In the contestants’ waiting room, while waiting for the finals, I reflected on the semi-finals.
I gained a lot from my fight with Kyoka-san.
The realization of many emotions I hadn’t been aware of.
Initially, I had only thought of my trip to the Royal Capital as a way to repay my debt to Gramps, but somewhere along the journey, it seems I’d grown to love this country and the people living here.
I’ve met all sorts of people since I left on my journey.
Neil-san, the branch manager of the soldier’s guild in Raza, Dan-san and Mina-san who I met on my first mission.
At the lord’s manor, there was Gale-san, and Fina-san.
In Kise, Van-san the blacksmith and his many apprentices.
In Tobal, Lyall-san, Mizuho-san, and the people from the dojo.
In Cyrus, there was Lumia-san.
I met many other people along the way, too.
Of course, they weren’t all good people; there were bandits and outlaws among them.
Up until now, I’d always thought it was enough to just live peacefully with the people close to me… Gramps and the villagers…
(I wonder if Grandpa Tim knew you’d turn out this way, big brother?)
(…Perhaps he did.)
In both experience and age, he was far above me.
Even adding my previous life, I was nowhere close.
What he thought when he saw how narrow my worldview was… it’s difficult to surmise now.
On the other hand, this emotion is a double-edged sword.
In essence, wishing for the peace of so many people is a form of desire.
If I go beyond my own limits, I’ll surely head straight for my own ruin.
Can I do it…? Like Gramps…
(It’s okay, big brother! I’m with you!)
(Thank you. …Heh, we’re two-in-one, aren’t we? Come to think of it, that might make us more unfair than anyone else.)
As long as Akane is by my side, I don’t feel like my spirit will ever break.
The one precious person who supports me is closer than anyone else.
Besides, this country isn’t so weak that I have to protect it all by myself.
So, I want to lend my strength, simply as one person living in this country.
“Lady Katia. May I have a moment?”
While I was absorbed in organizing my thoughts, Midir-san called out to me.
As the messenger for important matters, it seems he’s still going back and forth between the castle and the arena.
What a tough job.
“About your opponent in the finals… we can’t seem to determine their identity.”
“The intelligence division can’t determine their identity? Why is that?”
“It appears Prince Edgar has a hand in this. Please be careful, Lady Katia. It’s not out of the question that he might try to kill you under the guise of an accident. Or perhaps…”
“Or perhaps?”
Midir-san furrowed his brow as if concerned about something… but eventually shook his head.
“No, I’m overthinking it. With two title-holders present and security this tight, he would not be so foolish as to use such an obvious method. Please forget I said anything.”
“…”
I didn’t say it out loud, but could he be thinking of something like a coup d’état by the prince?
It’s true that this is a far too risky time to attempt one… but I’ll keep it in the back of my mind just in case.
“Your opponent has advanced by winning each match with the strange result of causing their opponent to run out of aura. Please be very careful.”
Although Prince Edgar is suspected of communicating with the Empire through the Baal Cult, he hasn’t let them obtain any conclusive evidence.
In other words, it’s possible our intelligence division’s movements have been completely read.
Whatever happens, it seems I can’t let my guard down in the next match.
Time to brace myself.
My opponent in the finals wore full-body armor and carried a sword.
They seemed to be an orthodox swordsman who fought with a single blade, but I wondered what kind of person was inside.
If they are one of the prince’s faction, they could be related to the Baal Cult, a noble, or even someone from the Empire.
The now-familiar ring announcer picked up a megaphone.
“Win or lose, this is the final battle, the finals! From the east, the magic swordswoman, Katia Meyers!”
Immediately after my name was called, a deafening roar of cheers struck my body.
As expected of the finals, everyone’s really fired up.
“What a magnificent cheer! It truly shows how popular she is! I know it’s questionable for someone on the management side to show favoritism, but… I LOVE HER TOO! Ahem, next!”
…
Please, just introduce them normally.
(What’s wrong, big brother? Is your back itchy?)
“From the west side of the ring, the mysterious full-plate armor! When you think of full-plate armor, the first who comes to mind is Lyall of the Fist, but he’s up there in the stands! Therefore, it’s someone else! They’ve knocked out every single one of their opponents with a glowing red sword!”
A red sword…?
“And now… let the final match begin!”
The answer to my question was right before my eyes, along with the ringing of the bell.
A large, ominous-looking red sword, as if it had drunk blood.
Drawing it from its sheath, they approached with a swaying motion and swung.
They approached without any hesitation?
—I can’t read their rhythm at all.
I blocked the red sword with Landini, but…
“Guh…!”
My strength was rapidly draining away.
I wasn’t sure why, but this wasn’t good.
With what little strength I had left, I managed to shake off the red sword.
In that instant.
Thump…
The red sword seemed to throb, and for a moment, I thought it shone an even deeper red.
Could it be—
“It… absorbed… my aura?”
It can absorb aura, even though everyone’s wavelength is different?
But my aura had clearly decreased, and the sensation from before told me it wasn’t a lie.
My internal alert level instantly shot up to maximum.
(Akane, this doesn’t seem like an opponent I can hold back against. I’m going all out.)
(But what’s the plan, big brother?)
(That sword is dangerous. While avoiding contact with it, first I’ll tear off the armor’s helmet.)
They’re hiding their identity this thoroughly, so they must have a face or an origin they don’t want seen.
In that case, I’ll aim for the head to restrict their movements.
If I can get the whole suit of armor off, great. Even if I can’t, their defense of other parts will grow sloppy.
(Alright, I’m going.)
(Roger that!)
First, a few of my usual fireballs.
But the red sword absorbed all of them.
Its light intensified.
Seeing as there was no particular reaction from the crowd during that exchange, it probably just looked to them like the opponent was deflecting them with aura.
(It absorbs magic too?)
(Looks like it. It seems to be getting stronger, too, so I can’t carelessly shoot magic at it.)
I drew my Main Gauche as well and ignited both swords with fire magic.
I approached the suit of full-plate armor with footwork focused on evasion.
My opponent is about 180 centimeters tall. Fortunately, I’m not at too much of a disadvantage in terms of reach.
They’re a difficult opponent to read… but I have no choice but to watch carefully and dodge.
I entered their range.
The full-plate armor swung its sword in a horizontal sweep!
I let it get as close as possible, then in a single instant, I deflected the red sword’s trajectory with my Main Gauche while quickly ducking down to my opponent’s knees.
A few strands of my hair were lopped off, and despite the contact lasting only a moment, a huge amount of my aura and magic was taken.
My eyes wide open, I aimed Landini at the armor’s shin guard.
KASHANG!
It was a slash meant to chip away at their aura with fire, but there was a strange lack of resistance.
However, my opponent was now on one knee.
Just like that, I used the guard of my Main Gauche to smash their helmet off.
The helmet went rolling across the ring.
And there—
(B-Big brother… this is…)
There was no human head.
What was there was darkness.
Inside the armor was nothing but a black, mist-like substance.