Chapter 22

"Kenshin Cup?"

"Yes! It's the biggest tournament in this city of swords, named after the legendary [Super-Class Job] Sword God, where the strongest swordsman in both name and reality is decided! Of course, I would like you to participate, Mr. Arrel!"

Saying this, Lilia handed over an entry form.

"Is this not a marriage certificate in disguise?"

"N-no, it's not!?"

"Then why do you look away so hurriedly?"

"Well, I did consider that option... but of course, I rejected it because it would definitely be found out!"

...You were considering it.

It's been a while since that match, but I'm still a member of Dragon Fang. Recently, my main activities have been training with Lina and working out, so there's no need to rush into joining another major guild.

From the recent match, I realized that the best way to hone one's combat skills is to fight strong opponents. Since there are only B-class swordsmen here, it's a bit unsatisfying. Once I master the [Steel Swordsman] skill, I won't have any use for this guild anymore.

"No, no, why are you being so business-like!? We've protected this guild together, don't you have any attachment to it!? And there are beautiful women here too!"

"I don't."

"You're so decisive!?"

Lilia clutched her head and shouted.

"First of all, you're saying we fought together, but you didn't do anything, right? Don't idealize the past."

"Ugh..."

Lilia flinched at my accurate observation.

"But! This is the guild where your mother was a member, right!? I think you should consider that!"

"My mother is my mother, and I am me."

"What a cold son!?"

After shouting, Lilia let out a big sigh.

"When I found out that Mr. Arrel's mother was that [Sword Maiden] Farah, I thought it was fate... How could someone as cold and emotionless as you be born from such a kind and warm-hearted woman...?"

"Is it that bad?"

I do have blood and tears, after all. ...Now that I think about it, I've been bleeding every day recently, but I can't remember the last time I cried.

"Anyway, I managed to get us out of the immediate crisis. That's enough, right?"

"Well, well, at least participate in the Kenshin Cup as a member of Dragon Fang!"

"You mentioned that before. When exactly is this Kenshin Cup?"

"Um, well..."

According to Lilia's explanation, the Kenshin Cup has both preliminary and main rounds. Only thirty-two people can participate in the main round.

Twenty of them are the twenty A-class swordsmen. The remaining twelve spots are contested by B-class and lower swordsmen in the preliminaries.

"Since you're still a D-class swordsman, Mr. Arrel, you'll have to win through the first and second preliminaries to qualify for the main round."

The first preliminary is between C-class and D-class swordsmen. Out of about four hundred swordsmen, only one can advance to the second preliminary.

If you win that, you'll face B-class swordsmen in the second preliminary. Out of nearly a hundred swordsmen, only twelve can advance to the main round.

Finally, the main round is held with the twenty A-class swordsmen and the four who won the preliminaries, totaling thirty-two participants.

"It's quite a challenging journey."

"Yes, it is. The first preliminary will be held in a week. After that, the second preliminary, and the main round will be about a month from now."

A month from now.

At the current pace, I should be able to master the [Steel Swordsman] skill around that time.

"Also, if you want to gain more combat experience, there's a perfect place for that!"

Following Lilia, we arrived at a large building in the western part of the city. It looks like a prison, but people have been coming and going non-stop.

"Is this the dungeon?"

"Yes! Beneath this city of swords, there's a vast labyrinth!"

The dungeon.

A mysterious labyrinth said to be created by the gods on a whim, existing in various places around the world.

Each dungeon has its own unique characteristics, but generally, they are complex structures like mazes, filled with traps and swarming with monsters.

However, I didn't expect a dungeon to be inside the city.

"Originally, the dungeon was here first, and the city was built on top of it. This dungeon is perfect for sword training."

Lina added.

"Specifically?"

"Hehe, you'll see when you go inside."

Since she was being so mysterious, I reluctantly followed Lilia into the building.

By the way, Lina came with us.

When I told her I was going to the dungeon with Lilia, she insisted on coming along.

"I want to gain more combat experience for the Kenshin Cup!"

She seems to be planning to participate as well. In fact, over ninety percent of the swordsmen in this city are expected to join.

"...It was a chance to be alone with you... I had a plan to use the dungeon's excitement to bring us closer, mistaking it for romantic excitement..."

Lilia muttered something regretfully, so I'm glad Lina came along.