We went at it again and again.

　We've gone at it over and over.

　I've been frustrated so many times.

　I've beaten you up so many times.

　But.

I still don't have it all figured out. But you know what? "But sword fighting is all about showing how you live."

　--For today, I can't lose.







　--outside the arena spectacula. South.


　Flowers in the sky. Song in the wind.

Flowers in the sky, songs in the wind, and sword fires on the ground.

　The young man narrowed his eyes with a bitter expression.

　In the event that you have any questions regarding where and the best way to get in touch with us, please do not hesitate to contact us.

　He doesn't know that there is an ongoing uproar not only in the south, but in all directions, and even if he did, he can't do anything more than worry about this country. It's sad.

It's just.

　He narrows his eyes.
　Before long, the flowers in the sky and the wind in his voice become irrelevant.

　I found myself mesmerized by the battle in front of me.



Aaaaaaaaaaaaah!
"......!!!

　Aylin gritted his teeth.
　I'm not sure what to do, but I'm going to do it.

　But the biggest one is...

"......!
You're shaking!

　He dodged the spear by the skin of his teeth.
　But he landed slightly wrong, and the woman in front of him was not going to let him get away with a slight loss of balance.
　She pulled back the spear and swung it upwards, the Tsuneyama Cross like a cleaved sword.
　Just before her face was about to be sliced open, she managed to sway her body back.
　His own blond hair scattered in the night sky.

"Shut up!

　She clenched her fists and fought back. But it was all deflected by her spear.

　It's that simple.
　In contrast to Prim, who seemed to have come out of her shell and was determined not to be defeated, the current Aylin had lost faith in her own fists.

I'm not going to let you get used to that sweet 'fighting sword' you love so much!
What?

　In a moment, Arawn disappears from in front of Prim.
　It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for and what you can do to help.

　But the sharp edge was not as threatening as it usually was.
　Prim kills the impact and turns to the offensive.

"This ......!!!

　--As they crossed blades, Prim also noticed something.
　"It's good that you've made up your mind to take on her with your sword. But then, he couldn't believe that this woman would just accept it.
　So I was always on guard.
　No matter how dirty she got, I knew I'd get past her.

　Because...

"Futa defeated Arawn with the sword."

　Because that's how he won.

　But... But no matter how long you wait, her dirty style won't attack. There's always a choice. This night. Unsteady footing. Richter battered and bruised.

　And yet she never stopped swinging her fists.

　And to top it off, that tone of voice.

What's with the tone?
"What the ......?

　"What the hell?" "" Laughing and getting down and dirty.
　That's the little mermaid of the mountains and rivers that Prim knows.

　And yet, what does she look like now?
　As Richter said, she seems lost.

　I'm not interested in her hesitation.
　Just a few moments ago, I would have smashed her throat with her hesitation, and left her corpse in a hole like a straw doll.

　But with a sword, it's a different story.

"...... to show how to live.

　I didn't know you were thinking that.
　You can find a lot of things that you can do to make your life easier.

　Prim didn't know that he'd been a disgrace on the commentary table, that he'd been so excited.
　He didn't even see the final between Aylan and Huta.

　So there were things I didn't see.
　The time I spent holed up with a broken heart was too heavy.
　But...

　That's why I was so worried.
　I was troubled-- there were many people in King's Landing.


　The Colosseum is a much more colorful place than it was when I was there, with people who have gone through their own thoughts and worries.

　So I can say.

"If we talk, we'll understand each other?
I'm just saying it might. I'm sure you're not the only one who's had it with Arawn.

I'm sure you're not the only one.　I'm not sure what to make of it, but I'm sure it's a good idea.
What?

　"Strength."
　She's the one who told Prim she was weak, the one who believes in power.

What are you messing around with?
Come on, say it!　You're just out of the minor leagues...

　She raises her spear and releases her thoughts.
　I've fought her many times. From the time she rose to the position of [Tenka Hassen].

"Don't get carried away!
"Goo, ......!


I'll be back.


　I'm not sure if you'll be able to find the right one for you.
　I'm not sure what to make of it.
　The usual Aylan would have found a better way to dodge it. Prim didn't know what that was exactly, but disappointment was a good thing in a fight. "But not in sword fighting.

"This is not how it's supposed to be, Arawn!
Your provocations are annoying. ......
What's wrong with you? You burned down people's houses and now you're acting like you're the victim, you're pissing me off!

　It wasn't your house that burned down, aside from the Lord Treasurer who gave me the cold shoulder.

It's not your house that burned down.
I don't know anything about that!

　Iron clashing against iron.

　I'm not sure if you've ever heard of this, but I'm sure you've heard of it.


I think there's a meaning to me talking to Prim like this.
"Meaning?"
I don't know if I can understand, if we can understand each other. I'm not Lilac or Mr. Richter, so I can't tell the difference. Experience, knowledge, ...... beliefs... I'm sure there are many things that determine whether or not we can understand each other, but I don't know them. I don't know. But I can come to my own conclusions by talking about it. So I think there is a meaning to it.


"I don't know what you're thinking, but!　But!


"So I'm going to show the world that even from the bottom you can make it to the top.



All those big words you used to say... now they're just so f*cking stupid!　You bottom-feeder!　Bollocks!
"～～～～!!!

　Prim doesn't know anything about Aylin's past.
　I'm not sure if you've ever heard of it, but I'm sure you've heard of it.

　Aylin's anger was instantly aroused, and it showed in his fist.

"You don't know anything, little girl!
"You're the one who didn't tell me, you idiot!

　Ah, I feel like I've transferred the cursing skills of a woman I hate.

"Requiem.

I can't take it.

　I'm not going to be able to take it." The fist opened up and attacked with a "kill" chant.
　But Prim kept her cool. --Even if she thought it was a sword fight, she wasn't so sure.

　I felt it painfully in that tournament.
　But now, strangely, she didn't see it as a threat.

　I think it's cowardly. I find it annoying. Her technique is not sword fighting.
　Is it because this is a wild game? --No, I'm sure not.


"As a human being, you must never forget your purpose. Rather, we must spare nothing for our purpose.


I will win with the sword. If I can win, I don't care what you do.

　His fighting spirit was cool.
　The way he handled the spear, his body language, the determination in his eyes.

　Hmm," Richter nodded.
　I don't know why, but...

　--Apparently, he was back on the right track.

　After all, Richter had known it all along.
　She couldn't break the spear.
　It was not a question of quitting sword fighting. She could do whatever she wanted.

　It's just that when I got the call from Hura's house, I was sure.

　After all, she was.
　Her spear.


　It's there to protect someone.

　That's why.
　I couldn't let him lose what he was protecting. That was Richter's fault, I'm sure. That's why I'm here.

　In contrast.

That's a lot of leeway!
Well, maybe so. You're not scary now. Did Richter beat you with his mouth?　I'm sorry to say it, but Richter's not very good at arguing.

　Compared to whom, Richter thought.
　He was probably judging her by the way she interacted with some black princess, but he wanted to say out loud that she was just too bad.

　Nevertheless.

　Aylin, with a cloudy expression, looked at her with annoyance.
　He didn't have his usual composure on his face, and Richter knew why he was worried.

　But it is not necessary to say it now.
　What is needed is this battle itself.

I didn't understand. "I didn't know what strength was. And in the end, I don't know. I don't know why you're so weak after what you've done.
Shut up!
Oh, I can't do this.


You can't talk to him?
I'll talk to him. I'll try. And if I don't think I can, then I don't have a choice. But you don't know until you talk to him.


　Prim exhaled and took up the spear again.

　She knew exactly what was shaping her calmness.
　In the past, she would have thrown the same tantrum at Aylan's incomprehensible claims.


There are emotions that can't be helped. Now that I've managed to do something decent, ...... I had to win. That's how I've always felt. So you're saying we can talk it out, win or lose?　No. No way.


　But now I know.
　Arawn also had some strong beliefs.
　And he's wavering.
　I don't know what it is, but...

　The more we believe, the stronger we become.
　The stronger you are, the more convincing your words become.

　That's also something I learned the other day.


The only reason Arawn's words sound right is because you lost, little man. The rules of the world, plain and simple. And by the way, the rules of the bad guys.
"The ...... rules of scoundrels?
"That woman was under the misapprehension that Futa and I were one and the same. But she's more like me. She's lived in the mud where you have to win or die. To him, losing is like dying. He's not going to let you just stand back and let him get away with it.


"Don't worry, Arawn. I'll beat you. --"Don't worry, Arawn. I'll let you get away with just laying down your spear and cowering.
"Nonsense. ......!　Only you swordsmen can lose a battle and be happy about it!
"I'm not smiling.

　He catches the swinging fist with the hilt of his spear.
　There was a dull thud, and her eyes met Prim's.
　The two of them came close together, as if locked in a fierce battle.
　If you look at them up close, you can still see some things.

　There are some things that you can see when you look at them closely, like the fact that their eyes, which once believed in something straightforward, are wavering.


　Prim suddenly thinks.
　What will I do if I lose the battle?

　Now that she thinks about it, she realizes how pathetic she is.

What are you looking so surprised about, Zako? If it were me, I'd definitely fight again and again until I beat Arawn. --That's what I'm doing. There's no time to lose.

　That annoying woman is right.

"I'm not giving up the fight. I'm a gladiator. Even if I lose a fight, I'll keep trying until I win!