“Here I come, Lyall-san.”
“Alright, I just need to defend with everything I’ve got, right?”
It’s been a week since Akane became a spirit.
And the Martial Tournament is one week away.
I asked Lyall-san for some light training.
We’re at the training grounds attached to the royal castle, indoors.
The reason is my concern about the decline in my proficiency due to the recent rest.
And there’s one other thing I want to test.
He gladly accepted, but according to Lyall-san, it’s for
“Gathering information for when we fight next.”
That’s what he said.
I draw and ready the black sword, “Landini.”
(Akane, are you ready?)
(I’m ready.)
Akane is involved in the battle because she requested it herself.
I refused at first.
However, I was defeated by her single statement, “It’s only Onii-chan’s previous life that was special. There’s no one in this world who lives without fighting.”
I couldn’t say anything back.
…But, thinking about it, what I’m doing hasn’t changed.
I just need to protect Akane and repay my debt to Grandpa.
The fact that I can now communicate with the person I’m protecting only makes me more motivated.
…First, aura to Landini.
And I entrust my magical power to Akane.
“Seriously…?”
Lyall-san muttered.
Flames swirl around Landini.
It’s clear at a glance that it’s imbued with power far beyond any magic sword I’ve used before.
Akane’s aptitude for magical control when using this body. Plus, her power as a spirit combines, and the intensity of the fire is incomparable to when I activated magic on my own.
It already far exceeds the temperature I gradually raised when I slashed the Earth Dragon.
Toward Lyall-san’s cross-arm block with iron gauntlets–
“Sei!”
I swung down.
“NuoOOOOOOO!?”
The fire magic sword (enhanced type) instantly shaved off Lyall-san’s aura and set his arms on fire.
…
Oops.
“Whoa, whoa, whoa, Akane, stop, stop!”
“Ouch, ouch, ouch, ouch!”
(Ah! I’m sorry~! But Onii-chan can put it out, right?)
Ah, that’s right!
I somehow felt like I was leaving all the control to her, but she’s telling me the feeling is different.
When I focus like I did with the previous magic swords, the fire goes out.
“Fina-san, healing, please!”
Water magic healing is very effective for external injuries like cuts and burns.
Because I extinguished the fire immediately, Lyall-san doesn’t seem to have any burns, but I’ll have her check just in case.
“Yes, yes, leave it to me. By the way, Katia-chan, what do you want to do by getting even stronger than this?”
“It wouldn’t hurt to have it. There’s nothing more dangerous than unfamiliar power.”
“Hey, are you not worried about me…?”
“Ah, I’m sorry. Did you get burned?”
“It just singed my arm hair, so it’s no problem. But, if this hit me directly, wouldn’t it be instant death?”
Indeed.
It instantly erased Lyall-san’s considerable aura and set his defenseless body on fire.
So, the conclusion.
“…It’s not something to use on people, is it?”
“Hey, don’t make me take something like that.”
However, it wasn’t this bad during practice.
It seems that Akane’s control isn’t stable, and the output fluctuates.
This time it felt like it hit the high end.
“Aah, it’s getting even harder to defeat you.”
“You seem happy about it, Lyall-san.”
“Of course. When we fight next, use that properly. It’s awesome that it’s over if I get hit even once. It’s thrilling.”
It’s practically two-on-one, but is that okay?
(I don’t know what Lyall-kun is saying, Onii-chan.)
(It’s okay, sometimes I don’t understand him either.)
He said the same, “one hit and it over” with the Earth Dragon, and he looked so happy.
“Okay, healing is done. Katia-chan, Midir said he wanted to talk to you when he’s done.”
“Midir-san? I wonder what it is. Did you hear where he is?”
“Who knows? I just happened to run into him. If it’s a bother, just ignore him.”
They don’t get along, huh?
But, it’s probably a message from the intelligence department, so I can’t just leave it.
“No, I’ll go. Thank you both.”
I left the training grounds.
I walk around the castle looking for Midir-san.
Ah, there’s a guard.
I’ll ask him.
“Excuse me, do you know where Midir-san is?”
“…No, I don’t.”
? What’s this?
It’s a strange distance…
In a word, it’s very curt.
After that, I asked other people, but they gave similar responses.
“Midir-san.”
“–Ah, Katia-dono. I’ve been waiting for you.”
In the end, I found Midir-san on my own.
It’s a room assigned for the intelligence department’s office work.
I found it by relying on my memory from when I was given a brief tour of the castle before.
It seems that Midir-san was doing paperwork at his desk.
He may not look like it, but he’s the son of the intelligence chief, and when he’s in the royal capital, he assists his father.
I was surprised when I heard that.
I’ve never met the intelligence chief himself.
“Tea for two, please.”
Midir-san orders tea from an elegant butler.
The tall butler in his forties bows gracefully and retreats to the back of the room.
I was offered a facing sofa, so we both sat down.
“Now, Katia-dono. Did you notice anything about the attitude of the soldiers in the castle towards you?”
“Attitude? It’s somewhat distant… Ah, Midir-san. You deliberately didn’t tell me where you were and called me out, didn’t you?”
To begin with, the way he called me was unnatural, or rather, unkind and unlike him.
(? What do you mean?)
(He hid his location and made you search for him to show you the attitude of the soldiers in the castle. Even if you came straight here, it’s on the opposite side from the training grounds, right?)
(Yeah. But why did he do that?)
(I think he’ll explain that now.)
“To put it bluntly. The soldiers in the castle have a distrust of you, Katia-dono.”
“Distrust?”
“Yes. Although you are said to be strong, it is only a rumor. The Martial Tournament is still ahead, and the soldiers have not actually seen your ability. That unknown woman is being friendly with the former king and the princess. It’s somewhat unpleasant, and it wouldn’t be strange if some soldiers felt some kind of threat, would it?”
“That’s true. Since coming to the royal capital, I’ve only been sleeping in the guest room, chatting with Spike-sama and the princess…”
Come to think of it, I haven’t done anything to gain their trust.
If I told them to believe in me in this state, it would just be awkward.
“Therefore, Katia-dono–you will crush them all.”
“Huh?”
That’s strange.
I feel like I just heard a very barbaric solution.
“You will crush them all–”
“You don’t have to say it twice. I heard you.”
“Is that so? Ultimately, our country is a meritocracy. For soldiers who rely on military force, being strong is, in itself, worthy of trust. If you are strong, they will automatically believe everything, including aspects other than strength, thinking, ‘Ah, the rumors were true.’”
“Is that how it is?”
“That’s how it is. As things stand, it will affect the soldiers’ morale even before the Martial Tournament. It would be best to take action early.”
“…I understand. Will the intelligence department handle the arrangements?”
“Yes. We will gather as many soldiers as possible under the guise of large-scale training. It should be possible the day after tomorrow, so be prepared for that.”
This has turned into a strange situation.
I wonder if it will go that well.
(It’s like the hundred-man kumite in karate.)
Translator’s Note
Hundred-man kumite (hyakunin kumite) is a karate challenge where one person fights 100 opponents consecutively.
(…That’s right. As usual, you’re picking up all sorts of strange knowledge, Akane.)
“That’s something to look forward to. I would very much like to see it.”
The butler who brought the tea quietly places the cups and speaks.
This butler wants to see the training, I wonder if he has experience in martial arts.
“You still have the final negotiations with Spike-sama… Father. Wouldn’t you please stop your mischief?”
“Eh!?”
Midir-san clearly looked at the butler when he said that line.
So, this butler is the intelligence chief…!?
Can’t the people in the intelligence department make a normal appearance?
“Um, why are you wearing a butler’s uniform…?”
“It’s a hobby, you see.”
A hobby…?