Chapter 242
To show my gratitude to Daniela for telling me the secret of her weapons, I decided to tell her an idiotic story from my childhood .
Sponsored Content
“…Yeah, so I was so annoyed that I trained alone after that . Which resulted in a fracture…”
“AHAHAHAHA! You were such a fool!”
“Uh, it really you hurt, you know…? Oh, look at the time . We should get some rest and prepare for tomorrow . ”
“Ah, yes… Ohh . My stomach hurts…”
Daniela wiped the tears from her eyes and moved towards the bed . I agreed that I had been an idiot back then, but I hadn’t thought she would find the story so funny .
But it was time for us to go to bed . It was dark outside and the clock told me it was 10 . I made a trip to the bathroom first, and when I returned, Daniela was already hidden under the blankets .
“Make some room for me…”
I had to peel some of them away . I felt bad doing it when she was sleeping so comfortably, but it was the only way to get in . Just then, Daniela’s pale shoulder came into view .
“No clothes tonight?”
“I did not feel like it . ”
“You know we have an early morning?”
“Just a little . All right?”
“Damn it…”
Free as always . Of course, it didn’t end as quickly as she suggested it would .
□ □ □ □
Perhaps it was just me, but I felt oddly refreshed the following morning . Maybe it was the apt amount of exercise before bed . In any case, it was time for a bath .
“Huh?”
Daniela wasn’t there . She actually got up before me…
“…Wait!? Was I late!?”
It just seemed too unlikely that she could have beaten me . So the more likely explanation was that I was late… But then I looked at the clock and saw that it was still six in the morning .
“So she really did get up…”
It was unbelievable . She wouldn’t be amused if I told her that, but it was the truth . Of course, maybe she was like those kids that only got up early before school excursions?
Sponsored Content
As I wondered about this strange event, Daniela came out of the bathing room . She was drying her hair and wearing nothing .
“Ah, good morning . Asagi . ”
“Morning, Daniela . Lost your clothes?”
“Hmm? When have I ever lost my clothes?”
“Well, maybe I’m losing my mind . ”
“That is fine with me . ”
“Not me . ”
Daniela smirked and posed provocatively . But there was no time for that . We had to get to the arena as soon as possible . I didn’t want to get disqualified for being late .
I quickly washed up and put on my new equipment . It all fit me perfectly . That feeling of magic that was specific to dragons was especially comforting . It felt like a part of your body…it was hard to describe .
“Been wearing dragon for a while now…”
I had started off with my convenient store clothes . But those didn’t last long, and so I had bought an old set of leather armor . I’d ended up in many dangerous situations since then . Thankfully, my level went up quite quickly . I had been lucky again after that when I was able to buy dragon armor at a great discount . Well, some might say it was because of Matsumoto, but I’m just going to call it luck .
It had been indestructible through my many battles after that . But eventually, it was unable to endure the strength of my new abilities, and it broke . However, I was lucky enough to acquire new materials soon after .
And that led to my current equipment . I hadn’t worn it for long, but it did feel the most comfortable so far .
“I think I can win . ”
It was like it filled me with power . Perhaps the God Wolf powers went well with the dragon armor?
“Asagi? Are you ready?”
“Yeah, I’m finished . ”
Daniela was also wearing her new equipment . Hers was made from the wind dragon that Eve had summoned . As it had been dyed, it wasn’t the same color as mine, but the features were much the same . I used the power of the wind dragon and charge ahead at full speed . While I could also use magic, I preferred to use it at close range .
As for Daniela, she used the power of the wind dragon for magic . It was highly compatible with the wind attribute, obviously, and Daniela said she was practically overflowing with power . But she could also use the rapier and bow . She defended and attacked . She could do it all .
My opponent today was a mysterious fighter who used a shortsword . As for why I hadn’t noticed the fighter during the game, it must have been due to Presence Block . If you were at a high enough level, you could go unnoticed during battle . Or maybe it was some other unique skill .
“Well, you will not know until you actually fight them . ”
“I guess . Ah, there are a lot of people today…”
“Of course, there is . ”
Radelia Shvein Arena was crowded . It was the long-awaited main match . The citizens of the empire and the tourists all wore their best clothes as they headed for the arena . Children rushed past us one after another . They were certainly energetic .
Sponsored Content
As I smiled and watched, I noticed that people were giving me odd looks . Why? Was I dressed strangely?
“Well, the armor kind of outs you as a competitor . ”
“Ah, right . ”
That made sense . People were dressing fancy, but they weren’t wearing armor . A few people carried swords for protection, but no one else looked like they were off to battle .
“Maybe we should wave?”
“Yes . I will wave as well . ”
The Imperial Sword Tournament was a festival . There was no harm in getting a little carried away . And so we tried waving at the spectators . More people reacted than I expected . The deep shouts of men and the screams of women rang in my ears .
“It’s actually quite off-putting . I regret it already . ”
“Yes . Me too . ”
Well, that’s a festival for you . We had been spectators at first, but now we were part of the show .
I was ready to fight .
As we weren’t going to watch this time, we were led through a different hallway that would take us to the stage .
“Please wait here a moment . ”
“Yes . ”
But first, we were left in a room without any further explanation . The other competitors were also present . I suppose it was the waiting room… I saw my own opponent, Kapricorn Shteiner, was standing in the back .
Everyone’s eyes turned towards us as we entered . But only one person stood up and walked towards us . The one with the blindingly white outfit . His white cape was a particular eyesore . But perhaps it held some religious significance . I decided that it was better not to make any comment on it .
“Good morning, Daniela . You are as beautiful as ever . ”
“Asagi . Looks like there is an empty seat over there . ”
“Yeah . But you can take it . I’ll stand . ”
“Really? Thank you . ”
We walked past the blinding pillar and headed towards the table in the center of the room . Daniela sat down in the empty chair and sighed comfortably . There were drinks and some snacks on the table .
“Asago . This one looks good . ”
“I’ve never seen it before . Hand one over . ”
“Here . ”
I sat on the table, fully aware that it wasn’t the best display of manners, and began to eat the thing that Daniela had given me . Hmm…it was sweet . And not bad . I might have to buy some later .
“…I have never met someone so persistent in their insolence . ”
“Hmm?”
The man in the cape was shaking .
“I should kill you . ”
“Heh . ”
His face was so distorted as he spun around that I couldn’t help but chuckle . Still, surely the proud light elf wouldn’t mind .
But Adlus didn’t say anything after that . He just folded his arms and leaned against the wall . It would have been better for everyone if he had done that in the first place .
“Ah, what a terrible air you’ve created . ”
A voice sounded from next to me . Hmm? I didn’t recognize the person .
“So, you’re Asagi, right? Daniela’s lover . ”
“Well, uh, yeah . I am…”
“Ahh, forgive me . I haven’t introduced myself yet . I am Henrich Azsilf . Like you, I am here on recommendation . ”
“So it’s you . Asagi Kamiyashiro . Nice to meet you . ”
“Likewise!”
He shook my offered hand . Yes, this was the kind of reception I’d expect from such a social interaction .
“I came from a town that is southwest of the imperial capital . It’s rare to be recommended like this you know? It’s a great honor . ”
“I see… Uh, sorry if I’m mistaken, but are you an elf?”
He had blue hair and pointed ears that were hard to miss .
“Oh, you really are the lover of an elf, aren’t you? Was it that easy to tell? Yes, I am a blue elf . I’ll be three-hundred and thirty-eight this year . ”
“I knew it . So you are ten years older than Daniela . ”
“Haha! That was quick . But yes, and I would be about thirty-five in human years!”
I glanced over at Daniela . She was not amused . But I was .
“If we’re lucky, we’ll fight against each other on the second fight . But my opponent is quite strong, so that’s not too likely . ”
“Oh… So he’s not just shiny . ”
“Hehe… You do make me laugh, Asagi…!”
He looked embarrassed, as the rest of the room was looking at us . Adlus may have been strong, but he hadn’t made the best impression here, thanks to us . Well, I didn’t really care what others thought . He was straight up trash in my eyes . It felt good to see his reputation tarnished before the fight, even if it was just a little .
“Hmm…”
Daniela raised her face and looked towards the door . There was a click and the door was opened . It was the same person who had led us here .
“Thank you all for your patience . The stage has been prepared . You will now be introduced in front of the audience . Then there will be an explanation of the rules and the announcement of the prize . ”
Announcement of the prize? We had talked about that before, but weren’t sure what it would be . So it had been a secret after all… No wonder .
“So, please follow me . ”
And with that, everyone stood up and walked out of the door . As we started to move towards the door, Alenbia Ef Quingeria, the noblewoman, stopped us .
“Um, Mister Asagi, sir . ”
“Sir?”
“Uh, nevermind… Uh, well… Good luck in the fight . ”
“Oh . You too . ”
It was always awkward talking to nobles . Well, except for that young girl I had helped . Alenbia didn’t say anything after that and quickly ran on ahead .
“What was that about?”
“Maybe she’s a fan?”
“Haha! Surely not…?”
Just then, I felt something brush against the back of my head .
A chill ran up my spine and I spun around . But there was no one there . When I looked at the door, Kapricorn Shteiner was walking out . He was the last one .
“…What is it?”
“I… It’s nothing . ”
It had touched my hair . That sensation… It was like that piercing gaze I had been experiencing . But it was growing more tangible…
Unbelievable thoughts swirled in my head . No . But, no… And there was no point in thinking about it now . Right now, we had to head to the stage .