Moto Sekai Ichi – 171 | Sousaku – 創作

171　Issenza Match Interlude

"Y-Your Majesty."
"……What is it, Klaus?"
"Did you see it, Your Majesty?"
"Yeah, well. I saw it, Klaus."
"I don't know how to express this excitement! Ah, I can't find the words."
"I understand how you feel. I'm more horrified than impressed, though."

The 467th 『Issenza』 was decided.

It was the Second Firstest, the person everyone in the place had predicted.

A planned harmony, so to speak. However, all who watched the match between him and Raspberry Bell were shaken to their core.

Even if the winner was who they expected, the match was far beyond their expectations.
No, it would be safe to say that it was beyond human comprehension.

It wasn't a power match. It was a beautiful and precious game, close to the limit of the potential of the human being, where one could tell at a glance that there was no compromise in the knowledge, the skill, and the movements down to the fingertips.
Yes, the sight was too beautiful to take one's eyes away, enough to make one's body tremble, and eventually bring about a pleasant sense of trepidation.

For a few seconds after the two had settled the match, all the spectators were silent. It took several seconds for all of them to come to their senses.

Immediately afterward, the unprecedented applause and cheers began to flow out as if a dam had been broken. Every single person stood up clapped their hands and shouted as loud as they could to convey the excitement they were experiencing at the moment.

The audience was finally able to touch it.
They were finally able to experience a genuine title match, a match between two undeniably authentic players.

This was the moment when the people of this world were touched for the first time by one man who once loved it more passionately than anyone else, the brilliance to which he devoted his entire life, and the peak of glory that he would regain again.

He restated.
This is the best of worlds.

Now those words were about to be conveyed to the inhabitants of this world in the form of entertainment.

"That black weapon of the saint probably has a strong repelling effect on the opponent. Having detected this in the initial phase of the match, the Issenza carefully built up an advantage in a precise attack and defense, and at the end, he showed a split-second opening to lure the opponent, then sharply counterattacked with a single blow to win the match! Normally, this alone would be cause for applause, but that is not the most wonderful part of this match! Second Issenza, I am sure that that person dared to go along with the saint's plan! With so many boring ways to win by taking advantage of the large status difference, he dared to go for the interesting, albeit disadvantageous, way in a game of defense that he absolutely had to win! Only that person can do that! However, the Saint was also wonderful! How could she find such a weapon and go toe-to-toe with the Issenza to that extent, with such a lack of firepower? In a different era, she too would have reigned for decades as Issenza! "

"Klaus, you're getting too excited."
"……I beg your pardon, Your Majesty."
"But thanks to you, I know what the game was all about. I guess this match is the best."
"I would have made up my mind on this one. However, from here on out……"
"……That's right. Second-san still has seven more title fights to go."

What's the best, what determines it?

It was not only the title contenders that changed with the arrival of Second.

From these 467th summer title games, several "new experiments" had begun.

"By the way, it's hot out here, Klaus."
"Yes. I will bring you a cold drink right now."
"Two, please. I'm feeling thirsty."

Maine smiled, saying that if he couldn't finish his drink, Klaus should drink it.

Klaus nodded with the corner of his mouth turning upwards, thinking that he was no match for him.

"……I didn't know Raspberry Bell-sama was that strong."
"She has that beauty, that ability, that friendliness with Master, and on top of that, she's the Saint……"
"I ain't even jealous."

In a corner of the arena, in a spectator area that had become exclusive to the Firstest household, the servants were in high spirits.

Champani's awe-struck mutterings were returned by Es and El with a bit of astonishment.

The girls, unusually, did not talk about Second.

This was because everyone knew that once they started talking, they would not be able to stop. Besides, each of them had their own "Master's Principle," and since they sometimes sympathized with each other and often clashed with each other, they restrained themselves by saying, "We should not be fighting at this time of celebration".

"I see, Pani-cchi practiced Swordsmanship before Spearmanship. So you can feel Ras-sama's strength."
"Yeah. I'm not sure even I can win now……"
"……e……a……"
"I wonder if you can compare spears and swords, is what she said."

Champani answered Cosmos's question, and Yve and Luna butted in.

Hearing this conversation, the other maids sighed in admiration.

They sensed the quiet fighting spirit of Champani and Yve.
In other words, the two were confident that even if they could not fight Ras and win, they would still be able to put up a good fight.

There was no conceit or contempt there.
This was tremendous growth.

Everyone knew that these two would be the first to compete in the title games.
'And eventually, me too', most of the servants thought so.

But if asked if they could really develop this level of confidence, very few would nod their heads.

"By the way, Cosmos, you were awfully quiet today. "
"Isn't my face quite beautiful right now? I'm feeling quite wet myself."
"……I'm going to blow that beautiful face off."

There was a boisterous group of people leaving the arena after the Issenza battle.
Everyone knew that they were members of the Second's Fan Club of the Royal Magic Academy.

"It's just too precious."
"That's......"
"I don't think I'll be able to sleep tonight, even though I have to be up early in the morning."
"I won't be able to sleep because of the excitement of today and that is a fact that will be true for tomorrow as well."
"Then I won't be able to sleep for much longer."
"That's......"

The number of members who won the lottery to watch the games increased to about a hundred, but the girls were not as boisterous as the last time.
With the main members now sophomores and new freshmen joining in, a little modesty ensued.

"I have to say, the seats were good. I really love the vice president."
"I love, love, love you, Vice President Aroma."
"It might've been a lot of money, girls……"

The current vice president of Second's fan club was a sophomore female student named Aroma Vanilla.

She was the daughter of Viscount Vanilla. Hence, taking full advantage of her connections and wealth, she reserved front-row seats for a number of people.

"No, no, I paid cash, but it was very cheap."
"The Vanilla household is amazing. It's not an everyday occurrence to cram a hundred of us in the front row."
"……I asked Father to put me and Onee-sama together, and it just so happened that there were seats available, so he took them for us."
"He's such a great dad."
"He's too soft on his daughter."
"He just happened to have tens of millions of CLs, and he just happened to have a contact, and he just happened to snatch it."
"Like a God, to put it mildly."

Seating fees for the title games were relatively inexpensive, but front-row seats were well over 100,000 CL for the eight-day event. And perhaps Viscount Vanilla paid more than double that amount to hold it for a hundred people. The bottom line was that it cost at least 20 million CL. Since he provided it for a fee of 10,000 CL per person, it was no wonder that he was revered as a god.

"But then again, that Raspberry Bell person is kind of unfeminine, don't you think? "
"I can see that! She smells, stinks."
"Oh, that’s right. That coupling could be barely tolerated…… or not? "
"You're already allowing it, hey! "

As they were exercising their sense of smell to the fullest and discussing their fantasies about Second and Raspberry Bell―― suddenly, a group of about ten women appeared in the direction they were moving.

The group was not likely to retreat from the road, so the members of the fan club had no choice but to go around.

The women, however, blocked the way of the fan club as they were trying to get through.

"Eh? "

Why are you getting in the way? None of them could understand it.

The reason, however, became clear with the following words.

"Now's the time to put on a big face."
"You can look forward to the Tenmouza games."
"You're a bunch of vulgar people. It only makes sense that you'd be barking like a bunch of idiots."
"Go ahead and cry and be frustrated."

The group of women left, saying only that and glaring at them.

The fan club members looked at each other and laughed.

"Oh, I get it now. Prince Tenmouza's……"
"I understand…… it's a declaration of war."
"Did you hear that? They said we're vulgar."
"But hey, they're not entirely wrong! "
"But, you know……"
"Second-sama is not vulgar. Right? "
"You know exactly what I mean."

A fierce battle was about to break out in a different part of the stage than the title games.

＊ ＊ ＊

"Second-dono, congratulations on your title defense! "
"Sekond, congrats! "
"Yay! Party, party, party...! "

Night. A small (?) party was held to commemorate the defense of the Issenza title.

I was pouring wine into Ras's glass and saying " Yay!" and "Yoo-hoo! " all the while. This was my own off-the-board tactic.
Her mind should already be on the next title fight. I figured that if I could stir things up here, she must be more motivated.

However, it just doesn't seem to be working at all. That Ras fellow, for some reason, looked at me and smiled all the time, like she was happy to see me. On the contrary, it scares me……

"Raspberry Bell, of course, was strong, but so was Rave-dono. As for Second-dono, you can't afford to be complacent, can you? "
"I've never been careless in all my life."
"Silvia, fool! "
"Right! "

I can't help it if even Eko says so.

"No, I was simply concerned about the significant growth of the participants. all of them, Kasakari-dono, Jerez-dono, and Gram-dono had clearly improved their abilities since the last time. Rothman-dono was…… I'm not sure."
"Oh, yeah. They certainly have grown up. Rothman may have even been the one who grew the most. Well, he didn't show the slightest bit of his ability because someone had put him through a terrible ordeal."
"I couldn't help it! I didn't know anything about the previous year's events. All I thought about was beating the other guy."
"No, I'm not accusing you of anything. Because that's what a title fight is supposed to be. I just felt sorry for him."
"Well, I agree with you, but……"

Yes, it's pitiful and justified.

The loser loses everything. You lose six months, a year, a decade, everything you bet on it.

But fortunately, the loss is temporary. What is lost ought to be regained. Then you can win in six months. That's all there is to it. That's simply it……

"It's getting harder and harder for him. Before he can tackle me, now he's got to deal with you."

If it is only defense, it is just one fight. However, to become a challenger, you have to fight many battles and win the tournament.

Raspberry Bell, Rave, and the growing group of participants at…… are all tough guys indeed. Next season's Issenza battle, it's going to be a tough one for that guy.

"I won't let him. As long as my eyes are black." (Japanese proverb)
"I bet."

Her walls are too thick.
As it stands now, I can say with certainty that Ras will be the challenger for next season.

"Senpai's partner will be me."

A match for what you love.
For as long as she has this idea, nobody will be able to defeat her.

"Master, don't lie down here like this. You have a whole day tomorrow, so please go back to your room."
"Nnh? "

1:00 am. Yukari shook me awake as I was lying down on the sofa after having had two more drinks than usual due to the celebration.

She said there's more tomorrow, but tomorrow is the Kisenshou battle, right? It's got nothing to do with me.

"It's Silvia, right? I'm good."
"……There seems to be some kind of misunderstanding, but tomorrow is the Reiou games."
"……………………What! ? "

I woke up in an instant.

WHY!?

"I hope I'm wrong, but did you not check the schedule, Master? "
"Why would I?"
"I don't know why you wouldn't do it, but tomorrow is the Reiou games. Starting with the 467th title game, the order of the title games to be held was determined by a lottery in order to ensure more fairness."
"Seriously? Then it just so happens that the first one was the Issenza one?"
"Yes."
"Was Maine the cause? "
"Yes, probably. In addition, awards for best participant, best newcomer, best fighting spirit, best performance, and best game have been created."
"For real!? That's nice."

Quite a feat, my friend. You know me well.

"I understand, thanks for the info. Good night then."
"No, like I said, please go to your room and rest."
"It's fine. My turn, it's in the afternoon."
"That's not what this is about……"
"Besides."

It's the Reiou battle, right? There is nothing to worry about, even if I am a little sleep-deprived. Because――

"Tomorrow, I'm going to give it everything I've got."

======

Thank you for reading.

Cheat sheet

Status Details

HP　Hit Points
MP　Magic Points
SP　Stamina Points
STR　Short range attack skill power, strength, physical power.
DEX　Long range attack skill power, dexterity, hit rate.
AGI　Quickness, avoidance rate.
INT　Attack Magic skill power.
LUK　Good luck, critical rate.
VIT　Simple defense.
MGR　Magic defense.

Skill Ranking

From lower (16th) to higher (1st) class, then it changes to the “Dan” system of martial arts, which means Grade

16th class
15th class
14th class
13th class
12h class
11th class
10th class
9th class
8th class
7th class
6th class
5th class
4th class
3rd class
2nd class
1st class
Grade 1
Grade 2
Grade 3
Grade 4
Grade 5
Grade 6
Grade 7
Grade 8
Grade 9 (Can challenge Title when all related skills are at this level)

Types of combat skills

Named after shogi pieces (The word in bold is the one being used in this translation). From easier to acquire to harder.

Pawn/Soldier (Fuhyou)
Lance(Kyousha)
Knight (Keima)
Silver General (Ginshou)
Gold General (Kinshou)
Bishop (Kakugyou)
Rook (Hisha)
Promoted Bishop/Dragon Horse(Ryuuma)
Promoted Rook/Dragon King (Ryuuou).

List of Swordsmanship skills

【Swordsmanship】　Damage： STR Dependent.

《Dragon King Swordsmanship》　Powerful ranged attack forward + stun.
《Dragon Horse Swordsmanship》　Powerful ranged attack in all directions.
《Rook Swordsmanship》　Very strong single-target attack.
《Bishop Swordsmanship》　Quick and powerful penetrating attack.
《Gold Swordsmanship》　Ranged attack in all directions.
《Silver Swordsmanship》　Strong, single-target attack.
《Knight Swordsmanship》　Precision attack＋added damage against vital points.
《Lance Swordsmanship》　Penetrating attack.
《Soldier Swordsmanship》　Normal attack.

(Rook＋Knight, Silver＋Knight, Lance＋Knight, Soldier＋Knight are possible for Combine)

List of Jojutsu (cane) skills

【Jojutsu】Thrust・Strike・Sweep

《Dragon King Jojutsu》　Extremely powerful wide-area attack
《Dragon Horse Jojutsu》　Wide range defense + knockback
《Rook Jojutsu》　Very powerful ranged attack
《Bishop Jojutsu》　Rush piercing attack
《Gold Jojutsu》　Very strong defense
《Silver Jojutsu》　Powerful ranged attack
《Knight Jojutsu》　Rush attack
《Lance Jojutsu》　Piercing attack
《Soldier Jojutsu》　Conventional attack

List of Spearmanship skills

【Spearmanship】

《Dragon King Spearmanship》　Extremely powerful single-target attack
《Dragon Horse Spearmanship》　Powerful long-range attack (shockwave)
《Rook Spearmanship》　Rush attack (charge thrust)
《Bishop Spearmanship》　Powerful ranged attack (Cleave)
《Gold Spearmanship》　Counterattack (Counter)
《Silver Spearmanship》　Powerful single-target attack (charge thrust)
《Knight Spearmanship》　Forward leaping attack (leaping thrust)
《Lance Spearmanship》　Ranged attack (Cleave)
《Soldier Spearmanship》　Normal Attack (Thrust)

List of Archery skills

【Archery】

《Dragon King Archery》　Powerful on-impact ranged attack.
《Dragon Horse Archery》　Powerful piercing ranged attack.
《Rook Archery》　Very strong single-target range attack.
《Bishop Archery》　Strong piercing range attack.
《Gold Archery》　Range attack with added knockback.
《Silver Archery》　Strong single-target range attack.
《Knight Archery》　Precise sniping range attack.
《Lance Archery》　Piercing range attack.
《Soldier Archery》　Normal range attack.

List of Shield Arts skills

【Shield Arts】

《Dragon King Shield Arts》　Very powerful ranged attack to the front.
《Dragon Horse Shield Arts》　Reinforced defense + all-range attack.
《Rook Shield Arts》　Powerful forward Rush attack (VIT converted to STR and added to net STR)
《Bishop Shield Arts》　Great Reinforced Defense (16th class: 250% ~ Grade 9th: 600% Defense)
《Gold Shield Arts》　Range homing defense ＋ Knockback（While active, attacks within a certain range would redirect themselves towards the shield）
《Silver Shield Arts》　Reinforced defense (parry grace time reduced by 0.01 second, successful parry triggers counterattack effect)
《Knight Shield Arts》　Defense + Knockback.
《Lance Shield Arts》　Piercing Reflective Defense
《Soldier Shield Arts》　Normal defense.
Success condition for parry: Activate the skill 0.287 to 0.250 seconds before the attack reaches the target.

Types of Magic skills

They use the “Form” or “step” system of martial arts. From lower to higher.