The morning of the third day of the tournament, the Reaper, who had sleeplessly deployed the Dimension, was about to go to sleep.
She was about to go to sleep after she had been sleepless and deploying Dimension. I asked her to deploy the last Dimension before she went to sleep.
Through the "connection", we share and grasp the Reaper's magical senses.
Snow seems to be trying to go to the game normally, but something is wrong with Rowen.
It's to be expected that Ryner is next to her, but the situation around her is hectic.
He is surrounded by many people and appears to be unable to move.
The reason for this was immediately apparent.
It was because he had defeated the 'strongest' fighter, Glen Walker, in yesterday's match.
Because of that, many people seemed to be expecting Rowen to be the next 'strongest'. Some were simple spectators, while others tried to get closer by subterfuge. It's the same as I did at the ball one day. Loewen, who has no clue what to do, can't change her accommodation and can't avoid it.
Maybe she's been like this since yesterday.
If that's the case, I can see why there was no movement last night.
'Kanami, how are you feeling ......?'
Rastiara goes to check on me.
'...... sucks. I'm dizzy with nausea and a headache. I'm starting to feel dizzy and unintelligible.
My vision is not functioning properly.
It's as blurry as the water.
I've lost my sense of balance and feel like I'm constantly on a boat in a storm.
I've given up the ability to think properly. Trying to think deeper only makes it harder.
'Yeah, yeah, that's good. It's best if I can't stand up tomorrow.
Just hearing a woman's high-pitched voice is irritating. I can see myself losing my composure and getting short-tempered. My face naturally gets tighter.
Dia-chan, who can't bear to see that, calls out to me.
'Ka, Kanami, are you sure you're okay ......?'
'...... Thanks, Dear. But don't worry, this is what you need to do. I'm more worried about that.
Or rather, there's no point in thinking about me.
More importantly, there's something else to think about. The fight with Snow.
Yeah, don't worry about it. You're going to have to let Dia-chan join the fight and give it her all from the start. You can't lose.
Rustyala thumps his chest confidently.
'Yes. ......'
I know that.
It's just that I'm worried about the opposite.
'You're the one who's worried about Snow? I'm sorry, but I can't go easy on you. Maybe you have to kill them to stop them.
Rastiara knew how I felt.
Still, he doesn't even promise not to kill me.
...... Snow's just a little trapped," he said. If you can, just avoid killing him. Please.
'It's reckless, really. ...... But really, it's just up to Dear.
Rustyala turns a difficult face to Dear.
'Me?!
'To be frank, the only time Snow dies is if Dear snaps. Definitely don't fire your magic at full force until I tell you to.
'I know, I know ....... In battle, I follow Rastiara .......
'Good. It really helps that Dia is so calm.
But Rustyala would rather kill Snow than have Diah die. We've known each other for a short time, but I understand her priorities.
I'm the only person here who really cares about Snow. It's frustrating that I can't fight Snow when it matters.
This is the moment of truth. Kanami finished the game before Loewen and joined us. We'll beat Snow to the ground. And then we destroy 'The Armband' in the semi-finals where no one can interfere! --I'll do it!
Rustyala breaks off the conversation.
I give up too and focus on my own game.
'Yeah, that's it.'
We split up and headed for our respective matches.
I'll go with Elmirad Siddharth--
Rustyala and his team have a game against Snow.
The fourth round begins.
◆◆◆◆◆
In the center of the arena, me and Mr. Siddharq are facing each other.
The ringing in my ears doesn't stop.
My vision, which used to be like swimming in water, now feels like walking in deep water.
The conditions are terrible.
Apparently my condition was at its limit at the time of yesterday's game.
I'm at a loss for words, and it's unbearable to feel as if I'm in an unbearable dream.
I don't even remember where I went or how I got here.
Before I knew it, I was inside the arena, facing Mr. Siddharth.
This fourth round would be the quarterfinals.
The arena was bigger than before, and there were more people watching. The large capacity venue was filled with loud voices.
It was full of spectators who were excited and excited for the upcoming battle.
-- but all of that doesn't matter.
I don't have the time to pay attention to it all.
I'm not sure I'll ever be able to get to the point where my body is so heavy that it feels like it doesn't belong to me.
I'm sick of checking on my condition like this.
In the middle of the loud cheers that I can't even recognize, I manage to pick up only the voices related to the progress.
''--Come on! And we're headed to the master of the guild Supreme, Sir Elmirad Siddharq! He is the eldest son of that Siddharuk family and the chief knight of the Academy of Eltralew! His family background, his background, his writing, his appearance, I'd say he's perfect in every way! This is a team that has been winning this tournament, and despite the many upsets that have occurred, they have been winning well!
Listen to Siddharth's introduction.
Perhaps it's because the tournament is coming to an end, and the preliminaries are getting longer.
But I'm not really worried about it.
What I'm interested in is the match between Snow and Lastiara and his team in a different area.
"-- and that's not the only reason why his games are so popular! Lord Siddharth is making this Battle of the Dance Tournament a lot of fun and exciting! A performance in which he pledges his love to his fiancée at every game and dedicates the victory to the lady! Apparently, they're thinking of getting married at the end of the month after the 'dance competition'! And the man is the Walker's daughter, Lady Snow!
Hearing the name Snow, the sunlight burns my eyes and forces me to wake up and clear my vision.
Waveringly, he shifts his consciousness to the hostess.
'-- There's a tradition in the 'Dance Tournament' that says, 'The brave warrior who offers his love to the lady shall be rewarded with a victory'! And Sir Siddharth is the very embodiment of that, Sir Knight! He has been extolling his love for Mr. Snow at every game, and has brought a large crowd to his feet!
Mr. Siddharth approached the moderator who was addressing the audience and received what looked like a microphone in his hand.
Then, instead of the moderator, he shouted to the entire audience.
'I am Elmirad of the Siddharth family! I'd like to take this opportunity to declare something to everyone--!
That love vow you made to me...
--It was so holy and solemn, it was like a priest's congratulations. He goes on and on with his circuitous oaths in a manner that embarrasses the listener. Various big words like "love" and "destiny" and "vows" and "honor" are lined up, and finally, he raises his sword to conclude...
And with this sword, I swear that no man can defeat me! All victories, my dear Snow!
Before the convention, I had heard that this 'dance competition' was a marriage activity.
But I felt more than embarrassment and amazement at the courtship action; I felt a different emotion.
Had he been doing this for a long time?
That's what was bothering him.
If it was, Snow would have heard this a million times because of his ability to do so. It's disgusting to think that Snow might be trapped because of this oath.
--Oh, frustrating: .......
I don't want to shift the blame.
But I don't have that kind of composure right now.
It's not just a matter of time before you get to the point where you'll be able to get your hands on a new one.
"That's right! To my surprise, both of you here are engaged to the same woman! Kanami is also Lady Snow's fiancé, recommended by Glenn Walker, of course! What does he think of when he hears his rival's oath of office, yea, what does he think of! Two people who are also guild masters and have something in common with each other! What the hell kind of match is this going to be!
The audience's attention turns to me.
The microphone in the moderator's hand is pointed at me.
-- does that mean I'm supposed to do the same thing to him: .......
My grumpiness has reached its limit.
'--I've had enough.'
The words spilled out of his mouth on their own.
I'm sure that little voice didn't even reach the moderator.
'How can no one know that that kind of intrusiveness is hurting Snow ......?
It was not a word I said to anyone.
But the host backed away, exposed to the angry atmosphere emanating from me.
In the meantime, Mr. Siddharth enters.
'I know that. Me and the Walker family both.'
He seemed to have heard the little murmurings. --no, I didn't hear it, but maybe he knew what I was going to say all along.
Mr. Siddharth continues to speak very harshly, as if he had prepared it in advance.
'But it's all par for the course,'
Of course you're going to ......?
'Living as a nobleman is not an easy thing to do. But Snow knew that and he was adopted by the Walker family, a great noble family. If Snow suffered because of that, it's only natural. Still, she has no choice but to be grateful to serve her noble duty and live life to the fullest.
His very calm words, which are the opposite of what I am doing now, pierce me.
But I couldn't understand it.
I couldn't fully comprehend them in my mind, which is clouded by my health condition.
Seeing that I am silent, Siddharth continues to speak.
And that goes for me as well. As the legitimate son of the Siddharth family, I am obliged to accept every hardship that comes my way. I am prepared to go through any hardship for the sake of the Siddharth family. I am prepared to do so. If the Siddharth family wants me to be a 'hero', I will also aim to be a 'hero'.
As he speaks eloquently, he responds to my sword by pointing his own sword at it.
He doesn't seem to want to pull back.
'Elmiraad Siddharq will involve Snow Walker in a long and painful battle for the prosperity of his house. But I will not hesitate or regret it!
'So ......, is it ......?'
In response to Siddharth's shout, I weakly return the words.
I don't have the energy to scream back.
His resolve was too great for me to sympathize with him.
I can't even understand the lack of hesitation in his conviction.
It's all too dazzling to look directly at.
--just frustrating.
The intention is worthy of goodwill. I respect it. I even admire it.
But it's even more irritating than that.
My head, which was close to its limit, is getting hotter. My thoughts are on fire, and my fuzzy consciousness is being smoked.
A sticky, uncomfortable feeling.
A dull pain sticks.
I can't put my thoughts together.
My limbs tremble.
My vision is blurred.
--Oh, it's really annoying.
I don't like everything in my vision.
I don't like everything in my vision, so I want to deny everything.
"I'll destroy your dreams and your vows if you go to ....... I will destroy everything. ...... anyway, I don't like it.
...... Heh.
Mr. Siddharth took it in with glee.
The leeway is disconcerting.
'...... You'll never beat me with you.
''Fu--, hahahahahahaha!
Mr. Siddharth laughed.
I don't know the reason for that sudden smile.
With a frown and a snicker on his face, he answered the reason.
'Finally ......, you finally got serious ......! Palinclone's Choice of 'Heroes (...)' ......!
Among the reasons for this were the words I least wanted to hear right now.
The word that has been haunting me for the past few days.
'Hero'.
'Oh, there you go: ......! If I beat you in this, I'll be a 'hero (...)' --!
After that, I lose my composure.
Something that had been keeping me sane snaps with a snap.
''- again (...)! Not that again! You too (・・・・) admire 'heroes'!
Without any embellishments, I shout my true feelings.
I really want to say what I want to say, and I spit it out without a second thought.
...... Yeah, all the noble knights do. I will defeat you, become a 'hero' and take Snow as my bride!
'I'm annoyed! I don't like that! I really don't like that about the nobles (you guys)!
I keep shouting all the resentment I've had to this day, turning it into words.
'For the sake of the house, or the interest of the country, or wealth and fame! I'm tired of that stuff! Abomination, it's a pain in the ass!
I don't like all of the restrictive ideas that try to take away people's freedom.
It's made all my people crazy.
It's that kind of crappy stuff that drives me to ......!
"Less is more! Modesty! There's a peaceful happiness in the world, right? Why can't the nobles (you) understand that! Why do you care so much about 'heroes'!
Both Snow and Rowen are tied up just because they are noblemen.
They won't get along with Elmiraad Siddharq.
There's nothing good about wanting glory.
And yet, no one understands that.
I took all of that frustration out on them.
Elmirado, who took it all in stride, smiles very calmly.
...... Kanami, you really are like the 'hero' of the fairytale, aren't you? But no one should live with your kind of thinking. We all have our own births and lives.
Oh, shut up! Shut up, shut up, shut up!
I don't want to hear it.
The fact that it's a good argument makes me mad.
The more I talked, the more I was sure that Elmirad was going to be in charge.
I refuse to talk and only think about destroying his intentions.
"I won't let Snow marry a nobleman! Absolutely!
So, I'm going to mimic Elmirad and swear back.
"-- I do hereby swear! Snow Walker wants to marry me! Her love is in me! If any of you want to wed Snow Walker, you'll have to defeat me first! As long as this sword of mine is held up, no one will ever be tied to her!
He swings his sword wildly and shouts to be transmitted to the entire arena.
In response to the shout, a roar that swelled many times over comes back from the audience.
I feel like I've lost my momentum and done something that I can't take back. But I don't have the luxury of time to think about it, nor do I have the composure to do so now.
I'm sure you'll be happy to know that I'm not the only one.
I don't want Snow to suffer any more.
I can't think about anything else.
I only stare at the enemy in front of me, following my emotions.
Elmirado was shaking with wariness.
''So this is Kanami's seriousness ....... What magic, a terrible intimidation ....... This is the 'hero' ......!
Her cheeks are high and she's staring at me.
I don't like the look on his face.
'If you think beating me will make you a 'hero', you're wrong! I'm not a 'hero'! No, before that--!
I decide to crush the enemy with all my might.
I measure Elmirad's power with Gazing and compare it to my remaining strength.
"--Elmirad! You'll never beat me in anything! There's no way we can win!
'Oh, you may be right ....... You might not even be able to get your foot in the door ......! But I never fought because I thought I couldn't win! It's happening right now! I'll beat you one-on-one and be a 'hero'! All for the Siddharth family!
After this conversation, I take a step forward.
Elmirad also walks forward as well.
''Eh, let's see, ...... does that mean you're going to fight for 'honor as a hero' and 'the right to be engaged to Snow-sama' ......? Now we're going to have a one-on-one no rule ......?
An anxious voice interrupts us from the side.
But we don't stop.
Neither I nor Elmirad can see anything but the enemy in front of us anymore.
Without answering, the distance between us is decreasing.
''--Lyi, both parties are deemed to have agreed on this! 'The fourth match of the Northern Area of the Ichinotsuki United Knight's General Knight's Seed Ball will begin!
Taking that declaration as a signal, Elmirad and I ran out.
The distance between us is less than ten meters.
Soon we'll be in contact.
However, before we can make contact, Elmirad's magic is released.
''--[Ice Phalanx]!
It's called Di Winter.
I cast a jamming spell in time with the magic.
Of course, I don't succeed.
Naturally, countermeasures were taken. The magic tools on Elmirad's person are shattered and the completed freezing magic is released towards us.
Countless ice stakes are flying in.
I have no choice but to avoid them with my eyes and move forward while dodging them.
Elmirad is a knight who is more of a wizard.
There's no doubt that short distances are more advantageous than long distances.
Forcefully closing the distance, I get close enough to reach the sword.
Just before he swings his sword, Elmirad's high-speed magic is released again.
''--[Lightning Line]!
A purple light bounces in front of me.
I twisted around and avoided a direct hit.
But I catch that electric shock with half my body, and numbness rushes through my entire body.
But that's no matter.
It doesn't matter if it's a little difficult to move.
It is too sluggish to move well to begin with.
The sword and sword crossed, followed by a high-pitched sound that echoed in my head.
It's a battle of wits, and I try to push Elmirad down with more force. Looking at the muscle strength of his status, I have the advantage when it comes to power comparison.
In contrast, Elmirad leans on his sword and reflects my power.
I understood that with the 《Dimension》. However, although I understood it, my body didn't react to it.
At the same time, the MP that had been slightly recovered in one night was depleted and the 《Dimension》 was released.
My body and magic power didn't move as I thought. It's as if the tar with an abnormal sticky force is twisting around my entire body. I break my stance and fall onto Elmirad's side.
''--[WIND BURST]!
I'm on the verge of collapsing, and an unchained magic attacks me.
Elmirado's strength is that his flexible sword skills and high-speed magic are integrated into one.
All movements are logically organized and work together without waste.
''Kuu!''
I was hit by a strong wind, and was flung away.
If you are an ordinary person, it might be a shock that would make you unable to fight, but it's not a decisive blow against me, who is clothed in an unusual magical power.
However, a distance has been created.
''--[Aquaspread]!
Water magic crawls across the ground and pounces on me.
Still, I run as I did in the beginning.
Just the same.
The mistake I made earlier was trying to avoid the lightning magic.
No need to avoid it.
I'm not going to be able to get the same level of improvised magic as this one, so it's not a big deal if you eat it.
That's how far my durability is from being human.
You should have attacked that place more forcefully while eating magic.
I dodge the water magic spewing from below and approach again.
''--【Flame Arrow】!
An arrow of fire is released.
I crush it with my left hand, which is not holding the sword (・・・・).
The flame magic saved me.
I'm used to eating flame magic, and I have the 'Red Talisman', which acts on flames, down around my neck.
I ignore my heat-scarred left hand and bring my sword down.
Elmirado, who was prevented from "Fire Arrow" in an unexpected way, has no choice but to catch the sword.
He strikes the sword repeatedly at Elmirado, who has an opening.
Elmirado's hand holding the sword gradually loosens, and I strike a thudding blow there. His sword is flung into the air by the impact.
Now the weapon is gone.
All that's left is to hold the sword to his throat and try to choke--
Oh my God!
Elmirado gave up his sword and kicked his left leg up as he fell.
My reaction is delayed by the unexpected counterattack. I catch it with my right arm.
''--[Impulse]!
Elmirad released his magic with his left foot.
The magic tool on her ankle broke and the vibrating magic sent a shock to her right arm.
The impact causes me to drop the sword I was holding.
It seems that my grip, which was weaker than I expected, was unable to withstand the impact of the 《Impulse》.
I knew that my body was not strong enough, but I didn't think it would go this far.
And right in front of me was Elmirad, who was trying to strike me.
I had no choice but to respond to it with my fists.
First, Elmirad's right fist shoots at my face, and I block it with my left arm.
Next, a left fist is struck to the side of my stomach. It retreats and scoffs.
Perhaps because of his inferior muscle strength, Elmirado doesn't try to grab it.
It seems that it intends to fight with blows as thoroughly as possible.
However, this one is hoping for a fistfight as well.
It's difficult to shoot magic in a breathless fistfight. If you try to forcefully mix magic, you can stop it by hitting him in the stomach as well as in the eyes. Being able to take the magic away from that Elmirado is huge.
Most importantly, I'm tempted to hit the man in front of me.
Maybe he feels the same way.
'Kanamiiiiii--!
Elmiraaad--!
Me and Elmirado just start hitting each other on instinct, without any effort.
The fist I strike, the arm I defend - it hurts.
But along with the pain, I also felt a sense of comfort.
It was a strange feeling, as if the mud in my body was being washed away.
This is the "dancing tournament" where talented warriors gather.
On a stage where swords and magic are supposed to be dancing, a ruthlessly muddy fistfight is taking place.
However, the cheers do not stop.
On the contrary, the voltage keeps rising.
My head hurts from the cheers and I try to hit Elmirad in the face, but it doesn't work.
Even though I'm not as strong as I should be, I'm still vastly superior to him in terms of muscle strength and speed.
I'm sure that my reflexes and kinetic vision are probably just as good.
However, the level of training in "body arts" is completely different. I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make it work.
I wanted to understand and imitate the technique like I did with Rowen, but I quickly gave up.
There was no way he could make such a calculation if his thinking skills were being cut down like this.
Anyway, it's just too much trouble to think.
In the end, the only choice I could make was to gorge myself on the difference in ability.
The only thing I can think of is to crush it with all my might.
So--
-- Midwinter in the Overcrowded Dimension (Die Overwinter).
Deploys maximum magic through unchallenging.
I know I'm missing a lot of things.
But somehow I was convinced that it would work even if it was lacking.
The 'display' I'm seeing for the first time is changing at a dizzying pace.
[Status]
HP102/316 0/751
[Status]
HP95/309 0/751
[Status]
HP89/303 0/751--
Decreasing numbers.
I've never seen them before, but my body understands them.
Now, I'm using magic, and it's costing my life.
Sparks and flames flare up inside my boiling head.
I can taste death from the back of my tongue, along with the sensation that my brain cells are burning to death in a puffy way.
But it's okay.
The only thing that mattered now was beating the man in front of him to the ground until he was completely defeated.
The Midwinter of the Overcrowded Dimension (Di Overwinter) clings to me and Elmirad.
And I'll figure out all of the moves.
However, I don't have enough time to calculate the best move to deal with it. I can only reflexively intercept the enemy.
Just figure out the movement, avoid it and hit it, avoid it and hit it.
What I'm doing is the same, but thanks to the magic, my reflexes and kinetic vision have jumped dozens of times.
Furthermore, the Midwinter of the Overcrowded Dimension (Di Overwinter) is chilling Elmirad's arms and slowing down his movements.
Inevitably, only my fist strikes Elmirad's entire body.
The head, arms, chest, abdomen, all are struck, and my fist catches Elmirado's jaw in a tome.
His head is shaken and he breaks his knees.
Slowly he falls forward.
I release the spell as Elmirad gets his hands and feet on the dirt.
He gave it all he had and finally collapsed.
I can tell from the information I can get by 'watching' that he can't get up.
--I win.
Elmirado wakes up and looks up at me.
It's like a winner and a loser.
I'm sure I've crushed Elmirad's dreams and vows.
But the eyes of Elmirad looking at me do not change.
I'm not going to be able to say that I'm not going to be able to do anything about it.
Even though he did what I wanted with his power, the irritation didn't stop in the end.
''Haha, haha ......, you've lost. ......
Hearing Elmirade's declaration of defeat, my head rapidly goes cold.
And at the same time, I also realize that I've lost.
In the end, I only won by letting my body's bizarre talent do the talking.
There's no way I can stop people from seeing me as a 'hero' because of that. For me to truly win, I had to beat him in a much different way.
'It's so frustrating ....... Yeah, I wanted to win. I really wanted to win: ....... So much for me: .......
Elmiraad is frustrated.
He really didn't get to be a "hero.
I was disappointed too.
Until the end, I was only seen by him as a 'hero'.
No words from Aikawa Uzumi ever reached me.
I was shocked to realize that.
But there's no taking it back.
He regains a small amount of composure, and various points of reflection come into view.
I haven't even regained my memory, but I let the momentum take over and made a ridiculous oath.
I stand there, sweating profusely in a cold sweat.
Then a breathless Elmirado speaks to me.
...... Hey, Kanami. I'm sure you're not the only one who's interested in this. But that's the poor kid. ...... Please help her if you can.
It was a far cry from the way he'd been acting before the game, and he sounded like he cared about Snow.
Maybe all of that prepared speech was an act to get me to take him seriously.
No, on the contrary, everything about him as a legitimate son of the Siddharth family--
I reply with a bitter face.
...... I'm not a 'hero'. The only thing I can say with certainty is that I was Snow's companion and partner. So the least I can do is to be there for you as a partner.
I don't know what will happen when my memories return, but that's as far as I can tell right now.
...... really is the same as always, 'Hero'. As usual, we don't think alike.
I told you I'm not a 'hero'. I'm gonna stab you in the back, Elmirad.
"Hmmmm, hahahahahahahaha--
When I glared at her, Elmirad smiled with a hearty, happy smile.
It was the first time I had ever seen him smile so innocently.
Then, just like that, he fell on his back, laughing.
He's in a complete surrender position.
He doesn't seem to want to talk anymore.
This will be the end of the game.
All that's left to do now is to get the MC to confirm and declare the end of the match.
'I feel like I'm losing this one ....... But we won the game, so I guess we'll just have to think of it as a good thing: ....... I wonder if Las Tiaras in the West Area could have beaten Snow ......?
I move my heavy body and move closer to the MC, who has moved away from me.
The other side is also coming towards us.
It seems that they were taking a lot of distance from me because of Elmirad's string of magic.
I walk while complaining.
Then--.
----!!!
A roar rang out that shook the entire hall.
It was definitely a creature's roar.
The sound of an uncommon cry shook the world like an earthquake.
Everyone in the hall covered their ears.
And I was the only one who understood what that voice was.
It's the same one I heard a few days ago at the abandoned castle in the west.
It was imbued with magical power - the 'dragon's roar'.
''Su, Snow--?''
I muttered the name of the person who must have emitted it.
That roar was indeed from the direction of the western area.
Rustyala and the others and Snow are in the middle of a game.
In other words, this voice is an aftermath.
It could only mean that a battle so fierce that the aftermath could reach this far was taking place in the West Area.