How about, are you ready for that weapon?

"Ha, come here.

　The first prince of the Arabian kingdom, Massouda, receives a sword from the court magic that summons him to his room.

"Beware. The blade is laced with manticore venom.

"Hmph.

　Hearing the sorcerer's warning, Masoudha saw the sword's mysterious luster and sheathed it.

Good, arrange for it to be my sword for the battle of the king. In a few hours, I'll say goodbye to that vile little brat.

"Ha, but may I?　No matter how much of a hindrance it is, killing it in public is going to come back to haunt you, isn't it?

"What are you kidding me . Death in the wars of kings is like an accident. You can dispose of the poison from the sword later.

But you don't have to kill anything to be exiled--

"Shut up. Don't let a stranger tell you otherwise.

　The sorcerer objected to Masoudah's murder sentence, but his murderous intent was greater than ever.

The fact that it is alive is intolerable to me. I will kill him in a battle of wars, no matter what. Otherwise, you can go to .......

　Trying to speak beyond that, Massoudas was silent.
　There was more than murderous intent; it was a hint of impatience.

...... but I'll be safe when I kill him at the Battle of the Kings. All that's left is for the old man to die and I'll be crowned.

　It was as if Massauda was frightened of something lurking in the war for the king, as if he could not take the throne without accomplishing it.
　At least that's how the sorcerer who was watching him sensed it, and he smiled darkly at the bottom of his hood, unnoticed.


◇ ◇ ◇ ◇


Okay, that's enough.

"Haha ...... haha ......

　Meanwhile, Rostam and Zachary, who had been training in the courtyard with Shin, had been training Shin for nearly half a day since then.

If you can do this in a real battle, even you have a good chance. But the problem is the timing of the attack. Look, when your opponent is winning, don't let him get away with it. Now you're more than capable of exploiting the enemy's opportunity.

"Yes, thank you ......!

　In response to Rostam's advice, he thanked him and sat down on the spot.
　His body was sweating, and he was shaking his shoulders vigorously to catch his breath.
　Rostam, on the other hand, didn't seem to be sweating, but he was still smiling unknowingly at how well Shin was growing.

...... How's Rostam. How's Singh doing ......?

Hmmm. As expected of a demon, his reflexes and motor skills are above average. It's probably because of the harsh environment in which he was raised. When it comes to simple physical abilities, even a few brave men are no match for them.

"......, but the question is sword technology or ......

　In response to Rostam's impressions, Sachaque immediately guessed what Shin was lacking.
　It's no matter how outstanding your physical abilities are, if your weaponry is poorly handled, it's no good.
　Especially since this King's battle is a sword match, and the opponent is using it, it is natural to suspect that there should be some kind of training in the sword.
　It's impossible to avoid it with just your body language, and you must at least have the skill to handle the opponent's sword and catch it.

...... But your earlier tactic. Is that really acceptable to use in the Battle of the King: ......?

"What do you mean, brother. It's not a violation. It's not even in the rules to begin with.

...... No, that's more of a pre-rules thing: ......

　So Sacherk remembered that the Rostam in front of him was originally a demon, and he sighed, wondering if this kind of common sense is out of place.

......, but you may indeed be right: ......

　It's not mentioned in the rules. That's why the theory that it's not a foul is valid, and that's where Shin can win.
　Swordsmanship doesn't just happen overnight.
　The only thing they could teach the wild child Shin were the general rules, and how to fight according to them.
　But that was enough.
　The two of them will teach Shin a tactic that only he can win, and then it's just a matter of testing to see if it will work.

Sin. The battle of the kings will be held in the palace halls in a few hours. Until then, get some rest.

"Yeah, but if you still have a few hours, I can do it. ......

　Saying that, Rostam forces Shin to sit down as he tries to get up.

"Straining your body to the breaking point is counterproductive. Now we've come this far...now just take a few hours to rest. The best thing you can do right now is to try and keep your strength up.

　Shin immediately nods in agreement with Rostam, who declares so admonishingly.
　He lies down on the spot and begins to breathe in his sleep.
　Then an unfamiliar soldier approaches Rostam's and Sachaque's location, who were watching Shin's sleeping face, and speaks into Sachaque's ear.

"Mr. Sachaque. There has been a development in the matter: ......

"...... Okay. ......

　As soon as he hears the report from that soldier, Rostam calls out to his brother's back as he begins to move away from the place.



"Where are you going, brother. In a few hours, the battle of the Kings will begin.

...... about that. We have received word that we have found the location of a soldier involved in an incident a few years ago: ......

"Oh.

　An incident from a few years ago.
　Zahak understood at once that it was about the assassination of Singh's mother.

　Since entering the kingdom, Sachak and Rostam had been using the imperial intelligence network to learn more about the events of that time and the area around Masoudha.
　Considering that the mother of the murdered Singh was the king's official consort at the time, her assassination would not have been easy.
　Even if the mastermind was Masuda, the assassin, the gatekeeper and soldiers who facilitated the assassination, or the maid and the nobleman.
　It would be impossible to do this without the involvement of many people, and it would be impossible to get rid of everyone involved.
　Even if they did, it would be like admitting to a black rumor in the palace, and many would be driven away or silenced with a golden hand.

　But that was not what Sachaque felt.
　Was it necessary to go through so much trouble and risk to assassinate the queen and kill her children?
　That was the first question Zachary felt.

　Masoudah was the first prince of this country.
　He is destined to succeed to the throne, if nothing else.
　Did he carry out the assassination not only because the queen is from a commoner's family, but also because there is a bigger story behind the assassination?
　To find out, Sachaque heads to the city.
　Somewhere in his heart, Sachauke has a hunch that the truth of the case is hidden there.


◇ ◇ ◇ ◇


Okay.

　Then I walked out of the palace to see the sun all the way up.

I've done all I can. I've done all I can.

　I looked back at my friends behind me.

Let's go. We've got to go watch the king's game and cheer for Shin.

　Everyone nodded at the sound of my voice.
　We headed to the site of the battle of the kings to see the resolution between Shin and Masuda.