“Is there a problem here?”𝒐𝓋𝓛xt.𝒸𝞸𝔪
The moment Sebastian appeared, a few of the Mahuns widened their eyes and started backing away.
“That’s… That’s the Head Combat Butler of the Nilm Family…”
“She also hired him as a guard?”
“Fuck this, this is not worth it.”
All of the Mahuns immediately dispersed with their heads hung low to hide their faces, leaving the Nekomatas, Inugamis and the Wrunch who were confused by their reactions.
These guys must not know about the Nilm family, which means our family isn’t known outside of the Kingdom which I suppose is a good thing.
I just feel it would be better if I made my own name for myself instead of relying on Mother’s.
The people left behind seemed to be unable to take a hint since they continued to bar our way to prevent us from reaching the booker.
The Wrunch on the other side tried to advance towards me but Sebastian stood in his way, blocking him with his frame.
He growled at Sebastian, “Get out of the way before you get hurt, old man.”
Oh come now, Sebastian doesn’t even look that old…
Sebastian shook his head, “I suggest that you and your friends accept your loss and move on. Otherwise you’ll lose even more.”
“Are you threatening me?”
“Hardly, I was merely just stating facts.”
“Well, here’s your fact checker, old man!”
The ruffian raised his fist and attempted to punch Sebastian, only to have his entire figure disappear in the very next moment.
I barely caught the blur of his figure disappearing and I couldn’t even see what caused him to disappear like that.
It took a moment for me to realise the Wrunch had been launched back to smash into the wall at the far end of the hall, his unconscious form slowly sliding down like a piece of wet rag.
Another second passed before his companions realised that the Wrunch was no longer where he was and it took them a moment more to realise where he was.
At least they were quick to realise that Sebastian was responsible for the state of that Wrunch and the same thing might happen to them if they were to continue obstructing us.
That made them disperse quickly while avoiding looking in our direction, trying to pretend that they were just one of the onlookers instead.
Sebastian turned and inclined his head slightly, “My apologies for the uncouth display, young Mistress.”
“Oh, thank you Sebastian~ I didn’t even see you move! That was really cool~” I praised.
“Hearing young Mistress’s praise is very heartening for a mere butler like myself. Although I have to admit that I stepped in to save that man’s life.”
I wondered what he was talking about? Was he implying that the guy would die if he didn’t step in? But from what?
“Mistress, we should get your winnings quickly,” Katsuki spoke up unexpectedly, distracting me from my thoughts.
Oh right! Let’s go!! I wonder how much I actually won?
We continued towards the booker and the man did not look as happy to see me as he did the first time.
Lisa went up first and handed over the ticket, the man grumbling in barely restrained annoyance as he handed over ten small bronze coins.
Oh damn! The odds were ten to one?! That means I won a whole thousand Creas!
I went up to the booker with my betting slip and he could not have shown me a more reluctant face.
Just as he was reaching out to take the slip from me, he suddenly stopped and grinned, “Missus… Would you care to listen to a proposal from me?”
No doubt he wanted to weasel his way out of paying up but let’s just see what he wanted to say.
I nodded at him, “Sure. What do you have in mind?”
“You see… How about we up the stakes a little? There’s still one more slot for tonight’s bettings so how about you select one more person to participate as a contestant? You can even pick yourself if you want. If your chosen wins, I’ll double your winnings, but if your chosen loses… Then I’ll just pay you back the hundred Creas you bet with? How about it?”
I raised an eyebrow at him. “You’re serious?”
“Ah! But of course you can’t choose that Amrap woman again. Not to worry, the Steel Minotaur was the strongest monster. The others are just beasts or goblin type monsters, what do you say?”
Oh damn, just look at this guy digging a deeper hole for himself.
Yep, I’m definitely accepting this bet!
Hey, he’s practically giving away free money! Do you think I would say no to that?
I grinned and thrusted out my hand, “Deal!”
His lips also curled up into a smile and he grasped my hand in his and we shook on it.
I was about to leave when Lisa spoke up, “You need to give her a new betting slip.”
The booker’s smile instantly turned to a frown, “What are you talking about? Mind your damn business you busybody!”
Lisa tilted her head, “I’m her personal c– Ahem… I mean I am her friend and this isn’t my first time in this sort of place. You need to give her a new betting slip or else the deal is off and we cash in right now.”
Ah… I see now. There was no proof that we actually had this agreement so even if I won, he could have just played dumb and just paid me the original amount so he would not lose out on much.
Thanks Lisa!
The booker looked like he was considering if he should just go back on his deal but he eventually just cursed under his breath and wrote down our new deal on a new betting slip before handing it to me.
Only after I checked the contents of the slip were legitimate did we leave to sign up for the arena.
“It would be my honour to be chosen to fight for you, Mistress,” Katsuki announced while we were walking there.
“Oh no, no, no! I was intending to show Aster my cool side! Pick me instead, Aster!” Lisa spoke up from my other side.
I blinked at the both of them, “Actually… I was intending to choose myself.”
Katsuki turned to me, “Mistress might not know this, but the fight prohibits the usage of magic. If you were to use any kind of magic, you would be immediately disqualified and that would count as a loss.”
Oh, I didn’t know that. But it’s not like that would change my decision anyway.
He already said the Steel Minotaur was the strongest they had and I doubt they would bring an Infant Dragon out here so I should be fine without my magic.
It would certainly be hilarious if I end up facing a goblin or even just a Hell Wolf.
I waved my hand casually, “It’ll be fine. Just leave it to me! It’s been a while since I fought so I want to try this too! Ah, but I guess if it gets too dangerous, I’ll leave it to you guys to save me?”
“Of course, Mistress.”
“You can leave it to me as well, Aster!”
Ehehe~ I have such reliable friends~
“Sister Asssteeeer!!”
I looked up to see Odeta running towards me with a big smile on her face while Sebastian followed behind her at a casual walking speed, the butler having gone to escort her after the scuffle with those ruffians.
And those abs of hers were still shiny with a sheen of sweat too, it just makes them look so much more squeezable~
“Did you see?!” She asked when she reached me, a little out of breath.
“Yes, I saw your fight with the Steel Minotaur, it was really, really impressive.”
“Wahahaha! Do you think I’ve gotten stronger than before? I’m stronger than I was back then, right?”
I giggled, “Yes you are, Odeta. You’ve come a really long way since then!”
“Ahahaha! If I had known sister Aster was here, I would have shown off a little bit more! But I suppose that will have to wait till next time! Is sister Aster participating too?”
“Funny you should ask actually. I’m just about to go sign up for a round and I made a bet with that booker of yours that I would win.”
She gasped, “Oh right! That guy! He told me I would get something from him if I won too! Let me go get it real quick!”
I watched her run off back to the booker guy and I thought he would be just as upset to see her as he would when he saw me.
Surprisingly, he was perfectly calm when he was speaking to her and he handed over something that she clutched to her chest immediately before running back.
“I got it! This is for you, Aster!!”
She thrusted her hands out towards me and sitting within her palms was a single flower that had silvery white petals.
“What is this?” I asked, picking up the flower carefully with both hands.
“Ahahaha~ I saw that guy had this flower and it reminded me of you, so I made him agree to hand this to me if I won the fight!”
This girl… She really went to fight in a possible death match to get this flower for me?
Someone call the doctor!! I’m about to die from all this excessive sweetness!
Ahhhh!! Why is she so cute?!!