After the match with Gra, I was taken to Duke Celeance's residence where the two of us talked.

  "First, I apologize about Gra. And thank you for fighting him until he was satisfied."

  So Duke Celeance could properly express gratitude too.

  "No, it was a good experience for me as well. I got to see Morningstar for the first time."

  "I see. Then let's get straight to the point. You have questions for me, don't you? You've got a match with Byakko this afternoon after all."

  So fighting Byakko today was already decided... Well, I expected as much so it's fine.

  "Since time seems limited, I'd like to focus my questions on Ellie. When I met Ellie, she was cursed and in lion form. Someone ter lifted the curse - but do you know who originally cursed her?"

  When I asked, Duke Celeance smmed his desk and stood up.

  "What?! Ellie was cursed?!"

  From his reaction, he clearly hadn't known.

  "Yes. After the curse was lifted, she returned to her current form. Next, could you tell me about Duke Milord of the Zalkum Kingdom? It's possible Ellie might have some connection with him."

  Duke Celeance seemed to want to ask more about Ellie's curse, but I pressed on about Duke Milord. When I mentioned his name:

  "Ellie and Milord?! They shouldn't have had any contact while she was here... But Milord is rumored to be experimenting on beastmen. We suspect Caesar is kidnapping beastmen and delivering them to Milord. It seems Caesar owes Milord a massive debt, so he might be repaying it through abductions."

  "Why would he incur such debt? Especially from another country's high nobility - it's hard to believe."

  "Simply put, the Caesar duchy's mithril mine was shut down. And for some reason, their tourism industry colpsed too. The duchy relied heavily on income from both. With no revenue, they had to borrow. And borrowing from nobles within their own kingdom would disadvantage them. So the then-Duke Caesar probably turned to foreign nobles instead. But this is just specution - I don't know the truth."

  If this were a monarchy, things might not have turned out this way. Maybe Duke Caesar thought: "If I borrow from domestic nobles, I must repay, but foreign nobles' debts can be defaulted."

  And perhaps the dukes of the Lister Federation know this too. So why would Duke Milord lend money? For him, beastmen may be more valuable than gold.

  "One more question. Duke Celeance, have you considered coexisting with other races - humans, elves and such - rather than just beastmen?"

  "I'll answer that after you answer my question, Marth. Originally, I wanted to ask: Do you truly love Ellie? Can you love her, a beastman, as much as that woman Crice? Will you not ter say Duke Fresbald's daughter is more important?"

  "I love Ellie. I like her just as much as Crice. I won't prioritize Karen just because she's Duke Fresbald's daughter. But Karen is also important to me. I'll protect her as much as I can."

  "You have so many precious things - do you have the strength to protect them all? Show me. Bring your companions back here after noon. I can't exactly ignore Fresbald's daughter being here. I'll answer your questions after your match with Byakko."

  "Understood. Then I'll return this afternoon."

  Duke Celeance might actually have expectations of me. Despite his tone, his expression softened. After leaving, I immediately returned to the inn where we all ate and talked.

  "We're going to Duke Celeance's residence this afternoon. There, I'll fight a lionkin named Byakko. Depending on the outcome, the Duke might reconsider his stance on other races."

  Karen tched onto my words.

  "Then you absolutely must do your best, Marth. The Fresbald family would prefer restoring retions with House Celeance. The problem is whether both sides can be honest..."

  Nobles have too much pride to bow their heads. But I had an idea.

  "Hey Karen. Could cooperation work if both sides benefit?"

  "For example?"

  "Lord Suzaku pns to delve into Rimurgard Labyrinth again, right? Both the Vermilion and Bze Knight Orders have strong fighters, but most are rear-line. They ck solid frontliners. Beastmen could fill that role."

  "I doubt they'd send their best warriors. With kidnappings ongoing, they wouldn't have manpower to spare."

  "Then what if Vermilion Knights guarded Celeance's borders? How would kidnappers react seeing them?"

  "Hmm... Depends on the kidnappers. If they're under orders from someone powerful, it might deter them. But if they're lone thrill-seekers, they probably wouldn't care. Also, it's questionable if Duke Celeance would accept them."

  Right... Lone criminals wouldn't be deterred. And expecting the Duke to accept another duchy's knights is probably too much.

  "Hmm. I thought cooperation might work..."

  "But it's better than nothing. If the kidnappings are organized, it could help. You should propose it if the opportunity arises."

  Crice, listening in, added:

  "Marth, you're a bridge between Houses Fresbald and Celeance. If you marry both Ellie and Karen, you'll mediate whenever they csh."

  "And we'll get dragged in too," Misha said.

  Alice, blushing as usual, said: "I... I want to be involved too!"

  Baron and Minerva smirked at us. After eating, all eight of us went to Duke Celeance's residence.

  Led to the same morning room, we found Duke Celeance, Blood, Byakko, and five other beastmen.

  "Sorry for the dey. Should we introduce ourselves?"

  "No need. I know you all. Karen, is Duke Fresbald well?"

  The Duke ignored me, startling Karen.

  "It's been a while, Duke Celeance. My father is well, thanks to you."

  "Good. Enough formalities. Marth, ready to fight?"

  "Yes. I've rested some..."

  "Then let's move to the earlier location."

  We relocated to where I'd fought Gra.

  Facing Byakko, I felt intense pressure. He's strong... As I silently tried Appraisal, Byakko spoke.

  "Don't tell me you can use Appraisal, Marth?"

  So he can sense being appraised.

  "Yes. I can only use Appraisal... May I?"

  "Fine. Depending on results, decide whether to draw that sword."

  Complying, I appraised him.

  [Name] Byakko Junkers [Title] King of Combat [Status] Beastman (Lionkin)/Head of House Junkers [Condition] Good [Age] 30 [Level] 55 [HP] 262/262 [MP] 10/10 [Strength] 122 [Agility] 110 [Magic] 2 [Dexterity] 2 [Endurance] 103 [Luck] 1

  [Special Ability] Martial Arts (Lv9/B)

  [Equipment] Adamant Cw [Equipment] Beast Mail

  "King of Combat" is seriously cool. No time for details, but his stats are inferior to Burns', though his Strength, Agility and Endurance exceed mine.

  Those Adamant Cws seem familiar - the Masked Nobleman had simir ones. I think they break after blocking a few times.

  "Well? Did that make you draw your sword?"

  Byakko smirked confidently.

  "Yes. If I don't fight seriously, I might get badly hurt."

  Drawing Thundercp Sword and Samander Sword surprised Byakko.

  "You really appraised me, didn't you?"

  "Yes."

  "And you still drew those two swords. Meaning you think you can put up a fight?"

  Ah, he expected me to lose my nerve after seeing his stats.

  "I don't know about a good fight, but I might hold out."

  "Then I'll have to crush that arrogance of yours."

  As Byakko grinned, Duke Celeance announced the match's start.