"The Sword God's Cup?
'Yes!　Named after the illusory [super-grade profession], the [Sword God], this is the biggest tournament in the Sword City to determine the greatest swordsman in name and reality!　Of course, I'd love to have Arrell-san compete in the tournament!

　Saying that, Lilia held out what was an entry sheet.

''It's not the marriage license that was made to look like that, is it?
What do you mean, no?
Then why are you in such a hurry to look away?
No, I was thinking of that option... of course, I dismissed it because it would definitely be exposed!

　.......You've been thinking about it.

　It's been a while since that rivalry, but I was still a member of Dragonfang.
　Training and muscle training with Laina is the main menu these days, and there's no need for me to move to another major guild in a hurry.

　As I found out during the recent rivalry, the best way to hone my real-world skills is to fight against strong opponents.
　Since there are only B-class swordsmen here, it's a bit lacking.
If they could master the 《Stout Swordsman》 skill, they would no longer have any use for this guild.

''No, no, why are you so businesslike!　Don't you have any affection for the fact that we've protected this guild together!　There are beautiful women like this!
No.
Assured!

　Lilia shouts with her head in her hands.

'You say it like we fought together in the first place, but you didn't do anything about it, did you?　Don't take the liberty of glorifying the past.
Ugh.

　Lilia is frightened because my point is too brazen.

'So, but!　This is the guild that your mother was in!　I think we can take that into account as well!
You're my mother. I'm me.
What a cold son you are!

　After shouting out loud, Lilia let out a loud sigh, huh.

''When I found out that Arel-san's mother was that 《Sword Princess》 Fara, I thought it was truly fate....... How could someone with no blood and tears like Arel-san be born from such a kind and receptive woman.......
Is that really all you need to know?

　Just in case you're wondering, I have blood and tears too.
　.........Come to think of it, I've been shedding blood every day lately, but I don't remember shedding any tears at all.

"I've managed to get you out of danger for the time being. That should be enough.
''Then at least enter the Sword God's Cup as a member of Dragon Fang!
''Come to think of it, we were talking about that. When exactly is this Sword God's Cup thing going to be held?
Well, you see.

　According to what Lilia explained to me, there are qualifiers and finals in the Kenjin Cup.
　In total, only thirty-two people could participate in the main competition.

　Twenty of them were confirmed by twenty A-level swordsmen.
　The remaining twelve slots were to be contested by fencers of B grade or lower in the preliminary round.

'Arrell-san is still a D-class fencer, so he has to win the first and second qualifying rounds and two more to qualify for the main competition.

　The first preliminary round is said to be held with only C-grade and D-grade swordsmen.
　In total, there are about 400 fencers competing, and only one of them is allowed to advance to the second round.

　If a swordsman survives, he or she is put through to the second round, where the B-grade swordsman participates.
　Again, out of nearly a hundred fencers, only twelve were allowed to compete in the final round.

　The final round was to be decided by the 32 contestants, consisting of the 20 A-class fencers and the four who had passed the preliminary round.

'It's not an easy road, is it?
'Yes, that's right. And the first round will be held a week later. Then we'll go through the second round, and the final round will be about a month from now.

　A month later?
　At the current pace, it would be roughly around that time that he would be able to learn the 《Rigid Swordsman》 skill.

''Also, if you want to gain some real-world experience, I have the perfect place for you!
Hmm?





　Lilia's guide brought us to a large building in the western part of the city.
　It looks like a prison, but people have been coming and going without a hitch since a while ago.

''Is this the dungeon you're referring to?
'Yes!　Here in the City of Swords, there's a vast labyrinth underneath!

　Dungeons.
　It is said that the gods give birth to this world on a whim, and it is a mysterious labyrinth that exists all over the world.

　Each dungeon has its own characteristics, but the common denominator of all dungeons is a complex maze-like structure with many traps and crawling with demons.

　But I didn't expect to find a dungeon in a city.

Originally, the dungeon was there first, and then the city was built on top of it. The reason being, this dungeon was the perfect place for sword training.

　And Lyrina.

'What exactly?'
Well, you'll find out when you get there.

　Since he's so deserving, I had no choice but to follow Lilia into that building.

　By the way, Laina was also with me.
　When I told her I was going to the dungeon with Lilia, she said she was going to follow me.

''Wow, I also wanted to build up some actual battle for the Sword God Cup!

　She's going to compete in it too, apparently.
　Or rather, I heard that more than 90% of the swordsmen in this city are going to compete.

''........This was our chance to be alone together....... The plan is to use the dungeon effect to mistake the pounding of the dungeon for the pounding of romance and rapidly approach each other.............

　Lilia is muttering something disappointing, so I think it's a good thing Laina followed me.