“Teacher!”
While waiting in the corridor of the waiting room for Acella’s return, I heard a voice calling me.
Lishe approached me with a bright smile, hands behind her back, walking quickly.
“That was an impressive demonstration, Hero.”
“Hehe, was it a bit okay?”
Lishe had returned to the ordinary village girl she truly was, as if the skilled warrior she showcased in the arena was someone else entirely.
“Now you’re getting used to dealing with demons, aren’t you?”
“Used to? I’m scared to death. I don’t even want to see them. Just think about how painful it would be to get cut by a sword, ugh…”
Well, seeing someone else’s wounds is painful too.
But then again, they are demons. You have an empathetic nature.
“I felt a bit disappointed that I couldn’t go out with the Moonlight Palace knights.”
“You have to play in the big leagues. Everyone on the continent is watching now.”
“That’s… right. If I fight in front, others can feel at ease.”
Lishe glanced down at the floor and nodded briefly.
“Is it a burden for you?”
“A little. But I’m also happy to help others.”
Lishe looked up at me again.
“I was able to make it this far thanks to you, Teacher. If there’s something I can do, I’m willing to do it.”
[No. 010: Holy Sword Destruction 12%]
[No. 014: Unbinding 8%]
Over the past few months, Lishe had grown wonderfully. She was nothing short of a model hero.
Although I supported her because of the variable of the Holy Sword, it would have been impossible without the potential she originally possessed.
“Haha, what did I do?”
“I received incredible help. You prepared the medication regularly and took care of my wounds, forgave my mistakes, and… most importantly.”
Lishe emphasized and said.
“I admired you so much that I decided to come here.”
Hearing that made me happy.
I’m not sure if it was out of will or from external pressure, but originally in history, Lishe had been stuck in the count’s territory for about three more years.
She had no experience interacting with knights, learning from a Swordmaster, or stepping up in front of the public like she is now.
And after repeatedly experiencing failures, she becomes Charles.
It was clear that the start point was very different.
“I’m honored to meet you too.”
“Hehe. Oh, are you participating in the martial arts conference representing the Empire as well?”
“Oh, I won’t be participating.”
“Oh really? That’s a bit disappointing. If only we could see your demonstration, everyone would surely be amazed.”
Lishe shrugged her shoulders.
“Take your time watching the main martial arts conference starting tomorrow. You never know, there might be a warrior who will fight alongside the Hero.”
“My companion? Yes, I’m looking forward to it. The magic of the Royal Princess was incredible too. Did she change the weather?”
“To be precise, it might be the 6th-tier Spatial Manipulation based on weather control, but I don’t have much knowledge about magic either.”
“Wow, 6th-tier…”
Lishe gasped and her mouth fell open in shock. Then, she closed her eyes for a moment, opened them again, and the serious expression returned.
“Do you know how dangerous that magic is? Everyone thought it was a festival. It was unbelievable.”
I casually responded to her sulking.
“I do know, Charles. I saw well when she wielded her sword.”
“You noticed? Of course, it’s just you.”
Charles stepped in closer with an entrancing smile and lightly brushed my chin with her fingertips.
“Lars, I’m giving you sincere advice.”
“I’ll take it to heart.”
“If Empress Acella loses her mind, don’t look back, just run. That’s the only way to keep your life.”
Well, I know more than Charles does.
But that doesn’t mean Charles would accept that Acella is different from the emperor now, so I decided to let it slide.
Well, there’s still a bit of that feeling left.
But that much is cute for now.
*
On the second day of the martial arts conference, the combat matches of representatives from various countries took place.
This was the event where the elites from about 20 nations participating in the allied forces came together.
Considering the political situation, not all top-tier fighters appeared, but all those who were noteworthy did.
Loyalty captains from small countries, S-rank adventurers, hidden masters from the shadows, etc.
Since it was a tournament-style competition, those who performed well with strong activity were more likely to be assigned to the hero party later or take important roles in the allied forces.
This also meant that their influence within the allied forces would increase, so many nations were desperate.
As time passed, only the strong remained in the arena, showcasing nail-biting matches that thrilled the audience.
The spectators were more excited than they had ever been to witness this rare sight.
Tanya smoothly advanced to the top 8 of the finals, proudly raising the flags of the Moonlight Palace and the Marquis of Gothberg above the arena.
“Is my opponent an imperial lady? I didn’t prepare a dress, what a disaster.”
Cracking a joke while spinning her longsword, her opponent was someone I knew well.
Lark. A swordsman who was at the forefront of our party in the future. Currently a prominent S-rank adventurer.
“I’ve heard rumors, lady. The youngest Swordmaster, right? With those skills, you’re just a pet to power, aren’t you? Clearly not suited.”
Lark provoked Tanya, taking his signature stance that makes the length of the blade deceptively ambiguous, waiting for the opponent to let their guard down.
Tanya replied without a hint of change in her expression.
“I won’t use my aura.”
“What kind of confidence is that?”
“I just don’t want to hear excuses.”
With the bell signaling the start of the match ringing, Tanya charged forward, creating a shockwave.
Lark, thinking his provocation had worked, grinned wickedly and swung his sword.
“Eek!”
A surprised scream escaped from Chloe, who was watching beside me.
But in a moment, the blade of Tanya, swifter than a flash, overwhelmed Lark’s trajectory.
Demonstrating that sheer psychological warfare and strength could decisively crush without any technique or level difference.
With sparks flying from the strikes of the second and third attacks, Lark’s face reflected momentary confusion.
Before he had any chance to switch to defense, Tanya’s sword was already at his throat.
―KWAANG!
As her movements halted, winds from inertia rushed through.
“…Is she a monster?”
Lark acknowledged his defeat, showing his palm.
“Wow!”
Chloe clapped her hands, amazed.
For a moment, there was a bang as someone slammed down the armrest of a chair from a bit further away.
It was none other than the King of the Kingdom.
His pride must have been hurt, as the representative knight of the kingdom couldn’t even manage a fight against someone from the empire.
He subtly glanced at the empress. The empress, catching his eye, spoke to me as if casting a sidelong glance.
“Attending Physician Gothberg.”
“Did you call for me, Your Majesty?”
“Hmm, my memory is a bit hazy. Was that red-haired swordsman your escort?”
He clearly knows who Tanya is.
He’s trying to stir up trouble.
“Absolutely.”
“You have a good escort.”
“I’m honored.”
I bowed my head to the empress.
I could tell the king was getting even angrier listening to our conversation.
Finding an S-rank adventurer only to be defeated by a mere attending physician’s escort? That must be quite humiliating.
“That person is your escort? Impressive.”
I could sense the attention of the royal family, including First Princess Persiya, lingering on me.
“Attending Physician.”
In that case, Acella called out to me, and I leaned closer to her.
Things are busy.
“Did you summon me?”
“You know I don’t have any business, right?”
“I know well.”
“Let me see your hand.”
She subtly raised her left hand so others could see, and I covered her hand pretending to give a diagnosis.
Our engagement rings sparkled in the same color.
“This should be enough. Go back to your place.”
“As you command.”
Acella scratched the center of my palm with her fingernail and giggled like a demon.
In the end, Tanya won the combat match without any rivals.
Even though I expected it, it was still impressive.
On the third day, the archery contests were held.
“Corrupted elf scum! Aren’t you ashamed? The World Tree will bring down divine punishment!”
Valen rained arrows wildly upon seeing the elven archers who used to be adventurers.
Among them was Moldina, who would originally be a member of the hero party.
“Who says who’s corrupted! That was hundreds of years ago!”
“It’s only been a few hundred years, and look at that state!”
“A forest-dweller without any sense of time!”
The elves zoomed past each other at speeds invisible to the naked eye, pulling back their bows in a magnificent display.
At that level, their arrows had the power of siege weapons.
Fortunately, there was a barrier magic cast over the audience seats, preventing any collateral damage.
“Strange. How did we end up participating here?”
“Just shoot! Death to the traitors!”
Pamhelm of the guards sensed the discomfort halfway, but fortunately, Valen was still unaware that I had been deceiving him.
“Do you think I could lose to a Night Elf? I’m going to swoop in and snatch a big score for the hero party!”
Moldina quickly increased her agility, leaping up to the top of a tower-like structure.
Hiding from a high altitude, she began bombarding from above, putting Valen in a pinch.
“You cowards, just a bunch of petty tricks!”
Valen hid his body while trying to set up a shooting angle, but it seemed he couldn’t see clearly.
Fighting from a distance beneath a terrain like this is impossible.
“Hey—”
I waved my hand to signal.
Valen recognized me and finally remembered, popping off the cap of the potion she had tucked at her waist with her thumb.
Chug chug Valen drank the potion.
“My body feels weird!”
Not feeling well, she drooped her long ears and slammed to the ground.
Valen flew up into the sky.
It was the [Levitation Potion] I had made before, designed to allow short periods of floating in the air.
I knew this would be useful someday.
Gaining a high vantage point revealed her hidden figure, and the arrow she shot led to her victory.
Thus, Valen also achieved excellent results, proudly securing her name as a candidate for the hero party.
On the fourth day, the infantry team competition came to a close, and on the fifth day,
It was the day of the healer’s demonstration.
I practiced simulations of the surgery I’d be conducting with my team since dawn.
The lead surgeon was me. Chloe was my assistant as usual.
“Scalpel.”
Chloe handed me the necessary blade right away.
“Scalpel!”
“Pathetic~ Can’t even manage a simple surgery like this? Should I switch the lead surgeon?”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
Hugo, who had been watching us, frowned.
Chloe bowed her head, embarrassed.
“I-I don’t know… Teacher told me to do it this way…”
“When did I say that?”
“She says you didn’t.”
“Ugh… sniff sniff…”
“I’m just joking. Everyone’s too tense. Even with public surgery, it’s the same as usual, right?”
“There are so many people…”
I put a piece of candy in Chloe’s mouth and patted her back, then I told my team.
“We will only focus on the patient. Forget everything else.”
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