The Opening Match
The long-awaited Imperial Swordsmanship Tournament had finally begun. The capital, and even people from beyond the empire's borders, flooded in for this grand festival.
The arena was packed to bursting, and every single spectator was eagerly awaiting one particular match—the clash between the two swords of the empire.
“Then, everyone! The opening ceremony you've all been waiting for will now begin!”
With the crowd's thunderous cheers, fireworks exploded across the sky and the parade commenced.
“Kairen.”
“Yes, Father. It has finally started.”
The head of House Valkazar stared at his two children, Kairen and Adria, with a sour expression.
“In the end, the Imperial Swordsmanship Tournament ended up being held after all that fuss.”
“Yes, that's correct. There were various issues, but our House Valkazar has been given the role of managing this festival.”
Adria immediately listed off his accomplishments, flattering his father.
“But what exactly happened with that Cromwell matter?”
“That is…”
“The bastard who was funding us—why in the world did he get himself thrown in prison for meddling in other affairs?”
“Please do not worry, Father.”
Yet the moment the Cromwell family was mentioned, Adria shrank back. The pendant and murder incident had been completely unforeseen.
The Cromwell family, whom they had believed loyal only to House Valkazar, had actually spread their influence to far more houses than expected. This incident too had caught House Valkazar off guard.
“But in the end, it turned out well, Father.”
“What do you mean?”
“All of House Cromwell's capital has been recovered. Their family stands on the brink of destruction, and we no longer need to be swayed by their support. After all, our house has legally claimed their assets.”
“However…”
The head of House Valkazar continued glaring at Adria with an expression that showed his anger had not yet subsided.
“However, part of their wealth went to House Valteria. Under the pretext of a reward for slaying Damian, Valteria has essentially achieved economic independence.”
“......”
“Do you understand what this means?”
“That is…”
“Kairen. You, the next head of the family—answer me.”
“Eh? Ah…”
When the arrow of the question suddenly pointed at Kairen, the eldest son of House Valkazar, who had been distracted, froze in momentary panic.
“Haa…”
Kairen let out a deep sigh filled with many meanings.
“Father. Although House Valteria has been restored…”
Adria quickly jumped in to continue.
“They have merely risen from commoners to nobles. That is all.”
“......”
“It will be difficult for them to reclaim the authority of the former imperial family, so please rest assured.”
“Adria.”
“Yes, Father.”
At his father's still-angry tone, Adria shrank back slightly.
“House Valkazar has always had one single goal.”
“......”
“To one day stand at the pinnacle of the empire. Although we currently flatter Valerius, someday…”
“Father. This is not the place to speak of such things…”
“Yet look at the current situation. At a time when we should be surpassing our rivals, a dead rival has come back to life.”
“......”
“And you, girl—are you rejoicing over the mere addition of a few measly coins?!”
“I am sorry.”
The head of House Valkazar irritably slammed his fist down on the armrest of his chair repeatedly. His two children could only watch in silence, too terrified to offer any reply.
On the other side, once the opening ceremony of the swordsmanship tournament had concluded, the first match everyone had been waiting for—the opening bout—finally began.
“Both contestants are now entering the arena! The first swordsman to be introduced is—!”
On the stage stood the head of House Valteria, well-known as the empire's sword.
“The empire's youngest Sword Saint! Leonia Valteria, who has become the head of House Valteria!”
Leonia appeared. Everyone who had gathered for the swordsmanship tournament knew that face, and they all erupted in cheers.
“Her opponent! But a face everyone knows! The empire's war hero!”
Another wave of cheers exploded. They were even more astonished by the war hero's rejuvenated appearance. And they felt a thrill at the situation of the former Sword of the Empire facing the current Sword of the Empire in peak condition.
“I hear she recently met with a skilled healer and had her eye treated! This is going to be exciting! The empire's war hero—Brika!”
Brika, as if accustomed to the pouring cheers, raised both hands and made a full circle in front of the stands. Leonia bowed her head modestly toward the audience.
“Then let us begin the swordsmanship tournament that everyone has been waiting for!”
Finally, the announcer uttered the words they had all been waiting for.
“Both contestants, step forward!”
The two figures, swords in hand, approached each other and exchanged brief greetings.
“The duel will be won by the first to score ten points!”
“......”
“......”
“Begin the duel!”
The crowd's cheers suddenly fell silent. They held their breath and focused entirely on the match.
Clang.
Leonia, who had been stepping lightly, swung her sword while maintaining a suitable distance to gauge her opponent's strength. Brika didn't get drawn in and simply parried the blow appropriately.
“Haaap!”
Leonia swung her sword several times before closing the distance rapidly.
“Ah! First point!”
Leonia had taken the first score.
“Hoo… You're fast.”
“I heard you were busy with the investigation, but unfortunately, my diligent practice gives me the win here.”
“Is that so?”
Whoosh. This time Brika swung her sword. Clang. Leonia deflected it. Then, without missing the opportunity, she immediately counterattacked.
“Ah! Lady Leonia scores another point!”
The scoreboard showed 2 to 0.
Clang. Clang.
Afterward, the two engaged in a fast-paced exchange led by Brika. Whoosh.
However, the sharp-eyed Leonia skillfully blocked every attack and countered.
Clang.
“Ah! She gives up another point!”
Before long, the score raced to 6-0, with Leonia beginning to dominate.
“Hoo…”
But Brika looked at Leonia with a strangely confident expression.
“Good. I can see it now.”
Leaving behind those meaningful words…
Clang.
“Oh?!”
This time, she succeeded in landing her own attack.
“Ah! Finally, our war hero scores her first point!”
“Hoo…”
“Did you think it was just luck? Then try blocking this one too!”
“Ugh?!”
Whoosh. Clang. Brika charged in again. Leonia blocked the attack and attempted a counter.
“Ugh?!”
But once again, it was Brika's victory.
“Score! It's now 6 to 2!”
Brika continued charging forward with the same aggressive momentum.
“Ah! Again!”
Without losing her drive, she closed the gap to 6-4.
“Hoo… I mustn't let my guard down…”
Leonia steadied her breathing and reassessed the situation.
“Here I come again!”
Brika charged without giving her any time to rest.
She's coming!
Leonia began to focus. She started analyzing Brika's tactics from moments ago.
A feint from high to low…
Brika would strike from above first, but she wouldn't follow up with another high attack. Instead, she would change the trajectory of her sword and immediately target the lower section—Leonia's left leg.
All four attacks had followed the same pattern. No, even in the previous six losses, Brika had somehow repeated similar attacks.
Let's see how quickly you catch on, Leonia!
It was as if she had planned it deliberately.
“Ugh?!”
Leonia barely managed to evade the attack that came in the same way. Sure enough, Brika was repeating the exact same attack pattern.
“Here I come again, Leonia!”
“Ugh?!”
Brika charged once more. Leonia dodged the attack. It was the same pattern. While she could somehow barely avoid it, counterattacking was not easy.
And then—
“Ah! She takes another point! You must fight harder, Lady Leonia! The score is now 6 to 5!”
If she let her guard down even slightly, even dodging became strangely difficult.
Why?
She completely understood the enemy's attack pattern. In such a situation, she should be able to counter the enemy's attacks easily. Yet even though she knew the opponent's tactics, it wasn't happening easily. Why?
“Ah!”
“Have you finally realized?”
“Ugh?!”
Clang.
“Ah! It's 6 to 6!”
The moment the score was tied, Leonia recalled her recent sparring session with Selene.
Leonia. One habit remains.
In the end, Leonia had not been able to correct that last remaining habit. Since Selene hadn't told her what it was, she still didn't even know what that habit was.
And then—
“Here I go!”
Clang.
“Ah! That was close again!”
Brika clearly seemed to know about Leonia's habit. Otherwise, there was no way she would keep repeating attacks in the exact same manner.
“I see.”
And Leonia realized something. This duel was one she could never win unless she overcame the habit she herself possessed…
Clang.
Leonia focused with all her might, pouring every ounce of concentration into evasion. At the same time, she focused on her own body, desperately trying to find that last remaining habit.
Lower attacks… So is the problem with my leg?
Leonia looked at her right leg, which had grown numb from being struck repeatedly.
Did I overextend? No.
But her leg was fine. Her stance was solid, and her leg was neither too far forward nor too far back. In fact, one of the habits she had already corrected was her leg posture, so there was no way the same mistake would appear in the same position.
Then where? My arm? Shoulder? Or did I close my eyes?
Leonia mobilized all her senses to examine her entire body. However, she couldn't detect any suspicious signs.
“Ah! What an incredible close contest! Neither side can gain the upper hand!”
After analyzing her own body while keeping distance from Brika for quite some time, Leonia finally came to a conclusion.
In the end, I have no choice but to clash head-on!
To clearly identify this unknown habit of hers, the only sure way was to put herself in the exact same situation once more…
Swish.
Thus, Leonia changed her stance and stopped evading. When Brika's attack came again, she took a stance ready to counter.
And then—
Taht.
“Ah! Reversal! Contestant Brika takes the lead by one point!”
The moment the scoreboard showed 6 to 7—
“You bastard.”
Brika smiled as she saw Leonia's expression finally relax.
“It looks like you've finally noticed!”
“Perhaps.”
“Good! Come at me with everything you've got!”
Clang!
This time, Leonia immediately moved, and—
“Ah! She countered again!”
The scoreboard began showing 7 to 7.