Time is over. The unidentified 『Meat Mask (Fleshed Mask) 』. The lot is knocked down at two hundred million Gils by the prestigious Éclair Gladys-sama.”
A thunderous applause from the seats downstairs reaches the noble section. Éclair who sit there, leans on her seat and sighs heavily. Her eyes are moist, her eyes that were always honed is now loosened.
There is no excitement or delight in winning the battle, but just a deep relief.
The battle ended easier than Éclair thought. All of Montor’s previous recommendation ended up wasted. The knocked down bid successfully ended at the first two hundred million Gils that Éclair had prepared beforehand.
Compared to what you would have thought because of the rumor, the fight was one-sided. Perhaps, it was fortunate that the rumor about Gladys-kyo being serious spread around. In this Empire, nobles’ power is quite strong. There is no companies or Hunters who will try to stand against it upfront. There shouldn’t be.
I am once again convinced of it and I am proudly looking at my father, Van Gladys sitting next to me.
Trimmed dark brown hair and sharp eyes. Without answering the words of praise from the other nobles around him, my father keeps looking at the stage. The expression on his face wasn’t one where he was happy for his daughter’s victory but a suspicious face as if he found something strange.
When Van Gladys notices Éclair’s glances, he raises his eyebrow. The words that comes out of his mouth were unexpected for Éclair.
“So, he let you win.”
“… Eh!?”
Montor who is on-standby behind agrees in a low voice.
“It does look like it. “Infinite Variety” has already left the venue. None of the people who participated in the auction for the mask was really aiming for it.”
“Funh… A Level 8 Hunter… When I thought, he was a man who didn’t know anything about respect like any other Hunters, but it does look like him being a tactician wasn’t just a rumor. To think that he tried to put obstacle on his own wheel to get the Relic and easily back down like this… A Hunter who kept his cool and calm response to let us keep face. As Ark says, he is an interesting1 man.”
“What, what do you mean!? Otou-sama! As you told me, I showed you that I could win!”
Even if there was the help of Montor, Éclair has gathered funds and proved her father that she won as his command. Winning is all the results that matter for Gladys who is a military family. In accordance with her family rules, she has defeated the man who had made a fool of Gladys house and is known to be a Level 8 Hunter.
Van Gladys gives Éclair who is screaming in high pitches, a sharp glance that doesn’t seems to be aimed at a member of his family.
“Éclair, you have indeed won the Relic. But this victory wasn’t the victory that count. I was expecting it to be a good experience for you whether you win or lose but… You weren’t even standing in the same ring. Was I too sweet? And finally, to not even realizing that fact…”
“Huh!?”
“Ojou-sama. “Infinite Variety” had certainly gathered more than two hundred million Gils. We had information about Sytry Smart selling off materials and potions. The Hunter we placed near him for surveillance has been repelled but… He back down in the middle of the auction. It was even before the beginning of that Relic’s auction.”
Montor explains in a calm voice to Éclair who is still shocked.
“Wh, why!? Why didn’t he even participate in the fight?”
I couldn’t understand. The first one who wanted that Relic was “Infinite Variety”. Éclair just entered from the sideline, like an uninvited guest. Then, why did he give up in the middle of it? Éclair didn’t notice it because she was too concentrated on the auction, but that man didn’t even participate in the auction.
“They gave you the victory, Ojou-sama. If Ojou-sama haven’t collected more than two hundred million Gils, then they might have participated as promised but in the middle of it, the battle has changed from a personal one against Éclair Ojou-sama to one against Count Gladys House. It hasn’t been a fight at all and even if Éclair-sama did lose… He would have probably backed down.”
“……”
Éclair silently receives Montor’s words.
Various emotions are swirling in my mind. Confusion. Relief. Perplexity. Anger. I argue while squeezing my voice out.
“He would fight me fair and square in a one-on-one fight… That was what he said.”
“We have negotiated in advance with companies that would have been a competitor. Ojou-sama, by being born as Gladys’ daughter, you have the obligation to win. Hunters and nobles are a bit alike, at least if you stumble here, later you may have been underestimated because of it. And today, Ojou-sama has won against a Level 8 Hunter.”
“If you have opened your eyes a little bit, it is clear that he let you win. Damn, it is hard to swallow. We just spent two hundred million, everything is because of “Infinite Variety” effort.”
When her father is having a disgruntled face, Éclair mutters in a quivering voice.
“I… I have been given mercy. Was I underrated?”
“It is probably because you haven’t been underrated. Whether this can be called a win for Ojou-sama will depends on Ojou-sama’s thinking…”
Wrong. This kind of thing… isn’t a victory. Forfeit? No. There is no way that such word can convince Éclair’s feeling.
It would have been more convincing if I won or lose while facing him directly. The more she thinks on it, the more she is grinding her teeth.
I lost. I won the battle, but I lost the war. With this I can’t deliver this Relic while holding my heads up to Ark who I respect so much.
“Do I owe him now?”
“… We kept our end of the promised, at least he should acknowledge Ojou-sama to some extent as you have collected two hundred million Gils even after consulting with your family. I don’t think the infamous Leader of “Strange Grief” will simply retire because you are a renowned nobleman.”
“… Either way, we owe him. Regardless of how the others see, we must return a debt I received as a Zebrudia nobleman. … Or maybe, that man real purpose wasn’t to get that strange Relic?”
To the steep look of Count Gladys, Montor’s expression which rarely loses his calm becomes cloudy.
“… I didn’t see any person wanting or had the intention to hide some information. It was also Ojou-sama own intention to go with Ark-dono to his Clan House to see him off. As expect… It must be a coincidence.”
Even after hearing the word of his right-hand man, Count Gladys didn’t loosen his expression. He gave an order to Éclair who is still frozen.
“Éclair, do whatever you want with the Relic you won. However, I forbid you any contact with that man anymore. He isn’t an opponent you can face.”
It is so mortifying. While thinking I was going to fight him, I was just dancing in the palm of his hand. It is too miserable, too far from my ideal. But then, what should I do? What should I have done?
I have always tried to have a resolute behavior suitable for a noblewoman. However, the only feeling that Éclair has in her heart right now was only helplessness and anxiety.
“Did you understand? Answer me!”
“Uh… Yes… Otou-sama.”
In response to her father’s reprimand, Éclair bit her lips, stiffens her throat and answers.
Thx for reading. This part was pretty hard, some of part where I didn’t really understand like when they explained why Éclair lost, so some part is really close to what they said originally but there is still some difference. Sorry about that but the general context is the same. And poor Éclair, she is just a victim of Infinite Variety, a collateral damage, don’t forget she is still 10 or 12-year-old. Let’s hope she will grow to be someone good because of that. Tchao à plus
If you are in a generous mood and want to support me, I will be very grateful! : Click here for Ko-fi donation or the button bellow
1. Interesting: The word here is omoshiroi, which can imply interesting or funny/amusing.
Time is over. The unidentified 『Meat Mask (Fleshed Mask) 』. The lot is knocked down at two hundred million Gils by the prestigious Éclair Gladys-sama.”
A thunderous applause from the seats downstairs reaches the noble section. Éclair who sit there, leans on her seat and sighs heavily. Her eyes are moist, her eyes that were always honed is now loosened.
There is no excitement or delight in winning the battle, but just a deep relief.
The battle ended easier than Éclair thought. All of Montor’s previous recommendation ended up wasted. The knocked down bid successfully ended at the first two hundred million Gils that Éclair had prepared beforehand.
Compared to what you would have thought because of the rumor, the fight was one-sided. Perhaps, it was fortunate that the rumor about Gladys-kyo being serious spread around. In this Empire, nobles’ power is quite strong. There is no companies or Hunters who will try to stand against it upfront. There shouldn’t be.
I am once again convinced of it and I am proudly looking at my father, Van Gladys sitting next to me.
Trimmed dark brown hair and sharp eyes. Without answering the words of praise from the other nobles around him, my father keeps looking at the stage. The expression on his face wasn’t one where he was happy for his daughter’s victory but a suspicious face as if he found something strange.
When Van Gladys notices Éclair’s glances, he raises his eyebrow. The words that comes out of his mouth were unexpected for Éclair.
“So, he let you win.”
“… Eh!?”
Montor who is on-standby behind agrees in a low voice.
“It does look like it. “Infinite Variety” has already left the venue. None of the people who participated in the auction for the mask was really aiming for it.”
“Funh… A Level 8 Hunter… When I thought, he was a man who didn’t know anything about respect like any other Hunters, but it does look like him being a tactician wasn’t just a rumor. To think that he tried to put obstacle on his own wheel to get the Relic and easily back down like this… A Hunter who kept his cool and calm response to let us keep face. As Ark says, he is an interesting1 man.”
“What, what do you mean!? Otou-sama! As you told me, I showed you that I could win!”
Even if there was the help of Montor, Éclair has gathered funds and proved her father that she won as his command. Winning is all the results that matter for Gladys who is a military family. In accordance with her family rules, she has defeated the man who had made a fool of Gladys house and is known to be a Level 8 Hunter.
Van Gladys gives Éclair who is screaming in high pitches, a sharp glance that doesn’t seems to be aimed at a member of his family.
“Éclair, you have indeed won the Relic. But this victory wasn’t the victory that count. I was expecting it to be a good experience for you whether you win or lose but… You weren’t even standing in the same ring. Was I too sweet? And finally, to not even realizing that fact…”
“Huh!?”
“Ojou-sama. “Infinite Variety” had certainly gathered more than two hundred million Gils. We had information about Sytry Smart selling off materials and potions. The Hunter we placed near him for surveillance has been repelled but… He back down in the middle of the auction. It was even before the beginning of that Relic’s auction.”
Montor explains in a calm voice to Éclair who is still shocked.
“Wh, why!? Why didn’t he even participate in the fight?”
I couldn’t understand. The first one who wanted that Relic was “Infinite Variety”. Éclair just entered from the sideline, like an uninvited guest. Then, why did he give up in the middle of it? Éclair didn’t notice it because she was too concentrated on the auction, but that man didn’t even participate in the auction.
“They gave you the victory, Ojou-sama. If Ojou-sama haven’t collected more than two hundred million Gils, then they might have participated as promised but in the middle of it, the battle has changed from a personal one against Éclair Ojou-sama to one against Count Gladys House. It hasn’t been a fight at all and even if Éclair-sama did lose… He would have probably backed down.”
“……”
Éclair silently receives Montor’s words.
Various emotions are swirling in my mind. Confusion. Relief. Perplexity. Anger. I argue while squeezing my voice out.
“He would fight me fair and square in a one-on-one fight… That was what he said.”
“We have negotiated in advance with companies that would have been a competitor. Ojou-sama, by being born as Gladys’ daughter, you have the obligation to win. Hunters and nobles are a bit alike, at least if you stumble here, later you may have been underestimated because of it. And today, Ojou-sama has won against a Level 8 Hunter.”
“If you have opened your eyes a little bit, it is clear that he let you win. Damn, it is hard to swallow. We just spent two hundred million, everything is because of “Infinite Variety” effort.”
When her father is having a disgruntled face, Éclair mutters in a quivering voice.
“I… I have been given mercy. Was I underrated?”
“It is probably because you haven’t been underrated. Whether this can be called a win for Ojou-sama will depends on Ojou-sama’s thinking…”
Wrong. This kind of thing… isn’t a victory. Forfeit? No. There is no way that such word can convince Éclair’s feeling.
It would have been more convincing if I won or lose while facing him directly. The more she thinks on it, the more she is grinding her teeth.
I lost. I won the battle, but I lost the war. With this I can’t deliver this Relic while holding my heads up to Ark who I respect so much.
“Do I owe him now?”
“… We kept our end of the promised, at least he should acknowledge Ojou-sama to some extent as you have collected two hundred million Gils even after consulting with your family. I don’t think the infamous Leader of “Strange Grief” will simply retire because you are a renowned nobleman.”
“… Either way, we owe him. Regardless of how the others see, we must return a debt I received as a Zebrudia nobleman. … Or maybe, that man real purpose wasn’t to get that strange Relic?”
To the steep look of Count Gladys, Montor’s expression which rarely loses his calm becomes cloudy.
“… I didn’t see any person wanting or had the intention to hide some information. It was also Ojou-sama own intention to go with Ark-dono to his Clan House to see him off. As expect… It must be a coincidence.”
Even after hearing the word of his right-hand man, Count Gladys didn’t loosen his expression. He gave an order to Éclair who is still frozen.
“Éclair, do whatever you want with the Relic you won. However, I forbid you any contact with that man anymore. He isn’t an opponent you can face.”
It is so mortifying. While thinking I was going to fight him, I was just dancing in the palm of his hand. It is too miserable, too far from my ideal. But then, what should I do? What should I have done?
I have always tried to have a resolute behavior suitable for a noblewoman. However, the only feeling that Éclair has in her heart right now was only helplessness and anxiety.
“Did you understand? Answer me!”
“Uh… Yes… Otou-sama.”
In response to her father’s reprimand, Éclair bit her lips, stiffens her throat and answers.
Thx for reading. This part was pretty hard, some of part where I didn’t really understand like when they explained why Éclair lost, so some part is really close to what they said originally but there is still some difference. Sorry about that but the general context is the same. And poor Éclair, she is just a victim of Infinite Variety, a collateral damage, don’t forget she is still 10 or 12-year-old. Let’s hope she will grow to be someone good because of that. Tchao à plus
If you are in a generous mood and want to support me, I will be very grateful! : Click here for Ko-fi donation or the button bellow
1. Interesting: The word here is omoshiroi, which can imply interesting or funny/amusing.
