I stand in front of Adil, sword at the ready.
　Adil also has his greatsword at the ready. Neither of us moves immediately.

"Does it hurt?
"...... No, I'm fine.

　You'll be able to find a lot more information on the web.
　Aria also seems to be conscious and will be able to move in a little while.
　I'm not sure if you've ever heard of this, but I'm sure you have.

...... I'm sorry. I was entrusted with the task.

　I think she's trying to say that she couldn't win.
　But I also know the reason why Iris was injured.
　It's never wrong for a knight to do that, but more importantly, it's never wrong for a human being to do that.

It's not something to apologize for. It's nothing to apologize for.
"But ......!　If it weren't for you, I'd be ......!

　Iris's sorrowful voice reached my ears.
　She must have had that feeling in her heart for a long time.
　If it weren't for me, she would have died the first time she was attacked.
　If it weren't for me, she wouldn't have survived the current battle--I'm sure that's all she could think about.
Because she called herself the "Sword Saint Princess," she doesn't rely on anyone.
　From the beginning, there was no one for Iris to rely on.
　Having become the strongest in the kingdom and being expected by the people, Iris probably had no one to rely on in battle.
　Then there is only one thing I can say.

"You don't have to think about what it would be like without me. Because I'm here.
"......!
I know you've always tried to be strong without anyone to rely on. But you and Aria are training with swords - there must be someone you can rely on, no matter how little.
"Someone you can rely on. ......

　I'm sure you can find someone you can rely on.
　It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for.
　She only has a few people she can truly rely on.

"Mr. Iris, I'll make you a promise.
A promise? ......?
Yes. I will defeat that man. Because I'm stronger than him. And I hereby declare that I am the strongest man in the kingdom, stronger than you.
"......!

　My words were met with a look of surprise from Iris.
　Yes, there was no one beside Iris to say the words.
　Then all I can do is prove it.
　I'm sure you'll be happy to know that there are knights in this country who are stronger than anyone else, who can't be beaten.

More than me?
Yes.
More than my father? ......?
Yes.

　I nodded and answered the question as if to confirm.
　It is a word that denies the most powerful princess in the kingdom, the Princess of the Sword.
　But what Iris needs now is that word.
　I continue with my words.

"As long as I'm a knight, think of me as the strongest in this country. Here is someone you can count on. One day, when you become ...... the "strongest" sword saint princess in the true sense of the word--then you can protect me. So you can rely on me, at least for now.
"Schweizer, sir--

　Iris clenches her fists.
　Just for now, I'll make a place where Iris can rely on me. There's only so much I can do, but at least I can do that.
　That's what I'm supposed to do as a knight, as a teacher, and above all as a sword master.
　By nature, I don't think I'm suited for this kind of role. It's something I've been thinking about since I got involved with Iris.
　As if her suppressed emotions were overflowing, Iris let out a few words.

I've always thought that I shouldn't rely on anyone. I've always thought that you should never rely on anyone.　But if you can help us, even if it's just for now, please help us. ......!
"Yes, I'll help you. I'm your guardian and your master.

　When he finally managed to squeeze out his voice, he placed a hand on Iris' head to gently pat her.
　At that moment, Adil begins to move.

"Are you finished?　Alta Schweizer.
You've been waiting for me, haven't you?
Pull it out. He's ...... horrible, as if he's in the moment.

　Adil has been watching me for an opening. You can find a lot of things that you can do to make your life easier.

It was a mistake not to do it now. You should have come even if you didn't have a chance.
"No, to tell you the truth, I'm in a rage. Iris Reinfell covered for her child, but ...... it was still a fun fight. Now you may have a better fight than that.


"So you've been watching them?　They really are a bunch of fighting lunatics, aren't they?
"Ah, that's the Swordsmen!

　Adil kicks the ground.
　Adil kicks the ground. I start moving at the same time.
　Adil holds up his greatsword, and I wield the Invisible.
　I use the invisible Blade of Wind as a check.

"The next move. I'll be watching!

　The sound of the wind cutting through the air overlaps and hits Adil.
What reached Adil were dozens of wind blades.
　He used his large sword as a shield to block them, but Adil's body fell backwards.
　Adil is a pure power type, so I have the advantage in attack.

"Oh, oh, ......?
You can't just block the front.
Oh!

　While Adil is being hit by the wind blade, he moves from the right with his sword.
　A horizontal flash -- Adil swings his sword to drown out everything.
　Take a step back to avoid it.
　Adil's sword was creating an explosion of magical power. It is dangerous to engage in fierce combat.
　If that is the case, I will fight with all my might.
　I will sit down and take a stance. Putting everything into my sword speed, I swung my arm.
　I create multiple blades of wind at a speed beyond what the average person can see.
　With a roar, the wind blades strike Adil.

I'm not sure what to make of that.

　As if to drown out the wind blade, Adil swung his greatsword again.
　The earth splits open and a huge blast engulfs the surrounding area.
　I'm not sure what to make of that.
　The distance is a few meters. My gaze met Adil's.
　I strike Adil, who has already taken a defensive stance, with a series of blows.
If the effect of the Blue Armor Sword passes, no magic will flow to Adil's sword - but Adil smiled.

I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to avoid it.
I don't know...

　Adil plunges his greatsword into the ground.
　The area around him glowed strongly and caused a huge explosion.

"Dr. Schweizer...

　I heard Iris's voice, and then it was cut off.
　The ground cracks and my body softly flies through the air.

(...... here)

The water supply for King's Landing is provided by flowing through this underground aqueduct.
　This was just a large hollow space.
　In the darkness, I landed.
　All I could hear was the sound of crumbling rubble and flowing water. And the sound of Adil's greatsword.
　The sound of metal scraping against metal echoes.
　Despite the darkness, Adil swung his sword.
　I jumped backwards once, pushed by the momentum.

...... No one will disturb us here.
That's surprising. I didn't know you were so worried about that.
I'm going to blow people away when I get serious. ....... I don't want you to be so worried about your surroundings that you can't fight for real.
You want to fight me for real?
Of course. You defeated Azuma, you defeated Fault, and you defeated Fiss. You are, without a doubt, the man who will be my enemy. I don't care what you do. ...... I'm going to fight you for real!

　At the same time, Adil released his magic power.
　I'm not sure if it's a good idea, but it's a good idea.
　I could tell that she was putting all her energy into this fight with me.

Do you want to fight someone so strong?
Yeah, that's what I've been looking for. I've been looking for it for a long time. I've fought and fought ...... and still there was no one stronger than me. I've always thought that if the Sage of Swords, Raoul Isaruf, was still alive, he would have been able to give me the fight I wanted.
"--

　Adil's words were as if he were looking at his former self.
　In the midst of the daily battle, the fear that there would soon be no one stronger than him. The fear that there will be no one stronger than you.
　--I didn't have enough reason to get stronger and keep fighting.

(That's why I thought I'd earn the money early this time to do what I wanted to do: ......)

　I've found another thing I want to do.
　I wanted to see how Iris would develop.
　Now I have a reason to fight in that sense.

What's up?　Alta Schweizer. Put up your sword. I'm going to kill you with everything I've got.
"Yeah, I'll do that, too. No one will see you here.


"...... What?

　I stabbed my azure sword into the ground and took out a piece of paper from my pocket.
I'm not sure what to do with it.
　With a ray of light, a sword appears in my hand.
　When Adil sees it, his eyes widen.

"...... That sword is ......!

　Even in the dark, the beautiful blade shines with silver.
　The double-edged sword becomes thinner and sharper towards the tip.
　It's a great way to get the most out of your time and money.

The Silver Spirit Sword is the sword that belonged to the Sword Saint, Raoul Isaruf.
Why do you have it ......?
The answer is simple. Because it's my sword.
What do you ......?

　Adil's face lit up with a look of surprise.
　As if he realized something, he continued to speak.

You're not ......
I've promised you that I will win. I will fight you with all my might in the name of the Sword Saint.

　What I put into my words is my determination.
　It's a sign of my determination that I will definitely defeat Adil here since I call myself the Sword Saint.