He's coming to the guardhouse.
　We won't be bothered by the violence here.
　Me and Regina are facing each other, while Elsa and the rest of the Guardians are gathered around us. They're watching us with bated breath.

So that's how we defeated Commander Elsa: ......
'But Lord Kaiser is so good that Commander Elsa can't even get a shot in.
"Father. Be careful. She's very strong.

　Yeah. I, of all people, know best that Regina was a skilled swordsman. She was a first-rate swordsman back then.

Shall I get the wooden sword?
I know. I'm serious.

　Regina assured him, without missing a beat.

"It is only in extreme combat, where lives are exchanged, that we truly appreciate each other's company. You want to play chamberlain, you play with the kids.
Well. I was hoping Regina would say that.

　With a wry smile, I drew the sword from my waist.
　Taking a breath once, I positioned myself in front of the midline.
　Regina drew the large sword on her back and swung it wide. At that moment, I could clearly see the wind pressure bullet coming toward me.
　You'll be able to dodge it as it comes at you at high speed while gutting the ground.

Haaaaah!

　Regina fires off a barrage of wind rounds one after another.
　It seems that they don't want to let her close in on them.
　As a non-magical swordsman, Regina naturally has no means of attacking from afar. She would be weak against archers and wizards. But thanks to her remote ability to projectile through the wind, she's better able to fight them as well as they are.

　I ducked the wind pressure bullets and fired my fire magic at Regina.
　The fireball was engulfed by the wind projectile before it reached Regina and disappeared. Does this mean that half-powered magic is no match for her?
　Will you use your earth magic to grow plants and trees on the ground and stop Regina from moving?　No.... she'll tear us apart before her monster can get a hold of us.
　We'll be left destitute at this rate. We've got to find some way to close the gap.

You're losing focus!

　I saw a bullet in the wind.
　I kicked the ground and ducked.

　That's when I realized I was being lured.
　Just as I ducked, a bullet went flying towards me.

　--I wasn't going to duck.

　I quickly realized that I couldn't duck.
　I held my arms in front of my body. A direct hit from the wind bullet sends a violent shock through your body. I'm flung off like a draught stone.
　Take a defensive position and quickly rebuild your men. You duck the wind-bullet that came after you.

Maybe my combat instincts aren't as good as they used to be...
　Regina said.
'I hope you haven't become rusty from lack of peace.
You can say whatever you want.

　Pfft. He spat out a wad of sputum that had risen to his chest.
　And there it was. Regina wasn't just a strong woman who wielded a huge sword with impunity. She's also very sharp, when it comes to battle.

　I haven't swords together in 18 years, and I've learned that.
　Her sword is not rusty. In fact, it's more refined than ever.
　It was probably just a matter of constant training.
　But that goes for me as well. I can't afford to come off as a man of peace. We need to get to Regina.
　We need to get in range of her.

　I uncharacteristically let loose a fireball of fire magic.

"Hm. Didn't we just see that? There's no use playing fireball in front of my windpipe. I'll quench them as many times as I have to.
How about that?
What did you say?

　I uncharacteristically unleashed water magic for a second time. The water stream from the magic circle drawn in the air mixed with the fireball.
　It evaporated violently, and a mist covered Regina's area.

d*mn it!　I can't see!

　I kicked the ground and plunged into the fog. I can't see. And neither can they. So that's one thing she'll do.


　With a huge wind pressure, the fog cleared at once.
　Out of the dispersed fog, the figure of Regina, wielding a great sword, was revealed. After the follow-through, an opening had been created for her.

　The sword I drew was blocked just as I was about to swing it.
　Round Two. I'm going in for a close fight.
　Sparks nearly fly as they trade blows. Neither side takes a step back. It was a desperate struggle where one momentary lapse in judgment could mean the difference between victory and defeat.
　The knights watching are at a loss for words.
　The tip of my sword was blocked by Regina's greatsword. I had an arm free. A good chance to unleash some magic.
　Regina must have sensed that.

"You're going to unleash your boorish magic again!
No. No, I won't. We won't use our magic until we get into close quarters.

　I'll grip the hilt of my sword with the palm of my other hand. When I closed the option to use my magic, I attacked as fast as I could.

"As a swordsman, I will confront Regina head on!
What--?

　Regina's eyes widened in surprise.
　Then a wry smile crept into her mouth.

'That's the way it should be!

　Regina's eyes had a blazing gleam in them.
　As we were fighting, I could tell that she was truly enjoying the battle. It was as if every cell in her body was glowing with freshness.
　So--.
　When the score was decided, she didn't look disappointed.

"I guess I win.
　He tells her as he holds up the tip of his sword.

''...... Hmmm . I said that earlier, but I take it back.
　Regina said with a smile.
'Kaisel . I said you were different, but you weren't. You are strong. You're still the same as you were and you seem to be ahead of me now.