Chapter 31

On the day of the Sword God Cup finals.

At the entrance and exit of the arena, a father and daughter were arguing.

"Damn it, let go! You stupid girl!"

"No, I won't let go! It would be a waste not to watch since we have a seat reserved for the participants' guild!"

"That's why I said I don't want to watch it!"

"Since we've come this far, you should just accept it!"

"Shut up! Watching the match means nothing to me anymore!"

"Then just enjoy it as a spectator! We can even have some drinks!"

"It's not about enjoying it; it's pure torture for me!"

"......Damn, this is so troublesome..."

*Snap.*

Right after that sound came from Lilia's forehead,

*Smack!*

Her powerful right straight perfectly hit her father's face.

"......Oof"

"Alright. Let's go."

Dragging her unconscious father, she entered the venue.

◇ ◇ ◇

The day of the Sword God Cup finals had arrived.

In the largest arena in the city of swords, which could easily accommodate over fifty thousand people, thirty-two participants would compete for the title of "Strongest Swordsman."

Among them, twenty were A-rank swordsmen, and the rest were swordsmen who had advanced from the preliminaries.

And the first match.

As soon as the previously undisclosed opponents were announced, the arena was enveloped in a tremendous roar.

"The reigning champion, the 'Sword Emperor' Georg, is appearing in the first match!"

"Who knows who he is, but his opponent is really unlucky—wait, what, seriously!?"

"The 'Unemployed' Alel!? A D-rank swordsman who won all the preliminaries!"

"What a great match-up!"

"Come on, there's no way the 'Unemployed' can beat the 'Sword Emperor,' right? It's going to be a one-sided match, isn't it?"

"Probably. This is where his impressive run ends. Still, he made it to the finals, so he must have worked hard."

Hmm.

I knew it was the first match, but I didn't know that man would be my opponent.

I hadn't been told who I would be facing.

I stepped onto the stage.

The audience seats were packed.

This was the first time I had been the focus of so many people.

My opponent also stepped onto the stage.

It was Georg something.

His usual smug, annoying smile was gone, and his lips were tightly pressed together.

Strangely, he had another sword on his back, in addition to the one at his waist. It was probably a spare sword?

"Seems like you're quite nervous, huh?"

"..."

No response, just silence.

"Let's begin the first match! Will last year's champion, the 'Sword Emperor' Georg, start his bid for a second title with a strong performance? Or will this year's biggest dark horse, the new swordsman 'Unemployed' Alel, once again show us his shocking strength!"

The arena erupted in even louder cheers at the announcer's hype.

So it's Georg, huh.

I remembered.

"Match start!"

The moment the signal to start was given, Georg covered the distance of several dozen meters in almost a single step, closing in on me instantly.

Hmm. Coming out with a killer move right away.

It's a lethal skill.

"Wow! Swordsman Georg! With the first move, he's already using a big technique! The 'Sword Emperor's' lethal skill, 'Emperor's Road'! He must see this as a formidable opponent, starting at full power! No holding back! The sixteen consecutive strikes of the emperor, who subdues all, are raining down on Swordsman Alel!"

*Clang Clang Clang Clang Clang Clang Clang Clang Clang Clang—Clang!*

"What!? Swordsman Alel, he defended it perfectly!?"

I see.

As expected of the 'Sword Emperor's' lethal skill.

I couldn't block it completely; a few strikes grazed me.

But my protection only decreased by about 1%.

"Ah! Swordsman Georg, he immediately followed up with another lethal skill! But Swordsman Alel, he easily defended against it too!"

"Wow, this is crazy!"

"What the hell is going on!?"

"That's not the 'Unemployed'!"

"But he's been on the defensive this whole time, right?"

"Against the 'Sword Emperor,' it's impossible to go on the offensive when he keeps attacking like that."

"Looks like the 'Sword Emperor' will win."

"Swordsman Alel, indeed, he's been struggling just to defend! In front of the 'Sword Emperor' Georg's relentless attacks, he can't find a way to counterattack! His protection is gradually decreasing! If this continues, he's definitely going to lose!"

At that moment, Georg, who had been attacking non-stop, suddenly jumped back and took some distance.

"Oh!? Swordsman Georg, he's stepped back! It's a chance for Swordsman Alel... but he's not moving!"

Georg finally spoke.

"...Why are you just defending and not attacking?"

His voice was calm, but his frustration was evident.

"I might not have the room to go on the offensive."

"Don't lump me in with those fools! You must know that you're deliberately staying on the defensive, right?"

I was just joking, but he took it seriously.

"Hmm. To put it simply, it would be a waste."

"...A waste, you say?"

Georg furrowed his brow, and I said:

"It's a great opportunity to directly observe and learn the 'Sword Emperor's' skills. It would be a waste to end it quickly, wouldn't it?"