The Goddess Made A Mistake Again-Chapter 448 - Graceful Counterattack

"Wh... What?"

"Fight Me, Henry!"

"You sure, you wanna fight?" I ask again just to be sure that she is joking with me.

"Of course, I do!" Velma’s answer was stronger than before as her body became straighter.

She really wanted to fight me.

You know I thought that Velma was the intelligent one in the team but now it seems like she is the same as Marva, Always hungry to fight someone stronger.

"Th- that may not be appropriate, Velma." I spoke before she could open her mouth, "The men are kind of demoralized right now and any big sparks could cause problems for them. Then there’s the fact about the Dragonoir, if word gets out that we are having fun while they suffered great losses, it would be terrible for us."

Velma’s eyes turned quizzical as she answered, "That won’t happen."

"How are you sur-"

"The men are demoralized, yes. The fight could cause problems for them probably, but it could also brighten them up." Velma said strongly, "Seeing their two strong leaders fight each other could boil up their blood, make them see the power difference and influence them to train harder."

That was a hard punch to deflect, "Ye- Yeah, but what about the Dr-"

"The Dragonoir’s don’t have any proceedings on this." Velma shook her head, "What we do is between us and stays between us."

"It wouldn’t affect what the Dragonoir wants with you or what they’ll do with you later."

My eyes narrow, ’So you know the Dragonoir’s want to settle with me yet you still want to fight me.’

’Or better yet, you want to fight me knowing that the Dragonoir’s would pick my head off.’

’You know, Marva’s actually better than you. At least she doesn’t hide her feelings or waits to corner me like this.’

As my face broke and I was about to resign, "Alright the-"

"Excuse me for intruding, but can I come in?" Veronica’s voice spoke out of the tent.

Looking pass Velma, I saw the beautiful woman peeking behind the cover.

An Escape!

"Of course, of course, Veronica. Please come in!" I excitedly call her in as she smiles gracefully and entered the tent.

"Madam Veronica." Velma stood up and gave her a respectful nod. Velma knew Veronica was the third-ex wife and made great contributions to the kingdom, her respect for the woman was shown.

"Lady Velma" Veronica said and looked at me.

I instantly gave her a pleading look, hoping the goddess’s would smile on me and help me from this trouble.

Veronica nodded with an acute smile and turned to Velma.

"Lady Velma, pardon me for intruding but as I was passing by, I heard some things that probably shouldn’t have been heard."

"It’s alright, Madam. We were speaking loudly so it isn’t exactly your fault for listening." Velma said.

"Thank you but as I listened, I get the intention that you want to fight Henry here." Veronica spoke gently, "But I don’t think that would be wise of you."

"You think so?" Velma tilted her head in confusion.

"Yes" Veronica nodded very slowly as if it was the truth, "Because the fight wouldn’t be truly real."

Now this confused both of us and it seemed Veronica knew that as she started explaining.

"You naturally want to fight Henry because you’ve seen him prove his prowess on the battlefield, the huge attack that wiped out almost half of both forces, correct?"

"Yes, that’s right." Velma nodded.

"And Henry here though reluctant, would probably agree to fight you, right?" She asked me.

"Yeah..." I nod but she didn’t have to fully state that.

"So you two would fight close to the camp or right beside it and naturally the soldiers and other people would see you fighting, right?"

We both nod simultaneously.

Veronica smiled as she got to her point.

"So both of you will fight and only one victor would come out. There’s a big chance that it could be Henry because of his extreme strength, right?"

Velma’s face scrounged, her eyes hardening, "That could be-"

"But Henry here already reluctant, wouldn’t want you to lose face." Veronica smiled at me and I saw the hidden glint in her eyes as I excitedly nod.

"Correct, correct!"

"So you would throw the fight yourself to let her have face." Veronica said, "But the men would be suspicious of that. They’d think the man who was able to defeat the bandit king and execute such a devastating attack wouldn’t lose so quickly and start doubting about the fight."

"Now, after such an aftermath, we can’t have men thinking like that, right Lady Velma?"

"But he doesn’t have to throw the fight." Velma said, counterattacking, "I don’t have any problems about losing face. The one who wins is the strongest and I would have to admit it no matter what."

"That is true indeed... but," Veronica’s eyes fluttered lightly, "But you losing too would also have a bad effect on the soldiers."

"It would?"

"Not to everyone but to the royal army, it would."

"You’re the representative of the Royal Army, the strongest of the three Valkyries and the level headed warrior. If you lose, the royal army too would lose their face in a way."

"And after such a... decadent battle, the men would get even restless going home with a defeated leader." Veronica said and finally ended her point, "So do you get it now why you shouldn’t fight so recklessly, Lady Velma?"

Velma was at a loss for words. She didn’t know how it suddenly happened but she was tongue tied at the moment.

Veronica’s words were sharp but correct. She couldn’t reject those words coming out from one of the most respected citizen of her kingdom.

So she gritted her teeth, hands clenched and sighed, "I understand what you mean, Madam Veronica. I am sorry for taking it this far, Henry."

"It’s alright, Velma. You just wanted to fight, its same for every warrior wanting to fight other strong warriors."

Velma nodded and turned around, "I have other important works left, so I’ll leave you two."

"May the Goddess shine her light upon you."

"See ya." I wave her goodbye and say lightly as she leaves, "What happened to her important works before, were they not as important as the fight?"

Veronica laughed at that, "Don’t ridicule her, she’s still your superior."

"Riiiight..." I say before turning excitedly towards her, "That was amazing Veronica! You were great back there."

"Really? Was it that good?"

"Of course it was. At one point, you were asking us questions about fighting then you threw a hard punch and then a greater counterpunch to Velma’s counterpunch, it was amazing to watch!"

Veronica laughed again, "Seeing you speak such words, you almost make me seem like the villain."

"Well, if I get to see you talk like that again, I wouldn’t mind an ungraceful and equally beautiful Veronica."

"Hah! You sure can talk." Veronica smiled, pride brimming within her, "I used to be in diplomatic council once, I’d go on talks with different tribes and kingdoms and get the best benefit possible."

"I see that."

Veronica’s smile suddenly vanished as she quietly said, "Don’t blindly trust the Queen, Henry."

"Huh?" I turn to her in confusion before understanding, "Oh, right!"

"...If you don’t mind me asking, how is the queen?"

"She... she’s dangerous and very cunning." Veronica said, her face turned pale, "She entraps people with a beautiful smile and then crushes them brutally when they are of no use."

"I don’t know what she wants with you Henry... but be careful." Veronica said placing a hand on me as I smile awkwardly.

’Well, you should have said that months ago.’