Eve Arcadia and Her Guard Knight
Eve Arcadia and her guard knight stepped into the representative selection match with relaxed expressions. There wasn't a trace of anxiety or tension about them. Unshakable confidence in victory—that was what enveloped the two.
No matter how twisted her personality might be, Eve was undoubtedly a saintess who had received divine power directly from Arcada. Her divine power was already among the elite even in Abaran. She just hadn't mastered it fully yet. But in a student-level tournament like this, she didn't need to unleash it all. Simply overwhelming her opponents with the sheer volume of her power would make them cry out in surrender.
And what of Meia? In Abaran, where the saintess was cherished above all, they wouldn't appoint some mediocre fighter as her guard. Among her peers, Meia was the most talented holy knight. Shield in one hand, morningstar in the other, she deftly deflected her opponent's sword strike with her shield before delivering a ferocious blow that smashed into his armor.
Bam!
"Gah!"
The fight ended there. The massive shock reverberating inside the armor forced the holy knight to his knees involuntarily. With the enemy knight neutralized, Eve didn't even need to lift a finger. His partnered priest, naturally, had no choice but to call for surrender. Eve never even got her turn.
Meia alone proved why she was worthy of being the saintess's guard knight.
"She's strong."
Ashytara's assessment.
"Yeah."
Ludenberg Lavante nodded in agreement. The two had come to gauge Eve's strength after hearing she'd entered the tournament, but they hadn't gotten to see it at all. They'd only confirmed how formidable Meia was.
"Still... not quite on my level."
Even so, Ashytara wasn't too worried. Her own skills had been on a steady upward climb ever since training with Ludenberg. She could handle most opponents now. Of course, she wasn't getting cocky. Meia had only fought her first match. What she'd shown was impressive, but she might have even more up her sleeve.
"Maybe what she's showing isn't everything. And Eve... that woman..."
"She must have incredible divine power. The title of saintess isn't handed out lightly. Thinking of Sione, she might even be surprisingly good in close combat."
Ashytara nodded at Ludenberg's response. Information on Eve Arcadia's abilities was severely limited. Which meant they couldn't afford any carelessness. The same went for Meia.
Noticing the two watching her, Eve flashed them a slight smile. It seemed leisurely at first glance, but they could detect the provocation laced within.
"She's provoking us."
"Yeah. Looks like she's pretty pissed at you."
"Well, yeah. She kept trying to get close to you, and I blocked her every time. Can't blame her."
Ashytara glanced at Ludenberg with a sly grin.
"Who does she think she is, trying her tricks on you? Right, Rud?"
"...Yeah."
Under her piercing gaze, he turned away. Lately, he'd felt like the distance between him and Ashytara had grown mysteriously closer. It wasn't just psychological—it was physical. Things like linking arms or the way they held hands had shifted subtly. Each time, his heart raced uncomfortably... but Ludenberg still couldn't pin down exactly what this feeling was.
Though the outline was starting to form. Just gazing at Ashytara and feeling content—that had to mean he harbored affection for her.
And why not? There were couples at Solemnute Adem. When rumors of romance spread, eyes turned immediately, and Ludenberg had seen plenty. Their physical closeness matched what he and Ashytara shared now.
At this point, he couldn't help but wonder. Could Tara actually... like me? And do I... like her?}
His thoughts had expanded into that territory. For someone whose mind had been filled only with swords, trials, and fate, this was tremendous progress. Affection for another was almost instinctual, and Ludenberg was beginning to trip over that instinct.
But regrettably...
No. Don't get ahead of yourself. We're just closer than before. Our broken trust is mending, and we've overcome hardships together.
He forced his thoughts back on track. Frustrating as it was, he had no choice. They'd finally rebuilt their trust. If these feelings shattered it...
That would be a nightmare. Ludenberg knew little of romance, but he was aware broken couples rarely ended well. And he absolutely refused to let him and Ashytara become one. He was starting to feel the same fear she harbored.
"What's wrong?"
Ashytara snapped him from his reverie.
"Nothing."
"Hmm."
She eyed him curiously, and he looked away again. Their eyes met once more as he turned back.
"Really nothing?"
Her teasing smile made it seem like she already knew his heart, leaving him tense.
"Yeah."
"Alright, if you say so."
Ashytara deepened her smile as she watched him. Maybe, just maybe...}
She sensed the moment she'd longed for was near. Lately, Ludenberg had been even more obviously aware of her. Just now, when he'd averted his gaze, his cheeks had flushed slightly—that was part of it. And only she knew.
With each realization, Ashytara grew more certain she was overwhelmingly closer to Ludenberg than Eve.
I'll never let her have him.
A saintess from Abaran? So what? She was his childhood friend. Once, that fact had made her anxious, but not anymore. Knowing he saw her as a woman elevated her position above other girls.
A little more, and I might reach him. Don't rush. You lose what you think you have if you're hasty. Stay calm. You can do this, Ashytara.
"Anyway, Rud."
"Yeah?"
"Let's go practice. I've never fought someone with a morningstar, so I don't know how to handle it."
"A morningstar's basically a blunt weapon... Probably similar to fighting Sione."
"...Rud."
"Yeah?"
"That's different from this. Didn't you see last time? How do you even block that with your body? It shatters highest-grade erosion beasts."
"Uh, yeah. Never sparred with her myself."
"I have. Even during training in the church. She never used weapons against me. You know her combat hammer made of divine power?"
"How could I not."
"When she brings that out, it's a sign she's serious about killing. So she always fought me barehanded. And I still couldn't beat her."
"Guess she can't help much either. No choice then."
"Blunt weapons concentrate force in the head anyway... We can focus practice there. If not, I'll help. I know how to handle most weapons."
"Really? Thanks!"
Ashytara beamed, wrapping her arm around his like a snake coiling around prey. No escape.
In truth, she'd lied a bit. Sione mostly fought barehanded, but she'd made Ashytara practice against various weapons to learn counters—without using divine power. Sione had overflowing talent like Ludenberg, specializing in blunts, so she was highly skilled with morningstars. Naturally, Ashytara knew how to handle them too.
Still, she'd lied to spend time with him.
At the training grounds, sparring with a morningstar-wielding Ashytara, Ludenberg quickly realized she was already adept against blunts.
"...Tara."
"Yeah?"
"You know how to handle morningstars, don't you?"
Of course, her obvious lie got caught.
"...That obvious?"
"Very."
"Uh, um."
"Why lie?"
"Well... you see."
"You see?"
Ashytara trailed off. Ludenberg hardened his expression—he hated wasting time.
"Tara. If you don't tell me why, this is a problem. If we're prepping for friendlies, we need to do it efficiently. You know I hate wasting time."
Under his stern tone, Ashytara shrank a little.
"...I wanted to be with you, so I lied. Sorry, Rud."
Even if she wanted time together, lying was a bit much. Would he be disappointed? She looked at him with guilt and apology, a touch of anxiety mixed in.
But what she saw was something new even for her.
Ludenberg's stern face flushed bright red, like it might burst.
"Ah, uh. Um..."
He short-circuited. How could he not? He'd just sworn not to get his hopes up, and now Ashytara hit him with something confession-like. Too powerful.
"Rud?"
"W-wait. No, why? I mean, not that. Ah."
He clutched his face, mumbling incoherently.
Seeing his reaction, Ashytara realized how blatant her words had been. Her own face heated up in response.
Two fighters—one with a morningstar, the other a greatsword—standing there blushing. It was comedy gold.