I'll never forgive you!

　Sure enough, it was a furious protest by Hulam against Ituna.
　It's now a regular occurrence.
　Ituna tilts his head, unsure of what he can't be forgiven for.

''Uh, sorry?''
'You really think it's bad, don't you?　Let Lelis see me like that in front of everyone!　She's a weak-minded girl, and I'm sure she'll never recover!

　Hulam shakes his hair and even sheds tears, and Ituna looks at me as if she is confused and needs help.
　Yeah, I honestly don't know what to do either.

'Look, don't think I can keep going in the game!

　I looked away as he left, spouting his usual discarded words.
　Ituna asked, "Should I go apologize? I've been worrying about that, but I think we can leave it alone.

Winner Sacagawea!

　By the way, my third match opponent was a small fish, so I killed him for a second.

''Is it really Ken Sei-ryu?　No, rather, this must be the true sword star style!　Sacagawea has won three in a row!　And the total time of the match still hasn't exceeded 40 seconds!

　If it's going to take me a minute rather than a minute, I'm going to lose confidence.
　I didn't see the game after that, but I heard the yellow cheers, so I'm guessing the semi-final is against Hulam anyway.
　That's why it's a semi-final.

'Now, no more breaks. Finally, the semifinals!　Only four players left!　Who would have guessed that among the 20 strongest players, only Hulam would be the only one left as a seeded player!　

　Hulam looked like he'd bitten down on a bitter worm, but he immediately smiled a vulgar smile.
　Oh, this guy is going to do something.

''A block semifinal!　Enter the jet-black wielder Sianne and the lightning wielder Ituna!

　They came on stage with great enthusiasm and immediately talked to each other happily.

'Let's make it a good match that makes everyone happy!　
This time, this time, I'm not gonna let you down!

　They have both had fans in their matches so far, and the crowd has been very excited.
　The crowd is very excited.

The semi-finals of the match against the demons. Let's begin...
Oh, wait!

　The real-life girl interrupted the referees.
　Ituna and Sianne, as well as the spectators, started to fuss about what was going on.

''We've just received a stop from the Demon Warfare Council!　Am I supposed to read this?　Please wait a minute!

　The real-life girl started to say something disturbing.
　I see, so that's really how you came to do it.

''Err, excuse me. There was an offer that there was a match that violated Article 4 of the Demon Warfare Tournament Rules. The relevant players are Cianne and Ituna!　Um, this is.....
Allow me to explain.

　Hulam, who seemed to have used loudspeaker magic to interrupt Jitsu-chan, took over the explanation.

'Article 4 of the Demon Warfare Tournament Rules. In other words, the use of weapons and magic in a match is free.......There was a clear violation of this in regards to Sianne and Ituna. Sianne is a mysterious black ball that does not belong to any magic and does not chant its magic name. Ituna's weapon was a non-magical lightning attack. These two do not qualify as weapons or magic.

　Wow, you came in with a great sophistry.
　I'm not going to be able to get my hands on any of them.
　If I had used anything other than a sword, I would have been in trouble.

Is that a foul play?
It certainly didn't look like a weapon or magic.
Why are you so uptight?

　The reaction of the audience was clearly unconvincing.
　But when it's called a rule, no one is openly opposed to it.

"We are still pending on whether or not to disqualify both fighters, but we have come to the conclusion that the A-block semifinals are postponed," said Amalia and Lelis. If the decision is passed, Amalia and Lelis will be reinstated and we will play the semi-final between them.

　The crowd was quieted by Hulam's explanation.
　They seemed disappointed that the high-profile player's match wouldn't take place, but they lowered their hoarding at the prospect of seeing Amalia and the others' match instead.

　Well, they're calling it a deliberation, but I guess it's just to buy time for the harem members to recover.
　No, I really don't care, but Amalia lost in the second match and they're moving up to the semifinals, ignoring anything about the other players.
　Maybe he didn't realize it, and the crowd didn't know it, but I have to give him credit for his patronage.

How can this be allowed to happen?
Terrible. It's just too much...

　As they were dragged off the stage, they muttered in frustration.

'It's a shame this time. But you guys have definitely grown up, even from my point of view.

　They look up at me in appreciation, both of them looking vacantly at me.

You can always have a match. If you're in a different world with a martial arts tournament at some point, I'll join you even if it doesn't involve a pledge.

　Ituna and Sianne look at each other.
　After a while, they both looked at me with concern.

''Are you sure, Sacagawea?''
It's a fake, isn't it?
'Oh come on, how out of touch am I with all of you?

　I chuckle at their harsh words.
　Well, I guess I'll be okay with the way things are going.

Well, I'm going to go. Why don't you two watch it from the audience anyway?
'I will!　Good luck, Mr. Sacagawea!
Make that man pay for his debts.

　I smiled off their backs as they left.
　No, hahahahaha.

　.......................hahaha.

Well...........

　After making sure the two of them were completely out of sight.

　I tapped lightly on the nearby wall.

　The shock wave that propagated with a thumping roar made the stone wall crack and creak.
　Dust fluttered down from the ceiling as well.

'You've done it, Blue Biotan.

　An unconscious curse comes out of my mouth.
　An attendant walking nearby pales in fear and runs away, but I don't care.

'Alright, lad I'll give you a taste of a hell that will last forever and is more painful than death.

　Now, the semifinals.
　After all this pissing me off, let's just play along.



'This is a bit of an anomaly, but we'll go ahead and play the B block semifinals first!　Now, next up, arguably the biggest highlight of the Demon Wars Tournament!　Eternal rivals, Ken Seiyuu and the new magic!　The showdown from two years ago is about to be replayed here now!

　Jitsu-chan strained his voice hard to raise the lowered tensions of the guests.

'The new magic is the Hulam player, just like two years ago!　But the Kensei School is not Master Eizem, but the second-killing swordsman Sakahagi!　But compared to Mr. Eizem two years ago, he's clearly a master!　Who the hell is he!
Can I just say something before the game starts?

　It's you again, Hulam.
　It's time to stop using your loudspeaker magic and stop pouring water on it.
　You know, this time, we're not afraid of you.

''Let me make it clear at this point. He's an entirely different sword technique user who has disguised himself as the Sword Star School.

　Halfway.
　Please continue?

''Sword Star School is not this strong. That's why he's not a Sword Star School. So why is he calling himself the Sword Star School?　That's because Eizem of the Sword Star School Dojo sold his soul to a demon beyond human understanding and asked him to restore the honor of the Sword Star School.

　Oh, yeah, and?

''That man over there is not Ken Seiyu. He's not even a human. And the Demon War Tournament doesn't allow non-humans to participate. Therefore, he should be disqualified right here.

　Heh.....
　So you're saying that even if I win, there's no more winners...?
　Hmmm.

But I promise you. I will defeat this demon in its attempt to overthrow the kingdom!

　The hall fell silent in the scene.
　No one voiced their agreement or disagreement with Hulam.
　It's really funny to see Hulam spread his hands wide as if he's trying to get an invisible spotlight on his whole body.　

　Ahhh.
　Aaaaah.........
　He did it, he did it.

　This guy destroyed his own foothold.
　He destroyed the foothold we've been working on.

　This is the one time the audience couldn't keep their mouths shut.
　The only people who believe in this kind of delusional nonsense are the fans who believe in you.
　Are you planning to purge the customers who don't support you next?

　Are you satisfied with that?
　I guess you're satisfied.
　This competition is just a springboard for you to shine.

　Okay, okay.
　All right, all right. I get it.
　You know, it's not worth it for Azeem to get attached to this tournament.

　You think I'm just going to sit back and accept it after all this mockery?
　I'm going to do it, like I always do.
　I'm gonna destroy it all.

"Pledge. "Ryuji Gyakushachi has been invited to a tournament of demonic warfare...
Well, one moment, please!

　I was just about to make a proxy pledge when Jikkan yelled out as if in a panic.
　Of course, she wasn't trying to stop me.
　But I had a hunch that there was some kind of movement in the situation, and I interrupted the proxy pledge ceremony in good faith.

''In response to the 'one word' of the current Hulam player, someone has appeared to say things!
What did you say?

　Hulam's face contorted, not even trying to hide his grumpiness.

'Did I mishear you?　In my opinion?　f*ck you. There is no one in this world that would allow such a thing...
"I have a word from Her Majesty Queen Elraihu Stromgard from now on!　Ladies and gentlemen, please listen to me!

　The crowd, which had begun to make a little noise, completely quieted down.
　Even that Hulam was speechless.

'The people meditate!　He who stands, kneel!

　It was the old captain of the Kingsguard who sounded high and clear, without any loudspeaker magic.
　Hulam obeyed the words even though he was confused.
　Wordlessly, I obeyed too. My gut tells me that I should do so.

'Ladies and gentlemen, all the matches so far have been excellent.

　Soon, the powerful old woman's voice echoed through us.
　Because of the meditation, my consciousness is almost caught up in the queen's voice alone.

''I know in my heart that this will not change without the aid of sword or magic. As for the deliberation that was just put to me, I will expand Article 4 to deal with it. That is, it should be valid even if it is by means other than arms or magic. From this convention, of course.

　Hulam gasped and seemed to rise to his feet.

'Your Majesty!　With respect, Your Majesty, I don't know how His Majesty would feel about reversing a decision made by the Council...
What is it, though?

　Unexpectedly, Hulam interrupts the queen's words.
　But the queen is no different.
　I'm sure she didn't use her loudspeaker magic, but she brushed aside Hulam's protests.

"You yourself said during the audience three years ago that I should be the supreme decision-maker in the demon warfare tournament. Don't tell me you've forgotten that, Hulam?

　I can't see it, but this breathing.
　I guess Hulam thought he was making a promise to me.
　But you can't say "I didn't" or "I forgot" when the queen herself announces it in front of all these people.

"Well, we've interrupted you. As for Hulam's unfair point earlier, that's what I want to talk about. If nothing else, I was going to keep it to myself, but that's not going to happen.

　As expected, Hulam didn't try to speak anymore either.
　I don't know why the queen would risk a confrontation with the country's most important man, Hulam, to cover for me, but she continued to hang her head in silence.

"Sakahagi, raise your head.

　But do you want me to show my face?
　If that's what you mean, then do as you say.

　After looking at my face affectionately, the queen smiled at me.

'Here is my confession. I was once taken by a bandit when I was very young.

　The crowd buzzed slightly.

''This has been kept under wraps on the face of the kingdom for a long time, but now it's just an incident in history. And what is important now is that it was Sword Star Toris who saved me from the bandits.

　Heh, I see.
　...Heh?

'It was only back then that the Sword Star Toris, known as a living legend, appeared in front of me. And now, more than fifty years later, he's still in front of me without aging.

　Yes?
　Well, you don't think....by any chance?

Yes. That's right, Sacagawea is the swordsman Toris Gallinoy himself!

　Yikes!
　Wow, wow, wow.
　Yikes, I've figured out what's going on, too.

　As expected, the crowd is not going to be quiet about this declaration.

"Seriously, a living legend!
So you're the Kensei Toris himself?
Yeah, but that would explain a lot of the fights we've had!

　The excitement is sublime.
　The old man gave him a shout-out, though it died down.

''No thanks. That's all from me.''

　The Queen concluded her speech by saying, "Thank you, Your Majesty," and the audience was once again in a crucible of loud cheers.

"Thank you, Your Majesty!　No way, it's a series of unexpected developments!　It is said that Sakahagi was the founder of the Kensei School, the living legend of Kensei Toris Galinoy himself!

　Uh, yeah.
　That's right, ehehe.
　I guess the queen was right, it's not the first time I've been summoned to this other world.

　But you really can't just call me by that Toris Gallinoy name!
　It's definitely my fault, but please don't let that name be known as an otherworldly and legendary figure, because I'm not going to be able to sleep!

'The Queen's testimony means that the point made by the Hulam players was off. This match is still Sword Star School vs. New Magic. Moreover, it can be said to be a match of existence by both origins!

　Well, it's been a long time coming.
　It looks like we can finally start the match.
　The referees come in between us to see if the match is possible.

''You're ... you're the Sword Star Toris?''

　It was at that moment that Hulam threw the words at me with a look of hatred.

'How come you haven't aged.......is that a foolish question? You must have become immortal when you were summoned.

　Outlier.
　A few years after I started traveling through other worlds, the f*cking gods forced me to hand over my immortality cheat.
　I don't know how many times I wanted to throw it away, and it really was like a curse.

'I'm sure of it. That you're the last boss to be defeated here by me now.

　I thought Hulam, who pointed at me challengingly, laughed in ecstasy, but now his face twisted into a rage.

''If you hadn't created such an unnecessary thing as the Sword Star School, I could have emerged into the world as a magical genius much sooner... and because of that, it took twenty years for my talent to be recognized!　Twenty years?　You see, you took my precious life away from me!
Shut up.

　He snapped away and turned away, taking ten steps away.
　Hulam lagged behind and began to move away, seemingly reluctantly.
　After facing him again, I let out all the complaints I've been wanting to make all this time.

I don't even want to hear what you have to say. If you want to hold a grudge, do whatever you want to do and die a death of your own accord, shutting yourself up in your own world.
Jesus, how dare you........address me!

　Both fighters are fully committed to each other.
　As the crowd watches with bated breath, the referees finally break up the fight.

''Demon warfare match, semifinals ... begin!