Eris stood in silence with her sword raised toward me. No, her hand is shaking, a warrior's shivers?
I don't know what to do, are we really going to fight?
To be honest, I don't really mind losing. Losing is great, I like Eris, although like I just said not as much as Roxy and Sylphy, but that has nothing to do with it.
Sylphy has Sylphy's strengths, Roxy has Roxy's, Eris has Eris's. I like them all.
Fickle and indecisive, but I'm that sort of man. Unfaithful, overly lustful, but that's why I covet such a feminine Eris.
If she wants me to love her, I shall love with my all. This is no longer unfaithful or an affair, this is love. It's only natural! To desire such a charming woman is the law of nature! Not like any Church of Milis people would show up suddenly.
But if I lose on purpose, won't she feel insulted? She hates those kind of people, right?
Eris trained, in order to protect me, in order to gain strength against Orsted. That's why I must demonstrate the strength fit to be Eris's husband. I really ought to show an equal share of effort too.
... Even though I may not have worked as hard as Eris, but that's fine. As long as I gave my all, without knowing which of us will come on top, win or lose, I'll ask her to marry me once more.
If I win, then I'll tell her [You belong to me. Quit complaining and come home!] Alright, let's do that.
My armored magic core lay broken and discarded in the forest. In close combat, Eris the Sword-King and Orsted fought to a stalemate. Against someone like her, I don't have any confidence of winning at this distance... If I lose, it can't be helped.
"Rudeus."
Ghyslaine called for me after deciding on something.
"What's up?"
Although it's been a while since I saw Ghyslaine, she hasn't changed very much. All in all, a woman with some years behind her. We greet each other at our reunion, and chatted as well, but never about the current situation. We didn't have a lot to say to each other, but there was no animosity either. Ghyslaine has always been that way, according to Elinalise.
"Eris-sama hasn't changed. Treat her with an attitude."
Ghyslaine's mannerism hasn't changed much either. The subtleties of her words make me a bit uncomfortable. Wondering to myself, am I doing the right thing right now?
Looking at Eris, she's waiting for me to get ready in her usual posture. Her arms crossed, feet apart and her chin raised. The same posture, but so different from the Eris from memory. She's taller, her chest got bigger, and exudes from her an aura of a carnivore.
Five years passed, I changed, Eris changed too. Yet Ghyslaine said she hasn't. Five years ago, how would the me from then face Eris? Facing a stubborn Eris, what would I have done?
"Ready, begin!"
The signal from Ghyslaine came, but I did not raise my staff, nor did Eris move her hands.
After a while Eris slowly moves forward, unsheathes the sword from her waist, it dangles powerlessly, heading towards me. That sword with an almost transparent body, a gift of the Sword God, one of the legendary seven swords.
Eris arrives before me, her sharp eyes looking straight at me.
"..."
"..."
Eris arrives before my eyes, raises her sword still.
"What? You're not going to fight?"
"Eris, I... If you losing means you leaving, then I admit defeat."
Eris pouts, her mouth へ.
"..."
"Also... I didn't have a chance to say it earlier, well. I... also like you."
I thought her hairs would raise, I thought she would get angry. It might be better if I fought for real. At this moment, Eris's sword comes down.
"..."
I instinctively close my eyes, my body stiffens, but what hit my head is the hilt. A light tap, that's it.
Reopening my eyes, Eris's face before mine.
"I... can't cook like Sylphy."
"It's fine."
"I'm not as smart as Roxy."
"It's fine."
"I'm not as cute as those two."
"Eris is a cool beauty."
"... With my body like this, it's far from Rudeus's tastes."
"No, not true at all, your body is enchanting."
Eris sheathes her sword. Gently her hand wraps around my waist, her full blossom pressed tightly against mine.
With strength far greater than mine she hugged me tightly. The little sweat fails to conceal her aroma, that smell is Eris.
My arms around hers. Her muscles have toughened, but not bulky, just right, feels great.
"Then it's fine to consider it my victory, right ?"
"Yeah."
"If Rudeus was serious, in rejecting me... I would have given up, you know?"
Her voice was trembling. Don't tell me, if I seriously fought, her plan was to intentionally lose.
"You don't have to give up."
"Then, can I be part of Rudeus's family?"
"Yes, along with Roxy and Sylphy, if that's okay with Eris..."
Say it. Say everything. With that in mind I take a deep breath. If too quiet, she might not hear me.
"Please marry me."
Eris opens her eyes wide when she heard me.
"F-Fine! I'll marry you!"
As if disgusted she turned her head, thus Eris and I got married.