You don’t treat me like a human being?

For the so-called “newly risen genius” Louise XXIII of London, who had only used some “strange methods” to barely reach dual fifth-rank in a short time, a duel of strength with Kefir was basically no different from losing in advance.

So, a few days later, having waited in vain for Louise IV to come explain, Louise XXIII, unable to suppress her anxiety, hurried to the Kefir family estate.

On ordinary days, Louise XXIII would definitely look for any chance to mock Kefir for being tricked by a penniless rascal, but today she really had no mood for that.

Seizing the chance while Kefir was practicing swordsmanship in the martial arena, the anxious—no, terrified—Louise XXIII immediately went to the room where Louise IV was temporarily staying.

“Huh? XXIII? How rare for you to show up. Are you here to chat with me?”

Louise IV, sitting gracefully by the window, maintained her elegant demeanor, but Louise XXIII could not hold back!

The moment the door was closed, she burst out loudly!

“Royal Sister! What on earth were you thinking the other day!? When I came to see you before, didn’t you say you’d give me the spot to go to the ruins!? Why did you suddenly change your mind that day!? And even use something like a duel…”

“XXIII~ On such a beautiful morning, raising your voice like that seems a bit improper~”

“!”

For a moment, the flames that had already been pouring out of Louise XXIII’s mouth shuddered, and her voice softened.

“B-But why did you change your mind?”

“Hmm~”

Without getting up, not even glancing over, Louise IV clasped her hands together and…

“Because I changed my mind, XXIII.”

“Wha!”

“My thoughts suddenly changed. Is that such a strange thing? As long as I haven’t said it in public or had it recorded, then it doesn’t count.”

“C…”

The words “f*** your mother,” which were about to burst out, were forcibly swallowed back by Louise XXIII, because she knew if she blurted them out, she wouldn’t even survive tonight, let alone surpass Kefir.

Gradually, her heart was filled with panic and nervousness, because Louise XXIII knew that if the duel really happened as planned, relying on nothing but some drugs and rumors to briefly rise to dual fifth-rank and be packaged as a genius, she definitely couldn’t beat Kefir!

With what? And then she’d even become a stepping stone for that b*tch, and all the fame she had painstakingly gathered during this time would…

“Then what should I do!?”

Unconsciously, her voice carried a tone of blame toward Louise IV.

But when Louise XXIII realized what kind of fatal mistake she had just made and was about to kneel and apologize, she noticed that Louise IV showed no sign of being angry.

“What to do~ The decree has already been issued, so of course, it’s fair competition~”

Louise IV stood up, a troubled expression on her face.

“But indeed, XXIII, even if I bestowed upon you the latest research results of the Great Britannia Empire, your strength still hasn’t improved much. I’ve been working hard to promote you as the ‘new genius,’ but… if it’s just hype, when it comes to really facing Kefir, it seems you’ll still lose~”

She sighed softly, every gesture, every word, leaving Louise XXIII speechless and making the anxiety and frustration in her heart grow stronger.

Louise XXIII clenched her fists, and a gloomy expression began to surface.

“That’s right, it’s all because of that Kefir. Every single day, all the rumors are about her. Everything anyone sees is about her! And afterward, she still puts on a look like she doesn’t care. Thanks to that little slut, I have nothing! Isn’t it just because she has some slightly better parents and a few petty tricks!?”

“Shh~ Don’t be so blunt, XXIII.”

“So what if I’m blunt!? I’m not famous anyway, and it’s all her fault!”

After letting out her foul mouth, Louise XXIII felt incomparably refreshed.

As for saying such things in front of Louise IV, she wasn’t afraid at all, because she knew that smug little slut Kefir wouldn’t be proud for much longer.

Fighting fairly in the duel was definitely impossible, so like before, she would…

“Royal Sister, please, do you have any way to help me beat that little slut so she can’t fight back!?”

“XXIII~ Sigh, forcing your strength up will only make you improve less and less in the long run~”

“Who cares! As long as I can kick Kefir down from the genius pedestal! After that, who will care?” Louise XXIII immediately grabbed Louise IV’s wrist.

“Royal Sister, the way you said that definitely means you do have something, right!? Give it to me!”

“Well, there is something. Recently, the court mages have further refined the original medicine they gave you. Based on your condition, within a short time, you could even reach dual sixth-rank peak. But that’s only raw power; magic and martial techniques won’t appear out of nowhere, and besides…”

“Where!? Is it that same mage who gave me the pills before!? I’ll go to her right now!”

When Louise XXIII heard the words “dual sixth-rank peak,” she stopped listening to anything else.

The dual fifth-rank boost she had before was already useless, but if she could rise another level, what would Kefir, who hadn’t improved in years, use to fight her!?

Excited, Louise XXIII even imagined the scene of Kefir being trampled under her feet, her dignity in shreds!

At that time, let’s see if she can still put on that indifferent face!

Overjoyed, Louise XXIII ran out immediately, even forgetting to salute Louise IV or close the door properly, eager to fly to the palace to find the mage who gave her the pills.

Leaving behind only Louise IV in the room, and a slightly “anxious” voice.

“And also, the side effect is that after you take it once and get the boost, you’ll be crippled forever~ XXIII.”

The door had long since closed; Louise XXIII could not hear it.

The anxious look on Louise IV’s face was instantly replaced by a dazzling smile.

“Well~ If you didn’t hear it, then nothing can be done~ Don’t blame your Royal Sister later~”

From somewhere in the room came a whisper.

“Your Majesty, this will cause problems.”

Louise IV did not answer, but instead… in the center of the room, bathed in sunlight from the window, she turned, raised her arms, tiptoed, spun, and closed her eyes, dancing.

“But the expression XXIII will have when she becomes a cripple—that will be so much fun, right?”

“And if Kefir loses and comes to me for comfort, won’t that expression be even more interesting?”

With a spin, Louise IV drew the parasol handle from the table—it was a sword.

Cold light flashed as she danced with it in her hand.

“Don’t worry, whether she wins or loses, the one going will be Kefir. She’s the most suitable to represent the Great Britannia Empire. I just think XXIII is amusing—like a dog.”

“And by the way, lately, I’ve found someone else… that I want to torment even more~”