The warehouse, left unattended for a long time, was filthy. I picked up a helmet sitting atop the junk like a Christmas decoration and brought it down. Both Erina and A.A. stared at me in disbelief.
"You stored the sacred artifact like this?"
"It hasn't been used in a long time."
In the original story, it only says, "[The hero received the sacred artifact from Lucius!]" so there's no way to know how it was stored. Since I haven't reorganized anything after my reincarnation, I assume Lucius kept it this way originally. I'm a bit puzzled why he stored it like this. Does he dislike the sacred artifact?
"What a remarkable fellow. Not only is his skill mediocre, but he leaves the village's defense to us..."
Erina began criticizing me, displaying the typical stubbornness of elves. This was perfect for my plan. For me to enjoy NTR sex with Erina, she needed to escalate things here. I removed my gloves, waiting for the right moment.
"Erina!"
The hero frowned. Despite the hero's attempts to stop her, Erina kept talking.
"Not only is the sacred artifact stored poorly, but your hospitality is terrible. How can you call yourself a descendant of Peta Sirius? Aren't you ashamed of your father's name? Your father, who defeated the Demon King and passed away, would weep in the afterlife seeing you like this."
"Erina! Stop it! I'm getting angry!"
The hero tried to intervene, but thankfully, she didn't physically restrain Erina. I scowled, pretending to be angry. Lucius originally hated bringing up his parents. But thinking about it, this woman knew my father and still treated me like this? There's no greater hypocrisy.
"Anyway, this is why half-elves... oof!"
Erina stared at me in disbelief after my glove hit her face.
"I can't tolerate such an insult. For the hero's party to include such a lowly elf—I, as the princess of the Elf Kingdom, am appalled. I challenge you to a duel."
A racist who hates half-elves. Take my wrath.
Erina alternated her gaze between the glove on the floor and me, scoffing in disbelief. The pride of an elf princess seemed to prevent her from understanding the disrespect she received. A.A. stepped between us to defuse the situation.
"My lady, please calm down..."
"Don't apologize for her. Hero, as the princess of the Elf Kingdom, she should take responsibility for her words. Especially when she insults my father in front of me, she should be prepared to face the consequences."
Erina didn't seem to think she'd lose. Indeed, by elf standards and even within this world's context, she was strong. The problem was that I was stronger, and Erina couldn't see the status window confirming it.
"Fine. Do as you please. If you win, what will you do? Kneel before me?"
Was she offering to submit to me? I shook my head. It was tempting, but I had my own plan.
"If I win, you must leave the hero's party."
"What?"
Both Erina and A.A. looked at me in shock. I continued,
"I don't believe an elf like you is fit to defeat the Demon King. As the son of the previous hero, I've trained in divine power and martial arts. If I prove I'm stronger, there's no need for you to remain in the party."
"Wait, what? Where would I go if I leave?"
"I'd be grateful if you could act as the domain's regent while I'm away."
As an elf princess, she's more than qualified to be a regent. The Elf Kingdom and the Human Kingdom share territories, so this arrangement is feasible. My status as a half-elf lord already proves this.
Originally, the domain laws state that a regent must be a baron or higher, or a high priest or higher. There's no requirement to be human. Exceptions allow spouses or direct family members to act as regents, but since I'm unmarried, that's irrelevant.
A.A. tried to resolve the situation, but Erina stopped her.
"It's fine. If I beat him here, these knights won't dare harm me, right?"
"I keep my word. But aren't you the one backing down?"
Erina scoffed.
"A half-elf thinks he can beat me? Go ahead. And you want me to be the regent? Fine! But if I win, you'll apologize naked, bowing your head in front of everyone. Got it?"
She's demanding a naked apology? As a high priest and popular lord, this is a high-stakes proposal. Apologizing naked would destroy my dignity. I hesitated, then nodded.
Between a naked apology and building up for NTR sex with an elf, the latter is clearly better. It's worth risking my honor. As they say, a challenging life is beautiful. I decided to win. Gripping my mace, I told A.A.,
"Be our witness, Hero."
A.A. still looked uneasy. Of course—such a high-stakes duel is unprecedented. Robin, noticing the tense atmosphere, looked confused. I told her,
"Robin, keep people away from this area."
"What's happening?"
"Elf Princess Erina and I, Lord Peta Lucius, are about to duel."
Robin blinked, looked around, then tilted her head.
"Huh?"
"I'm fighting this elf."
"Huh?"
"We're dueling, Robin. Do you understand? Duel. Duel. Duel."
"Oh... why...?"
"Just say, 'Understood,' and follow my orders."
"...Understood."
Robin assigned people to control the crowd. I stretched, eyeing Erina. She was already nocking an arrow. Let the high-stakes duel begin.
"Let's set the terms clearly."
Before smashing her head, I decided to establish the duel's end conditions. Vague terms could lead to disputes later.
Erina seemed annoyed by my meticulousness. She scoffed,
"Do as you please. I'll win anyway."
"Then this: the one who says 'I lose' or loses consciousness loses."
"Fine. I'll make you unable to eat properly."
We both looked at A.A. She hesitated, sighed, and raised her hand. If a fight is unavoidable, accepting it is the right thing. A.A. understood this world's truth. She'd clearly given up trying to stop Erina.
"The duel between Elf Princess Erina and Lord Peta Lucius begins."
A.A. lowered her hand. Erina immediately shot an arrow at my arm. I dodged, and another transparent arrow flew from the same spot. A wind spirit appeared behind Erina.
Summoning spirits in a duel—how underhanded. I gripped my mace, charged, and shouted,
"Bless."
**[Bless]**
Increases target's health, attack power, defense, and speed.
Lucius's class is Priest. Priests excel in physical attacks and buffs—basically, a ridiculously strong alchemist. Buffed, my body felt lighter as I advanced. Startled by my speed, Erina quickly shot another arrow, creating distance.
My mace deflected the arrow, and as I saw another wind arrow being nocked, I twisted my body. The arrow flew in the same direction as the last one. The wind spirit couldn't adjust its angle.
I was right in front of Erina. She tried to draw another arrow, but my mace was faster. I struck her bow-holding hand, creating a loud metallic crash as she dropped the bow.
The force should've crushed her hand, but there was a barrier. The impact sounded heavier than it should've. I struck again as she sat down, trying to defend herself.
Bang!
A loud impact sounded, and Erina slumped. I struck again with all my might.
Clang!
The sound of shattering glass filled the air. Erina looked at her wrist in shock. I noticed a glowing bracelet losing its light.
"Sylvan!"
Erina cried in despair. Her defenses were gone. Time for punishment.
I grabbed her hair, pulling her toward me. She tried to free herself, and I punched her exposed stomach with all my strength.
Bang!
"Guh...!"
"Erina!"
A.A.'s voice sounded worried. Erina groaned.
The heavy impact shook my body. I felt her insides crush. Erina dry-heaved, kneeling. I pointed at her and used Heal.
The pain remained, but her internal injuries were healed. Erina looked dazed, then regained consciousness. I grabbed her hair again. She tried to free herself, and—