act13d5

Let's call it here. You're getting better at this.

Ahh—

Don't just lie down right after you're done working out. Get up and walk around a little. Maybe think about what to have for dinner tonight.

O-Okay. Hmm! My legs are so sore...!

Well, of course. Your pacing is terrible.

We can probably forget about winning the sprint race... All the top knightclubs have members who specialize in that, and if they show up, we've got no hope there.

That said, mobility is still very important in artificial terrain.

Naturally, how well you do in the races has to do with how well-equipped you are. We've got to work on your stamina, but the real bottleneck there is our budget...

...Are you even listening?

Ahh—! I got it!

Hmm?

I just remembered Marcin gave me two meal coupons for fixing the jukebox the other day! Why don't we have dinner there tonight?

What should I even do with you...

D-Don't be mad! I just wanted to do something for you to show my gratitude!

I'm not mad. So, when are we leaving?

We don't eat out together often... Is it okay if I take a shower and get a change of clothes first?

Okay... but we'll get right back to training after dinner. We don't have time for you to slack off.

Yeah!

(Maria is clearly making progress. And here I thought she decided to do this on a whim...)

(She's serious about this... and she's more serious than she looks. I was thinking she wouldn't be ready with so little training... I was even going to talk her out of it.)

(She's working so hard to get there, but she's just as cheerful as always... I wonder who she learned that from.)

(Is this her fighting spirit...?)

Zofia lifts her head up. In the distance, far away from the garden overgrown with weeds, the lights of the towering skyscrapers glitter brilliantly in the city's skyline.

She quietly places her oft-unused hand on her sword's hilt, like she's deceiving herself.

Just as she expected, before she's even managed to unsheathe her sword, she feels an intense muscle pain shoot up her arm from her waist. She quickly lets go before she loses consciousness.

Three weeks later.

When was the last time those two brats showed their faces here? Could've paid the bar a visit on their time off. What are they being so shy for?

Are kids finally coming around to the idea of shutting yourself inside and training all day?

...When did anyone ever do that?

I did, back when I was a kid.

Knights train as they roam the world. Who ever heard of shutting yourself indoors just to train?

...*Sigh*. Filthy rich knights wouldn't know how hard life is for us common folk, with all the Catastrophe Messengers money can buy and the means to travel anywhere... You can't imagine how much hard work went into that sword of yours...

What are you mumbling on about now? If you're trying to pick a fight, then do it. I'm not afraid of you!

You can't possibly think I'm talking about you?!

Quiet down!

...You hear that...? They're working on her swordfighting.

I'm not deaf! Yeah, not bad. You know those shoddy practice swords on the market? Those are way too light to do any actual training with. Those trash manufacturers are always cutting corners.

Not these ones, though. They even sound beautiful. You can tell they're very fine blades... but how come I think I've heard this sword before?

Because you're old.

Why do I even bother talking to you? Get a move on!

...You aren't lost, are you? Got dementia or something?

What's the hurry?! Zofia's garden is huge—We should've asked the servant at the gate for a motorcycle.

You aren't getting anywhere with a motorcycle here. There's more weeds than an overgrown forest.

Hey, watch your step.

Whew—Almost fell... What's this? An engine cover? In a garden?

Watch your step! Control your breath!

Y-Yes, ma'am!

Hm... still the basics.

They've been training for a month, and they're still working on the basics. Looks like we're going to miss out on a lot of points.

...Maybe you're the one with dementia here, Kowal.

You wanna say that again?!

Yes, they've been working on the basics for a month, but Maria's from the Nearl family.

Do you think she didn't practice these 'basics' back when Ol' Pegasus and Margaret were around?

Well... now that you mention it.

Area of expertise? Their standings? Why does any of that matter?

A real Kazimierz knight should always be working on his technique.

Haah... haah...

Don't stop. Good momentum. Let's keep going!

But... I'm really...

Right, right, I hear you. Let's make sure you stay in bed for the next three days, then—!

(Whistle)

Whew, that one thrust was something.

It's a backhand thrust, it's fast, and above all, it hits where it matters, the vitals. So her training's paying off?

...How long have you been there?

Just got here.

Hohoh, watching her reminds me of the good old times when Margaret was still around.

Did you just...

Huh? Oh? I did that out of habit... Um... Did I do something?

Um... Where's your sword?

T-That hit just now flung it away...

Huh?!

Don't get cocky! I'm just upset you managed to strike my opening!

Oh? So you do leave openings, Auntie Zofia.

Tsk...

So...?

...Fine, a promise is a promise. You can fight in the Major.

For real?

But I'll be there coaching you the whole time. You know nothing about the basics of the competitions, and there's still lots for you to learn... the scheduling, the scoring, how to analyze all the intel—

—Don't lie down! Get up! We still have lots of preparation to do!

Come on... Just let me... take a short break...

Don't fall asleep on me!

卡西米尔 2上

Well, look who do we have here!? If it isn't the rising star of the Roar Guards! You made it here early!

The audience's still outside, and there's still two hours until the first event of the day. Getting yourself ready for the fight?

It's been a long time since the last time I fought in this kind of arena... It brings back memories.

Right, I'm curious. I mean, your title's 'Plastic', and it's one of your main selling points...

But aren't you already at the top of your knightclub's rankings after last month's competitions? What do you need to push yourself so hard for?

...It's what my sponsor wants. Nothing I can do about it. I had to cancel my holiday for this.

Oh, you're after that, aren't you?

Did you have to ask?

Oh, I hit bullseye, huh? Guess we have something to look forward to today...

Certainly, we have something to look forward to... However, before that, please allow me to have a chat with Mr. 'Plastic' Szewczyk, one-on-one.

And you are...?

I work on the Major's preliminaries. Here is my business card, Mr. Szewczyk.

...You 'work on' them, huh? What do you want?

I'm merely here to inform you of this.

The Roar Guards Company has requested that you wear its latest Jack 2 model body armor in your one-on-one match, or 'duel' as it is more commonly called, with Maria Nearl, and to prolong the match for as long as possible.

What? But the materials that went into the new armor isn't meant for competition use—

No matter. The Nearls' comeback has attracted countless press to today's events. This is a perfect opportunity.

They've already made a significant investment to secure that long term trade agreement. They merely needed a gamble of reasonable odds. A test, and also a publicity stunt.