When I Infiltrated the Enemy Nation as a Slave, the Yandere Beauties There Started a Civil War Over Me - Chapter 16: The Outcome

Chapter 16: The Outcome

“Hahaha! Just like the table manners contest, this one also ended in a draw.”

“…”

“Oh? Is something the matter? Could it be that you were confident in your intellect and are now shocked that the contest ended in a tie?”

Why would the church, which holds great power in the Elenorde Empire, oppose the war with the Sandrotheim Kingdom? And who is this person with exceptional talent, someone even Cecifelia recognizes, within the church?

Right now, I desperately want more information about the church… But asking something like, “Why does the church oppose the war with Sandrotheim?” would be risky. If that’s common knowledge here, even a child would know it, and I could raise suspicions about whether I’m truly from the Elenorde Empire.

In that case, it’s better to avoid unnecessary risks. I should focus on the main goal—cancelling the marriage proposal—and secure the promised payment.

“Yes, I was confident in my knowledge, but I didn’t expect it to end in a draw.”

“Indeed, Lady Celestine posed questions from various fields, and you answered them all immediately… You must be very well-read. I suppose I was lucky to have managed a tie, haha.”

Since Celestine knows I’m a slave from another country, she avoided asking questions about the internal affairs of the Elenorde Empire to help me. Knowing that, and considering that Owen likely had his servants prepare questions in advance, it was clear from the beginning that this contest would end in a draw.

Owen had a significant advantage in this intellectual contest, ensuring he could get five questions right. He probably hoped to win, but even a draw wouldn’t disrupt his plan.

Most likely, his true aim is—

“Now, onto the contest of martial skills… You seem to be well-versed in knowledge, but how about your martial abilities?”

“I’m not really sure myself.”

It would be foolish to reveal my abilities here, so I brushed off his question lightly.

However, Owen seemed to interpret that as a lack of confidence in my skills, raising his eyebrows with a smug expression.

“Hahaha, I suppose that’s true… But—if you’re not confident, I would recommend forfeiting to avoid injury.”

“…And what do you mean by that?”

“There are plenty of nobles like you, rich in intellect, but many of them lack martial skills. Of course, either one is enough to live well as a noble, but I believe one would fall short as Lady Celestine’s fiancé without both.”

This man doesn’t even understand that love is a part of marriage, so from my perspective, he doesn’t even meet the minimum requirements. But there’s no reason to point that out right now.

“That might be true… But what does that have to do with me forfeiting?”

“Why, of course, it’s because I have some skill with the sword.”

…As I thought, his plan is to draw the table manners and intellect contests and secure a victory in the swordsmanship contest, which he excels at.

Still, it doesn’t change anything.

“I see.”

“Yes… So, if you’d like to forfeit—”

“I won’t be forfeiting. Let’s get this over with.”

“Ugh! …Very well, but remember, you made this choice. Don’t hold a grudge if you get injured.”

With a strained expression at receiving the opposite answer he was hoping for, Owen led Celestine and me to the garden.

“As you can see, this garden is only equipped with swords, but it’s spacious enough to allow for a good sparring session. If you’d prefer a different weapon, I can have one prepared immediately. What do you think?”

“No, a sword will be fine.”

“Haha, thank you.”

Clearly underestimating my abilities when it comes to martial skills, Owen replied with a confident smile. 

Given his large build—he’s about twice my size—it’s no surprise he’d act so confidently.

Considering that if I lose, Celestine would be forced to marry Owen, and the clear size difference between us, I thought Celestine might show some concern—but her eyes remained calm and clear as always.

“…”

With Celestine observing calmly, Owen and I each took a sword and faced each other.

“How will we determine the winner?”

“Simple. Either by pointing your sword at an unguarded spot or by disarming your opponent. How does that sound?”

“Understood.”

“Then, Lady Celestine, please give the signal to start.”

“Alright.”

After Celestine nodded in response, I readied my sword in my right hand, while Owen held his sword with both hands. Then, immediately—

“Let the match begin!”

At Celestine’s signal, Owen charged forward, closing the distance and swinging his sword with brute force.

For now, I stayed on the defensive, watching his sword movements. As I continued to parry his strikes, Owen smirked and said:

“What’s the matter? If you can’t fight back, I suggest you surrender while you still can.”

As I blocked his alternating strikes from the right and left, I thought to myself… This man said something interesting earlier.

“Hahaha! It seems the difference in size is too much to overcome! I’ll finish this quickly!”

Intellect and martial skill—having one or the other is usually enough for a noble to live comfortably. And he’s right about that.

If you’ve mastered one to the extreme, you’ll be valued as a noble, and others can compensate for your weaknesses. In such a case, survival wouldn’t be an issue.

“You’re holding on well, but do you think your sword can last? If you keep blocking like this, it’ll break!”

But—that only applies to nobles.

As a prince, a member of the royal family, it’s different for me. 

Without intellect, I couldn’t lead the people in the right direction, and without strength, I wouldn’t be able to protect them when the time comes.

—A person lacking in either of these shouldn’t become a king. A king must ensure the happiness of the people, and that can’t be done if either intellect or strength is missing.

That’s why I’ve worked hard to master both.

“…Honestly, I’m getting tired of dealing with someone who only knows how to swing a sword with brute force.”

“W-What…!?”

I muttered quietly, then deflected Owen’s sword, causing him to lose his balance. He managed to regain his footing, facing me again, sweat dripping down his face as he readied his sword.

There’s no need to keep pretending to be a mere slave here—so, I’ll defeat this noble of the Elenorde Empire with everything I’ve got.

“W-What… What is this overwhelming presence! Who… who are you!?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about, but if you’re not coming at me like before, I’ll come to you.”

“W-Wait—?”

As Owen opened his mouth to speak, I kicked off the ground, swung my sword from below, and disarmed him.

“W-When did this happen!?”

Still shaken, Owen didn’t seem to realize his sword had been taken. He swung his empty hands at me, but as I dodged, he finally noticed the lack of a sword in his grip. He stumbled backward and collapsed to the ground, placing his hands on the dirt.

“H-Hiiii!!”

“…”

“That’s enough! The match is decided.”

Celestine said as she approached us.

“So, that makes it my victory, correct?”

“Y-Yes, that’s right…”

“Now, to ensure that Lord Owen doesn’t interfere with our engagement, I’ll need you to sign this contract as proof.”

“O-Of course!”

Celestine handed Owen a contract. 

It stated that Celestine was rejecting Owen’s marriage proposal and that Owen would not approach her with another proposal in the future. Owen quickly signed it.

In the contest Owen had proposed, it was only decided that the winner would be engaged to Celestine. 

But now, with this contract, Celestine had also ensured that Owen would no longer try to pursue her in any way.

As I admired how smoothly she handled the situation, Celestine spoke.

“I’ve received it… Now that our business here is concluded, shall we leave?”

“Yes.”

With our objective completed, Celestine and I left the Owen estate and got into the carriage together.

“Where are we headed?”

“To the Celestine duchy. I’ll pay you the agreed amount there.”

“At the estate? Why not here?”

“To avoid the risk of a third party overhearing the contract details or the possibility of losing the money. It’s safer that way.”

I wasn’t sure if such strict precautions were really necessary, but it seemed that Celestine was just being very careful. 

Understanding that, I agreed and quietly rode the carriage with her to the Celestine estate.