Chapter 80: World's Best Partner Selection Tournament—Preliminaries (3)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 80: World's Best Partner Selection Tournament—Preliminaries (3)
In the end, I stepped out of the Grand Arena without having gained a single thing.
The sky was still dazzlingly clear.
The Imperial Capital, bathed in the bright sunlight, looked as brilliant as ever, but an unemployed slacker with nothing to do could only let out a tedious sigh…
“Phew…”
I had told myself I wouldn't lose, that I couldn't lose, that I must not lose.
I had even gone out with such firm determination for once.
Perhaps because of the strange sense of futility and the feeling of being drained, I soon found myself sprawled out on a bench near the Grand Arena.
There was a bit of useless calculation involved—thinking that if I killed some time before going back, I could at least minimize my brother’s teasing.
‘But… for some reason, I feel like someone is watching me…’
It wasn't just a gaze; I felt a shadow falling over my face.
I peeked one eye open and saw a very familiar person looking down at me with a smile.
“Natalia?”
“Hehe, so this is where you were.”
“What about the preliminaries?”
“I’m in Group 5. Lena is in Group 2, so she’s still inside the stadium. Master, you are…”
“I’m Group 10. Almost the very last.”
“I see. Hmm…”
Natalia naturally leaned against my shoulder, her face clearly filled with disappointment.
She had been looking forward to this, hoping to compete fairly against a skilled opponent…
“That’s a shame.”
“It can’t be helped…”
As the two of us, now with nothing to do, stared blankly at the sky—
—Thump!
The sound of the ground shaking echoed from inside the stadium.
It was a sound so loud that everyone passing by stopped in their tracks and looked toward the arena.
Even Natalia’s eyes widened in surprise.
“I don’t know who that was, but they’re incredible.”
“It’s definitely Andrasta.”
Her subjects probably know better than anyone that their Queen is a battle-crazed woman, so Andrasta likely entered the first preliminary group.
Excited by the fact that everyone around her was an enemy, perhaps Andrasta had stomped her foot too hard in her excitement?
Or maybe a light punch of hers had slammed into the ground.
“…But would that make such a loud noise? I even felt the vibration.”
“She’s that kind of woman. Her normal attacks are two-hit multi-target attacks with an instant-death effect…”
Talking like that reminds me of a certain mother. The one who loved her son so much she followed him to another world…
However, Natalia’s head remained turned toward the stadium.
“Are you that curious?”
“Ah… haha…”
Natalia laughed awkwardly, but her hand refused to leave her sword.
Andrasta is one thing… but Natalia has quite the battle-crazed streak herself…
‘Maybe that’s why she’s the most intense when we’re in bed together…’
Anyway, I was curious too.
Would the Andrasta of this world be as strong as I remember, or would she exceed my expectations?
As I looked toward the stadium, Sitri suddenly emerged from the sword.
Natalia immediately gave Sitri a warm greeting.
“Oh, Lady Sitri. Seeing you like this, you look just like a person.”
“Setting the tail aside, wouldn't the horns and wings be a nuisance if they stood out? By the way, why are you not going in?”
Sitri’s gaze was fixed on me.
She asked why I wasn't going in, but she surely didn't ask because she didn't know the reason.
“Sreng told everyone to leave.”
“Hmph, I didn't realize you were the type to leave just because someone told you to.”
…That’s true. Why did I follow the instructions so obediently?
I immediately sprang up from the bench and grabbed Natalia’s hand.
“M-Master?”
“If we go now, we can still catch Helena’s match. Aren't you curious?”
“…Let’s go right now. As her older sister, I can’t give up on cheering for my sibling.”
At a glance, it looked like deep sisterly affection… but the glint in Natalia’s eyes said something else.
“You aren't thinking that if you’re lucky, you might get to have a match with Andrasta, are you?”
“Huh? N-No way. Ha, haha, ahaha…”
“…Just in case, let me tell you this in advance: regardless of anything else, Andrasta is a King. What do they call someone who points a blade or attacks a person like that first?”
“That… that’s… ugh… hmph… is it really not allowed…?”
“Only if you want to be called ‘Regicide’ instead of ‘Sword Princess.’”
“Sigh… fine… I’ll just cheer quietly…”
And so, we headed back into the stadium.
We bypassed the beastkin warriors blocking the way using Sitri’s and my all-purpose Suggestion.
*
“She really tore the place up.”
Just as I expected, the first preliminary match was Andrasta’s victory.
She had created two massive craters in the Grand Arena, which the Empire’s engineers and laborers had built with blood, sweat, and tears.
Around her, the Fiona Warrior Band was busy carrying away challengers who were foaming at the mouth and unconscious on stretchers.
Of course, Andrasta stood there with a very dissatisfied look on her face… but.
“Hehe, still, she’s returning to the spectator seats obediently. I thought she would scream about wanting to participate in the second match as well.”
As Sitri said, Andrasta was returning to her royal seat like a proper Queen.
Perhaps her departing figure lingered in her mind, as Natalia let out a complaint of her own.
“Haa… I think I understand… that feeling… wanting to live however you please, regardless of the throne or anything else…”
“Hmm? What, does that mean you can’t live however you please right now?”
“Hehe, that’s not what I meant. I love this sword… but I love Master’s sword just as much, no, even more.”
As if to show it wasn't just words, Natalia subtly reached her hand toward my waist.
Furthermore, she even slipped it inside my pants in an instant…
“This isn't really the place… gah…”
“Since we didn't do it this morning, I was trying to soothe you like this… how is it…?”
I couldn't pull away from Natalia’s hand wriggling inside my pants.
Not only did I want to let her, but I had completely forgotten that I should stop her.
Just as I was about to reach my own hand inside Natalia’s clothes—
“I’m sorry to interrupt while you’re heating up, but it seems Helena’s match is about to begin.”
In that case, I had no choice but to focus on the match.
Leaving our intense lingering regrets behind, Natalia and I looked at Helena, who stood out even from a distance.
At the same time, Sreng’s thunderous roar echoed throughout the stadium.
“Begin!”
*
Leon and his companions weren't the only ones who had snuck into the Grand Arena.
The brighter the light, the darker the shadow.
To Medir, who lived in dark alleys and damp sewers, the Grand Arena was like a piece of cheese full of holes.
‘As expected, Her Majesty passed the preliminaries. Now, next is the confirmation of variables.’
Even while making such calculations in his head, Medir’s eyes were fixed only on Andrasta.
“Ooh…”
That clear gaze without a hint of hesitation.
That perfect body without a single scar, let alone a blemish.
That overwhelming power that no one could match.
‘Everything is truly perfect… but the most beautiful thing is…’
Did she instinctively sense the gaze filled with intense desire?
Andrasta looked toward Medir, who was hidden in the darkness far away, as if piercing through him in an instant.
She wore a light smile, as if saying, Go ahead and try your best.
Everything about Andrasta fascinated Medir, but it was that smile and that gaze that captured his very soul.
While all his compatriots pointed fingers and spat at Medir’s hideous appearance and sinister nature—
Only the Queen of Erin looked at Medir, whom everyone called filthy and lowly, the same way she looked at everyone else, and treated him the same as everyone else.
“…Yes, Your Majesty. Without fail.”
Medir knelt toward Andrasta, who was no longer looking at him.
At a glance, he looked like a loyal subject of all time, swearing eternal fealty even though no one would ever know.
‘I will definitely have you…’
Of course, as is the case with distorted and twisted individuals, the only feeling he harbored for the Queen was a sense of possession.
“Waaaaah!!”
A sudden roar from the stadium snapped Medir back to reality.
Only then did Medir turn his gaze from Andrasta toward the arena.
In that moment, Medir furrowed his narrow brow as hard as he could.
“Tsk… she’s much stronger than I thought.”
Dozens of humans and beastkin were swinging weapons, fists, and magic at each other.
Most of them were riffraff that fell far short of Medir’s expectations, but one female swordsman caught his eye.
Not only Medir, but Sreng and Irusan—who had no equals even within the Fiona Warrior Band—and even Andrasta, who reigned above them all, were having their attention stolen.
‘That human woman with the dark blue hair… she’s not being serious at all.’
The warrior who stood out the most was, of course, Helena.
Without blinking an eye or shedding a single drop of sweat, Helena walked with the leisure of a noble crane.
She didn't even swing the sword in her hand, only lightly wielding the scabbard in her left.
‘That skill in aiming precisely for vital points. She’s on par with Irusan… no, considering she hasn't revealed her full strength at all, it’s safe to say she’s a step above. Hmm… it’s a relief she’s a woman. No matter how much of an Ardrin she is, two women can’t make a child.’
Even while Medir was analyzing and feeling relieved, Helena’s scabbard was flashing through the dust clouds.
Of course, each time it did, a desperate scream rang out.
—Whack!
“Gah!”
—Thwack!
“Aaaagh!”
Even in the chaotic mess where everyone but herself was an enemy, Helena’s expression remained terrifyingly cold.
Her stern face, from which no emotion could be read, was striking fear even into a bull-headed beastkin intoxicated by the heat of battle… but.
Fear spreads faster and wider than any plague.
Soon, everyone was pointing their weapons at Helena and chanting spells.
At that sight, not only Andrasta but also Medir were watching with eyes shining brighter than ever.
‘Now, make her reveal even a bit of her true strength. Even incompetent fools should be able to manage that much.’
However, contrary to Medir’s expectations, Helena still held only the scabbard in her left hand.
Sometimes, a single gesture or posture says more than many words.
Helena’s posture was saying that even if all of them attacked at once, her left hand alone would be enough.
“Moooooo!!”
“Attack her together!”
“Waaaaah!!”
Fear quickly turned into rage, and all the challengers rushed toward Helena.
Because of that, a dust cloud thicker than ever before billowed up.
Even Andrasta couldn't see what was happening inside, but she could hear it clearly.
“Guaaaaah!!”
“Mooo…!”
“I-It’s a monster!!”
The sounds leaking out from the thick dust cloud were all the same.
A heavy impact was followed by the sound of breaking bones, and the end was always a desperate scream.
Consequently, a clicking sound finally escaped Medir’s mouth.
“Tsk… incompetent fools. They can’t even make her use a technique, let alone swing her sword.”
The dense dust cloud cleared, and the only person standing was Helena.
Without taking anyone’s life and without shedding a single drop of blood, Helena stood as the sole victor.
Of course, Medir’s stomach churned even more at that sight…
But Andrasta, who had suddenly leaped down in front of Helena, had a look of boundless joy on her face.
“Splendid! I wish to hear your name!”
“I am Helena Clausewitz.”
“Clausewitz… Ah! The descendant of the Sword Saint who was said to have slain a dragon and saved the country!”
“Yes. Embarrassingly, I am a person lacking the merit to carry the name of my great ancestor…”
“Hahaha, you even possess the virtue of modesty. You are truly the Sword of the Empire. I shall remember your name.”
“I sincerely thank you for your excessive praise. I, too, earnestly look forward to the day I may compete with Your Majesty.”
“Good! I, too, shall count the days until I can face you!”
A warrior worthy of the Overlord leaping down to offer unstinting praise.
Medir clicked his tongue once more at the scene.
‘So it was the Clausewitz family. However, the fact that she participated in this tournament means she is someone who hasn't reached the pinnacle. In other words, she is no match for my Great Warrior.’
Because the card in my hand isn't a descendant of a Sword Saint, but the Sword Saint himself.
Adding certainty to his confidence that he held the strongest card, Medir hid himself deeper into the darkness.