'You're next. How many games are you on?

　When Moore returned after the first game, he called out to Aldis.

'It's the eleventh game,'

That's gonna take up a lot of time. Shall we head back to the waiting room?

　Shaking her head at Moore's suggestion, Aldis looks to the dignitary's table.

'What's up?'

　Moore, who looked at the noble seat as well as Aldis, said in a mock 'Oh, dear' tone.

'Glaring, glaring, glaring.

　There was a middle-aged man there, not looking at the third game currently taking place, but staring at Moore ever since the end of the previous game.

　He had a somewhat slender body and a nervous look on his face.
　His appearance gave the impression of a petty official somehow.
　From the fact that he was seated at the guest of honor and his extravagant attire, he was probably a high-ranking aristocrat.

''You know him?

It's the Marquis of Olguin, our bitter enemy. I'm sure they only see us as an annoying little thing. Is this the first time you've seen him?

　He was the source of the plot to make Minerva a deceased person, and was the source of Aldis and the others being cast out of this world, albeit only for a year.

That's the Marquis: ......

'You don't like it because I'm not part of a faction and I won. You'll be on my radar soon enough, but ......, it's too late now, isn't it?

Yeah.

　Quickly replying to Moore's warning-like words, Aldis turned his attention to the battle unfolding in the center of the arena.
　The mercenary versus seeker game was heated, and the spectator area was filled with enthusiasm, a change from Moore's match that had been settled so easily earlier.





　Aldis' turn came when the sun had passed its zenith.
　After being seen off by Moore, Ardis walked out into the center of the arena and chose a sword the same size as the one he usually uses, the Sotensaika, and went into battle.

　His opponent is a mercenary who is based in the royal capital.
　He wore leather armor and held a rather long sword in his hand.
　Like the sword's body, the hilt was somewhat longer and extended, and Ardis judged that it was probably intended to be handled with two hands rather than one.

'I know of your accomplishments,' he said. I know that you are capable of defeating the three most powerful demons all by yourself. But is this a bad joke or what?　This is a martial arts match. Why are you here, sorcerer?

　The opposing mercenary poses a question to Ardis with a probing look.

'Why, ......, you know that's obvious. It's to win.'

　To tell the truth, it was to humiliate the Marquis, but there was no point in talking about it here.

You can't afford to lose your life if you don't hit the right spot, no matter how much you're wearing a hazmat suit. Do you think I'm a fool for not wearing any protective gear?

　Unlike mercenaries who wear armor, Aldis has no armor.

　They do not carry a shield in their hands, and the only thing they wear is thick clothing, like the robes sorcerers like to use.
　I'm not sure I'm going to be able to do that.

　The weight and speed of a blade-pulling sword, when combined with its weight and speed, can at least crush flesh and break bones.
　The mercenary's point was quite obvious.

''The only time armor is useful is when you're under attack.

"...... I've advised you,

　The mercenary's eyebrows twitched at Aldis' answer, which was irreverent to all intents and purposes, and then he turned away as if there was nothing more to say.
　Similarly, Aldis also took a distance from him, and the two of them turned to face each other as agreed.

''Then, begin!

　The referee utters the signal to begin.

　The first to move was the mercenary.
　As expected, they don't seem to be so unplanned as to suddenly charge in, and they approach with enough vigilance to deal with Ardis's way out.

''I don't know how the sorcerer plans to fight, but...''

　The mercenary holds the sword in both hands and swings it over.

''Let's not have him lick the swordsman too much.

　The target of the sword strike is Aldis' wrist.
　He intends to force her to let go of her weapon with a strong blow, and then quickly put the game out of reach.

''Which one?''

　You are licking your chops," Ardis says with a wry smile.

　It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for when you're in a martial arts match.
　When you think you can end it with a visible move that omits even a feint, you have misjudged Ardis' ability.

　Aldis tilts the cut end of the sword he has prepared and receives a swinging blow aimed at his wrist.

''I see, you mean you're not an ordinary amateur?''

　Admiringly, the mercenary moves away.

　After a breath, the mercenary came in between again.
　Three consecutive blows in rapid succession.
　I dodged a yokonagi aimed at my right flank with my backstep, followed by a kesa-slash aimed at my shoulder with my sword, and finally avoiding a thrust aimed at my chest with my half body.

'I'll admit it. I'm not just a magician.

　An attack that would have been won long ago if he was of ordinary strength.
　Being able to continue to dodge it with an unconcerned face, the mercenary changed his underestimation of Aldis.

''It's serious from here on out.

Do what you want.

　A stronger pressure than before was added to the attacks that the mercenaries unleashed.
　I know that they recognized this one as an equal adversary and got serious, but for Ardis, that's why it was a matter of what.

　The many attacks that are unleashed in succession are sometimes dodged, sometimes received, and sometimes passed off and shrugged off.
　At first glance, it might seem that Aldis was continually attacked and outmatched.

　But the observer will find that Aldis continues to handle all of his attacks with ease.
　At least the opposing mercenaries had noticed this.

''Why aren't they attacking us?''

I didn't want you to think I won on a whim.

That's a lot of leeway.

At least I'm not going to let my guard down.

　A short conversation is exchanged between sword fights.
　One of them has a slightly impatient expression on its face, while the other one remains calm.

''It's time for us to go from here as well.

　About five minutes have passed since the signal to start the match.
　It's not a long time.

　But since he continued to prevent the opponent's sword fire this much, the spectators should have been able to understand that Ardis had a certain amount of knowledge of close combat.
　However, since he seemed to be being attacked one-sidedly, it might seem that he was barely able to withstand the mercenary's attacks.

　However, that was as far as it went.
　Aldis turned from his previous defense to an offensive attack.

　He leapt up hard at the mercenary's sword shot and stepped out of the gap to its bosom.

''What?!''

　Suddenly, the mercenary almost sneaks in at close range and retreats in a hurry, but Ardis doesn't allow it to happen easily.
　He strikes a blow towards the sword of the mercenary left behind like a lord (Shingari).

''Kook!''

　If this were a real battle, and the mercenary had a spare weapon, there would be no need to push himself into an uncomfortable position to cling to the sword in his hand.

　But in this fight, letting go of the sword would mean defeat.
　Of course, even though he knew it was a bad move, he couldn't let go of his only weapon, and as a result, the mercenary's stance was severely compromised.

　Aldis launches a kick to get rid of the mercenary's leg, but as expected of an active warrior trained in actual battle.
　He instantly discerned his aim, and when he received Aldis's kicking leg with the sole of his foot, he borrowed the momentum and took the distance.

''It's not a sorcerer's move, is it?

　Surprise flashed across the mercenary's face.

''Really?''

　With a blunt answer, Aldis stepped in.
　A powerful blow angled from the mercenary's right foot to his left shoulder.

''Nah!''

　Impatience could be seen on the mercenary's face as he quickly blocked it with his sword.
　He must have almost dropped his sword at the unreserved Aldis' blow.
　He hurriedly stepped back and regrasped the hilt of his sword with both hands.

''Did you enhance it with magic?''

　At the words of the mercenary who gives her a probing look, Aldis coolly questions the words with a cool face.

''There's no way that's possible. What do you think they're making you wear these bracelets for?''

But ......

　The reason the contestants wear the armband during the game is to prevent them from being assisted or interfered with by outside magic.

　The effect is very simple.
　The idea is that the magic power is blocked within an area of about three meters around the wearer and the person wearing it.

　The mechanism is probably similar to the restraints that criminals, slaves and people (monotonous) are forced to wear.
　The ring that Filia and Liana wore on their hands and feet when they met was a perfect example of this.

　The only difference is that the bracelet Ardis wears can be turned on and off at will.
　This is the difference from restraints that can cause the wearer a lot of pain and suffering if they try to remove it by force.

The fact that you can't use your magic is a matter of course. It's the same for you as it is for me that it prevents me from enhancing my physical abilities.

　Under the same conditions, the mercenaries are at the mercy of Aldis' movements.
　This is nothing more than proof that Ardis' strength is less than or greater than that of the mercenaries in terms of ground power without magic power.

''......''

　The mercenary shows an expression that looks like he wants to say something, but remains silent.
　They actually crossed swords and must have a dim understanding of Aldis' abilities.

''Then let's continue, let's go?''

　Without seeking an answer, Aldis stepped out.
　His feet kicked on the ground, and the next moment he was stepping into the mercenary's proximity.

''Fast!

　Surprised, Aldis slams his fist into the stomach of the reflexive sword-wielding mercenary, and with a flowing motion, Aldis gets behind his opponent.
　In anguish, the mercenary unleashes a blow with a guessing guess at his back, but there's no way that would work.
　Faster than the blade can reach, Ardis grabs the wrist of the mercenary holding the sword with one hand to prevent it.

''It's over.''

　With those words, Ardis' sword was gently applied to the mercenary's neck.
　The crowd in the arena erupted at the sudden reversal that Aldis, who had been defending himself until then, showed.

''There is a winner!

　The judges pronounced Aldis victorious.
　Hearing the verdict, Aldis let go of the mercenary's wrist at the same time as he withdrew his sword.

''Oh, you lost, you lost. It's a total loss.''

　Accepting his own defeat, the mercenary rubbed his neck where his sword had been applied earlier.

''Isn't it foul for a sorcerer to carry himself like that?

　In addition, he takes it out on Aldis.

　It's just unfortunate for him that he had to face an opponent like Ardis in his first game.
　If the reputation of losing a martial arts contest to a sorcerer in the public eye spreads, it will be a hindrance to his future work.
　It was understandable that Ardis wanted to complain about it.

''I don't remember ever calling myself a sorcerer, though.

What do you mean?　You are in possession of swordcraft, aren't you?　Didn't it take magic to defeat the three great and powerful demons alone?

　The mercenary tilts his head at the unexpected words released from Ardis' mouth.

''I'm sure you can also use sword magic (...), but I didn't say that's the only thing you can do.

　After hearing the answer, the mercenary showed a look of satisfaction.

''It's ......, is that what it is?''

That's what I'm talking about.

　If he was defeated by a sorcerer with a sword technique, the reputation of the mercenary would be ruined.
　But if Ardis is not a mere sorcerer, then it's a different story.

'Then for my sake, don't lose the second round so easily. If you lose this easily, I'm no better than a clown.

Don't worry. I'll do well enough that people won't think it's a shame to lose to me.

　The purpose of Aldis' participation in the Lotus Cup this time is to bring disgrace to Marquis Olguin, not to humiliate his opponents.
　And even more so if they are against outside mercenaries.
　It's a good thing that you're not a fan of your own, or you wouldn't want to fight with anyone, even if you don't like them personally.

''Totally ......, it's a big world, isn't it?''

　After saying that, the mercenary lightly tapped Aldis on the shoulder and dropped back into the waiting room.