Recalling her younger brother Rainer Helvirshine’s words before the Final Festival, she remembered him saying, “No matter what happens, please remain as you are, my sister.”
When had her brother, who used to nag her constantly, stopped telling her to act “like a knight,” “like an aristocrat,” or “like the next head of the family”?
At some point, his expression had softened, reminiscent of their late eldest brother. Not just his expression, but his words too. When she was little and asked about the “True Hero,” her older brother Hein had said something similar.
“It’s best if you forge ahead on your own path.”
She felt as though she saw her brother and her elder brother, two family members, overlapping. Perhaps it was around then that she understood her remaining sibling was no longer behind her.
In her childhood, she had chased after the back of her brother, who was called the “Most Excellent Knight.” Her younger brother had always followed behind them, so she had naturally assumed they would both walk the path of knights together. When she inherited the “Seven Knights of Heaven” with him, she had even thought they would be together until death.
But it was different. When did their paths diverge? She knew without a doubt it was from the moment she met Kanami. It was when her life was saved in the labyrinth. On that day, their paths separated—but even as their paths diverged, her brother had said with distant eyes, “They will always connect somewhere, like this Final Festival, and continue on,” before disappearing.
Now, at the Final Festival, she stood on the ground as one of the “Seven Knights of Heaven,” in charge of defending the labyrinth’s entrance. And she had been harboring a growing dissatisfaction all by herself. Everyone around her, including her knight friends, was ecstatic, as if under a spell. They were buzzing about Kanami becoming the one to reach the “Deepest Part” of the labyrinth, the Allied Nations’ long-held wish. Some Revann cultists even spread rumors that he was a new god.
The entire continent was in a festive mood, and the recently re-established Allied Nations were a cauldron of joy. She didn’t think it was a bad thing. In fact, it was all good. She had no objection to Kanami reaching the “Deepest Part.” The talk of him becoming Revannism’s new “god” also struck her as “Magnificent!” Anyone who would dampen this positive momentum would undoubtedly be impolite and clueless.
She understood. However, there was just one thing that bothered her. If things continued like this, she herself would—
Just as a wicked thought crossed her mind, she received a message while on standby at the Valt Kingdom’s labyrinth. The order from above was to capture the former apostle Dia Aleis, who had appeared at the Cathedral.
Simultaneously, a pillar of light, reaching the heavens, illuminated the northern direction, and the earth trembled. Without needing any communication, she understood that the epicenter was Dia at the Cathedral.
A great vibration followed, shaking from the sky. It was the voice of her old friend, Snow Walker, from the Academy. From the bright blue sky, she heard talk of the “True Hero.” It was proof of the unease she felt about the Final Festival and also an explanation of Kanami’s current situation—but to her, it wasn’t a particularly important matter.
More importantly, this was bad. If this continued, it would be as if Snow and Kanami were—
“…! All personnel, remain on standby without letting your guard down! If it’s just me, I can quickly assess the situation!”
With so many anomalies piling up, even she could finally grasp some of the circumstances surrounding the Final Festival. So, she hurried, starting to run. Giving orders to the knights under her command, she dashed off alone. Along the way, as she ran through the streets, she passed people looking up at the sky. Snow’s “Dragon’s Roar” had poured water—no, it was more like pouring oil—onto the celebratory mood of the Allied Nations, and a murmur began to spread. She felt truly envious. But she wouldn’t be left behind anymore. To be left out regarding Kanami was something she absolutely wouldn’t tolerate—
Keeping pace with her persistent thoughts, she increased her speed. Pushing through the crowd, she crossed the bridge to Fuziaze Cathedral. Proceeding through the garden and stairs within the grounds, she went straight to the temple at the deepest part of the building. The moment she laid eyes on the temple door, she burst in with a loud, rough sound.
The magical wind that filled the space brushed against her entire body and passed through. In normal times, this temple was used for rituals. Now, many knights, priests, and “Magic Stone Humans” were lined up, leaving the center clear. A makeshift circular dueling area had been formed by the wall of people. Within that circle, familiar faces were clashing swords.
On one side was the magic sword of her friend Dia Aleis. On the other was the knight’s sword of her sword master, Fenrir Aleis. The trajectories of both their sword flashes were as beautiful as white meteors. Their inhuman speed and movements were in no way inferior to the finals of the “Dance Battle Tournament,” captivating the audience with their swordplay.
A short distance from the two, Apostle Sis was using Divine Magic on a platform. The target of her support was Grandpa Fenrir, leaving Dia isolated. Her friend, all alone—yet, like the protagonist of a story, she was nobly challenging her masters.
She knew at a glance. After all, Dia and Sis were exchanging words like stage lines even as they fought. I, who hadn’t even been noticed entering, could hear them from the temple entrance.
“—Dia!! No matter what you say, no one will get to the Master! I’ve already decided to protect him here!!”
“Protecting him isn’t Kanami’s order! What did you wish to protect in the true sense!?”
“Y-You’re saying my wish is wrong…!? Impossible! I’m not a “Thief of Principles”! I’m an Apostle above that!?”
“The “Thief of Principles” is irrelevant! As long as someone is alive, anyone can worry, make mistakes, and regret! You are no exception—!!”
What remained in the trails of the two white blades of magic and steel were words weaving a story. Grandpa’s wind magic blew through as if performing stage direction.
She quickly understood the power dynamics of the situation. However, understanding the details of the argument happening there was admittedly difficult. From what she had heard, Dia was trying to persuade Sis to go with her to Kanami, and it was not going well. This meant they had not parted ways, and their goal of “helping Kanami” was the same. However, they were arguing over a slight difference in their approach, and Grandpa was caught up in it—no, this was also not particularly important.
I have more important matters elsewhere.
I feel the same intense feeling from Dia here as I did from Snow-san earlier.
This is truly not good, because—
—This makes me feel like a supporting character.
Like an actor who has no more scenes and watches from the wings.
Without a doubt, all the performances currently unfolding everywhere are heading towards Kanami-sama as the ultimate goal. Yet, I am not a part of that flow.
I am filled with dissatisfaction, and I can’t help it.
I’m anxious and even jealous of Dia and Snow-san.
Of course, as a knight, what I should be doing now is cooperating with Apostle-sama and Grandpa to subdue the rampaging Dia. That’s the order from above. Following it is the correct answer for me, who has graduated from the academy and become an adult knight—
“—No matter what happens, Sister, please remain as yourself.”
“—The best thing for you is to forge ahead on your own path.”
There were two sets of words from my family, seemingly resigned, “A ‘True Knight’ is impossible for Franryure Helvirshine.”
These are the words of the family I trust.
And now, before me, my trusted friends are fighting.
I don’t want to hesitate anymore.
I have bitter experiences where I doubted the people I trusted and was too late.
First, after the finals of the Dance Battle Tournament.
Before the Confession at the Eleventh Crossroads.
And at the North-South Allied Nations, among other things.
I don’t want to be in indecisive limbo and regret anything ever again—
—”A path guided from the sky,” “A path leading to heaven”—
I began my incantation.
And, as I watched my struggling friends with enjoyment, I inwardly cheered on the Sword Saint and the Apostle, “More, push a little harder!”
—If I’m going to be on stage, I want to be the main character.
I am Franryure Helvirshine, and I will always aim to be the heroine by Kanami-sama’s side.
It’s unfair that Snow-san and Dia are more like heroines than me.
So, I’ll wait until the moment I can stand out the most. Subduing Dia three-on-one clearly looks like the villain’s side, so I intend to split into a fair two-on-two. I’m sure everyone watching from the Temple will find that more engaging. Kanami-sama, who is watching through Dimension, must feel the same way as I do. For the sake of that most sincere and kind person, I will change the flow a bit here, and much, much more—!!
While I was leisurely calculating the timing, Dia had just had her magical prosthetic leg cut off by Grandpa Fenrir’s sword and was groaning.
“Ngh! Damn it…!”
With Dia kneeling on one knee, Grandpa Fenrir cautiously intensified the temple’s wind. He probably doesn’t think this is victory. However, Sis-sama, who is in the back, seemed confident of victory.
I watched Dia being cornered from the wings.
“…Dia, you can’t win. That’s because the master of the Deepest Part of the Labyrinth is on our side and has been giving us protection. The power of our master, who has become a ‘God,’ is absolute, and the script for this battle has already been written.”
“Haa, haa… If I lose like this, then Kanami’s power is indeed absolute, won’t it… To the point where I won’t need anyone’s help anymore from now on.”
“That’s right. So, give up already.”
“It’s just that, in that future, Kanami isn’t there. Sis, is that future truly alright?… I don’t like it.”
“He, he won’t disappear. In the future to come, the Master will always watch over our world from the heavens. As part of that, Dia and I will continue to spread Revannism. There is no other ending prepared for us…”
“Even if you say so, will any other future absolutely not come? I’ve been on adventures with Kanami and Rustiara, and I’ve never heard such a story.”
“…No matter what you say, the outcome is decided according to the Plan. Fenrir Aleis, cut Dia’s partially repaired prosthetic leg. And her prosthetic arm too. After that, I will deliver the finishing blow with magic.”
Sis-sama cruelly gave the order.
Grandpa Fenrir, the Knight, did not refuse.
He moved towards Dia, whom he had doted on like his own daughter.
“Understood—”
And, just before the Sword Saint’s sword was swung— I, who had been timing my move, struck first.
“—Wind Sprint!”
It was a wind magic that my older brother was good at. I infused it with an arrangement taught by my younger brother and added an incantation, letting it blow through.
From the entrance of the temple, which felt like the wings of a stage, I powerfully kicked off the marble floor.
Flying as if carried by the wind filling the temple, I jumped towards the central dueling area.
Slipping and dancing, I cut between the two swordsmen. Then, with another kick of the floor, I scooped up Dia, who was bowing, with both arms, and put about ten paces of distance between us and Grandpa Fenrir.
I made a dramatic entrance onto the stage and saved Dia from her predicament.
Did I choose the princess carry because I was conscious of Kanami-sama, who might be watching?
As if appealing my overflowing respect, I imitated my idol and acted.
—”Phew. Somehow, I made it in time.”
A statement that conveyed the impression of arriving at the perfect moment.
To change the performance from “Girl Dia’s Challenge to the Sword Saint” to “Knight Franryure’s Arrival,” I showed off a starring role to the best of my limit.
Sis-sama was surprised by this perfectly timed reinforcement, while Grandpa Fenrir calmly asked.
“—What!?”
“…So you’re cutting in. …And, you’re on that side, right?”
The Sword Saint, who is the pride of the Allied Nations, seemed to have sensed me beforehand and first confirmed my intentions. His concise dialogue was extremely helpful. Above all, because he asked representing the holy side, the confusion among the surrounding crowd was minimal.
“Yes. I simply cannot stand by when a friend is in danger. Even if the opponent is my respected master.”
“Liar. You wouldn’t move for a reason like that. You always want to be in the spotlight without knowing anything—”
“This time, it’s a little different, Grandfather. —Because I know Dia well. So, today, it’s not because I don’t know anything, but because I believe in the choices of this straightforward friend, I stood here.”
Dialogue was followed by a cynical laugh from Grandfather Fenrir, baring his fangs.
He seemed to accept me as a new challenger, not with words, but by drawing his sword. He appeared happy to be able to fight with a former disciple and a current one with all his might, regardless of the reason.
Though many years separate us, Grandfather and I share many similarities, so I can somewhat read his thoughts. To be honest, the flow of this “Final Festival” is good. Very good. But if you ask me if it’s good to leave it as it is, I’d have to tilt my head.
For people like Grandfather and me, what’s important is whether we can become the main character. In short, we are confident. That’s why we think we could create an even better flow if they’d let us take the reins, and that’s why I’m trying to get on stage—
Dia, misunderstanding our intentions, was genuinely happy in my arms. She smiled as I rushed to her side, then Nary Nary jabbed at me with her usual sharp wit.
“…Haha. Fran, you’re late. I was about to finish it all by myself.”
“What are you talking about? If I hadn’t helped you just now, you would have lost on your own.”
The two friends exchanged lighthearted banter. However, only Apostle Sis did not acknowledge the light atmosphere and intruded, scolding us with displeasure.
“You are, if I recall, a descendant of the true Helvirshine…? You, who should be on the Lord’s side, what is the meaning of this? You should have already received your orders from Kuuneru. If you are one of the ‘Seven Knights of Heaven’, then fulfill your noble mission to protect the Lord. That has been your role for a thousand years, hasn’t it?”
I was told to do my job as a knight of Revannism, and she spoke with perfect logic. But “a thousand years—”? I’m sorry, but such logic doesn’t work on Franryure Helvirshine, the seventh daughter of the Helvirshine family.
“Yes, Apostle. I am on Kanami’s side, and I am a knight of Helvirshine who protects our revered Lord. …However, I am Franryure Helvirshine. I have never, not even once, been a diligent knight who blindly follows orders from above. Even if I am no longer a ‘True Knight’, I will protect what I truly want to protect. —Believing in Dia’s words.”
I retorted to Sis, admitting my failure as a knight. They were no lies there. No malice either. Everything was considered justice. In reality, it was the strong desire to say “If it were me, I’d do this!” when faced with a favorite play, but I wouldn’t think about that now.
I gently set Dia down on the ground after rescuing her, then drew my knight’s sword from my waist, drawing the attention of the surroundings, and assumed a stance. I would usurp the entire flow of this temple, fully aware of my selfishness.
“So, Dia. Don’t worry, and follow my back. We will save Kanami.”
“…No, wait a minute. You’re saying that without fully understanding the situation, aren’t you? It makes more sense for you to follow me.”
Dia, with her feet on the ground, tried to stop me with a wry smile. During our brief exchange, she had finished repairing her prosthetic leg. Furthermore, on her prosthetic arm, she had materialized a ‘Magic Power Solidification’ that looked exactly like my arm and sword. Emphasizing their shared swordsmanship training as disciples, she adopted the same stance and pointed out that I was the one who should be behind.
However, they shouldn’t expect such common sense to apply to me.
“Yes, I don’t fully understand… However, it’s something that can be quickly understood by going to Kanami right now, meeting him, and talking directly! If we share the same goal of ‘saving Kanami,’ then it hardly matters whether we understand the situation or not! …And, even if I make a mistake at the forefront, you’ll shoot magic from behind without hesitation then, won’t you!? Then, there’s no problem at all!!”
I retorted, puffing out my chest and shouting defiantly, “So what if I don’t know?”
Dia was more surprised than I expected by my assertion. Perhaps it was because I had told her it was okay to shoot magic at my back for the first time. She murmured a small “Thank you…” and then, with a smile similar to mine, began to speak.
“Haha. No, I still can’t yield the front position. …So, Fran. Let’s stand side-by-side at the front. Together, let’s go to Kanami.”
“Well, if it’s only halfway, I suppose I have no choice. However, don’t forget that I will be the one to save Kanami first.”
We had only just reunited and hadn’t talked much, but as always, we stood together. Sis watched us with an expression of utter disbelief and shouted loudly.
“You, you’re saying you’ll help the Lord?! You’re saying anything without knowing how or what to help with! Right now, I am the one helping the Lord!? I, Apostle Sis, am helping to save the world more than anyone! I have been for a thousand years, continuously!!”
I was refuted. However, the words “the great undertaking of saving the world” echoed in my mind more than the denial itself. My body temperature rose, and I inhaled the air of this stage to its fullest. I hoped that Franryure Helvirshine’s performance today would remain in history and perhaps be dramatized in the future, so I chose my words carefully.
“Dia…, after we save Kanami, the two of us will save the world together. I’m sure we can do it.”
“…Wha–?! D-that’s why!! It’s me who’s saving the world right NOW!!”
Sis’s voice rose in frustration, her words jumbled. I am truly sorry. But as I had arrived late to the stage, I couldn’t properly keep up with the conversation. So, at the very least, I wanted to say something that sounded like a main character for future dramatizations.
“Yes, Sis. …Therefore, our objectives are the same, aren’t they?”
“The same!? That’s not true! You intend to interfere with Master, and I’m trying to stop you! Rather, we’re complete opposites!!”
“They are the same. Because, just like you, we love Kanami-sama.”
“…Love? Wh-what!?”
Pure Sis-sama continues to take me seriously. Even my excessively fast dialogue, she properly chews over and swallows, and while denying me, she still engages with me.
“You’re wrong! Master’s love is only for ‘She’! Only ‘The One and Only Destined Person’ can ‘make Master happy’!!”
“The One and Only…? No! That’s incorrect, Sis-sama! Love and ‘happiness’ are far more free things! There’s no ‘Rule’ that says it has to be only one! Because you never know who you’ll end up with until the very end, romance stories are always exciting! Because their happy endings are ever-changing, they’re always popular with people of all ages and genders! At the very least, right now, I haven’t given up on Kanami-sama at all! So please, Sis-sama! I recommend you head towards him immediately!!”
“Th-that’s not true! The right thing is always just one! Freedom is—”
“Let’s start from the beginning! Don’t you think it’s unlike Kanami-sama to give orders!? If anything, the only order Kanami-sama would give is likely ‘be considerate of the girls and keep your distance’! Why don’t you understand even that much? Right now, I feel like I’m watching a one-sided play! Ahh, why!? Truly, why! When it matters most, why isn’t she by his side!? If by any chance Sis-sama is also the ‘watch from the shadows and endure’ type these days… with all due respect, that’s ancient! If you had seen Dia over there, you would know that just obeying a man doesn’t lead to a successful story!!”
“F-Fran… You really…”
Finally, there’s Dia’s voice from beside me, a little angry and, more than that, exasperated. Knowing my personality well, she had been listening silently until now, but she finally admonished me for getting carried away.
However, I haven’t done anything wrong. That’s why Sis-sama takes my words sincerely and responds with equally earnest lines.
“You! You’ve been completely nonsensical since a while ago!? You don’t listen to others and just proceed with your own sense of justice… that’s the worst! You’ve been the worst since a thousand years ago! That’s why I hate you!! I truly hate you!!”
Pointing at me, I hear some strangely nostalgic words. Because of that, I understand Dia’s meaning when she said “I want to take Sis.”
She is similar to Dia from the past. She denies me with “I hate you,” “we don’t get along,” and “you’re nonsensical,” but there’s a part of us that connects. I confidently concluded that Sis-sama and I could also become the best of friends, and while stepping forward as if advancing on a stage, I continued to speak cheerfully.
“I apologize, but even if Sis-sama hates me, I will go to help Kanami-sama!!”
“No, I’m the one helping Master! Not you!!”
“We shall save the world too, so don’t worry!!”
“That’s not it! I’m the one saving it! I have saved the world!!”
“Because, we love Kanami-sama! –Eh, truly, we are the same, aren’t we, Sis-sama! Let’s get along from now on too!!”
“We are not the same at all! Even I am not as selfish as you! …Ahh, this is hopeless! ‘Helvishein’ listens but doesn’t listen! You’ve gotten worse than a thousand years ago!?”
Sis-sama’s shoulders tensed to their limit, perhaps recalling some old memory.
Then, finally realizing that she couldn’t reason with me, she began converting her immense, sacred Magic Power into Magic. The target of this Divine Magic was the old knight standing between us.
“Fenrir Aleis!! Stop going easy on him just because he’s your disciple! Finish it immediately! Even if your body crumbles beyond its limit!! Silence that brat right now!!”
The old knight, receiving that unreasonable order, was infused with tremendous Divine Magic, radiating an inhuman vitality from his entire body. Old Man Fenrir, who had been happily watching our argument, put on an even more delighted expression upon hearing Sis-sama’s order, as if to wear down a Sword Saint.
“Oh, Sis-sama… are you done now? Of course, I won’t hold back out of consideration for you being my disciple. After all, I hate losing to youth more than anything…!”
Displaying a competitive spirit identical to mine, he gripped his sword and stepped forward. With each of his steps, the wind of the temple pulsed. It was a ferocious magic that assailed us as a headwind. I don’t know its formal name, but I believe it’s the old man’s ‘Magic of the Headwind’. His intent to protect his Master, Sis-sama, as a Knight could be felt.
–And the sensation that only the winner of this Duel would be able to head towards the ‘Deepest Part’ and have the right to protect Kanami-sama.
Dia next to me probably sensed it from the wind as well. Showing her fangs and smiling like the old man, she walked beside me, giving me instructions.
“Fran, let’s finish this in one strike! –‘Wine’! You channel the wind too! Overcome their headwind head-on!!”
Dia began to blow wind from behind, like the old man, a wind attribute magic that wasn’t her forte. It was likely her first time seeing it, and her first time constructing it. However, Dia also managed to establish the ‘Magic of the Headwind’ improvisationally. She blew a powerful wind as if taught by a master, and possessed the flexibility to guide wind magic from me. Ah, truly… An overwhelming Magic sense… A friend with an unfair power that I could never reach. And I will probably continue to proudly move forward, utilizing this friend without reservation.
In a manner befitting an aristocrat, a Helvishein, and myself.
I have no hesitation in adding my own wild wind to Dia’s gentle breeze.
“—Winde! Yes! And then, my sword—”
“My sword too! It’s not just one! The two of us together, we wield it!!”
“That’s right! Dia, you’re finally getting it!!”
“You’re the one who’s finally getting it! You’ve always been so selfish, how dare you!!”
The distance between us was ten paces.
We advanced together, our sword stances, strides, and magic in sync, as two people.
My grandfather, Dia, and I advanced simultaneously, quickly closing the distance of the dueling arena.
First, two types of ‘Rampart Magic’ clashed. Winds that could lift the spectators’ bodies raged, and then three types of ‘Aleis’s Sword’ also met.
The sword flashes of Dia and I, standing side-by-side, sparkled symmetrically, and my grandfather Fenrir deflected them all with a single sword.
“Heh—”
The master was impressed by the swords of his two disciples.
Now, my own swordplay has been added to the battle that reminds me of the recent ‘Dance Battle Tournament,’ creating even fiercer swordplay. Even though it’s two of us against him—my grandfather deflects everything with just one sword.
It even seemed as though he were scrutinizing our ‘Swordsmanship where we protect and empower each other.’
The three sword flashes glittering on the stage were all ‘Aleis’s Sword.’
However, not a single one of them followed the exact same path.
My grandfather’s sword, as a sword master, is the pure ‘Absolute of Aleis Style Swordsmanship.’ However, Dia’s sword was ‘created with the premise of ‘Magic Limb Transformation’,’ and the sword I wield in conjunction with it is ‘the sword I’ve swung with that strange friend’—
The three met in the center of the dueling arena, and the sword music, like that coloring the stage, rang out continuously.
Watching the battle, Sis-sama murmured.
“…!” Dia, why…! You have an offensive front-liner, yet you’re still doing something inefficient…!”
She was perplexed as to why Dia wasn’t dividing roles like ‘swordsman’ and ‘mage’ as they did.
She must have believed that division of roles was the most efficient. It seemed she felt looked down upon and her voice held a hint of anger.
However, that is not the case.
The most efficient path does not always lead to the best outcome.
The reality is that even when you do your best, things often do not go as planned—or so Dia had said.
In fact, there had been many battles where superior levels and abilities were overturned by the luck of the moment.
That’s why I had always thought…
Wouldn’t it be more advantageous to prioritize romance over efficiency…?
At least, Franryure Helvirshine would not have ‘regrets’ that way!
Just like the plays and stories I love! Prioritizing romance over efficiency ultimately brings about the best ending! That’s what I believe! That’s why, today, I will be myself and recite the lines that come to my mind—!!
“That’s why, Sis-sama! I’m telling you, it’s old-fashioned! Battles that are too efficient are tales from plays a thousand years ago! In the ‘present,’ it’s trendy for everyone to be doing what makes you want to cheer them on, even if it’s a little inefficient! In other words, ‘the two of us protecting each other’s backs’ is the strongest tactic that will attract ‘future’ victory!!”
I swung my sword and my theory as if to knock on the ‘World.’
Dia responded in kind, echoing my sentiment.
“I don’t know about Fran’s trends! But I’ve decided I won’t run away like a coward anymore!! I’ll surpass Apostles and Sword Saints head-on!! If I need more, I’ll borrow the strength of my friends! I’ll convince you all completely and go together ‘everyone’! I will definitely—!!”
My grandfather, receiving those swords and voices up close, let out a grunt.
Whether it was a groan or a laugh, I couldn’t tell, but it certainly escaped him.
With that momentary slack, my grandfather’s ‘Absolute of Aleis Style Swordsmanship’ was swung carelessly.
First, the tip of my grandfather’s knightly sword aimed to chop off my wrist.
However, it was deflected by Dia’s ‘Rampart Magic’—
“—Resonance Magic ‘Aleis Winds’—”
The ‘Rampart Magic,’ named impromptu, pushed with its strong wind, causing my grandfather’s sword tip to miss wildly like a novice.
But my grandfather immediately used his perfected ‘Swordsmanship’ to re-swing his sword from an unstable posture, as if erasing the fact that he had missed.
The tip then turned towards Dia’s wrist, next to me, but it was—
“—Duet Wind!!”
I continued the naming and activated it.
With our ‘Aleis Winds: Duet Wind,’ his sword was once again deflected.
After the trajectory of the sword was corrected by wind magic for the second time, my grandfather’s sword failed to reach either of us. And then, it momentarily froze in a meaningless form, as if it had lost its target.
“…Hmph. Kah, haha—”
It seemed my grandfather had been laughing, not groaning.
The Sword Saint still had room to maneuver and could continue the sword fight with his supreme ‘Swordsmanship,’ I knew that well as his disciple.
However, my grandfather only created laughter and an opening.
The match was decided.
It might have been for reasons other than ‘which swordsmanship he preferred’ or ‘if I do this, won’t I be the villain,’ but undeniably, it was time for ‘the present’ to reach its conclusion.
My grandfather’s missed sword was left exposed, as if thrown aside.
Our ‘Two people protecting each other’s backs’ slash followed toward that sword, enhanced with ‘Aleis Winds: Duet Sword,’ and attacked with full force.
“Dia! Now!!”
“Old Man, I’ll surpass you! I don’t intend to do it alone! We’ll surpass you with our swords!!”
Dia’s shouting upward slash knocked away the Sword Saint’s knightly sword.
It flew high and pierced deeply into the ceiling bearing the temple’s crest, as if using it as a sheath.
Then, the strong winds of our ‘Aleis Winds: Duet Sword’ tore through my grandfather’s ‘Rampart Magic’ vertically—or rather, rolled it up—completely changing the flow of wind within the temple.
