"What a mess!

　In a seat of honor overlooking the stage of the final, a nobleman slams his wine glass on the floor.
　A lone nobleman's nervous face turns red as he slams his wine glass down on the floor.
　This is the Marquis Olguin himself, who has a big say in the military and is the actual organizer of the Fuyo Cup.

'If Camran ever loses: ......

　The army and the Marquis of Olguin's face are completely destroyed.
　Upset and frustration make the Marquis' voice loud and clear.

''It must not. That will never happen!''

　His frustration was directed at the white-haired old side servant who was standing behind him.

'Can't you do something about it!

You say "something" but ......

　The Marquis, in a show of impatience, speaks of a shortcut method.

'That bracelet, I suppose you could make it go off!　If the top of this list involves 'The Magician of a Thousand Swords' as well as 'The Magician of a Thousand Swords', and if you manage to make it look like an accident, you can go to ......!

But, sir. But, sir, if they are so tightly attached, their magic cannot reach us, even if we want to unleash it.

　Indeed, the bracelet worn by Kamran has the power to counteract the effect of the 'blocking of magic power' of the bracelet that the contestants are required to wear.

　At the same time, in anticipation of the unexpected, a mechanism was also granted to destroy the evidence to make it disappear.
　As the Marquis said, it would be possible to use it to unleash a thousand-sword sorcerer as well.

　However, that would require sacrificing Kamran's own life, as well as supplying sufficient magic power to his bracelet.
　Currently, as long as the thousand-sword sorcerer did not leave Kamran, it was impossible to unleash it.

''I know that much!　Then why don't you just let them pause...　Give them a good reason to re-partition!

'No, but then you'll have to go to ......

　The judges are people who belong to Marquis Olguin's faction.
　If he gave instructions, he could naturally stop the fight and make them keep their distance.

　However, it was obvious that if they let a partition in this situation where the Thousand Swords Magicians had the upper hand, they would be accused, and if Kamran's bangles were to go off immediately afterwards, unless they were very dull, they would turn their suspicions on the organizers.
　It was never a good move at this stage of the game.

''But nothing!　I am telling you to hurry up!

　However, there was no way the old side servant could say "no" to the Lord if he or she was so strongly commanded by the Lord.

I'll send you instructions as soon as possible. I will send you instructions immediately.

　Unavoidably, the old attendant replied, and as he stepped out of the guest room, he heard a voice from the soldier in his guard announcing the presence of his visitor.

'I'm busy now. Later!''

　The Marquis shouted in frustration at his guards, "That's , the Royal Court of Justice.

That's ......, the Royal Court of Justice. ......

"With the royal family?　...... Can't we wait until after the game is over?

　The Marquis was puzzled by the unexpected visitor.

''Ha. I was told it was a matter that I should tell you about immediately.''

'd*mn, this is the time to go to ....... We have no choice. Let them through.

　You can't turn away a visiting civil servant of the royal family, even if it's just a civil servant.

　A visit from a royal official means that someone from the royal family sent it to you.
　I couldn't treat him without asking his business and treating him with disrespect.

　A civil servant, who was immediately ushered into the room by his bodyguard, followed by a few formalities, spoke the main subject.
　It was something that the Marquis did not expect more than the visit of the civilian officer.

'His Royal Highness the Dauphin wishes to see His Royal Highness the Marquis.

The Crown Prince?

　A puzzled look appears on the Marquis' face.

'Can't that come after the game?

'Yes. 'Right away,' he said.

Muu......

　The marquis chokes on the words of the civil servant.

　The authority of the crown prince is not so strong in the Kingdom of Naglas, notwithstanding that in other countries.
　Of course, it's impossible to take it lightly, but if there's a good reason, it's possible to get a little reprieve for a while.

　However, the current Marquis of Olguin, the Dauphin was the person he could not afford to miss.
　The daughter of the Marquis Olguin is a candidate for the fiancé of Prince Karst, the daughters of the Dauphin's first child.

　The candidates have now been narrowed down to two, and the Marquis' daughter is believed to have the upper hand.
　Nevertheless, the engagement is not yet confirmed.
　The Marquis can't afford to displease the Dauphin at this time.

"Do you know what you wanted to see me about?

　When he asked this, the civil servant opened his mouth with a clerical stiffness and let loose a word that startled the marquis.

''You say, 'Let me ask you for an explanation.'

'Nah ......!　Shall I explain: ......?

　The marquis's face turns blue at the ominous sounding words.

''What do you mean by an explanation!　Why does His Highness demand an explanation from me?

It's not for me to know. It's just .......

"Just?

"'It's a shame to have to struggle any harder than this,' he said. It would be better if you didn't do anything unethical.

Nah. ......!

　The marquis exclaimed.
　Seeing his body wobble slightly, the old sidekeeper quickly supported him from behind.

''Why did your highness ...... me ......?''

　The marquis groaned and muttered.
　Behind the Marquis, who was shaking his head as if he didn't understand, the old side servant closed his eyes and stifled his disappointment.

　It's a simple story.
　The Marquis had gone too far.

　Of course, being an aristocrat, it was natural for there to be some underhanded deception and dragging of feet.
　That is no exception for royalty.
　In fact, it is precisely because of his position at the top of the hierarchical society that he has a darker side under the mask of a smile.
　The crown prince himself would sometimes give instructions that would never expose him to the light of day.

　The use of underworld figures to attack the Thousand Swords Wizard would not be openly condemned as long as it was not exposed, due to his position as prince.
　If they used their position and power to slightly change the situation to suit their own needs, any nobleman would have done such a thing.

　But there is a limit to that, too.

　The blatant judgement shown by the semi-final referee, perhaps that was the limit of what the Dauphin could tolerate.
　It's not hard to imagine that the crown prince's anger was aroused by the injustice of the final, which was so ridiculous that it was no longer fair to call it unfair.

　Even if we can't directly confirm the magic, as long as we have information, we can find out what the prince has done.
　There is no reason to assume that the information network of the Dauphin, the next king, is inferior to that of Marquis Olguin and Duke Nilesteria.

''Come on, hurry up. We can't afford to keep the Dauphin waiting.

　Turning to the stunned Marquis of Olguin, the civilian officer said with a noh masked expression.





　Meanwhile, in the arena at the same time, Aldis was gradually cornering Camran in the arena.

''d*mn it!''

　Kamran desperately tries to keep his distance, but of course Aldis will not allow him to do so.

　If you want to keep your distance, Kamran should have made his decision while he still had some magic power left in his bracelet.
　It's a good thing that you're not going to have to worry about the fact that you're not going to have to worry about the fact that you're not going to have to worry about the fact that you're not going to have to worry about the fact that you're not going to have to worry about it.
　That is to say, unless Ardis chooses to leave, the scales will never tip in Kamran's direction.

　Now the initiative of the battle had shifted completely to Ardis.

''But we can't afford to lose!

　He must have some willpower.
　But if willpower and guts can handle it, no one will have a hard time with it.
　The number of places he's stepped on is different, and the strength of the opponents he's fought is different.

　Kamran mixes heavy attacks with skillful swordplay, but Ardis always keeps his sword at arm's length despite them.
　Now that the advantage based on magic power was gone, there was no reason for Kamran to be able to beat Ardis.

''It's okay if you surrender, okay?

Whoa!

　From time to time, Aldis would strike blows to Camran's neck and heart, trying to discourage his opponent from fighting.
　But after all, it is not possible for them to admit defeat easily.

　There is no end in sight for the opponent.
　To preserve the face of the army, they cannot afford to lose at this point.
　Naturally, it was unlikely that the judges would give a fair decision, so they had no choice but to render their opponents incapable of fighting, just as they did in the semifinals.

''Well, that gives us an idea,''

　To be honest, Aldis's goal is not to win the Fuyo Cup, but to win the Lotus Cup.
　I don't care if they win or lose on the surface, as long as the original goal is achieved.

I'm sorry, but you're going to have to dance to your heart's content.

　Aldis increases the number of attacks.
　Each blow isn't very heavy, but the speed of the blow is uncommon.
　In the time it takes for Kamran to deliver a blow, Aldis delivers three blows.

　In the blink of an eye, the bastard sword was flung from Kamran's hand, which had become a defense mechanism.

''Not good ......!''

　Kamran writhes and reaches for his bastard sword.
　Ardis' sword strikes his arm forcefully.

''Guh!''

　The pain-stricken Kamran's gut was mercilessly slammed with a swing of a follow-up strike.
　Normally, it was a blow that would never be a winner, but the judges naturally ignored it with a cool face.

　After reaching out to pick up the Bastard Sword again, Kamran's arm, which had reached out to pick up the Bastard Sword, was struck again with the belly of the sword, and Ardis kicked the Bastard Sword away from him to a distance beyond his reach.

''Nah!''

　But that's not the end of it.
　Ardis continues to shower Kamran with sword shots without letting up.

　In contrast, Kamran has nothing in his hands to counterattack.
　Ardis and Kamran have no way to counterattack, and Kamran is forced to defend himself with his shield.
　There was a strange scene there that didn't feel like a martial arts competition.

It's a good idea to say so if you're going to surrender. Well, if you want to continue to fight this way without weapons, I'll deal with you forever.

　A defensive Kamran curses Aldis as they shelve themselves.

'Gu......, you're not fair!

...... I don't know what you're talking about.

　In spite of being in the middle of a battle, Ardis replied with a gasping face.

　If you want to talk about cowardice, then the blatant injustice that still refuses to determine the winner in front of this situation that can no longer be called a battle is what should be condemned.
　Even if the majority of the spectators are amateurs, they must be aware that this is an extraordinary spectacle that cannot be called a battle.
　The proof of this was the abuse that was heard from the audience, which exceeded the cheers.

　Of course, it was not Aldis who was being heckled, but the judges who refused to make a decision, even at this point.

　At this rate, there would be no victory unless Camran was stunned, just like in the semifinals.
　But that was to be expected, even for Aldis.

"If you're going to do it, I'm going to stay with you to the bitter end.

　With a wicked smile on people's faces, Aldis stepped up his attack.