It Seems the Demon King Has Returned to a World Where Gender Roles Are Reversed - Chapter 63

 Chapter 63 :

The story takes a brief detour.

Morning, in one of the lecture halls. As usual, Hazel was seated by the window, but there was something subtly different about her demeanor today.

“…Haa.”

Perhaps it was the aftermath of yesterday’s duel. She let out heavy sighs, staring blankly out the window. Seeing her like this, her two attendants, Anya and Liche, wore worried expressions.

There shouldn’t have been anything particularly wrong with her physically.

After all, aside from a minor head wound, she had only sustained light bruises. Even that injury had been completely healed by a healing mage.

Yet, despite this, Hazel seemed oddly deflated. She sighed heavily, staring out the window as if lost in thought.

Anya and Liche exchanged worried glances.

It wasn’t hard to guess why she was acting this way.

She must be thinking about the duel from yesterday.

At the thought, Anya and Liche frowned.

They recalled that man, Ragna Steiner.

His tactics were utterly despicable. Fleeing right before his opponent, taunting them with childish provocations, and ultimately tarnishing the meaning of the duel with immoral behavior. All of it was conduct worthy of condemnation.

But even so, his strategy was undeniably impressive.

A war of attrition exploiting the golem’s operational time.

It was a tactic anyone who had handled a golem would consider at least once. However, actually putting it into action was rare.

The reason? The risk was far too great. By fleeing in a golem to buy time, the duel became a contest of who had more magical power and who could conserve it better. In such a scenario, golem-handling skills or swordsmanship prowess became irrelevant.

But even knowing this, few could execute such a plan. The risks were too high, especially in Ragna’s case. Fleeing meant consuming less magical power than the pursuer, who had fewer options and faced greater physical strain.

However, the biggest risk exposing one’s back to the enemy was not worth the potential benefits.

Thus, most opponents opting for a prolonged battle would use a technique called “backstepping,” retreating while facing the enemy to minimize the fear and danger of turning their back.

Yet Ragna had fled so effortlessly, exposing his back without hesitation. It was a tactic only possible for a novice unaware of the risks.

Moreover, the circumstances had been stacked against Hazel. The duel’s stage had been prepared by her, and to ensure her victory was widely recognized, she had filled the spectator stands with her followers.

She had intended to repay her debt to Ragna through this.

Thus, she couldn’t afford to look pathetic.

She had to decisively overpower her opponent and claim a clean victory. That’s why she couldn’t stop her golem’s operation and opt for a war of attrition herself. All she could do was charge forward, targeting his exposed back.

“…”

Hazel surely knew this too. Anya and Liche had realized it, and there was no way she hadn’t. They had been dancing in the palm of that man’s hand, looking utterly foolish.

It was infuriating.

“…”

But they couldn’t just let it slide. Surely, Hazel felt the same. As the two thought this,

“Anya, Liche.”

““Yes!””

“During the afternoon break, we’ll head to the male knights’ lecture hall. Be prepared.”

“…!”

At Hazel’s words, Anya and Liche’s eyes sparkled. The moment had come. They exchanged glances and nodded. Hazel had finally made up her mind to repay that man for this humiliation.

It was only natural for a woman of the prestigious Granstig family.

The Granstig family’s stubbornness was well-known. Once they set their mind on something, they never backed down. That tenacity was what had brought the Granstig family to where it was today.

Anya and Liche, who came from families serving the Granstigs, knew this well.

“…”

Time passed.

The afternoon break arrived.

With the sound of the bell, Hazel swiftly stood up and strode out of the lecture hall. Anya and Liche, already prepared, followed without hesitation.

Heading toward the building with the male knights’ lecture hall, they exchanged glances, silently discussing their plans.

What kind of duel would Hazel propose this time?

Since the previous duel ended in a draw, there was ample ground for a rematch. It was only natural that a rematch would be proposed.

So, what method would she choose this time?

A horseback duel?

Or perhaps a swordfight?

Maybe she’d settle it with archery. Whatever it was, they needed to ensure the opponent couldn’t resort to cowardly tactics.

But they thought to themselves.

Among the countless duel methods that came to mind, Hazel’s choice was surely already decided.

She would likely propose another golem duel. After all, she had been humiliated so publicly. Her pride wouldn’t allow it to end like that.

If so, they needed to repay him in the same way. And there were plenty of options. If the opponent’s strategy relied on fleeing, they could simply reduce the size of the arena. The wide, versatile training ground was the key to his tactic. In a confined space, his strategy would collapse in an instant.

Hazel must be thinking that.

As they pondered, the three arrived at the male knights’ lecture hall.

From a group of male knights loitering outside, whispering among themselves, they learned where Ragna had gone.

Their fawning, almost flirtatious tone made Anya and Liche frown, but Hazel urged them to answer without changing her expression.

They learned that Ragna had left with some prior visitors. At this, Anya and Liche looked disappointed. This was a waste of time. The afternoon break was precious a time for meals and recharging for the afternoon training. Spending more time on this was questionable.

Especially since Hazel, who usually disliked having her break interrupted, valued her afternoon tea time immensely.

They’d have to try again tomorrow.

Though reluctant, they thought they had no choice. Frustrating as it was, they’d have to postpone. As they looked at Hazel, she said,

“Let’s go to where they are.”

“…!”

Her immediate response startled Anya and Liche. They understood just how deep her anger ran and how great the humiliation must have been.

“…”

Without a word, the two nodded and followed Hazel.

…How much time had passed?

After searching the area, the three tracked down Ragna’s location based on the sound of commotion. But someone had already arrived before them Anita Granstig, Hazel’s cousin from a branch family, along with her companions.

And there, at the center of all this chaos, was the primary culprit: Seria Brandzburg.

“…What’s going on here, Hazel?”

Anita asked with a mocking expression. Her rude attitude made Anya and Liche scowl.

But Hazel responded calmly,

“I came to speak with Ragna Steiner.”

“…To Ragna? Why? The duel’s already over, isn’t it?”

“I said I have something to discuss with Ragna, not you, Anita.”

“…”

Anya and Liche quietly cheered at Hazel’s cool response. She was remarkably composed. The events of that day must have been a bitter but effective lesson.

As they thought this, the two glared at Ragna. Meeting their gazes, Ragna returned a defiant look.

Hazel stepped toward him. The sound of her footsteps echoed. Seria, standing beside Ragna, growled softly like a loyal dog protecting its master. Ignoring her, Hazel looked only at Ragna and said,

“Ragna Steiner.”

“…What is it?”

“I came here because I have a request.”

“A request?”

“Yes.”

“…I don’t get it, but I’ll hear you out.”

“Then I’ll say it. Ragna Steiner—

—will you marry me?”

“…”

“…”

“…”

“…”

A splendid duel challenge… wait, what?

“…!”

“…!”

Only then did Anya and Liche grasp the meaning of Hazel’s words, their faces twisting in shock.

Silence fell.

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Translated by Reversalnovel.web.id