182　Shisousei Match Interlude

　At the end of the Second vs. Champani game.
　In the midst of the excited audience, there was one couple who was awfully quiet.


"…………I'll go home first."
"Eh? "
"I'm going home alone. You take the carriage home."
"Hey, honey!　What do you mean, going home alone……?"

　Mokes Faana only said this to his wife, Trois Faana, and left the spectator's area alone as he exited the arena.

　In the center of the arena, Champani Faana was blown away by a direct hit from a  《Rook Spearmanship》 by the Second Firstest.

　Everyone in the audience was delighted with the challenger to the Shisousei title, Second Quad-Crown.


"Dear! "

　Trois's voice calling for her husband was drowned out by the cheers of the crowd.

"……Dear……"

　Just before Morks disappeared from the brilliant sun into the shade of the arena entryway, Trois watched his back and stopped chasing him.

　His shoulders were shaking in a small shiver.


"…………Such a dishonest man, trying to hide his feelings. Well, I wouldn't be any different."

　What were his feelings when he sold his daughter, what were his feelings as he spent the last few years, what were his feelings as he watched the match? Trois knew all of this.

　A man who had never shed a tear since leaving his beloved daughter had finally reached the end of his rope. Yes, he didn't want his wife to see him cry. But that was all.


　Trois gazed at the lying figure of Champani, then slowly closed her eyes, as if burning it into her retinas, and let out a tiny smile.

　A single tear spilled from the corner of her eye.



　　＊　＊　＊




　――Only three moves.

　Two people were watching the whole scene of Raden's terrible defeat.

　Karen, Raden's sister, and Champani.


"Hey, why did it have to end like this?　Thanks to you, we siblings have been shamed."

　Karen muttered with a sigh and turned to Champani.

"I-It can't be helped."

　Champani then hurriedly wiped her fingers under her eyes and tried to regain her composure.

"……Hey, girl, cry now."
"I'm not crying."
"No, I mean, your makeup is already..."
"I'm not crying."
"Is that so?"

　A true lady does not shed tears in public.


"…………"
"…………"

　Silence flowed between the two of them.

　It was a peculiar silence. On one side, her position fell from heaven to earth. And on the other side, it rose from earth to heaven. For some reason, these two people, who should have conflicted with each other, were letting themselves be carried away by the comfortable silence.


"I might be glad I lost."
"Is that so? May I ask why? "
"I've learned my lesson……I suppose."

　Karen laughed to herself, crossed her arms, and began to recount her story.


"……I hated the aristocracy. I hated those guys who did everything the way they wanted with their great power that the common people could never compete with. I thought they were filthy people who discriminated as if they were breathing, who didn't care about the weak, and who always thought only about getting something out of the deal."

"You're not completely wrong."

"Oh, you're affirming it? "

"Yeah. There are few who have the power and do not grow arrogant. However, I do not consider that as something only nobility do."

"……Haha, so you see everything."


　Looking at Champani, who kept her back straight, Karen let out a sigh and continued her words as she leaned against the hallway wall.

"We wanted to be nobles."

"Yeah."

"We wanted to push those weaker than us to do what we wanted, to discriminate, to gain, to feel good about ourselves."

"Yeah."

"It is as you said, we had grown arrogant. Corrupted. Before I knew it, we were getting closer and closer to the very thing we most hated."

"I can see that."


　Their gazes shift to the end of the hallway.

　There, surrounded by newspaper reporters, Second Firstest was being interviewed.


"Hey, look at that. That man is criticizing the nobles by name."

　Second, as planned, was scathingly critical of the nobles who had strongly recommended him for seeding.

　He particularly mentioned the name of Earl O'Moon's family three times. Seeing this, Champani couldn't help but chuckle and smile.

　Karen, on the other hand, was ruffling her hair in a disheveled mess and looking rather displeased.


"……Isn't that cool?　A power that defies nobility. I admire it, totally. We wanted to be like that. I should have wanted to be like that. And yet, now, how can this be ......?　How did this happen??　Where did we go wrong?! "

"What did I mention that time? "

"Eh...? "

"I have already given you my answer."


　――You'd do well to take a good look at me and my master

　Karen paused as she recalled Champani's words.

　No way, she saw through all of my circumstances and feelings from the very beginning――


"Delays are meant for catching up. If so, it's all good. The true nobility, the essence of nobility, lies in us, master and servants. Please follow our example! "


　Karen was speechless.

　She said to follow her and her master's each step of the way as an example.

　What confidence. And trust. Such words could not have come out of an ordinary conviction.

　To not defy the Champani who believed in her inner self. To not defy the world's number one, the Second that believed in his inner self. For the parties concerned, that was all.

　But that was precisely what made it so difficult for the ordinary person.
　It was daunting and difficult.


"……I see. I get it. That's how it works."

　If you don't have faith, don't do it.

　To Karen, it sounded like Champani was saying that.


"I don't know if I can do it."
"Oh, is that so? "
"Indeed. I probably can't live that kind of hard life."


　Karen uncrossed her arms and moved away from the wall she was leaning against, then turned around and said.


"But at least I don't want to get any dirtier."

"! "

"Your Spearmanship was brilliant. Without exaggeration."


　With a flutter and a wave of her hand, she left.

　Champani looked really radiant and gracefully waved Karen off in the background.





"What do you both think, Chérie-kun, Tebow O'Moon? About a dinner party?"

"I will definitely come!　Tebow-san, the Margrave has personally invited us to join him, an opportunity that doesn't come along very often."

"……N-no thank you, I've been feeling a little, you know, under the weather."

"Really?　That's terrible. Then I will arrange for a doctor."

No, I can't inconvenience you that much……"

"I don't think of it as a nuisance. That is something from earlier."

"Pfhh."

"Huh?　Chérie-kun, did I say something funny?"

"No, not really……Ptfhhh! "

"What's wrong?　Did you misunderstand the term "that is something from earlier"?　Please excuse me. You might've thought that I was referring to her physical condition. I didn't mean it in that way, even if I don't care if this human scum isn't doing anything of the sort anymore."

"H-Human sc……? "

"Oh, Tebow O'Moon. Don't worry about it. I don't think of you that way."

"Y-Yeah, it's about a problem before that……Ptfhhaha! "


"It was too much to say human scum. It was rude of me to say such a thing, even in a metaphorical sense, unless, of course, you were a student who routinely bullied the daughter of a fallen nobleman and took great pleasure in using the power of the Earl household to lower her into slavery."


"――! ? "


"……Did you think we didn't know? "
"Laughable, isn't it? How could you praise someone whom you once degraded to slavery just to accommodate us? It's going to be funny just remembering it for a while."

"That… why…!? "

"Me and Second are kind of close buddies."
"I'd like to think I'm a good friend, too."

"You mean you were deceiving me from the very beginning!? "

"Exactly. Thanks to you, it was fun. I can only be grateful for that."
"I have a policy of not thanking, apologizing, or saying hello to scum, so I don't really feel compelled to do the same."

"Y……You're the worst!　You people are disgusting!　You are vile!　I'm going to tell Father!　Be prepared for it! "

"The worst, she says...... Are you really saying that? "
"How dare you utter such an overused and witless phrase? Are you not embarrassed? "

"Father won't just let you get away with this vulgarity, even if you're an Earl's daughter and a Margrave! "


"Why?　I am a Margrave. It's above your house. Don't mistake one thing for another, brat."


"……"

"Hilarious. You are now in the same situation as the old Champani-san, right? "
"That's right. If so, would you prefer to end up a slave? As for me, I would recommend being a servant of the Firstest household. I'm being nice, so I'll let you choose one or the other."

"Eh, does that mean we might have to see her every time we go to that house?　I don't want to."
"A slave, then."

"……～～！ ! "


"She ran away."
"Even the dependable Earl Chilima is now a target of criticism because of Second…… what a hopeless girl."
"As for me, I would like to take this opportunity to get rid of Earl O'Moon's household, but we'll see what happens."
"……Lord Steam, could that be why you were so enthusiastic? "
"No way. I simply want to be liked by him."
"That's kind of creepy in its own way……"



　　＊　＊　＊



"Delicious."

　The evening meal was mostly meat.
　That Yukari has incredible ears. Perhaps she has mastered lip-reading.

"Nevertheless, that Tebow was still a hardcore bitch. You were right not to meet her."

　As I was enjoying the meat dish, Chérie, who was sitting around the table with a seemingly deserved look on her face, opened her mouth.

"What? Why? "
"I'm sure you would've hit her."
"Hey, hey, I don't hit women or children, okay? "
"And yet you beat the living lights out of Sherry……"

　Did I?

"I am surprised that you even have a hobby like that, Lord Second. It's a little concerning."

　And of course, Steam, who was eating next to me, joined in and started talking.

"I said it's not a hobby."
"Ahh, I see. Then you are like me."

　Eh.

"I don't tolerate scum, whether they are women or children. Hence, Tebow O'Moon will be cast into slavery."
"Are you serious? "
"Yeah. Please don't say silly things like responsibility and determination, okay? "
"Sorry, I almost said that on impulse."
"……Seriously. There's a limit to how willing you can be."

　He got angry.

"I am a Margrave. His Majesty trusts me and has entrusted me with the borders of the country. You know what I mean?　Scum corrupts the country by forming cliques. Even more so when it comes to the nobility. They are the lion's share of the problem, so to speak, and are only an obstacle in the way of national defense. Neglect is a bad idea. Don't worry, I've done this countless times before, getting rid of trash."

"So it's not just because you don't like them."
"No, I usually don't like them either."
"Is there a difference between that and this?"
"It will have to be separate. That's what it means to have power."

　As expected from the Senjushou participants. It has to be this way. I'll have to learn from them too.

"Alright!　Drink up! "
"I don't drink."
"Chérie! "
"I'm a minor."

　Why god!?



　……Ehh?

"Hey, Yukari."
"Yes, Master."

　After dinner, I suddenly felt a sense of unease, so I called Yukari and asked her.

"What happened to Silvia and Eko? "
"They have already gone to bed."
"Too early."

　Ah, nope, it's bedtime for Eko, as usual.

　Then……?


"Well then, please excuse me."

　Whoa, Yukari didn't mention anything to me.

　That means――


"I wonder which one will play tomorrow? "

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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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