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Oh...

This is what happens if you let your guard down.

Yeah... I remember that. You were up against a Victorian with two blades.

You still won, in the end.

Yes, but at what price?

This is the kind of glory you get in the Major. Now even cleaning a wine glass is a chore.

The Major, hmph.

There's no mercy or respect in the arena. The only thing real there is the blood that splatters the ground.

The audience cheers for their entertainment, and the sponsors treat you well because it fills their coffers.

Think it through, look at all the difficulties you'll face, and only then should you press on. That's what makes a real knight.

I... I understand...

...Maria.

...Yeah. I'm serious.

Uncle's always said that even if we're stripped of our nobility and the family crest falls, it won't be the end of our lineage...

But I still want to protect everything that my sister and grandfather fought to defend.

Margaret isn't here anymore, and as one of the youngest members of the Nearl family, I can't just stand by and watch my family fall from grace.

If I do that, I'll end up hating myself to death.

Even when you know the path ahead will be ruthless and treacherous, you still embark on the journey. That's what it means to be a knight.

You can do it. This one's for you.

Hear, hear. To Maria!

(Holds mug up)

...*Sigh*, I was hoping you people would help me talk her out of it. Turns out, you're encouraging her.

Oh... Zofia. Please, Auntie Zofia! Please, I beg you!

Stop it! Leave my age out of this! I'm only five years older than you!

...Well, I'm part of the Nearl family. I know how you feel, but I still think—

I'll work on my swordsmanship skills! I'll be good! Please, you can trust me!

Oh yeah! Why don't you be my coach—

Oh...?

(Whoops—)

Now that reminds me. When was the last time we trained together?

...Probably before Margaret left Kazimierz?

And what was the last technique I taught you? Where did it come from? How do you apply it in combat?

Uh... Hahaha... I-I wonder?

Yes, this is perfect.

We'll meet at the training grounds in the garden tomorrow morning. You won't be late, will you? Lady Maria, the Knightess?

Hm? Y-Yeah... I'll be there.

卡西米尔 1下

(My equipment's all good. My sword... it's the one Margaret used when she was training. It should still be usable, right?)

(Okay, I'm all set. Time to go...)

Oh... Uncle Młynar.

Let me guess. Off to blemish our family's reputation?

Am not—!

I've already heard about the Major from my colleagues.

You don't deserve to stand in an arena for knights. What's more, the Major doesn't deserve the Nearls.

Was it Zofia who gave you the idea?

No! I signed up myself!

I figured as much. She may just be a lady-in-waiting to our family, but she nonetheless made a name for herself in that capitalist charade... She is a knight, for all that's worth.

But what does that make you?

I... I just want to defend our...

Even if we're stripped of our nobility, our ideals remain unchanged. We have nothing to defend.

Even so...

Above all, there is nothing we need you to defend.

Don't be like your sister. Just because she's still young and full of beans, she lost all self-control—

—Yes, Chief?

Good evening. Yes, that's right, it's me...

Worry not. If you have any questions about what we discussed in our last meeting, please do not hesitate... I beg your pardon? No, please. Please reconsider... Yes...

Młynar glares at Maria and walks upstairs indifferently.

My apologies. I take full responsibility. I will have the corrected documents sent to you right away... Tomorrow, yes, I will have it ready for you tomorrow... I am very sorry.

Please. Please reconsider. Definitely. I won't ever make such a mistake again.

—Maria, I'll deal with you another time. I hope you'll know your place.

Uncle Młynar...

Getting intimidated won't do me any good here... If I don't hurry, I'll be late for practice.

Nnngg—!

Watch your footing. And keep your rhythm.

Hnn—

It's been ten minutes, and you haven't returned my attacks once.

Uhh... You said you'd take me on with just one hand, but that's a one-handed sword!

I wouldn't be using one hand If I really fought you. Or would you rather try a Leithanian style?

I knew knights from other countries had different fighting styles... Are you telling me you can fight like them too? You're actually picking on me, aren't you!?

Only a copycat. I lost that fight not for a lack of preparation, you know.

Auntie...?

Well, it's all in the past. It's not something I lose sleep over.

I'm more worried about you. Look how unprepared you are... you're just sending yourself to a quick death, wanting to fight in the Major.

Hnng...

Alright, let's get back to it.

O-Okay, but give me just another minute... My legs are still trembling...

If you can't even handle this much, you'd better give up now.

Nnngg—! Okay, let's go!

The next day.

Haa.... Haaah... H-How's that?

What do you mean, 'How's that?' You're barely standing upright.

Aside from sleeping and eating... we've basically... been working out the whole time... Don't you get tired at all, Zofia...?

...You know about the team melees?

Those are the matches draw the crowds to the Kazimierz Major. Each knightclub sends a single representative—Well, in your case, you're joining the fray as an individual.

You have somewhere around a couple dozen people all in a huge, man-made arena. You rack up points by striking your opponents' armor, and those are added to your overall score.

Of course... if you're defeated or incapacitated before the time limit, you're immediately eliminated, and you score zero points.

...I-I know at least that much...

Uh huh. Then, tell me, do you know how long a single melee lasts?

...A few hours?

The longest melee match ever lasted the entire day and well into the night, after the audience kept cheering and the corporations kept tacking on overtime.

The knights in that match were like a bunch of Gloompincers locked in a cage together. They had to rally themselves over and over to keep fighting each other.

Umm...?

One by one, the contestants fell either from exhaustion or injury, and no one got anything to show for it. On the other hand, the three who lasted till the very end raked in more than enough points to immediately advance to the main competitions.

I-I see... so the match lasted a whole day, and only three made it through...

Once we got the first division sponsor pushing that kind of ruleset, the copycats started to show up left and right across all divisions like Originium Slugs.

It's certainly not a pretty sight, but what's worse is that the audience likes it. So nothing else matters.

Which means you'll have to be ready to fight an entire day!

—An entire day?!

A week later.

Phew...