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The midday sports news, huh——

——Wait, what's this?

Welcome! Welcommme, one and allllll, to the Fireblade Arena!

The previous match just ended, and the blood of the 'Softwind' Knight still stains the ground. But that's just seasoning for the next battle!

No doubt, everybody's here today to witness the splendor of Nearl——! This lassie here may yet be young, but she's already done miracles before our very eyes!

We'll have an extra short break. In just ten minutes the temporary duo of Maria Nearl and the Fartooth Knight will——

Go against this year's rookies——The alliance of vengeance formed by elites of past years who've failed to enter the Major——The Snowyheel Knightclub!

A brand new legend versus the blade of vengeance, in an all-new two-on-two point match. What an unbelievably thrilling sight! The match shall begin soooon!

Maria, your wounds?

Right! They're much better now! It's all thanks to you taking care of me!

Alright, I believe you.

...Mm!

Hmm, she's late... Fartooth has always been bad with time.

It doesn't matter, as long as she makes it here before the match——

Miss Maria! Miss Maria Nearl! Please head over to the waiting room and get ready! We're about to begin!

Ah. It's about to begin...

I'd better get going, Zofia.

...Yes.

...Zofia? Where's Maria?

Marcin? Why're you here?

Oh... I get it. You're still waiting for the Fartooth Knight.

She's not coming.

——What?

Here, the sports page.

Hmm... The Fartooth Knight... seriously injured?!

She got dragged into a fight between knight fans and is now MIA.

At least, that's what the paper says.

Wait...she got dragged into a fight?

This must be fake. What kind of fan violence can cause a battle-hardened knight to 'disappear'?

Wait... could it be...

Right now, the question is what do we do for the match?

Something is wrong, Zofia. Just think about it.

Maria has to forfeit! We're out of time, follow me——

No rest for the wicked, eh——What? You still think we're letting them rest too much? Come on, we've got to at least act like we're clearing up the battlefield, alright?

How many of you are here for Nearl?! How many of you want to see the lovely Nearl?!

Speaking for myself here, as someone who's followed every step this super rookie has taken, I've personally watched this prize pool grow to the king's ransom it is today!

Let's look at the numbers! Right here, right now, in every city, every village in the country, the crowd watching this fight is in the hundreds of thousands!

Who do we have to thank for this?! I'm sure we all know!

But! I have some tragic news. The Fartooth Knight suffered heavy injuries in the incident last night and remains missing!

Even so! Maria did not choose to forfeit! She steps into a two on one fight completely undeterred!

Let me see how much her bravery means to each and every one of you!

Presenting——The hottest rookie of this season! Nearl's little knight, Maria Nearl!

Oh no, is she not here yet? What should I do...?

...No, I can't give up easily. To give up before I've even begun is to disrespect knighthood!

Knighthood...yes, knighthood.

And on the other side! Two veterans of the Snowyheel Knightclub!

Back in their old Knightclubs, they failed to make it into the Major two seasons in a row. Looking for a way out, they finally ended up together in this Knightclub of vengeance!

The two members of the Snowyheel Knightclub here today are also well-known knights! They are——

A sudden deafening sound interrupts the announcer.

Wait, what's this? Am I seeing things?

N-no, there's a weird smell, it's really gross——

What's happening?!

Heavy footsteps resound within the twenty thousand seat arena.

As people regain their senses, the entire place remains silent.

...Ugh.

A rare occurance in the world of knight sports. In a place that should be packed with vivacious enjoyment, tens of thousands of tourists and spectators hold their breaths, as if listening for the source of the footsteps.

The first to grasp it are VIPs on the grandstand, themselves knights.

...Is that fog on the field? Originium Arts? Or some special equipment?

Is there anyone like that in the Snowyheel Knightclub... hmm...?

...No. Not them. It can't be them.

That's——

...Those are, ugh, knights?

——Kowal!

I know! I know! Let's go!

That thing... They're trying to kill Maria!

Miss, all teams are in position.

Don't be so nervous. We're here to stop anyone from coming into the arena.

...Yes.

But if we have to stop——

If that Młynar dares try anything... I'll deal with him.

Even though it'll be a huge pain... *Sigh*.

Ugh, so these are the Snowyheel Knightclub's...

(Hey! What's going on? The deal for the day was——what? Huh? I can't figure out which of them is——)

...The Snowyheel Knightclub's——

The 'Corrupted' and 'Withered' Knights!

The expected cheering does not materialize, as silence envelops the audience.

Naturally, the first thought in their minds is that of terror.

However, they soon come to realize that this terror is not for themselves, seated in the audience, but for the young girl who has not yet understood her situation.

This cruelty brings about a striking round of applause.

This... Isn't this too scary?

...Nearl is going to fight these two all by herself?

Hey... Isn't this going to be an amazing show?

Alright, then let's start the ma——

What——

Target hit.

——Guh!

Why so... ugh?!

Guh... Shield, very durable. Not easy.

No matter... Kill her, not difficult.

T-They're already exchanging lightning-fast blows before the match has even started! Is this a problem? Of course not! In fact, the match started the moment the knights stepped onto the field!

Can Nearl turn this around?! Or will she choose to forfeit early——

(What? Not allowed to forfeit...? This... urgh, fine.)

——Within each of your hands lies the only way to turn the tide! Invest your money in the pitiful Maria! Maybe those simple little toys will be her key to victory!

Ugh... This fog... What is it?

My Arts are being suppressed...? My wounds, I can't heal them...?

Agh... ouch...

Target... Losing ability to resist. Kill her, quickly, like an accident.

Understood...

(No, don't even think of giving up, think of a way to——)

(These two Sarkaz...are twins? Their Arts are almost the exact same——!)