--The surprised look on his face was quite dumb.

　His eyes seemed to wonder if the letters dancing on the battlefield even matched his name.
　His gaze wandered, and he reacted in a way that didn't quite meet the audience's expectations.

　Oh, my God.

　Nonsense. All this just to be shouted at by a bunch of people.
　How dare the princess's manservant! I don't know how I'm supposed to work with her.
　Let's just cut him some slack and be done with it.

　--Someday, that's what I would've thought.

　But... It's just...
　I don't even know where that "someday" came from.

　I'm the one who instigated it. I'm the one who planned it. I'm the one who set this up.
　No matter how many times I tell myself and keep tricking myself.

　No matter how many times I refrained and repeated it.

　It just didn't work.

　So much so that I couldn't even look at that stupid face from the front.


　I'd been inspired by my own rhetoric.

　The past that I heard and the present that I see now.

　His dumb face expresses his emotions more eloquently than any art.

"Why don't you get on with it, fighter?

　I didn't want to watch.

　I didn't want to be tied down any longer.

　I didn't want to be tied down any longer. So, as he hurried away, I couldn't help but make excuses.
　I didn't do it for him.


　It was a good thing I had plenty of pretense.


　About myself. The Chamber of Commerce. The future.
　All in all, this was the best thing to do.
　So I did it. I'm just going to do what I have to do, without emotion.

　I flip the switch.

　I put the skin of "sister" back on that had been peeled off.

　--Thinking about it, the wheels were already turning.

　Why did I... Why did I let myself get skinned?

　The answer was because I didn't want to watch.
　And the reason was.


"I wanted to prove to myself that I could live without a job."
"...... Why are you telling me this? Why are we talking about this?
I think it's not fair to cite the stuffed animal. I'll try my best to come up with some new ideas. I'm not gonna make you think alone. And, yeah. I guess I wanted you to get to know me since we're teaming up like this.


　I don't even know what I'm drinking, but I can taste it in my mouth.

　Oh. I shouldn't have asked.

　I hate myself for remembering and becoming bonded to it.

　A feeling so strong and meaningless that I had to shake it off so desperately that I was stripped of it.


　So... I've already put on the skin of "sister" once more.




I'm so happy for you, big brother.




　I'm so happy for you, big brother.
　I spent my time in the Colosseum without knowing that she thought of me this way.

　The man who had walked the cold road alone was now in the midst of the cheers.


　At the signal to start the game, she bit her lip.

　I don't know what I'm doing. And...

　The script in her hand, a memo, contained a more proper introduction of Futa. He was a skilled swordsman invited by the princess, and he had defeated Prim in a public match.

　Not a single mention of sister and brother.

　He shook his head.

　--There was a calculation.

　Yes, there was a calculation. A better reason to do this. "The calm part of me as a manager, the calculations I'd made based on what I'd seen in today's game, told me that this performance would be more incendiary than a scripted introduction.

　But .

　But... calculation and... And the emotions that welled up in my heart.

　Which came first, I wondered.

　I didn't want to think about it.


　I had all the pretense I could handle, and it was a disaster.


"Was it good, ......?

　A whispered voice, impervious to the magical device, came from the commentary seat next to me.
　I looked up at the question from a young man who should not be sitting there.


　He stared at the field with a difficult look on his face, he knew a lot of things.

　That's why I told him.

"Is this a performance, or do you mean it? Either way, it's none of my business.
"...... What are you trying to say?
Don't you get it?　Don't you?

　With one eyebrow raised, he said.

"You'll never be Beatrix M. Orba again.

　What did he mean by that?

　"She" didn't dare to think about it.
　She took it at face value and said.

The guy with that name is dead.
"......, huh?

　The young man didn't say anything else.

　So I took a breath.
　As if to shake it all off, Pasta Pomodoro held out his hand to the grimoire.

"Come on!　The final match has begun!　For the commentary, I've invited Sir Richter L. Klingbloom to join us on short notice!　I'm sure you'll appreciate it, Lord Klingbloom!
............ Yes. Shall we begin?















　He kicked the cobblestones with a bang.
　The footgear worn by Izuna Sienzan hit the cobblestones and shattered underfoot.
　The way she plunged forward like an iron ball that had been hit by a bullet with her own momentum was a more belligerent stance than we had seen in the preliminary rounds.

　But everyone who saw it shuddered.

　"Fast".

　In the preliminary rounds, Izuna Sienzan had been considered a threat because of her sturdy battle style, using a mallet axe and karate.
　But the smart ones had noticed.

　What if...

　But the wiser ones realized that if he were to come at them with such power, that would be the most terrifying thing.

　But Izuna didn't. So they thought she couldn't do it.
　With his strong physique and the weight of his weapon.
　Everyone had the stereotypical notion that he would be inferior to other warriors in agility.

　--It was a simple matter.

　The only reason they didn't make a move was because they weren't in a one-on-one situation.

"What's going to happen?

　What's going to happen?" The crowd erupted in fascination.
　I saw Izuna do something I hadn't seen her do before.

　A run, a leap. He stepped into the cobblestones with such force that the weight of his mallet didn't matter as he flew high into the air.

It's a greeting. ！！！！

　A large wheel swings the mallet axe around its own axis.
　I'm not sure if I'm going to be able to do it, but I'm going to try.

《Hammer Axe: Bakushoku Kintoki》

　This is a great technique that bears his name, but he was unable to use it when we met at the Orba Trading Company. This is the quintessential threat that he can unleash only when he's in perfect condition, and the whole venue erupts in unison.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa!　What is that?　What's that?
"If it was ...... Prim, he might have known about it.
That's right!　I was actually going to invite Prim Lancaster to give a commentary, but there was a bit of a problem, so Lord Klingbloom is here on short notice!　You're a busy man!
'Indeed. --It's more than it seems, though.
"More than it seems?

　I'm not sure if this is a good idea or not, but it's a good idea.
　It's a great way to make sure you don't get caught in the middle of the action.

The weight of the Izuna Sienzan could easily exceed a hundred weights. And the hammer axe weighs several times that. The weight of the hatchet is several times heavier than that. In addition to the weight of Izuna, the weight of the axe, and the power of the leap, the power of the hammer axe that he wielded himself is also included in the power of the slamming force, as you can see.
I'm not sure what to say.　The arena is cut in half: ！！！！！

　The smoke has cleared.
　It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for. The spectators were rendered speechless by the power of the attack, which almost made them forget that they were on cobblestones.

　If you take a hit like that, you're dead.

"You trust me.
"What?　Whose?
Izuna Sienzan said. "There's no way this could kill him.
Wait. Wait.

　I'm sure you've heard of it.

I'm not sure what to say.

　This is the moment when Pasta unintentionally spilled the beans.




"Imitation: Izuna Sienzan-Hammer Axe: Blasted Golden Hour


　Over Izuna, a shadow.



It's a greeting.
"Haha, ......, don't be stupid, ！！！！！！！.

　A vertical storm is raining down on Izuna's brain.
　It's a great way to make sure you're getting the most out of your time with us.

　In addition to the dust that had just flown, even smaller debris was blown away by the wind pressure.
　The wind ripples around the point of impact, licking the entire spectacle and blowing it wildly, causing the live audience to shout.

"Whoa, whoa!
'This is great pasta. No, it's amazing!
"What's that, ......?
"Why aren't you guys watching this?　That's it!
No, that's not possible in this wind. ......

　The wind was so strong that Pasta had to cover his face with his arms.
　There was something wrong with Richter, who was watching the game with his arms crossed without blinking an eye.
　He continued with a look of complete concentration on the game, unconcerned that his hair and clothes were going upside down at a tremendous rate.

I'm sure you'll be pleased to hear that. You're a good warrior, Izuna Sienzan!
"So, what?
Why aren't you watching?　You're on the air!
Explain it to me!　Explain it to me!
Shit. That's why-- Yeah, you guys should listen to this!

　It's not just pasta that's whining about it.
　Richter's merry band of friends were also muttering complaints here and there, saying that this was absurd. Even the fife and drum corps were beating their drums in protest. It was very noisy.

"You must have wondered. You must have wondered why Futa Pomodoro brought the exact same weapon as Izuna Sienzan. He's a genius at mimicry. He uses the same weapon as his opponent and goes above and beyond. You know how Izuna Sisienza called it a challenge?　--Of course, Izuna has never beaten Futa before.
You know what they say about a challenge.
I'm not sure what to say.　You can see it now!　You can see it too!　It's amazing!

　The vision clears again.

　There is still one scar on the earth.

"Hooters. ......!
"...... you.
"The technique, the strategy. My own. I'm telling you, I invented that technique. ......!

　I'm not sure what to say.
　The blood dripping slightly from his forehead was a small wound carved by the wind pressure.
　Futa is still unsteady on the ground.

　Izuna was grabbing the handle of Futa's hatchet with her hand.


"Kuro Hawk Karate: Jigeki Jang


　This was unexpected, even for Futa.
　It's not that he didn't expect it.

　But unexpected is not the same thing as being outdone.
　Rather, for Futa.

That's a bad move.

　One of his hands, which he could use for karate, was blocked. Futa's black hawk karate is faster than Izuna's hammer and axe at this close range.

　I'm sure the damage to his arm will be severe.
　The damage to the arm would be huge. There is no doubt that Kurotaka karate will be greatly affected.

　Isn't Izuna aware of this?
　Futa raised one eyebrow, wondering if it was a matter of pride.

　"I'll grab it, even if it's a bad move, because it's a fighting style I've developed.
　I'm not sure if that's the case or not," he said, shaking his head.

I'm not an idiot, so I get it. I'm not an idiot, I know. I'm pretty sure the left side of my body would go crazy if I did this.
"......

　Then why? I wanted to ask.
　But before I could say it, I knew. I knew.

　Yes, I told you from the beginning. He's coming here as a final.
　Then there's no way he's going to make a bad move just to be proud of himself.

I'm weak.

　The moment he said that, Futa swung his hammer axe away from Izuna.

　It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're doing.



　Instantly, I saw Izuna's body.


"Imitation is good. If you can do better than all of my abilities, then so be it. But...


　He clenched his fist, his left arm, his legs and feet, his feet.

I'm going to win!
"What do you mean by that?

　Huta's eyes widen.
　I don't know why I'm okay. I don't know why I'm okay with this, but I see Izuna, who is suddenly very happy.

　--Huta mimics the trajectory of training.

　So he knew that Izuna had been trained to make these positions.

　But he had no idea why she was doing it.

What do you mean?　I don't know either.
What?
I don't know much about it. I don't know much about it, but Motosuke told me, so I did it. That's all.

　He was repeating something he didn't really understand, he said.
　Futa couldn't help but laugh. I see.



It's a beautiful　Beautiful ...... is an incredibly beautiful posture!
'What?　What's so great about it?
"Why don't you understand?
"I don't know. ......
I don't know why! I'm letting it go to the ground!
"Oh, you mean it's invincible?
You're an idiot.
Huh?
I'm sure you've heard of it. The only thing that Izuna's stance is able to do is to completely destroy Futa's blow!　That's why it's beautiful!
"I don't understand ....... ......
"Why don't you understand?

　Aside from the excited commentators, the audience also seemed to be unsure of how great Izuna was.

　Even Futa didn't know that this was a one-shot trick that Izuna could do for this day.

　Just to beat Futa for once.

　Richter was right.
　Just the best posture to parry Futa's current blow.

　This was based on the assumption that Futa was imitating Izuna, and he was forced to memorize every possible technique so that he could instantly respond to every possible angle.

　The only person who can do such a trick is probably Mochisuke in the capital.

"I see. But is it good?
What's okay?
If I hear that, I can do the same thing.
Huh. ...... Hey, hey, hey, Hooter. You seem to be misunderstanding me.

　I'm not sure what to say.

I'm not sure what you're talking about. I'm sure you're not the only one.

　What will be waiting for them when they kill each other's skills?

　Izuna smiled muddily and held up his hatchet.

I'll even stay with you until tomorrow morning.
I see.


I'm sure you'll be able to figure out what's going on.
Who has the advantage in that case?
Who has the advantage? There is a difference in the number of occasions, and the physical strength to keep fighting is different from the physical strength to work on a short sleep every day. There's a difference between running short distances and walking long distances.
"So... there's no way Bob could beat Master Lilac.


　That's exactly what Futa said in the third game.

　That's what Izuna is trying to say.
　If it's an endurance fight, if it's a physical fight, there's no such thing as imitation.

This is certainly a strategy that no one but ...... you can use.

　The man who wields the hammer and axe on a regular basis.

　It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for.

"...... Master.

　She does not yet know the name of this heartbreaking emotion.