About 20 days have passed since the Duke promised Ardis a spot in the Fuyo Cup.
　In the meantime, the royal capital has gradually become more crowded with people coming from farther away to the main street than usual.
　Colorful stalls lined up along both sides of the big street, and the lodges seemed to be fully booked with guests everywhere.

　The first day of the Fuyo Cup (Lotus Cup).

　It's the day of the big event that the capital city of Gran is booming like every year.
　The Royal arena is packed with spectators as the curtain of the battle is about to fall, so the venue, the Royal arena, is packed with spectators.

Did you see the contestants' faces?

''Oh, I've seen it, I've seen it. From the army, there was the deputy commander of the third division, the young guy rumored to be the commander of the assault company and his secret son, and from the searchers, there was a sword demon, an axe holy man, Nagare the twin horn, and a mercenary woman who has recently made a name for herself. That's another great group of people.

　In one corner of the bleachers, a few men were killing time looking at the list of contestants from a distance.
　Next to the man who was excitedly counting the famous contestants, another man tilted his head and murmured, "Hey, there's a guy by the name of Moore Glaister," he said.

'Hey, there's a guy over there named Moore Glaista: ......

'Moore?　Moore is that ex-mercenary?

　The name is overheard and yet another man confirms it in a questioning tone.

'Is that guy coming out?　You've never come out before.

Why now?

　It was natural for them to wonder.
　Although Moore was said to be one of the ten best in the kingdom's military, he had never participated in the Fu Rong Cup (Lotus Cup) throughout his time as a mercenary and soldier.

It's not like I've ever been able to take it easy before. Rumor has it that he was fired from the army after disappearing for a year.''

"So you want to rush to the Lotus Cup to make a name for yourself?　That's very selfish of you.

　The uninformed men despise Moore for his self-serving reasoning.

But he's a strong man.　With the right combination, we'll probably make it to the semifinals or something.

　Nevertheless, Moore's strength is known to the people of King's City, and whether they like it or not, they must be united in their expectations of his activities.
　The other men nodded vigorously, saying, ''That's right.

''More importantly, it's .......''

　One man opens his mouth to change the subject.

'What?'

"Who's that 'Aldis' guy?

　The man who had been staring at the list of contestants recognized the name.

'Aldis?　Who's that guy?

Isn't that the 'Wizard of a Thousand Swords'?

　The name of Ardis, who defeated the three most powerful demons in the kingdom, is spreading throughout the royal capital.
　They are not men who don't know this, but their preconceptions that there is no way they would be on the list of contestants for the Lotus Cup, a martial arts competition, raises a question mark above their heads.
　You can find a number of different types of products and services on the market.

'What?　Why is the magician's name on the list of contestants for the Fuyo Cup (Lotus Cup)?

I don't know what the f*ck you're talking about.

Didn't the Lotus Cup forbid magic?

Don't take it for granted.

　They question and complain to each other.

'Isn't it just a matter of numbers?　We've lost a few good men in the war against the Empire.

　It's true that the Royal Army suffered catastrophic losses in its war with the Empire.
　At the same time, we also lost many talented people who belonged to the army.
　In this year's Fuyo Cup (Lotus Cup), the percentage of contestants, such as mercenaries and searchers, other than military officers, has increased compared to the previous times when it was held, which can be seen from the fact that the percentage of contestants has increased.

''Just because there aren't enough of them, why do they have to bring out mages again? If that's the case, then there are plenty of other strong guys out there.

　However, even though the number of talented people has decreased, there are still many people who need to fill the void.
　Ted, the leader of the Myoujo of Byakuya, who is active in Trier, is a typical example of this.
　I don't understand the meaning of pushing those talented people away and letting a magician sit in the contestants' seats.

''That's true, too: ......

What's the sorcerer doing here?

　In the end, they couldn't come to any conclusions, and there was no one to tell them the right answer.
　All the men were silent, twisting their heads with a puzzled expression on their faces.





　In the meantime, there is a corner of the noble seat that overlooks the hall.
　The place assigned to the high-ranking aristocrats was built like a semi-private room surrounded by walls on three sides, except for the front.
　The front part of the room is open so that you can see the entire arena, while the upper part is covered by a roof to block out the sun and rain.

　A duke is a position that deserves such special treatment.
　No separate space is given to those below the count.
　If they wanted to watch the games, they had to sit together with the other nobles in the general area called the nobleman's seat.
　Of course, there was no need to buy an admission ticket, and they didn't have to bump shoulders with their neighbors as the commoners did, which was a sufficient privilege.

　On the other hand, those who have the rank of knighthood or higher are given a relaxed space and the right to watch the games with their families under the protection of their guards.
　In a society of status, it was only natural.

　The people present here are the Duke of Nilesteria, his daughter Minerva, his two servants and five guards. And then there was Aldis, Minerva's teacher and Lotus Cup contestant, and Moore, who stood beside her.
　Aside from Aldis, the reason why Moore, who was not an escort, was here. It's the same factor that has puzzled him himself.

''Why am I even supposed to leave?''

　I'm sure he meant to blurt it out to Ardis, who is next to him in secret.
　But the Duke picked up on it audibly and immediately asked Moore, "Do you disagree?

Do you disagree?

No, no!　That's not what I meant.

　Looking flustered, Moore denied it.

'It's not much of an effort to screw one or two people in, you know.

Yeah.

　Moore responds to the Duke's aloofness with an absent-minded response.

　The reason for Moore's confusion is that his name is listed on the list of entrants for the Fuyo Cup (Lotus Cup).
　Minerva understands that apparently the Duke had completed the entry process without informing him at all.

　Because he was originally contracted to be Minerva's bodyguard, Moore was collateral damage and was sent to another world.
　Fortunately, he was able to come back here, but he was treated as missing because a year had already passed in King's Landing, and Moore had been dismissed as a battalion commander long ago. He had been expelled from the army as well.

　Both Minerva and the Duke know that Moore is not to blame for his disappearance for a year.
　But he can't explain it to the state or the military, and he doesn't know if they'd believe him if he did.
　As a result, Moore suffers the disgrace of being thrown out of office and expelled from the army.

　This breaks both Minerva's and the Duke's heart.
　For Minerva, she was the benefactor who had protected her with Ardis, and for the Duke, he owed her a debt of gratitude for helping his daughter.

　So the Duke apparently decided to use this opportunity to redeem Moore's honor.
　Along with screwing Aldis into the contestant's slot, he also secured another slot for Moore.
　The idea is that if you're as good as he is, you should be able to win the Fuyo Cup.

　However, the problem lies in the fact that he was not informed about it at all.
　He had been invited to watch the race, but was only just informed of his participation in the race.
　It's understandable that he can't keep up with his feelings.

It is true that the petty officer did not agree with Marquis Olguin's faction, so he could not participate in the Fuyo Cup even if he wanted to, and I am very grateful for your kindness. ......

　In the Fuyo Cup (Lotus Cup), only the Marquis of Olguin's faction and its breathtaking martial artists are allowed to compete.
　Ostensibly, it is said that anyone of ability, regardless of position, can compete, but outsiders are sifted out by the Marquis, the actual organizer of the event.
　The fact that this is the only way to get the best out of the race is to get the best out of it.

　It's a good idea to have a good time with your friends and family.

"Speak up,

I would have liked to get out when Aldis wasn't playing anyway,

　The Duke laughed with amusement when Moore spoke up in a bad way.

'Hahaha. Haha, I see. But I don't want you to be so timid when you're playing in my tournament. I hope you have the guts to beat Aldis and win the championship.

　But he immediately suppressed his expression and urged him to get excited, to which Moore responded with a tighter expression.

'Of course I'm going to do it, and I'm going to get the win. At the very least, I don't intend to fight a fight that will smear his lordship's face.

I'm counting on it.

　The Duke nodded with satisfaction at Moore's words.

''Then it's time to go to the antechamber, Aldis.

Yeah.

　Contestants will have to move to the waiting room in advance.
　They would have to start moving in time.

　Moore called out to Ardis, and as he was about to move, he stopped in his tracks as he remembered, "And before that," he said.

'You can't use your own weapons, you know. It's not wise to leave them in the anteroom, so why don't you ask your lordship to leave them with you?

...... Right.

　To be fair, the use of magical weapons and armor is forbidden in the Fuyo Cup.
　There is no problem if it is just a heavy iron sword, but the broadsword and shortsword that Ardis usually uses are not items that can be purchased at a store.
　They would not be allowed to be used in a match.

　Today Ardis only has one broadsword at his waist.
　Minerva dredged up her own memories to see if the inscription was 'Sotensaika', as I recall.
　You will find that you will be able to get a lot more than just a few minutes of your time.

''Ah, Master. In that case, I will take charge of it for you.''

　Aldis' movements stopped at the sudden offer.

　His gaze turned to Minerva's father, the Duke, and a silent question appeared in his eyes.
　In contrast, the duke does not answer back verbally either.
　He just slowly pulled his chin back and nodded, the corner of his mouth slightly crumbled and a bitter smile appeared on his face.

''All right, please.

　It seems to be taken as an approval, and Ardis holds out his own sword to Minerva.

''Yes. I've been entrusted with the right to keep it for you. I will definitely protect you in this body.

No, no, no, you don't have to treat a single sword as such a big deal: ......

　With a troubled expression on her face as she turned to her pupil who had an exaggerated manner, Aldis left Aoten Ayaka with Minerva and went to the waiting room.

''Miss, let me take care of her.

　After Aldis and Moore walked away, one of the servants held out his hands to receive Aoten Ayaka, but Minerva hugged the sword to her chest and shook her head in a resolute manner.

It's not, this is a precious object that I was entrusted with by my master. I will keep it myself until I return it to you.

　That means watching the Fuyo Cup with a sword in her arms.

　Unlike today's Minerva when she trains, she is dressed as a duchess without embarrassment.
　I guess she didn't expect that someone who is also a duchess would continue to hold a dirty sword while wearing a dress.
　A troubled-looking servant asked the Duke for help.

''Sir, .......''

Phew ......, let them do what they want.

　What the Duke uttered in response with a wry smile was a reply that Minerva was most grateful for.