Chapter 22 (1/2)

Episode 22 “Sword Fighting Compet.i.tion III”

Lunos’ and F’s match is over, now it is time for the finals with me and F.

F’s match from a while ago was really exciting.

He should be a little tired but let’s start the match anyway.

At moments like these, it’s good to be a villain because I can do whatever I want. (TN: It’ll be really embarra.s.sing when ya lose ya know?)

“It was a good fight and you won, Sir Fitzgerald! With this, you are selected to be the new head of the Imperial Guard Order. But the tournament isn’t over yet!”

Even when I said this in a loud voice there was just some sporadic clapping.

“You want to start that now? Wouldn’t Sir Fitzgerald be at a disadvantage?” I could hear the backbiting but decided to ignore it.

There’s no way I could win against F in a normal fight, you know! (TN: At least you know that much)

“Well, it is time to fight the final match at last, but I have a proposal for Sir Fitzgerald. For the final fight, how about we use our favourite weapons and not just some practice weapons?”

My words caused a commotion in the Stadium.

Because they don’t understand my intentions they seem puzzled.

Of course, I don’t have any particular ulterior motives.

I only want to only use my Oricalc.u.m sword.

Honestly, I didn’t feel like using that against F at all.

It’s just a strategy to raise my winning chances at least a little.

“Be at ease, my intentions aren’t to hurt you, Sir. How about stopping our attacks 3 cm before they hit?”

“I don’t have any objections. I agree to Carlo-sama’s idea.”

F lowered his head.

I knew that F would say that.

“Well then, let’s start. Get mine and Sir Fitzgerald’s sword!”

Here it is, here it is, here it is.

My precious Oricalc.u.m.

With this, I’m at least one step closer to victory.

First, my name was called.

The applause and cheering were again sporadic.

Isn’t that even less than last time? (TN: Well, duh)

Then when F’s name was called next, a great cheer exceeding my expectations broke out.

Looks like he completely got the favour of the audience.

Didn’t you support Lunos a while ago?

That’s why I hate groupies. (TN: un un u__u)

“Then, shall we begin?”

I tried to start the match immediately so that F can’t recover his stamina.

I was riding White King and F was also riding his favourite horse. Like this, we greeted each other.

The match began.

OK, so how should I attack him?

I have sparred many times with F so I know his attack patterns.

However, F doesn’t know my speed when using this Oricalc.u.m sword.

I somehow have to use that.

First I rushed forward with my horse to close the distance between us.

We lightly struck our swords to get started.

F waited for me to take action like he usually did when we sparred.

Because F is an honest person he wouldn’t launch a surprise attack at his superior which is me.

That’s why I tried to take the chance and decisively attack him.

I controlled my speed to make it look like my usual speed.

I can’t let him know that my speed rose.

Who was that evil earl who said one should keep one’s trump card hidden until the very end? (TN: s.h.a.gia Frost from After War Gundam X)

I swung my sword from above, from the left side and from the right side.

However, F blocked all of my blows with accurate movements.

Even though I tried to use my glances to feint, but it completely had no effect.

Mmm, No gaps at all.

All right, then let’s use a compet.i.tion in strength!

F blocked my frontal attack with his sword.

Then I steadily started to push.

“Oooooh!”

Remembering my previous match the audience raises their voices.

That’s right, I had strength even that gigantic b.a.s.t.a.r.d couldn’t compare to.

Mmm, as I expected from F, he doesn’t move an inch.

Though I’m not getting pushed back I can’t push him back either.

Looks like we are equal.

Then my fatigue kept on piling up.

I thought about turning this into a contest of stamina for an instant but I decided against it.

I don’t know how much stamina F has.

I’ve never seen F being out of breath even though I was already wheezing when we were sparring.

It’s better to think that F has a lot more stamina than me.