Chapter 307 (1/2)

A single knight was pushing forward through the crowd of spectators towards the colosseum stage.

At first glance, his equipment seemed to be rather light, but it was indeed the armor worn by members of the Holy Staves. (not sure what we decided for this term)

「Thank you all for gathering here in Casinote! Before we begin, the First Princess Narika has some words for you all! Be sure to listen well so that not a single one escapes your ears!」

Following his reverberating voice, the audience gradually grew to a silence.

Most likely due to the knights on patrol issuing the same orders, even the voices from the street stalls outside disappeared.

After confirming that the colosseum was in complete silence, the woman sitting in what would be guessed to be the seats reserved for the nobles stood up.

She then slowly turned her eyes across the spectators.

After being satisfied with seeing that everyone was in their seats, she made a dignified nod.

「…Please look at the sky. The fact that there is not even a cloud to be seen in that blue sky on this fine day should be evidence enough that Raidolg-sama is watching over us and has given us his blessing.」

The woman who had her voice travel across the colosseum using voice amplifying magic, Narika, pointed her golden staff towards the sky.

The weather was perfect.

It was likely that the more religious people in the audience would agree wholeheartedly with her words.

However, that line of hers was but one of many that were prepared beforehand for whatever situations that may have applied.

For example, if the sky had been cloudy, she would say something like 「Raidolg-sama is concerned over the current state of matters. This cloudy sky could be seen as the reflection of his heart itself. We must show our faith and eliminate the enemies that persist within Eluarc and cloud our future.」 Of course, if it was raining, she would have a line for that scenario as well.

「These brave warriors have gathered today to fight for justice under my behalf. Now, witness the birth of the new knights that will crush our usurpers.」

Narika then slammed the floor with her golden staff as she made her declaration.

「…The Knight Screening Tournament shall now begin!」

The spectators began roaring with cheers. Amidst all of that, a knight on the stage shouted out.

「We shall now move on to the first match! Ein and Sergey Carkinos, step forward!」

「Good luck, Ein.」

「I don’t need to hear that. Focus on worrying about yourself.」

After lightly poking at Kain’s head, Ein stepped onto the stage.

Kain and Ein would be fighting on the side of the arena. While it wasn’t a place where nobles could easily spectate from a bird’s eye view, it was, however, the area where spectators could witness the fight from as close as possible

「Now… begin!」

As soon as the knight who began the match stepped off the stage, Sergey unsheathed his sword.

「Hmph, I didn’t think someone like you would aim to become a knight.」

The young man named Sergey Carkinos spoke with a scoff.

He wore a steel blue chest plate, along with gauntlets and greaves of the same color. He wielded a longsword and a gold shield with an elaborate emblem. If he were to be judged purely on appearance, he definitely at least looked the part of a knight.

As Ein stayed quiet, Sergey flipped his hair in an exaggerated manner.

「I am the second son of the Carkinos viscount family that has been in the Canal Kingdom for generations. I am sure if I were to simply offer my services to the capital, they would gladly invite me to their ranks. However, I thought I’d first display my outstanding talent in the tournament, you see?」

Ein did not respond.

Perhaps because he took that as fear, Sergey began speaking with more and more confidence.

「Oh my, do excuse me! I shouldn’t have revealed my status so casually like that! After all, I’ve been studying both sword and magic under the greatest instructor to exist! I still have yet to master the art of the Magic Sword, but it will not be long before I will! In other words, I have the potential to become the strongest knight there ever is! There is no shame in losing against me!」

Ein did not respond.

Perhaps because he began to get ahead of himself, Sergey began looking Ein up and down with a creepy look in his eyes.

「Hey, Ein, was it? Why not become one of my subordinates? I believe I’d be much better thanthat boy over there-」

「Hey.」

Ein’s irritated voice cut Sergey short.

「Are you going to come at me or not?? If you’re just going to talk, you can spend all the time you want with one of those trees over there.」

「Wha…?! Y-You… Who do you think I am…?!」