Chapter 228
Chapter 228
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 228
Chapter Title: Epilogue: End of the "Courage" Tournament
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"The A Block finals of the 'Courage' Tournament! Coming from the left... Vice-Captain of the Azure Gale Knights, Siselle Yurensuto──!!"
"Sorry I'm late."
"And on the right, waiting patiently from way earlier... the enigmatic fighter who dazzles us every time with mysterious martial arts and superpowers, the all-around entertainer, the mysterious magician X!!"
"Hmph, I've been waiting."
Siselle bowed her head slightly in apology. How could she not be grateful? Even if lives weren't on the line in this tournament, it was a huge gesture of consideration. She could've easily claimed victory without a fight.
I couldn't see her eyes through the mask, but X's demeanor felt somehow warm. Could her true identity be someone Siselle knew?
X crossed her arms confidently and declared,
"A win like that... means nothing! True respect comes only after putting on a proper show!"
"...I see. Then I'll fight you without holding back, X!"
No need for further words. With thanks and formalities exchanged, all that remained was the clash of steel. Siselle's sword sang out, and X's Iron Blood Fist bared its fangs.
Soon, the tournament's strongest contenders would collide──!!
Irid and I were seated in the VIP box of the stands, watching the finals. It felt a bit awkward squeezing my way into a spot reserved for the elite, but the view was great, and the service was top-notch.
The moment my glass emptied, a lovely priestess standing by refilled it right away. Being pampered like this was fantastic.
Even these little details hinted at the corruption within the current Goddess Church.
The fear coiled deep in the priestess's heart, the way her robes accentuated her figure suspiciously, the atmosphere that suggested I could toy with her here without consequences...
The outfit itself was designed for easy removal. Undo one string at the small of her back, and it'd slip off like a pre-peeled egg in three seconds flat. Handy design to keep in mind.
If it came from some greedy tycoon with deep pockets, fine—but from a religious order? Plenty to raise eyebrows about.
Neither Irid nor I cared about that, though. We focused on the match.
"How is she keeping up with my speed──"
"Counterinitiative... Speed without technique is useless!"
Go, Yuna!
Even against Siselle's ultra-high-speed movements, Yuna dodged, parried, and countered flawlessly. Seeing the Magic Tower Master—who usually just beamed from afar—moving like this added a thrilling twist that made my heart race.
Why was Yuna fighting hand-to-hand? Simple: firing a Yunades Beam would blow her cover. Too obvious.
So how could Yuna, with no real athletic background, excel at close-quarters combat? Same reason I could punch Roderus: brains.
She was running the combat-assist AI I'd implanted in her, handling the melee.
Siselle's speed was manageable with mental calculations too. She was fast on her feet, not her mind—so predict and evade, easy.
Her trajectories were linear, simple to compute. Minimal speed variations. From the stands, I could read ten moves ahead; Yuna could manage at least five.
"Raging Fist──!!"
"Kuh!"
She'd toy with her a bit, then let Siselle win. I watched Yuna playfully toying with her own little sister in comfort.
Irid, observing beside me, suddenly remarked,
"That fighter battling Siselle... isn't she the Violet Magic Tower Master?"
I debated hiding my surprise, then decided on honesty and jumped in my seat.
"...How did you know?"
"Come on, it's obvious. The hairstyle's the same, the hair accessory and necklace match too. I won't even mention the voice."
"More clues than I thought. I figured the Violet Tower Master altered those details... Guess she went casual."
"Should be fine, though. Only a handful know her appearance."
Hmm.
I'd assumed Yuna disguised herself thoroughly—except for me, her special case.
Yuna wasn't careless. She could've gone all-out with the disguise, even turned into an eight-foot giant. But she didn't. Why?
Siselle.
Maybe Yuna wanted her long-lost family to recognize her? Too shy to reveal herself outright, hoping they'd see through it. I shared my guess with Irid.
"...Then why hasn't Siselle recognized her?"
"Who knows..."
"Eh, doesn't matter. Sister Uhwa's changed too... No threat to life. Things worked out for you, so you showed yourself. Good job."
"My deepest gratitude."
I mock-bowed in感動, and Irid recoiled in disgust. Do it twice, and he'd bolt. Hate it that much?
"What, don't like being pampered? You're fine with the priestesses."
"Not from you. You're not the type... Right, if the Violet Tower Master suddenly bowed and scraped to you, you'd freak too."
"Sounds hot as hell."
"I'm saying show respect, not be rude, you mad wizard!"
I got it. Like a boss suddenly acting cute—off-putting. Guess my charisma loomed large in Irid's mind.
I thought I'd shown plenty of silly sides, but some distance remained?
Slurp.
I sipped my orange drink, pondering.
We'd covered the daily chit-chat already. Right off the bat: eating well? Dating anyone? Training steady? Got chewed out for echoing his sister's script.
Repeating repertoire lacked romance, silence bored the tongue, needed something to close the gap.
Ah, relationship advice?
"Hey."
No.
"Weren't you about to ask something? I granted your sister's wish, so ask away—I'll share what I can."
"Nah. You're a sis-con prince."
"...Wanna die for real?"
Busted.
As Irid ranted furiously, cheers erupted from the arena with the announcer's upbeat voice.
"The A Block winner of the 'Courage' Tournament── Siselle Yurensuto!"
"...A fine match. Mysterious Magician X."
"Hmph, that triple consecutive drift at the end... not bad."
"Your Heavenly Thunder Dragon Fist too..."
My plan succeeded.
"I-I'm back..."
Yuna peeked around the doorframe, greeting awkwardly. The runaway Tower Master finally ended her long wandering. Joy.
She'd already dropped by once as Mysterious Magician X, but returning as herself felt sheepish—she fidgeted adorably.
To blow away her awkwardness, I leaped up barefoot, scooped her into a hug, and spun her around.
"Aww, my pretty Yuna, let's see how much you've grown!"
"Eek! Kyaa──!!"
"Hm, about 13 grams heavier..."
"S-Stop it...!!"
She squealed but clung tight. She was thrilled too. I buried my nose in her hair, breathing deep. Now life felt worth living.
Yuna grabbed my hand, placed it on her head. I ruffled her hair wildly. Purring contentedly, her steady breaths tickled my neck.
Isn't this what life is...?
In the quiet warmth, Yuna murmured,
"Um, I'll help a lot... so don't overdo it, okay?"
"Sorry. I'll be careful."
"...H-Hus, husband... if your face has scars... it hurts my heart. A-And at night, to... use strength... you need to be healthy..."
"........."
Her nuke left me groggy for ten minutes. Snapping back, my face burned; Yuna reeled from her own words' fallout.
Maybe check for fantasy tonics.
After thirty minutes of flirting, my heart settled. Yeah, how could I leave this Yuna? Gotta take care, live long.
We chatted idly. How've you been? What'd you eat? Saw your match—fought great. Watch for mosquitoes. Then.
Lounging on me like a sloth, Yuna glanced at the whiteboard on the wall. It had the tournament bracket sketched out.
"B Block's not done yet...?"
"Yeah. Matches haven't finished."
Heading into round of 16 soon.
"...Isn't that a bit much?"
Thirteen out of sixteen were mine. Yeah, heavy.
Serial killings scared folks into forfeits, events piled up. But no issue.
"Too many, sure. But drop out and done, right? Planning to push and wipe 'em all. Red names must go."
"'Guys'?"
"Sol-something, this sky-blue one's our Reformist faction... Last one's neutral. Ignore him. Got lucky with byes 'cause my clones died."
Handle this, first tournament ends.
Three more left. Seems a lot, but not complex or long. No more mental care or Uhwa-corrupting.
Crush 'em, bury with schemes—quick.
Focus on happy ending. Drop the red name...
Thud. A messenger burst in.
"Wizard, sir! Good news! Saintess Tara says Olbein candidate's out—carriage accident!"
Promote Sol-something...
Thud. Another messenger crashed through.
"Wizard, sir! Breaking news! From Bennett: Sol Renus exposed prior convictions via Redburn politics—self-forfeit!"
"...?"
Two candidates gone, just like that?
No panic. If foes drop too, I win. Slot a neutral, no prob. None.
"Hiss...?"
Chill down my spine. I stared at the board. Only real human left: Finn.
And Finn rose via byes from my hologram deaths. No contender caliber. He'd lose to Tear Stain Guy.
If he doesn't win, I do.
My win means Holy Sword touch.
Divine punishment, dead...
Yeah, lucky guy. I'll make you champ. All byes suspicious, so stage some flair.
But spine screamed danger. On whim, sent a hologram scouting for Finn.
He was filing self-forfeit at registration.
I shot up.
"That bastard's trying to assassinate me...!!"
Win this, I die!
Hugging Yuna, hood up, I bolted out.
Adventurer Finn entered the tournament casually.
Past participation might boost mercenary hires later; good experience too. Timing perfect—rest period—so he signed up lightly.
"Finn, bye-win!"
"........."
Opponents assassinated one by one; next thing, he was in round of 16. Other matches: earth shattering, fireballs flying, chaos.
No place for him. Round of 16? Me?
Good experience needs moderation; early rounds let strong show mercy. Round of 16? Full power, no mercy.
"Heh, young man's spirited. I'll teach one move and end it."
"Please!"
Not the heartwarming scene Finn imagined.
"Heh, climbing without fighting? Can't slack. Full power—survive if you can."
"Spare me!"
More likely.
Arm lost in experience grab? Life ruined. Not why he came.
Forfeit early.
Clerk droned,
"To withdraw, fill and submit form."
"Y-Yes. Prepared it. Right here... Huh? Wh-where...?"
Gone.
Form vanished; grabbing new one, wind gusts it away.
Ten minutes juggling at desk; clerk scowled, assuming prank.
"L-Later...!"
Finn retreated.
Tried more, but cursed luck foiled each: rain soaked paper. Cursed the goddess.
Trembling in bed, genius idea struck.
Right—forfeit on stage. Scream surrender at start! Safe exit.
Perfect. Slept soundly; next day, arena. Announcer called start—
"Sur──!!"
"Gaaahhh──!! Invisible force hit me──!!"
"...Ren?"
Instant win.
"What a show! Adventurer Finn forfeits—then instantly downs opponent!!"
"...???"
Desperate surrender bloomed his Uhwa? No, self-aware guy, no such talent.
Opponent's illness flared? Maybe.
Next, quarters.
"Groooan!! Declared start, downed simultaneous──!!"
"Sur."
Couldn't even say "sur." Won again.
Finn sensed wrongness. Massive plot or fate vortex? No other explanation. Tore hair.
"Can't make Hero Candidate Eight like this...!"
Disaster!
Mercs'd eye him: "Hero Candidate...??" Hire, expose: "This guy's the candidate...?" Fake specs unwanted. Wanted modest experience!
Semis: huge "SURRENDER" sign. Might deflate match, but survival first.
Roar──!!
Crowd cheered; checking sign, "SURRENDER" now "TOURNAMENT CONQUEROR."
"Wh-Who...!! Who's messing with me?!"
"Such a roar, I'm dying!"
"Stop forcing losses! Who are you people?!"
Fate.
Finn felt crushing fate. Plot or goddess prank—unstoppable.
Surrender to flow? Drift to victory? No. Resist!
"...Can't win like this──!"
Even weak resist fate...!!
Finals.
All-nighter, no food/water; zombie-look on stage. No win like this!
Crowd buzzed at scrawny frame...
How's that, fate? Gift me victory now...?
Opponent, old swordsman, stroked beard calmly. Whisper, yet arena-wide clear. Suspicious.
Finn knew: doomed.
"...Those at pinnacle forget seven emotions via meditation, honing mind's blade. Indeed. Your aura's fierce."
"........."
"I yield already. You're victor."
Roaaar──!!
No, wait!
Tried protest—throat rasped rust, no voice. Should've saved energy...
Thus.
"'Courage' Tournament ends! Two of eight Hero Candidates: Azure Gale Knights' Siselle Yurensuto and Formless Sword's Finn!!"
He won against his will.