Reincarnated Devil's Strongest Hero Training Plan ~The baby he picked up has grown up so well that his father is confused~ - Chapter 26

Reincarnated Devil’s Strongest Hero Training Plan ~The baby he picked up has grown up so well that his father is confused~

Chapter 26   Towards the martial arts tournament

The 5th Birthday Commemorative Martial Arts Tournament of Saint Isha Grace de Calamiera.

That boldly displayed banner hung across the castle walls, asserting a powerful presence in the imperial capital of Calamiera, the Holy Kingdom.

Passersby, upon seeing the banner announcing the martial arts tournament, seemed to gather with various intentions hidden in their hearts: some were preparing to test their own strength, some dreamed of gaining official positions through excelling in this major event of the country, while others harbored nefarious schemes.

“It’s about time, milady.”

“Huh? Oh, yes. Right, it’s starting.”

These words were exchanged between the young mistress and her youthful attendant.

No, perhaps it would be more accurate to say that the main characters of this festival are Saint Isha herself and the young swordsman Ein, who is considered the top contender for the children’s division of the martial arts tournament.

However, Saint Isha responded to Ein’s address with indifference, her attention seemingly elsewhere as she scanned the gathering crowd.

It seemed she was looking for someone.

“Sigh… Is it about that boy again, milady? It seems you’ve been quite fixated on him since that day. However, as someone who is both the saint and princess of this country, isn’t it not a very good trend?”

As Ein spoke, a hint of fatigue could be seen in his expression, and it’s likely that he had repeated the same lines several times over the past few days. If he was to speak for his inner thoughts here, it would be something like, “It’s pitiful to see him being targeted by this troublesome little idiot of a saint without realizing her true nature…”

And rightfully so, as Isha had been perfect in her facade as a saint. Consequently, she had brushed aside all the incompetent noble children who had approached her, unaware of the truth and seeking to leech off the title of the saint, which made them all the more irritating, given her achievements.

In that sense, she could be considered competent, and her duality of nature, if used correctly, could be useful. However, if that blond boy is being “seriously” targeted by this out-of-control young girl, then it’s a different story.

After all, Isha is unpredictable and knows no bounds. If she were to continue showing genuine interest in that boy, one couldn’t imagine what lengths she might go to.

She might even manipulate the Pope or move the Holy Order for the sake of her whims. And that would not only be overly dramatic for the sake of just one boy but would also mean that all the consequences would fall on Ein alone, as the attendant who couldn’t stop the saint.

In fact, Ein, at just ten years old, was already handling the stomach-churning position that could be described as a middle manager.

“Please… Please don’t do anything unnecessary to that boy. I’m begging you.”

“What!? What are you talking about? I’m not like that with him! It’s you who’s jealous, Ein! You know that!”

“Ah… It’s no use, you just don’t understand… Maybe it’s already too late…”

“What did you say!? Ugh!”

Several days ago, the saint, who had managed to successfully complete the birthday parade without anyone realizing she had slipped out of the carriage, is indignant.

His skill in scattering the thugs was impressive, but it was meeting that boy that made Ein, the guard, rush home. And it was because of that swift retreat that the escape game was successful without a hitch. Therefore, Isha thought there was no need to be wary of anything.

In fact, she even considered finding him and personally rewarding him, or perhaps using it as an opportunity to get closer to him. Such were the thoughts of a girl whose thought process had completely succumbed to infatuation. And because of that, she failed to realize why Ein was so stubbornly cautious.

“Love is blind, but I never imagined my liege would be such a mess… If only that saintly facade was her true nature, how wonderful that would be…”

“What, what, what!? Ein, you idiot! Jealous much! Jerk! Jerk!”

In response to Ein’s exasperation, the enraged little girl started unleashing a flurry of punches. However, they were ultimately punches from an untrained five-year-old. They neither hurt nor itched him, leading to an even more exasperated Isha.

“Well, there’s no need to panic, milady. The fact that such a boy hasn’t become a topic in this country means he must be from elsewhere. If so, since he came all this way, he should participate in the martial arts tournament. And unless something extraordinary happens, he won’t lose early.”

“Right!? Th-that’s true! You’re amazing, Ein! Just as you said!”

Feeling that it was going nowhere, he advised her as such and tried to control the mood of his liege, Isha.

However, the content of this conversation reflected his true feelings.

If by chance, he was to become a rival with enough prowess to warrant Ein’s vigilance, he wouldn’t lose until the qualifiers, and he wouldn’t lose even if he were to face him directly. Being called the Prodigy of the Sword and having confidence in his own swordsmanship inherited from his father, the strongest commander of the Holy Knights, Ein had firm confidence that he could protect his liege until the end, even if a battle were to break out then and there.

He, who had never encountered anyone who could match him in swordsmanship before, unconsciously hoped for such a person, and he dreamed of being able to fight that blond boy on equal terms.

And this sentiment could also be said for the protagonist of the story, Ars.

“Dad, do you think that kid will also participate in the martial arts tournament?”

“Oh? Looking forward to it?”

“Yeah! I just have this feeling that we might become friends somehow.”

“I see. Then, don’t give up until the end so that you won’t disappoint your friend. Do your best, Ars.”

“Yeah!”

In the venue of the qualifying rounds of the martial arts tournament for children in the Calamiera, a conversation between a parent and child was quietly exchanged.

One with black hair and black eyes, the other with blond hair and blue eyes.

At first glance, they seemed like unrelated parent and child, but the trust felt in their conversation was that of true parent and child.

“Well then. I guess I’ll lend a hand for Ars’s sake too.”

And thus, on this day, the prelude to the encounter of the legendary hero, to be later recounted, with his companions, was about to unfold.