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It reminds me of Old Nearl, when he was young.

Un-unbelievable! Totally unbelievable!

The radiance from every swing of Margaret's warhammer completely dispels her opponent's Arts! Even the cracks the Radiant Knight steps on are filled with light!

What amazingly brilliant Arts! Combat techniques of this level!

This is definitely befitting of a champion! The true strength of a knight——!

Haa... My wounds aren't hurting as much anymore... Is this Margaret's Arts too?

(Caring about me even during a battle like this——)

Gaa——! My hammer...!

No weapon, then, with my hands, I'll tear you apart——!

Kill her!

Margaret has a strange expression on her face. It's...pity?

For these two Sarkaz? Because they are called knights? Or is it... because of their circumstances?

...Maria.

Ah, I'm here!

I'll leave the support to you.

——Yes!

Do it!

Yes!

Repent.

At this moment, the entire arena descends into silence.

No one has realized that the match has ended. There aren't any knights boasting about their victory, nor are there the defiant howls of the losers.

The corrupted Sarkaz kneel on the ground——They have not fallen over, and the Radiant Knight does not strike.

She looks down upon the two Sarkaz, then takes a knee and extends her hand.

There is no reply from the Sarkaz.

You should not give up on your destiny.

No...

As if unwilling to bow to the two young girls, they remain silent, unable to stand.

The Radiant Knight turns.

Maria.

Eh? What...?

We've won.

This is unbelievable! Can you believe your eyes?!

Because I sure can't! The Radiant Knight who suddenly entered the fight! The Knights Association that let it happen! Oh my god, I, this——

I've never seen a situation like this in all my years of commentating! Though I don't know how the National Council will react, it doesn't change the fact that they won!

I——

(Mr. Mob.)

(...Oh, you're here!)

I am deeply honored to announce to everyone!

(Mr. Spokesman, what should I do?)

(Acknowledge her.)

The winner is! The young and miraculous Maria! Aaaand, she who has returned from her long exile, the pegasus that everyone knows, the Radiant Knight! Margareeeeeeeeet Neaaaaaaaaarl!

(That's right, Mr. Mob. I really do appreciate your ability to fan the fervor of the audience.)

(Hold the fort for a while, someone will come to handle this.)

Cheer for her——!

Zofia?! Where are you going?

Marcin! Where are they——Ugh, that, that one?

Is it really Margaret... Why'd Margaret come back now?

N-no matter what, she's an exile. Why didn't she tell us——

Alright, both of you calm down. Młynar might have known about this... But for now, we need to leave.

The reporters and the crowd are going to swarm this place. We have to find a way——to get the Radiant Knight home.

Radiant Knight! That's the Radiant Knight from last season!

Make way, make way! Let me get a picture!

Everyone! Everybody! Please remain calm! No matter what happened, we have to make sure that the competition adheres to the proper procedures all the way up to the end!

(What should I do next?! You can't contact the spokesman?! Idiot! Go look for him at the VIP seats——!)

Hold on! That, that's the Whislash Knight! The Whislash Knight suddenly rushed towards the Radiant Knight from the crowd——

Zof——

Eh——A-Aunt Zofia?!

You... Why are you back?!

——D-did she just slap the Radiant Knight? Huh? Eh? This looks like it'll be in the papers tomorrow——

I'm sorry. But I've returned.

...That slap was for Maria.

I'll spare you my own.

Thanks for sparing me... But, you used your right hand just now... When did that happen?

...Now isn't the time to talk about that. The National Council will definitely not allow an exile to return to Kazimierz.

We have to leave before the reporters and the National Council show up.

R-right now? But the competition results haven't...

It doesn't matter! She's here and that's way more important than the competition!

Nearl.

Careful, Liz!

...You don't need to worry so much. Alright, hold my hand tight.

These two Sarkaz...

Don't worry, they're my friends. Shining, can you do me a favor?

Yes.

I... I fainted... These are healing Arts?

Who... you?!

Sarkaz, you... you! It can't be, you? Healed me?

Your injuries are very serious, but they are not from this match. The scars of drug usage may never be removed. You should take better care of yourselves.

Go away——Don't touch me! Guh...

I...

Wait... You...you are...

——Nearl.

Yeah, I know.

Those two assassins from the Armorless Union are still watching us... Now is not the time to celebrate.

A-Armorless Union? You——

Time to run? Nearl?

——No.

A victorious knight has no reason to scurry away like a coward. If they wish to stop us, just let them try.

Nearl, over there.

Ah... It's Mr. Kowal and Mr. Vogelweide. Have they found something?

What do you think?! Of course they're preparing a way for you to escape!

The three of us will help keep the crowds away from you, but the National Council will definitely be paying you a visit. You'll have to deal with them yourself——

——Margaret!

Yeah?

It's really great... that you came back.

The usual place, don't be late.

Of course.

That's... Nearl's family?

She's come back home. We can all see her joy, no?

So, let's give her some space. She's the Radiant Knight after all. No one in Kazimierz can touch her.

Right.