There was one person who couldn't be defeated.

　Goroiz Mae Kongo - the man who was the highest peak of [Shield Art]. He was a brave man with a bearded face who was known as the most outstanding dwarf in the world.


　It's not just a matter of how much time you have left on the clock.

　I'm not sure if this is because of the fact that I'm a dwarf, but it is because of my race's tendency to have HP, STR, VIT and a status suitable for 【Shield Technique】.

　Perhaps that was why they were in a situation where only dwarves were participating in the Kongo battle.


　However, this was also until half a year ago.

　The Rock'n'Chair New Kongo - the first human (・・・・・) Kongo acquisition - came as a huge shock to the dwarven race.


　That's not all. Zidane, the talented dwarf Zidane, who had competed with Gorlois for Kongo in the past, was defeated by the beastmen (...) of all people.

　If you only lose to a human, or even to a beastman, it's a humiliation .......


　The dwarves were cornered.

　The prestige of the race is at stake in the Kongo battle that will now take place.

　They can't afford to lose again.


　But .......



'Watch closely, it will be decided in an instant.

　The first semifinal match of the Kongo challenger tournament, Eco Leaflet vs. Zidane.

　In the audience for the contestants, Second declared it clearly.

　How does he know that? The reason is simple. In the strategy meeting prior to the fight, he had heard about the tactics that Eco was going to employ in the first round.

　It is ...... so a moment (...) if it sticks.


"-- Start!

　Immediately after, the match begins.

　Eco ran forward at a run, holding his rock koko no shield at the ready.


　Zidane wondered why Eco wasn't prepared with any skills, but he never let his guard down.

　He had learned in the last match that this beast girl was no ordinary fierce person.

　Even though many dwarves may have mocked Zidane, calling her an embarrassment for losing to the beastmen, Zidane did not change her mind. He said that this beastman, Eco Leaflet, was a respectable and competent opponent who had no shame in losing.


''Let's go, little guy!

　Hence, be on your guard. I will not be complacent. No optimism.

　With all the strength he had, Zidane unleashed a rushing attack with the Flying Wheel Shield Technique to Eco.


''Nyahaha!''

　...... For Eco, so what?

　Eco smiled and prepared the Flying Wheel Shield Technique as if to follow, and began to rush forward, canceling the skill when it had moved about five meters, instantly activating the Infantry Shield Technique, immediately canceling it, and beginning to prepare the Silver General Shield Technique at the same time as backstepping.


　A dizzying bargain. However, Zidane did not stop the assault of the Flying Wheel Shielding Technique without hesitation. He saw that all of this was a "fake".

　The diversionary swinging flying car, the Pacman strategy, and the Crab-Canny Silver strategy that Eco had shown in the last Kongo fight. It was the result of studying them over and over again, seared into her eyes.


''I got it!


　Zidane was convinced of his own victory here.

　Eco's 《Silver General Shield Technique》 was, by all appearances, not just in time.

　The only way to deal with the remaining flying cars was to use the "Infantry Shield Technique" to parry. However, Eco didn't seem to be preparing his infantry at all.

　What in the world was he going to do? Zidane couldn't think of anything.

　Hence, he was confident of victory--


!


　--too sweet.


　Eco wavers and falls backwards with the momentum of the backstep just before the Silver General.

　...... Inevitably, the time until Zidane's "flying car shield technique" collides with Eco is extended (...) by that amount.

　Hence, Eco's 《Silver General Shield Art》 is just in time.


　Tomoe Throwing (Tomoenage) - that's what it was called in Mevion, a proven technique.

　Naturally, this was Zidane's first time seeing it.


''Nuh-oh!''

　On top of that, Eco even decided to Parry.

　The grace time to activate Parry in the Silver General is 0.027 seconds. Instead, if it succeeds, a "counterattack" effect is added.


　Zidane was blown diagonally upwards behind Eco in a very come-throwing motion, drawing a large parabola and flying through the air.

　Immediately afterwards, Eco got up and backsteppedaled to approach Zidane's expected landing spot, turned around 180 degrees and began to prepare for the Dragon King shield technique.


''~~!

　Zidane, slammed to the ground with a thud, goes down, unable to speak, and receives a look of anguish.

　And by the time he comes back from his down state, he is already--.


That's it!　Winner, Eco-Leaflet!



　　* * *



'Great, as Lord Second was right, it really was a moment. What kind of name is that set in stone?

　After watching Eco's match, Sylvia asked me curiously.

　This guy always cares about his technique name. As expected of that Alex-san's sister.

　But, unfortunately.

That's not a fixed mark. It's just a matter of time before you find yourself in a position to do something about it.
'The Tesuji ...... Oh, like that thing that doesn't show the moment you shoot the arrow?'
It's basic.
Mmm, there's a lot of confusion.
Simply put, it's like a short set of rules, three moves at a time.
I see.

　Silvia, who had been nodding her head in agreement with a hmmm, stops moving with a snap.

''Hmm?　Wait. So you're saying that Eco blew Lord Zidane away with a single stroke of muscle?
You beat Dee and Elnte on the basics alone.
That's true, but ...... is still a good place to start.

　I feel like I'm getting too strong too quickly - Sylvia said in a small voice.


　...... getting stronger?　You?　The joke's on you.

"How do you think I won the Triple Crown?
The winter speech.
Yes.
As I recall ...... because we are so weak.
Yes,

　Because I'm weak, you guys. That's why I won the Triple Crown without a hitch. What he said in that speech was both a provocation to the summer season and an undeniable fact.


There are too many guys who don't even know the basics," he said, "and that's why we need to learn the basics. "There are too many people who don't even know the basics, and that's why you're head and shoulders above the rest. That's all there is to it.
I agree. But I think that's the basis of the Second Master's reputation.
......, and it's the same

　You're right. But that's the standard I'm looking for: .......


　Ah, yes. I forgot to mention one important thing.

'I said you guys are weak, and I appreciate the effort. Don't get me wrong.
'I know. You may talk a lot, Lord Second, but in the game you always show respect for your opponent.
Yeah. I hope you understand.

　I hate it when people think that the world number one is an arrogant person. The world number one is condescending because of his position, but he is not smug.


"By the way, Second Lord said I won because I learned the basics, but ...... what about Eco?

　The question came out of nowhere.
　'You're curious, Sylvia,' he said.

"Jumping to conclusions is a bad habit.
'Mu...... If you ask me, yes. Sorry.
Well, we'll see what happens in the next game.
Hmm. Well, let's take a look for ourselves.



　　* * *



　In the second semifinal match of the Kongo challenger tournament, Gollois vs. Domingo, Gollois showed his pre-Kongo dignity and won the match.

　Then, the final match. Eco Leaflets vs.


"My opponent is the little guy.
Yeah, nice to meet you!
Ha-ha, good to see you. Take care of yourself.

　Eco is full of energy, and Gorlois is laughing vigorously.
　It's hard to believe that it was just before the game started, but the atmosphere was so convivial.

The little guy looks like he's having a blast.
'Yes!　I love the wedding bandwagon.
Okay. Well, no matter how much fun you're having, I'll always be the bad guy.
Why?
...... Oh?

　When Gorlois said that he would not concede victory, Eco tilted his head with a puzzled look on his face.

　Eco couldn't really understand what Gorlois was saying.


'Mutual courtesy!　Ready!

　They finished curtsying and preparing themselves to face each other as the judges signaled.

　Then Eco said with a natural expression on her face



It's more fun to play. That's why I'm the one who has to get it done.



Start.

　For Gorloisz, a very short and eternally long nightmare had begun.


'Kyaho!'

　With a big smile on his face, Eco runs off without any skills.

...... That's not going to work.

　Gorlois began to prepare for the Dragon King Shield Art while increasing his vigilance.

　It wouldn't be in time, he knew that. This was a move to force the opponent to stop the Dragon King activation and seize the initiative.


''Well, that's how it's going to come.

　Eco responded with the Flying Wheel Shield Technique. He was determined to crush it before the Dragon King was activated.

　Therefore, Gorlois cut back sharply.

　Within 0.2 seconds of Eco's flying car preparations, he cancelled the Dragon King and began to prepare for the Flying Car Shielding Technique. Exactly 0.3 seconds later, he prepared the 《Gold General Shield Technique》 from the flying car cancellation .......


　...... Yes, this is the diversionary swinging car, a battle technique that Eco had shown in the winter game against Zidane.

　Gollois had mastered this battle technique as a means to an end.


"!

　But that's not what wholesalers are for.

　This is a well-done surprise strategy, but for Eco, it's a strategy he's practiced a lot. However, Eco has practiced this strategy a lot.

　Hence, Eco immediately cancelled the flying car and immediately began to prepare the 《Long Horse Shield Technique》.



''--I thought so, little one.


"Huh?


　Gollois had read this trend.

　The diversionary swing flyer is a strategy that makes the opponent think that he can go for a moment. In other words, if you don't go (・・・・・・), you can break the trick. That's why Eco decided to defeat it "without going" with the range attack Ryoma.


　And that's what I was reading. He had read that Eco was not coming.

　In other words - on the contrary, we can go from here.


"!

　At the moment, Eco's ears stand on pins and needles.

　Gollois, who should have been preparing the 《Gold General Shield Technique》, is now trying to activate the ...... 《Flying Car Shield Technique》.

　Gollois was preparing a flying car by further canceling the Golden General after canceling the flying car.

　Two diversions. This was Gollois's strategy.


''Ouch, be prepared.''

　Gorlois's assault with the Flying Wheel Shield Technique is imminent.


''...... Hmph.''

　However, Eco sniffed and exhaled, cancelled the Ryoma extremely calmly, and quietly prepared the Infantry Shield Art--



What?


　--parried.


　It's too dumb. It's as easy as chasing away a small fly.


　The eco-technique that follows up with the "flying car shield technique" in rapid succession.

　Gorlois tried to prevent it with 《Infantry Shield Art》, but failed to parry and went down.

　Then, the last move, 《Long King Shield Art》, attacked Gorloisz, who got up from his down.


''--That's it!　Winner, Eco-Leaflet!





...... I think I get it.
Oh, there he is.
Hmm. Parry has something to do with this, doesn't he?
Yeah, yeah.

　The Eco vs. Gorlois game is over and Sylvia has given the answer to her question.

　The Second speaks the correct answer as a reward for her.


'The dwarves aren't inventive enough to not parry (・・・・). You can't beat Eco then.