Chapter 128 - Episode 16: "The Stronger They Are, the More Fun It Is to Crush Them"
Ohohohohoho! Gokigenyou! I am Violia Nico Fortesia!
I have made my grand entrance onto the stage at the perfect moment!
Chris is cornered and in terrible form! On the other hand, I am in top form! And the audience's excitement is at its peak! It's the best possible condition! I shall not let this stage go to waste!
I shall make this the execution ground for Chris Bay Clarino…… and the entire Clarino clan!
「Wha……」
Chris had a surprised look on his face when he saw me. ……Which means I won the bet. It seems Lital didn't sell out our information after all.
「Why are you here!」
「Why? Naturally, it is because I was participating in the Martial Arts Tournament. Is there any other reason?」
「I'm not asking that! I'm asking 'why are you participating in the Martial Arts Tournament'!」
Facing me head-on, Chris is finally in a state of total confusion.
Yes, if he truly hadn't anticipated my appearance, then this confusion is unavoidable, I suppose. ……However, the fact that 'the categories of the Magic Academy's Martial Arts Tournament changed because of Violia Nico Fortesia' is a famous story, and I think he could have suspected it given that an incredibly strong masked female warrior had appeared…….
Well, perhaps he is just extremely ignorant of the world. Besides Keeb and Doran, there were other reasonably strong adventurers, so he probably just lumped me in with them.
……Yes. Then let him stay thoroughly confused. In the meantime, I shall make a declaration to the audience, the VIP seats, the King, the Royal Family, and everyone else.
「The reason I am here is not much different from that werewolf earlier. It is just that I am here to 'clear my name of false accusations'!」
The audience seats buzzed at my declaration. The King and others were in a panic.
Yes. I said it clearly. 'The suspicion cast upon me is a false accusation.'
……In reality, the false accusations pinned on me are truly tiny compared to the actual number of my crimes, but that doesn't matter! I simply find it extremely displeasing that as a result of them talking nonsense, my crimes have actually been correctly identified!
……In addition, if one layer of false accusation is peeled off, that alone creates a lingering impression of 'innocence'! Yes, it's fine to just say 'somehow,' 'for no particular reason,' 'I came to clear my name'! With just that, the audience will jump to their own conclusions about the reasons, motives, and my feelings! No matter how they misunderstand, that is none of my concern!
While the audience buzzed, wondering what it all meant, I returned my gaze solely to Chris.
By this time, Chris's face was completely devoid of color.
……Did he plan to win the semi-finals without fighting, only for it to turn into such a major ordeal? Well, since it's a Martial Arts Tournament, 'winning without fighting' is the worst possible move. It was a sad accident caused by the arrogance peculiar to nobles, who completely failed to understand what the commoners came here hoping for.
「Now then, Chris Bay Clarino. You said earlier, did you not? That 'the Martial Arts Tournament shall resume.' And my opponent, Keeb Old, wisely forfeited. Which means 'just as you wished,' it is a final match between you and me.」
As I took a single step closer, Chris finally had to face reality. Well, he is no fool, so he surely understands by now. Surely.
「You have been given two choices.」
As I spoke while holding up two fingers, Chris and the audience all focused on me. I don't hate this feeling.
「One is to forfeit here. Normally, losing without fighting is a warrior's shame, but if I am the opponent, that will not be the case. It will surely be praised as a wise decision.」
「What are you—」
「And the second. ……If you wish to fight me, I shall not stop you. Let us go at it to our hearts' content. ……And then, you shall be defeated here!」
I drew my sword and pointed it at Chris.
「Now, now, now! Which do you prefer!? Either is fine with me. Of course, I came here looking forward to a fight with you, and the audience surely desires a battle as well…… but yes, it's fine. You are the one who decides!」
「Choose? Forfeiting, or losing. Which is to your liking?」
I said that and laughed…… implicitly forcing him.
To 'fight.'
Chris was trembling. His eyes seemed to be looking at me, yet they were looking nowhere.
I don't entirely fail to understand that feeling. Being possessed by the fear of one's own defeat, unable to take a step toward battle. A state dominated by anxiety. That is likely the state Chris is in right now.
But if he runs now, it will be a lifelong shame. And if he loses here, it will also be a lifelong shame.
Chris can only choose one.
「……Very well! I shall take the head of the great criminal right here! For the peace of this country!」
'Fight and win.' He has no choice but to aim for that path, suppressing his fear with reason as he stands against me.
「Oh, how delightful. Then I shall also fight with all my might. To prove my innocence…… and for the future of this country!」
Now, once the goaded and inspired Chris drew his sword, the final match finally began!
Chris rushed in as if to inspire himself. I thought he was a fairly calm person, so this was an unexpected action.
Naturally, I quickly dodged the approaching Chris and took some distance. Then Chris closed the distance toward me again.
His sword is fast, and he is watching my movements well. If I let my guard down for a moment, I might be slashed. ……However, it's a fighting style that lacks composure. His impatience is clearly visible. And his tension, too.
「Now, don't be so tense. Let's enjoy this fight.」
「Shut your mouth! A great criminal has no right to speak!」
He also has plenty of reasons why he cannot lose to me, so I suppose it can't be helped…… but well, this is just too much.
「Calm yourself a little, won't you?」
Therefore, I thrust my sword out just barely missing Chris's neck. Of course, only to the extent that it wouldn't end the match right here.
I could tell Chris grew impatient again at the sudden thrust, especially one that was 'deliberately' aimed away from a vital spot.
That's only natural. It was a declaration of intent: 'I can finish you off at any time. I am underestimating you.'
「Now then, Chris Bay Clarino.」
While clearly calling his name, I took a large distance once and faced Chris again.
「Since we're doing this, I want to fight you at your best. So that when you are defeated, you won't be able to make excuses. ……Or do you prefer to lose pathetically while in that terrified state?」
I goad, goad, and goad him. If this makes Chris regain his composure, I can enjoy the fight, and conversely, if he loses his composure and self-destructs, that will also be enjoyable in its own way.
For my part, I would like to fight Chris at his full power, but…….
In an instant.
In an instant, Chris closed the distance and delivered a thrust toward me.
I reflexively dodged it while…… unintentionally breaking into a broad smile!
This is it! This!
I have been waiting for this!
Combat with a strong opponent! There are few things more enjoyable than this!
……I love fighting a very strong warrior…… and thoroughly crushing that warrior!
Chris, who had begun to strive for composure, was now completely focused on the battle. There was some mental fluctuation showing in his sword, but it would be difficult to eliminate that entirely, so I'll settle for this.
……Yes. It seems I can enjoy this quite a bit. Fortunately.
Chris's sword is, well, noble-like and follows set forms, but that doesn't mean I think it's weak.
He must have memorized many, many standard patterns. And it feels like he has accumulated enough experience to optimally select those patterns in the optimal situations.
Standard patterns are standard precisely because they are effective. It's a very refined swordsmanship, but because he has elevated it to the highest level, I don't find it boring!
Just when I think I can land a hit, it's easily blocked, and conversely, my own head is almost taken. This tension is a feeling I haven't had in a long time!
……Now then.
But I cannot keep enjoying myself forever.
If you ask how to toy with an iron-walled opponent who is strictly bound by standard patterns…… it's simple. You just have to use eccentric techniques that cannot be handled by standard patterns.
I shifted into an all-out offensive posture.
Originally, my specialty is attacking rather than defending or dodging. Attack is the best defense, as they say. After I shifted to the offensive, Chris's movements changed all at once.
While parrying my attacks, Chris was observing my movements closely. ……If I show an opening, I'll be done for. This tension is irresistible!
However, Chris wasn't just defending and observing. After parrying my sword to some extent…… he delivered a strike as if to catch me off guard.
But I dodged that sword by a hair's breadth and judged this to be a good opportunity. I immediately lowered my posture and aimed for Chris's shins.
Yes. Up to this point, it can be handled by standard patterns. Shin-hunting is a fairly common tactic.
……However, I have two swords.
I immediately aimed for Chris's neck with my other sword.
A simultaneous attack on the shins and neck. It's an attack full of openings that considers nothing of defense…… but well, naturally, these cannot be handled with a single sword, so Chris had to move to evade.
He probably also took into account that if he took distance, he would have the advantage due to the length of his sword.
……But did you think I wouldn't consider even that much?
I threw a sword.
It's a tactic one would absolutely never take under normal circumstances, but I threw it regardless.
Chris seemed terrified that an attack flew at him even after he took distance. He dodged the flying sword, retreated, and once took a posture to observe.
But that was fatal.
Chris had already been cornered to the edge of the stage. By continuing to avoid clashing swords, he had no room left.
But he realized it too late. By then, I had already dove into Chris's personal space, carrying 'two swords.'
Chris seemed confused.
Yes. I had just thrown one sword. So if I came jumping at him while holding 'two swords,' he would naturally be confused.
But Chris could no longer keep evading. Because he had already been cornered to the edge of the stage.
That's why Chris didn't try to dodge the sword I swung. He came to strike it down head-on with his sword.
And Chris tried to block with his own sword the one of my swords that would reach him first…….
……The sword passed right through.
「What?」
The moment my sword passed through Chris's, it turned into bright red flames and set about burning Chris's sword, his arm, and everything! The spreading flames made for quite a spectacle!
……And then.
Finally, what I aimed for 'with the real sword' was beyond the flames. Inside Chris's helmet.
His eyeball.
I thrust my sword toward his eyeball.
……Every single moment was a series of gambles.
If he hadn't been surprised and confused by the fact that I still had two swords after throwing one, I would have lost.
If he had immediately realized that one of the swords was an illusion, I would have lost.
If he hadn't tried to block the illusionary sword, I would have lost.
If he hadn't been terrified the moment the illusionary sword passed through his and turned into fire, I would have lost.
If he had realized the fire was also an illusion, I would have lost.
And if the attack on the eyeball by the sword that pierced through the illusionary fire had been blocked…… I suppose I would have lost after all.
But I did it.
My sword surely passed through the slit of Chris's helmet and…… stopped just a hair's breadth away from his eyeball.
The fire increased by illusion magic vanished instantly, leaving behind Chris's slightly heated sword and gauntlet. And one of my swords lying on the ground nearby, and another of my swords wedged into the gap of Chris's helmet.
Chris was unable to move, with a sword stopped just before piercing his eyeball.
……It didn't take long for the referee to declare the match over!
When my victory was announced, the audience seats fell silent for a moment…… and a moment later, they erupted.
The great cheers, as if to reach the heavens, were all directed at me. Not a single fragment was directed at Chris.
To crush someone like Chris—who has a position, cannot afford to lose, is strong enough not to lose…… and yet is someone I dislike—in front of the public like this is the ultimate fun!
……Now then.
Leaving the sword pointed at Chris as it was, I bowed to the audience…… and turned toward the VIP seats.
「Gokigenyou, Your Majesty the King. It has been a long time since we met like this.」
To the King, who remained stunned, I said it!
「May I receive the prize for winning? ……You will clear my name of these false accusations, will you not?」