We didn't know that there was a lot of intrigue going on behind the scenes, and once we were selected to participate in the main tournament, we went back to Mr. Weitz's store to have a light victory celebration.

Yay!　My debt is now cleared!

　Rejoicing Aina.
　Weitz seems unimpressed.

"I never thought Will would be this strong. I was so worried I couldn't sleep last night.

"Hmmm, Will, you're slim on the outside. But he's the strongest.

"You were so worried about me just now.

　Ronin teases, but Lunamaria defends.

I'm not worried. I just wanted to make sure that everything was okay. As it turns out, there was no such thing as a contingency.

Well, frankly, there's no way Will is going to fall behind at the local martial arts competition level.

That's right. That's the winner. Oh, and by the way, what was Ronin's result?

Speaking of which, the treatment. I'm not going down.

　and proudly presents the certificate.

It's a real sword god.

"Congratulations, Dad.

　But Dad didn't seem particularly happy.
　Perhaps it was a combination of factors, so I ventured to ask.

"You're in the same boat as Mr. Hifune, aren't you, Dad?

What, you've seen the battlefield?

Yes, I only remember Mr. Hifune's and my dad's.

"I see. Why are you so worried. At least we're assured of a runner-up finish.

"I'm on pins and needles now to see who I'm going to play in the final,

That's me anyway.

"...... Really?　Didn't Dad come here on purpose to defeat Mr. Hifune?　I'm going to give her my head.

What's that?

No, I have a feeling that

"Does it say good-naturedly in my face?

No.

Then I wouldn't do anything stupid.

　Ronin assured him and took out a bottle of sake from his pocket.

Let's celebrate Will's victory and debt cancellation. Let's celebrate Will's victory and clear your debts. Sake until morning.

　Then Mr. Weitz will bring you a bottle of wine. They're happy to get rid of the debt. And they don't know much about our situation. So we might as well curry favor with them here. To keep them from worrying, I pretend that I really enjoyed the victory party.




　The next day, I'm awakened by Luna Maria. My father drank so hard that I unusually couldn't get up on my own. Meanwhile, Ronin's father had arrived at the venue ahead of me. Dad's game is in the morning.

　We'll get ready slowly and go to the hall. I didn't panic because there was no way my father was going to lose. Sure enough, the first round ended in one second. His opponent surrendered after his clothes were cut off.

　That's my father's way of winning, and I'll play the first round, too. My opponent in the first round was the sickle chain user. Ronin said that a sickle smith is a biting dog, but in fact he was a biter. The way he waved his sickle in the air was seamless.

The way he wielded his sickle was seamless. ...... This makes Mr. Goldor is much stronger than that.

　As expected of the previous runner-up, we reevaluate him again, but the evaluation never reaches him. He was so shocked that he decided to go back to the country to pursue a priesthood. I'm sorry to hear that, but I also think he'd be happier there.

　Now that I've had enough time for such musings, I'll defeat the sickle chain user with a single blow. My dad and I are through the first round. It's a tournament system, so we have to win four times to win.

　Me and my dad will win the second round, too. That makes us the favourites, but there are two more who stand out. One, of course, is Hifune. She, too, had a series of stunning victories that showed the difference between her and her opponent. If all goes well, she'll face my father in the semifinals.

　My opponent for the semifinals, on the other hand, is going to be Jabba the Fist King. He's coming through just fine, too. He won more loudly than we did, and he was getting a lot more praise than we did.

Another win!

　Every time he won, he would say so and get the audience excited. I would like to follow his performance, but I can't help but watch him. I'm still wondering what they're thinking about, Hyphen and Ronin.



　No, in a way, the idea of hyphenation is easy to understand. He's trying to satisfy his vengeance by killing me in front of his father. I'm not sure what he'll do when he's in front of me, but at least the fight with his father will be exciting.

　The problem is with your father. I'm still trying to figure out what my dad thinks. Are we going to turn on the hyphen, or... As I ponder, I realize I've been summoned by the judges.

　It seems that your semifinal against the Fist King is coming up.

　I may have to change my mind. So I decide to kill Fist King.

I'm sorry, I was going to beat you after I saw your move because it's a training exercise, but I'm worried about Dad's match, so I'll end it with a single blow.

　Hearing those words, the Fist King's temples twitched.

"...... You're going to defeat the Fist King with a single blow?

　Those words were the last words of the Fist King.

　As soon as the start of the match is announced, I walk into his bosom with uncanny speed and slash him with my wooden sword.

　The Fist King collapses with a crunch.

　It was too fast for ordinary people to understand what had happened, but the crowd and the judges seemed to know that the Fist King had lost. When the crowd cheered, my victory was announced.

That was amazing. Are you invincible, Mr. Will?

Will's epitaph will say so. And he lived a long life.

　You are proud of your victory, but it's not really that overwhelming.

　It was all over in an instant, so Fist King Jabba looks weak, but he's a pretty formidable opponent. He's at least as strong as the man you just fought, Goldor. In fact, it might have been because he didn't have time to go easy on you that you had to decide the game in an instant.

　We don't know, but now is not the time to discuss Jabba. There was no time to respond to the crowd's enthusiasm. The crowd seemed to want to hear the victory comment, but they ignored it and went to the side of Lunamaría. There are also Mr. Weitz and Aina.

Here it is. Over here.

　Aina congratulates me on my victory as she offers me the seat she saved for me. I say thank you and I ask Luna Maria.

I ask Luna Maria, "What happened to your game?　I heard it was held at the same time.

It is what it looks like. It's been like that for a while now.

　They remain motionless in the center of the stage, watching each other.
　They seem to be watching each other to see where the other goes. Luna Maria will ask you.

''I've heard that battles between masters can be decided in an instant. Are the two of you carefully plotting your opponent's moves?

Perhaps.

"Then I can't take my eyes off of you for a second--

　At that moment, I say the words.

Luna Maria, you two are on the move!

"What?

　A moment later, the two begin to act simultaneously. They move like running water and accelerate their bodies as they go. The moment you realized, you two had spat each other out.

What speed?

"It's reaching god speed. Their speed is not human.

　The two appear all over the stage as if to prove it. They spit at the center of the stage and fight at the edges, spinning each other in the air like a juggler. The scene is so fantastic that the audience is simply stunned.

This is the battle of the gods. But what is this girl following me at this speed?

　I don't know what happened to Luna Maria. I wasn't sure if I should tell her, but after much deliberation, I decided to tell her.

...... such a situation.

"Do you think my father killed Mr. Tojiro?

I don't know about that, but I've come to the same conclusion as Mr. Will.

"I mean?

Whatever your past is, it means you believe in Master Ronin.

　I sympathize with her sincere answer. I knew I was right to talk to her. Once again I'm impressed by the brilliance of Luna Maria, and I watch the game.

　Dad Ronin's match with Hifune was coming to a climax.

　Although they move at god's speed, they are both human, and have a limit to their physical strength. Ronin doesn't seem to have inexhaustible energy after leaving the divine realm. It's slowing down.

hifune's hands are increasing.

............

　Lunamaría's expression is cloudy. Even she seems to think that Ronin is outnumbered. That assessment was correct.

(mr. hyphenated, more than I expected.)

　I thought that being a disciple of my brother's son meant that I should be inferior to him, but I'm afraid I was mistaken. I don't know about Toushiro's ability, but at least Hifune's ability is better than mine.



(...... If it were purely swordsmanship alone, it would be better than me.

　You'll have to use your magic to win.

　This was going to be hard on Ronin who had just come down to the world below. Ronin was a dweller on the Mountain of the Gods, usually able to unleash his power without reservation. On the other hand, much of his power is limited in the world below. You said that you just can't use your divine power, but your muscles and other attributes seem to have lost a lot of their strength.

　I don't think you'll lose--but you won't be able to win easily.

　Especially since Ronin, the god of swords, is a gentle god, and I had a suspicion that Dad might lose during this match on purpose. Hence, I was always watching your expressions and movements.

　Clutching the wooden sword of Toneriko.

(...... If Dad was going to die, I had to step in and save him.

　It was against the law, and that's what would anger my father the most, but I wasn't going to let my father's life fall apart in a place like this.

　I watch with a nervous look on my face, but someone calls out to me.


　...... Will, it's Will.


　A voice that seems to speak into my brain. I soon realize it's someone's telepathic voice.

(Is that voice dad Reus?)

　As I responded, a giant eagle swooped down from the sky. When it lands next to me, everyone around me winces, but it's only for a moment. My eyes are glued to the heated game in front of me.

　The eagle doesn't seem bothered by it and opens his mouth.

"Good to see you, my son.

"Long time, Reus Dad,

"I'd love to give you a hug, but this is not the time.

That's right. I'm not sure when I should help you.

You think Ronin came here for a place to die?

"No?

"No different. He is always looking for a place to die. But this is not the place to die.

What's the big deal, you're under pressure?

How many years did you learn that man's sword? Does his face look like he's being hunted down?

"I don't see .......

　Dad's eyes glazed over.

'That one is going to be a build-up of energy, a blow for blow after blow.

That's right.

　Reus affirms.

"You're going to look for an opening and go for the Battoujutsu, Dad.

　My prediction was spot on. She had countless hands, but soon her manpower was diminished. She did not have unlimited strength.

　Luna Maria, who was overhearing our conversation, asks me.

"Did Master Ronin dare to let Hifune hit you?

I guess so. I was dodging in the nick of time to conserve my energy while also taking away my opponent's energy.

"...... well, it's not like . It's as if I'm playing with my life.

In fact, a man's life is such a bargain. It's just a gamble.

　Reus nodded his head.

　I tried to tell him that the art of Ronin swordsmanship is to seek life in death, but I couldn't do that. My father was about to decide the game.

　Just as he was running out of moves, Dad Ronin glared at Hyphen. Then he jerked back. He used a feint of the eye. A murderous stare is sometimes worth more than an ordinary slash.

　Knowing your father's swordsmanship, I know his thoughts very well. This is your best chance to learn the art of battoujutsu, but Reus denies it.

"No!　Now I'm typing!

"............

　What could be wrong with that? The timing couldn't have been better. I wondered if father Reus knew any swordsmanship, but his voice didn't reach father Ronin.

　As Ronin took the Battoujutsu stance, so did Hifune, sheathing her sword. It seems that she also intends to use her Battoujutsu to attack you.

The tiger's roar!
"Instant kill!

　The two of them were shouting each other's special moves. They were released at about the same time, but Dad Ronin was still the better fighter. --But father Reus' ominous premonition was right.

　They were almost simultaneous battling techniques, but it was Hifune's sword flashes that reached him first.

　You can see that father was hit on his right shoulder by the flash of his sword.

　Lunamaría shouted at the top of her lungs.

How?　Mr. Ronin was slightly faster. ......

　I was the one who answered that question. I'll explain why my father's swordplay was delayed.

"...... I see a spell on my father's right leg.



"Spell!

　Lunamaría is puzzled. It's true that she is blind and the curse will be hard to see. But if you look hard enough, you'll see that your father's right leg is covered with an evil aura.

　I saw a suspicious-looking man at the back of the hall. He's wearing a pitch-black robe and muttering something. A curse is escaping from his lips.

I think that's what put a curse on my father.

Can you do that?　It's in the game.

That's because we're in the game.

"I see. As expected of Ronin-sama, he couldn't even detect the movement of the hall when he was confronting Mr. Hifune.

That's probably part of it. ......

　I didn't entirely agree with Lunamaría's thinking. I didn't think the old man would fall into the trap so easily.

　I think I agree with Reus, pointing his beak at the convention officials.

"Well, looks like that guy's got a hand in it.

　There was a tournament official who was talking to the group in black.

"It looks like they've been running a dragon vein under the war stage to make it easier for magic to pass through.

"...... such a nonsensical measure

"And they're a Zodiac cult.

"Looks like it.

　Biting their lips. I wonder how much more cowardly they are. As I thought the other day during the king's attack, I could no longer tolerate their cowardice and vileness.

(...... Maybe we need to defeat them to travel the world.)

　Once again, the decision was made, but more importantly, it was now the stage of warfare that had to be watched. Ronin, who had been hit by the blow, sat down on the spot, while Hifune, who had dealt the blow, held his sword up high. She's trying to put an end to Ronin.

I can't let that happen!　Thinking this, I was about to burst onto the stage, but I was stopped by Father Reus.

"Father Reus, why?

"Don't panic, Will. Look at the look on her face. Are those the eyes of a killer?

"............

　Indeed, Hifune's eyes were bewildered. They were as moist as a newborn fawn.
　Raising his sword high, he lowered it and nodded as he said, "I don't want to win my revenge this way.

...... I don't want to win my revenge this way.

　When he said that, he turned to the Zodiac cult and exploded in anger.
I am the best disciple of Toushirō the Swordsman!　We don't need such a shameful victory!

　The men in black grit their teeth at that word.

"The little girl. We set you up for this.

I didn't ask for that.

"If you don't kill me now, you will be my enemy!

"Don't you dare. A thousand of you will be kicked to the curb.

　That was the signal for the parting of the Order of the Zodiac with Hifune.
　The men in black gritted their teeth as they walked away.
　Hyphne stared at them scornfully, then turned to Ronin and said, "Look, Ronin, I'm going to kill you here.

"Look, Ronin, it wasn't mercy not to kill you here. It's just pity. You owe it to yourself to see your son killed. I will see the gods raise up their men in the finals.

　Next, her gaze turns to me.

　Eyes filled with anger and sorrow crossed with mine. A battle with her seemed inevitable.

　Ronin just stared at it languidly.


　It ended like this in the semifinals between Dad Ronin and Hyphen.

　After being cut by Hyphen, Ronin received medical attention from Luna Maria and headed to the back of the hall to be left alone.

　Ronin's friend and god, who also fathered a son, said he would fall on Ronin's shoulders.

Why did you deliberately take the Zodiac's plan? Were you going to give your life for that girl?

　Reus asks bluntly.
　Ronin also returns bluntly.

"That's what I was going to do in the beginning.

　But," Ronin continues.

"I found out, sword to sword. The girl's sadness, her love for her master. It wasn't enough that she killed me.

"Will you have to kill Will too, or will she never move on?

I was convinced. So I played into their mother-in-law's hands.

　Ronin holding the wound. Lunamaria's healing magic is impressive, but as expected, the pain is still there.

　It's just that the pain in that girl's heart would not be like this, I thought.

I see, so you're going to leave it all to Will.



Yeah, my sword is a hard sword. Will's sword is a soft sword. Maybe I can break the girl's heart.

"Well. Will's sword is truly a living sword. Touching his gentle soul may be a chance for him to know the truth.

　It was a hinted way of saying. It seems that Reus knows all the circumstances.

"...... d*mn it, that's why you birdie. Doesn't he know everything?

"Quite a difficult character, if you explain to the people around you, there would have been another way.

I don't like excuses and excuses and constipation.

"Huh, well. All will be over soon. Our son will put the girl out of her misery.

　When Reus tied it off, Ronin nodded his head.

　Just as a parent, Ronin felt sorry. It's a good thing that you're a parent, because it's a very good thing that you're able to do.

...... But, well, Will is getting better. He's a lot more mature than I am.

　Ronin proudly praised his son, who is not here.