The Crazy Villainess in This Area Is Me

“The swordsmanship competition begins now!”

“

!”

After the emperor’s speech, a thunderous cheer erupted. Frinel and Endimion entered the arena for the first match.

I leisurely lifted her fan, watching them.

I remembered when he had sworn a blood oath to me. Even U, a layperson in swordsmanship, could feel his sword aura. Endimion was sure to be easily defeated.

“Begin!”

With the referee’s whistle, both competitors gripped their swords. Frinel didn’t rush forward but stood firm.

“I’ll teach you a lesson.”

“I’m looking forward to it.”

Endimion, mistaking Frinel’s stern expression for fear, charged at him immediately.

“

!” With a vigorous shout, he swung his sword.

“

…?” However, Endimion’s sword didn’t even come close to Frinel.

“What’s happening? Why can’t you swing properly?”

“Since Your Royal Highness is a beginner, I’m going easy on you. I am a gentleman who knows manners, after all.”

Endimion ground his teeth internally but smoothly retorted Frinel’s words. Then, he consoled himself, thinking that Frinel had merely dodged by luck this time.

“I’m coming again.”

“So kind of you.”

Endimion gritted his teeth and charged again, his sword furiously attacking Frinel. Yet, not a single strike reached Frinel, who easily dodged with a relaxed expression.

“

”

Endimion was out of breath due to unnecessary movements, while Frinel seemed as if he hadn’t expended any energy at all.

Endimion looked at him in disbelief. It made no sense. His swordsmanship wasn’t exceptional, but he was at least above average. And Frinel supposedly hadn’t properly trained with a swordsmanship instructor. But how could he dodge so effortlessly?

Frinel hadn’t even properly swung his sword; he just predicted and dodged Endimion’s movements. A vast difference in skill. It was clear Frinel had been hiding his skills for this moment. Although not entirely unexpected, it was still a despicable act. Despair crossed Endimion’s eyes.

“Didn’t you say you’d teach me a lesson?”

“…What’s going on?”

“What do you mean?” As they clashed swords, Frinel lifted his lips leisurely.

“You’ve been hiding your skills!”

“I just didn’t have the opportunity to show them.”

“You coward…!!”

“Now, I’ll show you properly.”  Frinel, who had been defensive, now gripped his sword tightly.

Endimion swallowed nervously. But before he could fully swallow,

“

!”

A rapid attack followed, too fast for him to dodge.

“Wh-what is this!”

“The First Prince was hiding incredible skills!”

“

, fighting!”

Excited spectators stood up to cheer for Frinel. He feigned attacking Endimion as if slicing through his body but actually pummeled him with the flat of his sword.

“

!”

Frinel was skilled enough to make it seem like they were fiercely dueling.

“

lease, stop…!” After being beaten for a while, Endimion finally pleaded through his lips. He held his side, slowly shaking his head.

“Isn’t it still a long way to go?”

If Frinel had intended to be merciful, he wouldn’t have started the swordsmanship competition. He stopped hitting with the flat of the sword and instead sliced with the sharpened blade as if cutting through paper.

“

!”

“How dare you to live in two households, leaving Lady Lobelia behind?”

“

…!”

“I have no hobby of tormenting people, but trash like you deserves a beating.”

With a cold smile, Frinel effortlessly and ruthlessly struck Endimion. Eventually, Endimion, covered in blood and unable to bear the pain, surrendered.

“I lose, I lose…!”

Traditionally, the outcome of a swordsmanship match was decided when one competitor fell. Declaring defeat during a duel was extremely dishonorable. Both the emperor faction’s and Shinsu faction’s nobles looked at Endimion with contempt.

“The winner is the First Prince!”

“

! Long live the First Prince!”

“

!”

“

, Marquis Hamilton, shame on you!”

“A disgrace to the emperor’s faction!”

As the referee announced the winner, cheers for Frinel and jeers for Endimion filled the air.

“I did my best!”

Even then, he proudly claimed his effort. Believing not himself but Frinel to be the coward.

“Frinel’s skills were unexpectedly superior. I thought he only gathered commoners for fun.”

Watching them, the emperor opened his mouth slightly. His lips twitched as if he was pleased. Looking at the emperor, Patricia pressed her lips together.

“…It seems he might end up facing Lawrence in the end.”

She forced a smile, pretending to be nonchalant.

As expected, her suspicions were correct. Frinel had been hiding his skills all along.

Patricia’s gaze briefly shifted to the competitors’ waiting area. Lawrence, though outwardly tough, had a kind and tender heart. Surely, fearing to kill, he wouldn’t have poisoned his sword.

She slowly looked away, noticing the golden cup in front of her filled with poisoned wine. Today would be his doom. Hiding her venomous gaze, Patricia casually asked the emperor. “Whom do you support, Your Majesty?”

“…If the Empress supports Lawrence…” He trailed off, then concluded slowly. “…Then I must support Frinel. To be fair.”

One of her eyebrows twitched at the emperor’s words.

Things had changed. Had they not been as usual, he would have looked to her for cues and supported Lawrence.

Was it because of his private meeting with Duke Gracie? Or was he regretting past actions in the face of death?

Patricia managed his expression and smiled faintly. “…As always, you’re wise, Your Majesty.”

As she chooses her words,

“

!”

“What kind of swordsmanship competition is this!”

Discontented spectators continued their complaints.

Duke Gracie, watching the match beside the emperor, sensed the atmosphere. It was time for him to step in.

“Hmm, Your Majesty. Surely, this won’t do.”

“Indeed, it’s a shame for the first match.”

“…May I…?”

“

?”

“May I teach Marquis Hamilton the honor of nobility?” Duke Gracie’s gaze, hidden behind white eyebrows, flashed like a beast’s.

Surprised, the emperor asked, “Duke Gracie himself?”

“Yes. Would it be too presumptuous of an old man?”

“Presumptuous? Your skills are renowned in this empire. If you step in, it will only enhance the competition’s atmosphere. It will save my face as well.”

“Yes. Then, I shall take the stage, Your Majesty.”

“Thank you.”

As they spoke, Patricia’s gaze narrowed. The Emperor and Duke Gracie had been adversaries, always on edge with each other. But had a single meeting dissolved years of misunderstanding? Their atmosphere was much softer now.

Patricia turned her head away coldly. Soon, the Emperor stood up.

“Enough.”

His authoritative voice silenced the complaining spectators.

“Marquis Hamilton.”

“…Yes, Your Majesty.” Endimion, left standing alone in the center of the arena, responded meekly.

Such incompetence was unheard of for a high noble. The emperor shook his head as if looking at a misbehaving child.

“Surrendering in a swordsmanship competition is dishonorable, as you should know.”

“But…!”

“Therefore, Duke Gracie will teach you a lesson.”

“Yes…?”

“Consider it an honor.”

As Duke Gracie, already dressed for the match, slowly entered the arena,

“

!”

“Duke Gracie!”

“To witness the Duke’s swordsmanship!”

The crowd’s cheers erupted as an indescribable sword energy flowed from him. He was a legend.

A mix of fear and despair filled Endimion’s eyes as he faced Duke Gracie, who merely licked his lips lightly.