Episode 170
“Still, you are the kingdom’s representative participating in the ‘Sword Grand Prix’, so is it okay if you go without a delegation?”
“it’s okay.”
“Anyway, that’s true. I need the escort knights to catch up a little to put my mind at ease… …
At the princes’ words, Ruina smiled and showed courtesy.
“For giving us this much attention,
“I am truly grateful for the grace of the princes, but who is protecting whom?”
“o ugh9”
-9 丁g •
“The escort is fine, so don’t worry too much.”
“… … Ah, haha! What Lady said is correct. The kingdom’s greatest knight and greatest wizard are together, but who will protect whom? That’s right, that’s right! Ah ha… … !”
The first prince, who had been hit hard by the kind-looking Ruina, smiled sheepishly.
There is still one room left.
“Prince. I’m sorry, but I am not a ‘Lady’ but a ‘Knight in Training’ who is participating in the Sword Grand Prix on behalf of the kingdom. I would appreciate it if you would be careful about your words and actions.”
“… … Hmm. I guess so. This is clearly my mistake. Lady… … . no no. I will apologize to the training knight, Sir Ruina Ardel. “Can I call you Sir Louis from now on?”
“Do whatever is convenient for you.”
After humiliating me like that, I feel comfortable.
Call me .
Are you smart or cunning?
At Ruina’s attack, everyone around her covered their lips to suppress their laughter.
What Ruina said was not wrong.
The greatest knight in the kingdom, Sir Bolvar Peten.
And, I and I Irene, the next generation wizards.
There is also one ‘incarnation’ that is not human.
And finally… … .
“Lord Ruin. Are you sure you’re okay?”
“It’s really okay. “The princes may not know it, but the kingdom’s best ‘martial arts expert’ is also there.”
“… … “A martial arts expert?”
“Thank you for coming all the way. Mr. Narmer.”
“I am just grateful for the opportunity to repay the favor I owe you, Master.”
Narme, an 8-star martial artist, just arrived in the capital this morning after receiving my call.
Even Mr. Le is with us.
There is no need for an escort driver.
The large number of delegation members is also unwieldy.
“I have received enough sympathy from the princes. We just need one administrator to handle the Sword Grand Prix schedule.”
“If that’s true, I understand.”
With this, the ‘Ruina Expedition’, each composed of only the best, was completed.
I asked the twin princes before leaving the capital.
“Princes. What would you do if I ended up fighting the crown prince of the empire on this journey?”
Fight with the crown prince.
This assumption itself may sound like a joke that makes no sense.
The princes were not joking and reacted quite seriously.
“Should I answer as a prince of this country, or as a Croster Ledian who cares for you?”
“Anything is fine.”
“As a prince, I would like to actively dissuade you if that is the answer. If I were to answer without mentioning the title of prince, I would like you to make an ink bowl. The crown prince was such an arrogant bastard that I wanted to beat him up every time I met him at a social gathering. A false day, Soguk (小 I), Soguk. “I’m a beef stew, what is it?”
“Hmm, brother. Please take care of your health. “There are many ears to listen.”
“… … Oh, I’m sorry. Ruin Ball. “I was rude for a moment.”
“Lord Ruin. I have the same opinion as you. The same answer can be given from the prince’s perspective. Feel free to hit me as much as you want. You, my subject, are in danger, so how can I, the prince of this country, just watch? I must protect the people of my country. Immediately raise an army and raise the flag of the holy kingdom in the middle of the Rhynak Empire… …
“Stop, stop. I understood well what the princes meant. “Thank you for saying this.”
“Hmm. “Well, as a prince of this country, it’s a matter of course.”
I bowed my head to the princes and turned my back.
At that time, the Second Prince, who had confidently said that he would plant the flag for the Reinak Empire, asked in a hushed voice.
“Well, by the way, Lord Ruin… … . The question you just asked… … “It was a joke, wasn’t it?”
Well, it’s not a joke.
* * *
Altein.
Last spring, a major festival was held here.
And exactly one year later, Altain is preparing for the ‘Sword Grand Prix’, a grand festival for training knights.
Sword Grand Prix.
Unlike the Grand Festival, in Sword Grand Prix, the number of trainee knights participating in the competition varies from country to country.
The country with the most TO is, of course, the Lynak Empire.
More than 10 knights will participate.
The least Tio is the weakest country like our Kingdom of Rhedian.
The only participants are Ruina.
Only 1 person.
There are no trained knights like Ruina who participated individually without going through a training center.
More than 99% of them are selected through systematic training at training centers, and all of them are geniuses who could easily take the oath of knighthood right away.
For example, the Empire’s most elite knights, the ‘Knights of the Holy War’, formed their own
The temple training center that I own.
They are from prestigious training centers such as Reinark Training Center and Paltheon Training Center.
In that sense, Ruina may be the person closest to being ‘different’ among the participants in this competition.
She’s the youngest, she’s a woman, and she’s not from a formal training center.
Just like I did in the Great Festival.
“feel so good.”
“What does it feel like?”
“Ruina. Show off your talent in this competition
Show off to the world. Understand?”
“… … of course.”
We got off the Mana train and entered downtown Al Thane.
Irene took a deep breath as she stepped foot on ‘imperial land’ for the first time in a long time.
“It’s still the same.”
As Irene said, Altane’s unique urban atmosphere, which felt both relaxed and old-fashioned, still remained.
However, if you look closely at the reality, you will see a very heterogeneous atmosphere.
It was mixed.
“I’m sure everyone noticed, but we were being followed.”
It’s a gaze.
As soon as we got off the Mana Train, there were stinging eyes watching our every move.
“… … huh? Who says someone is looking at you?”
Except for Ruina, everyone felt the same gaze.
I walked rather calmly.
“This is a principality where quarrels are forbidden,
“I won’t do something stupid like start a fight in the middle of Altane.”
“Then, shall we catch it first?”
“There is no need for that. “I already have an idea of who was following me, and it’s a face I’ll be meeting soon anyway.”
“… … Do you plan to go see the crown prince in person?”
In response to Lord Bolvar’s question, I shrugged my shoulders.
“no. If my prediction is correct, they will make the first move there. “It’s you who’s upset, not me.”
okay.
It will appear first.
Whether you use reverse magic like before or use a barrier.
“We are resting at the inn.”
Until the start of the Sword Grand Prix.
Two days.
We are ready.
♦ ♦ ♦
“Ruin Ardel has arrived in Altain.”
The crown prince, Shommertan Reinak, who was quietly moving the chess pieces alone, flinched.
“Really, you came?”
” yes.”
“You came to Altain for your sister’s ‘Sword Grand Prix’? Even though he knows that I am targeting him?”
“yes.”
I was looking forward to it, but ‘Are you sure you’ll come?’ It was something she had thought about doing.
okay.
The crown prince used ‘Gary Hill’ to invite Ruin Ardel to the Reinark Empire.
Therefore, I thought I would rather avoid this competition.
There may come a time when even your own life, including that of your beloved sister, may be in danger.
If they both die in a faraway country, what happens to Ardel?
however.
“Even though I know I will die, I enter the tiger’s den… … ?”
Should I call this gutsy, or reckless?
Both would be correct.
The crown prince thought this was ‘just for nothing’, but what would it be like?
As long as it’s fun, that’s enough.
“So, who are you here with? “Did two squads of the small nation’s elite knights appear with them?”
“no. Except for the Ardel siblings.
“There are only 4 people.”
“••••••4 people?”
At the mention of four people, the crown prince’s eyebrows twitched.
“Not 4 squads, not 40 people, just 4 people?”
“I’m sure. Two women, an old knight, and a man who looked to be in his 40s. There are a total of 4 people.”
At this point, I was wondering if Ruin Ardel had misinterpreted the ‘warning letter’ he had sent.
This hypothesis was completely erased.
Because the Ruin the Crown Prince knew was not that stupid.
“Then, did you find out about the four people?”
“It was not easy to identify them, but we definitely identified two people.”
“Recite it.”
“One of them is a knight of considerable repute in the kingdom. His name is Bolvar Peten. The known level is 7 stars. As an old knight who has long since retired… …
“Let’s move on to the 7 stars, next time.”
“One of the two women is Irene Frius.”
“Who is that? “Is this a name I recognize?”
“We are citizens of the empire. The next generation wizard raised by Flame King Theron, the pride of the empire… …
“Ah, that’s it, that’s enough. I just hate boring stories. From next time, just say you brought four wanderers with you.”
“… … “I will keep that in mind.”
Crown Prince Sjomertan Reinach held up a white chess piece with an interested expression.
“Four pawns… … •”
Then, he raised his mouth as he made a move to send 4 white pawns forward 2 spaces each.
Next, it was the turn of the crown prince’s black horse.
“What should I do, what should I kill him with?”
He lightly touched various black chess pieces here and there.
What toy should I play with, happiness?
He had the expression of a child in trouble.
Oh my, the words the crown prince raised.
That is, black knights.
He opened his mouth towards the shadow above his head.
“Where is the Knight of the Apocalypse now?”
“Currently waiting in ‘Altain’.”
“… … “It’s a little earlier than planned, but let’s go to Altain right now.”
“My name.”
The shadow flutters and disappears from sight.
I was getting tired of it.
The crown prince spoke in a low voice to the shadow.
“Oh. It’s an absolute secret from your godfather. “I can’t have my toys taken away by someone else.”
When the shadow completely disappeared, the crown prince twirled the black knight in his hand and muttered.
“It’s a knight of the apocalypse… I hope it’s fun.”
The prince’s black knight began to eat the white pawns one by one.
