CH 102

I Friggin Hate Duel! 1

In the dense forest where neither radar nor visual sensors are reliable, two strikers eluded their pursuers even though they were being chased by a whole army. Even in the case where the Noredian army encounters the two, they would be wiped out due to the overwhelming power of Kisei and Saki. No matter how skillful Diaroze is, she couldn’t do much in such a situation.

“U, Uwahh! They’re here!”

Spotting the white striker that sewed through the gaps between the trees, Diaroze screamed in surprise. With its white paint tainted by the oil stains, the white striker glared at the [Zentis] with its glowing blue eyes as it pointed its bayonet.

“I’ve come for the general’s head! This is Hokuto Kisei the mercenary, I challenge you to a duel!”

“Eh, who in their right mind would………”

Diaroze said that without thinking but she held her mouth before she could finish her sentence. She can’t afford to show such an unsightly appearance in front of her subordinates. She hurriedly looked around and saw that all her escort strikers have their weapons at the ready. However, they all stopped moving and looked toward Diaroze.

‘EEEI, Useless, all of them!’

Diaroze cursed internally but it is certainly normal for her subordinates to not attack Kisei when he challenged her to single combat.

“S, So you bastard are Hokuto Kisei huh. Don’t you think that attitude of yours is too haughty when addressing someone who’s the next in line for the Nored throne?”

“I do apologize for that. So, your reply?”

“Hmph……I heard that you are quite skilled so I imagined you to be a beast-like caveman but your pretty voice sounds almost like the chirping of a little bird. So, how about you quit being a mercenary and come to my side? I will love you plenty you know.”

“I refuse. So, your repl–……”

“T, that’s right! You’re probably tired from fighting your way here right. You should take a break! I would never take advantage of an exhausted opponent! I have some good tea leaves as well. Let’s sheath our weapons and have some tea together to get to know each other!”

“You say that after you ordered purge bombings on planets full of civilians………?”

Valentina muttered with an astounded expression at the fluttered Diaroze.

“What did you say!?”

“No, nothing.”

“Anyway, you fools just keep quiet! ……., I didn’t give that order because I wanted to in the first place…………”

“WHO CARES!”

From behind Kisei, Saki shouted at Diaroze who started muttering her excuses in a small voice. Her striker was also covered in oil from the combat and gave off the impression of a warrior whose whole body is dyed in blood.

“Are you going to do this or not! You don’t want to do it? Fine. We will just go on a rampage here. Even I have been waiting for a chance to cleave that head off your shoulders for a while now. Rather, just give me an excuse to do it.”

Kisei is clearly stronger than her so Saki was being reasonable and stepped back to devote herself to support him. However, their opponent is Diaroze, the enemy of Calencia herself. If she can, she also wants to take revenge for her people.”

“Aneue, please, your decision.”

“…………”

Diaroze pathetically looked at Valentina whose voice sounded like she was saying [Just accept the duel already]. Like [Zentis], Valentina’s striker was painted with black and gold signifying the status of the Nored Imperial family. However, unlike Diaroze, her demeanor seems strangely calm and collected.

‘Damn it, acting like it’s none of your concern…….if it’s like that then you go fight him! ……..no, I’m the general here, if I appoint a proxy, I would become the laughing stock of the whole army!’

While her head was processing her options at high speed, Diaroze grits her teeth. Naturally, she doesn’t want to accept the duel challenge. Kisei’s [Caliburn-Revive] seems to be a little exhausted but it should still be able to fight well. Diaroze has her confidence in piloting a striker but against a real monster that can fight off the Nored’s 4 Heavenlys all by himself, her confidence means nothing.

‘How did it come to this……..this was supposed to be an easy war. If I don’t do something then I will lose…..’

Thinking so, Diaroze felt a strange sensation running down her back. Her body quivered but she couldn’t tell what it was so she decided to shake it off.

“It seems you are not planning to accept my challenge. Can’t be helped, I will just crush everyone here.”

The moment Kisei said that in a cheerful voice, Diaroze’s escorts started to panic.

“Wait! Stop right there! There’s no way that our princess would do such a shameful thing as to turn away from such a challenge!”

“That’s right! Her Highness will definitely accept! Right, Your Highness!!”

With the position of the next empress, Diaroze’s escorts only consisted of high-ranking aristocrats. However, these aristocrats usually prepare a custom-made striker for themselves. They would never risk any unnecessary damage to their luxuriously customized machine. Moreover, if news spreads that they were defeated by a man then their honor will be seriously damaged. That’s why the escorts abandoned their duty and prioritized themselves.

Rumors about Kisei are also becoming more famous within the Nored empire. Even if they know that they will not be killed in a fight against him, they would all naturally choose to minimize the damage to themselves.

“Damn it…….I just have to accept it right, Fine!”

Being subjected to a case of extreme peer pressure, Diaroze eventually gave in and shouted so in tears.

Diaroze then mute her microphone and take out a communication terminal from the holder on her thigh and quickly typed in a message. After confirming that the message was sent, she unmuted the mic.

“Diaroze Vista Argarine! [Zentis] will face you in single combat!”