"Oh, Zenas, you're dead. ....... He was doing pretty well, though.

　As he sipped his drink, Riggles chuckled.
　The three-way battle is over, and only Iris and Rui No are left.
　I'm not sure if I'll be able to do it.

I guess I'll have to do it after all. Well, I had high hopes for you, Zenas. The swordsmen were almost completely wiped out by this. I'm not sure what to do. ...... So, shall we get started?
It's not the end of the battle yet.

　I deny Riggs' words.
　Riggles looked a little surprised.

"Well, well, that's surprising. If you think I didn't move when my students were in danger, ...... now you're going to watch them fight?
I left them in charge of the students. I let them take care of the students, and they took care of themselves, that's all.
Well, I'm surprised. You seem to be quite laissez-faire. You're still a knight.
Yeah, I'm still a knight. First of all, I'm a swordsman. I'm a swordsman first and foremost. Since Iris-san has decided to fight Luino with determination, I have a duty to see it through.

　Yesterday, Iris confided her worries to me. He said he didn't know how to deal with someone like Luino, who only wanted to kill each other.
　If you are a knight, you need to capture your opponent. The reason why Iris was troubled was because Rui No was protecting me and Iris from a clear enemy, the Swordsmen, and at the same time he was trying to kill me.
　I told Iris, "If you can't do it, rely on me. But she's standing there of her own volition, and that's the answer to "I can.
　You can stop Luino without killing him.

"I see. But if you want to watch the fight, I have no problem with that. I'm the one who said it first.
No, I think you really want to see this fight through.
"...... Oh, what makes you think that?
You told me it was 'relevant'.
That's true. Zenas and the girl are both after you. If Zenas is the one who survived, then they can both come after you.

　Riggles said with a smug expression. I'm sure he knows that, partly because it's me.
　What Riggles has been watching is not the Battle of Zenas, but the Battle of Luino.
　The expression on his face as he watched over someone was familiar. The man who had once called ...... Raul a friend, Souki Tomra--there was a trace of him.
　The battle that Riggles wanted to witness was not with Zenas, but with Luino.

"If we were going after each other, we would have done it from the beginning. But you didn't.
"Hmm, I guess so. The Swordsmen don't like to fight together as an organization.
Yeah, I guess that's one of your goals with ...... keeping me here.
That's what I'm talking about. Is there any doubt about that?
...... No, if you're not going to admit it, fine. But there's one thing I know for sure.
What is it?
I remember Riggles ....... That's supposed to be your real name. Your name is Riggles Tomra. And my daughter is Luino Tomra.

　I said clearly. Riggus looked a little surprised again, but then he let out a sigh and sat down again. And then.

He's a very talented boy, unlike ...... me. He's been good at everything since he was a little boy, and he loves to swing a sword.

　Riggles mutters to himself.
　He was no longer trying to hide it, and the way he looked at Luino was that of a parent watching over a child.

Does Luino know that you're in the Swordsmen?
"No, he doesn't. Luino no longer believes that any of his family survived. I'm the one who made him do it.
...... What?
We can talk about this later. The fight is about to start. So who do you think will win, Luino or Iris?

　Riggus asks.
　Riggles seems to have decided to watch the fight too.
　I also stand looking down at them.
　Iris and Rui No - both of them are capable. Even from my perspective, I could see that they were close in their abilities.
　There is no way to tell who will win in a battle between two people of equal strength.
　There are many factors that can determine the winner: exhaustion, momentary failure, or a slight difference in strength.


　I've never been one to look at the battlefield in a favourable light.
If I were in the position of a "sword saint," my answer would be "I don't know.
　But if you're looking at it as her teacher, the answer is different.

"Iris won't lose. She's that kind of girl. She's worked harder than anyone else, she's struggled more than anyone else, and yet here she stands. She's going to win this fight.
Well, I'm surprised you're so sure.
Who do you think will win?
I think the answer is ...... 'I don't know', but if you say it like that, I have no choice but to answer like this. Luino will win, for sure.

　I'm not sure what to say.
　He said this in a way that made me feel that he truly 'believed' in Luino's victory.
　I turned my attention back to the battle between Iris and Rui No.
　I want to see how they end up.