Volume 4 Chapter 20 - The old man becomes a knight. (2/2)

Princess Aure said with confidence as she completed her summoning magic while Lutra lost her weapon. Although her alarm was instantaneous, Teleportation took five seconds to cast and one second to take effect. Taking into account the guard’s reaction and other possible human errors, it took a total of eight seconds. In other words, it would be her victory once eight seconds was over.

However, nothing happened after eight seconds.

Instead of panicking, Princess Aure immediately assessed the situation and assumed that something happened to the monsters. She had expected that Yuuya or Prince Aleck would be able to see through her plan and immediately activated her second alarm, extending Lutra’s time limit by another eight seconds.

Another set of monsters would be summoned in eight seconds whereas it was impossible for Lutra to get a replacement weapon and strike at that time which meant that her victory was just delayed by another eight seconds. All she had to do was to endure the attacks of the Crusader class which had weak offensive power for eight seconds.

She looked into Lutra’s eyes which were filled with even more vigor than before as Lutra threw her broken sword aside, continuing to rush forward while thrusting her shield forward.

Princess Aure was taken by surprised by her sudden actions as she couldn’t understand her thought process.

‘Shields aren’t meant for attacking, even if it was used for that it wouldn’t be lethal’.

[Are you that desperate to resort to a shield? Clear Wall.] (Aure)

As a precaution, Princess Aure casted a barrier-spell which blocked physical attacks. However, Princess Aure didn’t know. The trump card Lutra had, was being trained by Yuuya.

The legendary battle princess, Senki Renoir’s battle style was forgotten over the years and revived in her.

[Shield Bash!] (Lutra)

Her cold voice resonated throughout the ring.

Lutra’s flawless movements was mesmerizing even though it was refined purely to strike others. Placing her entire body’s strength while amplifying her body further with a rotation, she thrust her shield forward. It was the thrust that Lutra was forcefully learnt, her speciality that was refined by the one and only Yuuya Grandwood.

The shield which moved forward at an extraordinary speed continued to pursue Princess Aure who was trying to escape.

Princess Aure smiled as the shield was going to miss by just an inch. Even if she miscalculated and the shield was going to land cleanly, it was just an attack by a crusader. The Clear Wall let out a screeching sound as it got struck by Lutra’s shield. So long as the shield held up, then her monsters would arrive. In otherwords, it would be her victory.

However, her delusions were shattered.

Right as Lutra arm extended forward, Princess Aure saw the tip of the spike in Renoir’s shield appear out of the shield as the spike was forcefully pushed out of the shield at a speed exceeding the speed of sound due to it’s activation as well as Lutra’s speed and rotation on top of it.

Clear Wall was struck down as if it were made of paper as Princess Aure couldn’t even catch what happened next as she flew out of the ring, landing onto the wall next to the audience seats.

[Aneue, you aren’t the only one with a trump card. In the past, I would have told you about it. But this time, it would have been my loss if I did. That’s why I kept the spikes hidden while I was in the castle. Just for this moment.] (Lutra)

Although she was the winner of the battle, Lutra’s voice sounded somber as the audience began to confirm Princess Aure’s condition, who had let out a huge gasp.

[This is-, the winner is, Princess Lutra!] (Referee)

The referee declared Lutra’s victory as two monsters appeared in the ring, as the audience began to panic in confusion. The supposed summoner was unconscious, which meant that her chanting should had been interrupted.

[I may have won, I wonder if I’ll survive this.] (Lutra)

Lutra said with a weak voice.

Two monsters in their fifties, was far too difficult for Lutra.

But retreating would expose the audience to them instead.

The bipedal giant rhinoceros and giant cyclops was rushing towards Lutra as Lutra already had one foot into despair.

It was that moment…

[You will survive, I am here.] (Yuuya)

The back of the most reliable person in the world appeared in front of her, as the battle was practically over. With this person’s help, the battle wouldn’t be worrying in the slightest.

[Yuuya-ojisama!] (Lutra)

Yuuya completely deflected the two giant monsters’ attacks as he performed his signature. The ability created from the warrior who was, status-wise at the bottom of the barrel and was willing to show it to the whole world. Any anxiety she had was blown away as cheers rang out from the audience.

It was as if everyone knew that she wouldn’t lose with him here. Or rather, it could even be perceived as an exhibition.

[Perfect timing. It’s time to show off your newfound abilities.] (Yuuya)

[Yes, I’ll definitely do it.] (Lutra)

Yuuya and Lutra stood back to back while facing each of the monster. The appearance of the two gigantic monsters facing off against the two warriors caught everybody’s attention as her appearance was not just beautiful, but so was her movements. In fact, the most mesmerizing fact wasn’t her abilities nor his, but the perfect collaboration between the two.

[You would have lost if you hesitated. You performed perfectly.] (Yuuya)

The key created by Yuuya, was the additional eight seconds from when Princess Aure’s first summoning had failed. If he hadn’t found the monsters, then Lutra would had lost right after eight seconds. Although he had gone through so much trouble in that short amount of time, he had only earned her another few seconds. If she had hesitated even for a moment, then the key would have been gone.

[I decided to win, even if it meant harming her. I didn’t have the intention of killing her since I truly believe I was saved by her. Even if it was a lie. I had already decided a long time ago, to win without killing her. I was prepared from the beginning.] (Lutra)

Yuuya let out a smile as he had witnessed the moment Princess Aure was sent flying

If she had used her spike, Princess Aure would had definitely been blown to bits. Her spike was made of a special magical metal which could be shaped into anything it’s user wanted.

This time, her spike was much rounder than usual making it more similar to a rod instead. Furthermore, her thrusts were usually slightly inclined towards the ground, but she had aimed it slightly higher this time, causing the impact against the terrain, the wall to be softened as some of the energy was wasted blowing Princess Aure away. If she had aimed lower, then she could have been killed instantly with the shock of being slammed on the ground.

Lutra had made her preparations, both mentally as well as meticulously because of her conviction to not kill but defeat her sister.

The battle dance performed by the princess and her knight, Lutra and Yuuya ended as the giant rhinoceros and cyclops began fading into blue particles.

As it ended, Lutra’s strength was clearly transmitted to everybody present as the audience began to cheer and stood up in awe.

[Lutra, wave to the audience. It’s your first job as the heir to the throne.] (Yuuya)

Lutra nodded as she turned to the audience, waving back with a dignified smile which riled up the audience further causing everyone to become even more enthusiastic in response.

Her silver hair shone brightly in the sunlight as the setting painted a beautiful sight, signalling the end of the inheritance ceremony.

It was the birth of the new queen.