"Ah~ I won!" Norma exclaimed in delight, having bet all her belongings on Ahtal.
This directly made her relatively wealthy.
"He really is a fine man." A noblewoman nearby covered her mouth and chuckled lightly, her eyes shimmering as she turned to look at the excited Norma and spoke.
"Miss Norma, would you like to earn even more money?"
"Earn more money?" Norma blinked in surprise, then quickly realized what was implied though the noblewoman didn't say it outright. She patted Norma on the shoulder and whispered a few words into her ear.
The noblewoman then stood up, pointed her fan towards Ahtal in the dueling arena, the implication clear.
"Lord Ahtal might not be willing to go." Norma explained, but the noblewoman didn't mind and elegantly turned and left.
If he wasn't willing to come, she wouldn't insist.
Of course, if he agreed to come, she would naturally offer a generous gift. It all depended on whether Ahtal was willing to take the money.
...
...
Some time later.
The duelists' rest area.
"Lord Ahtal, someone... no, a great many people have extended invitations to you." Norma stood at the doorway, looking at Ahtal who was already carrying a heavy broadsword and holding his luggage single-handedly, her expression somewhat nervous.
Now she needed to convey all the noblewomen's invitations to Ahtal, hoping to earn a substantial reward from even one successful arrangement.
"Not interested." Xi Mu answered offhandedly, having no intention to pay any attention to those NPC noblewomen, his mind entirely on the side quest.
Norma opened her mouth to speak then swallowed her words, having anticipated this turn of events. Continuing to persuade would only be annoying.
She also feared that Ahtal might kill her and offer her soul to the Witch, which would make even going to Hell impossible.
However, just at that moment.
"Perhaps there is an invitation that might interest you." The duel arena's manager approached, pushing up his glasses which glinted with white light.
Xi Mu waved his hand dismissively and walked past the duel arena's manager, showing no interest in the unreal aspects of the game.
Not to mention that he wouldn't waste his time on those NPC noblewomen.
"Miss Chronos's invitation, accept it and... receive a hundred thousand Gold Coins and, additionally, a recommendation to enter the Magic School." The duel arena's manager spoke calmly, not particularly concerned whether Xi Mu chose to leave or stay.
After all, he was merely there to pass along the message. Whether Xi Mu took this opportunity was entirely up to him.
It was normal for strong individuals to hold their own pride.
"Where should I meet?" Xi Mu walked back, making the duel arena's manager pause briefly then chuckle softly.
He pushed up his glasses and gave the address.
"At 506 Bruil Street, make sure to dress formally, at least take a wash to please Duke Chronos's mood."
"No need, she's not after my body anyway." Xi Mu said casually, carrying his broadsword and luggage as he left.
The duel arena's manager shook his head, watching the departing man. His duelists were often invited by noblewomen to visit their homes and usually stayed overnight, leaving the next day with substantial rewards.
They did chat purely sometimes, but seldom.
Yet, recalling Duke Chronos's persona, perhaps she really wouldn't keep Ahtal, just genuinely wanted to chat.
Withdrawing his gaze, the duel arena's manager looked towards Norma and said, "Oh, Miss Anastasia is looking for you."
"Yes, I'll head there now." Norma bowed hurriedly and left, feeling inexplicably guilty, maybe because she had made money from her boss.
...
...
Bruil Street.
This was the largest commercial street in Lionheart Castle. Due to the impending plague, nobles and wealthy merchants from around the world, all planning to pay their respects to the God of Plague, would pass through Lionheart Castle, thus taking a temporary rest here.
This indirectly contributed to the bustle and prosperity of Lionheart Castle.
The passersby were nobles and wealthy merchants, dressed impeccably, each looking very elegant and noble.
"That person... must be a duelist, right?" A passing noble lady, with her fan covering the lower half of her face, watched the man pass by carrying a heavy broadsword and holding a suitcase.
The man was stained with blood and wore only a helmet that covered his head, standing out quite distinctively on Bruil Street.
But due to the popularity of dueling in Lionheart Castle, people weren't too surprised by Xi Mu's appearance.
Seeing a man in mere shorts, holding a sword, his body covered in scars, didn't startle them.
"Just a desperado betting his life for money." Wearing a monocle, an immaculately dressed butler explained to his curious mistress as he shook his head, "Miss, try not to involve yourself with such people, they'd do anything for money."
"Like what?" The noble lady displayed curiosity, only to see the butler shake his head, pointing at Xi Mu's retreating figure.
"Miss, they would sell their bodies, being unfaithful to their future wives."
"I see." Somewhat disappointed, the noble lady withdrew her curious gaze. In this world, where a deity governing marriage exists, there was neither polygamy nor polyandry. Both partners were expected to preserve their chastity for each other.
Thus, from a woman's perspective, the idea of a man selling his body was... contemptible.