173　Reiou Match 2

　The final of the tournament to determine the challenger for the Reiou title. Chérie vs. Vogue.

　After confirming their dueling crowns in the center of the arena, they took their positions without exchanging a word.

　The tension was felt even in the viewing seats for the contestants. This was also one of the most exciting aspects of the title fights.

"A sense of urgency is palpable."
"Umu. Seems they can't even afford to have a conversation."

　Silvia responded to Ras's mutterings.

　Yeah, she's right. On one half.

"No, Chérie might, but Vogue definitely not. I bet she doesn't even have time to say hello."
"Is she running out of time? "
"Yeah. With just that much information and the winter season, how could I not notice it? Apparently, she's been working on a countermeasure against Anko."
"……I see. Sunlight."

　Vogue was obviously in a hurry. Both now, and during her fight against Capito.

　……I guess she is afraid of the sundown, and of Anko.


"――Hey, listen, you! "

　Suddenly, a loud voice echoed through the air, breaking the mood.

　It was Chérie. She pointed at Vogue and smiled challengingly. Is that girl planning to taunt her before the call to start the fight?

"'You', you say?　……Are you talking to me? "
"Exactly. Who else could it be but you?"
"No. That wasn't what I was referring to."

　She called the former Reiou "you". Well, it's no wonder her reaction.

"Can't afford a conversation?　I take back what I said before……"

　Silvia muttered as she held her head.

　No wonder. She was acting like a "naive Earl's daughter". No, I'm sure that's actually the case.

"I'm sorry to burst your bubble, but I'm going to win this one."
"That's a lot of confidence."
"Of course. I've really been working myself to death for the past six months! "
"Ohh……Is that so?"

　Chérie's provocation was clear and straightforward.

　Vogue replied nonchalantly, uttering only one closing remark.

"You should wait until you have worked hard for a hundred years before you say such a thing. Ojou-chan."

　There is no better turnaround.
　Chérie couldn't help but close her mouth.

"Bow to each other! "

　Here's where the time limit begins.
　Chérie's aim to provoke and gain an advantage in the match backfired.


"Get ready―― Begin! "

　The signal by the referee resounded.

　At the same time, they both activated 《Spirit Summoning》.


"――Hey. Long time no see, dirt woman."
"――Ara～. It's been a long time, red seaweed."


　Salamandra, the Great Spirit of Fire, and Gnomides, the Great Spirit of Earth. Apparently, they knew each other.

　Terra has a better sense of cussing, but the attributes are in favor of fire and against earth. That's a tough factor for Chérie.

"Terra! "
"Yeah～."

　Oh, Chérie seemed to use the "pillbox" right off the bat. Terra's 《Earth Attribute, Second Form》 enveloped Chérie as she looked forward.

"Salamandra, aim for Gnomides."
"Roger that."

　Vogue, on the other hand, was planning to utilize the attribute advantage to hold Terra back.

　And then, during that chance……


"An Aqua Dragon, and that's…… a Winged Skull and an Armored boar, huh?"
"Land power, air speed, and land power. Quite unbalanced."

　《Monster Summoning》. As I thought, I should say. Vogue had three solid monster tames. They are a large water dragon, a flying skull with wings, and a big rugged boar.

　Ras is right, it is quite unbalanced. But I guess that is part of the strategy.


"All at once."

　At Vogue's command, the monsters all charged at once at the 'Chélther'.

　I see, so that's why there are two power types. In other words, Vogue saw in advance that Chérie was going to use the pillbox strategy. That's wonderful, totally.


"Arara, Master～."
"Whoa there, I'm not gonna let you."

　Terra couldn't afford to help Chérie because of Salamandra's interference.
　And Chérie can't see what's going on outside because of the dirt walls.

　Well, I guess it's already been decided……right?


"Kyaaaa! "

　A powerful Body Slam by the Aqua Dragon and the Armored Boar. With only two blows, Chérie's shelter was destroyed without a trace as she screamed.

　Quite the crisis. The summoner's weakness lies in themselves. Unless she could beat the two monsters in front of her in physical combat, but I doubt Chérie has that kind of gorilla-like status.


"Kggg……! "
"HAHAHA!　There's no way you can beat me! "

　Immediately after, Terra-san was hit by Salamandra's fire magic and fell to the ground.


"Terra!　Oh no, what can I……?"

　Chérie, finally, was in dire straits.


"It's over."

　Vogue did not even give her time to bemoan, but instead delivered her final words.

　The Aqua Dragon and Armored Boar approached Chérie from the left and right. An attack that would be difficult to avoid or defend against.


"N-No way, nooooo, hyaaaaaaaa! "


　The winner was decided.






　Or so everyone would have thought.


"……Just kidding."

　Chérie, who should have been distraught, stuck out her tongue and laughed.



"! ! "

　At that moment, Vogue probably noticed a single flying monster.


　The moment the pillbox was destroyed, inside the smoke and dust left behind, it became clear that Chérie had used 《Monster Summoning》, and what appeared was―― a『Landslide Bird』.


"You're a clever one, Chérie-han."
"She's a good actress."

　It was probably all a set-up. All for this one moment.

　She didn't even show any pretense of being a monster user, she let people underestimate her as a naive Earl's daughter, dared to be talked down, and dared to scream loudly, so that her opponent would be thoroughly caught off guard right at the very end.

　Landslide Bird is a bird-shaped, Class B monster with colors and patterns that resemble earth and sand. It was a good idea to bring it to blend in with the disintegrating debris of the Chélther. The fact that Vogue's discovery was delayed until the last minute was probably a factor there as well as being careless. In addition, the Landslide Bird has enough offensive power for a surprise attack. It cannot be ignored.

　A Rush by an Aqua Dragon and Armored Boar, and a Rush by a Landslide Bird. It was clear which would arrive first. The Landslide Bird is both closer in distance and faster. The surprise attack proved successful. Vogue will be forced to respond.


　……I can't believe that Chérie would resort to such dirty tactics. I was suddenly impressed.

　When I first met her, she must have been like a prideful princess raised in a greenhouse. This is a dirty strategy that she would never have thought of back then. A strategy that doesn't care in the slightest about looking good, that puts all pride aside, and just goes for the win.

　She has grown. And I'm not only talking about skills and status but also her mindset.



"My bad…… so you too were a risk taker, huh?"


　But it never reached her.

　Vogue must have expected it. That Chérie could be using 《Monster Summoning》 to take advantage of the destruction of the pillbox. No, that verbal expression, maybe she was preparing for it in a semi-confident and insured way.

　That is why she pretended to have the Winged Skull join the attack and stand by in the air far above her own head.

　As an insurance policy in case Chérie was a "gambler" instead of a "naive Earl's daughter".


　She has also grown up. She had listened to my cheeky sermon, "Don't think you know what you're doing," and had considered all possibilities and taken countermeasures.


"Uh――! "

　The Landslide Bird was hit with a piercing Body Slam by the Winged Skull, which fell from the sky at a frightening speed, and was flung away, losing its momentum.

　Chérie's trump card was easily nullified.


"……Aaah-ah, what a shame."

　Just before the Aqua Dragon and Armored Boar Rush connected, Chérie muttered with the corners of her mouth raised.


　That look, the way she said it. That girl, although she says it's a shame, she really doesn't look like she's bitter about it at all.

　She knows. Right now she's the one threatened. But in the future, it will be Vogue the one to feel threatened.

　If she was able to make it this far in her first appearance, it would certainly be a big deal. If she can maintain this pace of growth from then on, it will not be long before she is on par with Vogue. Because the stronger you get, the harder it is for you to gain experience in Mobius. It is always those at the top who suffer.

　That's why Chérie is not as frustrated as she should be. Because she can bet on the next time, and the next one, and the next.


"――That's enough!　Winner, Vogue! "


　The match was over.

　I'm sure Vogue is not too happy about this victory.

　It was a match that she deserved to win. However, at the very end, she was instilled with an uneasiness that she could not wipe away.

　So far, she would have stood on top as the Reiou, as she has been fighting for it all these years. There must have been dangerous moments at times. But I doubt that she has ever had a close call like this one.

　The way the title participants are fighting is changing. I think that's how she feels.


"…………"

　The only one she looks to is me. However, everyone else is also trying to win.

　She felt so frustrated, so disappointed, so unbearably frustrated, that she worked herself hard to the death, improve her ability many times over, and challenge me in order to become the Reiou again. It is not hard to imagine that Vogue has done her best.

　But it was not only Vogue that improved her abilities. Everyone around here is coming to win with that kind of approach. She must continue to win this fierce competition with a look of confidence.


　I get it. The moment you see a Landslide Bird pop out of the dirt and smoke, the tightening of your heart, the blazing heat of your brain, the sweat pouring out of your body, the quivering in the back of your throat.

　It all grows stronger day by day. It increases each day.

　You must overcome your insecurities.
　You must conquer your insecurities.

　For you, the real Reiou battle has just begun today.

　That's what Chérie taught you.



"Things are heating up."

　Significantly more than in the winter.
　From now on, it will be much more exciting.

　The number of contestants will increase.
　Everyone will be many, many times stronger.

　And eventually...... well, at least that's what I think.


"And I'm not joking."

　Overcome and conquer insecurities. I'll do the same.


　So it makes everyone think, "No matter what I do, I can't compete with this person".


　At full power. I will not spare anything, I will give it my all.

　I will crush them so thoroughly and utterly that they will never think of challenging me again, blowing away half a year's effort in one breath.


　Still ...... nevertheless, the one who challenges me to risk everything accomplished in six months could be a good opponent who would sublimate my anxiety into pleasure.


　Will they really come and 'love' me, other than Ras?



"……Shall we go?"


　To all of you who made me a little nervous by passing the first round of exams, congratulations.

　Now, the second examination, is coming right up――

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Thank you for reading.

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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.

1. Pawn/Soldier (Fuhyou)
2. Lance(Kyousha)
3. Knight (Keima)
4. Silver General (Ginshou)
5. Gold General (Kinshou)
6. Bishop (Kakugyou)
7. Rook (Hisha)
8. Promoted Bishop/Dragon Horse(Ryuuma)
9. 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.

1. First Form　      　      Regular attack
2. Second Form　      　 Extended range attack
3. Third Form　      　    Strong single target attack
4. Fourth Form　      　  Strong extended range attack
5. Fifth Form　      　      Extremely powerful extended range attack

• Their cast time becomes longer in this order First→Third→Second→Fourth→Fifth.

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 ToC    

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