Chapter 211.1. Debutante Ball

-Masatoshi’s POV-
Takano Chuya was originally a member of Takano County, and he was the eldest son, son of Arashi.
Understandably, he would be furious and make a fuss about having his position as the head of the family taken away.
What I don’t understand is why he’s causing a scene in front of the Emperor. 
Who does he think he is? Doesn’t he have any fear? Is he a pig that transformed into a human?
Aguni Masatoshi, with his hands covering his cheeks like in Edvard Munch’s painting, trembled in fear.
“W-Who are you? I don’t have any acquaintance who’s a little piggy in my family!”
The girl with gray hair tilted her head curiously.
I agree with the opinion that he’s a little piggy.
“Oink! I’m not a little piggy! I am Takano Chuya, the man who will become the Count of the Takano family!”
The little piggy shouts “Oink,” but doesn’t he realize that the surroundings have gone silent?
“Oh, I see. So there’s another Takano that’s not my family! I’m Takano Miu, the Countess!”
“You don’t remember me? How insolent!”
“I understand that you are from a different branch of the Takano family than mine!”
Takano Miu clearly shows no intention of recognizing Chuya as a member of the Takano family. 
It seems she’s just naturally like that, but Masatoshi couldn’t help but be amazed and disappointed by their exchange.
“I get it! You’re one of Menou Robin’s friends, right? Oh, what was it again?”
“Return my title of Count! We’ll settle it with a duel! If I win the duel, you will give back the title of Count!”
“Duel… Shall we do it? Emperor, is it okay?”
Upon hearing the little piggy’s words, Takano Miu turns her gray hair and bows her head respectfully to the Emperor.
“What is it, Countess Takano?”
It seems the girl with gray hair miraculously learned proper etiquette. 
The Emperor’s mouth forms a mischievous grin as he nods, looking amused.
He smiled at the innocent and adorable girl. Even from my perspective, she’s a lovely young girl.
“Well, I think ‘duel’ is not good. So, I would like to make it a debutante ball for the Susano’o Unit and the Holy Knights.”
She intertwines her fingers and squirms restlessly, timidly speaking up.
I see. A debutante ball would be no problem. It’s much better than a duel.
“But I said it’s a duel! I’m telling you!”
“In that case, if Takano Chuya wins at the debutante ball, I will pay 100 billion yen! Even if he doesn’t become a Count, he can live a luxurious life without worries. And if I win, Takano Chuya has to apologize to everyone for causing a commotion!”
“Oink! 100 billion yen! I’m in!”
Without realizing that Duke Kanna and Menou Robin are giving him tremulous looks, the little piggy jumps up and down in excitement.
100 billion yen… I can’t help but be astonished that the gray-haired girl understands the value of money.
“In that case, let’s make it a 3-on-3 match. I will make the 100 billion yen the prize, so can we choose opponents other than the little piggy?”
“Kukuku, that’s fine. After all, it’s 100 billion yen. And it’s a debutante ball. However, don’t choose weak opponents, okay?”

As the Emperor laughs mockingly and nods, Funsu and the girl with gray hair excitedly point their thin index fingers in my direction.

“Menou Robin-san, Takano Chuya-san, and Aguni Masatoshi-san, please. As for us, it’s Sena-chan, Yamiyo-chan, and me!”
Oh, so this is the match for the debutante ball. It’s going to be tough, Menou Robin.
Wait, didn’t they mention my name?
“If that’s the case, there shouldn’t be any problem with their abilities. I’m also interested in seeing the power of the Susano’o Unit, right, Menou Robin?”
“Huh? Um, yes. Although I feel a bit hesitant going against children.”
Caught off guard by the overwhelming flow of events, Menou Robin opens and closes his mouth in bewilderment before managing to respond.
“We will fight wearing the magical armor called Ulhara’s magic armor, all of us matching!”
The girl with gray hair proudly puffs up her chest with a pleased expression.
In terms of combat power, except for Teijou Yamiyo, who is a reincarnated individual, the others won’t be much of a match. 
I sigh and slump my shoulders, wondering if they’re going to fight.
“This is an interesting entertainment. We will hold the match in the training grounds three hours from now!”
With a single word from the Emperor, the match is decided.
In the waiting room before the match.
While wearing the mage gear, I face my father. Since it’s a private room, only my father, Aguni Enraku, and a few servants are present.
“Do we have to have this match?”
I scratch my red hair while wearing a troubled expression, and ask my father.
“In the battle against Nidhogg and the Solomon Alliance, Sena-san and the girl with gray hair were using healing magic from the back, right? I think Sena-san is reasonably strong…”
Based on what I saw on the news, they were surrounded by numerous enemies and managed to repel them somehow. 
It seems that after Captain Gotou and the others died, Teijou Yamiyo and Aburage Tam-mo used magic while Sena-san and the others provided support from the rear. 
The hero, Sakuma, who came to assist during the battle, commented, “I did my best in dismantling.”. 
So, there was the power of a hero as well. Sakuma wasn’t in the original work, but in reality, there are skilled individuals apart from the novel characters.
Sena-san was able to fight when we were attacked by assassins before, but the girl with gray hair is backline support. She has a petite, delicate body and an innocent smile. She’s not suited for battles.
Then I remember the dungeon. No, maybe she’s reasonably strong. 
But she’s not the opponent I became stronger to face after that incident.
“Gahaha, that’s right. It’s better to let the other side shine, you know.”
“But Menou Robin seemed unusually fired up, didn’t he?”
He laughs heartily and hits my shoulder with force, causing it to ache. I grimace and ask in return.
For some reason, Menou Robin was yelling with bloodshot eyes, determined to win at all costs.