The Goddess Is Obsessed With Me [Complete]

Chapter 72

"Harold?!"

Marika, taken aback by the unexpected voice, calls out my name. She seems genuinely surprised, her eyes wide as she silently looks at me.

The atmosphere, unlike the warmth permeating from the gentle sunlight, takes a tense turn.

"What are you talking about...?"

Her face, half filled with curiosity and half clinging to a glimmer of hope, brightens up noticeably.

"Please entrust this to me. I will stand as the second for Princess Marika and fight on her behalf."

I make sure my voice carries, projecting loud and clear, emphasizing formality in my words to show respect.

"What..."

She seems to want to say something, her lips trembling as they part, but no words come out. She just meets my gaze.

"You're challenging the second-ranking student? How could you—"

"Trust me. You saw me last week, didn't you?"

I whisper to her, reminding her of the power assessment from the previous week. She should remember the display of my prowess: how I had demonstrated a magic far superior to others and how I had single-handedly triumphed against multiple opponents when she was kidnapped.

Though it felt a bit boastful to praise myself, now wasn't the time to be modest.

It seems she's somewhat convinced. The turmoil on her face suggests she's battling her inner doubts, but...

"I've never acknowledged you as my second, but... I'll make an exception this time."

She tries to put on a bravado, offering a smirk. However, it's apparent that she's masking her vulnerability.

She looks terrified, her body shivering, and her forced smile betrays her genuine feelings.

"Thank you. I'll be your sword, and in the face of this audacity, I promise to deliver a positive outcome."

Once again, I raise my voice to ensure as many students as possible hear me and then step into the arena.

"Hold on!"

However, a voice of dissent rings out.

As expected, Crown Prince Avram approaches with a dishappy expression.

"What do you mean by this? Why is a second-in-command like you intervening in the duel?"

He glares at me with a hint of anger. It's clear he planned to use this duel to discredit Marika and strip her of her right to the throne.

By presenting his second-in-command, he had a fallback in case of defeat: it wasn't him, but his subordinate who had failed.

However, if I participate on Marika's behalf, the risk of defeat diminishes. As mentioned earlier, blaming a subordinate's incompetence provides an excuse. If Marika herself had fought, it would have been more straightforward. Win or lose, it was all on her. But with me, it complicates matters.

"I humbly submit, in my modest opinion, that it seems fitting for each side's trusted second to face off."

Partly sarcastically, I use a formal tone, echoing his own.

"This is a favor I'm granting to Marika, a test of her worthiness as a candidate for the throne. This is not your place to interfere..."

He shouts at me with increased frustration and anger, but I calmly retort.

"Recognizing talent is an essential skill for a would-be king. If this is a contest to see who can identify and utilize the most capable individuals, then I believe it's perfectly in line with the original intent."