episode_0321

* * *

A sudden request for a 1:1 duel from Roland.

At that moment when everyone was murmuring, Jinor was the first to express his opinion.

“This is an obvious provocation. It’s not worth responding to.”

“Is that so?”

“Yeah. Considering Roland’s personality, it’s certain.”

Jinor, who answered Charlotte’s words, immediately looked at Luna and bowed his head.

“If you get hurt while the monarchs are fighting, things will get difficult. The commander-in-chief needs to perform a role appropriate for the position of the commander-in-chief, and the commander-in-chief’s role is not to cut off the enemy’s heads at the front. It’s okay to go to the front, but you don’t necessarily have to accept every duel request.”

After saying that, he glanced at Lunalian’s expression and-

“Based on various circumstantial evidence, it seems that Your Majesty’s martial arts are of an outstanding level… … but since your opponent is Roland, you must not let your guard down, and there is nothing wrong with being cautious.”

“Excuse me, sir. I have a question.”

This time, it was Francis, who was standing next to Charlotte, who intervened.

“Tell me.”

“Is Theta Roland really that strong? To be honest, I don’t really get it… … .”

“You might not know it if you were General Francis’ age. Roland was a prodigy who rose to the position of Vice-Captain of the Third Knights of the Old Imperial Empire at an unusually young age. And the only reason he rose to that position was because he was extremely good at one-on-one duels.”

“What do you mean by skill in a 1:1 match?”

“In common parlance, he was more than a level above other generals. The timing of his strikes and retreats, the way he intervened, the speed at which he could read his opponent’s mind, and even his way of dealing with each weapon… It was as if he had been born into this world to win in 1:1 duels. He was someone who was not lacking in any other skills, but if you look at it simply in 1:1 duels, it would be quicker to think of Theta Roland as someone that even Epinel Rosenkros, no, even that Chel Brands, could not let his guard down.”

“You said Chel Blanc… …? Are you really that skilled?”

As soon as the easy-to-understand metaphor came out, Francis’ expression quickly began to harden.

Chel Branth. He died a while ago, but wasn’t he the man called ‘the strongest man on the continent’ back when the Branth Army was conquering the central continent?

Although it was said that its heyday had passed, it was an undeniable fact that if you were to name one person who represents martial arts in the present era, many people would still think of the best sword of Branth.

“Of course, unlike Chell, he hasn’t really risked his life that much, and he’s lived in peace on the southern continent for a long time, so it’s possible that his skills have declined… … But there’s no need to take a chance on that possibility.”

Jinor turned his head again and looked at his lord.

“Perhaps the enemy’s plan is to make us look like we’re being evasive… … But don’t worry about it. This isn’t the first or second battle, it’s just the first. I don’t think there’s any need to get caught up in the enemy’s intentions from the start. ”

“… … .”

Luna, who had kept her mouth shut and said nothing until now, finally slowly opened her lips.

“There’s one thing I’d like to confirm.”

“What is it?”

“From the Roland Army side, it would be right for Theta Roland to step forward, right?”

“Yes. Since the proposal was originally intended to provoke the monarch, the other side also-”

Before Jinor could say anything, Luna cut him off.

“Then let’s go.”

“… … Yes?”

Jinor quickly looked at Luna.

There was no sign in her of being disdainful or dismissive of what she had said.

What I feel from those ruby-colored eyes is determination. And… …overwhelming confidence.

“If we can just defeat Monarch Roland in a 1:1 duel, wouldn’t all circumstances be favorable for our country?”

Her words were spot on.

It was obvious that if only the commander-in-chief, the monarch, could be dealt with, the enemy’s morale would plummet.

“That’s true, but as I said, even if Roland has a gap period, he has outstanding talent in 1:1 matches-”

“That might actually be a good thing.”

Luna spoke, slowly stroking the handle of her Adina Sword.

“I think this opportunity only comes once for us. So I think we shouldn’t miss it.”

“… … ?”

Luna stood up and said, leaving Jinor, who still had a puzzled expression on his face, behind.

“Tell the person who came as a scout that I will go out myself, as he wishes.”

“My, my lord! Just a moment-”

Jinor tried to stop her by urgently extending his hand, but-

“Don’t worry, Genor.”

Luna said with a very loving smile, hiding her burning ruby eyes with a smile.

“If we go until the end, we will win.”

“… … !!!”

What were Genor’s feelings at that time?

In fact, there were times in the past when we were caught up in the monarch’s tyranny in this way.

When Yuuri sold Swen out while he was in the Aesir Army.

The first thought that came to Jinor’s mind when he saw those eyes of clear determination that no matter what he said, it would not work was―he decided that he should not follow Yuuri anymore.

So what about now?

If there is something different from that time, when I saw Yuuri, I felt like cutting her off without a second thought, but now… …

‘I am…….’

That is, ‘feeling’.

An intuition that has been built up from living a life of supporting someone in a position other than the top position for over 60 years.

That intuition was crying out fiercely that the Yuuri of that time and the Luna of now were different.

Genor recalled Swen’s argument.

Lunarien Inian, the woman who proudly claimed that she was the monarch who would rule the world.

From the moment she rebelled until now, her trajectory has been one of such great luck that it cannot be described without the word miracle.

If it is true, as she said, that ‘we win until the end’ as it has been so far… …

‘… … .’

Jinor no longer blocked Luna’s path.

Because his clumsy advice could have possibly changed her fate.

Instead, he laid his body down at Luna’s will.

If she was right this time, there would be no need to doubt Swen’s words anymore.

‘Depending on how this result turns out, many things will change in the future.’

Perhaps this is the point where the fate of the lords of many continents, including Luna, is decided.

With those eyes, he was watching the back of the newly born tyrant.

* * *

“What? You’re going to accept the fight?”

“Yes! It is said that Lunalian Inian will appear in person.”

“I hope you explained properly that the opponent is this body, Theta Roland?”

“Yes!”

“Ha!”

Roland started with a short snicker, then threw his head back and laughed so loudly that the sky seemed to fall apart.

“I’ve died a lot too! Instead of being stuck in the south, I should’ve destroyed Hesna and Karelia halfway!”

“Are you planning to go out?”

Roland spoke in a low voice at the words of the armed men.

“So does that mean I have to turn my back on some arrogant woman who doesn’t even have a name?”

“Oh, no, that’s not it… … .”

An unprecedented one-on-one showdown between monarchs.

Since it was an absurd situation, I wanted to tell them to be careful because I didn’t know what variables might come up… … but everyone working under Roland knew.

For Roland, anything that touches his pride is a sore spot.

So no one could say anything. It was also a situation where the subtle belief that ‘there was no way that a young female monarch would defeat one’s monarch’ was giving legitimacy to their courageous actions.

“This battle might end sooner than expected. Hey, you over there!”

“Ouch!”

“Tell the soldiers stationed on the front lines to join the advance party as soon as the battle is over! We will push south!”

“Are you saying that… …you are going to invade the territory of the Lunalian Army?”

“You didn’t think you’d invade and not be invaded, did you? That’s good. I’ll take care of the rebel girl now, become the leader of the Southern Continent, and take care of Hesna and Ohana!”

Roland laughed again as if he found it amusing, then stood up and picked up his sword.

The sword, armor, and famous horse that made him the commander of the Third Knight.

“I can’t contain my excitement for the first time in a long time!”

With a pounding heart, he took steps to open a new era.

Believing with ironclad conviction that the ‘new era’ was naturally meant for them.

* * *

In the middle of a desolate land, two monarchs were riding on horses and staring at each other.

Seta Roland. Across from her, there was the Lady Lunarien Inian, with her ruby eyes shining brightly.

“My name is Seta Roland! You dirty traitor who betrayed the favor I gave you and killed my master! I will make you regret accepting my offer without fear in the afterlife!”

Even after that, Roland continued to lash out at her.

The goal was to somehow shake her up, knowing that there was nothing worse than getting excited before a battle.

Luna waited without moving an inch until he finished talking.

“Mr. Roland.”

“Do you have any last words to say before you die?”

Slowly, looking straight into Roland’s eyes-

“Courage is not cowardice.”

“… … What?”

“Let me say hello in advance. Goodbye.”

Roland easily realizes what Luna was spitting out.

Is recklessness not courage?

So, you’re saying that requesting a 1:1 match with yourself… is just an act of vanity?

Bam!

Roland had no choice but to admit it.

The fact that it was he who fell for the provocation.

Even so, it didn’t matter anyway. There was no way I could lose!

“You fucking bitch… … This place will be your grave!!!”

Roland readied his weapon, mounted his horse, and charged at Luna.

Luna also grabbed the Adina Sword and ran towards him furiously as he set off.

――HAAAHHHH!!!!!

and–

With the sound of metal clashing.

And then.

The weapon falls to the floor.