Cassius’s grin widened, a gleam of delight sparking in his eyes.

“A bet? Now that’s more like it—way better than a plain old challenge. I’m game, so what’s your stake?”

She paused, tapping her chin as if mulling it over, then snapped her fingers, her smirk growing wicked.

“Alright, here’s mine.” She said, leaning in with a whimsical air. “If I win—and I will, then once that tavern’s built, you’ve gotta come serve us for a whole night. Skimpy clothes, like someone joked earlier—lingerie, maybe, or something tight and frilly.”

“…Show off that chiseled body of yours, Master. Bet you’d look damn fine pouring ale in a little outfit!”

The knights erupted into laughter, the grounds shaking with their hoots and cheers.

“Oh, gods, yes!” One shouted, clapping her hands.

“I’d pay gold to see that!” Another whistled, grinning wide.

“Young Master in a skimpy getup? Best night ever!”

The idea spread like wildfire, their excitement bubbling over as they chimed in—”Gotta show off those arms!” “Make it pink—pink’d suit him!”

Even Julie couldn’t hold back a laugh, her hand covering her mouth as she shook her head. Aisha snickered, her tail swishing, while Skadi giggled, muttering. “Master in frills? Weird, but funny!”

Lucius, standing primly at Cassius’s side, opened his mouth to protest, his face flushing with indignation.

“Preposterous!” He sputtered, clutching his notebook tighter. “The Young Master in such an undignified, absurd state? I won’t allow it! It’s beneath his station, beneath—”

He cut off mid-rant, his eyes glazing slightly as a sudden image flickered in his mind: Cassius in a tight, frilly apron, pouring drinks with a shy look on his face.

Lucius’s lips twitched, a faint blush creeping up his neck, and he snapped his mouth shut, turning away with a muttered, “Never mind.” as his resolve crumbled.

‘That actually wouldn’t be too bad.’ He thought, then shook his head, mortified at himself.

Cassius shot him a sidelong glance, his brow arching. “What’s with you? Traitor.” He muttered, then turned back to the veteran, his grin unfazed. “Fine by me—I’ll take that stake. Wouldn’t mind strutting around in something skimpy if I lose. Fair’s fair.”

He paused, his smile turning devilish as he leaned forward.

“But since the stakes are that high, I’m raising them too. If you lose…” His voice dropped, slow and steady, his eyes locking onto hers with a lewd glint. “You strip down—right here, right now.”

“…Not a stitch left on you, every bit of cloth gone. And then you do whatever I say.”

The moment his words were out, the laughter died in an instant, swallowed by a stunned silence that blanketed the grounds.

The knights froze, their eyes widening as the weight of his words sank in.

Julie’s breath caught, her amusement vanishing as her cheeks flushed faintly, while Aisha’s tail stood, her eyes darting between Cassius and the veteran in shock.

The veteran herself stood rooted, her smirk faltering for a split second before she recovered, her weathered face hardening with disbelief and defiance.

“What?!” A knight blurted from the back, breaking the silence. ” e said strip?!”

“No way—did I hear that right?” Another stammered, her voice pitching high. “Everything off? Here?!”

“He’s mad!” A third hissed, clutching her sword like a lifeline. “That’s—gods, that’s insane!”

The knights shocked gasps and nervous laughter hung heavy in the air, a swirl of disbelief and unease that Cassius seemed to relish as he sat perched on his stump.

And it was only natural they’d react this way—tough as they were, hardened by battles and brushes with death, they were still women in a world where the church’s iron grip demanded modesty and demure grace.

Stripping bare, not a thread left to shield them, under the open sky and the eyes of their peers?

It was an outrageous wager, a slap in the face to every sermon they’d ever endured about virtue and propriety.

Even these warriors, who’d spat in the face of danger countless times, couldn’t help but falter at the sheer audacity of it, their voices rising in a mix of scandalized whispers and uneasy chuckles.

Avery, the weathered veteran, felt that same jolt of hesitation ripple through her when Cassius laid out his stake. Her stomach twisted, the weight of the bet pressing down like a physical force—stripping naked, here and now, and bending to his whims?

It was madness, a step beyond anything she’d ever dared.

But then, as the shock settled, a spark of defiance flared in her chest, fueled by the absurdity of the situation.

She realised that she would only have to do such a thing if she lost the bet and she knew she had no chance of doing so, so she squared her shoulders, her competitive grin returning as she met Cassius’s gaze.

“That’s one hell of an expensive bet, Master.” She said, her voice rough but steady. “But I’ll take it just to see you prancing around in skimpy frills when I win.”

The knights froze for a heartbeat, their eyes widening at her boldness, then erupted into cheers and whoops.

“That’s our Avery!” One shouted, pumping her fist.

“She’s got guts. She’s going to make him strut for us!” Another laughed, clapping her on the back.

“You’ll have him in lace by sundown—go get them!”

Their excitement surged, rallying behind her bravery as they praised her nerve.

Cassius grinned wider, leaning back on his stump with a nod of approval.

“Brave woman.” He said, his tone warm but edged with challenge. “I like that and I hope you don’t regret it going to be a sight either way.”

Seeing where things were heading, Julie and Aisha exchanged a glance, their amusement fading into unease.

“I don’t like where this is headed.” Julie muttered, her brow creasing.

Aisha clenched her fists, her eyes narrowing as she leaned closer. “That pervert’s going to win—I can feel it.” She hissed. “He’s got some trick up his sleeve, and it’s going to be a damn treat for him.”

“…Bet’s locked now, though so there’s nothing we can do but watch.”

Julie tilted her head, her voice low. “If it was you, would you have taken it?”

Aisha snorted, crossing her arms.

“Me? Hell no…As much as I can’t stand him, I trust his skills—he’s not the type to throw out a bet like that unless he’s damn sure he’ll come out on top.”

“…He’s got this rigged somehow and I’m sure of it.”

Her blunt assessment left Julie silent, her mind turning over the possibilities.

‘What was Cassius planning? How could mere advice tip a fight this one sided?’

And just as she was wondering about what was going to happen, Cassius clapped his hands, drawing their attention as he stood.

“Fine then—bet’s on.” He said, his voice ringing out. He turned to the knights, his grin broadening. “Since we’re doing this, I need a volunteer. Who’s stepping up to fight for me? First knight in this legion to take down someone way stronger—don’t be shy, now. Who’s got the guts?”

The knights hesitated, the high stakes casting a shadow over their earlier enthusiasm. Eyes darted, feet shuffled—no one wanted to be the one to test this wild claim, not with Avery’s pride and Cassius’s lechery on the line.

The silence stretched, tense and heavy, until a figure pushed through the crowd.

She was younger, her medium-length blonde hair catching the sunlight, her curious blue eyes glinting with a mix of nerves and intrigue.

“I’ll do it.” She said, stepping forward with a carefree smile. “I’ll fight Commander Avery.”

Avery chuckled, recognizing the girl—Emma, a junior who’d joined just last year, still green but a good soldier nonetheless.

“You, huh?” She said, her tone warm but teasing. “Eager to take a swing at your old commander? What’s this, mutiny already?”

Emma laughed, a light, nervous sound, shaking her head.

“Not like that, Commander! I just…I don’t know if I can beat you—honestly, I doubt it. But it’s interesting, what the Young Master’s saying. I wanna see if it’s true, try it out for myself.” She glanced at Cassius, her curiosity outweighing her doubt. “That okay with you? Am I good enough?”

Cassius’s grin softened into something approving.

“Perfect.” He said, beckoning her over. “You’re exactly what I need. Come here—I’ve got a few things to tell you, some tips to set you up.” He gestured toward a nearby tree, a shady spot away from the crowd.

Emma hesitated, her eyes flicking to Julie.

“Captain?” She asked, seeking permission. “Is it alright?”

Julie smiled, a faint but genuine curve of her lips.

“Go ahead.” She said, nodding. “I’m curious too—let’s see what he’s got up his sleeve. Good luck, Emma.”

With Julie’s blessing, Emma trotted over to Cassius, her steps quick but uncertain. He led her under the tree, his voice dropping to a low murmur as he began speaking, gesturing with his hands while she nodded, her expression shifting from doubt to focus, like a student soaking in a lesson.

The knights watched, their murmurs growing—some skeptical, others intrigued as Cassius’s words worked their quiet magic.

Avery, meanwhile, felt a flicker of unease twist in her gut.

She’d laughed it off at first, but seeing Cassius so calm, chipped at her confidence.

‘What was he saying to Emma? What could possibly turn the tide against her decades of experience?’

Julie also approached, her shadow falling over Avery as she asked. “You alright, Avery? Second thoughts about that bet?”

Avery shook her head quickly, forcing a grin. “Not a chance, Captain—I’ve got this. No way some whispered tips are taking me down. I’m tougher than that.”

She expected Julie to nod, to back her up with that steady reassurance she always had.

But Julie’s response caught her off guard. She gave Avery a look—half-pitying, half-mischievous and smiled faintly.

“Don’t be too sure.” She said, her voice low. “Even Aisha said she wouldn’t take that bet and you know she doesn’t move without thinking it through a hundred times.”

“…So, you might wanna brace yourself for what’s to come.”

With that, she turned and walked off toward the dueling area, leaving Avery standing there, her confidence wavering.

Avery’s grin faded, her mind reeling.

Aisha wouldn’t take it?

The grand tactician, the one who could outsmart a fox with her eyes closed, had passed on this?

That meant something—something bad.

Her stomach churned, a cold prickle creeping up her spine. She’d walked into this bet headfirst, all bravado and bluster, but now?

Now she wasn’t so sure.

Stripping bare in front of everyone—her knights, her captain, her master—the thought made her skin crawl. She didn’t want to be that vulnerable, that exposed, a wretched spectacle for Cassius’s amusement.

But it was too late to back out now—the stakes were set, the crowd was gathering, and all she could do was shake off the doubt and follow the others to the makeshift arena, praying she wouldn’t regret it…

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep