why bother with such trouble to deal with you all?”
Her brow arched, she looked at Malt and said coldly: “Just order all your soldiers to attack at once. Yes, you too. Come and test the true strength of ‘this girl.'”
“You…”
‘Truly…’
‘She was really fixated on the ‘girl’ comment.’
‘What was wrong with calling her a girl? Could she deny she wasn’t one? He had merely uttered a casual remark, yet she clung to it so stubbornly.’
Malt truly couldn’t comprehend the blonde ‘girl’ before him.
He was even less able to grasp the intricate, almost incomprehensible psychological journey behind the emotions she displayed concerning those three words: ‘just a girl.’
And even setting that aside…
‘It was astounding she dared to suggest fighting all of them…’
Emmm, alright, Malt had to concede that observing Leya’s earlier combat had undeniably proven her formidable power.
So powerful, in fact, that he couldn’t even accurately gauge her specific skill level.
But…
‘So what?’
He had so many people here, all around Lv2. He himself was Lv3, and combined, they could contend with even the kingdom’s top experts and wouldn’t easily be defeated, alright!?
‘And where did *she*, an unheard-of ‘girl,’ get such confidence!?’
Even the onlookers, who had been enjoying the spectacle, could no longer bear it. They all felt that Leya, being so young, was clearly immature, and thus began to speak up:
“Don’t joke, young lady! Even without their guard uniforms, those are still fully armed soldiers!”
“Miss, you can’t possibly be seeking death. Your future is long; don’t do anything rash!”
“Exactly! I myself am an Lv2 novice martial artist, and believe me, I feel these soldiers are at least on my level, with a few even so strong I can’t discern their full power!”
“Ah? Isn’t that Lv3 then? Hiss—”
“Talking about ‘feelings’ and such, do you think you’re an elf? Hahahaha…”
“…………………”
Yet, amidst this cacophony of nearly riotous chatter.
The young woman simply continued, speaking with an understated calm:
“Come on then! If both you and I wish to swiftly end this dispute, and by means of force… then let’s stop wasting words.”
“……………..”