Chapter 18: Imperial Capital – Martial Arts Tournament – 45
How long had we been exchanging attacks capable of deciding the match in a single blow? The contest had taken on the appearance of a battle of stamina. This was good news for me. With my Item Box now empty, I could say my stamina was effectively infinite.
However, Marishielle seemed to understand this all too well, her smile only deepening as she continued to wield her sword.
“This is delightful…! To be able to use all my strength, there is no greater joy! My gratitude to the Count!”
“I am honored.”
The rotation of the Fate Whisperer increased.
Marishielle’s swordsmanship was undoubtedly among the best of the tournament participants. Her physical enhancement skills were likely on par with or superior to those of the members of Soul’s Guidance.
I received the relentless torrent of silver light with my shield or deflected it with my mace. Each time, my body threatened to be swept away in an unexpected direction. Yet, I regained my footing with sheer force, forcibly transitioning into my own attacks.
Marishielle’s sword strikes quickened further. The smile had vanished from her refined face, replaced by the unwavering focus of the Empire’s greatest swordsman, intent solely on wielding her blade.
“To Count Okuno, I shall unleash all my swordsmanship!”
“I too shall give my all.”
I received her blade with my shield, forcing my flowing body to stabilize, and for the first time, I swung my mace with 100% of my strength. It was deflected upward, but Marishielle’s body swayed significantly. A fleeting look of astonishment crossed her face. Even with her skills, it seemed my strength could not be entirely repelled.
If I were to decide this match, it had to be now. I forcefully brought the mace, deflected upward, crashing down. This was an attack that defied inertia, made possible by my high-level Honshin skill, bending the laws of physics.
Just before the hammerhead struck her shoulder, I caught a glimpse of a slight smile on Marishielle’s lips.
And then my mace shattered the stone floor, as if it had been destined to do so from the very beginning. No, it felt as if I had just been told that this was precisely what I should do.
The Fate Whisperer descended upon me, leaving a trail of silver light.
Ah, I see, fate. It was my destiny to lose. That was what Marishielle’s skill, Kokuun, proclaimed. A skill that, like mine, twisted fate.
—But it was one that suited me well.
I released my mace and shield, crossing my arms to absorb her strike with my gauntlets and armor.
A tremendous impact, followed by the biting edge of her blade. My defensive skills clashed head-on with her offensive prowess.
Yet, the skills I possessed were those I had earned by shaking off numerous fates. The spiteful skill known as Divine Fortune granted me power beyond the fate that awaited me.
“I am accustomed to fate, Your Highness.”
Had the blade sunk in halfway through my body? Conversely, it meant that the fatal blow had been halted there.
I grasped the sword’s blade. For a moment, I felt my grip slip, but I crushed that ‘fate’ with sheer force.
“This is the power of the Count!”
It was indeed impressive that Marishielle released her sword. However, her judgment seemed to be just a moment too late. For my right hand had already seized her wrist.
“Stop!”
Yet, refusing to lose her fighting spirit, she thrust with her opposite arm. Naturally, her martial arts were of an extraordinarily high level.
But no technique could withstand overwhelming strength.
With a swing of my arm, Marishielle’s body was sent soaring through the air. I slammed her down onto the floor and wrapped my arm around her neck from behind.
A sleeper hold, as they would call it in professional wrestling. There was still a slight sensation of slipping, but her resistance had become negligible.
“Your Highness, surrender.”
“I suppose… there is no choice.”
With both hands raised, she declared, “I concede.”
“Match decided! The winner is Soushi of Soul’s Guidance!” The arena erupted in a sound akin to an explosion.
The swirling cheers showed no signs of diminishing.
I was the first to rise, lending a hand to help Marishielle stand.
The cheers surged to an even greater crescendo.
It struck me anew that I had fought against Marishielle, the strongest in the Empire and a hero among its citizens.
In hindsight, the conclusion had been rather anticlimactic. Yet, it felt fittingly like me, and I couldn’t suppress a wry smile.
Marishielle leaned in to peer at my face. Up close, she was indeed a beautiful woman. A sense of guilt washed over me, wondering if it was right that I had won.
“You wear a face that seems unsatisfied. Was I not enough for you?”
“No, it’s not that. It’s just… the ending felt a bit lacking since it turned into a grapple.”
“Fights are often like that. In fact, I believe that is precisely why it was a genuine battle.”
“You are correct, Your Highness. It was indeed a serious fight for me as well.”
“Then hold your head high and respond to the audience.”
Encouraged by her, I grasped my mace and raised it high.
The cheers had grown to a volume that shook the arena. In the VIP section, I could see Freinir and Larni embracing in joy, waving at me.
Above them, His Imperial Majesty stood from his seat, applauding. His expression was one of great delight, and I felt as though he was looking at me with a particularly meaningful gaze.
Now that I thought about it, I had indeed fulfilled His Imperial Majesty’s words, defeating Marishielle after a fierce battle. Whether events would unfold further according to his designs was a matter for the future.
Glancing to the side, I saw Marishielle also waving to the audience. Perhaps noticing my gaze, she turned toward me and smiled faintly. Her expression was devoid of any hidden meaning, and I felt a sense of relief wash over me.
Now then… I readied the Mace of Equalization and the Immovable Fortress Wall.
If something were to happen, it would be at this moment. Once the award ceremony began, the atmosphere would settle down somewhat. Now was the most opportune time to act.
Sure enough, the exit leading to the waiting room became suddenly bustling. Amidst the unending cheers, my keen hearing picked up words of significance.
“…Please wait, Marchioness! The tournament is still ongoing!”
“Silence! Do you think I can overlook the fact that the man who killed my son is the victor?!”
“However, the martial arts tournament is sacred. Accidents that occur there are not subject to punishment by law!”
“I’m not saying I want to punish anyone! I merely wish to convey that such barbarism, which robs me of my son’s beloved, must cease!”
It seemed that, as I had anticipated, ‘she’ had made her appearance.