*A/N: the point of view changes in this Chapter*

Never once I saw Cherry and Matt fight seriously, and I think, this time I still wouldn’t.

***

A huge pillar of stone is coming flying towards us in high speeds. Sora and I were too surprised by this and almost forgot defend ourselves. Thankfully Marie’s laughter echoed in our heads and returned back our senses.

“Key!”

“>”

Upon saying the name, a hundred barriers formed in front of us to in order to intercept the surprise attack. Because of the orange color of the barrier, the sun’s rays in also colored orange above us.

When the huge pillar of earth came into contact with the barrier, breaking sounds reverberated in the forest and created a huge shockwave due to the enormous weight of the earth pillar and the toughness barrier creating a contest.

After some time, the pushing contest came to a stop when both sides showed no movement.

Out of a sudden, the huge pillar of stone pulled itself away from the barrier and then hammered itself on it again repeatedly. Because of this, I had to cover Marie’s ears so that it wouldn’t damage her eardrums.

Since I know who’s doing this, I called out the name of the culprit. At the same time, I summoned more barriers to prevent the pillar’s movement.

“Fleiya! It’s us, stop attacking.”

And at that moment, the pillar immediately stopped struggling and fell to the ground like it’s nothing. A few moments later, a loud yell can be heard approaching from afar. Not knowing who it was, Sora inadvertently prepared himself for battle.

I tapped Sora’s arm and said that it’s fine. After that, he put down his dagger and stood up straight properly.

“Master! I’m really sorry!”

While running towards me in high speed, Fleiya screamed and cried while apologizing repeatedly. Now that I can see her properly, she’s actually flying towards me.

When she got in front of me, she lied on the ground on her stomach while begging for my forgiveness. Although my sadistic tendencies are tingling, this is not something Marie should see so I immediately forgive her.

“Anyhow, you’re really using the > huh. The way you made it fly across the mountain was really impressive.”

“Yes! I really enjoyed using this magic. Although it was difficult at first, it is way more fun to use it when killing the monsters around. And as you can see, you can’t see any beasts or monsters around here for up to 6 miles.”

“My > is telling me that she’s saying the truth. There really is no monster in this area for up to 6 miles from the mountain’s foot.”

Leaving our carefree conversation aside, I should explain what > is. This magic is an improved version of >, instead of just popping out from the ground, this version makes it come out of the ground and fly around. Not only that, I created this magic by adding a bit of the [Gravity Magic’s] principle. But since I really can’t fully use the [Gravity Magic] itself, I can’t improve the spell yet. I’m working hard on it just so you know.

“By the way Master, who is that little girl you’re carrying?”

While asking, Fleiya pointed Marie. Probably because of the girls’ teachings, Marie waved her hands cutely towards her while smiling cheerfully. I inadvertently smile because of it.

“Ah! Her, she’s my daughter. She’s almost 2 months old. Her name’s Marie.”

“Your daughter, that’s impossible!”

For some reason, Fleiya look like she doesn’t want to accept this fact. I wonder why.

“What do you mean by impossible?”

“Of course it’s impossible. I can sense that she’s a dungeon monster. As a [Dungeon Core] myself, I can distinguish normal people and monsters from the ones that came from dungeons.”

Well that explains a lot. It really should be impossible to create a living thing unless one is a god. Although I do have the power to create many things, I’m not a god.

“Do you have any proof that could support your statement? From my perspective, Marie looks exactly like Key. My eye can’t even see any trace of magic from her.”

From my side, Sora keeps on looking at Marie carefully. He looks like he doesn’t believe that Marie is a monster and not human.

“Well, I do have one. As a [Dungeon Core] myself, I can command monsters in my domain to do my bidding as long as they aren’t the ones that came from forests. As long as the monster is made from dungeons, they will follow my command even if they aren’t mine.”

“Oh really now. Sounds like you’re confident about it.”

“Of course I am!”

Then, she stood straight in front of me and Marie while changing her expression into a stern one. After that, she extended her left hand as she give out her command.

“Oh dear subject, I command you, raise both your arms while praising me.”

While looking at directly at her, Marie kept her stare on Fleiya’s face. Out of a sudden, she started laughing which caused everyone including me to get surprised.

“Looks like it didn’t work.”

“That’s impossible! She’s supposed to follow my command! There must be some kind of mistake here.”

Because of that unexpected response, Fleiya’s jaw dropped as she looks at Marie who’s just laughing at her.

“Well let’s leave that aside for now.”

As I said that, I patted Fleiya’s head who’s feeling down after her failed attempt. Marie tried to pat her too, but since her arms are really short, she ended up patting Fleiya’s cheeks instead.

“So? What did master come here for?”

“Actually, there’s something I need to get from your domain.”

“And that is?”

“The [Mithril] deposit. I’ll be harvesting a bit from here.”

After saying so, Sora and Fleiya became surprised because it was something that they didn’t expect.

*Author’s Point of View*

*This is around when Sora and Key went to [Behemoth’s Horn] together with Marie*

Currently, Cherlaine and Matilda are in the veranda of Key’s room. Both of them are sipping tea while looking at the field that is covered by snow. Both didn’t utter a single word. They just sat there soundlessly and calmly, not until Cherlaine suddenly twitched like she noticed something.

“Sora and Key just left.”

She knew what kind of magic that was used when they both disappear. Since she knew what it was, she didn’t panic and switched her gaze to Matilda. Matilda seemed to guess what she was thinking so she asked her about it.

“How far did they go?”

“I can’t tell. The amount of Magic that was used was too much so I’m guessing Key was the one who made it happen. Judging from the composition of the said magic, they’re beyond the walls without a doubt.”

Because of Cherlaine’s > ability, she could tell exactly what the said magic’s composition is. However, this ability of hers has a downside. If she hasn’t seen the magic before, she can’t tell what exactly it is.

“If they did something as big as that, they’re probably doing something really important.”

After saying so, Matilda sipped her tea once again. Then when she finished it, she put it on the table in front of them and made a short sigh.

“Speaking of important, there’s something I would like to discuss with you Balerishk.”

Matilda anticipated this line from Cherlaine which was the cause of her sigh. Although Cherlaine herself looks serious about it, Matilda looks like she’s not interested.

“It’s the position as the ‘first wife’ isn’t it? I told you this before; I’m the first one to get who let Key take my chastity so I’m the first wife. Whatever you’re going to tell will be useless.”

Hearing that, Cherlaine can’t help but pop a vein on her forehead since the way Matilda said it was very irritating for her.

“What you did doesn’t count. After all, he was drunk at that time. So no matter how many times you say it, I’ll consider it as ‘self-proclaiming’.”

“Say what now?”

Cherlaine’s words were on the spot. Because of it, Matilda’s eyebrow twitched as she was taunted by Cherlaine’s harsh words. Not only that, Cherlaine looked like she meant it.

Matilda and Cherlaine stood up from their seats at the same time. Both gave each other a sharp glare and released killing intent to one another.

“Just like I said, you’re just a self-proclaimed fiancée. You never once looked at Key as a man, you only see him as a life-source because of his power.”

“I don’t want to hear that from the woman who tried to kill him. And after discovering his power, you used your family’s special trait just to tie him permanently to you.”

As they throw insults at each other, their magic powers were oozing out from below them and the table was in the state where it would breakdown from Matilda’s curse and gets immediately repaired from Cherlaine’s blessing. However, both were killing intents aimed at each other.

“Say, do you want to settle this with a duel? The winner gets to be the first wife fair and square.”

“That sounds good to me. Only a strong woman should stand close beside a man like Key after all.”

In an instant, both disappeared from where they stood which caused the surroundings to get blown away from the force of their jump.

And because of that, they caught the attention of Key’s new knights who had just reached the mansion’s gate. All of them were startled to see the two women suddenly landing on the empty field while blowing away the snow around them.

“What are they going to do?”

“I think this is a fight. I can tell from the way they look at each other.”

Sanjeet was in shocked like the rest of them, but only he was able to ask Amly who is able to return back to senses and replied Sanjeet’s question.

“What do you think they’re fighting about?”

“Probably about Sir Chardelier, there’s probably no other reason for them to fight except for him.”

“If that’s true, then where is he now?”

Those conversations were heard by Cherlaine and Matilda but they ignored it. While listening to them, both of them took out their weapons which is a Golden Staff for Cherlaine and a Two-Bladed Scythe for Matilda. Both of them were showing-off their powers.

“Surrender is your option.”

“Defeat is your destination.”

Both didn’t back away from the power they are releasing towards each other.

And then in an instant, Matilda suddenly disappeared from where she stood while blowing the snow away.

“Your [Demonic Magic] is always so predictable Matilda.”

Then with one swing from her golden staff, she then uttered some magic words.

“--## ### >”

When Matilda came into vision while swinging her scythe, the snow in between them instantly piled up and became a block of ice then blocked Matilda’s attack. The ice was so hard that it made a sound similar to steel when the scythe landed. Unfortunately, the scythe was sharper that in it looks so it buried a bit deep.

“Please don’t forget that we’re surrounded by snow.”

“You’re affinity with water element is annoying.”

Since the scythe was buried deep, Matilda had to dispel it so she can jump away from Cherlaine. Because of that action, Cherlaine gave a mocking smile towards Matilda. But Matilda shrugged off her provocation.

“##### ### #### ##### ###### ### #### ## >”

Cherlaine was able to chant her long spell when Matilda backed off. And then after that, the surrounding snow melted and became the embodiment of the > which is a giant snake with a water body.

After it was given a command, it started charging towards Matilda who is in the middle of chanting. But it was a bit short on time

“-## >”

The ground underneath the water snake suddenly cracked. At the next moment, a dozen of skeletal arms popped out and held the liquid body of the snake giant. Holding liquid is impossible, moreover, by bones. But the skeletal hands weren’t normal, it was coated by dark green colored magic power which also was the reason why it was able to do so. Cherlaine is also fully aware of it and is currently making a sour expression.

The snake giant made a loud cry while being pinned down by the skeletal arms. It was obvious that the skeletal arms weren’t just simply holding it down, it was also hurting it by absorbing its mana.

“Let go off my partner!”

After saying so, she summoned her huge wings and flew above Matilda.

“### ##### ### ### >”

From her staff, a blast of high pressured water came out and is pointed towards Matilda.

With a mocking grin, Matilda summoned her scythe again and spun it very fast around her hands.

“### >”

“You really are too easy to provoke.”

While her scythe was rotating on her hands, green flame engulfed the scythe. It seemed hot, but Matilda wasn’t showing any signs of getting hurt.

When the water touched the flame, it sprayed all around like a normal hot water. This is because Matilda’s magic killed the momentum of the water and absorbed the magic from it.

After the torrent of water has stopped, Matilda swung her scythe to the side to clear off the water from her weapon.

“Is that all you got?”

“You spoke too soon.”

From being cool and calm, Matilda’s expression crumbles as she saw a huge magic circle above her. This magic circle is the same magic circle that was used against Key and Sora during their three-way duel.

“>”

After saying the last part of the spell, numerous white lasers came falling down like rain. Seeing that, Matilda immediately put her Scythe behind her and closed her eyes.

“## ##### ### #### # #### >”

Two magic circles appeared, one above her head and one on under her foot. After that, both released a green colored film which looked like a cocoon to protect Matilda.

From a far, it looked like Matilda is going to be killed by such a large scale magic that is casted by Cherlaine. This is what the Knights of Chardelier are thinking while looking at them.

Cherlaine’s victory is undeniable while watching such spectacular event, but she isn’t wearing an expression where she looked victorious. Instead, she clicked her tongue and prepared herself for the continuation of their battle.

“Just how strong is that barrier of yours?”

While looking at the settling dust and snow, Cherlaine pointed her staff towards where she last saw Matilda. However, Matilda wasn’t there anymore when the dust and snow disappeared.

“Since I’ve absorbed abundant amounts of Key’s mana, I’m stronger than our last duel.”

Out of a sudden, Matilda is flying behind Cherlaine. And without warning, she threw a strong kick on Cherlaine’s back which threw Cherlaine down to the ground. Her kick was so strong that Cherlaine in her [Saint Form] didn’t get off unscathed.

“A kick imbued with >, it surely had gotten stronger than before.”

While spitting out blood, Cherlaine stood up while using her staff as a cane to stand up. And landing not too far from her, Matilda suddenly staggered while holding up her scythe. It was obvious that both of them are hurt from their grand attacks.

“I have to admit, your magic also has gotten stronger. I’m guessing it’s because of the endless supply of mana you get from Key.”

After saying that, Matilda coughed out blood. If seen closer, she is actually wounded in numerous places. It seemed that her barrier wasn’t able to hold out enough for her during the rain of death.

Though they treat each other as rivals, they were commending each other. Even so, they gave each other impressed expression under their sharp glares.

“Then, we might as well get serious from here. It’s been a while since I’ve last go all out so this will be a good exercise for me.”

“Same here. I have enough mana to last me until the day after tomorrow. I can go all out as long as I want.”

Cherlaine tapped her staff on the ground which reverberated around. Her staff glowed bright in golden light and then changed its form from a simple golden staff to a staff that is separated into many layers. Her white wings also transformed from simple wings to bursts of light. This form of hers is called [Angel Form], a form which only geniuses could ever achieve.

On Matilda’s side, her scythe disappeared from her hands. In exchange, a pair of green skeletal wings which is similar to a bat’s grew from her back. And on her hand, instead of her scythe, a crystal trident is now her weapon. Although Matilda hated this power of hers, this is without a doubt strong enough to rival Cherlaine’s [Angel Form], the [Necromancer’s Conviction].

And without wasting any more time, Cherlaine made the first move.

“### >”

From her wings, dozens of golden light went flying towards Matilda with great speed. Not only her chant was short, it was also a magic that has the same power as Medium class spells.

In contrast to that, Matilda didn’t take any steps to dodge her attack and used her wings instead. Her wings crushed and deflected the rain of light like it was nothing.

After the barrage of attacks ended, Matilda charged towards Cherlaine while zigzagging which leaves after-images to normal people. Unfortunately, Cherlaine isn’t a normal person.

“### #### ### ##### ### >”

When Cherlaine casted her magic, numerous roots came out from the ground and tried to catch Matilda who’s running towards her. Because of that, Matilda wasn’t able to get close to her.

“How annoying…”

While calmly cursing, Matilda cut down the roots that kept on attacking her. Because the number of roots where too many for her to handle, not only her trident, she was also using her wings to cut them down. This is why she got annoyed.

“### ##### ### ### >”

Cherlaine didn’t give her any room to breathe. She attacked her with her water magic while flying above. Since she’s in her [Angel Form], this magic is three times stronger than before.

But Matilda isn’t that slow to not notice that.

“### #### ## # ##### >”

Out of a sudden, Matilda disappeared from where she stood and left only a trail of green light. This is because she sprinted so fast that even the surrounding roots got cut by her wings which did nothing. When traced, she’s now standing just under Cherlaine.

She immediately jumped while doing a stabbing stance with her spear. Cherry saw that and flipped her body. But Matilda was too fast so she needed to use her staff to deflect her attack. The clashing of their weapons made sparks in the air.

“Not bad.”

“## ### >”

Cherry replied with her magic. Countless frozen bubbles appeared around them. This is obviously bad news for Matilda who is in mid-air. Although she had wings, it only performed as extra arms and not usable for flight.

When the bubbles exploded, tiny shards of ice went flying around. Matilda wasn’t able to dodge and got wounded all over her body. Even her dress got torn all over and exposed a lot of her skin.

“Tch!”

“Finally, that cool expression of yours broke.”

After landing, Matilda used her wings to support her stance. She’s in pain all over her body which also drains most of her strength. Right now, Cherlaine has the upper hand.

“#### ## ###### # >”

With that magic, Cherlaine’s staff got coated in ice and became a spear. She charged towards Matilda from the sky while pointing her spear towards Matilda.

“Die!”

“--## >”

Cherlaine eyes grew in surprise when Matilda’s words reached her ears.

Because she was on offensive, she wasn’t able to put up a defensive spell thus; she faced countless sharp bones from the ground that went flying. Because of that, she had no choice but to change her course and evaded Matilda’s counter-attack.

However, the numbers of sharp bones that are flying towards her are too many and too fast. She got cut all over her body like Matilda did. Not only that, her long skirt got cut and is now exposing her right leg up to her waist. But because of the wound that is as long as the cut on her skirt, it doesn’t look erotic at all.

After taking serious damages, both stood on the ground while glaring at each other. Not one of them was showing any signs of yielding at all.

“Using high level magic from the start… You sure are an idiot fighting against a magic-warrior.”

“Speak for yourself, you’re even moving too much even though your body isn’t used to working too hard. You’re just as tired as me.”

Even while tired, both of them threw insults at each other like it’s nothing. Then after that, they stood up straight and showed their fighting spirits once again.

“Let’s end this once and for all.”

“No, I’m going to end you.”

The air around them started to crack. Their magic powers were surging out that it caused the surrounding snow to melt and the ground started shaking. When their magic circles appear underneath them, it created electrical sparks as it was barely enduring the amount of magic they were going to release.

And after a few seconds, they both end their chant.

“-## >”

“-## >”

A giant ray of light from the magic circle in front of Cherlaine burst out towards Matilda with great power. It was so bright that the surrounding spectators covered their eyes.

Rivaling that, Matilda’s magic circle shot out a huge flame with the mixed color of black and green. The magic has such an evil essence that it gave some of the spectators chill run down their spine.

When both magic collided, a huge shockwave is generated from the strength of their powers. Not only the ground was shaking, even the air shook in fear of their power. It made the snow even from afar fall from the roofs or got blown away by the air.

When both magic ran out of power, it started fading away. The dust also started settling down after the air calmed down.

The spectators looked around the area to find the bodies of Cherlaine and Matilda, or what’s left of it. They can’t help but think of the worst after seeing such grand scale magic clash against each other. But when they saw both girls remained standing, their eyes almost popped out of surprise.

However, the spectators weren’t the only who are surprised. Cherlaine and Matilda were also in surprise. But the reason for their surprised expression had a different meaning.

Before their powers clashed against each other, they saw something jump in between them. Not only that, this something took their power head on. They thought that this something was going to die, but when they saw it standing after the dust settled, it surprised them even more.

There, on the crated created by the clash of their powers, a person was standing while wearing an angry expression pointed at both of them. He was also wearing red gauntlets which are smoking from using too much power.

And this person was none other than their Fiancé, Key.

“What the hell are you two doing while I was gone?”

With a very calm tone, Key asked both girls. Although it was said calm, it carried a heavy furious air. This caused both girls to shiver on their knees.

“P-please, we can explain!”

“K-Key, we have a very good explanation for this.”

“Oh really now? How can you explain killing each other?”

The girls are so scared of the current Key that when he took his first step, both went rushing towards their mansion while screaming.

***

Extra

After their fight, Key had to pay for the damages they did and apologized to the neighbors that were disturbed before punishing his two Fiancées.