As soon as the signal was given, Pritia, of all people, struck with a bold move. She had grown into a giant, pink behemoth, no, a great goddess. Her prized blonde hair, which she apparently styled meticulously every day, was nearing the top of the barrier set up on the stage. The impact was immense. However, her size was just barely within the limits.
“Hey, hey, isn’t that a double-edged sword?! Touching the barrier means disqualification!”
“Ufuhn, thanks for the warning. Kelvin-chan, you truly are a gentleman. But, I can be quite bold at times, you know.”
Pritia’s smile was delivered to everyone in the venue, as if she were enjoying being on the brink. Next, the roar of the audience, akin to screams, could be heard. Of course, encountering something like this suddenly would be shocking.
“Hm, in a free-for-all, it’s standard to take down the strongest first. Gordiana, be ready.”
“Just because it’s a Battle Royale doesn’t mean cooperation is forbidden! Our wishes have always been the same!”
“Araaaan?”
Silvia and Emma headed towards Pritia, who had captured everyone’s attention. It seemed they intended to work together to overcome this match, motivated by the desire to reduce the food expenses at my mansion. A one-on-one fight against the strong Pritia would be tough, but with their excellent teamwork, the outcome of the match became uncertain. Pritia’s overwhelming size was a formidable asset. If they could manage to trip her, she’d be disqualified.
“Ice Surface World.”
Silvia was likely aiming for the same strategy. Once she finished chanting her magic, the entire stage surface was covered in slippery ice. A stage more slippery than a skating rink, with friction minimized to the extreme, was completed. While this might be effective against Pritia, it presented a problem for the rest of us. However, I would use my flight ability.
“Kelvin, you’re quite relaxed, aren’t you, staring off into space! Or are you peeking!?”
“Honestly, I beg you, stop making misleading remarks!?”
While being scolded by Bakke, I had to defend my honor. Just as they had begun their battle, we were also in the midst of our own. It was a Battle Royale, after all, so it was fine to check on our surroundings. Look, the Beast King is there, you see? If you don’t pay attention to your surroundings, you never know what dirty tricks they might pull.
“If you don’t like it, show me with your actions!”
“Whoa!”
I dodged the sword that drew a red trajectory. Bakke’s sword had small, red fragments resembling dragon scales growing from its blade, clearly made from dragon material. It was somewhat similar to the spear Azgrad wielded. Every swing sent sparks flying from between the scales, and the ice instantly melted where the sword touched the stage.
Speaking of melting, the same phenomenon was occurring at Bakke’s feet. If one carelessly stepped onto the ice stage, they would normally slip and fall. However, in Bakke’s case, the ice melted the moment her soles touched the stage, and she was melting the ground stage beneath it as well. This meant that not only her sword but Bakke herself was emitting tremendous heat, as if she were a lava flow. Touching her carelessly wouldn’t just result in a burn.
“Oh my! The stage is already covered in ice! In some places, it melts just by being stepped on! As most people expected, Caesar-shi’s composure is starting to crack!”
Ronowee, please, for goodness’ sake, stop the commentary. While silently offering prayers to Mr. Caesar, who I presumed was in the audience, I officially began my tussle with Bakke. Subjectively, her swordsmanship was below Lyon’s. However, her physical abilities were not to be underestimated, and she incorporated a special heat, separate from Red Magic, into both her offense and defense. In terms of raw individual strength, she might even be stronger than Silvia or Emma.
“Araaaan? Leonhart-chan, watching idly at a time like this? If you don’t have an opponent, shall I be your match?”
“Gah, you found me already… I thought I was hiding well. By any chance, are you also free? Glostina-san?”
“Ufufun, you mustn’t underestimate a woman’s intuition and keen perception. This is a Battle Royale. I bet you were planning to lie low and wait for the spoils until your enemy became the last one standing, weren’t you?”
“Whoa, you saw through me that much?”
“You may seem straightforward on the outside, but you’re the same on the inside. There’s no need for advice from an experienced older sister like myself.”
“…I see. As expected of Gordiana’s junior disciple, who once defeated me. I am impressed.”
“I’m her junior disciple, you know? Now, let’s stop the chit-chat and enjoy ourselves, shall we? Dancing noble fairy on the stage!”
It seemed Glostina had found the hidden Beast King and their fight had begun. Glostina, enveloped in a purple aura, was met by the Beast King, who produced two rugged Bastard Swords from somewhere to intercept her.
“On ice, I am even more elegant!”
“Yeah, your movements are certainly elegant, but…”
Glostina glided across the ice, performing jumps and spins as if figure skating. I wondered if she had blades made from poison, derived from her Unique Skill, attached to her feet. Meanwhile, she continued to spread poison from her muscular body, steadily establishing her own field. Her movements were efficient and tactically sound.
…However, I couldn’t help but sympathize with Leonhardt, who was wearing an indescribably troubled expression. Being skated around gracefully by someone like that would be terrifying.
“What is it, what is it, staring off again!?”
Oops, another scolding and a slash flew my way. I wasn’t staring off into space. I was merely extending my consciousness, via some of my Parallel thoughts, to other battlefields. My current focus remained on Bakke.
“Don’t say that. You should approach combat with a broader perspective, shouldn’t you?”
“Broader perspective? …Ah, Kelvin. Are you perhaps into that too? Well, I’m not opposed to women, but even so, that’s a bit much… Yes, your epithet on the Adventurer’s isn’t just for show! In that sense, I concede defeat!”
“Hey, you’re misunderstanding the meaning of combat!”
Bakke gestured towards Glostina, who was performing a tremendous spinning jump on the other side, and praised her and me. At this point, it was a home-run level misunderstanding.
“Hmph, if that’s the case, I might tell you a secret about me that would interest a lecherous Kelvin.”
“That’s not it? Seriously, it’s not! Hey, are you listening to me?”
“To be blunt, my blood contains that of a Fire Dragon. I’m a ‘Dragon Person.’ Do you know about it?”
It seemed she wasn’t listening to me. However, she was providing an interesting topic, which was greatly appreciated. Fine, I’ll play along, but only today! Just for today, mind you!
“Who knows. I might have heard of it somewhere, but I don’t know the details. Is it related to Farnis’s Fire Dragon?”
“I don’t even know the conditions for evolution myself. All I can say is that this body can manipulate heat at will. And also, things like this!”
“Nngh!”
With Bakke’s cry, her body emitted a strong light. Oh no, is she really going to transform into a dragon’s form? Wait, wait, if she becomes something huge like a dragon in this situation!
“Watch this, Kelvin! I’ll make sure you can’t take your eyes off me!”
Before I could warn her, the light surrounding Bakke intensified.
