episode_0316

Episode 316

It seems that that decision was not made through proper agreement with Ian and the Empire.

Well, in the first place, there is no way that the idea of having a swordsmanship match and deciding which side to stand on would have been a proposal approved by the empire.

But that hearty laugh.

It doesn’t seem like he was intentionally trying to lose. They really believe that they will win a 1v3 match.

If this happens, my work becomes meaningless. Wihart himself entered into an even more unfavorable situation.

Well, good.

I’ll watch carefully.

Is that gutsy behavior confidence or arrogance?

The match was decided to be held at noon. It’s about an hour later.

Until then, we need to take a little break and discuss how to respond to this unpredictable situation.

* * *

The strategy discussed with the three people who would compete was clear.

Unless the vanguard is defeated, the fight will continue.

If you defeat the first opponent, you will face the second, if you defeat the second, you will face the third, and so on.

Then the conclusion is simple. The two people in front drain Wihart’s power, and Pilgret decides the match.

Of course, the possibility that the statement that they would immediately surrender was a deception was not ruled out. However, Philgret, who saw the two people, assessed that they were just weak people. Wihart’s words may be true.

Philgret spoke calmly to the two people.

“If you think your life is in danger, surrender immediately.”

“Ha, but boss. So the captain…”

“No need to worry. I will definitely win.”

It’s different from what you said to me. But that is also natural.

What a leader should say in front of his subordinates. And words that calmly predict the possibility of victory in front of the lord. Pilgret was able to properly distinguish between the two.

As we were talking like that, an angry voice came from the other side. Ian was protesting something to Wihart with an angry face.

Because of the distance, I can’t hear what’s being said. But Ian’s voice was at the level of shouting. The mask of a kind, friendly smile has already been put down. Well, it makes sense.

However, Wihart didn’t seem to even listen. It seemed that his mind was already set on the battle of the sword.

Despite Ian’s protests, he just smiles and shrugs. Are they saying, ‘If you win, it’s enough’?

One hour is a short time. The start time quickly approached.

At the exact moment the sun rose overhead, the vanguards of both sides entered the stone stadium at the same time.

The vanguard of the opposing team is Gehar. The leader here is Jack.

As soon as the horn sounded, announcing the start of the match, Gehar hurriedly raised both arms and declared surrender.

The same was true for Leto, who entered the stadium next. As the surrendered Leto left the stadium, the soldiers’ mood began to rise.

Wihart! Wihart! Wihart! Wihart!

Wihart entered the stadium with a strong call. Holding a huge sword that matched his large size.

Wihart was handling the heavy greatsword, which an average man could barely lift with two hands, with one hand, like an ordinary longsword.

It can be said that this is the real beginning. When Wihart drew his sword, it felt like the air around him had changed. Even amidst the noisy cheers, the tension was palpable.

Jack, who is facing Wihart directly, may feel it best.

Jack’s skills are second only to Pilgret in name and reality within his direct division. Philgret’s assessment was that in terms of overall ability, she was superior to Rika.

Despite the overwhelming difference in physique, no fear is felt from Jack’s back. I just calmly look at my opponent.

On the other hand, Wihart, who was approaching with great strides, had his whole face colored with joy like a burning flame.

The moment they entered the gap between each other, Wihart struck without hesitation.

“Take it!”

A sharp blow cuts through the wind. You can’t take that great sword with a normal sword. The only option is avoidance. Jack’s decision was to move forward.

“Huh!”

However, Wihart was reading the movement. No, rather than reading that number exactly, it seems like I was considering it as one of the possibilities.

Wihart blocked Jack’s blade aimed at his neck with his left hand wearing a gauntlet.

At the same time, Wihart’s sword, which was struck down, returns to its upward and cutting trajectory. Jack quickly twisted his body to avoid it, but there was already an iron fist flying towards his face.

Pow!

Jack, who had been hit in the face, was lifted up to almost his height and fell to the floor. It is not strange to lose one’s mind.

However, the only conditions for defeat are surrender and death. To fulfill one of them, Wihart approached the fallen Jack without hesitation, aiming his sword.

“Ha, I surrender…I will…”

Still, it appears that consciousness remained. Wihart, who flashed his sword fiercely, withdrew his sword as soon as he heard the declaration of surrender.

* * *

“Are you okay, Rika?”

I asked Rika, who was wearing armor. I couldn’t help but feel worried after watching the match just now.

In the match just now, I didn’t feel like I was at a 1-3 disadvantage at all. Wihart was overwhelming in all aspects: strength, skill, and physique.

Since it is a match using real swords, there is still a possibility of being fatally injured.

Jack’s face was dented near his cheekbones, so it could be said to be a minor injury. Even more terrible imaginations were possible. Losing a limb, or even having your life taken away…

Rika said as she tightened the straps of her armor.

“It is unbecoming of a princess to have your heart shaken. But I’m glad. It means that you think of me that much.”

Rika knelt down in front of me with a smile that was more beautiful than beautiful. And he lightly kissed the back of my hand.

“If you defeat that person, I will look forward to a great reward in return. I wish you good luck.”

“Rika…”

Rika put on her helmet and went out to the stadium. I couldn’t help but look at the back in confusion.

My heart is pounding with ominousness. I feel like Rika’s smile will be the last time.

Rika confidently walked to the center of the stadium. Rika’s appearance was a little different from usual. In the other hand holding the sword, he was wearing a knightly standard kite shield.

Until now, Rika has never been shown using a shield. It must have been an influence of the swordsmanship of the foreign people who valued speed. The reason Jack didn’t use a shield was probably because he thought it was meaningless against that heavy sword.

Still, there had to be some meaning to the need to use the shield. There is a clear reason why I, who am not familiar with swordsmanship, would not know. I wanted to believe that was so.

“It seems that Jack’s efforts were not meaningless.”

“Yes?”

Before I knew it, Pilgret was nearby. From the looks of it, he seemed to be itching to give commentary again.

“I didn’t expect Margrave Wihart to step out alone, but there was a reason for this formation. Because I didn’t know what strong enemies there would be except for him.”

“Please don’t spin around.”

“In terms of overall physical ability and depth of swordsmanship, Jack would be slightly superior to Rika. But Rika’s clear advantage is her keen eye.”

“A sharp eye?”

“Yes. The ability to see and eyesight are surprisingly important factors in winning, such as handling weapons you have never seen before, finding the enemy’s weaknesses, or using the surrounding environment as a weapon.”

“What does that have to do with Jack? And what about the shield?”

“That is… You will know when you see the game in person.”

I glared at Pilgret slightly and then turned my gaze straight ahead.

Rika stood in front of Wihart, who was standing in the stadium. Wihart immediately recognized Rika who confronted him.

“You’re the female knight from back then. I don’t mean to disparage a warrior just because she’s a woman, but… is it okay?”

“There is no question and answer.”

“Kk, that’s a good answer. In that case, give up the player.”

Rika did not decline. He kicked off the ground and charged straight at Wihart.

“Taaat!”

A great sword that could split a rock falls on Rika’s head. However, after a while, a sight that was hard to believe even with the eyes unfolded.

Cheaeng!

Rika’s shield struck Wihart’s extremely heavy greatsword. Considering the difference in strength between each other, it would have been impossible to confront that strength head-on.

Therefore, it would be more appropriate to say that it was shed rather than that it was cut out. The surface of the kite shield is round. Instead of counteracting the downward force, the trajectory was probably pushed to the side appropriately.

“2 sum shown in Jack’s game. That would have been enough. For Rika to learn the sword of Margrave Wihart.”

Philgret elaborated in a voice that did not even express much admiration.