Swordsmanship Tournament
Lux’s Side
In the waiting area for the swordsmen participating in the tournament, I looked around and spoke to Florence-san, who was sitting beside me.
“Everyone looks really strong.”
“Yes, that is true. Those who enter the swordsmanship tournament are people who have at least some confidence in their own skills.”
Confidence in one’s sword… If I had been training alone and found myself here, I am not sure I could have felt confident in my blade. But with the sword I honed together with Florence-san and Violet-san, I can feel certain of myself.
“For the sake of Florence-san, who spent so much time practicing with me, I will do my best not to show a shameful sword.”
“I am very much looking forward to Lux-sama’s sword… If it happens that I am allowed to cross blades with you today, then at that time…”
Florence-san gripped the hilt of the sword she carried and said,
“Unlike the usual practice swords, I will face you with this rapier, so I ask for your best.”
A rapier… Until now, we had always practiced with wooden swords, so I have never seen Florence-san use a rapier. But since that is the weapon she excels at most, I will no doubt find her stronger than ever.
“Yes… If that time comes, let us both fight with all our strength, without holding back!”
“Of course.”
Saying that, Florence-san smiled brightly.
The words “crossing swords” might sound violent, but because it is Florence-san, who has practiced with me all this time, I can use them without any hesitation.
As we were talking, the sound of a bell announcing the opening of the tournament rang out, and a certain person raised their voice.
“In the name of First Princess Rezamiliana, I declare the opening of the swordsmanship tournament.”
As a dignified, clear voice rang out from the royal family’s box, the spectators erupted into cheers.
“Ah, that person is the First Princess Rezamiliana-sama…”
The elder sister of Third Princess Felisiana-sama and Second Princess Elizalina-sama… I cannot see her face clearly from this distance, but her beautiful wine-red hair and dignified posture are plain to see.
“…!”
And then, when I looked beside her, I saw Felisiana-sama and Elizalina-sama seated as well.
Feeling a quiet happiness at their presence, I listened as Rezamiliana-sama explained the rules of the tournament: that spectators must not interfere with the swordsmen, that blades must not be coated with poison, that swords would be replaced with new ones after each match, and that fatal injuries must not be inflicted.
“…Those are the rules of this swordsmanship tournament. Now then, I shall announce the two swordsmen who will fight in the very first match.”
Since who would fight whom, and in which match, had not been revealed beforehand, I had to pay close attention to the names being called.
Thinking that, I focused as Rezamiliana-sama announced the two names.
“From the Count’s household, Lux Rodwell. And from the Marquis’ household, Riley Tedilan. The two of you are to come to the center of the arena at once.”
“Eh!? M-Me!?”
I had never expected my name to be called for the very first match, so I shouted in shock.
But then, Florence-san, sitting beside me, placed her hand over mine and said,
“If it is Lux-sama, you will be fine. I am cheering for you.”
“Ah! Yes!”
That is right… I cannot afford to lose heart.
For Florence-san, for Violet-san, and for Siana, I cannot possibly lose in the very first match!
“Thank you, Florence-san!”
With that, I stood up and headed toward the center of the arena.
“…Lux-sama, that serious gaze of yours is also very wonderful.”
…When I arrived at the center of the arena, Tedilan-san, who had also been called, arrived at the same time.
Then, Tedilan-san spoke to me.
“Rodwell-kun, I am sorry to say this, but you should withdraw right away.”
“Eh!? W-Withdraw…? Why?”
“The reason is simple! Because your opponent is none other than Riley Tedilan!”
Saying that, Tedilan-san brushed his bangs aside.
“Eh…? Um… W-What do you mean by that?”
Still not understanding even after hearing his explanation, I asked again, and Tedilan-san raised his voice loudly.
“I have already entered the swordsmanship tournament several times, and I have always won the first match! Of course, as the rules state, I will not take a life, but if I can help it, I would rather not hurt anyone either!”
I did not really understand, but it was clear he had great confidence in his swordsmanship.
But still…
“I did not come here standing on this stage with the kind of resolve that would back down out of fear of losing!”
Siana is watching me from somewhere, and there is no way I could back down for such a pathetic reason!
“Oh… Those are good eyes. In that case… I, Riley Tedilan, will face you with all my strength!”
“Yes! Please do!”
As we exchanged those words, Rezamiliana-sama instructed us both to ready our swords…
“Begin!”
At that signal, we drew our real swords from their sheaths and closed the distance between us.
Then, as our swords clashed once… at that moment, I saw an opening in Tedilan-san’s stance and was about to strike directly at it. But then…
“When your opponent shows an opening, rather than attacking directly from the front, you should move like this to get behind them.”
Remembering Violet-san’s words, I moved behind Tedilan-san and knocked the sword out of his hand.
“That is enough! The winner, Lux Rodwell!”
“Whoa, amazing!”
“What was that move just now!”
“Only two strikes…!”
As Rezamiliana-sama made the announcement, the spectators erupted into loud cheers.
Then, Tedilan-san placed a hand on my right shoulder and said,
“Heh, I have lost, Rodwell-kun… If you were able to defeat me, then perhaps winning the championship is not just a dream.”
“Ah… Thank you very much.”
He is a bit of a strange person, but perhaps not a bad one.
For now, since I was able to finish the first match with a victory, I walked through the cheering arena toward the weapon stand to replace my sword, entering the corridor beneath the spectator seats… At that moment.
“Lux~!”
Suddenly, a person wearing a red hood approached me, calling my name as they came closer.
Then, that person briefly pulled back the hood just enough for only me to see their face… The face that appeared was a woman with pink hair, a small face, and striking features that held both beauty and cuteness.
“E-Elina-san!?”
As I shouted her name in surprise, Elina-san showed me a joyful smile.