“Everyone, if Master wins the battle here, you will once again travel to various countries. Considering the time, it would be best to start soon.”
Rosaria gave such advice to the cheerful companions of the four great nations’ alliance, who seemed unable to get along. The conversation, which had been a bit out of control, with Tsubaki-sama at the forefront, suddenly stopped. As expected of the older sister-like maid dragon of my mansion, she knows how to rein us in when needed.
“Ahem! Let me re-explain the rules of this match. As you can see, the key figures from each country have gathered here. Kelvin will now fight us, but I will impose two restrictions. Otherwise, we have no chance of winning.”
“I thought a pure brawl would be fine, but the others said it wouldn’t be a match. Well, it’s true that I lost to Kelvin before. I’m sorry, but please follow these restrictions imposed by this Princess King.”
“This is unavoidable given our abilities. I’m pushed off a cliff every day too, so eventually…!”
Azgrad and Sabato seemed a little dissatisfied. However, they had already experienced imposing restrictions in the second trial. I had no intention of complaining about it now. On the contrary, if being given handicaps meant a fair fight, I would gladly wear handcuffs or shackles— —Ah, no, I’m not a masochist, okay?
“Restriction 1: You must not hurt us!”
That’s a pretty wild restriction for the first one.
“Heh heh, you look surprised. How exhilarating! However, there is a plausible reason. Most of us are royalty or hold important positions. Although we won’t die from Colette’s secret art, we cannot afford to be easily injured. I’m sorry, but please understand that.”
“We don’t have any problem with that, do we?”
“Right?”
“You know, royalty usually doesn’t lead from the front…”
For Gaun, royalty is all about fighting, and Azgrad is a combat-loving enthusiast. It can’t be helped.
“Thanks to Colette’s secret art, we are equipped with an emergency transfer effect when we take a certain amount of damage. Kelvin, you must incapacitate all of us without triggering this effect. This means knocking us unconscious or restraining us. The method doesn’t matter.”
“What do you mean by ‘a certain amount’? How much is that?”
“A scratch would be fine!”
The standard is so vague…!
“Restriction 2: Environmental destruction is strictly forbidden! This lake is a precious protected natural environment that Trisen prides itself on, inhabited by a wide variety of rare creatures. Any act that pollutes the water or harms the trees is prohibited, and even applying stress to the ground with magic is also forbidden!”
“…In other words, this trial requires us to be kind to both people and nature to clear it, is that right?”
“Yes! However, we will attack without regard for the environment. You must protect this nature from them. This ‘Water Heaven’s Single Strike’ is quite powerful!”
With that, Tsubaki-sama formed a naginata from the lake water. It resembles Hoover’s weapon, but this one seems to be of a higher caliber.
“Hey, Princess King. Isn’t that a bit too much? All of these demands are unreasonable.”
“What are you saying, King of Trisen? This is just about right. Oh, I forgot to mention, if anything happens to the lake, you will be held responsible with your body. Heh heh.”
Tsubaki-sama put on her naughtiest smile of the day. What will I be made to do if that happens!?
“It’s fine. Azgrad, *nii-san*— —Azgrad. If something happens, I will be held responsible. Besides, if I can’t clear this with such handicaps, I won’t be able to overcome the trials ahead. That’s what you’re trying to say, isn’t it, Tsubaki-sama?”
“…Yes!”
I wonder about that pause. It’s not because you’re determined to surround me, is it?
“Then, may we begin immediately? I’m already quite restless.”
“Your eager expression says it all. Very well, let us begin with this Kagenui’s signal. He will flick a coin towards the sky. The moment it hits the ground will be the start of the trial. Is everyone alright with that?”
The four great nations’ alliance nodded in unison, and of course, I agreed.
“Then, Kelvin, let’s enjoy ourselves to the fullest.”
The moment Tsubaki-sama snapped her fan shut, the masked man beside her flicked a coin straight up into the air.
***
— —Trisen, a certain desert
“That was a one-sided victory, Papa!”
“Thank you. Still, it’s amazing that Kuromel knows such difficult words. Papa is so proud.”
As I headed towards my next destination, Kuromel, who was riding on my shoulder, praised me. In return, I praised Kuromel. We both smiled, feeling happy. I had slipped the invitation signed by both me and Azgrad into the old man Kilt’s pocket, and I was confident that my battle had been perfect in every way.
“Hehe, I study with Shutra-san! I’m proud! Ah, but let’s talk about Papa’s story, Papa’s story! The attack Papa delivered to everyone’s necks the moment the coin hit the ground… Was that an ‘atsumi’ that Sera-san excels at? The one Papa practiced hard because he admired Sera-san in the past!”
“Ah, well, yes, it is. But to have the details explained makes me a little embarrassed…”
“There’s no need to be embarrassed. Mastering a technique you admired through effort is wonderful, Papa. You delivered it accurately even though Rosaria-san was in dragon form! Amazing!”
“U-uh. That’s because I’ve honed my skills that much…”
As Kuromel said, I had admired Sera’s “neck-tap” in the past and practiced intensely under Master Sera. The reason for doing so was simple: it was cool, nothing more. So, when my daughter presses me with such pure eyes, I can’t help but feel a little embarrassed.
Still, being able to decide the match at the very beginning was undoubtedly due to that training. Also, perhaps it’s because I did it at the same speed as when I fought Setsuna at the previous checkpoint? If I attack at a speed that outmaneuvers Setsuna’s sword speed, it’s natural that the match would be decided in an instant. A super-fast neck-tap, I did it well myself.
However, from here on, things are likely to get seriously tough. That was only checkpoint 3; we’re not even halfway done. That’s a cause for celebration in itself, but the problem is where to use Kuromel’s abilities. Hmm, that bear is the main point of consideration.
“Papa, we’re arriving at the next checkpoint soon.”
“The next one is set in the desert region of Trisen, wasn’t it? Thanks to Kuromel’s magic, it’s cool, so even the intense heat of midday is no match. You’re a lifesaver—”
Just as I was about to praise Kuromel as usual, I saw my next opponent. Or rather, our eyes met. Someone with raging crimson eyes, seemingly trying to pierce my head with their gaze.
“My fool son~! You’ve kept me waiting, haven’t you?~! You’ve become quite something, eh!?”
In the middle of a deserted desert (with no monster presence), a conspicuously large Great Demon King stood out, surrounded by the Four Heavenly Kings of Demon, filled with fighting spirit. Needless to say, they were Father-in-law Gustav, Victor, Vegalzelld, Reinhard, and the perverted butler.
“It’s been a while. So, Father-in-law and the others are participating in this event too.”
“What do you mean, ‘it’s been a while’? You should have finished those meager battles from 1 to 3 quickly and come to see me. I’ve been waiting since dawn!”
Si-since dawn!? I hadn’t even been informed about the Battle Rally at that time!?
“Whisper (Papa, Gustav-san is actually quite enthusiastic about participating. His early readiness was likely due to him looking forward to it. Even if his words are harsh, he genuinely acknowledges Papa, so don’t worry.)”
“Whisper (Is that so?)”
Kuromel, when did you get to know Father-in-law so well— —No, overcoming the trial before me is the priority right now.
“I apologize. So, are Father-in-law and the others our opponents here?”
“Naturally! The ‘Hellish Doting Parents’ have arrived!”
Total PV exceeded 180 million, and total evaluation exceeded 160,000 points.
Please accompany me until the final chapter.
