“Oh, oh, is this the ‘Wait a moment’ I’ve heard so much about!”
“Not only a parade of trials, but for you to impose such a new trial upon yourselves… Shutra-sama, you are thinking of this country’s future with all seriousness…!”
“W-Wait! Aren’t those Lord Ronoa, the previous Magic Knight Corps General, and his副官 Ashley-sama?! I heard they retired from the military due to unavoidable circumstances, but did they return for Shutra-sama!?”
“No, they didn’t just return. They are even participating in such a production for the sake of the two who will spread their wings for the future…! What a surprise, what a friendship…!”
“Huh? She looks a bit like the S-Rank Adventurer ‘Ice Princess’…”
Incidentally, the people of Trisen have also been notified about the “Wait a moment.” Like us, they don’t know when or where it will happen, and furthermore, who will declare it remains a secret. However, the majority of the citizens don’t seem to recognize Silvia as Ronoa. After resigning from her General position, she didn’t return to Trisen but went to the Western Continent, so I guess it can’t be helped? Unless they’re tourists who came to see my Ascension Ceremony, or frequent merchants who travel to other countries, they probably wouldn’t have had the chance to see her.
“—And so, those are the rules of the battle. To put it simply, it’s the same as during the Ascension Ceremony. How about it?”
“Yeah, I think it’s fine. Unlike last time, Colette probably won’t throw up from that level anymore. I don’t think there’s a problem.”
After listening to Silvia’s monotone speech, we readily accepted her proposal. Well, as long as it wasn’t an unreasonably difficult request, we had decided to accept any “Wait a moment.” A 2-on-2 tag battle was precisely what we had anticipated, and we even wanted to tell her, “Thank you for proposing it!”
What I’m more concerned about is where the battle stage will be. While the plaza in front of this church is spacious enough, its durability is a concern. If I or Silvia were to clash with our full power, the aftershocks and other collateral effects would be dangerous. It wasn’t like this in the past, but nowadays, having to worry about where we fight is one of my recent problems.
“Alright, I’ll create the field.”
Silvia, with a blank expression, uttered those words and began to unleash a massive amount of magical power. There was no killing intent. However, ordinary cold and pure white frigid air spread out instantly, engulfing everything around us. My vision was completely covered in white, rendering it impossible to see even an inch ahead. I’m also white today, so am I camouflage? Is that okay?
“It’s done.”
Just as I thought that, the frigid air cleared up in just a few seconds. What came into my opened vision was—a pure white arena made of ice. It closely resembled the circular arena of the Beast Kingdom Gaun. Perhaps because it was made to fit the plaza’s specifications, its size might be slightly smaller than Gaun’s. However, it provides ample space, comparable to the temporary colosseum that served as the stage for the sparring during the Ascension Ceremony. I see, I think I can fight to my heart’s content here.
“…I’m impressed. Not only the scale, but the intricate details of the decorations are also amazing. To be able to create this in such a short time, it’s comparable to Kelvin’s speed of development…?”
This colosseum was probably generated using Blue Magic. Shutra, also a user of Blue Magic, seemed genuinely impressed. And I was equally surprised.
“Silvia, this is perhaps…?”
“Hm, I tried to emulate Kelvin’s magic a bit. It’s named S-Rank Blue Magic [Silver Arena], and although the color is the opposite of Kelvin’s, it’s quite sturdy.”
Ah, just as I thought. The way it was used was similar to the Improbable Black Fortress, so it felt somewhat familiar. However, she managed to reproduce it with ice. To be perfectly honest, I doubt even Mel, Shutra’s teacher of Blue Magic, could create something this large and intricate in an instant.
“However, its durability is inferior to Kelvin’s. In exchange, it can impede enemy movements within the Silver Arena, so it’s convenient in that regard.”
“Impede movement? Is it like Nana’s Ice Heaven Temple? Yet, I don’t feel particularly impeded…”
“Frozen Yogurt Tempura? What is that delicious-sounding food?”
No, I didn’t say any such similar-but-different words. Besides, the number of characters doesn’t match. Hey, you were expressionless just until a moment ago, but now your eyes are suddenly shining. Don’t look at me with such expectant eyes for a dish that sounds like an unholy fusion.
“Right now, the hindering effect is off. By the way, if I turn it on, it’ll be like this.”
“Oh, ohh?”
That familiar sensation of my entire body freezing. This is undoubtedly the same effect that works in Nana’s Ice Heaven Temple. However, the support effects seem to be working properly, and it doesn’t seem to have the power to cancel them out. Still, if the entire arena is within the range of effect, the perfection of the magic is undoubtedly superior here. Given that you claim it’s sturdy, it seems more difficult to dispel than the Ice Heaven Temple.
“I see, I see. Just like us, Silvia’s strength is no longer what it used to be. If this is used during battle… Heh heh, it’ll be really troublesome…!”
“Ah, I will turn off this effect during battle, so please don’t worry about that.”
As I was getting excited, Emma uttered unbelievable words. Huh? You won’t use it? What do you mean, are you out of your mind!?
“No, please don’t make that face. Since it’s indiscriminate, if I activate it, it will become troublesome for me as well. Well, there are tricks to deal with it using ‘Chastisement of the Magic Chain’…”
“Even if Emma is okay, others will be troubled. This is an arena, after all, and there will be spectators.”
“What!?”
I quickly looked around. As Silvia said, Trisen’s people were filling the spectator seats, and our acquaintances and invited guests for the ceremony were continuously entering the VIP section with its good view. It is certainly true that if the effect is activated indiscriminately, everyone present will be a target. In that case, it can’t be helped, huh…?
“Now, finally, the Bride-Snatching Battle between S-Rank Adventurers will begin! Its name is ‘That Marriage, Wait a Moment!’ It’s a famous situation that everyone knows, but hardly anyone has actually witnessed such a scene! However, today, that dream-like scene will become reality! I am your commentator, the Gaun Grand Arena Announcer, Ronowee! And this time, we have General Dan of the ‘Ironclad Knights’, renowned as one of Trisen’s most skilled individuals, joining us as a commentary guest!”
“Dan Dalba. Setting aside the situation, I’m purely interested in the outcome of this battle. Personally, I’m cheering for the Princess.”
As if they had been waiting in standby, the commentator and guest commentator began to appear. General Dan’s unexpected appearance, in particular, seemed to be a pleasant surprise for the people of Trisen, and tremendous cheers echoed through the arena.
“…It really feels like a reproduction of the Ascension Ceremony again.”
“Well, we are aiming for that to some extent.”
“Hm, Emma is in charge of the main planning.”
“Mmm, I feel left out since I was absent at that time…”
“Tch!?”
Ah, I messed up! Emma, who had exactly that expression, bowed repeatedly to Shutra. Emma-san, Shutra is in strategist mode right now. You mustn’t let your emotions be stirred.
“So, the safety manager is also a complete reproduction. The workload is double that of last time, but… Colette, can you do it?”
“Of course. Kelvin-sama, everyone, please watch Shutra-chan and Colette’s magnificent battle…!”
In response to my voice, Colette emerged as if crawling from my shadow— Hey, why did you come out of the shadow like Alex? When were you there?… Anyway, Colette confidently began to use the ‘Shrine Maiden’s Secret Art’.
