A corner of the courtyard of the royal castle.
In the square that the knights use for training, there are now two girls standing facing each other.

On one side was a girl with short-cut silver hair and princely looks.
The other is a girl in a kimono with black ponytail hair.

By the way, I don't really care about this, but I think Satsuki's taste in calling Irene a 'princess knight' is a bit questionable.
Even putting aside the point that 'princess' and 'knight' are both terms that describe status, calling her a princess-knight seems to me to be somewhat wrong. ...... Well, I guess it doesn't really matter.

I'm not sure what to say. It's only a straight wooden sword, but it's a weapon you're not used to using, so you can use it as an excuse for losing.

Irene walked to the side of the square, picked up two of the wooden swords from the bundle, and tossed one of them to Satsuki.
Satsuki took it with one hand and glared at Irene with hatred.

'Ha, I'll make you cry, princess. You'll have to think of an excuse if you lose.

With that, Satsuki stands, holding the wooden sword she received.
With her back straight and her eyes fixed on the sword, her figure was as beautiful as ever.

Irene, on the other hand, returned to the front of Satsuki and stood with her sword at the ready.
While Satsuki stood straight with a wooden sword in both hands, Irene held the sword in one hand and held it in a half stance with the left half of her body in front of her.
Since Irene also usually uses a shield, the disadvantage of armament is actually mutual.

The three of us, Mee, and Cyril, were watching them from a little distance away.
Mee and Cyril were standing on either side of me.

Then, Mee tugged at the hem of my robe and asked me this question.

'It's a rather unimportant battle, but... who do you think will win this battle?

Mi seemed to be interested in this fight as well.
I thought about it for a while and answered.

'I'm sorry Satsuki, but I don't think it will be a contest.

'...... princess, are you that strong?

Cyril, who is on the opposite side of the room from Mee, looks at me and asks.
I responded without taking my eyes off the two swordsmen facing me.

'Yeah. That's the greatest monster in the kingdom.

And in fact, that's exactly what happened.
The moment I was given the signal and shouted 'let's begin', the next thing I knew.

'......!

Irene quickly closed the distance of ten paces, lowered herself and dived into Satsuki's bosom, and unleashed a scooping blow.
Satsuki reacted to the blow, and while losing her balance, did her best to catch it.

A beat later, the wooden sword in Satsuki's hand was flying through the air.

'I admire you for reacting! But come on!

''Oh, no.''

Irene then grabbed Satsuki's right sleeve with her left hand, which was not holding the sword, and hooked her legs at the same time, knocking Satsuki over onto her back.
She then covered herself and fell down, pushing Satsuki down and placing the wooden sword on her neck.

'......!

'Hmm, I guess I won.

A step later, Satsuki's wooden sword, which had been flying through the air, fell to the ground with a clatter.
It was a quick game.

Irene stands up and brushes the dust from her clothes.

'Okay, now I'm going to show you to my room. Follow me.

He also picked up Satsuki's wooden sword, put it back in its place, and walked toward the castle hall, leaving the defeated Satsuki behind.

'...... d*mn it!

Satsuki sat down and punched the ground with the fist she had made in frustration.

But when a strong man knows that there is someone better than him, he will often aim higher.
Right now, Irene has the upper hand, but Satsuki is also an outstanding person. I don't know how she'll be in a year.

'Satsuki, let's go.

'......'

I reached out my hand, and Satsuki took it, her voice trembling.
Looking at her, I was sure that Satsuki would become stronger in the future.