"vs." Sanakia

After an an uneasy and mostly restless night, I was woken up at seven in the morning. A quick but nourishing breakfast followed before it was time to prepare for my match.

While I was eating, Ojou-sama’s head maid informed me one more time about what was going to happen today.

“You will be escorted to the arena within the hour. Your **** will stay with us until your match has concluded, naturally with you surrendering. I advise you to no make matters any more complicated.”

That was also the reason why I was denied any further contact after Fisti and Beatrice pulled their stunt. “What about Cassandra?”, I asked.

“As my Mistress informed you yesterday. It is unlikely you will see her again.”

This did not feel right with me. But what choice did I have? And so I was put in a carriage and shipped towards the arena. As promised, guards where accompanying me. A surprisingly large number at that.

I was expecting to see Fisti and Beatrice here, but to my surprise the only person to greet me was the golden knight. He seemed rather unhappy.

“I have heard some unsettling rumors, Mr. Beta.”

Yikes, not wasting any time are we?

Right away, four of my “guards” stood in front of me. The one I came to know as Deltz started to speak. “Our client is preparing for his match. Please do not disturb him, Sir.”

The golden knight was not impressed. “Are you aware of who I am?”

“Yes, Sir. Please do not **** us to call security.”

For a brief moment, the situation seemed to escalate. Then however, Sir d'artagan relented. “It makes no matter. Should you surrender I will have the truth of it. If that happens you will be judged appropriately.”

That sounded ominous.

“I do not know what you are talking about.”, I replied with as much perplexity that I could muster.

And that was the extent of the interaction as the golden knight just turned on his heels and left. I don't think I like this guy very much.

Luckily there was no time for me to contemplate as the match was about to start. As such I stepped on the teleporter.

What greeted me was Ben wearing a ridiculous yellow babydoll dress and of course the person I was supposed to lose against. Sanakia. She looked very pissed.

“Round Four! Bracket A Final Sexy Knight Sanakia vs. The amber assassin Mari! “

“Begin!”

“Before we start!”, Sanakia shouted loudly. “I wish to speak with you, Mari Beta!”

“Y-yes?”

“Tell me, are these vile rumors true?”, the Galmon scowled. “Are you in bed with criminals willing to throw this fight?”

Even if Sanakia wasn’t shouting. The magically enhanced sound amplification would have made sure everyone in the arena heard this. This certainly wasn’t ideal. I took a gander at Ben who looked as clueless as always. He either had no idea or was very good at faking it.

“Answer me!”

“Y-yes! I-I mean no! Of course not! I would never do something dishonorable as that!”, I tried to speak in a confident voice but I’m not sure I achieved that.

The Sexy-Knight stretched her sword in my direction. “This blight upon my honor, I will not stand for it! As a proud squire of my esteemed Lord, I hereby proclaim: I will win this fight fairly! Know that I will not accept your surrender!”

Great. Things can never be simple can they?

The girl knight went one step further. “If you wish to yield, simply hold still and I will end your suffering swiftly! Let me state it clearly: There will be absolutely no reason for you to surrender in this fight!”

This was bad. No one in their right mind would surrender without the prospect of **** after all. Well, I suppose Aiju did but...

“Toooo!” There was no time to contemplate as the knight already went on the offensive. I avoided her attack with ridiculous ease. The Galmon clicked her tongue drew her sword back(very slowly) and swung at me in a wide arc that almost made her lose her balance.

No, seriously how am I supposed to handle this? Could I fake a mental breakdown?

“You are good”, Sanakia shouted as she readjusted her position. “But on this cloudy day you have met your match!” The Galmon dashed towards me again, this time slashing in reckless abandon. All I had to do was stay out of her range. Which was almost offensively simple.

That went on for about three minutes before Sanakia started to breathe hard. “Y-you”, she gasped. “This...this is nothing! I will not be beaten by the likes of you!”

I didn’t attack her a single time.

As I was watching the exhausted Galmon, seemingly already on her last legs, one simple question went through my mind.

How?