Chapter 87: World's Greatest Husband Contest - Main Tournament (5)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 87: World's Greatest Husband Contest - Main Tournament (5)
Loengram’s sudden appearance and the end he met left everyone in the Imperial Capital in shock.
To think that a man once hailed as the Sword Saint could fall so far.
He couldn't even accept his defeat, struggling pathetically until he died by a blind sword.
Of course, in the end, people toasted to the name of the Sword Saint who had finally found his place, but Medir—the one who had put Loengram on that stage—was in no mood for celebration.
“What do you mean, Sword Saint? What do you mean, the Empire’s strongest swordsman?! That pathetic bastard, that piece of shit!! Argh!!!”
—Crash! Shatter!
Eerie smoke rose from the shards of bottles thrown against the wall.
Each one must have contained a lethal poison, as the rats scurrying nearby all convulsed and died instantly.
“Huff… huff…”
Still unable to vent his rage, Medir stood there for a long time, huffing and stomping his feet.
But no matter how much he raged or threw a tantrum, reality remained unchanged.
Medir rubbed his brow, trying to steady his ragged breathing.
“Whew… damn it… I need to calm down and plan the next move… huff…”
Plumping down onto the sewage-drenched floor of the hideout, Medir’s mind began to race.
The first thing he did was assess the current situation.
I really hate to admit it, but now that my champion is dead, I can’t have Andrasta.
There were three matches left.
Andrasta vs. Helena, Sreng vs. Leon, and Irusan vs. a wandering mage named Randolph.
Medir squeezed his brain as he recalled each of their faces.
Since it’s come to this, I should assassinate Andrasta… damn it.
Realizing he was only having such delusions because he was cornered, Medir discarded his first thought.
The idea of destroying what he couldn't have was certainly tempting, but unfortunately, assassinating Andrasta was completely unrealistic.
If there were any way to kill Andrasta, the Ardrin of Erin would have been Medir, not her.
“So, what I need to do is…”
Wait for the next opportunity.
In other words, either make it as if the contest never happened, or…
Ensure an irrelevant opponent makes it to the finals. Hmm… the latter is much more realistic.
It was impossible to nullify the main tournament now that the curtains had been raised—unless a stray dragon decided to attack the Imperial Capital.
“Though Andrasta is the type of person who would just snort and beat a dragon to death…”
Regardless, this contest was for Andrasta to find a partner and produce an heir.
Therefore, the conclusion Medir reached was to ensure either Helena or Irusan advanced to the finals.
No matter how much of an Overlord she was, a woman couldn't have a child with another woman.
Good. Now, who should I deal with first…
Sreng, Leon, Randolph.
After pondering for a long while, a sinister smile finally spread across Medir’s face.
*
The Grand Arena was heating up again today.
As if they had already forgotten what happened yesterday, the spectators filling the stands all wore excited expressions.
Watching them from the side, Natalia suddenly spoke.
“Everyone seems to be looking forward to this.”
“It’s a match they can’t help but anticipate.”
The one about to step onto that special dueling ring was Helena.
Though she carried the name of the first Sword Saint, Clausewitz, Helena was unfortunately unknown to the public.
And then… Andrasta.
There were plenty of rumors about her strength, but no one had actually seen her in action.
So, I figured people were more excited for this than the match between the famous Loengram and Natalia… but instead of voicing that thought, I decided to gently wrap my arm around Natalia’s shoulder.
“You didn’t have to come. Helena said so too.”
Just yesterday, Natalia had killed her ex-husband on that very stage.
Even if he was a husband in name only, a man she hadn't loved for a single second, a man who had literally trampled over her entire life and failed to receive even a shred of sympathy from his own son—a man who was more of an enemy than a stranger…
Even so, a shadow still hung over Natalia’s face.
Perhaps because of that, she whispered in a slightly hollow voice.
“As you already know… I have killed many people before.”
Yes, I knew that.
In the past, Natalia had traveled the country with Helena to train in swordsmanship.
In that process, she must have killed countless beasts and monsters in human form.
“That doesn't mean it’s okay, though.”
“…Yes.”
Killing is killing.
It is never something to be enjoyed, nor should it be.
It shouldn't feel okay.
No matter how much of a piece of human trash Loengram was, no matter if she had no choice but to do it to protect herself, and no matter if she faced no legal punishment or responsibility…
“That is the boundary that separates humans from monsters.”
Sitri suddenly interjected.
The faint smile she always wore was gone, replaced by an incredibly serious expression as she looked at Natalia and me.
“When you live an immortal life, there comes a point where you forget the weight of a soul. Five hundred years ago, those who contracted with me and gained immortal bodies forgot it all too easily. I am glad to see that you two are different.”
“…Somehow, that doesn't sound like a compliment.”
“It isn't. It is a warning. Those who forgot the weight of life all met the same end.”
I remembered the story Sitri had told me once.
The immortals who had made contracts with Great Demons, gained immortal bodies, and then plunged the world into chaos.
The Holy Emperor Solomon had beheaded every single one of them and ripped out their hearts.
Sitri stroked my face and Natalia’s silent face with both hands.
“I hope you two do not meet such an end. Unfortunately, as someone who is not human, I cannot fathom your agony and pain, but please, do not forget the heart you have now.”
What started as a warning had turned into a desperate wish and a plea.
A plea for us not to become monsters.
I nodded silently, and Natalia also closed her eyes and nodded.
At that moment, amidst the roaring cheers, another person joined us.
“Huh? What’s this? Why is the mood so gloomy?”
The newcomer was Valeria.
She had just returned after stepping out for a moment, so she looked completely clueless… and yet.
Her intuition was incredibly sharp.
“Hmm… sounds like you were talking about yesterday.”
“Well…”
I glanced at Natalia.
After all, she was the one involved.
Fortunately, Sitri’s comfort and advice seemed to have reached her, as Natalia’s expression looked much lighter.
It’s not exactly ‘lighter,’ but more like… she’s decided to accept it and endure it.
She wouldn't cling to the past.
But with clear eyes that seemed to say she wouldn't forget it either, Natalia looked at Valeria.
Only then did Valeria pull Natalia into a tight hug.
“I can’t spar with you, but I’m always here to talk. Whether it’s a serious conversation or just light gossip, I’m your girl. Got it, honey?”
“Fufu, yes. Thank you. But… are you calling me ‘honey’ too…?”
“Just for today. Anyway, if you don’t start focusing, Helena’s going to feel left out.”
As soon as she finished speaking, I turned my head and saw Andrasta and Helena already standing on the dueling ring.
Naturally, I had to root for Helena, but…
What if Helena actually wins?
If Andrasta wins, Helena loses.
If Helena wins, I won't be able to fuck… no, no, I won't be able to show Andrasta my love.
With a conflicted heart, I watched Helena and Andrasta.
*
“A naturally leaking aura, a flawless stance. You were impressive during the preliminaries, but you are even more magnificent today.”
“Fufu, you flatter me.”
Before clashing fists and steel, Andrasta and Helena spoke first.
Andrasta looked genuinely happy to have met a rare opponent.
However, seeing Helena glancing subtly in my direction, it seemed she was worried about Natalia.
Whether that caught her eye or she simply wanted to act like a king…
Andrasta spoke to Helena once more.
“It seems you are preoccupied with what happened yesterday.”
“…My apologies. I have been impolite.”
“Haha, don't worry about it. I may not understand as well as you do, but I am aware of the general circumstances.”
“Is that… so.”
“However, I have no intention of claiming I understand. I will not offer words of comfort or condolence. I am merely a King from a distant land.”
Therefore, there is only one thing I can give you.
With a determined gaze that seemed to say exactly that, Andrasta took her stance against Helena.
She leaned her center of gravity forward and let her left fist hang loosely.
At a glance, it looked similar to the stance typically taken by a boxer—specifically, an out-boxer.
—Shring…
Your circumstances are none of my business.
In response to Andrasta’s attitude, Helena also drew her sword.
With a face that said she would forget everything else and focus only on this moment.
“Fufu, my heart is pounding. Helena, how about you?”
“I am currently pondering how to avoid injuring Your Majesty too severely.”
“Hahaha, good! Sreng! I’ve waited long enough!”
The cheers that had been dying down for a while now ceased completely.
In the silence that felt like the calm before a storm, Sreng’s shout erupted like a bolt of thunder.
“Killing your opponent results in disqualification under any circumstances! Other than that, everything is permitted! Main Tournament, Second Match, begin!”