38. Martial Arts Tournament (4)
“Next up, we’ll begin the team mock battle!”
Trees, rocks, and all sorts of terrain features appeared in the arena. The court mages were using relocation magic to bring in pre-prepared terrain. Since they could only pull from nearby objects, it was apparently a simpler spell than teleportation, operating on different principles.
“I thought it’d be a flat-out matchup, but with terrain in play, strategy will matter.”
Tanya voiced her thoughts as she eyed the arena, now transformed into something like a forest. I had come down to the waiting room with Asella to check on the knights participating in the mock battle.
Asella surveyed the knights and issued her command. “The captain will take overall command, just as we’ve trained. Put Tanya aggressively up front.”
“As you command.”
The knights gathered before us numbered a total of 140. The 2nd Regiment’s 1st Company was joining us for the day as Moonlight Palace affiliates, per our contract.
I addressed the company commander. “Remember the contract terms? If there’s even a hint you’re taking orders from Earth Palace, things could get messy.”
“Hah, come on. Don’t kill our morale before we even start. We’ve gotten plenty from you, sir—think we’d pull something that low?”
The 1st Company knights were bursting with energy, stretching vigorously. It was thanks to the aspirin I’d given them, letting them enjoy a few days of healthy living.
“Just watch. We’ll show you what we’ve got.”
“Good. Listen well to our knights.”
I gave his shoulder a reassuring pat. Looked like there wasn’t much to worry about after all.
“140 is still a bit short on firepower compared to the others.”
The other factions had about 200 knights each. With all factions clashing at once in the arena, it’d be a chaotic melee. We didn’t have enough potion ampules to distribute to everyone.
“This should do the trick.”
When in doubt, go for the simple, efficient option. I pulled a book from my pocket.
“Ooh, the holy book?”
“Nah, a novel. Someone recommended it for killing time, and it’s pretty fun.”
It was the romance novel Rauga had mentioned. Even if it wasn’t scripture, it’d pass for prayer if I held it right.
“Ah, Goddess or whatever—you know the drill, just listen up.”
“Grant strength to these warriors’ bodies. Amen.”
As I finished the incantation, the ground sparkled, and light wrapped around the knights’ bodies.
“A blessing!”
“This feels... like I’ve got even more power surging through me!”
The knights jumped around excitedly. I’d cast the Blessing of Strength. Guys who relied on brute force would love bulkier muscles. My divine power was tapped out now, but I rarely needed healing spells anyway.
“To think you’d use a large-scale blessing like this—you truly are the Imperial Medical Office’s chief physician!”
The company commander flexed his newly beefed-up bicep proudly.
“Normally, I charge for that.”
“Haha, if war breaks out, I’d pay anything to stick by your side. Honestly, I thought you couldn’t use healing arts since you never did.”
“Why wouldn’t I be able to use them, you punk?”
There probably weren’t many healers in the office who could wield them better than me.
“Well, with your superior techniques, no need, right?”
“Exactly. Don’t spread dumb rumors.”
“Hey, I didn’t start them!”
The commander stuck out his neck indignantly. It was just a joke, but had it actually turned into a rumor? Who the hell was behind that?
“Your Highness, the order to deploy.”
The Moonlight Palace captain saluted crisply, extending one arm vertically across his chest and bowing his head.
Asella lifted her chin imperiously and commanded, “Win.”
“Yes, ma’am!”
The knights surged toward the arena, the clank of their plate armor filling the air. After watching them go, Asella and I headed back to the stands.
Along the way, she said to me, “Young master, you’re good with healing arts too. First time I’ve seen a blessing spell in action.”
“Ah, is that so.”
“...Are you avoiding them because of me?”
No, I’m just sick of them. Try being the healing shuttle in a hero party for a hundred lifetimes, Your Highness. See if you ever want to cast another one.
All I had were memories of dying while spamming them. Sure, the conditions were always extreme disadvantages, but still.
Using a healing spell made me feel everything happening on-site. Never good memories. I didn’t particularly want to dwell on it.
But Asella’s question made for a perfect excuse.
“Just as you say. I’m your personal physician, Your Highness. Skills you don’t need are ones I don’t need either. There’s never enough time to perfect treatments just for you.”
“I see.”
Asella took my answer matter-of-factly. Score one convenient justification.
Next up after this match was the magic competition. Asella was competing herself. Come to think of it, where was Seymour? He hadn’t shown his face all day—maybe he’d skipped the tournament entirely. Asella might know.
“Your Highness, one question.”
“......”
Somehow, Asella didn’t respond.
“Your Highness?”
“Huh? Oh?”
She startled at my second call, turning her head.
“Didn’t the sage come today?”
“No, he didn’t... sigh.”
Huh? Did Asella just slip into honorifics? She took a deep breath, resuming her usual expression, and glared at me sharply.
“I was deep in thought, and you dare ask me something so trivial?”
“My deepest apologies.”
She looked offended again, so I bowed immediately.
...No response. I tensed, wondering if I’d crossed a dangerous line, when her calm voice whispered in my ear.
“Lift your head.”
“You forgive me? No execution?”
“No. If you die...”
Asella trailed off into mutters, lost in thought again, so I missed the rest.
“...there’d be no one to heal me forever.”
“Now watch closely. Behold the majestic might of Earth Palace’s knight order! Every suit of armor is thorium-forged by dwarf artisans. And we’ve got a whopping 200! Of course we’ll be the last ones standing.”
Georg, lounging arrogantly in the stands, shouted with brimming confidence. His knights, including the southern barracks’ 2nd Regiment, were indeed raring to go.
“Brother, don’t jinx it and get humiliated again? Our Golden Book Palace knights are strong too, you know.”
“They can’t even shake off a plague and they’re already shambling into the arena. Meanwhile, I had ours specially managed at the Imperial Medical Office.”
“That’s cheating!”
“Haha, a fight’s won by how much you bring to prep. His Majesty always values influence in the palace.”
Georg had a point. Knights’ condition and armor were all reflections of their faction leader’s prowess.
“Palkenhain! This time it’s a sure thing, right?”
Palkenhain stepped forward at Georg’s bark. “Yes, Your Highness. The knights are in peak condition, thoroughly prepared.”
“Good.”
A massive drumbeat signaled the battle’s start. The knights’ roars pierced the sky, as if to rend the clouds.
Over a thousand knights flooded the arena total. Each faction started from their camp, navigating rugged terrain to strike the enemy.
Straight-up against Georg’s knights, we’ve got no chance.
The gap he’d bought with wealth and connections wasn’t something raw skill alone could bridge. Weapons were standardized non-lethals, but hits still caused injury. Armor quality directly affected endurance.
And we were using the hastily integrated 1st Company, making tactical edges hard to seize. Even Tanya, strong as she was, was just one person.
That’s why we need Rauga.
Boom! Dust billowed in the distance. Dozens of shields clashing drummed like a beat, firing up the crowd.
The real contest was on. Formations crumbled fast in some spots, knights already dropping.
“What? That unit...!”
Georg ground his teeth, confirming via binoculars. His banner was already rolling in the dirt from the first clash.
“Rauga, that’s your unit! Why are you ambushing my knights?!”
Rauga giggled behind her hand at her fuming brother. “We’re still in the scouting phase. Blind charges never win!”
“I don’t even need to win? Festivals are about fun. Just sit back and enjoy, brother.”
Georg sighed in disbelief at her shamelessness.
“Anyone can see that’s a malicious attack!”
“Why not? It’s my strategy.”
“How is that a strategy?!”
Georg’s rage was understandable. Rauga’s knights weren’t even wielding weapons—just charging with massive oaken barrels on their backs.
The barrels sloshed with sticky slime mucus. No real effect, but getting doused felt gross.
Georg’s knights panicked, their lines breaking.
“What the hell are these guys?! They just keep rushing!”
“Get off! Scrape this sticky crap!”
Rauga’s knights clung like zombies, dumping slime on them.
“You bastards—cough—got plague treatment and now you pull this... dirty rats!”
“We dragged ourselves here burning with fever! Time to share the plague love!”
No trace of honorable combat—just a drunken brawl.
The emperor bellowed a hearty laugh at the sight. Definitely not admiration for Georg’s overrated crew.
“Not my knights!! What grudge do you have against me to ruin me like this, Rauga?!”
“You stole my fancy cake last month, remember?”
“A cake? You wrecked this crucial tournament over a cake?!”
“Just a cake? It’s from that famous kingdom patissier—only twenty a day!”
“Imported from enemy lands, even! Good lord.”
Georg clutched his head in a migraine and slumped into his seat.
I scanned the field. Moonlight Palace knights steadily seized high ground, dodging other factions to minimize losses. Tanya felled enemies like autumn leaves up front.
At this pace, we could expect solid results. I approached Asella and cast Conversation.
“Your Highness, seems the 2nd Prince is suffering a headache.”
“Indeed.”
“Shall I lend him some aspirin?”
Asella giggled at my joke.