Kays Translations
Just another Isekai Lover~
Chapter 43: The New Duel and Its Conditions
“Hey! How long are you going to keep me waiting?”
When I approached the Adventurers’ Guild counter, Kane and his group were there.
There was an intensity about him that hadn’t been there before, suggesting he had been hyped up by the other members.
No, wait, his face is a bit red. Did he perhaps come here after drinking alcohol?
As I thought about this and approached the counter with Remi-san, Kane noticeably tensed up when he saw me.
“—Lloyd!”
Perhaps it was the recent events that made things awkward for him.
Kane quickly turned his gaze from me and looked at Remi-san.
“Hey! The duel was practically decided earlier! According to our agreement, hand over the elf girl!”
“But Kane, you were the one who called for the duel to be canceled before the outcome was decided, weren’t you?”
Remi said this with a tone of undeniable truth. Rena and Emi, who were clinging to Kane, glared intensely at Remi before speaking in turn.
“Huh? It’s your fault for not announcing the result. Can’t you even admit your own mistakes?”
“That’s right. Even though Kane-san showed mercy, you still can’t recognize it?”
Kane, supported by the two women, had a smug look on his face.
…Where was there anything to be smug about?
As I pondered this, I tilted my head.
Then, I decided to ask Kane a question that had been on my mind.
“By the way, why does Kane want Alicia so badly?”
If it were just about not admitting guilt, I wouldn’t understand why he was so insistent on having Alicia.
Does he intend to sell her to a slave trader?
When I said this, Kane glared at me fiercely.
…Is this all just vanity?
As I looked at Kane, considering this, he opened his mouth with an annoyed expression.
“Huh? It’s to make an example of anyone who goes against us. I’ll make her work like a slave until she’s completely worn out.”
“An example? Are you seriously planning to add her to your party just for that?”
I couldn’t hide my surprise at Kane’s childish reasoning.
Logically, elves are known for their magic and long-range attacks, so they should be placed in the rear of the party.
Yet Kane was trying to add Alicia to his party, not for her strength, but to flaunt his own superiority.
Moreover, he intended to treat her terribly, just like he had planned with Lilina before.
There’s no way I could let Alicia join Kane’s party.
And why is he so harsh on a mere baggage carrier?
As I thought this over, a possible answer came to mind.
“…I see.”
When I muttered this, Rena and Emi gave me sharp looks.
“Anyway, this doesn’t concern you, Lloyd. Stay out of it.”
“That’s right. This is none of your business, so don’t interfere.”
After they said this, Kane looked at me with a smirk.
“Lloyd. What’s with that look? I won the duel, so the elf must accept my terms. It’s none of your concern, so stay out of it.”
“…It’s okay if it concerns me, right?”
“Huh?”
When I said this, Kane frowned and squinted at me.
I leaned forward from the counter and stared straight at Kane.
“Alicia is too good for your party. If that’s the case, we’ll take her.”
“W-What are you saying, Lloyd?”
“If I win, Alicia will come with us. On the other hand, if I lose, I’ll be your party’s baggage carrier or whatever you need. In her place.”
When I said this, Kane’s shoulders twitched.
As expected.
Kane was projecting his past self onto the role of a baggage carrier, using his current position to vent his frustrations from the time he was under Lloyd.
He wants to deceive himself into believing that he has become stronger by subjugating mere weaklings or those who opposed him.
So, what would happen if I, the very person he despises, stepped in?
Kane must have been harboring resentment towards Lloyd for a long time.
Given the opportunity to direct his accumulated frustrations at Lloyd himself, he would never refuse this chance.
He probably hasn’t even realized that Alicia won’t become his.
He’ll probably realize this soon.
He’ll likely jump at the opportunity immediately.
“Wouldn’t it be more of an example if you used me instead of Alicia? Hey, Kane.”
When I said this, Kane grinned with a sinister smile.
…It’s quite a smile.
It certainly doesn’t look like the kind of smile a protagonist would wear.
With this, no matter the outcome, I should be able to save Alicia.
As I thought this, I quietly relaxed my expression.
Thus, I was set to duel Kane with Alicia’s fate hanging in the balance.