Episode 101: I’m Not Afraid of Anything Anymore
The first day of the Inter-Class Tournament. Our Class 1-A, assigned to the first match in the afternoon, boarded the carriages before noon and headed to the forest area near the Royal Capital, which was the venue.
After an hour and a half of being jostled in the carriage, we arrived at the Inter-Class Tournament venue, which was bustling with a large crowd. The numerous stalls lined up reminded me of a festival from my previous life. I had thought it was just a school event, but it seems that the residents of the Royal Capital perceive it as a festival.
“Alright, you guys, this way!”
Alissa-san guided us, who had stopped to look at the novelties. It would have been nice to look around the stalls with Rouge and the others… but I guess it can’t be helped.
…Besides, there’s a reason why I can’t enjoy the event.
“It’s finally here…”
Lily said with a nervous look. The classmates around her probably thought that Lily was enthusiastic about the Inter-Class Tournament, and they were cheering her on, saying things like, “It’s okay, Lily-san!” “We have the Holy Maiden on our side!” “Lec-ty! Lec-ty!”
Honestly, the Inter-Class Tournament is secondary. Our first priority is to act to prevent Lecty’s Kidnapping Plan.
I turned my gaze to Idiot, and he nodded back.
I had shared the countermeasures to prevent Lecty’s kidnapping with Idiot beforehand. I felt bad, but just to be sure, I had Idiot use his Brainwashing Skill to confirm his connection with his father, Marquis Hortness.
The result was negative. Idiot is genuinely trying to protect Lecty, even if it means opposing his father.
It’s reassuring to have Idiot as an ally. His swordsmanship is on par with the Royal Knights Order, and it seems I’ll be relying on him a lot.
We entered a large tent that served as a waiting room and held a final meeting before the Inter-Class Tournament. We had already finished most of the strategy meeting before leaving the academy, so we lightly confirmed the final strategy, led by Lily, and then had Lecty give a speech as the commander.
“M-Me, give a speech!?”
“Come on, Lecty, do your best!”
“Y-Yes…”
Pushed by Rouge, Lecty stood in front of our classmates, taking Lily’s place. Before, she would have turned pale and been unable to say a word, but it seems Lecty is fine now. Although she’s nervous, she doesn’t seem flustered.
It’s probably because she was able to get along with her classmates. When we were deciding on the commander, everyone was fighting tooth and nail, but as we prepared for the Inter-Class Tournament in between midterms, we gradually grew closer.
It’s not like all the grudges have disappeared. Even so, the classmates who supported Prince Slay and the classmates who supported Prince Brute are now cooperating and acknowledging Lecty as their commander.
Prince Brute’s faction was originally friendly to Lecty, who is a commoner, and Prince Slay’s faction had no choice but to respect Lecty as a noble after she healed His Majesty the King.
“It’s okay, take your time.”
“Lecty, do your best!”
It’s also a big help that Brown and Anne, the leaders of their respective factions, are supporting Lecty.
Lecty nodded back to the two who called out to her, and then,
“E-Evewyone…”
She stumbled over her words and collapsed on the spot.
Lily immediately rushed over to comfort Lecty. While the classmates watching were saying whatever they wanted, like “Cute,” “We have to protect her…”, Lecty stood up, her face flushed red, tears welling up in her eyes, trembling.
“E-Everyone! Please do your best! I’ll heal you if you get hurt!”
Her half-desperate encouragement was met with a spirited cheer from her classmates, “Ooooooh!”
…Lecty probably just wanted to show that she would do her best with what she could. But the sense of security that Lecty would heal them if they got hurt led to,
“We have the Holy Maiden Lecty’s protection!”
“It’s okay if we get hurt! Charge!”
“I’m not afraid of anything anymore!”
“Lec-ty! Lec-ty!”
It was the moment when a berserker army that feared no injury was born.
In the Inter-Class Tournament, if you get injured, it becomes difficult to participate in the subsequent matches, so it seems that careful tactical operations are usually required. How much you can advance without losing human resources is also an element required of each class.
In that regard, our Class 1-A is overwhelmingly advantageous.
After all, since Lecty is here, even if we are forced to leave the front line due to injury, we can immediately return. It seems that there are some students in other classes who can use healing skills, but they are not comparable to Lecty, who can heal broken bones.
On top of that, Lily, who has the Strategist Skill, and other students like Idiot are all top-notch. In the official betting organized by the student council, our class is the most popular in the championship odds, surpassing even the upperclassmen’s classes.
“U-Um! Everyone, please calm down… Don’t be reckless! Even if I can heal injuries, I can’t heal a lot of people at once!”
Lecty’s calls were ignored, and the morale of her classmates reached its peak. Well, it’s much better than facing today with the worst atmosphere. Lecty is a little pitiful though…
As the start time approached, we moved from the tent to the starting point. On the way, Rouge stopped, looking at the spectator seats where a large crowd had gathered. She made a visor with her hand around her eyebrows, stood on her tiptoes, and made a gesture as if she was looking for someone.
“Hey, Hugh. Do you think Rosalie is here…?”
“I wonder…”
The environment surrounding Rosalie was getting worse day by day. Rumors were spreading among the people of the Royal Capital that the Holy Maiden of the Church did not have the power to heal diseases, and it seems that some people who had lost their families had even verbally abused Rosalie to her face.
I’m making sure she gets enough sleep, but that doesn’t do anything to alleviate her stress or the current situation. She doesn’t seem to have an appetite, and Rosalie’s health is steadily deteriorating.
In such a situation, it would be difficult for her to come to see the Inter-Class Tournament. I don’t think Cardinal Malicious would allow it either. Rouge probably knew that, but she was looking for Rosalie’s figure, hoping for a glimmer of hope.
“Let’s go, Rouge.”
“Yeah…”
I urged Rouge and followed the other classmates.
Prince Lucas is taking action regarding Rosalie’s situation. The preparations should be completed soon.
For now, let’s focus on the Inter-Class Tournament and preventing the Lecty Kidnapping Plan that is progressing behind the scenes.