Vol 9 Chapter 11: Battle Maniac

The Linstar Ducal House is, needless to say, a family renowned for martial prowess.

Not only the ducal family itself, but also the various branch families and vassal houses naturally produce exceptional individuals, fierce warriors, and brave heroes aplenty—a veritable constellation of stars.

…Yes, like this.

“Got you!” “At this distance…” “Take my strike!!!”

From the front left, front right, and even from behind, three strikes come crashing down on me.

I can feel all too clearly that each one possesses terrifying speed and weight, backed by their thoroughly trained bodies and skilled body enhancement magic.

If even one connects—I’ll die easily. After all, these are real swords.

…Ahhh, why, why did it come to this!

Harboring dark thoughts, I draw Lidia’s beloved sword from my waist.

While deflecting the swords from left and right, I use that momentum to spin, parry the cross spear from behind, and somehow escape the encirclement.

From the temporary spectator seats specially constructed at the military training grounds, thunderous cheers erupt.

“Ohhhhh!!!” “Finally, finally… he drew his sword!!!!” “At last, with the final group” “! That movement just now” “Yes. Very similar to Lady Lidia’s” “This is the ‘Brains of the Sword Princess’!” “Just as the rumors say! —No! Even beyond the rumors!!” “No wonder the main family dotes on him so much” “Not just martial prowess, but also excels at internal affairs even more than Miss Felicia Fos, I hear…” “If that’s true” “Even the word ‘monster’ falls short”

…I want to deny this, vehemently, desperately!

The three knights who had cornered me turn around, fierce grins spreading across their faces.

They’re having so much fun they can barely contain themselves! That’s the vibe.

The two knights with swords are the sons of the Yugu Marquis House and the Pozon Marquis House respectively, both vassals of the Linstar family.

The one with the cross spear, eyes blazing brilliantly, is apparently the fourth son of the Ivelyn Count House, which has led the Kingdom’s strongest southern army unit, the 紅備え (Red Guard), for generations.

All three are older than me, Lidia, and Lily-san. Early twenties, I’d say.

—Each and every one is unmistakably a brave warrior. No matter how you look at it, brave warriors!

And I’m alone against such people. How cruel.

—Lord Luca Linstar had prepared twelve marriage candidates for Lily-san’s sake.

And when Risa-san and Lady Leticia saw them at the training grounds, they mercilessly declared:

“Allen, fighting them one at a time would be too predictable.”

“Three at a time should suffice. Well… even that might be a bit harsh for them, though.”

Naturally, the fighting spirit of the marriage candidates flared up.

…The fact that Lily-san had been clinging to my left arm the entire time probably didn’t help either. As a result, even Lidia, her cheeks puffed in frustration, along with the others declared, “It should be one against three.”

Felicia said, “I don’t care! It’s punishment for bullying me! Hmph!” …Fine then, starting tomorrow, I’m not working with you in the early mornings anymore!?

Finding myself isolated and helpless, I fought on while crying internally—and somehow made it to this final group. I worked hard. I think I worked really hard.

I exhale lightly and address the three warriors.

“Please wait a moment. I’m out of breath from battle after battle.”

“””…”””

The knights, while keeping their swords and spear at the ready, agree.

Nearly moved to tears, I brush back my slightly disheveled bangs and take out a cigarette case from my pocket.

Before we started, Anna-san had handed it to me, saying, “This belongs to Master Ricardo. If you’re going to do it, do it thoroughly, won’t you? ♪”

The unspoken meaning was—”Even if you’re just pretending to smoke, please do so★”

As expected, maids throughout the spectator stands are positioning their imaging orbs.

I take one out, put it to my lips, light it—and look up at the sky.

Nice weather…

From the spectator stands, the sound of multiple things breaking. More thunderous cheers. Lidia’s mana resonates violently, and crimson wings, ice blossoms, snow flowers, and purple lightning dance about while fierce winds rage. Though they probably don’t fully understand what’s happening, Atra and the others are having fun, their wordless song “♪” echoing.

I toss away the cigarette and extinguish it with fire magic, then bow respectfully in gratitude.

“Thank you. I’m grateful for your kindness.”

“You bet!” “I won’t let you escape next time” “This is so thrilling!”

The knights grin broadly. They’re good people. All of them have good faces and good hearts.

…Maybe these guys would be fine for her after all?

I glance toward the crimson-haired young lady in the spectator stands.

Her lips move.

“If you dare lose on purpose, I’ll make those secret orbs very public ☆”

…From the moment I stepped into this arena, I never had a chance at victory.

While growing melancholic, I also draw Stella’s beloved sword and casually hold both swords left and right.

“””!”””

I smile at the three warriors who widen their eyes, bare their canines, and activate their mana.

“In gratitude for your patience, I’ll show you a little technique.”

“Interesting!” “I’ll break through it” “The vanguard is our house’s privilege!”

Shouting that, the spearman charges in a straight line.

A lethal thrust accelerated by wind magic is unleashed and—

“!? What!!”

Ice vines generated from Stella’s sword, which I flashed, restrain the spear.

Furthermore, countless wind blades from those vines attack, disassembling the spear.

Still, instantly judging to discard his weapon and retreat—that’s truly admirable.

The two knights, arriving slightly later, pincer me from left and right.

I receive the left sword with Lidia’s beloved sword while burning it with flames, and the scattered flames transform into lightning, striking the right sword.

“Fire and—” “Lightning simultaneous activation!?”

“Strictly speaking, fire, lightning, wind, and ice—plus water and earth as well.”

The three knights, once again making excellent judgments, discard their beloved swords, draw short swords, and retreat—but the ground beneath their feet turns to mud. Their movements dull temporarily.

I swing Lidia’s sword and surround them with the light attribute beginner magic 光神弾 (Light God Bullet).

I mercilessly begin simultaneous fire.

However, these are three brave warriors.

No matter how fast light magic is, it’s still just beginner magic.

Judging that it won’t penetrate their thick magical barriers and won’t be fatal, they attempt to charge again, dodging and deflecting while closing the distance.

I swing Stella’s sword and activate the ice attribute intermediate magic 氷神鏡 (Ice God Mirror) eight times in succession.

The dodged and deflected Light God Bullets reflect chaotically.

I concentrate the shots on one point of the thick magical barrier.

“Ugh!” “Impossible!?” “What kind of control technique is that!”

Far from fatal, but the three warriors groan at the dull impact of partially penetrating their magical barriers and slow their steps. An opening.

I swing both swords simultaneously and activate my experimental dual-attribute magic 闇氷拘糸 (Dark Ice Binding Thread) multiple times from the ground.

From all directions on the ground—and all directions in the air—non-cutting threads attack and bind them completely.

“Ugh!”

“I-impossible! Such magical control…”

“…The world is vast, I suppose.”

The three fall to the ground. I interfere with and dispel their body enhancement magic, sheathe my twin swords—and turn my gaze to Risa-san.

Placing down a white porcelain cup, the Duchess Linstar declares:

“That’s enough. Winner—Allen!”

After a moment of silence—tremendous cheers erupt.

I scratch my cheek while releasing the restraints and bow to the three.

…They were strong.

If they hadn’t stuck to swords and spears and had used offensive magic, I would have struggled much more.

Well… the fact that they don’t do such things is precisely why they’re ‘brave warriors.’

Lily-san emerges onto the training grounds.

She smiles gently.

“Good work ♪”

“…I’m exhausted. I’m not doing this again!”

“Aww ♪ You say that, but Allen-san, I think you’ll help me anyway ☆”

“…Not at all. Lord Luca, this means you’ll cease forcing Lily-san into an unwanted marriage, correct?”

“…It cannot be helped. I will not break my promise!”

Lord Luca nods with a bitter expression.

Sigh… I guess that’s good?

But anyway, it seems that with this—

A chill runs down my spine.

Instinctively, I blow Lily-san toward the spectator stands with wind magic “Kyah!”

I also retreat at full power.

I draw both swords and—refuse to properly receive the god-speed thrust from above.

I activate Blue Sword only at the point where the spear grazes.

While parrying and using the momentum, I activate my experimental tri-attribute magic 氷雷疾駆 (Ice Lightning Sprint) beneath my feet. I gain distance at full power.

Landing soundlessly, and despite such a powerful strike not even piercing the ground at all, the ‘bravest of brave warriors’ before me wears a most beautiful smile of delight.

Terrifyingly, her jade hair shines brilliantly, and in sync with it, jade-colored wind clearly swirls around her.

…The magnitude of her mana differs by several digits!?

Feeling dismayed, she praises me.

“Ohhh. To parry my strike like that! As expected. Fufu ♪ Fufufu ♪ Fuffuffu ♪ I’m getting fired up! Fired up! The last time I felt this way was a hundred years ago when I battled the eight-headed serpent ♪”

“…Would someone please explain?”

“Allow me to explain!”

While holding up an imaging orb, Anna-san beside Risa-san raises her hand.

…I asked, but I don’t want to hear it.

“Lady Leticia Lubfera, Jade Wind, in her mischievous days of old—was known throughout the western continent, nay, the entire continent, as a battle maniac. Witnessing Allen-sama’s valiant performance—”

“…Her old blood stirred up?”

I look with half-lidded eyes at the gleefully excited jade-haired beauty.

The beautiful elven Hero spins her spear with a flourish and beams.

…Though she shouldn’t have a tail, I have a phantom vision of one wagging vigorously.

“Indeed! It’s fine, isn’t it? Why not! If you’re a man, show me your mettle too!!!!”