Chapter 89
Chapter 89
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 89
Chapter Title: Azure Dragon Festival (2)
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I didn't watch Masato Hiiragi's duel.
Anyway, since he's gunning for the championship, there's no way he'd lose.
And I'm not so outclassed that I need to scout him ahead of time, so I left the arena cleanly.
"How's the semifinal schedule looking?"
"Ah, the semifinals are paired based on the order of the quarterfinals. The winners of the first and second matches face off, and the winners of the third and fourth do the same."
"I see."
After getting the explanation from the tournament staffer, Yoru poked my side.
"Whoa, that means I'm up against that guy."
"Looks like it. Think you can win?"
"Hmmm. I can't say for sure, but you can look forward to it. Even if Hiiragi's impressive, I'm no pushover myself."
Since Yoru won the third match, she'll face the winner of the fourth.
And as I just mentioned, Masato Hiiragi has the highest odds of winning that one.
Of course, that leads straight to a showdown between Yoru and Masato.
"What about you? Up for the semifinals?"
"Eh, doesn't seem too tough."
In contrast, my second-round opponent wasn't all that famous.
Probably a commoner who climbed up just like me, right?
It stings a bit to knock down a shining talent like that.
But oh well, nothing to be done. They'll get their next shot.
"The semifinals will start not long after the quarterfinals wrap up, so please rest up as much as you can in the meantime."
"Got it."
"The finals, on the other hand, are a week after the semis. Just make it through those, and you're golden."
With that well-wish from the staffer as a farewell, we stepped out of the arena.
A few days until the semifinals.
Lay low at the inn and rest up without drawing attention.
The day before the semifinals.
Unlike the quarterfinals, the semis are split across two days—one match per day—so I'm up first.
"Hiiragi's being quieter than expected."
Yoru mumbled it from where she was rolling around on the bed, like the thought had just occurred to her.
She's not wrong. I'd been disrupting them so much up to now that I figured they'd try something again.
They must have spotted the oni-masked boy and eyepatch girl combo showing up at the Azure Dragon Festival.
Yet nothing's happened.
"Still, I wouldn't let my guard down. Who knows what they're scheming."
"Yeah, you're right... Huh?"
Knock knock.
A cautious knock at the door.
The innkeeper appeared when we opened it.
"Um, guests? You've got a letter."
"A letter?"
"Yes. Are you in the Azure Dragon Festival by any chance? They said it's for participants..."
"Ah, yeah, we are."
"I see! Impressive, making it to the semis. I love the festival myself, you know..."
We let the excited innkeeper ramble on appropriately before sending him off and opening the letter.
"...What the hell is this?"
Why confirm prizes already?
Sure, they might need to prep based on what the participants want.
But couldn't they do that before the finals?
"Hmmm."
Yoru sluggishly sat up on the bed and rested her chin on my shoulder.
She read the letter and spoke.
"Smells fishy."
"You think so too?"
"Yeah. That distinct Aonian stench of shady dealings. Super suspicious."
"..."
I crumpled the letter in my fist.
Definitely suspicious, just like Yoru said.
Does the Azure Dragon Festival committee really need to know what prizes the participants want?
I don't buy it.
Which leaves only one answer.
"Hiiragi."
"Figures."
Way too obvious.
They're luring us in outright.
"What're we doing, Kline?"
"We're going."
"Huh? Really? It's an obvious trap."
"No matter what trap Hiiragi sets, they can't beat us."
"Hmmm. If you say so."
Yoru lifted her chin and grabbed her sword.
I picked up mine too and laid out the reasoning.
"Plus—this fight gives us the perfect chance to nail down ironclad proof."
"With that scroll thing?"
"Yeah. This makes four times. That should trash Hiiragi's reputation for good."
"Should've known better than to poke the bear."
Yoru nodded along as she headed out the door.
I followed silently, lost in thought.
'Truth is, there's one more reason.'
I don't know what they did, but Hiiragi's influence clearly reaches the Azure Dragon Festival committee.
Otherwise, they couldn't fake official letters like this.
So if they're setting a trap like this... innocent bystanders are bound to get caught in the crossfire.
'My opponent.'
My semifinal opponent in the first match.
That country girl must have gotten the letter too.
And she'll walk right into the trap, clueless.
If you're wondering why I'd step into a known trap, it's simple—I couldn't just stand by and let some innocent girl get hurt.
By the time we reached the spot the letter mentioned, the sun had set.
Aonia's packed with mountains, so I'm used to scenes like this.
The hills grow eerily quiet at dusk, with few signs of life.
The perfect spot for an ambush.
Step... step...
Sword at the ready, senses on high alert, we advanced to the meeting point.
No one around.
Just the chirp of crickets in the mountain woods.
But neither Yoru nor I fall for parlor tricks like that.
"They're hiding."
"Yup."
Our eyesight is unmatched.
We see them.
The warriors lurking behind trees, suppressing their presence.
'Stronger than the ones they've sent before.'
They mean business this time.
Doesn't mean we'll lose, though.
"Come on out. We know everything."
"..."
"You think we'd fall for some 'Azure Dragon Festival' summons? Quit wasting time and show yourselves."
"Insolent bastard."
Finally, they emerged.
Suspicious figures clad head to toe in black.
Face masks hid everything—could be from a samurai clan or assassins for all we knew.
"You've interfered three times already, and you're still at it? That desperate for your young master to win?"
"Watch your tongue, or we won't go easy on you."
"Answer the damn question. If we're right, this is it for us, right? Might as well hear your side before we go."
"...Hmph. We just want guaranteed results."
Smug at my words, the masked men started explaining.
They figured no one else would overhear out here.
'Right on cue.'
No problem—I'll record it all on the scroll.
"Young Master Masato must win this Azure Dragon Festival. It's the only way to elevate House Hiiragi even higher."
"And you pull dirty tricks like this for that? What meaning is there in a victory bought with cheats?"
"Ridiculous. Victory is the only result that matters. The process? Irrelevant. Young Master need only claim the win, oblivious to it all."
"Hah."
A hollow laugh escaped me.
In other words, ignorance is bliss.
Masato Hiiragi just needs the trophy—details like their dirty groundwork? No need to know.
"You're insane."
Unbelievable.
What's the point of rolling out the red carpet like some pampered greenhouse flower?
No secret stays buried forever.
Masato will find out someday.
That his precious victory was built on treachery.
"You think he'll grow into the supreme swordsman you dream of that way? I have my doubts."
"Shut your mouth. What does an outsider know?"
"Besides—even if you just wanted him to win, you've gone way overboard. You must've summoned my opponent here too. Where is she?"
"Ah, that girl."
The masked crew chuckled and gestured.
One dragged out a figure hidden behind a tree.
Thud!
The girl collapsed limply to the ground.
My semifinal opponent.
Her pretty face was a battered mess from the beating.
Nothing permanent, at least.
They didn't have the guts for that.
Just enough to keep her out of the Azure Dragon Festival.
"You've lost your minds."
I sighed, gripping my sword hilt.
"That desperate to hand Masato the win? Enough to beat down an innocent girl?"
"We'll do the same to you. Once you're broken, you won't have the guts to spill the truth."
"Forcing two forfeits to crown him champion? What value is there in a hollow title like that?"
"You wouldn't understand! The problems plaguing House Hiiragi—no, all of Aonia!"
The masked men bellowed in fury.
Some long-held grudge, by the sound of it.
"Aonia needs a hero. Our nation lags behind the Empire—we face a grim future. This is when a hero must rise!"
"So you'll manufacture one?"
"Yes! Outsiders like you Imperials could never grasp it!"
Shing—
With their shouts, the masked men drew their blades.
No stopping the fight now.
This is their final stand.
House Hiiragi throwing everything they had at us.
Crush them here, and they'll never bother us again.
"Fine. I don't get it."
Just like they said, I know nothing of Aonia's woes.
How could I? I'm from the Empire.
"But one thing I do know."
If a nation sacrifices an innocent girl to forge its 'hero'...
...it deserves to fall.