Chapter 694

Hilt and Colbert

Translated by Tods

Edited by NotEdited

「…」

「…」

Hilt, who had been staring at Fran for a few seconds, then muttered something in a small voice.

「…I see」

「?」

I wonder what she means by that? Fran tilted her head in confusion for not understanding the meaning of her words.

「I see, it’s no wonder Colbert lost to her. I wonder how can she be this strong at this young age…」

So that’s what she wants to say, huh? Hilt and Colbert, who obviously had a relation with Dimitris, must have been an acquaintance before. Maybe they were fellow students or something. If that’s the case, then Fran was the one who caused her friend to be excommunicated.

So, I suppose, it was not surprising that she’ll be somewhat thinking ill of Fran because of that. It’s not something that she could simply ignore after all.

I also somewhat understood the meaning of her stare before. Even though she knew in her rational mind that Fran was not at fault, she must have mixed feelings when she saw her in front of her.

「You’re friends with Colbert?」

「Rather than a friend… that Colbert there is my ex-fiance. Well, the talk got dropped when he was excommunicated though」

「Ojousan. I was just one of the fiance candidates」

There seemed to be several potential fiances for her, and the one who seemed to be the most suitable is going to officially become Hilt’s groom.

And as the heir to the Dimitris-Style school, the groom must be a suitable man to assist her. Naturally, the excommunicated Colbert was eliminated as a candidate.

「Besides, Charlie, the last candidate left, is a stronger and better man than I am. He’s also close to your age, I think he’ll be a good match for you」

「You think so? Well, you might be right」

From their exchange, they may have not been as simple as just friends, aren’t they?

When Colbert replied in a light tone, Hilt responded in the same light tone and shrugged her shoulders. However, her expression was clearly dejected.

Could it be, Hilt has a feeling for Colbert…? Is Colbert unaware of this?

Now that I think of it, Colbert was being somewhat nicer to Io-san lately…

「Is Hilt going to participate in the martial arts tournament to avenge Colbert?」

「I have no interest in being a spectacle」

「…I see」

I was relieved to know that Hilt is not going to participate, but Fran seemed to be somewhat disappointed, Hilt looks strong after all.

But rather than that, our priority is Dimitris now.

『Fran, don’t forget why we came here』

「Nn…」

My words must have reminded her of the request. Fran then turned to Dimitris.

「This man tells me that you want to see me, but what do you want?」

「Nn. This is from the Kingdom of Belios」

「Hou?」

She took out the leather bag we had been keeping to give to Dimitris and put it on the table.

「They said they wanted to hire you as one of the adventurers they were sending to Gordisia. There should be a letter in it」

「Fumu, I see」

Dimitris then opens the bag and takes out an envelope, which he opens on the spot. Dimitris nodded several times as he looked at the letter that was inside it.

Now, the request is fulfilled. The rest of the story is up to the Kingdom of Belios’ letter and Dimitris.

Unlike my prior expectations, we were able to accomplish the request quite easily.

But things don’t seem to simply end here.

「So, will you take on their request?」

Fran asked so to Dimitris. Actually, the Kingdom of Belios has offered to pay us a bonus if she could convince Dimitris.

「Well, it’s going to be a boring job without Weena Rhyn. I think I might refuse」

「Can you please do something about it」

「Fumu…」

Demetrius pondered a little at Fran’s rather blunt words.

He then glanced at his granddaughter, Hilt.

「…Then how about this? Black Thunder Princess, you’re going to participate in the martial arts tournament, aren’t you?」

「Nn, of course」

「Then, I will go to Belios if you can defeat Hilt in this martial arts tournament. What do you think?」

「That’s exactly what I want!」

The old man makes an interesting proposal without even putting a smile on his face. Of course, Fran is motivated about this. But rather than being motivated by the bonus she’ll receive, she seemed to be motivated for getting a chance to have a match with Hilt.

However, in contrast to Fran, Hilt seemed to be a bit confused.

「Wha, grandfather?」

「And Hilt. If you defeat the Black Thunder Princess, I will retire and give up my position as the head of the school」

「That’s―…!」

「Hmm. I had a wife and a child. I’m not made of wood and stone, you know? Did you think I never think of them?」

「…So, in other words, if I become the head of the family, I can freely choose my groom?」

「As the head of the family, you can do whatever you want. Don’t worry about this old grandpa. You may close the dojo too if you wish」

「I understand. Though I say I don’t like to be a spectacle, with that much reward, there’s no way I’d refuse」

This time it wasn’t just a staring contest between Fran and Hilt.

They are throwing their fighting spirit at each other.

I could hear a commotion downstairs. The adventurers in the guild must have sensed the sudden burst of hostility.

「Grandfather, what would happen if one of us got defeated before we even meet」

「In that case, the one with the higher ranking wins」

「Understood」

「Nn」

Neither of them asked what would happen if they lost the first match and the standings were the same. I guess they are planning to win the tournament in the first place. They probably didn’t think that they would be the first to lose.

But still, I wonder why there is always an unexpected situation like this in every martial arts tournament. The last time we made a bet with the Beast King, but this time we made bet with Diaz and Dimitris.

「U-umm…」

The only one who looked like he was in trouble is Colbert. I feel sorry for him. I’m afraid his future may depend on Fran’s victory.