Chapter 15

The Principality of Felicity is one of the smallest countries on the continent.

Just how small is it...?

It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say it's on the scale of a small city-state like Singapore.

Of course, the size of this city is somewhat larger than the average city.

"Wow... Big brother! Look! It's the Principality of Felicity!"

"Hmm."

Winry exclaimed, jumping up and down, her admiration evident.

She gazed at the large and beautiful waterway that encircled the entire city, her eyes sparkling.

"Amazing."

His admiration was pure and unfeigned.

The Principality of Felicity, though a small country with little to boast about, had one unique feature.

The beauty of its capital was a breathtaking sight, rivaling that of any empire.

The vast waterway surrounding the capital connected to various parts of the city, creating a beautiful scene like a painting.

"The Principality of Felicity is a small city-state, but as a city built on ancient ruins, its appearance is famous throughout the continent."

As we silently admired the city's beauty, Baris, who had dismounted from his horse, began to explain.

"From your expression, it seems you're quite impressed?"

"Yeah."

His honest admiration made the boy puff out his chest proudly.

"Hahaha! Big brother, seeing you so pleased makes me feel like I did a good job preparing. Since the tournament lasts four days, you'll have plenty of time to sightsee."

"That's true. Big brother, why don't we start sightseeing tomorrow and first visit the pride of the Principality of Felicity, the Colosseum?"

"Colosseum?"

"Yes! I heard it's a magnificent arena that beautifully harmonizes with the waterways. It will be crowded with people from tomorrow, so let's go see it now!"

"Alright, let's do that."

"Don't steal my words!"

"Tch! Aren't you supposed to meet the responsible manager? I'll be showing big brother around."

Winry can't participate in the tournament because she hasn't learned swordsmanship, but she came along to support her twin brother.

Despite disliking losing, she has a rather dishonest personality.

* * *

The main industry of the Principality of Felicity is, in fact, tourism.

The city's exterior is incredibly beautiful, and the architectural style and various sculptures inside are both mysterious and beautiful.

Among them, the place we arrived at, following the two, is the Colosseum, which every noble from other countries visiting for tourism must see.

"Originally, it was used as an arena. Swordsmen, monsters, and those who wish to test their skills gather to compete. Big brother."

"Seems rather barbaric."

Baris grumbled, clearly not impressed.

"The masses, accustomed to peace, often crave something more stimulating."

Baris gave a bitter laugh at my words.

"Still, human rights are gradually improving. The Kingdom of Ron will... someday."

The boy muttered, filled with big dreams.

"By the way, how many participants are there in total?"

As I looked around the arena, a question came to mind, and I asked Baris. Winry pushed him aside and smiled.

"I heard that a total of eight countries are participating this time. Despite appearances, Baris is also a representative of the Kingdom of Ron."

"Hey! What do you mean by 'despite appearances'!"

"Tch!"

Winry laughed, throwing a strange smirk.

"Starting with the host country, the Empire of Phalan, representatives from the Kingdom of Ron, the Kingdom of Flip, the Kingdom of Shordan, and other countries have been selected."

The purpose of the Continental Swordsmanship Tournament is to discover young talent, but it ultimately ends up being a contest of national pride.

"Of course, as a tournament for the young, only those under 20 years old, male or female, can participate."

"Then what about those who weren't selected?"

"Since it's a national tournament gathering the country's talents, it's not a complete talent discovery tournament. It's not held every season."

Winry grumbled, clearly not satisfied.

"If it's about discovering talent, it should give a fair chance to talented individuals from all over."

"But there would be too many participants if that were the case."

That was true.

In the end, it's a situation where only a few get to shine.

"By the way, I heard that the Princess of Swords from the Empire of Phalan is also participating in this tournament."

"Princess of Swords?"

"Don't you know? She's quite famous. Even in the Kingdom of Ron, her name is known by little children."

"Hmm..."

Baris asked, puzzled, but honestly, I couldn't think of anyone.

Despite my usually sharp memory, I had no recollection of her.

It seemed she was a new figure who had emerged while I was in a coma.

"Hey! Big brother was in a coma!"

Baris tilted his head in confusion, and Winry, clearly angry, kicked his shin.

"Ouch!"

"Tch! Serves you right!"

"That's the truth!"

I watched the two bickering for a moment.

Baris groaned.

"[Ilena de Phalan] is the only princess of the Empire of Phalan, which has eight princes. As you know, the Empire of Phalan is a powerful country."

"Hmm... The Empire of Phalan is indeed a powerful country."

"Of course, the Empire of Phalan is a powerful country, and being the only princess makes her famous, but that's not the only reason. The real reason Ilena is famous is because she is the wielder of the Divine Sword."

"Divine Sword?"

The mention of a divine sword piqued my interest.

"Yes. The Divine Sword [Caldiras], the beloved sword of the ancient hero, the Sword God Hares, is one of the masterpieces created by the Thousand Nights and a Thousand Days."

Caldiras.

It had been a long time since I heard that name.

Despite the lazy nature of the Sword God, his sword skills were undeniable.

I had heard about this sword, which had cut down the Demon King, countless times.

"Caldiras..."

I had two teachers who taught me swordsmanship.

One was the Sword God Hares, who appears in the ancient history of this Tionis continent.

The other was the Demon King's Black Horse, Dugu Jun.

Thinking about it, Hares was from this place, so it's not surprising that his legacy remains.

"A divine sword that has remained unblemished for thousands of years. I heard it has a spirit and can cast powerful magic on its own."

"A spirit..."

The spirit of a weapon, imbued with the soul of the craftsman and the spirit of the swordsman, is called an ego.

"The divine sword, which has chosen its owner after hundreds of years, recently chose Ilena as its owner."

Winry added with a knowing smile.

"Big brother, and there's another reason why Ilena is famous."

"Another one?"

"Yes, it is... "

The boy paused, then smiled mischievously.

"She is a stunning beauty."

"Oh, that's interesting."

"She is also known as one of the five great beauties of the continent, in the prime of her beauty."

The fact that she is the wielder of the divine sword Caldiras, which once belonged to the Sword God Hares, is the most intriguing part of what Baris said.

* * *

The lives of nobles are quite simple.

All participants in the Continental Swordsmanship Tournament are representatives selected by their countries.

They are also the future leaders of their countries.

Would they just have them spar with each other?

Of course not.

It's natural that a banquet is held to foster camaraderie among the future leaders of the continent.

However, it was somewhat unexpected that Baris, who is participating in the tournament, and I, along with Winry, were also invited to the banquet.

"Hmm..."

"Do you not like it, Your Highness?"

As I suppressed a groan and looked around, Amy asked cautiously.

"Isn't it too flashy? Don't you have something more modest?"

"No, Your Highness! This is actually quite modest!"

She made a pained expression, firmly refusing to budge.

Her aggrieved look made me feel guilty, as if I had been too harsh.

"Really..."

"Your Highness, your dignity is directly linked to the dignity of the Kingdom of Ron. Even if you don't like it..."

"Alright. I appreciate your effort. Let's go as is."

"Yes!"

The boy, who had been looking at me as if he was about to cry, nodded vigorously.

Preparing for the banquet is quite busy.

Of course, it's less so for men, but for someone like Winry, it's a living hell, as she put it.

"Tch, does drawing lines on a pumpkin make it a watermelon?"

"Hey!"

Thud!

The small twins, who had finished preparing for the banquet, started grumbling.

"Ah! Big brother!"

While glaring at each other, Winry noticed me first and ran over, her eyes shining.

"Wow! Big brother, you really look amazing!"

"Thanks."

"Unlike that womanizer over there!"

"Hey! Why am I a womanizer!"

"What, did I say something wrong?"

If someone else saw them bickering, what would they think?

Of course, despite their outward appearance, they are quite close.

"You look beautiful. I thought a fairy had descended."

"Hehehe. Big brother is so..."

It was a compliment, but not a lie.

The green dress that matched her green hair was neither overly flashy nor too mature, fitting her age perfectly.

In a few years, she might become a beauty that could make men weep.

Winry, clearly pleased by my compliment, twirled around and held out her hand to me.

"Then, handsome prince, will you do me the honor of escorting me today?"

"It seems the roles have been reversed, but I don't mind."

I lightly took her hand, and Baris clicked his tongue.

"That fox."

Of course, Winry, who was clearly delighted, ignored it, as if she was used to such behavior.