Chapter 78: World's Best Husband Contest—Preliminaries (1)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 78: World's Best Husband Contest—Preliminaries (1)
Like a dark stage slowly being lit, the pitch-black sky began to take on a faint, hazy hue.
It was still the crack of dawn.
At an hour when everyone else would still be tucked under their covers, I stepped out into the garden, lightly rotating my wrists.
"Hmm... looks like it won't rain."
As I muttered to myself while looking up at the cloudless sky, Matthias suddenly appeared from out of nowhere.
"Young Master."
"Oh, Matthias. Did you get what I asked for?"
"It is ready."
"Good, let's start right away."
"Yes, sir."
I followed behind Matthias for a short walk.
Before long, a massive, jet-black mass appeared before me—one so large it felt suffocating just to look at.
"This is the steel ingot you requested. Since you asked for the largest one available, I prepared the biggest ingot in the Imperial Capital."
"Oh... impressive. Wasn't it expensive?"
"Well... the blacksmith lent it to us for free. Though, it was on the condition that if you actually manage to cut it in two, he won't take a single penny."
"Hahaha, I see."
I placed my hand on the Demon Sword Sitri at my waist and took a stance in front of the steel ingot.
Perhaps my unusually serious demeanor felt foreign to him. Matthias hesitated for a moment before asking me a question.
"Um... Young Master. If I may be so bold..."
"Yeah? What is it?"
"Do you truly believe this is possible?"
"Of course."
"...I understand."
Matthias asked no more and simply watched me in silence.
At the same time, I focused my consciousness.
Enhancement isn't just about increasing power or force...
The secret of enhancement magic lies in raising the status of an existence.
In other words, true enhancement is the act of elevating the very reason for an object's being.
For example, let's say I'm enhancing a sword.
A sword's reason for being is to cut and stab.
Therefore, when enhancing a sword, there are two primary directions to take.
One is, naturally, to ensure it can cut and stab anything.
The other is to ensure it can withstand the force of doing so.
Of course, the directions for enhancement are endless beyond that...
To make it lighter, or perhaps more flexible.
One could say the most important thing in enhancement magic is the caster's imagination.
Thus, while enhancement is the most basic of basic magics, it is also a magic that reaches the ultimate.
This was the concept of enhancement magic I had learned from Sitri.
"Whew..."
With every breath I took, I could feel a massive flow of magic power coursing through my body like a great river.
The magic power, circulating along with my blood, spread to every corner of my body, allowing me to function and control physical parts I had never been consciously aware of before.
I looked at the massive hunk of steel once more and took a drawing stance.
Then, I relaxed my entire body. I held that state until I reached the mental image of my body melting and flowing away.
Finally, I took a short, sharp breath.
The only sound that followed was the sound of the Demon Sword returning to its scabbard after finishing its job.
—Click.
"Hmm, that went well. It was a bit vague since I'd only imagined it... but this should be useful enough."
"...Young Master?"
"Huh? You didn't see it?"
"No... did you do some—"
—THUD!
The steel ingot, sliced diagonally, slammed into the garden floor with a heavy, metallic roar.
Naturally, Matthias approached the steel ingot with a dazed expression.
"What... on earth...?"
"Hahaha."
While Matthias was busy being stunned by the suddenly severed ingot, Sitri materialized before me as if she had been waiting for the right moment.
"Mm, your skills have improved significantly."
"It's all thanks to a great teacher."
"Fufufu."
Sitri, floating in the air, gently wrapped her arms around my shoulders.
"The skill you just displayed is something even Solomon could not have achieved."
"Huh, really? The great hero who sealed all 72 Great Demons?"
"Indeed. The enhancement you used just now was no simple enhancement. And it wasn't just one, but three... no, at least five. From simple physical strength to dynamic visual acuity, reflex speed... what else was there?"
Well... there were several things.
A sword is drawn with the waist and cuts with the waist.
It's not just swordsmanship; strengthening the lower body and core strength is the foundation for everything.
Next were the joints and ligaments of the entire body, especially the shoulders and wrists.
One must be able to control and withstand the instantaneous explosion of power to swing the sword, rather than being swung by it.
Finally, there was the dynamic visual acuity and reflex speed Sitri mentioned.
I enhanced every sensory organ, including sight and hearing, as well as the central and peripheral nervous systems.
Ultimately, the human body moves only when the brain sends signals to the muscles; I did it to bring that speed up to the speed of thought.
"It reminds me of something cheap but similar."
"Hmm? What is that?"
"A basic implant, I suppose."
Beyond the sky, I could see the moon, which had not yet set.
Thanks to that, a line I absolutely shouldn't remember came to mind... I'll take you to the moon...!
"Ugh... I worked so hard to forget that...! Get out of my head...!"
"Hmm? You are acting strange today. And on the opening day of the long-awaited World's Best Husband Contest, no less."
"Right... that's today... sniff..."
"Eh? Are you crying?!"
"Look through my memories later. Anyway... this is truly terrifying."
The thing I called terrifying was, of course, the Demon Sword Sitri.
I've said it before, but... this demon sword was originally a sword used by the Archangel Ahaia.
Solomon used this archangel's sword and soul to seal Sitri forever.
I had realized the power of this sword when I was causing a ruckus in the Black Forest, but...
"I didn't think it would be this sharp."
The only thing I enhanced was my body; I didn't apply any enhancement to the sword itself.
Despite that, it possessed the sharpness and cutting power to slice that thick, hard steel ingot in two with a single strike.
Furthermore, it possessed incredible strength and hardness, showing not a single scratch, let alone a chipped edge.
Finally, it had a weight like a feather that felt completely surreal unless you saw it with your eyes and felt it with your skin.
As I pondered this for a moment, Sitri spoke in a dry tone.
"Do you think it is limited to steel ingots? That sword truly has nothing it cannot cut. Whether it be an object, magic, or even a formless spirit, that sword cuts through the seams of all things in the world."
"Seams... hmm, I guess I can think of it as a monofilament specification."
"Molecules? What are those?"
"Uh... sorry, but I was a liberal arts major in my past life. If you're curious, look through my memories."
"Fufu, very well."
I had successfully developed my own finishing move, but I had gained one more thing.
Actually, it was more of a decision I made rather than something I gained.
Regardless, I approached Matthias, who was still fiddling with the steel ingot.
"At least we don't have to worry about paying for it."
"Ah, yes, Young Master. My goodness... you are incredible, Young Master. Even the Sword Saint himself likely couldn't do this."
"Haha. By the way, is there a usable sword in the mansion?"
Matthias gave me a look that asked, 'Why are you looking for an ordinary sword when you have the world's greatest blade in your hand?'
I beat him to the punch before he could say it out loud.
"You don't use a butcher's cleaver to kill a chicken."
"A chicken... a cow... ah, I see. I understand perfectly. I shall bring one immediately. Please wait a moment, Young Master."
"I'm counting on you."
Sitri is sharp—waaaaaay too sharp.
To the point where it reminded me of a monomolecular blade one might see in the sci-fi or cyberpunk genres.
Well... it was originally a broken item in Milfgard that ignored 100% of all defenses... maybe that's how it manifested here.
Anyway, that meant I couldn't just swing Sitri around recklessly.
If I swung it around like a thoughtless child, it would literally create mountains of corpses and rivers of blood.
Overkill is a mistake made only by hacks who lack control.
As I watched the sky, which had become bright before I knew it, Matthias came rushing toward me.
...For some reason, with my older brother in tow.
"Whoa, you really cut it. Are you even human?"
"What brings you here so early in the morning, Next Lord? I don't recall calling for you."
"You brat, I just wanted to act like a proper older brother and cheer you on. Here, a usable sword."
My brother tossed me the longsword he had been wearing at his waist, scabbard and all.
I immediately drew my brother's sword and swung it through the air a few times.
"This is more than just 'usable.' The balance is perfect. Thanks, brother. I'll return it after I win."
"You'd better. I want to brag that this is the sword used by the winner of the World's Best Husband Contest."
"Hahaha."
Looking back, I saw Helena and Natalia, who had finished all their preparations, standing in the garden.
They were dressed in neat, easy-to-move attire, looking every bit the female knights with their beloved swords at their waists.
Valeria is... well, she's probably still sleeping. Matthias will bring her along...
The time had finally come.
Not only would I make my name known to every subject of the Empire.
It was time to make the Ardri of Erin, the King of all Beastkin, my woman.
"Alright, let's go! Hurry up so we're not late!"
"Wait, why are you the one saying that line, brother?"
"Because I'm the highest-ranking person here."
"Ugh..."
"If you're upset, you should have been the older brother."
"Please call me 'Brother' from now on, my dear younger sibling."
"This son of a... ahem, this guy."
*
In Berlina, the capital of the Empire boasting hundreds of years of history, there is a massive stadium.
It is a grand and luxurious Grand Arena operated directly by the Imperial Family, so magnificent that even the Emperor and Empress attend on very rare occasions.
Of course, unlike Rome's Colosseum, it isn't filled with the blood of gladiators, nor do they feed prisoners to wild beasts whenever they're bored.
Some days it's horse racing, other days it's chariot races, other days it's plays... and so on.
In other words, the Grand Arena of the Imperial Capital is the isekai version of a stadium.
Naturally, any subject of the Empire can enter by paying a small entrance fee.
While there is inevitable discrimination in seating based on the class system...
Even setting that aside, it is a stadium where the Imperial Family's inclusiveness shines through the fact that it is open to everyone.
It is also grand and spacious enough to broadcast the dignity and glory of the Imperial Family to all directions.
"Hmm, I didn't hear anything about this."
My brother, seeing the Grand Arena for the first time, tilted his head in confusion.
Actually, I felt similarly.
The gates of the stadium, which should have been open to everyone, were blocked.
And not by the Emperor's soldiers, but by werewolf warriors growling and baring their long fangs.
"This arena belongs to His Imperial Majesty! By what right do you lot block the entrance!"
"He's right! Open the gates!"
"I traveled for three days just to see this! Open up!"
Naturally, the people whose long-awaited day was being ruined began to protest.
As the commotion grew louder.
From behind the werewolves, Sreng—a saber-toothed tiger beastkin with fangs extending down to his jaw—stepped out in front of the crowd.
"Silence!"
At that single word, which erupted like thunder, everyone fell silent.
After scanning the crowd wordlessly, Sreng spoke again.
"I am Sreng, the vanguard of the Fiona Warrior Band and the one in charge of managing this tournament!"
Sreng's following words were as follows:
There were more people wishing to participate than expected.
While it was Ardri's wish to give everyone a fair chance if possible, it was realistically impossible.
Why? Because if they did that, the King would be away from the throne for too long.
"Therefore, Ardri has commanded us to weed out the participants!"
It was a measure that made sense.
In fact, according to Matthias's report, there were at least a thousand people who had submitted challenges for this World's Best Husband Contest.
While there were surely those with true skill, the majority were likely riff-raff.
Putting such people in the arena one by one would be a waste of time, to put it mildly.
Thus, Sreng raised his voice once more.
"From now on, we will conduct the preliminaries for five days! Spectators will be allowed entry starting from the main tournament, so everyone except participants, please return home!"
Muttering and complaints erupted here and there, but thanks to the beastkin who were now silently glaring, the resistance quickly subsided.
Of course, the fact that a concrete plan for how to proceed had been presented helped the most.
Since that was the case, I patted the shoulder of my brother, who was the most disappointed.
"That's how it is, Next Lord."
"Well, it's for the best since it saves me time too. I'll head back first, so if it looks like you're going to get hurt or die, surrender immediately. Got it?"
"Haha, sure."
After leaving the same farewell to Helena and Natalia, my brother headed back.
Natalia, who had been staring at his retreating back, spoke to me.
"Your brotherly bond is so deep it makes me feel good just watching."
"Haha, really?"
"Yes. It made me wonder if it wouldn't have been better if Armin had a younger or older brother..."
Armin... that was the name of Natalia's son.
The son of the Sword Saint and the Sword Princess, yet he supposedly had a surprising lack of talent for swordsmanship.
Because of that, I heard he was currently working as a low-level clerk for the Imperial Family...
Maybe because I suddenly thought of him... even that man comes to mind.
The Sword Saint Loengram, whom I personally brought to ruin.
I heard he disappeared after being dismissed as the Imperial Knight Commander and having his family shattered...
Surely he didn't enter this tournament.
As I was caught up in that sudden thought, Helena, as expected, approached my side.
"Let us go, Young Master."
"Right. Let's go, Natalia."
"Yes, Master."
At this moment, I truly could not have predicted even in my dreams.
That Natalia would be eliminated in the very first match of the main tournament.