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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——!)

Then... let's try again!

(Eh?)

T-This is unbelievable! What just happened?! There was a sudden explosion on Maria's body, and the Corrupted Knight followed up with a hit that sent her flying!

(Was that Withered? Corrupted? Does it matter anymore?)

Nnng——!

*Cough* *cough*... *cough*.

Blood...? Why... why aren't my Arts working?

She is vomiting blood... the Arts have taken effect.

...Fester, wither, decay... I can smell her death. She cannot escape.

Maria! Forfeit the match! Quickly!

Tsk——

Let me go! Marcin!

Do you want to die with her?!

Mph——

——Dying together is better than Maria dying alone!

Zofia!

Hurry up, Kowal!

D-Don't run so fast. I'm not a Kuranta——

Sorry, you're not allowed back here.

You——

Former level-2 campaign knight, Vogelweide. Or should I say, Batbayar.

Your bloodline had you fighting all over the world. You got to run and howl across the prairies of no-man's-land.

And you, senior craftsman of the Craftsman's Guild, Kowal.

Your master was a great blacksmith, respected by the Silverlance Pegasus, and your apprentices are still out there on the front lines even today——

You're both fine, upstanding Kazimierz citizens. Could you just, like, leave?

...The way you talk ain't nothing like that lil' girl I once met, Platinum.

Hm. You know?

Yes, we know. Of course we know.

We have a personal grudge with some of your bosses.

...Ah, so that's how it is.

I heard that the last Platinum's first job was to assassinate a campaign knight. A really pretty lady, named——

——Shut up.

...Funny. Another leader dying for a woman, in the end.

Maybe working this job too long really does screw with your head. *Sigh* I gotta take a vacation, go traveling...

Stop wasting time with this crap! Are you the ones messing around with Maria?!

...Keep watching the perimeter. I'll deal with this.

...Yes.

So you have helpers after all. Why not call them out?

I really don't want to fight you. Can we not just take a step backwards?

Hah! That's funny. An assassin of the Armorless Union has a soft heart?

Don't worry, I won't go all out against a young lass like you. When you've given up, we'll be off to rescue Maria——

V——!

I... I'm fine. Just a scratch. I just didn't expect her to draw her bow that quickly and accurately...

Yeah, she's done talking. She might be young and immature——

But she's still above the dregs of the Armorless Union, as the Platinum in that 'one-two-three inverted triangle' of theirs.

Umm... I'll take that as a compliment?

Get ready, Kowal. Let's see if you've still got it.

Hah! I've long suspected that you're half-blind now, V.

Alright, alright. To you two feisty olds——

——Don't sprain your backs.

Are you leaving now?

Yes, time is tight.

Then... Please be careful. Please, please be very careful.

Don't worry so much... She's still with you, right?

...Yes.

Don't worry, it's fine. I swear——knight's honor.

Y-You don't need to do that. Go on, I believe in you.

Good.

Have a safe journey.

Yes, thank you, Liz.