Excuse me. Sir Alfred.

　Before the match, I went to the waiting room of my opponent, Alfred. I visited the waiting room of my opponent in the final, Alfred-dono.
　He was a mature man with shaggy, dull-colored hair.

'Oh, why are you here?　Sylvia Virginia.

　He was blind. But he could sense exactly who I was by my call alone. And even my exact location.

'I thought you were related to General Elnte's demon piercer, and I came to talk to you.
Yeah. So...
Hmm. I've had some idea--

　I tell the story from the act of being made a dee-mix that day to the end of my kneeling down.

　When Lord Alfred heard the punchline of the story, he opened his mouth wide and laughed.


'I see. You've got an interesting mentor.'

'Hmm. Mostly because he would be disgusted with me, I suppose, and that's what he blurted out in front of you, isn't it?
"!　How do you know?
'From what I've heard, you are a very straightforward person. And he's thoughtful in a way that makes him seem passionate. It's a simple deduction. You must have naturally led him to visit me.
...... directions.

　I didn't realize it until I was told. Indeed, if Second-dono hadn't said something like, "I'm going to make that guy feel a little sorry for me," I probably wouldn't have visited Alfred-dono.
　The word 'pitying thoughts' bothered me so much that I made up my mind to visit.

'He seems to know how to handle you,'
I'm both happy and sad, and it's a mixed bag.

　Well, to tell you the truth, I'm just happy. I'm sure Alfred-dono will see through it. Ummm, I'm embarrassed.


"I have no intention of defeating you. But I might as well tell you.

　May I speak with you? I suppose this is about the relationship between Lord Alfred and General Elnte.

　I replied, 'By all means,' and straightened up.


''It's a simple matter, though. I lost my position as a demon hunter when that man blinded me.
What?
Quiet.
...... I'm sorry.

　I was distraught.
　But was I blinded?　That's .......

Why don't you fix it?

　If only I had a high-grade potion, my crushed eyes would be healed. From the looks of it, he doesn't seem to be in need of money.

　...... No, I realized that after I said it. You'll find that Alfred's eyes are right there.

No. It cannot be cured. I've been told by someone familiar with the subject that it's some kind of witchcraft.
Spellcraft: ......
They say that only a saint can cure you.
A saint?

　"A saint -- the one and only one in the hereditary system that continues to reign at the top of [Recovery Magic].

...... Kamel Godland?
Yes. I wouldn't have been able to get anywhere near that country. Even more so when you are a saint. I've been asking to see her for months, but she's still a pear-shaped cone.

　Yes. This is the kind of country that was secretly planning to invade the Kingdom of Castal with the highly addictive and dangerous drug 'Calameria'. Any title contender must not be a simple matter.

　...... Hmmm. One possibility.

I think Ichusenza may know something about this. No, I'm sure he knows something. "I'll tell you the story while you're in the kingdom.

　I'm sure our crazy team master would know a solution other than a saint. I can say that with certainty. I've never seen or heard of anyone who knows more than he does in terms of skills.

Thank you, ......, I'll be counting on you.

　Lord Alfred bowed his head in honest thanks for my suggestion. Then he continued.

'You are very kind. And you have a strong sense of ...... justice. You haven't been able to hide it from me for a while now.

　I knew they had noticed.
　My gut churning, gut-wrenching rage at this.

I'm not going to be able to blind them. ...... It's outrageous. I knew he was a nasty old man.
At first glance, the old man appears to be an aloof and pleasant old man, but there is a darkness swirling in his heart. Truly cunning. And cruel. He will stop at nothing to win.
...... retaliation.
'Yes. I have mastered blind archery to this day. I have made a mountain of measures against Elnte and the Mix sisters. Hence, this is a place that I will not let go.

　Lord Alfred's determination was quite firm.
　As for me cutting corners in the next round, that's not possible. It is the most rude thing to do to him, to the Second Lord and to the spectators.

'But. I have to tell you one thing after listening to you. That old man's disciple, the Mix Sisters.
Dee and Jaye.
Yes. Those two are being used for good by Elnte. They have studied under Elnte for many years. Their personalities should be bent, don't they?

　What do you mean?　Should it be bent ......?　......!

"--No way!　Elnte!
'Yes. It was Elnte, of all people, who developed them into that kind of character. And he uses their personalities to gather information about their opponents in advance. Not and crush them. The tricky part is that it's Dee and Jay who get hated for it. Elnte's name remains intact. It's Elnte who's instigating it: ......!

　Alfred-dono clenches his fists and expresses his quiet anger.
　Perhaps he is more heartbroken about the fact that the Mix sisters are being used than about having his own eyes squashed. I saw the sad expression on his face.

'You understand. Elnte is such an old man. An enemy that must surely be defeated with my own hands. Therefore, I must defeat you at all costs.


　...... The weight of what you bet is different, huh?

　I finally understood what Lord Second was saying.
　I'm going to make you feel sorry for me--'

I'm sorry, Alfred. I have no intention of losing either.






　The final of the tournament to determine the challenger.
　My opponent was the blind archer Alfred-dono.

　He and I didn't say anything, we just held our bows quietly and waited for the judge's voice.

　...... Win or lose, no hard feelings.


Begin!

　The order is given.
　With a heavy heart, I prepared my "Infantry Bowmanship" and fired at Alfred-dono.

　The surprise attack method, part one - the "new demon killer". This is the first move.

Sweet.

　Alfred-dono ducked with a fluttery minimal movement, as if he knew that the arrows would fly there.

　And then, as a counterattack, he unleashed the 《Infantry Archery》.

''Muu!

　It's sharp. It's an aim several steps above that of Dee's shot. He's caught my head precisely at this distance.

　But it's still lukewarm. There are monsters out there who will shoot you in the face, right between the eyes, as if you were breathing, from any distance, no matter how much you're moving. I had been training with such a man for three weeks. I was used to it, to say the least.

'Ha!'

　Next, the infantry archery. With a whack, three consecutive shots. This is also a preparation for the "New Demon Killer".


"Good arm.
You too.

　Then we continued to skirmish with each other in the Infantry Archery.

　Alfred-dono is looking for my way out. It's just as Second-dono said. I am a new face, I guess I don't have enough information. I saw that it was their aim to get ahead of me.

　But I don't want you to think that I was simply shooting the infantry bow technique.

　If you want to set it up, it's here: ......!


Let's take it!　"The new demon killer!"


　I kept my manners firmly in place and then rushed forward briskly.

　Alfred-dono is preparing some kind of skill. Perhaps it's a "response system".
　That choice is not inherently a mistake.

　...... originally.


What ......?

　I prepared 《Angular Rowing Archery》 in line with Alfred-dono's skill preparation and released it into the sky (...).

　I am confused. I could see that situation.

''Kukku.''

　Alfred-dono, who probably didn't know what we were aiming for, cancelled the skill he was preparing and moved only three quick steps to the left.


　............ awesome. He really went to the left. I was right on target.

　I have been unleashing 《Infantry Archery》 to corner him to the right until now. When you think of the fact that out of field = defeat, you unconsciously want to move to the left. It was a very simple guidance, but its effect was outstanding.


''There's a winner!

　I shout loudly while approaching with all my might.

　My 《Angular Row Archery》 was only a short distance away from Alfred-dono's brain.


''Be on your guard!''

　However. That arrow did not reach Alfred-dono directly.


　He swiftly prepared the Incense Carriage Archery and released it above his own head, and the approaching arrow of the Angular Row Archery--


...... I'm sorry.
!


　--Before playing, before that. The combination of Infantry Archery and Gui Horse Archery that I released while shouting loudly collided first with the arrow of the Angular Row Archery.

　''Kyin!　A high-pitched sound rang out.

　The 《Kakuyo Archery》 has a penetrating effect, while the combined 《Infantry Archery》 and 《Gui Ma Archery》 does not have a penetrating effect. Hence, the piercing arrows should win if they clash.

　But what if the arrow hit the side of that piercing arrow?

　The answer is displacement (...). The trajectory of the piercing arrows will shift. If it was hit by the 【Infantry Archery】, a poor skill compared to the 【Angular Rowing Archery】, then it would be slightly (...) off.


''Whoa!

　Alfred-dono's 《incense car archery》 did not hit the piercing arrow whose trajectory was slightly off. He ate the 《Angular Row Archery》 on his left shoulder and suddenly lost his balance.


''Ku...... well, not yet!

　However, he did not fall down. He regained his position with terrifying energy and tried to shoot 《Infantry Archery》 towards us.


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

　I silently unleashed the Golden General Archery. A ranged attack to within a 3 meter radius + knockback.


　...... It was already that close. Alfred-dono had been cornered to the very edge, to the point where he could no longer capture my position. Even so, he never fell to his knees, and he was going to attack until the very end.


''--!

　Lord Alfred is blown backwards by the knockback effect.


　Oh. Well, the destination is .......



"Out of the field...!　That's enough!　The winner, Sylvia Virginia!


　Always have multiple aims. This is what Second-dono taught me.

　The New Demon Killer is a surprise battle method in which he responds to the Angular Archery from the sky, shifts his trajectory with a sniper with the Guiama Archery right before, pretends it's his true mission, and at the same time aims for a close-range attack from a rapid approach.

　This is a really troublesome strategy for the blinded Alfred-dono.


　It's a good thing that you can't get away with it.


"...... Leave General Ernte Onion Piercing to me.
Please.

　A short, single word. After saying just that, Lord Alfred fainted.


　...... You can't lose anymore.
　The stock of surprise warfare is now zero. Now, what is to be done?

　However, I have found something to bet on.

　I am a knight. A knight of Lord Second.
　For the sake of his beloved title fight, and to protect that order, I fight for justice: ......!






　The final match of the Onion Punisher's battle.
　My opponent is, needless to say, this old man with a smiling face. This old man with a smiling smile on his face. General Elnte.

I'm glad to hear that you've settled the matter with Dee. I was really tortured myself too.

　How dare you? How dare you? It was you who sent it to me.

"You're afraid, aren't you?
What?
You're afraid of losing to me, aren't you?　A number of the tactics I have used against Dee and Lord Alfred. You're afraid to turn them on yourself, aren't you?

　He said matter-of-factly. Then Elnte's expression grew stronger.

The weaker a demon is, the more it barks. Isn't it you who doesn't have the luxury of time?
You'll never know unless you try.
'Ha ...... ha ha!　Hahahahaha!
...... What's funny?

　--creepy.
　Suddenly Elnte burst out laughing, and he opened one eye, hidden behind his old, wrinkled skin, and turned to me with a guillotine, and opened his mouth with a distorted smile.

Whether Dee comes, or Jay, or that young lad, or you, I will win. All your tricks have been revealed to me in reaching this point. I don't care how much trouble my little fishes are in.
...... despicable.
Call it what you will. All you have to do is win. For 400 years I have lived that way. If I didn't, I couldn't win. If not, I cannot live. I am going to tell you who is ignorant. The War of the Enemies is a bloody, murderous battle.
I knew you were taking advantage of the mixed sisters.
What's so unsettling about it?　Using an apprentice to get into the contestant's hands?　Or is it to stalk the disciples and crush the contestants?　Or is it to teach your apprentice a half-assed archery technique that will never rival the master?
It's all yours: ......!


　Bows at the ready, moving into position for each other.


　--I want to win.
　I've never wanted to win more than I do.

　Win, win, win. Win, win, win. ......!


Begin!

　The order is given by the referee.
　I immediately sprinted to close the gap between me and Elnte.

　The Demon Killer, for starters. Then the incense car rocket. Then the new demon killer. I'll use everything I've got.


"Well, what's coming next?

　Elnte has a look of composure.

　Watch. That face will be distorted with shame.




　　* * *




Well, here's what happens: ......

　The match between Sylvia and Elnte was generally what I expected.

　The Oni Killer, Incense Rocket, and New Oni Killer ...... all don't work against Elnte. Because all of them have been shown once.

　Ernte didn't give me a chance to shoot the Angular Row Archery at his feet, dig a hole with the Dragon Horse Archery, or guide him to the edge with the Infantry Archery, either.


''Guh!''

　Also, Sylvia will be hit by a bullet.

　If the surprise strategy doesn't work, then the rest is a clash of strength.


　With hundreds of years of experience and three weeks of experience, it's no ...... match.



''d*mn ...... that!

　Stand up.

　Repeatedly. Again and again.

　Silvia stands up without punishment and confronts the demon piercing general.


　There was no way she could win. That, that guy must have known painfully well before the match.


　...... Still. I'm going to get up. I'm going to stand up to him. The old man, who smiles thinly, at least wants to strike a blow.


'Not yet, was ......!

　Sylvia's entire body was covered in wounds.
　There were three arrows stuck in her left arm, which she had used as a shield, and she would no longer be able to move.

　That's right. There is no more means of attack, though.

　And yet. I stand up. I stand up.


　Like an idiot. Just stand straight and true.

　Again and again. Over and over. And again.



"Yeah, go to ...... and go to ......!
Shirubia ...... Good luck ......!

　I found myself getting up from my seat and cheering.

　So did Eco. You're with me. I couldn't stand still.


'--Silvia!　Get in close!　It's the only way!

　Cheers flew from the crowd.
　The one who raised his voice was Noir Virginia. It was Sylvia's father.

　I was surprised that that man, who seemed so quiet and stolid, could raise his voice so high. Anyone who knew him would have been heartily surprised, but ...... I like, like that!

Go!　Step forward!　Sylvia!
'Icky!　SHIRUBI AAH!


　I will support you with all my might.

　I am sure Sylvia is now on the verge of justice.


　She can't let this happen to her.

　She can't lose anymore.

　That's why I'm rooting for her.

　At least let her fall forward.



"Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa!

　Sylvia screamed and sprinted, spewing blood-repulsion.


'In vain. In vain.'

　Elnte's 《Infantry Archery》 attacked his body.


''Ugh, ugh...... uggh!

　It was a limp and stabbed.

　Sylvia's, legs, stop.

　And yet, never, never kneel.


I think it's time to end this.

　Elnte muttered coldly and prepared the 《Flying Car Archery》.


''--Silvia!

　I exclaimed involuntarily.




　Sylvia moves forward in response to my cry.


　You can't even guard that bow with an arrow. Just stay in body, straight ahead.


　That's right: go ...... forward.

　Go to ......!　Go!　Go!　Go to ......!



It's not worth it.

　Elnte unleashes the Flying Wheel Archery.



　...... everyone.

　"It's the end, that's what I thought, isn't it?




What--what?

　Elnte's face was filled with astonishment.


　Silvia ducked Elnte's 《Flying Car Archery》 by falling to the ground.

　It's a surprise to me that he still had that kind of energy in him.



''Arghhhh!


　The surprise wasn't over yet.


　Sylvia roughly pulled out the arrow that was stuck in her left arm with her right hand and grabbed it in her reverse hand.


''Eat it!

　I charge at Gambura.


''Ugah!''

　It's no longer [archery] or anything else.

　Silvia stabbed the arrow held in her right hand into Elnte's neck, with all her might.


''Gu ...... is ......!

Haha ...... haha ...... haha ......!


　Elnte took a few steps back, holding his neck.

　His face contorted in pain.


　...... And.



'Ko, little girl, ahhh!


　Exclamation.

　Elnte was enraged.

　He immediately activated the 《Infantry Archery》 and slammed it into Silvia's face.


''----''

　Critical hit.

　Elnte approaches Sylvia, who has fallen on her back, and stomps on her neck.


'On my neck here!　Arrow!　Stabbing.　This is unacceptable!　This is unacceptable!

　He kept kicking like a doss and a bellyache.

　It was too ugly a sight.


'Shh, there's a winner!　The winner, General Elnte Demon Punisher!


"Senkandoku.

　Eco speaks up.

　...... Yeah, yeah, right.


We'll take care of it.

　I said a word to Eco.

　Then I said a few words to the blind man sitting behind me and got up from my seat.



　Bless that good-looking, brave man.

　Bless that ugly old man.




　　* * * *



...... ......

　I felt as if someone had stroked my cheek and brought me back to the consciousness I should have lost.

　Slowly I open my eyes and there stands my beloved.


'Drink this,'

　The potion is handed to you.

　...... Oh, yeah. I must have lost it.


............?

　I staggered up a bit, drank a high-grade potion, and looked around.

　I thought it was the waiting room, but it was still the center of the arena.


'？？？？'


　So why is Lord Second Lord here ......?





Attention!　Now, an exhibition match will be held by General Elnte Onion Piercing and Second Firth Test Flash ZA!




　...... Ugh, you're lying, right?


Why?　I am not listening to you!　I refuse to--



"I command you in the name of King Mein Kastal of the Kingdom of Kastal. General Elnte Onion Piercing, you are to accept an exhibition with Second Isshuiza.


"Go to ............, Your Majesty.

Come on, get in position. General Elnte Onion Piercing.
There's nowhere to run, old man.