109 108. North Area Fourth Match.txt (1/2)

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.

He's right, he's right, I'm finally getting serious.

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.

[Status]

Name: Elmirad Siddharq HP198/201 MP280/299 Class: Knight

Level 20.

Strength 4.79 Strength 2.82 Skill 4.12 Speed 7.29 Wisdom 7.19 Magic 18.10 Elemental 1.67

Inherent Skill: Attribute Magic 1.93

Acquired skills: magical combat 1.89 Swordsmanship 0.89