The unprecedentedly happy event of a bouquet toss at the fishing pond had just concluded when it was heard.
“Well, it’s about time for a ‘Wait a moment,’ you two!”
“…No, I can’t possibly put a stop to the results of this tournament? Ange counted the number of fish caught accurately, you know.”
“I worked hard to count them, so the possibility of error is close to zero!”
“No, no, that’s not what I mean.”
Kuon has good company to offer a retort. Well then, after a brief respite, let’s get to the main topic.
“It’s a joke, just a joke. Still, to come with a ‘Wait a moment’ at this timing. Is there a reason?”
“Hmm? Well, there isn’t a particularly deep reason? If I had to say, it’s because if I were to say ‘Wait a moment’ after a meal, I’d end up throwing up the delicious feast…”
“Oh, you’re saying something, aren’t you.”
Immediately after the fishing tournament, the two are already in a combat-ready stance. The pressure accompanying their verbal attacks was indescribable—ah, why can’t I stand on this battlefield!? Is this some kind of penalty game!?
“Sister Sera, fighting is fine, but please change out of your dress, okay? It’s not for combat.”
“I know. See, I’ve already changed into the Mad Empress.”
“…Mastering quick changes is all well and good, but please refrain from doing it in front of others. Also, where will you fight? If you do it at the fishing pond, Papa will probably cry!”
“That’s all sorted too! I’ve already selected a place where there won’t be any damage, no matter how much you go wild! With that said, shall we move to the location!”
～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～
Led by Sera, we arrived at a certain wilderness. When I say “we,” only the main players Sera and I, her opponent Kuon, and the barrier constructor Colette actually moved. The others are waiting at the fishing pond. However, video equipment borrowed from comrades has been set up at the fishing pond so they can watch the battle. By me, the cameraman, skillfully filming, I can dynamically and in real-time report on the events of the “Wait a moment.”
“I’m the cameraman, huh. Not the one fighting…”
“Lord Kelvin, rest assured! I, Colette, will engrave the sight of you, Lord Kelvin, filming the battle into my memory on behalf of everyone! *Pant pant*, I’ll engrave it up close!”
“Ah, ah, please do it within your limits. And please, don’t breathe so heavily in my ear, I’m begging you.”
Colette, having returned to her usual self after yesterday’s Saintess mode, quickly finished constructing the barrier using a secret art. Apparently, she’s gotten used to building it through days of preparation, and it’s not as difficult for her anymore. Also, when she does it near me, she seems to perform well—no, let’s put that aside. I have a vague premonition of danger if I delve any deeper into this.
“The preparations are finished, it seems. I can start anytime, though?”
“I’m ready too, Auntie. By the way, what about the rules? This barrier surrounding us, and the barrier placed on ourselves, they prevent destruction and death, right? We can have any rules, but what should we do?”
“How about an unrestricted practical combat format? Skills and magic are free to use, any weapon can be brought in, and the condition for losing is… let’s see. Receiving fatal damage and having the secret art released, or being taken outside the barrier, which would be considered out of bounds. How about that?”
“Oh, that’s a truly classic rule. But, is that okay? I think I explained it before, but I have ‘Paramita,’ so the abilities of this world won’t work on me.”
“I don’t mind. If I can’t win against you, who uses all their strength, then this battle has no meaning.”
“…Nice. That’s a response I really like, Auntie.”
“Right?”
Even though battle seems imminent, Sera and Kuon continue their conversation with enjoyment. Will they be able to transition to battle like that? You might have your doubts, but they are the type who can switch gears easily. With a single switch inside them, they can go and beat the person in front of them to death. Oh, how frightening.
“Hey, do you need a signal to start? If you do, I’ll give the signal?”
“A signal? Hmm, I don’t think we need one, do we? We’ll start automatically when our breathing matches.”
“Yeah, yeah, something like that~”
“Breathing, huh? Talking about sumo again…”
“Sumo, you say? I believe there was such a martial art in Water Country Traase.”
“There is, huh.”
Maybe I should go watch some foreign sumo wrestlers sometime? While I was thinking that, the atmosphere between Sera and Kuon changed. It seems the switch has been flipped.
“…”
I raise my camera, capturing the sight of the two glaring at each other in the frame. When it comes to cameras, I’m an absolute amateur, but for this moment, I copied the ‘Photography’ skill from a Gaun staff member. I don’t think it will be a shoddy broadcast. Even if the two start moving at super-speed, I’ll somehow manage.
—*Gyun!*
Ah, crap. Their figures have already vanished. Top speed right from the start, huh?
“You, the audience is in an uproar due to the unskillful broadcast right from the start. Especially Gustav, who just regained consciousness, and Bel, who was watching intently while pretending not to be interested, are furious. Please capture their figures quickly.”
Immediately, a telepathic message arrives from Mel, who is at the venue.
“Cough, damn it, Father-in-law, he woke up at this timing…! Hold them back a bit! I’ll show them right away!”
However, the camera footage continues to show only an empty wilderness. Intense impact sounds can be heard from all around, but no matter how hard I try, they won’t show up on camera. This is strange, so strange. I’m tracking their presence and pointing the camera in that direction, but why can’t I see them on camera!?
“Ah, perhaps the camera’s performance isn’t keeping up with the speed of the battle…?”
I take off the camera for a moment and look directly at the battlefield. Then, I can see the two of them fighting while moving at super-high speed, although it’s quite difficult. This really seems like a performance issue with the camera, what should I do…?
“Well now, you seem to be in trouble~”
“Eh!? Eeeeeeeeh!?”
I turn around at the voice I suddenly heard, and there was Gordiana’s face, just a hair’s breadth away. Yes, Gordiana’s face, so close it was at the level of accidental contact. She was there with absolutely no presence, so I let out a scream unbecoming of me. Even Colette’s panting from behind, which had been constant, didn’t register at that moment.
I, I barely dodged, right? Yes, that’s what should have happened, that’s what should have happened…! And besides, this was going to be an unforgettable day for completely different reasons…!
“Oh my, I feel a heated gaze~ (heart)”
“Pritia, I’m happy you came to Sera’s wedding ceremony, but surprise appearances are bad for the heart—hmm?”
Gordiana, dressed up for the wedding ceremony, was impactful just by her appearance alone. However, there was something that bothered me more than that, or rather, what Gordiana was holding in her hand, could it be…?
“Um, why are you carrying the unconscious Gerard…?”
“For Sera’s special occasion, I can’t have it ruined by equipment trouble, can I? That’s why I brought *my dear*~ (heart).”
“…(Foaming at the mouth)”
Gerard is foaming at the mouth…!
