Chapter 77 (2/2)
「Begin!」
Together with the referee’s signal, both sides stepped forwards this time.
The swords exchanged blows with intense sounds.
Two times, three times, the swords rang out, each time the audience got excited.
Fumu… the Prince is also doing fairly good ne. Despite exchanging blows, it can be seen he is easily handling it. The opposing Knight, shall we call him Knight C? An impatient expression can be seen on Knight C.
The moment of the fifth rally, Knight C staggered and dropped back. There, the Prince immediately pressed forwards.
Unable to withstand the blow which had the Prince’s weight placed in to, the sword separated from Knight C’s hands, and immediately following, the Prince’s sword was placed precisely in front of Knight C.
「Enough!」
The match progressed with a wonderful sense of stability. I may need to look at the Prince a little differently ne…
The final match next is, the Prince and Knight B huh… To be honest, I can’t come to like the way Knight B fights. I might be unwilling, but let’s cheer for the Prince.
Although I think there isn’t much if a difference between their abilities, could he have the advantage in power over Knight B?
After the short break, the Prince and Knight B appeared on stage.
At the centre of the stage, the two people could be seen saying something but… I don’t know what they are talking about.
Both of them eventually separated, and stepped back to the starting positions.
「From here on, the final match will be performed! Well then…… begin!」
Together with the signal, an exchange of blows…… did not happen, both of them did not move.
That situation continued for a little while, when the audience began to get impatient, the Prince made a move.
However, he didn’t instantly cut down the distance, but slowly approached Knight C. While his sword was still lowered moreover. This made the audience dumbfounded as well.
Although Knight B had his sword vigilantly prepared, the Prince approached without even paying attention to it and walked without change,
The moment he entered the sword’s range, perhaps he was impatient, Knight B stepped forwards while firing off a stab.
However, as though the Prince had read that, he struck up his sword from below and repelled Knight B’s sword.
giin! giin!
Knight B stood at a disadvantage. Receiving numerous attacks with his sword, he attempted to desperately reorganize his posture. It was as if looking at the match between Knight A and Knight B, with their positions appearing to have been changed.
The difference was, it could be said the Prince’s attacks weren’t held back, I suppose? Knight B somehow defended, but if he didn’t tightly defend, it would be an attack which cannot be defended.2 If Knight B made a mistake, it would be the kind of attack that decides the match.
Impatience rose on Knight B’s face. Compared to the composed expression of the Prince. Calmly, Knight B gets driven to a corner.
giin! giin!
The sounds of swords exchanging echoed out many times.
Knight B, as anyone could see, was in a disadvantage. There wasn’t any composure like in the beginning.
Eventually, the impatient Knight B swung out for an attack, but as if to match it, the Prince’s attack, without engaging it, repelled it.3 A huge opening appeared on Knight B.
There, the Prince’s attack rushed in.
Knight B desperately pulled back his sword and somehow met that attack with is sword, but with his balance affected, the Prince’s sword went on without stopping, and Knight B’s sword was flicked away from his hands.
At Knight B, who was completely defenseless, the Prince swung an attack.
「Enough!」
Together with the referee’s signal, the Prince’s sword was stopped precisely next to Knight B’s side.
When the Prince withdrew his sword, Knight B sat down on the ground as if he lost all strength.
……Prince, he deliberately aimed at that ne… Was it revenge for Knight A a little while back? I can’t say that’s a good hobby, you know? No, I feel satisfied but…
Nevertheless, that Prince is quite strong ne… How unexpected. That time at yesterday’s parade, and the match right now, it doesn’t seem like the usual Prince. Come to think of it, he looked at me with pa.s.sionate eyes within my dream…
……Wait, I just ended up remembering it, didn’t I!? Aah, geez! Why does my heart pound so much when it comes to the Prince!? Kuu, my face has certainly turned bright red…! Worldly desires begone, worldly desires begone…
It’s that, it’s surely because of the gap! In spite of the usual nonchalant and hetare Prince, his diligence from yesterday and today felt wrong!4 Commonly referred to as, that thing called gap moe or something, you know! It’s a moment of delusion!
In order to persuade myself, I muttered 「My imagination」 many times.
On the stage, the Prince was talking to the King with a smile.
Looking at that, I felt my pulse speed up once again.
Lines
1. 正騎士の中からの選抜で、トーナメント形式の試合を勝ち進んでの準決勝だそうです。
2. 騎士Ｂはなんとか防いでいますが、きっちりと防御しないと防ぎきれない攻撃ばかりです。
3. やがて焦ったような騎士Ｂの攻撃が振るわれますが、それに合わせたような王子の一撃であえなく弾かれてしまいます。
4. いつものほほんとしたヘタレ王子のくせに、昨日今日と真面目な事をするからいけないんです！
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