Iris tried to close the distance, but quickly stopped.
　Mariel's weapons were the Hundred Foot and the Steel Thread Sword.
　At first glance, one would think that either of these weapons would be sufficient. They are both capable of one-sided attacks from out of range, but they are used in different ways.
The Hyakutoku is at its most powerful at medium range. The "slash" from the undulating movement of the blade is the moment when its firepower is at its maximum.
　On the other hand, the Sword of Steel Thread does not have a technique with high power.
　It also has no means of defense at close range, and it is said that the Fisses who actually used it devoted themselves to evasion.
　The essence of the technique is that it is equally powerful at any distance. Its firepower can be maximized at any distance, short or long.
　I'm not sure if ...... Iris can really handle it with two hands.
　I'm sure you'll be able to figure out what you need to do.
　The only one he used earlier in the battle with the mages was the Steel Thread Sword. He must have decided that he needed to use both of them against Iris.

(The steel threaded sword for long range, and the centipede ...... for medium to short range.

　Iris decides that, and processes the path. He figured out a route that would allow him to reach Mariel and get into her "space".
　The sound of the wind whistling through the air reached her ears. If it had been Iris before she met Alta, she might not have even been able to dodge.
　Even now, I can't follow the thread with my eyes. But I can see it with my senses.
　Sensing where Mariel was aiming, Iris rushed forward.

What?

　He saw the blade of the Hundred Foot in front of him.
　Iris cuts it off with the "purple light". He had already stepped into Mariel's space - he knew that well. But she needed to change her mind quickly.
　Mariel doesn't use her sword according to distance. At any distance, she would use both swords against Iris.
　Mariel uses two different swords, each with different characteristics, and each one is extremely difficult to use.
　The word "abnormal" comes to Iris's mind. It must be a challenge just to handle one of them.
　It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for.

I'm not sure.

　I'm not sure if you've seen this before.
　It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for. Iris is determined to make it through this "storm of slashes".
　Stepping forward, he dodges the slashes of the Steel Sword and responds to the approaching Hundred Foot.
　As each of them maneuvered delicately to avoid collision and entanglement, Iris moved in time with them.
　He moved his gaze and searched for the "weakness" of the two weapons.
The Steel Thread Sword is invisible and attacks quickly. In addition, it is capable of fine movements - but the current Iris can just barely avoid it.
The Hundred Feet is noticeably larger, and after evading the Steel Sword, it launches a follow-up attack on Iris.
　The blade is moving around as if to protect Mariel.

(...... not moving at the same time, right?)

As she quickly dodged the steel threaded sword, Iris thought about it.
　It was a world of a few tenths of a second.
　But there is definitely a sense of discomfort. It was the Steel Sword that was aiming at Iris, but it was the Hundred Feet that was going to be the deciding factor.
　Iris was the first to change her mind when she stepped into Mariel's space.
　If both of them were going to attack at the same time, how could she get through the wave of attacks?

(But ......)

　Iris's questions grew louder and louder. (But ) Iris's doubts grew. At this moment, at this very moment - just as she thought this - Marielle moved her Hundred Feet.

(...... I knew it!)

　It only took Iris a few moments to realize it.
　( I knew it!) Iris realized in a few moments that she had to slash away at the oncoming Hundred Feet and step out of Mariel's line of sight.

I'm not sure if it's a good idea, but it's a good idea. But you were right.
"No, looks can be deceiving. That won't work on me anymore.
No!　It won't work?　How can you say that without getting past it?
I'm saying it because I can.
That's a good answer. Then let's see it.

　Mariel is ready.
　She has at her disposal a blade that can easily cut your body if you touch it--a threat indeed.
　It would take courage to step into such a situation.
　But if you have the courage to step in, Iris already has it.

　--Do you intend to be a king, Iris?

　I remember Mariel's question.
　What does Mariel want to ask? I don't know what the answer is for her.
　But Iris has her answer.
　As soon as she turns the blade on Iris, she has to answer that feeling.
　He stomped on the ground and gripped the handle of the Shiden tightly.
　Iris started to run again.

"--

　The approaching Steel Thread Sword. Iris moves through the threads as if dancing, and avoids it.


　At the moment of evasion, the Hundred Feet closed in on Iris.
　Iris's movements suddenly became more daring.
If you're wary of the Steel Thread Sword, there's no way you'll be able to go straight ahead - but Iris flicked the blade of the Hundred Foot with the Purple Den and closed the distance to Mariel at once.
　I'm not sure what to do, but I'm sure it's a good idea.
　But ...... Iris is faster.
I'm not sure if it's a good idea, but it's a good idea. The blades of the Hundred Foot were close enough to touch around Iris.
　Even though the blade was touching her throat, Marielle was unfazed and looked at Iris and said.

"How did you manage to get through those two blades?
I was almost fooled by how flashy they look. But it's one of them that actually attacks you. If you are aware of that, it's not that difficult to deal with them when they switch.
"Hmm, 'not so difficult', huh? I'm sure you and Alta-chan are the only two people in the whole country who can say that, .......
I'm sure you're not the only one. In addition, if Marielle had used only one of the two, it would not have gone so well.
"Oh, ......, you were aware of that much. And?

　Marielle asks again - Iris answers clearly, keeping her blade pointed.

I don't want to be a ...... 'king'. I'm sorry if that was an answer you didn't want, Marielle. I'm sorry if that was an answer you didn't want, but I'm aiming to be a knight. I'm going to be the strongest knight in this country. I want to be the strongest knight in this country, stronger than Dr. Schweizer, stronger than anyone.

　She said it clearly. I rarely state things like this.
　But this is how Iris really feels, and what she really means.
　The answer to Mariel's determination will be to answer with honest words.

...... Yes. I'm not sure what to do, but I'm sure you'll do fine.
I'm not sure.
I'm glad to hear it. I think you're the right girl for it. And you know that, don't you, Alta?
"Yes!　Well, ...... yes, I do. The doctor said he would support me.
So, if you're going to support ...... me, I'll have to do the same.

　I'm not sure if it's a good idea, but it's a good idea. As Mariel said this, she heard the sound of blades crumbling.
　Mariel dropped to her knees as Iris lowered her blade in time.

I don't think it's an unforgivable crime to point a blade at the daughter of the four great noble families of Rheinfell, Iris-sama. You can do whatever you want with me.
I don't care what you do to me.　...... Please raise your head. I'm sure I would have slurred my words if it weren't for this.

　I will not be a king - Iris must not answer that way yet.
　Even if Iris doesn't want to, those around her do.
　Even if Iris does not want to be king, those around her do.
　Therefore, Iris must continue to be the "one who should be king" until the "one who should be king" is found. ...... That was the role that was assigned to Iris.

Do you forgive me?
Yes, of course.
So, here and now, I swear to you. The Schweizer family fully supports the Rheinfels. No matter what may happen, no matter what enemies may appear in the future, the Schweizer family will be with the Rheinfels. As the next head of the family, I swear that I will keep my word.

　When she finished, Mariel stood up.
　As soon as she had finished, Mariel stood up, her serious expression returning to a gentler mood.

I'm sure you'll be happy to know that I'm not the only one who has a problem with this.
I'll protect you as Iris's big sister." "Well, um, ...... thank you, sir?

　I'm sure the last word will be a little upsetting.
　I'm sure the last word was Marielle's true intention, Iris understood.
　This is why the word "sister" stuck with her.

I'm not sure what to do.　It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for.
"......?　What?　No, no, no, marriage!　How can that be?　I'm not sure what you mean by that. It's nothing more and nothing less than that.
I'm not sure what you mean. Well, I'm not going to ask you about your 'true intentions'. I'm not going to ask you about your 'true intentions' because I think you're too naive and a bit pathetic. Well, I guess everything should be taken care of by now.

　Mariel turned her back on Iris.
　She may have been joking - but this may be the first time she's said it outright.
　Today, there were many opportunities to be aware of this.
　And what had been a question in Iris' mind for a long time was becoming a certainty.

(Do I like ...... Schweizer-sensei?)

　This was the moment when a girl who lives by the way of the sword became aware of her feelings for the first time and turned them into deeper questions.