kscans

Chapter 11 - The Outcome of the Match

"Well then, are you both ready?"

A soldier's voice echoed through the training grounds. With little rest, the time for the match had come. Surprisingly, quite a few soldiers had gathered to watch. Militar, unable to take sides, watched us from a spot right in the middle.

"Yeah, I'm on my way."

I answered the soldier acting as referee, put Kamina back in its box, and moved. In the center, the training dolls stood facing each other. I had been making final adjustments to Kamina right up until the match began, though all I really did was blow off some dust. From the other side, Nanahikari was walking over with his female attendant.

"Yo, old man. I'll give you credit for not running away, at least."

"It's been ten days."

"What's with that getup, anyway? It's filthy. It'd be the worst if your stench rubbed off on me, so don't get any closer."

Just like the first time we met, Nanahikari was dressed in dazzling clothes. It was, well... the kind of outfit you'd wear to a party.

"I'm sure you understand, but if you lose this match, you'd better start taking your job more seriously."

"Sheesh, you're annoying. There's no way I'm gonna lose. Hey, hurry up and show me your sword."

With a smug look, Nanahikari had his attendant open the box. What emerged was an unbelievably fine sword. Or at least, it was supposed to be...

Solid Sword
Rank: A
Attribute: None
Ability: A sturdy sword. Will not be overpowered by common monsters.

Huh? A-rank? Wasn't he supposed to be using S-rank materials? I had expected a weapon on the level of a legendary blade. This was different from what I expected, and I felt a bit let down.

"Stop staring and get your sword out already."

"Ah, yeah, right."

I placed the box on the ground and gently took out Kamina. It seemed dangerous to touch the blade, so I had to be extremely careful.

"This is the sword I prepared. It's called Kamina."

""...?!""

The moment I revealed Kamina, the area fell silent. Everyone was staring at my sword, Nanahikari included. Wha, what? What's wrong?

"I, it's an S-rank sword. You made it from D-rank and lower materials? ...Impossible."

"I've never seen a sword like that. For it to crackle with lightning before any magic is even channeled into it."

"I can feel the aftershocks even from this distance... What an incredible sword."

I could hear the soldiers gulping. Gulp... In an instant, the training grounds were filled with tension. I could feel the crackle of lightning on my face. Uh, um, I'm starting to get nervous too.

"Heh, i, it's probably just for show. There's no way an old man like this could make something like that."

Nanahikari tried to sound casual as he composed himself, but cold sweat was trickling down his face.

"N, now, please equip the swords to the dolls."

At the soldier's word, we had the training dolls take hold of the swords. Once they were ready, the referee placed his hands on the dolls' backs.

"I will now activate the dolls. Please step back."

After confirming we were far enough away, the soldier channeled magic into the dolls.

"...!"

The dolls' eyes glowed red, vuvun!, and they began to move with a clatter, gashagasha. They seemed to have activated. The dolls faced each other and raised their swords in the exact same pose.

"Begin!"

At the soldier's signal, the dolls swung their swords simultaneously. They slashed at their opponents with all their might. The cheers of the spectators began to rise. The moment the swords clashed... Nanahikari's doll was sliced in half diagonally, sword and all. Its torso fell to the ground with a heavy thud, zushin, while the blade of the Solid Sword fell with a light clang, karan.

""...Huh?""

After a moment of silence, stunned voices leaked out from the soldiers. Everyone was staring wide-eyed at the dolls.

"Wha, what just happened...? That doll was cut down without a sound...?"

"It had never been broken before. What kind of sharpness does that sword have? It was like cutting through paper."

"...Awesome! That old man is awesome!"

Do! The soldiers erupted in cheers. The training grounds were filled with voices praising me. ...But the one who was most surprised was me. Even for a sharp blade, to cut through an A-rank sword so easily. Kamina seemed to be an even more unbelievable sword than I had imagined. Now then, it's dangerous to leave it with the doll. I should retrieve it quickly. I should probably report to the referee first, though.

"Is it all right if I retrieve the sword now? It'd be bad if someone got hurt."

"...Eh? Y, yes, of course. ...My apologies, I forgot to declare the victor. Th, the winner is Dareth-dono!"

""Uoooooh! Old man!""

With the referee's declaration, the crowd grew even more excited. I couldn't quite understand the "old man" chant, but everyone greeted me with applause. As I was putting Kamina back in its box, Militar ran up to me.

"Congratulations, Sensei! I knew you would win."

"Thanks. It's because you and the others were so considerate. I was able to focus on my training."

Well, the match is over, but I wonder what Nanahikari is doing. I glanced over at him and saw he was still standing there, dumbfounded. His attendant had retrieved the sword at some point. He had a blank expression, so maybe he was used to this sort of thing. Anyway, can I just leave now? ...No, I should probably at least shake his hand. Knowing Nanahikari, he'd probably say something like, "He left without even saying goodbye! I'll sue him!" I approached him and gently held out my right hand.

"I, it was a good match. Your sword was quite..."

"Huh?! Like I'd shake hands with an old man! Don't touch me!"

I tried to shake his hand, but Nanahikari sharply flicked it away. Ouch... Well, that doesn't really matter.

"As promised, from now on, please take your work as a blacksmith seriously."

"Sh, shut up! I'm quitting as the army's blacksmith! I can't be bothered with such a pathetic job! You damn army! Go to hell! I'll sue you... ugh!"

After declaring his resignation, Nanahikari was still yelling something when his attendant knocked him out with a swift karate chop, doka! The attendant, without batting an eyelid, started dragging Nanahikari away.

"Everyone, I deeply apologize for the master's rudeness. I will have a stern word with him, so please forgive him."

""Y, yes...""

We were all stunned by her fluid movements, but Militar cleared her throat and declared loudly.

"Then, I hereby appoint Dareth-dono as the new exclusive blacksmith for the Grossa Army!"

""Ooooh! Old man!""

The training grounds erupted with a roar like the rumbling of the earth. I still couldn't understand the "old man" chant, but my heart was filled with a somewhat brighter feeling.