"Can you… show me how swordsmanship look like?"
He was surprised—of course.
Yes, this is my idea—I will have a look at his display of Grabberton swordsmanship skill, then whenever someone gets suspicious of my swordsmanship having some similarities to them, I will just say that I have witnessed their technique in the past and I loved it, so I tried to imitate them—yup, I still have to change my style so it won't be that similar!
Otherwise, it would be very suspicious regardless of my reasoning.
"But how can I show it to you here?" He asked.
"Oh… you're right…," I hung my head dejectedly—but then I remember!
At times like this, there is one weapon I can use to make sure I can get what I want!
…This is not how I was used to be like—could it be due to child hormone?
But yeah, at times like this… I can use a child's method!
"Wait a second, let me ask my dad first about this!!" I quickly excused myself in front of him and turned to nag my dad who was talking with the other nobles. Luckily, he was just next to me. Enough so he could activate his "Lyra Anti-Marriage Talks Radar".
"Dad, dad!" I said as I pulled the edge of his hem.
"Wait a second--," he said so to the nobles he was talking to, as he quickly turned to look at me.
Bravo, Dad! You are too kind, to halt your adult talks just for me!!
Sometimes, I love having an oyabaka dad.
"What is it, Lyra?"
"Dad, I want to see how swordsmans use their swords as I am interested in using swords as my weapon! Can I take a look, please?"
"Huh, and how are you going to take a look?"
"Over there—there is the next head of Grabberton! He said he brought his sword along!" I acted as childish as I could.
"But Lyra, it won't be good if you force our guests—"
Looks like Domi overheard our bickering as he quickly approached us and said—
"Valkyane-san, I'm fine with displaying my swordsmanship skill as long as you permit. And as long as there is the suitable venue, and… target or opponent," he gently said.
…Domi, you… I don't know if you're being kind or if you want to show off—just like how Grabberton clan members like to boast their power and pride and everything—but for me, right now… you are kind!!
It doesn't matter which one motivated you, as long as I can get what I want—no good, I'm becoming more and more spoiled as time passes by. And I should be mature with my mental age, too.
"For the venue, we can use the open space near the garden—it was formerly Hartmann clan's training grounds. As for target or opponent…," Dad seems to be thinking.
"Wait, before that, are you sure it's okay?" He suddenly turned around to look at Domi.
"Yes."
Unexpectedly, the corner of his mouth was raised as he answered Dad—Domi's smiling, and this one looks like a genuine smile!
"It would be a nice gift from the Grabberton clan, for your daughter's special birthday," he continued to explain.
"Thank you for your kind thoughts, Domi-kun. Let's see… It would be best if you're fighting another swordsman so you two can display your skills to full extent rather than other weapon wielders, right? But I wonder…"
"An opponent in a swordsmanship match, huh…," I also joined them—imitating their thoughtful expression as we had our hands on our chins, thinking.
I have come so far as to let Dad and Domi both agreeing to my idea—but I can't provide this one here.
Should I go and ask Father? Will he agree?
No, hmm, Clyde? Clyde will surely agree…
They are all from the same family, so they would be very familiar with one another…
But it's alright, no problem… right?
"Uhm what about asking another person from Grabberto—"
Before I managed to finish my sentence, suddenly—
"Me."
A bold and daring voice of a young girl could be heard.
Exasperated, all three of us looked at the direction of the voice.
Just right behind us, a girl around 12-13 years old of age is raising her hand.
Her long soft-black hair reaches her waist—no, it isn't black, but a very deep purple, as the thin end of her hair is glowing light purple. She is wearing a good combination of dress with the outer garment that has Naraka or "Oni" style—a type of kimono as the outer garment… if I'm not wrong, that's how it's called. Yes, kimono.
Her violet eyes are looking back at us enthusiastically. Two small curly horns are protruding from around her temporal lobes.
Is she…
Could she be…?!
"Ah, where are my manners? Pleased to meet you, my name is Fumitsuna Yuzuru. Ah, Yuzuru is my given name and Fumitsuna is my family name, in case you aren't used to how Naracian names work."
Naracian names—the phrase we used for names like Yuzuru's—the typical naming sense that Naraka residents are using. Aside from the "flavor" of the name, the order is different, as it's [Surname] [Given name] for them.
No problem, I'm actually quite familiar with other naming systems.
I learned it in school—right, obviously nobody knows.
She approached the three of us and curtseyed.
"I would like to volunteer as Domi-san's opponent in this match to show Lyrsan how swordsmen fight. After all, I've been interested in sparring with a member of Grabberton clan," she confidently said.
"With this, I believe everything is complete, Valkyane-san?"
Stunned by this kind of development, Dad stuttered.
"Ah, y, yeah. If that's the case, let me arrange everything first."
"Then, we shall be preparing our weapons, as well."
Shortly after this exchange, Dad asked the helpers to prepare the training grounds and informed Mom about it. I could see Mom's stunned face.
Dad then proceeded to make an announcement.
"Due to sudden development of events, the next heir of Grabberton clan and Fumitsuna clan will be bestowing us today with their irreplaceable gifts—a display of their treasured clan's swordsmanship. For those who are interested to witness this rare spectacle, please follow the personnels on stand-by near the back doors. For those who want to continue their activities in this hall, then please feel free to do so."
Of course, this was proceeded by an uproar.
Two factions quickly formed—those who are eager to watch the match, and those who are uninterested.
The royal family, including Luca and Kiri belong to the former faction.
"This is nice, I can learn what their style looks like and study from them! Kiri, you should take a look, too!" Luca said to me as we assumed the best position to view the match.
Mom and other volunteering magicians formed a barrier to protect the audience should anything go awry.
They also cast protective spells to both Domi and Yuzuru, so they won't be fatally injured.
"Thank you for granting my daughter's request. In case of injuries, I will be healing them afterwards, so please feel free to enjoy your match," Mom said as she finished casting the protective spells on both of them.
Domi has taken off his outer coat, as I can see how Yuzuru has changed her dress into what I think is her combat kimono. She also tied her long hair in a high ponytail, not wanting to risk it being accidentally cut off, I think.
I can see that she has scabbards—each on her left and right waist—one is shorter than the other, though. As expected of Fumitsuna family—dual-sword wielder, huh?
Meanwhile, Domi is only using one sword—one broadsword, I assume. But when he showed his sword—I was exasperated. It was the Orgueil?!
Yuzuru did the same thing—she also unsheathed the two swords and wielded them.
"Is that Grabberton family's sword, Orgueil?" Yuzuru asked.
"And aren't you wielding Fumitsuna family's swords—no, katana and wakizashi… if I'm not wrong?" Domi replied.
Yuzuru smirked.
"Yes, you're right. These are my treasured girls—Muramasa and Koakuma. They still belong to my father, but soon, I will inherit them."
With her confirmation, the audience got very noisy.
"Wha, what?! Not only are we going to witness their battle, but they will be using their family's signature weapons, as well?!"
"Wow, I'm glad I'm here!!"
"This is a rare experience, I'm telling ya!"
"Goodness, to think that we are witnessing the match between the sword-wielding ducal houses in a magician ducal house's birthday party!"
…yes, it's a weird situation, indeed.
Domi launched a prideful smile.
"For this has turned into a match between two ducal families, our Grabberton house has decided that I must use this Orgueil."
Yuzuru replied with a boastful smile, too.
"The same goes for me, I need to show everyone the beauty of our Fumitsuna house's beloved Muramasa and Koakuma."
The two people locked eyes as they positioned themselves in their respective fighting stance.
The referee—that would be Dad.
"Wow, Lyra, you managed to pull all this?" Alt-nii is standing besides me along with Clavis, his eyes are sparkling in anticipation.
"I, I didn't expect things would turn this way…," I timidly replied him.
Yes, who would have expected that things would turn out this way??
But in any case…
"Are you two ready?"
Since it has come to this…
"Yes."
"Obviously, duh!"
I guess I can only enjoy the spectacle.
"Well then, the match shall start… now!!"
Thanks for the meal!