When the Villain Joined the Knights to Avoid Doom Flags, but Somehow the Heroines Started Approaching Him - Chapter 37: The Battle Outside

Chapter 37: The Battle Outside

There was no option to retreat now.

With her charge to protect, turning her back and running would be far riskier than standing her ground and aiming to defeat her opponent.

Fortunately, thanks to the ice dome Yulis created, they seemed to be isolated, with no other presences nearby.

Lieselotte gripped her sword tightly and closed the distance to Haku.

She hadn’t managed to get into his blind spot—she had simply shortened the gap.

As their weapons clashed, the sharp sound of metal echoed through the quiet surroundings.

“”!!””

It didn’t end with a single strike.

Their sword and knife clashed again, twice, three times in quick succession.

“You’re younger than me, right? And yet, you’re this skilled with a sword? That’s honestly a surprise.”

“…”

“Oh, but I guess Ronye’s pretty monstrous in her own way too… Maybe it’s the environment that brings out these unexpected talents?”

Haku’s knife aimed straight for her throat.

But just before it could connect, Lieselotte dodged, countering with a horizontal slash.

Haku caught her wrist mid-swing, stopping her blade just in time.

“You seem pretty confident, huh…!”

“Not really. I’m just in a hurry to finish off your princess over there.”

“And before you do, don’t forget—I’m still here!”

With a twist of her wrist, she broke free from his grip.

The difference between a knife and a sword lies in their reach and weight.

It might seem insignificant, but in close combat, even a small difference can determine the outcome of a fight.

Lieselotte wasted no time, bringing her sword down in a swift strike.

Haku blocked it with his knife, but his stance shifted slightly as though his balance had been thrown off.

Taking advantage of the moment, Lieselotte’s sword movements began to accelerate.

(…Lady Lieselotte is gaining the upper hand.)

Even from the sidelines, Fia could see it clearly.

With every rapid exchange, it was obvious who had the advantage.

Haku’s defense with the knife was faltering, and Lieselotte pressed her attack relentlessly.

“It’s not like I’ve forgotten about you, but…!”

And then, finally—

The knife was forced aside, and Lieselotte’s sword sliced diagonally across Haku’s torso.

The result—

“Gahh…!?”

Blood spilled from Lieselotte’s mouth, pouring out in alarming amounts.

“W-Why!?”

Fia, shocked, couldn’t help but voice her disbelief.

But Haku didn’t answer.

Instead, wiping the blood from his own mouth, he delivered a sharp kick to Lieselotte’s body.

“Why would I go out of my way to explain it?”

“!?”

Lieselotte’s body flew past Fia, slamming into a tree behind her.

A painful, choking sound came from Fia’s rear, causing her to tense up.

“Revealing your hand is something you only do when the audience gets bored. Giving away a disadvantage on purpose? That’s a complete taboo in this world.”

It was true—there was no benefit in exposing a secret during a fight.

The longer your opponent remains in the dark, the more time they waste trying to figure it out.

In a life-and-death battle, that hesitation could be fatal.

Throwing away an advantageous position was nothing short of foolish.

That much was clear.

But the real issue was that this “secret” was entirely too unclear—

(I’m certain Lady Lieselotte struck that man just now.)

Yet, Haku himself stood there, completely unaffected—or at least, that’s how it seemed.

No, upon closer inspection, it wasn’t entirely true.

There were clear signs: his clothes were sliced near his shoulder, and faint traces of blood could be seen around his mouth as if he’d wiped it away.

On the other hand, Lieselotte, aside from the dirt on her clothes from being thrown, had no visible wounds.

And yet, just like Haku…

She was coughing up an unnatural amount of blood, despite showing no signs of injury.

“It’s tough on my end too, you know? Every time I fight, I have to push myself to my limits…”

It didn’t make sense.

None of it made sense, but while Fia was still lost in confusion, Lieselotte sprang into action.

The clash of metal rang out again as her sword met Haku’s knife.

“You move well, even though this has to be taking a toll on you.”

“………………”

“Normally, not knowing your opponent’s tricks would make anyone hesitate a little.”

Clang! Clang!

Sparks flew again and again as their weapons collided repeatedly.

Despite the toll on her body, Lieselotte managed to thrust her sword into Haku’s chest once more.

And yet, inexplicably, she felt a sharp pain in her own chest immediately after.

“!!?”

“At this point, it’s enough for me to handle things alone.”

Just as he said, Haku swung his knife at Lieselotte.

She managed to block the lethal blows with her sword, but smaller cuts and stabs began to accumulate.

Gradually, the injuries took their toll, and Lieselotte collapsed to the ground.

“~~!!?”

“Well, that’s one down.”

Saying that Haku raised his knife toward Lieselotte’s throat.

But just as he was about to strike, Fia suddenly stepped in between them.

“P-Please wait!”

She could have chosen to run.

But instead, she spread her arms wide, shielding Lieselotte, and stood in the path of Haku’s raised knife.

“Your objective is me, isn’t it? If that’s the case, there’s no need for you to kill her!”

“You’re absolutely right. I have no interest in anyone but you. So, of course, I’ll honor your request… Okay then, I’ll let her go in your place.”

If she had prioritized her own life, the best choice would have been to turn around and run during the fight.

And yet, she didn’t. Why?

Even Fia couldn’t understand her own decision.

Did she fully believe Lieselotte would win? Was it fear that froze her in place? Or had she simply forgotten to run?

Whatever the reason, she now stood before Haku—

“In this world, even one as dark as ours, I can respect certain things. And you, throwing yourself in harm’s way to save another, have earned that respect.”

Without letting her suffer, in one clean strike—

Haku raised his knife toward Fia once more.

(Is this the end?)

Fear gripped her. If she let her guard down for even a second, tears might fall.

Her hands and feet trembled, and every part of her screamed to turn and run.

She wanted to go back to a life where she didn’t have to feel this way.

A peaceful life where none of this would happen.

She wanted to experience attending the academy.

Even with her limited freedom as a princess, she wanted to explore new places and have fun.

In the end, she hadn’t deepened her bond with that person. But she had wanted to.

She had wanted to fulfill her duties as a princess.

…She still wanted to live.

There was so much more she had wanted to do.

(…ve… me.)

But if there was no chance to escape, and if Lieselotte could be spared…

If someone was about to lose their life right in front of her because of her own actions…

If sacrificing her own life could save them, then that was the smarter choice.

(…Help.)

But still—still, still, still, still, still, still, still, still, still, still, still, still, still, still, still, still, still, still, still, still, still…!!!

(…Please…)

She couldn’t stop herself from wishing for it.

Of course not—no matter how composed or optimistic a princess she might be, she was still just a girl, young enough to be called a child.

(Someone, please save me!!!)

And then—

“It’s… okay…”

Lying on the ground, blood spilling from her lips, Lieselotte spoke.

“My… goal… was… only… to buy… time…”

And then, for some reason, ice began spreading across the area, forming a shimmering barrier—

“Nice fight, Lieselotte.”

Thud!

A dull impact echoed as Haku’s cheek was struck, and he was sent flying, bouncing off the ground before landing in a heap.

“…Huh?”

Tears still in her eyes, Fia could only let out a stunned gasp.

After all…

“H-How…?”

Standing before her now, a boy with translucent ice-like arms had appeared.

“Time for a change—the rest of this princess (heroine) event is mine to handle.”