Chapter 75: World's Best Partner Selection Tournament—Eve (1)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 75: World's Best Partner Selection Tournament—Eve (1)
In life, there are times when you face a wall you can never overcome.
Of course, I’m not trying to get all serious and start a tedious, pedantic lecture on the meaning of life. I’m talking about games.
When playing games, you occasionally encounter a boss that makes you think, 'Are they seriously expecting me to kill this thing right now?'
For example, the Asylum Demon, or Gen-chan... for some reason, a certain bald game director who seems to have a thing for cross-dressing pretty boys comes to mind...
Of course, the hardcore veterans who have rotted away in those games would have cleared such bosses with ease, but I was always the type to see the "YOU DIED" screen on repeat.
I’d swallow my tears of frustration and find another path, or wait until New Game Plus to get my revenge.
Anyway, why am I suddenly bringing up games?
It’s because an unbeatable, unkillable, ultimate boss existed in Milfgard as well.
—Knock, knock.
"Young Master, it is I."
"Come in, Teacher."
As always, Helena appeared, opening the door without a sound. She was holding a letter stamped with the crest of Konstanz—my surname and family in this life.
"Did my brother send it?"
"Yes. It is a letter from the Eldest Young Master."
I took the letter from Helena as she approached and immediately broke the seal.
"Hmm..."
The letter began with simple pleasantries.
He had received my last report, and Father hadn't said much about it. My parents were both healthy, nothing significant was happening in the territory, and everything was peaceful and smooth.
The first page of my brother's letter seemed to end on a mundane note.
However, the beginning of the next page read like this:
"The Ardri of Erin has crossed the border..."
As soon as I muttered those words, Helena’s eyes sparkled.
"Erin... you mean..."
"Yes. The nation of the Beastkin."
Looking at the world map, two vast plains called the Rohlan Plain and the Povello Plain are located to the south of the Empire. The majority of Beastkin live within the nation of Erin, established upon those plains...
Since that was common knowledge, Helena brought up something else.
"Now that I think about it... I remember the Beastkin warrior my sister once fought referred to herself as a warrior of Erin."
"A warrior of Erin. Did she say anything else?"
"Hmm... Ah, she called herself a Milesian. At the time, I thought it was her name... but thinking back now, it feels like that might not be quite right."
"Milesian is the name of a tribe or a faction. The Beastkin are largely divided into three branches..."
The first is the Nemedian.
These are Beastkin with the characteristics of predators. Lions, tigers, wolves, and the like. In terms of pure combat power, they are the strongest among the Beastkin, so the mainstream of Erin is mostly comprised of Nemedians.
The second is the aforementioned Milesian, who possess the traits of herbivores. For example, elephants, oxen, horses, and so on. Their overall combat prowess is a step below the Nemedians, but in terms of raw strength alone, they are superior.
The third is the Partholon.
They have avian characteristics and are closer to beasts than the other factions. Not just wings, but their beaks and feathers are fully visible. Of course, being avian Beastkin, they can fly, so their combat power is by no means lacking compared to the others.
"I see. But what does the name 'Ardri' mean?"
"Well... it’s no fun just telling you, so if I add a bit of history..."
Like all humans who settled on prairies or plains, the Beastkin have a long history of division and struggle. The Nemedians, Milesians, and Partholons fought for centuries to seize hegemony over the vast plains. About two hundred years ago, a Nemedian leader named Iskandar put an end to that long history of conflict.
"And so, a unified dynasty was established on the Rohlan and Povello Plains. Iskandar was crowned as the first Ardri."
"Which means, Ardri is..."
"Yes. It’s the word for the King of the Beastkin. If translated into Imperial terms... it would be something like 'Overlord'."
"...Overlord."
In other words, my brother's message that the Ardri of Erin had crossed the border meant this:
The Margrave had allowed the Overlord, who unified the plains, to enter the Empire.
Because of this, Helena’s gaze became sharper than ever before.
"Haha, don't worry. It’s definitely not a war."
"Is... is that so? The word 'Overlord' just made me instinctively..."
"I understand. It’s a word that would make the blood of a descendant of the Sword Saint—who slew a dragon and saved the country—boil."
Perhaps feeling a bit embarrassed, Helena gave a soft smile. Yet, her eyes remained fixed on the letter my brother had sent. Her gaze asked: If it’s not war, then why did the conqueror of the plains cross the Imperial border?
Naturally, I turned my gaze back to the letter as well.
"Mmm... as I thought..."
"Young Master?"
"The reason the Ardri has come to the Empire is simple. To find a husband."
"...Pardon?"
When asked by his vassals how the succession should be determined, the first Ardri, Iskandar, reportedly left only one sentence as his last will:
"The strongest one!"
"Excuse me...?"
The words left by the Ardri 200 years ago were realized exactly as spoken. His descendants engaged in fierce struggles for the throne, and because of that, the Ardri of Erin was sometimes a woman.
"And it just so happens that the current Ardri is a woman."
"Aha... so that is why she is seeking a consort."
"Yes. Since the Beastkin value strength above all else, the Ardri only considers strength when seeking a partner. They don't care about race or species."
"I see..."
For that reason, the Ardris have traditionally held a tournament to efficiently find a mate and continue their lineage. A ridiculous martial arts tournament called the World's Best Partner Selection Tournament.
"So, you are saying the Ardri has come to the Empire to find a husband."
"Yes."
"Will... His Majesty allow such a thing...?"
"He will. Of course."
Despite everything, this was an era of peace and prosperity. When people are warm and well-fed, they naturally seek entertainment. From that perspective, a martial arts tournament hosted by a visiting foreign king is an excellent political tool.
"Spectators will flock like clouds, stimulating the economy of the host city. Since the tournament is held with the Emperor's permission, support and popularity for the Imperial family will rise. There are various other benefits as well, so it’s a rare deal where you can hardly lose."
"Mmm, I see. Then... Young Master... perhaps..."
"Hahaha, of course, anyone can participate in the tournament."
Helena finally broke into a bright smile. After all, Helena was a warrior and a swordsman at heart.
'Hmm... should I suggest Natalia participate too? I think she'd really love it.'
I folded my brother's finished letter and put it back in the envelope. Then, I drew the Demon Sword Sitri, which had been resting on the wall, from its scabbard.
"It’s been a while... this cool, heavy sensation..."
As I gently stroked the jet-black sword body, which was darker than the night sky, Helena looked at me with a questioning gaze that said, 'Surely not?'
"Young Master, could it be..."
"Naturally, I plan to participate as well."
"Y-Young Master."
I fully understood why Helena was surprised. First, she was worried about my safety. Second, she was likely wondering if I intended to marry the Ardri.
Of course...
"I have no intention of marrying the Ardri. In fact, I couldn't even if I wanted to."
"Pardon?"
"Haha, it’s actually for a very political reason."
As I mentioned before, the Ardri is the Beastkin recognized as the strongest of the era. But what if someone appeared who was stronger than that Ardri, or whose strength was recognized as superior? And what if they even gained the status of the King's consort?
"It would become chaotic..."
"Yes. Inevitably. That is the nature of power."
That is why the Ardri never actually marries. No reward is given to the winner, and they don't even go back to Erin together. All that is granted is the right to be impregnated by the Ardri or to impregnate her.
"In other words, the reason you are participating in that tournament is..."
"Well, obviously."
I sheathed Sitri and threw Helena, who had been sitting across from me, onto the desk.
"Kyaa?!"
"Because it’s a turn-on."
And I can become famous. Winning that tournament comes with immense prestige. The incredible reputation of being the strongest warrior of the age and the consort of the Overlord.
I handled her a bit roughly because I was excited, but Helena’s face was flushed deep red.
"Haah...!"
Helena immediately exposed her luscious breasts and hiked up her skirt. I grabbed both of her fully revealed breasts and whispered to her.
"Haha, looks like you were waiting. I suspected as much from the moment you came in dressed like this."
"Yes...! I was wondering when you would finally take me...!"
She was so drenched that I could feel the sensation of her pussy becoming soaking wet. To me, Helena is a woman I could fuck every single day without ever getting bored... and it seemed she felt the same way. That she would never tire of being taken every day.
"Hng, haang... chu, chuu... ha-eup... mmm..."
Helena let out heated moans as she pressed her lips against mine. Of course, I responded to that kiss... but suddenly, my brother's letter caught my eye again.
'Andrasta...'
Along with the name that suddenly surfaced, the image of the woman I could never overcome in my past life came to mind. Her jet-black hair, tied neatly and fluttering like a dark mane. The eyes of a predator that radiated pressure even through the screen. A strong, beautiful body that exuded endless power.
Because of that, the past-life version of me was completely infatuated with Andrasta, but those damn developers had made her an absolutely un-romanceable heroine. What was it they said? 'Andrasta is the Goddess of War. She must not be conquered by anyone, nor destroyed by anyone.'
Thanks to that bullshit philosophy, not just me, but every wanker in the world had to swallow their tears. However...
'Now, I have Sitri.'
The ultimate Demon Sword that can cut anything in the world, an immortal body, and an inexhaustible supply of magic power. If the opponent is an unbreakable boss, I have no choice but to face her with cheats.
"Aang, Young Master... ♥"
"Hmm? Ah, sorry. I was lost in thought for a moment."
"Fufu, you were thinking about that Ardri, weren't you?"
"Ah... haha..."
Due to the guilt toward Helena and the embarrassment of having my thoughts read, I could only laugh awkwardly. However, as if she loved even that side of me, Helena pulled me in firmly with both legs.
"I won't scold or resent you, Young Master. Instead..."
"Instead?"
"Please fill my womb to the brim... ♥"
"Fine. I'll keep pounding you until you beg me to stop."
"Haang...! Yes...!"