The third morning of the Dance Battle Tournament.
Reaper, who had been deploying Dimension due to insomnia, was about to go to sleep. I pressed her to deploy one last Dimension before she slept.
Through our Connection, I shared and grasped Reaper’s magic sense.
Snow seemed to be preparing for her match normally, but Rowen’s condition was odd.
As expected, Rainer was by his side, but the surrounding situation was chaotic.
He appeared to be surrounded by many people, unable to move.
I quickly understood the reason.
He had won against Glen Walker, renowned as the Strongest, in yesterday’s match.
Because of this, many people seemed to be expecting Rowen to be the next Strongest. Some were mere spectators, while others approached him with ulterior motives. The scene reminded me of myself at a certain ball. Rowen, without any connections, couldn’t change his lodging and was unable to avoid this.
Perhaps he had been like this continuously since yesterday.
If that were the case, it would explain why there was no activity last night.
“Kanami, how are you feeling…?”
Rustiara checked my condition.
“…The worst. I’m dizzy with nausea and a headache. My consciousness is hazy, and I’m losing my mind.”
My vision wasn’t functioning properly.
It was blurry, like being underwater.
I lost my sense of balance, feeling as if I were constantly on a ship in a storm.
I had already given up on coherent thought. Trying to think deeply only made things worse.
“Mmm, that’s good. By tomorrow, you should be so weak you can’t stand, which would be ideal.”
Hearing the woman’s high-pitched voice irritated me. I could tell I was losing my composure and becoming short-tempered. My face naturally hardened.
Seeing this, Dia-chan called out to me.
“Ka, Kanami, are you really okay…?”
“…Thanks, Dia-chan. But this is necessary, so don’t worry about me. More importantly, I’m worried about you guys.”
Or rather, there was no point worrying about myself.
There were other things I should be considering. It was about the battle with Snow.
“Yeah, don’t worry about us either. Dia will participate in the battle too, and we’ll go all out from the start. There’s no losing.”
Rustiara confidently thumped her chest.
“Is that so…”
I understood that.
But what I was worried about was the opposite.
“You’re worried about Snow? I’m sorry, but I can’t hold back. There might even be cases where we have to kill her to stop her.”
Rustiara understood my feelings.
However, she didn’t promise not to kill.
“…Snow is just being pushed to her limit. If possible, please try to avoid killing her. I’m begging you.”
“You’re asking for too much, really… but, in reality, it depends on Dia.”
Rustiara looked at Dia-chan with a troubled expression.
“Me!?”
“Frankly, Snow only dies if Dia loses her temper. You must absolutely not use your full magic until I give the order.”
“I understand… I’ll follow Rustiara’s commands in battle…”
“Good. It’s truly helpful that Dia is calm.”
However, Rustiara would likely try to kill Snow if it meant Dia would die. Although our acquaintance was short, I understood her priorities.
At this point, I was the only one here truly worried about Snow. It was frustrating that I couldn’t fight Snow at such a crucial moment.
“This is the crucial point. Kanami, finish your match faster than Rowen and join us. We’ll crush Snow completely. Then, we’ll destroy the Bracelet in the semifinals without anyone interfering! — Let’s do this!!”
Rustiara cut off the conversation.
I also resigned myself and focused on my own match.
“Yeah, this is it.”
We split into two groups and headed towards our respective match venues.
I was up against Elmiraud Siddharuku…
Rustiara and the others were up against Snow.
The fourth round began.
◆◆◆◆◆
In the center of the arena, Siddharuku and I faced each other.
The ringing in my ears wouldn’t stop.
My vision, which had been like swimming underwater, now felt like walking in the deep sea.
My condition was the worst.
By the time of yesterday’s match, my body had reached its limit.
My consciousness was intermittent, like being in a suffocating dream, and it was unbearable.
I had no memory of how I walked here.
Before I knew it, I was in the arena, facing Siddharuku.
This fourth round was the quarterfinals.
The arena was larger than before, and the number of spectators had increased. The large venue was filled with loud voices.
The audience was full of anticipation and excitement for the battle about to begin.
—But none of that mattered.
I didn’t have the luxury to concern myself with it.
My body felt so heavy it was as if it wasn’t my own.
I was already tired of even checking my condition.
In the midst of the roaring cheers I couldn’t even perceive, I managed to pick out the announcer’s voice.
“—Now! And heading this way is the master of the Guild ‘Supreme,’ Lord Elmiraud Siddharuku! He is the eldest son of the Siddharuku family and the chief knight of Eltralyu Academy! His family status, pedigree, both martial arts and scholarly skills, and appearance – he can be said to be perfect in every aspect! He is a leading candidate to win this tournament, which has seen many upsets!”
I listened to Siddharuku’s introduction.
Perhaps because the tournament was nearing its end, the preamble had become longer.
However, there was nothing particularly concerning.
What I was concerned about now was the match between Snow and Rustiara, which was happening in a different area.
“His match isn’t popular for just one reason! Lord Siddharuku is really hyping up this Dance Battle Tournament! Every match, he pledges his love to his fiancée and dedicates his victory to her! Apparently, he’s planning to get married at the end of the month, after the Dance Battle Tournament! And his beloved? It’s none other than the daughter of the Walker family, Snow-sama!”
Hearing the name Snow, my eyes are seared by the sunlight, forcing them open and clearing my vision.
My consciousness slowly shifts back to the announcer.
“The Dance Battle Tournament has a tradition: ‘Heroes who dedicate their love to ladies shall be rewarded with victory!’ And Lord Siddharuku is a knight who embodies this perfectly! Every match, he sings of his love for Snow-sama, captivating the audience!!”
Siddharuku approaches the announcer who is giving a speech and takes the microphone-like object from his hand.
Then, instead of the announcer, he shouts to the entire venue.
“I am Elmiraud Siddharuku of the Siddharuku family! I have something I want to declare to everyone while I have this chance—!!”
That pledge of love, or whatever it is—
It was so sacred and solemn, like a cleric’s congratulatory speech. It was a roundabout, lengthy oath that made the listeners blush. He continued with grand pronouncements of “love,” “destiny,” “vows,” and “honor,” finally finishing by raising his sword—
“And I swear by this sword that I will not lose to anyone! I dedicate all my victories to my beloved Snow!!”
Before the tournament, I had heard that this Dance Battle Tournament was a place for finding a spouse.
However, more than embarrassment or surprise at his love-making, another emotion wells up within me.
Has he been doing this for a long time?
I can’t stop thinking about it.
If he has, Snow must have had to listen to this countless times because of her abilities. The thought that Snow might be cornered because of these vows makes my stomach churn.
—Ah, it’s so irritating…
I don’t want to shift the blame.
But I don’t have that kind of composure right now.
As if tumbling down stairs, my consciousness sinks into deep darkness.
“And now!! These two individuals here are both candidates for the same lady’s engagement! Both Kanami and our hero are engagement candidates for Snow-sama, recommended by the esteemed Glen Walker! Hearing his rival’s vows, what is he thinking right now?! Both are Guild Masters, with so many similarities! What kind of battle will this be!?”
The audience’s attention turns to me.
The microphone in the announcer’s hand is pointed at me.
—Does that mean I’m supposed to do the same thing he did…?
My displeasure reached its limit.
“—Enough.”
The words spill out of my mouth before I can stop them.
My small voice probably wouldn’t even reach the announcer.
“Why doesn’t anyone understand that that kind of pushiness is what’s hurting Snow…?”
I wasn’t speaking to anyone in particular.
However, the announcer recoiled from the anger emanating from me.
Siddharuku steps in during that time.
“I understand that. We in the Walker family do too.”
It seems he heard my quiet murmur. —No, he couldn’t have, but perhaps he understood what I meant from the start.
Siddharuku continues to speak, as if he had prepared for this, saying something very stern.
“However, it is all as it should be.”
“As it should be…?”
“Living as a noble is not easy. But Snow accepted that when she became the adopted daughter of the great noble house of Walker. Therefore, even if she suffers, it is as it should be. Still, she must be grateful for her duty as a noble and live her life to the fullest.”
His words, so calm and the complete opposite of my current state, pierce through me.
But I can’t accept it.
My mind, clouded by my poor condition, couldn’t fully comprehend it.
Seeing my silence, Siddharuku continues.
“And it is the same for me. As the legitimate son of the Siddharuku family, I have a duty to accept any hardship. For the sake of the Siddharuku family, I will walk any difficult path. I have that resolve. If the Siddharuku family desires it, I would even aim to become a ‘hero’.”
While speaking eloquently, he points his sword towards my sword, acknowledging it.
He shows no intention of backing down.
“Elmiraud Siddharuku will involve Snow Walker in a long and difficult battle for the prosperity of our house. But I will not hesitate or regret it!!”
“Is… I see…”
In response to Siddharuku’s shout, I weakly return my words.
I don’t have the energy to shout back.
His resolve is too admirable for me to sympathize with.
I can’t understand the unwavering nature of his conviction.
Everything is too dazzling, I can’t look directly at it.
—It’s just irritating.
His intention deserves kindness. I respect it. I even admire it.
But it irritates me even more.
My head, which was already near its limit, heats up further. My thoughts are stoked, and my hazy consciousness smolders.
A cloying discomfort.
A dull ache persists.
My thoughts are jumbled.
My limbs tremble.
My vision blurs.
—Ah, it’s truly irritating.
I dislike everything within my sight.
That’s why I want to deny everything.
“…Then, starting now, I will crush your dreams and your vows. I will break everything. …In any case, I don’t like it.”
“…Oh?”
Siddharuku accepts this with apparent pleasure.
His composure irks me.
“…You absolutely cannot win against me.”
“Fu—, fufu, hahahahahahaha!!”
Siddharuku-san laughed.
I didn’t understand the reason for his sudden smile.
As I scowled and looked at him suspiciously, he explained the reason.
“Finally… finally you’ve become serious! The ‘Hero’ chosen by Palinkron…!”
His reason included the words I least wanted to hear right now.
The words that had been tormenting me for the past few days.
“Hero.”
“Ah, this is it…! If I win against you now, I’ll become a ‘Hero’—!”
From that point on, I lost my composure.
Something that had been keeping me sane snapped.
“—Again! Is it that again! Do you also long to be a ‘Hero’?!”
Without any pretense, I shouted my true feelings.
Just as he said, I was finally getting serious.
I spewed out whatever came to mind, without thinking.
“…Ah, all the knights of the nobility are like that. I’ll defeat you, become a ‘Hero’, and take Snow as my bride!”
“It’s irritating! I hate that aspect of nobles, I truly hate it!!”
I continued to shout, turning all my pent-up frustration into words.
“For the sake of our family, for national interests, for wealth and fame!! I’m sick of all that! Damnable, troublesome!!”
I hated all restrictive ways of thinking that tried to take away people’s freedom.
Because of that, all my companions have become strange.
Because of such trivial things…!
“There’s a more humble, modest, peaceful happiness in the world, isn’t there!? Why don’t nobles understand that!? Why are you so fixated on being a ‘Hero’?”
Simply by being nobles, Snow and Rowen are bound.
I can’t understand Elmiraud Siddharuku either.
Wishing for “glory” brings nothing good.
Yet, no one understands that.
I unleashed all my dissatisfaction.
Elmiraud, who received it all, smiled very gently.
“…Kanami, you truly are like a ‘Hero’ from a fairy tale. But not everyone can live with your way of thinking. People have their own birth and lives.”
“—Ah, shut up! Shut up, shut up, just be quiet!!”
I don’t want to hear it.
It angers me precisely because it’s the truth.
The more we talked, the more Elmiraud gained the initiative, which was undeniable.
I rejected conversation and focused only on crushing his intentions.
“I will not let Snow be married to a noble! Absolutely not!!”
So, I imitated Elmiraud and swore back.
“—Hereby I swear! Snow Walker wishes to marry me! Her love is with me!! If anyone wishes to wed Snow Walker, they must defeat me first! As long as this sword of mine is raised, no one will be able to wed her!!”
I swung my sword carelessly and shouted so the entire arena could hear.
In response to my shout, a roar amplified many times returned from the seating area.
In my haste, I felt like I had done something irreversible. But, I don’t have the time or composure to think deeply about it now.
For now, I just wanted to deny everything about the noble man in front of me.
I don’t want to hurt Snow any further.
I can’t think about anything else.
I glared at the enemy in front of me, driven by emotion.
Elmiraud trembled with excitement.
“Is this Kanami’s true strength…? What magic, what terrifying pressure…! This is a ‘Hero’…!”
His cheeks flushed as he stared at me.
I didn’t like that expression.
“If you think you’ll win against me and become a ‘Hero’, you’re mistaken! I’m not a ‘Hero’! No, more than that—!!”
I decided to crush the enemy with my entire being.
I measured Elmiraud’s strength with “Gaze” and compared it to my remaining power.
[STATUS]
Name: Elmiraud Siddharuku HP198/201 MP280/299 Class: Knight
Level 20
Strength 4.79 Stamina 2.82 Dexterity 4.12 Speed 7.29 Intelligence 7.19 Magic Power 18.10 Aptitude 1.67
Innate Skill: Elemental Magic 1.93
Acquired Skill: Magic Combat 1.89 Swordsmanship 0.89
“—Elmiraud!! You absolutely can’t win against me! There’s no way you can!!”
“Ah, perhaps you’re right… perhaps I’m no match for you…! But I’ve never fought thinking I couldn’t win!! That’s true even now! I will defeat you one-on-one and become a ‘Hero’! All for the sake of the Siddharuku family!!”
With that conversation, I took a step forward.
Elmiraud also stepped forward.
“Uh, um… So, you’re fighting for ‘the honor of being a Hero’ and ‘the right to betroth Snow-sama’…?… A one-on-one, no-rules match starting now…?”
A worried voice interjected from the side.
However, we didn’t stop.
Neither I nor Elmiraud could see anything but the enemy in front of us.
Without answering, the distance closed.
“—I will deem both parties to have agreed!! ‘The First Moon Allied Nations Comprehensive Knights’ Grand Ball’ North Area Fourth Match, begin!!”
With that declaration as a signal, Elmiraud and I charged.
The distance was less than ten meters.
We soon made contact.
However, before we could make contact, Elmiraud unleashed his magic.
“—Ice Phalanx!”
“—Magic ‘Dimension Winter’!”
Along with the magic, I chanted a spell of obstruction.
Of course, it didn’t succeed.
As expected, countermeasures had been taken. Elmiraud’s magic tool shattered, and the completed Ice Magic was unleashed towards me.
Innumerable ice spears flew towards me.
I had no choice but to dodge and weave through them with my eyes, advancing forward.
Elmiraud is a knight with magical inclinations. It’s undeniable that he has the advantage in close combat rather than long-range.
I forcibly close the distance, getting within sword’s reach.
Just before I swing my sword, Elmiraud unleashes his high-speed magic again.
“—Lightning Line!”
Violet lightning explodes before my eyes. I twist my body, narrowly avoiding a direct hit. However, I still take the brunt of the lightning on half my body, and a paralyzing sensation spreads throughout me.
But I don’t care. It’s irrelevant if my movement is slightly impaired. I was already too sluggish to move properly.
Next, our swords clash, producing a high-pitched sound that resonates in my head. We engage in a sword lock, and I put more power into pushing Elmiraud down. Judging by our Strength stats, I should have the advantage in a power struggle.
In response, Elmiraud tilts his sword, deflecting my strength. I understood this through “Dimension.” However, even though I understood it, my body couldn’t react.
Simultaneously, the MP that had slightly recovered overnight is depleted, and “Dimension” is deactivated.
My body and magic power aren’t moving as I’d planned. It feels like tar with abnormal stickiness has entangled my entire body. I lose my balance and stumble towards Elmiraud’s side.
“—Wind Burst!”
As I’m falling, an incantationless magic attacks me. Elmiraud’s strength lies in the integration of his flexible swordsmanship and high-speed magic. Every movement is logically connected and works in synergy without waste.
“Ngh!”
Hit by the strong wind, I’m blown away. For an ordinary person, this impact might be enough to render them unable to fight, but it’s not a decisive blow against me, who is imbued with abnormal magic power.
However, distance has been created.
“—Aqua Spread!”
Water magic crawls across the ground, attacking me. Still, I run as I did at the beginning.
It’s fine to be the same. My mistake earlier was trying to dodge the lightning magic.
I don’t need to dodge. I can take this kind of improvised magic without significant consequence. My durability is superhumanly high. I should have attacked more aggressively, accepting the magic at that point.
Dodging the water magic erupting from below, I approach again.
“—Flame Arrow!”
A flame arrow is unleashed. I crush it with my left hand, not holding my sword.
Fire magic was a saving grace. I’m accustomed to taking fire magic, and I’m wearing the “Red Talisman” around my neck, which affects flames.
Ignoring my left hand, scorched by the heat, I bring my sword down. Elmiraud, having his Flame Arrow blocked in an unexpected way, has no choice but to parry.
I strike Elmiraud’s sword repeatedly as he’s left open. Elmiraud’s grip on his sword gradually loosens, and I deliver the finishing blow. The impact sends his sword flying into the air.
Now he’s disarmed. I intend to point my sword at his throat and corner him—
“Haaarghh—!!”
Elmiraud abandons his sword and kicks out with his left leg as he falls. My reaction is delayed by this unexpected counterattack. I block it with my right arm.
“—Impulse!!”
Elmiraud unleashes magic with his left leg. The magic tool on his ankle breaks, and the shockwave of the vibration magic surges through my right arm.
The impact causes me to drop the sword I was holding. My grip, which was weaker than expected, couldn’t withstand the shock of “Impulse.” I knew my body was weak, but I didn’t realize it was this bad.
And right in front of me is Elmiraud, lunging to punch me. I have no choice but to respond with my fists.
First, Elmiraud’s right fist flies towards my face, and I block it with my left arm. Next, his left fist is aimed at my side. I retreat, and he misses.
Perhaps because he’s weaker in strength, Elmiraud doesn’t try to grapple me. It seems he intends to fight purely with strikes.
However, I’m more than willing to trade blows. It’s difficult to cast magic in the middle of a breathless exchange of punches. If he tries to force magic into it, he can be stopped with a well-timed punch to the gut. Being able to take away Elmiraud’s magic is significant.
More than anything, I find myself wanting to punch the man in front of me. Perhaps he feels the same way.
“KANAMIIII—!!”
“ELMIRAAD—!!”
My and Elmiraud engage in a brawl, the both of us simply punching each other instinctively, without any finesse.
The fists that strike, the arms that defend—they ache. But along with the pain, I also feel a sense of relief. It’s a strange feeling, like the mud stuck in my body is being washed away.
This is the “Dance Battle Tournament” where talented warriors gather— A fiercely gritty brawl is unfolding on a stage where swords and magic should be dancing. Yet, the cheers don’t stop. In fact, the excitement is only escalating.
I try desperately to punch Elmiraud in the face, my head aching from the cheers, but I can’t land a clean hit. Despite my body being weak, my strength and speed are overwhelmingly superior. My reflexes and motion tracking are probably on the same level. However, the mastery of “Martial Arts” is vastly different. His techniques are overwhelmingly superior, leading to a stalemate.
Like with Lowen, I thought about understanding and mimicking his techniques, but I quickly gave up. With my thinking ability so impaired, I couldn’t possibly make such calculations.
Anyway, I find it too much effort to think. In the end, the only option I have is to overwhelm him with my superior abilities. I can only think of crushing him with all my might. And so—
—”Midwinter of Overcrowded Dimensions.”
I unleash my ultimate incantationless magic.
I understand that I am lacking in many ways.
However, for some reason, I was convinced that I could win even without them.
The “Display” I was seeing for the first time was changing rapidly.
[Status]
HP 102/316 0/751
[Status]
HP 95/309 0/751
[Status]
HP 89/303 0/751–
The numbers were decreasing.
Although I was seeing it for the first time, my body understood.
Right now, I was using magic, sacrificing my life–
Sparks scattered in my boiled-over mind, and flames blazed.
Along with a sensation like my brain cells were dying and burning, I tasted death from the back of my tongue.
However, it didn’t matter.
All that was important now was to utterly crush the man before me.
“Midwinter of Overcrowded Dimensions” clung to me and Elmiraud.
And it grasped my every movement.
However, I didn’t have enough leeway to calculate the best response. I could only reactively meet the enemy.
I just grasped his movements, avoided them, and struck, avoided and struck.
It was the same thing I was doing, but thanks to magic, my reflexes and visual acuity had increased tens of times.
Furthermore, “Midwinter of Overcrowded Dimensions” was chilling Elmiraud’s arms, slowing his movements.
Inevitably, only my fists struck Elmiraud’s entire body.
My fists struck his head, arms, chest, and abdomen, and to finish him off, my fist caught Elmiraud’s jaw.
His head reeled, and he fell to his knees.
He slowly stumbled forward.
Seeing Elmiraud’s hands and feet touch the ground, I dispelled the magic.
He had given his all and finally fallen.
From the information gained through “Gaze,” I could tell he wouldn’t be able to stand up.
–I had won.
Elmiraud raised his face and looked up at me.
It was truly the appearance of a winner and a loser.
There was no doubt that I had crushed Elmiraud’s dream and oath.
However, Elmiraud’s eyes as he looked at me hadn’t changed.
He still saw me as a “Hero.”
While I had my way with him due to my power, I was ultimately unable to quell my irritation.
“Haa… haa… I lost…”
Hearing Elmiraud’s declaration of defeat, my mind rapidly cooled.
And at the same time, I realized that I had also lost.
In the end, I had won by relying solely on my peculiar talent.
There was no way I could stop being seen as a “Hero” through such means. For me to truly win, I had to defeat him through different means.
“I’m so frustrated… Ah, I wanted to win. I really wanted to win… Is this all I’m capable of…”
Elmiraud expressed his frustration.
He was deeply regretting not being able to become a “Hero.”
I was also deeply frustrated.
Until the very end, he only saw me as a “Hero.”
Aikawa Uzunami’s words hadn’t reached him at all.
Realizing this, I was aghast.
However, it was irreversible.
Regaining a sliver of composure, I saw various points of reflection.
Without even regaining my memories, I had made a tremendous oath on impulse.
I stood frozen, breaking out in a cold sweat.
Then, Elmiraud, who was also out of breath, spoke to me.
“…Hey, Kanami. From your perspective as a ‘Hero,’ Snow might be insignificant. But she’s a pitiful child… If you could, please help her.”
His words were now considerate of Snow, a stark contrast to his attitude before the match.
Perhaps all those seemingly prepared lines were just an act to make me serious.
No, even more than that, everything about him as the legitimate son of the Siddharuku family–
I replied with a bitter expression.
“…I am not a ‘Hero.’ What I can say for certain is that I was Snow’s companion and partner. So, all I can do is be by her side as a partner.”
I didn’t know what would happen if my memories returned, but this was all I could say right now.
“…You really haven’t changed, have you, ‘Hero’? Your way of thinking just doesn’t align with mine.”
“That’s why I’m telling you, I’m not a ‘Hero.’ Are you sure you want me to finish you off, Elmiraud?”
“Fufuh, fufu, hahahaha–”
As I glared at him, Elmiraud laughed with genuine joy.
It was an innocent smile I had never seen before.
And then, he fell backward, still laughing.
It was a complete posture of surrender.
He didn’t seem like he had any more to say.
The match would end like this.
All that was left was to confirm with the announcer and have them declare the end of the match.
“I feel like I’m the one who lost… But, well, I won the match, so I guess I have to accept it… I wonder if Rustiara in the West Area managed to beat Snow…?”
I moved my heavy body and approached the announcer, who was standing at a distance.
They were also coming towards me.
It seemed they had taken quite a distance due to Elmiraud’s consecutive use of magic.
I walked, grumbling.
Then–
“–!!”
A roar that shook the entire venue echoed.
It was undoubtedly the roar of a living being.
A cry that defied common sense shook the world like an earthquake.
Everyone in the venue covered their ears.
And only I understood the true nature of that voice.
It was the same sound I had heard several days ago in the ruined castle in the west.
A “Dragon’s Roar” imbued with magic.
“S-Snow–?”
I muttered the name of the person who must have let out that roar.
The roar indeed came from the direction of the West Area.
Rustiara and Snow were currently in a match.
This roar, therefore, was a repercussion. It meant that a fierce battle was taking place in the West Area, so intense that its repercussions could reach this far.
