Martial Arts Tournament (2)
“Young master, don’t you have a fresh gown?”
As we exited the Colosseum, Asella picked at something else that caught her eye and came at me sharply.
“What’s wrong with the gown?”
“It’s all wrinkled here. His Majesty the Emperor will be present. You need to dress properly.”
“I can’t help it. My shifts are always long.”
“Then should I be lounging around in my nightgown at night?”
Of course, Asella always looked impeccably put-together without a single flaw.
“You have your maids, Princess.”
“Hmm… true enough. Lucy.”
Without Asella issuing any specific orders, the head maid took charge, and the maids swarmed to straighten my attire. They worked with professional efficiency, and in no time, my gown was spotless and crisply starched. Did they have some kind of ironing artifact? So convenient.
“Thank you, Head Maid.”
“Direct your thanks to the Princess.”
The head maid replied stiffly. She never dropped her businesslike tone during work hours.
“Much better. You looked like you were on death’s door from a hangover just moments ago.”
She finally seemed satisfied. I blew my bangs up with a puff of air.
“I’m just the unobtrusive personal physician. What does it matter? As long as you’re perfect, Princess.”
“You’re my fiancé.”
“Well… fair point.”
I’d stand out more than the other physicians, sure. Beating Asella in words was always an uphill battle.
“Princess, His Majesty will arrive soon.”
The head maid informed Asella. Other royals had dedicated secretaries, but in the Moonlight Palace, the head maid doubled as hers.
Hundreds of knights formed neat ranks before the teleport gate, creating a pathway. Flags fluttered everywhere as they dashed about—it was quite the commotion.
Asella headed to the end of the knights’ path, where the imperial family gathered, taking her precise position. Rauga was there beside her. I stayed a bit farther back with the other physicians, escort knights, head butler, and head maid.
“Outdoor events always drain my stamina like crazy. Right, Gotberg?”
“Hello, Sir Palkenhain.”
Georg’s physician, Palkenhain—the one who’d recruited me—greeted me casually, so I responded politely.
“Haha, we’re in the same Imperial Medical Office, yet it’s hard to even catch a glimpse of you. I’ve been hearing the rumors. I knew you’d shine from the moment I brought you on.”
“You flatter me. I’m just diligently doing my duties.”
These formal exchanges drained more energy than anything. Since he’d handpicked me, ignoring him felt awkward.
“His Majesty is entering!”
Just as boredom had my jaw cracking from a yawn, the emperor’s secretary mercifully announced his arrival.
The bustling noise filling the space vanished, replaced by a solemn hush.
―Flash!
Light flared from the teleport gate as the empire’s top-tier guard knights led the way. Behind them emerged an elderly man of imposing stature. His aura radiated strength, but his physical vitality seemed spent—he walked slowly, supported by his physicians.
―Toot!
Trumpets blared, slicing through the clear sky like thunder. The brass band struck up a welcoming fanfare, and the imperial family paid their respects in turn. Even his blood heirs couldn’t approach casually—this was a man of immense gravity. Who knew how much preparation they’d poured into this single moment?
The emperor flashed them a broad smile and waved a ring-laden hand in greeting.
“On this fine afternoon, I behold the benevolent visage of Father Emperor in the Grand Plaza of Healing.”
“You’ve grown so much, Asella.”
The much-anticipated meeting between Asella—who’d prepared for a month—and the emperor wrapped up in an instant.
The emperor roamed the flower-strewn garden path at will, mostly chatting idly with his siblings. The topics were more mundane than expected—hunting a boar the size of an ogre, acquiring a fancy new fishing rod from the duchy expo, that sort of thing. Nobles booked audiences months in advance, so family catch-ups like this were rare.
Of the three empresses, only the First Empress joined in. Her good rapport with the emperor explained why the timid First Prince was the de facto heir. Even cloud-dwelling royals seemed ordinary in moments like these.
Of course, most of it was beyond normal comprehension.
‘Teacher, mind your footsteps.’
The head maid whispered just loud enough for me to hear. The problem was holding our breath the whole time to avoid interrupting their chatter.
The emperor’s path dictated the entire family’s movement, trailed by hundreds of knights and attendants—including me, crammed in the middle like a squished sandwich in my bag. We had to stay out of his sight and silent, yet within emergency range. If only they’d cast invisibility on us. Wedged among the escort knights, sweat drenched my forehead in the heat.
Like kids bored during family holidays while adults talked, the princes, princesses—including Asella—and even the emperor’s nieces and nephews stood silently, not daring to speak.
Only after the emperor’s leisurely family luncheon did he head to the tournament arena. VIP seats for him and his siblings were at the top tier; the children occupied the middle.
Asella finally broke away to prepare for the martial arts tournament.
“No changes to the schedule?”
“No. The first match is the representative knights’ individual bout, as listed.”
At the head maid’s reply, Asella summoned the Moonlight Palace knight commander.
“Preparations?”
“Just give the order.”
The knight commander bowed deeply.
Wait. Was Asella planning to send him out?
I checked my status window.
No. 012: Empire's Demise52%
Empire's Demise. A bad ending where rebellion erupts not from the people, but within the imperial family first, enraging Asella into obliterating the palace. Not figuratively—a massive crater gouged the capital’s palace grounds. The empire effectively disintegrated. The Demon King subjugation army lost momentum, and the hero party, cut off from support, withered away.
‘If today creates the trigger for Asella attacking the palace…’
It meant she’d gain deep resentment toward the imperial family at this tournament. Maybe her painstaking preparations would go to ruin, her team finishing last and mocked.
‘First, let’s aim for victory.’
It wouldn’t hurt me either. For a win, the Moonlight Palace faction needed top records in every event.
‘The commander’s skill is a bit short for the individual match.’
I proposed to Asella.
“Princess, if I may.”
“What?”
“Why not have my escort captain, Tanya, handle the individual match?”
“Your escort?”
Asella glanced at Tanya, who stepped forward boldly at the mention of her name, utterly composed.
“Changing entrants last-minute is trouble. The commander’s been training for this.”
“I don’t doubt the commander’s skill, but Captain Tanya is excellent too. She’s reached Sword Expert.”
“Is that true?”
Asella perked up at “Sword Expert.”
“Captain Tanya.”
“Yes.”
She stepped back and demonstrated. Drawing her sword, she focused. Aura surged from her body, heat rippling from the blade like a mirage—the hallmark of Sword Expert sword ki.
Asella already looked quite pleased watching Tanya. She turned to the Moonlight Palace commander.
“Your thoughts?”
“I’ve sparred with Captain Tanya multiple times.”
“Results?”
“All defeats on my part. I’m certain she’s top-tier, even among the entire imperial knight order.”
The commander stated facts plainly, devoid of bias or emotion, aiding Asella’s sound judgment. Impressive loyalty.
Asella pondered briefly before deciding.
“Tanya, Ras Gotberg’s escort captain. You’ll compete in the individual match.”
“As you command.”
True to her northern roots, Tanya replied crisply and immediately changed into her armor to prepare.
As she maintained her sword, I told her,
“Captain, representing Moonlight Palace means you must win. Confident?”
“Who do you think you’re talking to?”
“Confidence is good. But remember the imperial knights have advanced further in practical tactics than us.”
“Tactics?”
“Yes. It hasn’t spread to our marquisate yet, but in the capital, ‘results are everything’ is common sense.”
“For example?”
“You think knight duels are pure swordplay, right?”
“Naturally.”
“Go in with that mindset, and they’ll blind you with sand first thing. No sand on the field? They’ll bring it in their pockets. If it’s not forbidden, it’s allowed.”
Tanya nodded at my advice.
“I see. The rules are simple: loser is the one who drops their sword or falls first, no fatal wounds.”
“Exactly. Anything goes with your off-hand.”
I’d seen imperial army tactics ad nauseam during Demon King subjugation. Honorable in principle, but dirty in practice. Not a bad approach, though. Against the Four Heavenly Kings’ serpent dragon Wilhelm, it was invaluable—only their illegal mana bombs stripped his adamantium armor.
“Don’t worry. I’ll slice through any dirty tricks with my sword ki.”
“Fundamentals are fine, but tools make it better.”
I pulled items from my house-call bag.
“Take these. I’ll explain each one—memorize well.”
I handed them to Tanya. Glass vials clinked—ampoules filled with colorful potions.