Chapter 90
Chapter 90
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 90
Chapter Title: Azure Dragon Festival (3)
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The battle didn't take long.
The swordsmen that Hiiragi had prepared as a last resort were quite skilled.
But even so, this body of mine held the second-ranked talent in the world at [Shardia Academy].
Moreover, walking the Path of the Heaven-Defying Son had made me even stronger than in the original story. They were no match for me.
"Not much to them."
And Yoru was there too.
She stretched with a big yawn, arching her back fully.
Her bandaged chest rose up as a result, but I tried my best not to stare as I asked,
"No injuries?"
"Huh? Oh, no."
"Good. It'd suck if this fight kept you out of the semifinals."
"Wow. You're actually worried about me?"
"Of course."
We traded silly banter as we checked on the fallen masked group.
All knocked out. Plus, they'd be sidelined for a few weeks with their injuries.
No need to drag them to a doctor. They were scum who'd gathered for shady purposes from the start.
Leaving them here to eat dirt was fitting punishment.
"Man, I wish they'd stop messing with us already. This is getting annoying."
"Yeah, I agree. We can overlook it once or twice, but any more and even a bodhisattva would snap."
"So what do we do? Scoop a scoop with that scroll?"
"Hm."
I fiddled with the scroll tucked in my bosom at Yoru's words.
I was done just taking it lying down.
They'd thrown everything they had at me and still failed, so I figured they'd lay low for a while.
But now I was pissed, and the scroll held enough truth to expose them. The most effective way was to make it public.
'The question is, who to reveal it to.'
What would hit Hiiragi the hardest and squeeze their windpipe tightest?
"Oh, just in case—but telling Aonia's officials won't do squat. They're in bed with Hiiragi. Hand 'em the scroll, and they'll just trash it."
"Dirty. So dirty."
"Yeah. How about showing it right in front of the citizens? Might spark a revolt."
"The citizens, huh."
Yoru's idea was tempting but uncertain.
I couldn't project the scroll on a screen or anything; only one person at a time.
The one who least needed to know this truth.
And the one whose knowledge of it would shake Hiiragi to its core.
'Hm.'
There was only one guy.
"Alright. I've decided."
"Huh? Who?"
"Hiiragi's precious heir. Wouldn't it be fun if he learned his growth was all built on dirty tricks?"
"Ooh. Smart thinking, Kline. I didn't even consider that."
Hiiragi Masato.
The one the Hiiragi family wanted to hide the truth from more than anyone.
Handing the scroll straight to him seemed perfect.
"Let's head out, then."
"Yeah. Semis are tomorrow anyway."
"Nah, semis don't matter. Looks like that girl's gotta go to a doctor too. First round's already a walkover win."
"Ugh, cheap move, Kline. Now I gotta fight that Masato jerk."
Unfortunately, I hoisted the girl who'd been beaten by the masked thugs onto my back.
Sorry about that. Getting tangled up with scum like Hiiragi and ending up like this was rotten luck.
I advanced on a forfeit win because of it, but I wasn't thrilled.
What good was winning like this?
As I carried the girl down the mountain with Yoru,
she turned to me with a resolved look.
"Kline."
"Yeah."
"You free tomorrow?"
"Huh?"
Suddenly?
"Y-your first round's a forfeit, right? So you've got time. Yeah?"
"Well, true. Why? Something up?"
"Um—kinda serious talk. Can't predict the semis, so I wanna get it out now."
"???"
"Argh, you know what I mean!"
Yoru poked at the eyepatch covering her eye socket in frustration.
Ah.
She was finally ready to spill the secret she'd only hinted at with "I've got my reasons."
"Sounds good to me. But why the sudden change?"
"Hmph. Like I said. Planned to tell you in the finals, but I might get knocked out in semis. So, early it is."
"Cool."
I nodded readily.
It took guts for her to open up like this.
Couldn't turn her down.
"Tomorrow night, then."
"Yeah."
**
The next day.
Aosen buzzed at the news of the first semifinal becoming a sudden forfeit.
-What about my ticket? I was hyped!
-This is how you run things? Participant drops out on the day?
-You're kidding! Investigate now!
Citizens raged at the association, demanding explanations.
I slipped through back streets, avoiding eyes as much as possible.
'How to meet Hiiragi Masato.'
Just find him secretly and show the scroll—that'd be ideal.
But without knowing where he was, it was pointless.
Some use it'd be to have the scroll if I couldn't track him down...
"What in the world happened?"
Hiiragi Masato.
He pushed through the crowd toward an association staffer.
"M-Masato! Why aren't you training? Why here...?"
"Couldn't focus on training with this on my mind. Why was a first-round participant disqualified? On the day of?"
"W-we can't say. It's an official notice from the association heads. Please understand."
"......"
Masato's brow furrowed.
He argued with the staffer a bit more, then left with a sour, bug-bitten grimace.
Not buying it, huh. The Azure Dragon Festival was going off the rails.
-Young master! Where are you going?
-You need to train!
"Don't follow. I want to be alone."
Masato brushed off his retainers and ducked into a back alley.
Like he didn't want anyone seeing his turmoil.
'Chance.'
Perfect for me.
Step—step—
I quietly trailed him into the alley.
"Why..."
Masato stopped and murmured softly.
His clenched fist trembled.
"Why do these things always happen?"
His words hit me—I realized it anew.
Of course Hiiragi Masato would know something was off.
As the person involved, how could he not?
Situations resolving too perfectly.
Fortune falling into his lap too strangely.
He felt it deep down.
"If even this Azure Dragon Festival goes like this... what am I...?"
"Curious about the truth?"
"!"
He jumped at my voice from behind.
Face screaming he hadn't sensed me. Natural, given the skill gap.
"You..."
His eyes narrowed as he looked at me.
He knew me.
From seeing me on the main street?
His gaze swept over my oni mask.
"So you're the oni mask my father mentioned."
"What?"
"I have questions for you."
Masato strode toward me.
No hostility or contempt on his face.
More like confusion and doubt.
Those emotions.
"Did our family wrong you somehow?"
"......"
"I don't care where you're from or why the mask. Not important now."
"......"
"Just one thing bugs me. What has our family done? Why target you? Why forfeit a first-round fighter? I need to know."
His tone was earnest, pleading.
I met his eyes straight on.
'Time to revise my assessment.'
Hiiragi family acted so petty, I'd figured their heir was the same.
But this chat gave me the read.
'He doesn't know.'
Not the full extent of Hiiragi's dirt.
But he felt the unease, the frustration—and wanted answers.
Honor. Conviction. Justice. Fairness.
The eyes of a warrior chasing those ideals.
Yet also the eyes of an ordinary man, unable to hold firm, constantly wavering.
Strong, but not strong enough.
That was Hiiragi Masato.
"I asked if you want the truth."
"......Yes."
"Then take this scroll."
Handing it to him...
Would deliver an unforgettable shock.
Might break him for good.
Fake strength crumbles fast on shaky pride.
But—so what?
My goals came first. No need to coddle him.
And above all...
'If you're a warrior, overcome it.'
Having your pride shattered is inevitable for any martial artist.
So for his sake too, he needed to know now.
Learning later would hit harder.
"......"
Masato gulped as he took the scroll.
Eyes questioning if he should trust it, open it.
But he unrolled it in the end.
"!"
The scroll glowed.
My implanted memories flowed into his mind.
"What... is this..."
Masato trembled, mouth agape.
Horror.
His body shook as the ugly truth of his family's deeds sank in.
I steadied my breath watching him.
"Hoo—"
Tough break for Masato.
But getting maximum revenge on the Hiiragi family that'd hounded me felt pretty damn good.