Recess

“The winner of the royal match, Asna Lanmark!”

As Elias announced loudly, the nobles erupted in cheers for both contestants. As I lay sprawled on the ground, Asna helped me up. Another wave of applause thundered through the arena. Feeling a bit embarrassed by the enthusiastic atmosphere, I couldn’t help but blush slightly.

“Wow, this is amazing. It’s kind of embarrassing,”

“It’s been a while since I’ve had such a refreshing match. Thank you very much, Lord Reed,”

Asna replied with a bow. Her polite demeanor was a stark contrast to her fierce attitude during the match. I smiled … Read the rest

 
Their intense match had become a martial arts demonstration that moved the spectators. Once they noticed the match, the audience was riveted, unable to look away even for a moment. Amidst this, Farah spoke in a small voice.
 
“Ah, please do your best… Both of you, please do your best!!”
 
The nobles around her who noticed her voice began to think back on how they had initially viewed the scene unfolding before them, and they felt ashamed. The two were sword fighters, battling with pure hearts.
 
Sometimes, matches fought with determination and bearing the thoughts of … Read the rest

Asna seemed to be moved by my unwavering killing intent and the way I held my wooden sword. Then, she slowly drew the two wooden swords that were tucked into her waist with each hand.
 
One was a short sword on her left hand.
 
The other was a regular wooden sword on her right hand.
 
She stood quietly without using any unnecessary force. I kept my stance without collapsing and answered with a dazed expression.
 
“……Suddenly, isn’t two-sword style a bit too much?”
 
“Fufu……please excuse me. I was told by the princess to welcome Reed-sama … Read the rest

Royal Match, Second Round
 

“I wonder if I can explain this properly… Reed?”
 
As the second match of the prestigious battle was about to begin, I went to my father to explain the situation while Asna was getting ready. However, my father’s expression was severe, his eyebrows furrowed, his eyes narrowed, and his mouth tense. In other words… he was extremely angry.
 
Ignoring my father’s anger, I began to explain. By the way, I kept quiet about the fact that Raycis had spoken ill of my mother and the Baldia territory to him. As I did so, my father’s … Read the rest

Asna and Norris
 

 
Asna went to retrieve the wooden swords from the main castle. She wanted to evaluate the son of the frontier count as a potential match for the princess and as a fellow swordsman. She hadn’t expected the opportunity to come so soon and found herself smiling naturally. With a serious expression, she selected two necessary wooden swords.
 
One was of normal length.
 
The other was slightly shorter, akin to a wakizashi.
 
After she tucked both swords into her belt, she sensed someone behind her and turned around. There stood an elderly dark … Read the rest

The Princess’s Ingenious Plan

“Lord Reed, would you please have a match with my guard, Asna Lanmark?”
 
“Huh…?”
 
The words were a shock to us as we exited the room after the deliberations of the previous match had concluded. Princess Farah and her guard were waiting outside, and she delivered this startling request.
 
What could she mean by wanting having a match with her guard ? Elias seemed to have the same thought, as he looked at Princess Farah with a puzzled expression and questioned her.
 
“Farah, do you understand what you’re saying? Matches are not … Read the rest

The Actions of the Princess and Her Bodyguard
 

When the unexpected result of the duel came to an end, Elias, Liesel, Reiner, and the two participants went to the back room to discuss the match.
 
Farah and Asna were told to rest in another room until the deliberation was over and moved from the viewing area to the separate room. Initially, Eltia also moved with them, but a man from the nobility, who seemed gentle in demeanor, stopped her. After telling them to go ahead, Eltia stayed behind. Thus, Farah and Asna were resting in the separate room. … Read the rest

Change of Plans
 

 
(What is this!? The son of the Count of the Frontier is a monster!!)
 
Norris was chilled to the bone as he watched the match before the royal court. Raycis was by no means weak as a swordsman; he possessed skills that could rival those of adults. Yet, this child effortlessly handled him as if an adult was playing with a baby. Such a display was only possible due to an overwhelming difference in ability.
 
Moreover, the son of the Count was supposed to be younger than Raycis. Despite that, he wielded such tremendous skill.
 
If … Read the rest

“How shallow. You haven’t thought for yourself at all. The empire is larger and more powerful than our country. You’re trying to send Farah into a den of power-hungry wolves, thinking only of your own gain, not her wellbeing. Do you not see that?”
 
“Th-that can’t be true… I believed marrying into the Magnolia royal family would ensure my sister’s happiness…”
 
“You haven’t thought for yourself. You can’t even respond with your own words, only parroting what someone else told you. A prince should not speak with borrowed words.”
 
“……”
 
Realizing the contradiction between his claim of acting for his … Read the rest

The End of Royal Match

When I raised my hand and acknowledged my defeat, a murmur spread among the aristocrats watching the match from the veranda. Raycis was furious, shouting, “I won’t accept it! Not this way!” But sometimes, recognizing your limits and stepping back is necessary. If we continued, it would have just ended in his self-satisfaction. Moreover, there was the issue of his reform after talking with Zack. Though it seemed to have resonated somewhat, it was still not enough.
 
We were now in the main palace, in the front reception room where we were first guided.
 
Present … Read the rest