The Gaun Grand Arena seating area.
Rion eagerly heads to the stage at the announcer’s summons. We, who sent her off, watch the proceedings from the spectator seats. However, my restraints haven’t been released, and I’m still stuck in a triangle formation with Efil and Melfina on either side and Sera behind me. I’ve already fully recovered. In fact, I’m in peak condition.
“Is Rion-chan okay?”
“Her next opponent is the Beast King Leonhart. She’s bound to have a tough fight.”
Melfina answers Shutra’s concern. It seems she’ll stop her continuous magic casting while we’re spectating.
“That’s true, but I’m more curious about who the Beast King will transform into,” I say. “In past matches, he seemed to take on the form of someone significant to his opponent.”
The first, second, and third rounds were walkovers, but in the previous matches, as soon as the opponents saw the Beast King’s transformed form, they were clearly shaken. While I don’t know the exact reason for their distress, judging by the Beast King’s personality, I suspect he’s taken on the form of an opponent difficult to fight. This transformation ability is likely the effect of a Magic Item, a national treasure of Gaun, which I’ve seen in the Elf Village. Since he’s brought it into the matches, it’s undoubtedly some kind of decoration.
“Who do you think he’ll transform into to face Rion… Maybe Kelvin?”
“Me?”
“No no, it’s gotta be me.”
“Rion-sama has fought against Master and Gerard in mock battles, so it shouldn’t be a problem, right?”
“Hmm, for a normal fight, maybe. But you see…”
Knowing the Beast King, I have no idea what kind of psychological attack he might employ. Goma passionately explained it over dinner the other night. It’s best to be cautious. However, if it gives Rion a trauma, heh heh…
“Rion-ojou has arrived!”
As Dahak said, we look at the stage and Rion is just entering. A storm of cheers erupts as Rion appears. It seems to be the audience who became Rion’s fans after watching her previous matches. They range from elderly couples cheering Rion on like they would a grandchild, to some fervent supporters. Like with Sera, female participants are rare in this Beast King Festival, where close combat is the primary style (excluding transformations and cross-dressing). The cheers for a beautiful girl appearing on stage are on a different level. It was similar when that red-haired girl, Baal, appeared.
“Yeah, she looks in good shape.”
“Rion-chan is amazing. She doesn’t get nervous in front of so many people?”
Shutra gazes at Rion with admiration. In Rion’s case, it’s partly because she’s acquired the “Courage” skill, but Shutra, when you grow up, you’ll be magnificent enough, so don’t worry. It’s impressive how well you’ve been brought up among those princes.
“It seems the Beast King has arrived as well.”
“He has. Let’s see, who’s form will he– Oh.”
“Big Brother, what’s wrong? Huh?”
This might be bad.
～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～
The Gaun Grand Arena, battle stage.
Rion and the Beast King, the opponents for the next match, stand facing each other on the stage, ready for battle. However, Rion’s expression as she faces the Beast King is clearly shaken. The audience, too, lets out murmurs of concern.
“Um, umm… Is that really the Beast King?”
“Yes! Even though I look like this, I am the Beast King, Rion-chan.”
The Beast King’s transformed form is smaller than Rion’s, with silky blonde hair that reaches her waist. The girl, with Rion reflected in her blue eyes, is a young Shutra. The white one-piece dress she wears doesn’t look like combat attire at all, and she’s holding no discernible weapon. She looks like a young lady who rushed out of a party venue with just the clothes on her back, dressed far too casually and carelessly to be participating in a fight.
“Player Leonhart, it appears you are not holding a weapon… May we begin the match as it is?”
“It’s not against the rules, is it? I don’t mind.”
Ronowee voices the crowd’s question, but the Beast King, as Shutra, is unconcerned, as if it’s no issue. It’s as if she deliberately didn’t bring a weapon, not that she forgot.
“…Is it okay?”
“It’s okay! Besides, I can’t bring myself to hurt Rion-chan.”
“Huh?”
“D-Both parties seem ready, so we’d like to begin! B Block Final, Match– Please, begin!”
Ronowee declares the start of the match. Although mid-conversation, Rion simultaneously assumes a fighting stance. Her heart is wavering, but she’s not letting her guard down. Even if her opponent is in Shutra’s form.
“…!”
Despite this, Shutra, the Beast King, unhesitatingly walks towards Rion. She walks with a cheerful smile, the same smile Shutra would have when playing with Rion.
“Rion-chan. I don’t want to fight you. But, as the Beast King, I can’t forfeit without doing anything. So, please, cut me down.”
“Wh-What are you saying!?”
“Exactly what I said, Rion-chan.”
Though her steps are small, the Beast King soon enters Rion’s range. It’s an ideal distance for Rion to strike with her sword. Shutra stops in this disadvantageous position, holding no weapon, and awaits Rion’s action. Her expression remains unchanged.
“What’s wrong, Rion-chan? My neck is right here. Please, just swing it cleanly.”
“Ugh…”
A trap? Or does she really not intend to fight? Doubts swirl in her mind, making Rion hesitate. But more than that, the kind-hearted Rion cannot choose to cut down the defenseless Shutra, who is also her friend.
“…I see. Rion-chan, you’re so kind. In that case–”
“Huh… W-Wait a minute!?”
As Rion raises one of her twin swords, the Beast King slowly grips the blade. Blood drips from her right hand, and the drops fall onto the stage.
“If Rion-chan can’t do it, I’ll do it for you.”
“Ngh, don’t move…!”
With sheer force, the Beast King guides the sword towards her own throat. Though her appearance is that of young Shutra, her strength is that of the Beast King herself. Rion struggles desperately to stop the movement, but the sharp tip of the sword steadily approaches the Beast King’s pale throat. As this happens, Rion’s complexion gradually drains of color.
“S-Stop it! I don’t want to win like this!”
“I can’t help it. I don’t want to fight Rion-chan either.”
The Beast King, not breaking a sweat despite death being imminent, and Rion, sweating profusely and desperately trying to stop the sword. Can this be called a battle? Who will gain the advantage towards victory? No one knows in this situation. However, if the match continues like this, it’s clear that Rion’s sword will pierce the Beast King’s flesh very soon.
“It’s alright, even if I die, it won’t change Rion’s victory.”
“That’s not… what I mean… Hnnng…!”
“Hmm, what a dilemma. But the only choice left– is to surrender, isn’t it?”
To Rion, who has tears welling up in her eyes, those words, spoken with a slight upturn of her lips, unlike her previous smile, mean Rion’s defeat. But it also sounds like wonderfully sweet words. The tip of the sword finally pierces the Beast King’s skin, and blood begins to seep out.
“I surrender! I’ll surrender!”
“Oh, really?”
“Uwah…!”
The Beast King suddenly releases her right hand. Immediately, Rion, who had been putting all her strength into it, loses her balance and falls backward.
“Ronowee, declare it, declare it ♪”
“Eh, ah, yes… Rion’s surrender has been accepted! Therefore, the B Block Final! ‘Mirror Image’ Leonhart Gaun is the winner! But I don’t feel satisfied at all!”
Although the Beast King’s victory is declared, the arena is met not with cheers, but with a storm of boos.
