Sins Paradise: Domination System
chapter-304

After escorting the Pope to her balcony, I went to my previous waiting room.

The fight to decide the top 2 and top 3 would start shortly. It was between Oliver and the Temperantia Academy student.

I wasn't interested in whoever won, but it would be great if the former did. That way, Eliza's friend, Karin, would be happy, and the headmistress' mood wouldn't be affected too much.

Sitting inside a small booth, I shut all my senses, except for my danger sense, down. This way, I wouldn't be able to hear or see anything but was still able to feel the danger that approached me by instinct. If someone wanted to kill me, it would be the best time.

But I did this knowing that many powerhouses in the world had gathered here, and all were my allies. This place was also protected and monitored by the possibly strongest Mage in this world.

Time passed quickly while I was in this state. Before long, I felt like the excitement that made the building shake a little had ended, and I opened my eyes and returned my senses to normal.

"It's time."

Muttering, I stood up and walked out of the waiting room toward the entrance where I should be at. As I said earlier, I didn't know who won and would only fight my enemy while holding back a little to make the fight exciting.

As I arrived at my supposed entrance, I saw someone's figure standing facing the wall while still holding a long sword that I was supposed to use.

I recognized this student—a boy with short dark hair with a body full of muscle, proof of his hard work. There were tears dripping down his face.

'If I am not wrong, his name is Ralph.' I remembered when the announcer introduced both fighters.

The fact he was here and was crying right now meant Oliver had managed to win.

My footsteps rang loudly as I approached. "Don't be discouraged. There will be another chance," I said.

As I had seen him, it would be hurtful to my reputation if I didn't say something nice. So I decided to console him a little.

Raising his head, Ralph looked at me and wiped his tears. His eyes widened in surprise as he put up a hardened expression. He looked at me with a gaze full of respect.

"Sir Paladin." He said, nodding slightly in understanding. "It was vexing. But I know my opponent also worked hard, so I just silently let go of my emotion to move forward. I didn't think I would be seen. How embarrassing."

"There is nothing embarrassing about that." I refuted, "Rather, it's admirable for you to think about moving forward after losing such an important battle. Without enmity, only a bond with your opponent is left. You can ask him for pointers or even train together, making both of you even stronger."

"Bond…" Ralph muttered in a low voice. His face lit up in understanding. "Thank you, Sir Paladin."

"You're welcome." I nodded with a smile. "Then, can you give me that sword? I need to use it for the final."

"Ah, right. I am sorry."

Saying so, he held the sword with both hands and presented them to me while bowing his head. It was such an excessive gesture, but it was normal in other people's eyes, as Ralph was a commoner without a family name while I was a Paladin.

"Thank you," I said, taking the sword with my right hand. "If you want to, you can watch the fight in close range around the exit. I will allow you to do it. Maybe it will give you an idea to advance your <Swordsmanship>."

"Can I really?" Ralph raised his head, shocked.

"You can." I confirmed, "I will prolong this fight slightly to teach my opponent about something. It will be the reward for his effort to go this far. So as a third place, it is natural if you also gain something extra, right? So feel free to watch my <Swordsmanship> and use it as an inspiration."

"Thank you very much!" Once again, Ralph bowed. This time, he held his fist close to his heart, a gesture often used by a knight who promised his loyalty.

I only smiled without saying anything and walked past him. With this, I made another kind of connection that would probably be useful for me in the future. There was nothing wrong with widening my social connection and making many allies.

'This Ralph probably will advance and become a strong knight with Oliver in the future. Making him owe me something at this time will only benefit me later. And from the reaction of the Temperantia Academy headmaster, John, it seemed like he favored this boy quite a lot.'

While I just did it because I wanted to keep my reputation, I could get to know the Temperantia Academy's headmaster through this boy in the future. That man was strong and probably had the authority rivaling Rania in the kingdom knights.

'His help will make Alesia reach her dream faster.' I thought as I walked out of the entrance and entered the arena.

"Oooooh!"

"Sir Paladin!"

"Your Holiness!! I love you!!"

"Fight on!!"

"Paladin! Paladin!"

The spectators began to chant my name as soon as I showed up. Across from me, Oliver appeared to be tense but excited at the same time. There was a big, wry smile on his face as he clenched his sword and shield tightly.

"Relax."

I couldn't help but say that with a smile.

Between us stood a woman wearing a combination of red, white, and black church knight uniform. Her short blonde hair stayed still as her blue eyes swept across the arena, looking at Oliver and then at me.

Unlike the lewd teacher and primordial Succubus, this masochistic sister of mine was better at hiding her arousal. She had done so for a few years, and she enjoyed being watched suffering to hold her arousal in such a manner. That was why she wore a strict expression without any hint of kindness.

However, I was certain that this strict expression would melt to a pleasured and lewd one if I threw an insult or spank her ass to the point it turned red. I could hear an illusory moan reaching my ears.

"Both fighters, please go to the middle of the arena."

With Rania's words, Oliver nodded and approached the center of the arena. I also did the same; we stopped once we were only 10 meters apart.

"In this fight, killing is not prohibited. However, if the opponent surrenders, additional movement or KILLING purposely will result in disqualification. Is that clear?"

That meant whoever could make their opponent surrender or kill them would win this final. I nodded in understanding.

"Yes," Oliver replied with a loud voice due to his nervousness. His body was trembling in fear, but he stood straight in front of me like a real knight.

"Perfect. The fight will start after the countdown."

Saying so, Rania stepped back until she was 20 meters away from us.

I smiled casually as I put my left hand to my back. Even if this was the final, I still needed to give Oliver the handicap, or it wouldn't be fair. Well, even with one, this fight wasn't fair to begin with.

'Let's end this after exchanging blows a few times. That will make Oliver and Ralph, who is watching behind me, satisfied. This brown-haired boy wouldn't also feel embarrassed if he managed to send a few attacks to me. After all, my previous opponent could only deliver a blow or two before I knocked them out.'

"I will begin the countdown. Three… Two…"

Oliver raised his shield and braced himself as the countdown started. I also raised my sword to not appear to be looking down on him.

"One… Start!"

And the final battle started. It wasn't worth mentioning.

I just exchanged blows with Oliver a few times and purposely took a step to fix his small problem. My opponent realized it, and his expression fell, but he wasn't discouraged and used this opportunity to learn. He had known since the start that he had no chance to win.

The battle lasted for a minute, and it ended with Oliver surrendering after he exhausted all his strength. I helped him to stand up, and he thanked me innocently.

"Winner, Arthur Vainglory!"

Rania announced the winner with a loud voice under everyone's cheering and clapping.

I waved my hands at them and smiled widely. In the middle of everyone's gazes and cheering, I heard my masochistic sister's soft voice.

"I will also join on the first day. I have told Tristan that we will hold our duel before your 7 days party."

My gaze swept across the crowd while I tried my best not to change my expression.

'Can't she just tell me later? Why should she drop her answer at this time.' I thought. Then, I realized something. 'Ah, I forgot. She's a masochist, so she seeks a way for me to punish her. No one loves being punished more than her.'