The Royal Family Begins to Move

Sounds like a club beating a leather pouch echoed continuously throughout the outdoor stage.

At first, Allen tried to resist by somehow blocking or evading, but Iris’s sword rendered his resistance meaningless, breaking through his defenses and catching his evasions, mercilessly striking his body.

Sword strikes came so relentlessly that Allen couldn’t even declare surrender.

At this intensity, the referee, the audience, everyone held their breath and just watched the brutal scene without saying a word.

Everyone present had been overwhelmed by Iris Likenair.

When Iris suddenly stopped and seemed to be in pain just as she was about to deliver the final blow, mixed with the cheers that erupted from the audience were groans of disappointment from various places.

Was this inexplicable mysterious phenomenon happening again, allowing that not-so-skilled young man to claim victory once more?

Such concerns filled the sighs of some spectators.

But Iris dispelled those concerns by swinging her sword so forcefully that it created a pressure wave, silencing everyone around her, and then regained her composure.

The sighs quickly turned into exclamations, and then an incredible aura began emanating from Iris.

Ah, that’s anger.

Having seen a similar aura a few times before, I understood it that way.

I don’t know what happened, but Iris was angry.

And after Iris blocked Allen’s attack, her aura changed.

The moment she switched from focusing on evasion and counterattacks to taking the offensive, her relentless combo attacks pounded Allen’s body.

Her sword strikes, which easily surpassed the speed of Allen’s flashy but ineffective combo that had just made the audience cheer, were filled with an overwhelming presence that silenced rather than excited the audience.

Honestly, I was intimidated.

Even I, sitting in the high premium seats, was overwhelmed by the intensity of her sword that was literally beating Allen to a pulp.

Glancing to the side, I saw that Riel and Emilia were also watching the scene with bated breath.

Did she notice my gaze? Riel was looking at me.

With eyes full of concern, like someone watching a family member go to battle.

For a moment, I completely failed to understand the meaning of Riel’s gaze.

Ah…

And then I realized.

I have to fight against her tomorrow.

I have to face the tragedy unfolding on the stage right now.

…

I’m fucked.

That was the conclusion I reached after careful consideration.

I am fucked.

While I was worrying about my future:

Clang

The sound of something falling.

It was the sound of Allen dropping the sword he had been holding.

Thud

And then Allen fell to his knees and collapsed.

“Hmph, I must commend his tenacity for not letting go of the sword until he lost consciousness.”

The senior muttered this with a disgusted expression.

The arena was still dead silent.

In this situation, the first to come to their senses was none other than the referee.

“T-The winner is Iris Likenair!!”

Even with the referee’s declaration, the arena remained filled with silence.

But that silence didn’t last long.

[Waaaaaaaa!!]

[Iris! Iris! Iris!]

[As expected of the academy’s strongest!]

The arena filled with erupting cheers.

Riel, Emilia, and I also applauded in congratulation.

…Momentarily forgetting that I had newly realized just how strong my opponent for tomorrow was.

Just then, murmuring sounds were heard from various parts of the arena.

“Hey, look at that…”

“Did he just…?”

“Huh… how pitiful…”

Wondering what they were talking about, I looked around, and Riel poked my shoulder.

“Look over there…”

I looked where Riel was pointing with a shocked expression.

None other than Allen, collapsed on the arena.

What happened to Allen?

Is he badly injured somewhere?

Honestly, I don’t care what happens to Allen, but if something happened to him that might give Senior Iris a criminal record, that would be problematic…

But given the murmuring and even mocking laughter around us, it doesn’t seem to be the situation I’m worried about…

As I craned my neck to look at Allen more closely, I realized.

“Oh…”

So that’s it.

That guy Allen, he wet himself.

A damp puddle had formed around the crotch area of the unconscious guy.

…Hmm.

Setting aside whether I like or dislike him, I did feel some sympathy for that.

After the match ended, there was supposed to be a stage performance.

But since neither Riel and I, nor Emilia or even Senior Iris were particularly interested in the stage, we left the arena.

As we exited the arena, Senior Iris returned the sword to me.

“Hmm… if anything happens to the sword, could you let me know? I’ll get you a new one…”

“Ah… no. What could possibly happen…?”

Would there be a problem with the sword just because she beat Allen with it? It’s not like he’s some kind of pathogen.

…No, somehow I feel like with that guy, it might actually be possible…

“So tomorrow, Kyo and Senior Iris will have the final match, right?”

When Emilia said this, Senior Iris looked at me with a grin.

“Yes, that’s right. I’m looking forward to it from you.”

“Ha… haha… Please go easy on me.”

No, I actually mean it.

Honestly, I’m a bit scared.

“I should prepare a new practice sword in advance. Tomorrow is an event that the royal family will attend.”

After saying that and bidding us farewell, Senior Iris rushed into the crowd.

“C-Come to think of it, the royal family will be attending tomorrow…”

When Emilia said this, Riel nodded in agreement.

Tomorrow is the last day of the Mushin Festival.

The Mushin Festival consists of four types of competitions: general division martial arts and magic, and academy division martial arts and magic.

These four types of competitions are held in different places, but the four final matches on the last day are held in the same place.

That place is the Royal Central Arena.

It’s a venue that can accommodate the largest audience for various major events or sports competitions, and is always used as the stage for finals.

The four champions will be determined there, and members of the royal family will attend the matches and personally present trophies to the winners.

Sometimes the king personally attends, but usually it’s the princes or princesses who attend.

“I heard that Princess Luna attended last year.”

Emilia nodded in agreement to Riel’s words.

Princess Luna Erna Palaginya.

She is the First Princess of the Palaginya Kingdom.

She was originally supposed to be first in the line of succession to the throne, but she was born together with her twin sister, Princess Aine, which led to a succession dispute surrounding the two princesses.

However, because the two princesses were very close, they regretted that people around them were getting involved because of them and relinquished their succession rights.

As a result, their younger sister Princess Yuril, who was also born from the queen, took the lead in the succession order, and when the two older sisters declared their active support for Princess Yuril, the succession dispute surrounding the two ended.

Just like Her Highness Aine, who is renowned for having the kingdom’s greatest combat ability, her twin sister, Her Highness Luna, is renowned for having the kingdom’s greatest strategic mind.

In the original story, like Princess Aine, she appeared as a villain and used her intelligence to corner Allen’s group several times.

I’ve never met her directly, but I’ve seen her from a distance a few times.

I’ve also heard about her recent situation.

Just recently in the north.

“Since Her Highness Luna is currently fighting on the western front, perhaps someone else will come this time?”

At my words, Riel made a face that said “Ah, that’s right.”

Well, Riel also heard that story from Her Highness Aine together with me in the north.

Even though the outcome of this Mushin Festival has changed, if some parts flow identically to the original story, the royal member who will attend this Mushin Festival will probably be that person.

The boy who was with Allen yesterday.

Julius Iben Palaginya.

“Yuri. Is something wrong?”

Yuri, no, the First Prince of the Palaginya Kingdom, Julius, turned his head at the voice calling him.

A woman with a lively impression, her pink hair tied back.

Probably named Lepia, she was one of the group who had helped him when he had snuck out of the palace and got lost in the crowd.

“No, it’s nothing. By the way, is it okay for you not to go with your companions?”

One of her companions, a man named Allen, had just suffered a bitter defeat in the Mushin Festival, sustained injuries, and was taken to the infirmary.

…His first impression wasn’t bad, but honestly, his swordsmanship was crude and below expectations, and judging by his lack of social awareness, he seemed like someone who would have a hard time in the future.

Anyway, the other companions all followed him to the infirmary, but this girl named Lepia remained by Julius’s side instead of going with them.

“Ah… yes. I plan to do some special training alone after I take you back, Yuri.”

“Special training?”

Julius remembered.

Come to think of it, this woman, Lepia, also participated in the Mushin Festival.

Though she was defeated in the round of 32 held yesterday.

Perhaps she had some realization because of that defeat.

Lepia Albaine’s father is a military officer who has been somewhat active in the kingdom’s army.

Though not a noble, he lived a comfortable life, and Lepia, who learned swordsmanship from her father, loved her father very much.

Diligently learning swordsmanship, Lepia entered the academy with the intention of following her father by applying to the military, and there she met her destiny.

Allen Ludwig.

A handsome boy with a father who held a knighthood, always burning with a sense of justice.

His somewhat reckless personality was a drawback, but at some point, Lepia became captivated by him.

To the extent that it was difficult to talk about Lepia’s daily life without mentioning him. From a certain point on, Lepia even began to skip sword training frequently.

Living her academy life like that, Lepia encountered the Mushin Festival.

Although Lepia often skipped sword training, the girl who had once held a sword entered the Mushin Festival.

Allen also entered the Mushin Festival, to get revenge on a noble boy named Kyo Wentos who had defeated him.

Well, it was not Allen but herself who first clashed with that Kyo Wentos.

Thinking that she would handle it instead so Allen wouldn’t even have to fight, Lepia stepped forward boldly.

But she was defeated.

It was a perfect defeat to the point where she couldn’t even argue.

‘Instead of following Allen Ludwig around, you should have trained harder.’

That one sentence that was etched in Lepia’s mind.

After her defeat, Lepia was so preoccupied with her thoughts that she couldn’t even focus on Allen’s semifinal match.

“I guess… it would be better to start special training from the beginning again.”

That’s what Lepia was resolving to do.

“Ah, this far is fine. It looks like my escort has arrived. Thank you, Miss Lepia.”

“Ah… really? Then, Yuri is… huh?”

Startled by the boy’s voice, Lepia looked around and was surprised.

While walking absentmindedly with Yuri, they had arrived in front of the royal palace.

And those who came to pick him up were the royal guard knights stationed at the palace.

“…Huh?”

Lepia stood speechless, watching Julius’s back as he walked away surrounded by the royal guards.

Julius gave a glance to one of the royal guard knights who had come to meet him, a man named Jess.

Jess nodded and stood beside Julius, walking together.

“Jess, I didn’t expect you to come pick me up personally.”

“You say that as if you didn’t know.”

“Haha… thank you for secretly following and protecting me.”

“…Yes. Besides, there is someone looking for Your Highness.”

Based on Jess’s words, it could be inferred that the person looking for Julius was someone with a higher status than Julius.

Father or mother, or if not…

Julius entered his room where the visitor was waiting.

“It’s been a while, Julius.”

“Sister.”

Julius’s eyes widened.

His half-sister, whom he rarely met even in the palace and who was always busy moving around.

It was Princess Yuril, who held the first position in the royal succession rights.

By her side, as always, was the knight who guarded her, Meril Miliano.

Julius sat across from Yuril.

“It’s truly been a long time. But… for what reason…?”

“Julius. I have something I want to discuss with you.”

At the serious face and voice of his half-sister, who usually wore a benevolent expression, Julius felt that something was amiss and looked directly at her.

“…It’s related to the World Tree Church.”