Liliella.

We are going to the final stage.

"..........

The crowd watched with bated breath as this battle decided the Dragon Princess.

''Finally, the final match.......''

Ah, so now we know that the Dragon Princess is the Dragon Princess in the truest sense of the word.

　In the quiet hall, I could hear the audience murmuring like that.

''Well I'm not the Dragon Princess, though.

　But the trouble is, ever since I slayed the dragon in the city, the world has been mistaking me for the dragon princess.
　Hmm, I really don't know how I've managed to clear up this misunderstanding.

''Liliera-san.''

　And that's when Leune speaks to me in a small voice.

'What?'

''I want to prove that I'm worthy of being the successor to the Dragon Princess. I want to prove that I am a worthy successor to the Dragon Princess. So I will challenge you with all my might and Liliella, please fight with all my might.

　Leune's gaze is serious.

''........''

　I'm so overwhelmed, so overwhelmed.
　Honestly, it's better to lose this fight.
　In fact, it's no exaggeration to say that you should lose if you want to clear your suspicions of the Dragon Princess.

　But.........the trouble is, losing on purpose is also problematic.
　I'm an adventurer. For an adventurer who lives by his or her own power alone, reputation is very important.
　Even if it's on purpose, once you've lost, that fact remains.
And I would be seen as lower in rank than my opponent.

Because the people who were watching didn't know that I lost on purpose.
　Even more so if they didn't see it. You never know what kind of irresponsible rumors will be spread.

　So even if I'm unwilling to be mistaken for a dragon princess, I can't lose easily.
　If you fight a battle that will stain the reputation of an A-ranked adventurer, that's a credibility issue.

But those trust issues are important too........
But it's also because I don't want to cut corners.
　After all, I am to this girl....　

Step forward.

　I stop thinking about anything else when I hear the judge's voice.
Yeah, the time to think is long over.
　There's only one thing I'm going to do now.
　I step forward and hold my spear.

''.........''

　When she saw that, she also stepped forward and held her spear.
　Yeah, we don't need to have an unnecessary conversation before we fight.
　The spear (this) is our word.

''Dragon Princess' ceremony, the final match!　Liliera vs. Leune, the match....

　The referee raises his hand with the flag directly above him.

'Start!

''Hah!''

　The moment the flag is waved down, Leune and I jump forward.
　Due to the fact that I have activated my body strengthening magic, my speed is faster than yours.
　I'm the first to thrust my spear out.
　But Leune followed my speed with a smooth movement.

''What?!''

　The spears collided at the same time.
　I'm going to have to say that I'm the first to move, but I'm perfectly matched.
　It's a good idea to be able to have a good idea of what you're looking for.　

The tips of their spears collided with each other and were flicked off.
　They both immediately pull back their spears and poke each other.
　They do not make any unnecessary movements. They just thrust straight at each other, bring it back and thrust again.

".........!

　Faster and faster, I poke the spear.
　I incorporate the impact of the bump and bounce into part of the pulling back motion.

　The impact causes sparks to fly.
　Before the glittering sparks are extinguished, new sparks are born, creating a bouquet of light in the small space where the spear hits.

''S, wow...''

Beautiful....

　We could hear a small murmur from the audience, but we didn't have time to understand what it was all about.

''Huh!''

　Realizing that we're not going to get anywhere at this point, we take a big leap backwards with our next thrust.



'Hahahaha...'

　The spear-thrusting, not spitting match, ended and the hall fell silent.

''U........''

"'Ooooh!　It's too much!

　Like a dam, the audience shouted in unison.

''What was that fight!　Can a spear thrust that fast?

No way, I've seen the guards in training and I've never seen anyone thrust that fast!

And what about adventurers?　Maybe a high-ranking adventurer could do it!

How about a B... no, how about an A?

No, no, no, even an A rating wouldn't do it, would it?

''Could it be that's the legendary Dragon Emperor style empty spear technique...?

'Seriously? Learning the Dragon Emperor Style will allow you to be able to fight like that?　Maybe I should take up discipleship in the Dragon Emperor style too?

No, you can't do that.

　With the end of the shoving match, I finally had time to understand the words around me.

''But yes, the Dragon Emperor Style is indeed amazing.

　Yes, indeed, I have learned the Dragon Emperor Style Air Lance Technique from Lex.
I'm sure you'll be able to find out more about it.
I'm sure you'll be able to find out what's going on in the world," he said.

''But that boy became an apprentice of Lex-san after me.

　As long as he became an apprentice later than me, I have the advantage in simple training time.
　That's what I thought.
　Besides, I'm a former B-ranked adventurer and now an A-ranked one.
　I'm proud that I'm also superior in simple actual battle experience.

　But that's not the case with me and Leune.
　I'm sure you'll be able to find out what's going on in the world, but I'm sure you'll be able to find out what's going on in the world.
　I'm sure you'll be able to find out what's going on.

''That girl, unlike me, has been training only the Dragon Emperor style empty spear technique for a long time.

　The Dragon Emperor Style Empty Spear Technique that Leune had learned said that many of the techniques had long since been lost due to the tragedies of the past.
　But even so, the basic training is still in place and she has learned many techniques, albeit imperfectly.
　In contrast, I've only been learning the Dragon Emperor style empty spear technique for a few months.
　The accumulation is different.

　My advantage is only because of the many techniques I have learned from Lex-san.
　But her skills as a pure spearman are definitely better than mine.

　And by meeting Lex-san, she was able to get the opportunity to learn the profound secrets of the Dragon Emperor Style Sorcerer's Art that should have been lost.
　Right now, she's in the middle of growing at a tremendous rate, making up for what she lacked in the past.

''So this battle, it's not like I have an overwhelming advantage...?

　No, really, I'm speechless.

I had no idea I was so vain. I had no idea I was so vain.

　After being taught by a ridiculous person named Lex-san, I went through various shuras, defeated the dragons on my own, and thought I had become incredibly strong.
　That's exactly what I did, to the point where I could even lose to an S-ranked adventurer.

　And just then, this was it.
　You can see how smug I was.

''The world is full of opponents who are stronger than me, just like Lex-san said.

　I see, Mr. Lex was right.
　That habit wasn't an unnaturally low self-esteem or naive, it was a reminder to always be humble, because you never know when and where you might encounter a strong person who was buried in the ground.

''Great, Dragon Princess... no, Liliera-san.''

　Without knowing my feelings, Leune turns her sparkling, respectful gaze towards me.
　I'd rather say that line to you over here.
　I'm sure that if it was me in the past, I wouldn't have been able to beat you.

''Now, here's the real deal!

Yes!

　When I activate the ice attribute enhancement, I freeze the floor of the match stage.

"What?　This is.........

Then he produced an ice dagger in the sole of his foot and slipped out.

''Wah-wah!''

In contrast, Leune must be fighting on the frozen ground for the first time.
　I'm obviously confused by the sensation of my feet sliding.

In the meantime, I accelerate around Leune, gaining enough speed and approaching him while simultaneously making the circle smaller.

''Let's go!''

　I'm going to take it all in stride before Leune gets used to fighting on the frozen ground!

''Haha!''

　The moment he entered the spear interval, he swirled around Leune and slammed a barrage of spears from all directions.

''Kyaaaah!''

　Although Ryune is desperately trying to deflect my attack, it is dangerous to stand on the frozen ground, much less turn his body in the direction where I am.
　It's not a good idea to use your spear-handling skills, but if your feet are not stable, you can't use them to their fullest potential.

　
　Even though I'm the one who's using it, I can't help but think it's a good idea.

'Duh!'

　Leune is knocked off balance by my spear.
　The next spear that strikes her causes a wound in her armor.
But compared to the demons I've defeated so far, it's not quite as tough as the ones I've defeated.

　.........As expected of Lex-san, this armor is so sturdy, just as Lex-san has taken care of it.
　But this weapon is also the equipment that Lex-san trained me with, and as far as tools go, it's as good as it gets!

'Hah!

　Attribute enhancement was applied to the spear, and the surface of the spear was covered with ice filled with magic power.
　It's not easy to shatter the ice created by magic, unlike the original ice.
　The more magic I put into it, the stronger and sharper the ice becomes.

The ice covers not only my weapons, but also my armor, changing the shape of my armor.

''Ryu, the Dragon Princess's armor...''

'Beautiful, it's like jeweled armour...'

　Audiences who have seen the ice, bathed in magic and tinged with blue, praise my armor as a jewel.
　But, you see, this gem isn't just a beautiful jewel.

'Taaaaah!'

　A blow from my spear blows off the right shoulder of Leune's armor.

''Ugh!''

　Unable to bear the impact, Leune slipped and fell on the ice.

'It's over!'

　He thrusts his spear into the fallen Leune without caution.

''Well, not yet!

　But Leune rolls to the side to avoid the attack.
　Then he slips and slips and tries desperately to get up.

'I won't let you!

　In order to keep him from getting poised, I give Leune a series of small blows.

''Wha-wha!''

　I'm going to be able to say that I'm not going to be able to get a good deal more than I'd like to, but I'm not going to be able to get a good deal more than I'd like to.

"You know what?

''Whoa!''

　Ryune threw away her defenses and counterattacked, but even if she could manage to hit the attack without a waistline, it would only hit the ice covering the armor and not reach the armor itself.

''That's not fair!

　It's not cheating, it's my magic, it's not cheating!
　That's the magic Mr. Lex taught me, but it's not cheating!
　Because I learned it while I was dying too!

Then we need a place that's not so well guarded!

It's not so easy to hit you!

　I'm going to apply a one-sided attack while evading Leune's attack.

''Hi-uh!''

　If I continue to push, Leune will eventually be pushed to the edge of the stage and out of the field.
　Leune is a spearman, not a magician, and the only thing Lex-san promised to teach me was the Dragon Emperor style empty spear technique.
So there's no way to fight back dramatically from this situation.
　It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that this is a dead end.

　........But I won't let my guard down.
　Because this girl is, even if she were to be a disciple of Lex-san.
　Knowing his ridiculousness and the brilliance of the Dragon Emperor style spear this kid has been training, I won't let my guard down in the unlikely event!

'As a disciple of Mr. Lex's, I'm older than you are!　So I'm not going to shoot out of the field!　I'll decide here!

Ugh, I'll take it!

　Saying that, Leune sticks his spear into the ground and forces himself to stand up.

''Kuu!''

　Naturally, there were gaps in between, and the armor that was defenselessly attacked by me was shattered, pierced, and blown away.
　Just to get ready to stand up, and that's too much of a sacrifice then.
　But even so, they must have thought it was better than being cut down helplessly while still in a posture.
　As the successor of the Dragon Emperor Style Empty Spear Technique.

''But the disadvantage of the foothold is still the same!

No, we just found the countermeasure!

What did you say?

　What are we supposed to do in this situation?
　No, even if I could do something, I wouldn't let you do it quietly.

I won't let you!

　I poke Leune from all directions while maintaining a high speed rotation.
　With her losing much of her armor, it's impossible for her to protect herself from this attack.
　I'm not going to take a big swing. I'll make sure to finish her off, even if it's modest!

What?

　What Leune did in the next moment was completely unexpected.

''What?!''

　Leune used the stone thrust of his spear on the floor as a support and leapt straight upwards.

What?

　What are you going to do by jumping up?　You're not supposed to be able to use flying magic, unlike us!

"Huh!

　Leune leaped and pulled out his spear with the hand that had touched the stone thrust and slammed a series of spear strikes directly into the ground.

''Daaaaah!''

''What, what!?''

　Forgetting to attack Leune, who is now defenseless in the air, I am involuntarily baffled.
　Then, after being unable to stay afloat in the air, Leune immediately lands on the ground.
　With a firm, straightened posture.

''........If the ground is frozen, then we can crush the frozen ground and dig out the non-slip ground from under it!

Oh...

　Well, that's what it's all about!
　My magic is what froze the surface of the ground.
　The ground didn't turn to ice.
　So you figured if I broke the ice, it would return to the ground as it was!

You're so strong.

　Yeah, I'm honestly surprised.
　In this predicament, this child has successfully pulled off a countermeasure.
　You should not be underestimated for your calmness and ability to think.
　The obvious answer is not always easy to come up with when one is in a panic.

I'm honored by your praise, Princess Ryu. But I've endured Master Lex's hellish training as well!

　I chuckle at Leune's proud expression.

''Well, you endured that guy's special training. Then most pinches are nothing compared to that thing, right?

Yes, sir!

　Oh yeah, she was repeatedly repelled by dragons during Lex-san's training sessions.
　That must have given him some balls.

But, remember?　I'm not the Dragon Princess.

''Oh, that's right. Dragon Princess.........

"Yes, the Dragon Princess...

"...and...

　We will be silent.
　Because the words beyond that should be uttered after the game is over.

'But I'm not going to let you utter them so easily.

Yes, and I don't think I could say it without knocking you down.

We hold each other's spears.

Let's go!

Come in!

　I dive towards Leune.

'I won't let you in!'

　In an attempt to keep them out of the pause, Leune continuously thrusts his spear at them.
　They are both using spears as weapons, so the pause is the same.
　But even with the same type of weapon, the pause changes depending on the individual's physique, how they use it, and the difference in the center of gravity due to the difference in the shape of the weapon.

　I'm not going to be able to take that subtle difference away from you, so Leune does her best to keep me in check.
　But I also stepped in without fear of her spear.

　I'm sure you'll be able to find out more about this.
　In terms of overall strength, including everything but the spear, I'm better than her.

　However, Leune's equipment is a real dragon knight's spear, passed down from ancient times.
　Moreover, due to the fact that Lex-san has forged it, its blade even cuts magic.
Hence, I, an amateur wizard, can't reach the point of deciding the match with a magic attack.

　So I jump in.

''I'm not ready to give up the lead to my juniors yet!　Ice Arrow!

　Just before we get in between each other, I release as much ice arrow magic as I can.

''What!''

　With a foothold secured, Leune easily crushes the ice arrows.
　But no matter!　I jumped in at full speed and thrust out my spear.

"It won't hit you.

　Leune, who immediately tried to intercept my spear, suddenly lost his balance.
　I'm not going to be able to get my footing on the frozen ground again.

What?　Why?

I froze it with magic. I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make it freeze again.

''That's right!

　Yes, the ice arrows were a decoy to focus her consciousness on something other than the ground.
　While she was intercepting the cold ice arrows, she had the ground covered in ice again.

　She winds up Leune's spear, which has lost its balance, and flicks it high into the heavens.
　The spear spun around and flew through the air of the match stage as it spun around and stabbed into the ground outside the field.

　I thrust the spear in front of Leune, who fell to the ground, and told him, "I win.

''I win.

...Yes, I guess I'm losing.

The referees raise their flags wide as Leune admits defeat.

'Winner Lilliera!'

　Whew, that was pretty close.
　There's an unexpectedly talented person hiding in this world.
　It's just one step short, but when you manage to take that one more step, you'll grow up in a heartbeat.
　I wonder if I'll continue to meet people like that in the future.

　And with Lex-san's usual meddling with such people, the number of masters in the world is going to increase tremendously....
　Yeah, I'm afraid there will be more.　

　Anyway, I guess this is the end of a long tournament.
　I feel like we're forgetting something...

"'Woohoo! Dragon Princess-sama-!

Suddenly, a loud voice rises from around me.
Then I remembered.
What I was worried about earlier.

'Wow!　Dragon Princess is unbelievable!　That's too much!

"You're mesmerizing me, man!　Not only the Dragon Princess, the other girl is also absurdly amazing!

'So that's what a legendary dragon knight is capable of!　Lovely!

Dragon Princess!

Everyone around us is calling for the Dragon Princess.

　Oh, shit!　As it turns out, this one's problem is more important than it was solved.
　I was so caught up in the fight that I forgot all about it!

I'm so glad to see that you've finally returned to your country... that you will live long.



　Oh, it looks like the grandparents are crying and clasping their hands together in prayer!

"That's why I'm not the Dragon Princess!

"'Whoa!　Dragon Princess-sama waved us over!

　Unfortunately, my heartfelt cries were drowned out by the cheers of the excited and misunderstood audience.......................gusun