act13d5

Margaret KNEW what she was doing. Maria only got like this after falling for her own wishful thinking about her own ideals.

She's not even clear what's in front of her, and she doesn't know what to do about it. She can't keep pushing upwards like this!

Maria was so much more carefree before this... She doesn't need to be the kind of knight you and I were, does she?

You might be right, but you need to remember she's got her own mind for things. You can't decide it all for her.

She's still real young, and uneasy at that. Maybe her being carefree was all just so she wouldn't worry you.

Maria might not come off mature a lot of the time, but what kind of kid without a fighting spirit could overcome the Plastic Knight, come to a draw with Brassrust, hold third place in a melee?

Maybe she ought to lose a match. It'd sober her up.

If you're telling me that's what you really think.

...Which arena is it?

Ladiiiiiiies—aaaand gentlemeeeenn! Welcommme, to the Fireblade Arena, and welcome to a very special event today!

An event already drawing the greatest media attention since the start of the preliminaries! Right at this verrry moment, all twelve imprints of the Rose Paper Union are zeroed in on one arena!

And not just that—whoa, put your hands together now for the Fireblade Arena, the third largest in Kazimierz! Because today! Every single seat has been filled!

Are our opponents today just that popular?! Or is this going to be one seriously major show?!

It's my job to tell you the answer is—booooth!

And I gotta say—what a privilege!

In today's special event! Our first competitor, hailing from the Nearl family, the mania for her's off the charts! The marvelous maiden knight who's got all her fans talking—Maria Nearl!

And facing her—! The concealed blade, the height of status, named for the old knight of legend, it's the headliner of the Blade Helmet Knightclub, it's 'Left-hand' Tytus Topola!

Ooooh, man! Might be a first, today—the knights haven't even come in yet, but the prize pool is running insane numbers! Looks like I oughta stop running my mouth already—I bet y'all wanted me to stop, right?

I got you! No time to lose! Would our two knights please enter the arena!

First on the battlefield is Maria Nearl! Just like always, pure white armor! Just like always, a delicate stance!

After defeating 'Plastic' Szewczyk, she's been marching victorious! Big or small, no matter the event, Maria Nearl brings her A-game!

Standing here now, she declared way back she had to get a place in the Major! Can she use this match as a stepping stone, and rise to the apex of the Kazimierz knights? We're all waiting to see!

(I never did that...)

And in the other corner—please—

Shut up, motormouthed clown.

Your sort don't deserve to stand in my arena. Get off the stage. Get out.

—No mistake! That's Tytus Topola! I've been saying forever, we oughta give all our contestants microphones and let the audience immerse themselves in the heat of battle!

This event is joint sponsored by Mieszko Group, Rose Paper Union, Słoma Food Company and the Roar Guards!

The entire audience will get product coupons for goods from the aforementioned companies at any time! And once again, I'm gonna personally recommend a must-have for all you watching the game—Blue Ear Beer!

...Nearl.

Ugly sight. Struggling to hold onto your family's knighthood. Like a gloompincer out of water.

With no strength to bear a knight's name, what service will shamelessly lashing out do?

...Your words mean nothing to me.

So they shall. May the last Nearl knight be ruined by my own hand today.

Fear not. I'm a different breed from Ingra's dross... You will know today that not all who bear weapons can be called knights.

I smell gunpowder! Primed and ready to blow—!

I'm done holding you back, so may I have the honor to declare! Let the match—beginnnn!

Hmph.

—Wh-What just happened?! It was instant! The instant it started! Maria's sword got sent flying! And one swift follow-up kick—!

This is a HUGE power imbalance, alright—!

Pick up your sword.

(It-It hurts...! How does he...!)

Faster.

(The ułan... extended attack range, and agile, and powerful... and leaves no gaps.)

...Again.

Good.

You won't have it your way—!

Frail.

Nnfh—!

Cleaving... the light?

...Is that so hard?

I was thinking I'd rend your sword straight in two, hmph... the Nearl family sword.

You hold shakily to your faith, but you know nothing true of faith. You are naive—weak—feeble-minded—

Unworthy to stand before me.

And again! The Left-hand Knight makes it look easy! He waits for Maria to pick up her weapon, and then deals the next blow!

This is the power of Kazimierz's first-class Knightclub! This is the power of a true Major knight! Pals in the audience here for the first time, don't close your eyes, don't miss a thing!

'Cause this brutal battle'll end in a flash!

Ungh—!

The light—crumbled, ruined, desecrated.

In the shadow of 'Left-hand' Tytus, Maria raises her sword once more.

卡西米尔 7上

...The match started already.

I've got to... mm?

Wait, why is my sword here?

Ah, Miss Maria brought it over earlier.

She said she already gave it some adjustments, too. She guarantees it should be like new.

Byah—!

Mm... light and limber. I've missed this feeling.

P-Please be careful! Oh, my, you've broken the balustrade again! We just had the stonesmith repair that in the Victorian style last year...

Oh, you may as well just have someone renovate the whole place. In fact, you're in charge of that.

Really, another one of your whims?

As long as someone can live in it...

Miss?

...Ah, no, I just... feel like I miss something, suddenly.

This sword... Maria's grandfather gave it to me.

Miss Maria calls you an aunt, doesn't she?

Family hierarchy is one unending wordy mess. I still remember how Margaret put it—'This is your... your... you know what, she's your auntie.'

I'm only about as old as them, aren't I? Really—auntie?

You're very young. So young, and managing such a family enterprise. We take great pride in you, Miss Zofia.

I snapped up all this land in one breath. Oh, back then, was I thinking I'd prove myself as well? Prove myself worthy of the 'Nearl' name, maybe? Worthy of the Radiant Knight...

No... now's no time to pine for the past.

The car is all ready for you. Or do you think running there yourself might be faster?

I think that's obvious—

Just like a hunter toying with his prey, the Left-hand Knight keeps letting his foe gather herself and try again, and each time, he strikes Maria Nearl back down!

Marcin! We're back! How's it going?!

Why's Maria up against someone at that goddamned level? Has the Association gone mad?!

That'll be a long story... Are those kids safe?

For the moment, can say that much. But they already got legal knighthood stripped right off them. Pfeh.

Never thought I'd see things get so goddarned out of hand...

Ashlock, Flametail, two other Infected knights without titles, and all the Infected they bought back from the arenas using everything they had...

Fighters! And the people toying with those Infected for fun—for god's sakes, they're all children! Their oldest was only twenty! Youngest was barely—!

Even if they hid themselves in the pipelines, just one full day in city bounds and their safety'd be out the window. Not to mention the crowd we have now.

I got some old friends to look after them, but the Infected are Infected, still. Wish things'd be simple as that.

...We're not just picking a fight with the companies, now.

Scared?

Scared?! Wasn't even scared when the Ursus were holding spears to my mouth! I'm a goddamned Ursus myself!

Fiddlesticks! When'd the Craftsmen ever get off those city walls?

Huh?! Instead of running up there, you think we should've just sat in the smithy and let the catapult smash all of us flat too?

...Maria can't win this.

Aye. The Maria we know facing a foe like that, just ain't no way she'll win.