I Tore It

The result of the duel between Kefir and Louise the Twenty-Third was so clear that not even a “conspiracy theory” could arise.

If anything, Louise the Twenty-Third should be worrying about how she’s going to explain her “experience” and cowardly behavior, which were clearly inconsistent with her supposed “level.”

Two people at the same level—yet one crumbled in fear.

Anyone with half a brain would suspect “cheating.”

As for Kefir, all those rumors about her being “in bad shape” or “tricked by some thug” collapsed on their own.

Of course, as the protagonist, Kefir would never care about such things anyway.

That evening, Kefir refused her father Zerola’s offer to “throw a big celebration.”

She only planned to have Nilu prepare some good food at her private residence for a small “happy moment.”

So now, at the dining table in Kefir’s private quarters, there weren’t many people—just me, Kefir, Miss Nilu, and Uncle Zerola, who shamelessly insisted on joining at the last minute.

“Congratulations, Kefir.”

I raised my glass to toast her, watching as she nervously averted her gaze.

“T-thank you… No, wait—Euclid, why are you so excited?

You probably already knew the result with your weird fortune-telling tricks, didn’t you?”

“No, this time I really didn’t know.”

Because the script only changed at the exact moment Kefir made her “counterattack.”

Sure, I expected Kefir to pull a “play the pig to eat the tiger,” but the gap between what the script said before and after was so big, it felt like a roller coaster ride.

“Miss, this means you can go to the ruins now!

And Mr. Euclid said you’ll definitely have a breakthrough there—congratulations!”

“Nilu, don’t… don’t believe this man’s nonsense too much.”

She said that, but Kefir’s cheeks were still honestly tinged pink with happiness.

Is it nonsense?

When the script says so, is it really “nonsense”?

For a protagonist like Kefir, whenever she joins a “dungeon,” leveling up is inevitable.

If Kefir gets stronger, that just means my thigh-hugging will be even safer.

Locked in!

The congratulations were done, and I was ready to dig into the food—but before I could take a bite, I felt a man’s stare from beside me that made me extremely uncomfortable.

I turned my head and saw Uncle Zerola, who hadn’t spoken much until now, darting his strange gaze back and forth between Kefir and me.

Then he pulled out a stack of folded parchment from inside his jacket.

“Kefir, sorry to interrupt your fun, but you need to handle this quickly.

This is an official document from Her Majesty the Queen, delivered just now.

It’s also your pass to enter the ruins later.

Euclid, put your handprint here.”

“Me?”

Why me!?

I’m the big villain here—why am I getting involved in the protagonist’s dungeon clearance? Do I want to die!?

“Don’t be surprised.

The spot wasn’t meant for Kefir alone—it’s up to the candidate to choose their team members.

The earlier duel was to prevent future conflicts, ensuring the candidate only brings people they trust.

You were going to go with her anyway, right?

Then just put your handprint down.”

Oh, so this is the “protagonist’s party.”

And here I was worrying about how I’d cling to her thigh while she was away.

Now I don’t have to fear anything!

Uncle Zerola’s palm nearly covered half the parchment, leaving only a small spot for me to stamp my print.

But… why does he look at me so strangely when I press my handprint down?

Is there something wrong with this guy?

“All done—Euclid stamped it. Now it’s your turn, Kefir.”

For some reason, Uncle Zerola’s voice was getting more and more impatient.

As the protagonist, of course Kefir had to stamp her print too!

But just as Kefir stepped forward, and her thumbprint was about to touch the parchment…

Silence fell.

Kefir narrowed her eyes.

The next second!

She suddenly pulled hard, trying to snatch the parchment away—but Uncle Zerola held on tight without budging an inch!

Then came an “Ow!” as Uncle Zerola clutched his thigh and howled.

Apparently, Kefir had kicked her own father, because she immediately grabbed the parchment and scanned it quickly.

“Kefir, is there a problem with that document?”

Honestly, even I felt something was wrong—because when she snatched it away, I caught a glimpse of some words that… shouldn’t have been there.

This was an official document, right?

So why was there a big fat word like “Marriage” on it!?

“Nothing! Eat your food!”

Kefir yelled at me with a red face, clutching the parchment tightly in her hand.

Still holding his thigh, Uncle Zerola exploded in protest:

“Kefir! What are you thinking!? Sign it already!”

“Why would I sign it!? You old fool!”

“There’s no ‘why’ about it!

Because of him—you’ve already reached a new threshold, haven’t you!?

I was skeptical before, but now I’m convinced!

As long as this guy is with you, your future is limitless!

So sign it now!

While you’re off at the ruins, your mother and I will handle the arrangements, and when you come back, you’ll get married—perfect!”

“Stop deciding for me, old man!

I thought you came to celebrate, but you clearly had ulterior motives!

Get out!

Or I’ll tell Mom where your secret stash of money is!”

“Eh! Absolutely not!

Okay, okay, no wedding then—how about an engagement contract!?

Daughter, daughter!!”

Now I understood what was going on.

But it was way beyond my control.

Kefir kicked her father out while threatening him at the top of her lungs.

Uncle, this really isn’t a good idea.

Your daughter may be strong and beautiful, but she’s the protagonist in the script.

Normally, even teasing the protagonist as a villain gets you killed—and you want me, the ‘big villain,’ to marry her!?

I’d be dead before I could enjoy it…

As I sighed, Kefir stormed back in, face still red with anger.

The moment she saw me, her shame flared again.

“What are you looking at!? Nothing happened just now.”

“I just wanted to ask—what about the ‘document’?

Why don’t you have it anymore?”

“I tore it up! Got a problem!?”

“Nope.”

Even if you gave me a hundred lives, I wouldn’t dare have a problem.

Kefir looked like she refused cleanly enough, so I decided not to touch that dangerous matter again and just eat in peace.

But just as I reached for the fried chicken drumstick again, I habitually glanced at the script—and saw this…

【Kefir hid the engagement contract.】

What!?

Lady, didn’t you just say you tore it up!?