Chishiya calmly stated, "Even though you lost this round, you were the first to win earlier."
"As a bonus, we're offering you 1 million Eris."
Sigh... There are fewer and fewer conscientious, morally upright businessmen like me these days…
Chishiya was deeply moved by his own generosity.
At that moment—
Iris finally snapped out of the shock from her loss.
A bright, competitive smile spread across her face.
"I don't want the money! I want to play another game with you!"
Again?
Great Sage…
Chishiya barely got the thought out when the response came instantly.
[No problem.]
He turned toward Claire and flashed his practiced business smile.
"In that case, the fee for another match applies."
"You're her guardian, right? Please pay the registration fee."
Claire blinked, momentarily caught off guard.
Something about Chishiya's smile seemed… unsettling.
But he was a Hero Candidate after all.
She still believed in his character.
So the second round began.
"Checkmate."
Chishiya's voice came moments later.
Iris froze again, her hand still hovering over the board.
Already over?!
Chishiya smiled politely. "Apologies, dear guest. I win again."
"If you'd like to continue, please pay another registration fee."
Darkness immediately grabbed Chishiya.
"Ha…hahaha… Chishiya-san must be tired. Let me take you inside for a short break!!!"
She was one step away from hauling him off like luggage.
Chishiya looked back at her calmly.
"What are you doing?"
"If you keep interrupting, I might just tell everyone your little secrets."
Darkness clenched her teeth.
One good choke… just one good strangle…
Did this guy not realize the person in front of him was a princess?
Disrespecting royalty was punishable by death!
Claire watched the two with disbelief.
Little secrets?!
Just how far have they already gone?!
At that moment, Iris sat silently, studying the final board state.
"Claire, can I play again?"
Claire snapped out of it.
She gently patted Iris's head.
"Yes, Miss. As many times as you'd like."
Princess Iris truly was a child—adorable in how unwilling she was to lose.
Still…
She glanced at Chishiya.
To think he could beat Her Highness.
He must be extremely skilled at chess.
It seemed Her Highness had finally found a worthy opponent.
And being challenged like this wasn't a bad thing.
It could even help her grow.
Claire smiled softly.
——————
No one could tell how much time had passed…
Click… Click…
It was unclear if the sound was from clenched teeth or a sword hilt rattling in its scabbard.
Claire gripped the hilt of her sword tightly.
She was this close to drawing it and slicing that smug bastard across from her into ribbons.
Twenty-nine matches.
Twenty-nine!!!
He didn't let Iris win a single one!!!
She had hoped, at some point, that he might let her have one.
Just one.
Given the massive difference in strength, surely he'd go easy?
But no.
Instead, he'd become increasingly brutal, cunning, and merciless!
Claire's expression had gone pitch-black.
Her glare was sharp enough to set Chishiya on fire.
This bastard…
This absolute, unrepentant bastard!
I actually thought he was a good person?!
I was so wrong!!!
She grit her teeth so hard she was about to break them.
If not for the fact they were incognito…
She'd have arrested him, tied him up, and had him executed by now!
And now…
The 30th game began.
Iris's hand hovered in the air, trembling slightly as sweat rolled down her forehead.
She took her time.
And after a long pause—
Finally made her move.
[Checkmate.]
The voice of the Great Sage echoed calmly in Chishiya's mind.
He raised his hand. Moved.
And gently announced—
"Checkmate."
"…Again?"
Iris looked devastated.
Chishiya smiled with the same deadpan professionalism.
"I'm sorry, dear guest. I win again."
"..."
Iris pursed her lips and clenched her tiny fists under the table.
Her shoulders trembled.
"If you'd like to continue… please pay the registration fee."
Claire snapped.
She was this close to leaping over the table and choking him.
But before she could…
Iris broke.
"I… I don't want to play anymore!!!"
Tears spilled from the corners of her eyes, dripping onto the back of her hands.
"… Claire, let's go! Waaaaaaaaaaah!!!"
Claire gently patted her head, trying to soothe her.
Then she turned—
And shot Chishiya a glare filled with pure murder.
"You bastard!!! I'll remember this!!!"
"See you in the capital!"
Capital?!
Chishiya froze.
That wasn't just a figure of speech, was it…?
The two of them turned and left.
Only a pair of backs remained.
Claire…
Wait a second.
Could that be… the Knight Commander of the Royal Capital?
And the girl she's guarding is…
Princess Iris?!
Oh no.
If he'd just made the princess cry…
Then every single future business deal with the royal capital was toast.
The Great Sage went full murder-bot and didn't even warn me!
Why didn't Darkness stop me before I made the final move?!
Chishiya turned his head.
Darkness sat at the side, her soul long gone.
Chishiya scratched his nose awkwardly.
Okay, maybe she wasn't entirely at fault…
Darkness's eyes were empty.
Dead.
I should've strangled him first… then killed myself…
Thirty games…
Every single one a blowout…
Even Her Highness Iris couldn't take that kind of emotional trauma…
And judging by the crowd's reaction, they weren't any calmer.
"Incredible… absolutely incredible!!!"
"The boss is a real man! Not even a single pity round! What willpower! I respect him so much!"
Reporters nearby had taken detailed notes of the entire scene.
They already had headlines in mind:
[Shocking! Mysterious Girl Crushes Suspected Cursed Sword Hero, Breaking His Spirit in Public!]
[Unbelievable! 40 Million Eris Magic Item Rejected! Princess Iris Challenges Chishiya—Only to Be Utterly Destroyed 30 to 0!]
—————
Later. Store Closed.
The crowd had dispersed. Customers were gone.
Inside the room—
Darkness grabbed Chishiya by the collar and shook him violently.
"What the hell were you thinking—!!!"
"She's a little girl!!!"
"You beat her 30 times!!! Not even one mercy win?! Has your heart become that twisted?! That cold?! That perverse?!"
Wait. Thirty?
Chishiya blinked.
Yeah, maybe that was a little much…
But Chishiya replied, totally serious.
"A player sitting at the chessboard is an opponent worthy of respect."
"You want me to go easy on her just because of her age? That's more insulting."
Darkness froze.
Her hands slowly loosened.
She didn't want to admit it… but he was right.
If Her Highness found out he had let her win, she'd be furious.
Phew…
Chishiya exhaled quietly.
Crisis averted… probably.
(To be continued.)
***
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