At the moment the blades met, a roar echoed around them.
　A blade of magic and a flash of lightning--blade against blade, the moment passed in an instant.
　Rui No, who had fallen from the air with great force, rolled on the ground and eventually fell down.
　The blade of the sword he was holding was snapped.
　In the meantime, Iris, who had shaken off the purple light, stood with her feet firmly planted.

I'm not sure what to say.

　I'm not sure what to make of it.
　I'm not sure if you've heard of it or not, but I have.
　It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for. But...

"......

　He collapsed again with a thud.
　Iris was already nearing her limit. This is the first time I've ever seen such a thing.
　This is the first time Iris has ever been so exhausted by a single swing.
　But even so, there was no way he was going to fall yet.
　She walked out slowly and stood in front of Luino.

My ...... wins.
You can't decide who wins ...... until one of you dies.

　Although he can barely move, Luino looks up and sees Iris.
　The eyes are not yet admitting defeat - even in this state, Luino still intends to fight.
　It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for. I'm not sure if I'm going to be able to do it, but I'm going to try.

If you want to stop me...
"Kill me?　Let me get this straight. You've lost to me. A loser can't just choose to die. Like now.

　I don't think Luino will choose to kill himself, but I don't think he has the strength to do it.
　She had given her all in the clash with Iris and lost.
　There was nothing she could do about it now.
　Iris continues.

If you still want to go after Dr. Schweizer, that's fine. But one thing - you've lost to me. Schweizer is much stronger than I am. So much so that I'm learning to sword ...... from him. I'm his student. I'm his disciple. Don't think you have the right to fight him because you lost to me, his disciple.
I don't have that right. ......?
No, you don't. At least, not until you can defeat me - you don't have that right. If you want to fight Dr. Schweizer, you must first become strong enough to defeat me.

　The difference in power between Iris and Ruino was almost nonexistent.
　The difference in power between Iris and Ruino was minimal. This time, Iris was only slightly stronger than Ruino.
　Knowing this, Iris said it clearly.
　She knew that she was putting herself in danger - Arutha was Iris's bodyguard, and it would be normal for Arutha to fight Rui No before fighting Iris.
　But Iris doesn't intend to just be protected.
　She wanted to be able to protect Arutha in the same way that Arutha protects Iris. --This is the first step.
　This is the first step. Rui No smiles when he hears Iris' words.

I'm not sure if I'm going to be able to do that. It's true what they say, isn't it? I've been defeated by you.

　He stopped Ruino from getting up.
　He rolled over and looked up at the sky.
　After a moment of silence, he points his broken sword at Iris.

I'm going to go after you ...... next, okay?　If you let me live, I'll keep aiming for you. And you're sure you won't kill me?
"Yes, if you're only going after me, ...... I won't kill you. I'll fight and beat you again and again. So tell me how you really feel.
"......Really?
Why do you want to fight a strong man?

　I didn't get a clear answer from Luino.
　She didn't know if he would answer, but Iris needed to know.
　If she really was just a girl who genuinely enjoyed fighting, then she would have to settle things with Rui No completely sooner or later.
　When Luino let out a small breath at Iris' question.

It's the first time I've ever been asked something like that. I'm sure you'll be happy to hear that. If I'm the strongest, no one else will get hurt.

　When he finished, Rui No weakens and drops the sword in his hand.
　I think he was at the end of his rope with his consciousness, and I was finally able to find out what he was really thinking.
　She is still the same as Iris.
　The only difference is that the process and method of becoming strong is different from Iris.
　That's all I need to know.

"...... ha!

　I'm not sure if this is a good idea or not.
　It was already too late to stand still - but Iris still had work to do.
　At the top of the lighthouse, there's Alta. The Swordsmen must still be out there.


　Iris must defeat all the swordsmen who are after him.

(......!)

　When he thought about it, Iris got a huffy expression on her face.
　If you're in a situation where you've reached your limit and you go to Arta, you'll probably only be slowing her down.
　You can find a lot of things that you can do to make your life easier.

　--If you still can't do it, you can count on me.

　Those were Alta's words.
　Iris was able to "win without killing". But he still doesn't have the strength to do ...... that and still protect Alta.
　He is still in a position to rely on Arta.
　And that's what Iris herself believes. Because Arutha is the "strongest knight" in the kingdom.
　Stronger than Iris, stronger than Garro. He believes that he can never be defeated.

(Sorry, sir. I'll leave the rest to you.

　Iris tightened her grip on the purple light and pointed the tip of her sword toward the top of the lighthouse.
　I've done all I can do right now. I'm sure you'll be able to find something that will work for you.