37 36. Two wheels going crazy.txt (1/2)

Down the stairs was an old stone space.

Just like the tenth layer, it was just expanding.

However, unlike the tenth layer, there were no blazing flames blowing around. Just as Arti had expected, it was the perfect space for magic experiments without the remnants of magic power.

Optimal, that's for sure, but there was one ...... problem.

There were two strangers in the center of the room, two strange men.

One of them was a beautiful man with immaculate golden hair hanging down. I'm not going to be the only one who can do that. He is a quiet knight.

The other is a mature man with gray hair. He has long, matted hair that he must have struggled with over his ochre-colored cloak. A silver sword is visible through the gaps in the cloak, so this one must be a knight as well.

Immediately I 'gaze' at it.

[Status]

Name: Hein Helvirshine HP321/333 MP34/102 Class: Knight

Level 24.

Strength 10.21 Strength 8.95 Skill 9.29 Speed 11.88 Wisdom 12.21 Magic 7.77 Elemental 1.98

Inherent skill: optimal action 1.21 Wind magic 1.77

Acquired Skill: Swordsmanship 2.02 Sacred Magic 1.23

[Status]

Name: Hope's Jokul HP253/282 MP0/0 Class: Knight

Level 20.

Strength 4.41 Strength 6.25 Skill 11.72 Speed 8.21 Wisdom 13.41 Magic 0.00 Elemental 1.12

Inherent skill: weapon combat 1.89 crafting 1.45

Acquired skills: sword fighting 0.78 Sacred magic 0.00

The blonde is Hain and the gray-haired one is Hopes.

Both of them are knights of high level and first class ability.

As I observe them closely, I notice it. The blonde one is a familiar face. As I recall, it should be the man who was working with Rustyala on the first day. He hadn't said many words back then, and he wasn't noticeable, but there was no doubt about it.

I turn to Rastiara and tell him that there is a man I think I know.

'Huh?'

Rustyala let out a cry of surprise.

In response, the two people who had taken up positions in the center approached us and bowed.

''We have been expecting you. Miss.''

First, a blonde man, Hein, calls out to me.

'Oh, Mr. Hein?'

Yes, this is Hein. I'm here on a business trip.

It seems that Rastiara and I are acquainted after all.

But Mr. Hein, or whatever it is, puts Rustyala aside and turns his attention to me.

The boy from that time ....... I see, you're the young lady's sweetheart ......

And then he mutters.

''The young lady's thoughts.

In other words, he seems to be of the same ilk as Mr. Raydiant-san.

However, Hein-san's expression, who turns his attention to me, is calm. He doesn't glare at me like Reidyant-san, on the contrary, I even feel something like expectation (...). I don't understand the true meaning of it.

For now, I try to correct Mr. Hein's misunderstanding.

”No, I'm not a lover of Rastiara--

'Oh, Mr Hine. I'm sorry ....... I really want to be with Christ ....... I want to live with ......!　As you know, my time is short. Is it a sin, then, to try to be with the one I love until that time?

Rustyala has been piling on the words, trying not to let me excuse myself.

His language has returned to the polite one he used when we met, and he's pretending to lament in a theatrical tone.

It seems to be proceeding in that direction, after all.

If possible, it's a direction I wanted to avoid.

Hearing Rastiara's words, Hein-san slowly draws his sword from his waist.

''Fufu....... We can't see through your lies anymore. But even if it's really for love, even if it's a lie, even if it's just for fun - it doesn't change what we do.

'I am sad, Mr. Hein. Is that what you say about this me lying?　I can't do such a shameful thing as pretending to love ...... I can't very well do it!

Rastiala is playing it so close, he even has tears in his eyes.

Hmmm.

She's the one in the wrong. No doubt about it.

In my opinion, I want to fully support Ms. Hein.

But I have to be calculating here.

In terms of talent, Ms. Hine is inferior to Rastiara. Besides, it appears that Mr. Hine is a businessman and Rustyala is a free man.

If I were to think about whether or not he can be of use to me, I would have to choose Rustyala.

Mr. Hein calmly replied to Rustiala's impersonation.

'That immunity of love has caused all hell to break loose for those above us. We can't move in a big way either, and it will take a month for the council to decide just how to respond. Haha ....... I'm also troubled by Levan's commandments.

'Oh ....... You think I'm using the word love. That's a sad misunderstanding: ......

Apparently, Rastiala is using the 'commandment' or something like that. It seems that this is what was involved when I said before that there would be less of a chase if we did that.

It's more of a problem that I heard the words 'the higher-ups' and 'the council of a month', which I didn't want to hear. Rastiara had said that she wasn't of a great rank, but from what Ms. Hein had said, she felt like she wasn't just a young lady.

''Therefore, I would like to ask the lady to return to the cathedral with a duel, like a knight. If you follow this procedure, it is not against the teachings. Then, Mr. Hopes. Please.

So, Mr. Hein calls out to the knight with mixed white hair who was taking up a position at the back.

Mr. Hopes comes forward with a half smile. He is a man who seems a little frivolous.

'Aye. But, Mr. Hein. Are you sure you don't want to do this?　I think you're in charge of this one.

''It's no one's role, it's the role of the 'Celestial Knights' position. Besides, I have to keep an eye on the young lady. We can't be too careful. It's only been a few days since she went missing, but it's possible that she has grown to the level of 'Heavenly Seventh Knight (Celestial Knights)'.

Well, you're certainly the man to watch your little girl. --It's all right. Come on, pretty boy, you're gonna have a fight with me.

This is where the story finally comes back to me.

I pull out my sword as I answer.

''I'll tell you first. For me, it doesn't matter if I have a crush on Rastiara or not. But since Rastiara is my friend, I want to make her dream come true. --that's all.

I just wanted to say this.

First of all, when it comes to the color love thing, it's very difficult for me. I can't act like Rastiara, so I'm not confident I can match the story.

So, let's pretend that I'm not in love with the love story.

'Oh, oh ....... I get it. That's cool, dude.

When Ms. Hopes hears that green line, she seems embarrassed and describes me as cool.

I want him to stop because it makes me feel embarrassed too.

I try not to let him realize how upset I am, so I proceed calmly.

'And I don't originally want a duel.

You can't do that. If you don't duel, I'm going to interfere with your quest for the labyrinth. I'll be chasing you around when you get back. It's a shameful thing to do, but it's part of my job. No, I'm really sorry.

Mr. Hopes replies, scratching his head.

There's no pretense there, he looks really sorry, and he also looks troublesome. Nevertheless, you can certainly see a glimpse of professionalism behind his eyes as he tries to carry out his mission.

If it is declared to be a hindrance like this, it's just a shower of fire.

I wanted to avoid it as much as possible, but in this case, we have no choice but to have the next plan, a 'practice match'.

''If it's your job, I won't be particularly critical of you. I was prepared for the fact that this (...) is a condition for having Rastiara as a companion, so I was prepared for this .......

And I step forward.

The practice game begins.

If I lose - well, it's just Rustyala going home.

I'm not that fired up.

Of course, I have no intention of losing.

Then let's have a duel. Then let's bet your life on it. But I'm not going to kill you, so don't worry.

I understand. I don't want to deal with life either.

Mr. Hopes also drew his sword and gave a bow to each other.

Since we're on the 'right path' for a while, the duel would have been concluded with this.

The air between Ms. Hopes and I is becoming tense.

''--Magic [Dimension Dueling Operation (Gradient)], Magic [Form]''

If things go in order, I think I'll win.

I don't care if it's Hein-san, Hopes-san's status won't be able to catch up to my speed. However, one of his skills is called 'crafting'. If it's something that scratches the back of my consciousness, then my odds of victory will be shaken.

Slowly, Hopes and I close the gap between us.

I am a natural amateur stance.

Hopes's stance is similar to it.

He doesn't even have a half body, he just holds his sword in his right hand.

As it is, the distance changes to the distance that our swords can reach each other.

--their sword lines run to each other.

They begin to move at the same time.

However, to my eyes, it looked like Hopes-san dared to match me.

The swords follow the same trajectory and are struck together.

A sound as solid as a bell fills the stone room.

And then the second blow.

The same trajectory, too.

The second bell rings a second time.

And the third blow is the same trajectory.

And the next, and the next, and the next.

And the next, and the next, and the next, and the next, and the same bells keep ringing--

What--?

I notice.

Mr. Hopes' sword is 'acceptable'.

Even though he has talent, he is inferior to Mr. Hain and Mr. Radiant. He hasn't mastered the innate swordsmanship that is unique to him.

What he can do is to adapt to his opponent with the experience he has accumulated. And then wait patiently for an opportunity to counterattack.

I increase the speed of my sword without hurrying.

The opponent is waiting with an eye on the opportunity to counterattack, so there is no need to get flustered. Without being in a hurry, I will surpass them without any gaps. That's all you need to do.

Hopes-san lacks simple speed.

Although his skill and swordsmanship surpasses me, his magic 《Dimension Decisive Operation (Gradient)》 overrides that. Overall, there is no reason for me to fall behind.

The lines that my sword draws become faster and faster.

And Hopes-san also tries to manage it.

But soon, there will be a limit.

We were doing the same thing, but if there was a difference in speed, it was the end of the world.

Soon after, Hopes' sword, which he hadn't been able to catch, came to his throat.

The sword fight that had been hammering away ends, leaving only an echoing sound in the room.

I declare my victory.

''--I've won.

'Yeah, seriously, ....... I lose. ...... Oh, I'm sorry, Mr. Hein.

Mr. Hopes pauses in surrender and apologizes to Mr. Hein by the way.

Seeing this, I fit my sword in.

'You did it, Christ. You are the knight I expected. How do you like it, Mr. Hein? Christ the Knight has offered me the victory.

Rastiara congratulates me on my victory in a ladylike way.

Yeah, I know.

It's weird, this is weird.

And Mr. Hein responds to it without hesitation.

'It certainly seems so. I'm afraid I'll have to back down for the day if this happens. Mr. Hopes, over here.

By the way, I'm sorry. If it's a head-to-head match, it doesn't look like we're gonna win.

Mr. Hein shifts his standing position from the center of the room and invites Ms. Hopes to join him there.