Seirei Gensouki's
Chapter 126: I Can't Accept It
That place was the training ground of the royal castle of Galwark kingdom.
Rio who was holding a wooden spear for practice faced Satsuki.
「Uhm, why do you want to compete with me?」
Rio asked with a wry smile as he checked the feeling of the short spear in his hand.
「Because I can't stand it anymore of course」
Satsuki suddenly replied like that.
The simple answer is irrelevant to the situation.
So Rio decided to ask another question.
「Uhm, about what?」
"About you!"
Satsuki's pointing towards Rio while answering her question.
"Ha………………… . 」
Rio who was surprised by his reply showed a narrow smile on his face.
Satsuki narrowed her eyes and,
「Haruto-kun, I know you love Miharu-chan so much, but, I can't just hold back your attitude that you've given up on her from the beginning. I just can't help a person like that who tries to calm down by saying "If it's not good, then it's not good". I know you have your own circumstances but, even if I could agree with your reasons, my feelings would not let me do that！ 」
Perhaps because he was so unhappy with her attitude, he told her all the words at once while pursing his lips.
「.................. So, it brings us to this match?」
「True. Too much thinking will not free me from this gloomy feeling. I'm not very good at holding back my own feelings, however, this gloomy feeling won't go away without something acting as a trigger and most likely you won't answer it. ……… That's why, let's compete. ……AYO!
Perhaps because she felt a little refreshed after spewing out her feelings, Satsuki then took a deep breath.
In reality, it was an inadequate excuse.
But, Rio quickly guessed the motive behind Satsuki wanting to compete against him.
Section 2
"I saw"
Rio nodded as a thin smile formed on his lips.
「I tried to think about it in my own way but, you said what I wanted to say without giving me a chance. It makes me even more angry. That's why I want to feel refreshed after moving my body. That's a pretty good reason to fight, right? 」
"Enough . But, is it really okay？ Do something like this at your own convenience 」
Satsuki is a hero.
Although that did not mean that they were assigned based on rank, it was not strange that the authority of the heroes was on par with that of the king.
Looking over the situation, the match had to be stopped even if it was just a wound.
Nonetheless, some degree of injuries can be healed with healing magic.
「I don't mind. I do not think that they will try to limit my every action as long as I am inside the royal palace 」
Satsuki was ready to say those words.
Although Rio was a little surprised by that, it should not be a problem as long as Satsuki herself, a hero, allowed it. The people around them showed no signs of stopping them.
Instead, their crowd was already in the vicinity as they heard about the match.
Satsuki, the legendary existence recorded in the history of the God-Devil war that occurred over a thousand years ago, was against Rio, who was the one who had fought against him, 『Knight Black』 whose popularity skyrocketed―― It is impossible for the crowd not to gather at hearing such a match.
Some non-commissioned nobles were even included among the crowd.
「Ah, you use a spear？ I heard from Miharu-chan that you taught pole art to them」
「Ya, less more」
「In that case, no problem right. Let me say this, do not be easy on me just because I am a woman, I mean I am a hero too, throw the match is not welcome 」
Satsuki's firmly warning him.
「Ya, I know it」
Rio nodded while smiling wryly.
「Then, the referee is ...............」.
Saying so, Satsuki scanned the surroundings and her eyes landed on one knight.
「Uhm, you must be Kyle-san was right. May I ask you to act as a referee？ 」
Kyle is the one who Satsuki nominated as the referee.
With the murderer's raid on the night party, he becomes Rio's acquaintance.
「Yes, with pleasure！ Are you okay with using the rules used during the practice match of fellow knights?」
Kyle asked for their approval in high spirits.
「I don't mind but. Haruto-kun, can you let me explain the rules？ 」
「Please」
「Then, I will give you an explanation about it」
Section 3
Kyle offered to do the job when Rio asked for it.
「No time limit. The best of one game. As for how to bring the last situation to stop the match, it was when the winning side landed a clear blow on their opponent except face. Please note that you are not a winner just by disarming your opponent. That is the basic rule of 」
「Awltified」
Rio nodded as he carved Kyle's explanation in his head.
「In addition, the use of magic and magic tools is approved as long as it is in the category of physical reinforcement ……. 」
「Ah, is it okay with you」
Satsuki asked while confirming Rio's reaction.
「I don't mind. But, since I can't use physical strengthening magic, I'll thank you if you lend me the magic tool for that 」
Since he wanted to avoid using spirit arts in front of so many people, Rio decided to have them lend him a magical tool that could strengthen his physical abilities.
Although there is 『Hyper Physical Ability』 magic for physical reinforcement, it does not mean that anyone can use this magic as long as they are a knight.
Although one needed to carve a system contract into their own body to use magic, there was still a level of difficulty and individual talent.
In short, the system contract would fail if one had poor control over magical power and talent.
Thus, magic tools with such magic sealed within were developed for such people.
But, while the output can be adjusted by the user, the demerit is that one cannot adjust the saving output for the time frame when they use magic with magic tools.
「Then, please use this one」
Perhaps because he had already foreseen this situation before, Kyle gave the ring to Rio.
"Thank you very much . 『Physical Capabilities Hyper』 」
Rio said thank you and then fixed the ring on his finger.
After chanting the aria, the system contract arose from the ring and wrapped around Rio's body.
「You are done with your preparation correctly. I want to start the game immediately but, allow me to say one thing 」
「Ya, can I know what it is?」
「It seems that the physical reinforcement of the so-called heavenly garb is even better than a mere magic tool. It seems like it will strengthen my body according to my own will. I was more or less able to suppress it consciously but, it was rather difficult to control when I was at the peak of the current destruction 」
Section 4
"No problem . Because no one really lands the same in real battles 」
「…………. Dia ~, As expected, the words of someone with real combat experience are completely different 」
Satsuki's eyes opened wide in admiration hearing Rio easily erase her words.
「Such experiences are not great at all. …………. . Let's start, Kyle-san 」
After shaking his head in denial while showing a gloomy smile on his face, Rio urged to start the match.
"Yes nih . I will start the match and Satsuki-sama also finished his preparations 」
"No problem"
After Satsuki gave her consent, Kyle opened his mouth.
「Then, both fighters, please take distance between each other and set your weapons」
Following Kyle's direction, Rio and Satsuki took a distance of about 10 meters between each other.
Both set the short spear in the middle position with the left foot one step in front of the right foot. [TL: LANCER!!!???] [ED: If both Lancers which one will die?]
It was an attitude that made one easier to attack and defend and an easier range of mobility in all directions.
"Alright then–"
Kyle raised one of his hands high into the sky.
A few seconds later,
"START!"
Kyle swung his hand down as he marked the start of the match in a loud voice.
「HIYAAAAH！
Satsuki kicked the ground along with the signal to start the match and created an explosive acceleration to get closer to Rio.
And then a rain of urgency quickly approached Rio as he entered the range of the spear.
But, Rio calmly wrapped around their spear and in doing so fended off his thrust.
A resplendent voice emerged from one place along with the shock on Satsuki's face.
「As expected, and here I plan to win in one strike」
Satsuki said that after retreating with a step back.
「This will end the match soon. Even so, you have no intention of landing the right？ 」
Rio replied to her in a calm voice.
「Eh, that's because it would be dangerous if you really hit my attack right. Since I don't even know how far I can go, I think that I can't be so careless but …………. . Looks like my worries don't need to be right 」
Satsuki's laughing at him.
「Yes, come to me so you won't regret it」
Section 5
Rio said that to her with a faint smile on his face.
「Is that？ Then, This, Me, GO!」
Although the two of them chatted freely while keeping the distance where their spearheads would meet, Satsuki flipped Rio's spear and moved one step in front of her.
Fighting continued.
The two of them exchanged free blows with their spears with their strengthened physical abilities.
（Although he improved his physical abilities, his movements were not sloppy. Highly skilled spear handling）
So, Rio admired Satsuki's skill in using her spear.
Satsuki has said before that she is practicing in lessons to use naginata.
He would not be able to show perfect coordination in his movements even if he were to strengthen his physical abilities with magic or spirit arts unless he mastered the basics.
For that reason there is a "water testing" phase in the battle between the users of strengthening magic, although there are situations where mastering the basics is not always how to move one's legs, but also how to move one's legs, which is basically the general of all the basics.
Perhaps it was thanks to the glaive shape that resembled a naginata so that he could show his prowess.
Sometimes he cuts with his spear, other times stabbing it, fending it off by using it, or moving it.
Even the audience watched attentively at the fiery exchange between the two of them, let alone the two of them moving at high speed.
"Not bad! "
Satsuki's saying that with her voice increasing.
"Thank you very much . You are also quite skilled 」
Rio retaliated without losing his momentum.
Satsuki smiled at him and then,
「It looks like you haven't gone out yet right?」
He answered his question with successive pushes.
A stream of surging waves in the form of five punctures in one breath would come towards Rio.
But, Rio fended off all those urges while calmly retreating. As he fended off every puncture until the final strike, he thrust his spear to the tip of the spear right before reaching his left hand.
Although Satsuki's balance was slightly shattered to avoid the spear, she dodged it by jumping.
Rio's spear passed through empty air but. Just when he thought that he had stopped moving and turned to face her, he had already closed the distance between them.
「KYA!」
Section 6
He immediately set up his spear and barely fended off Rio's sweep coming from below.
But, his body was blown lightly due to the force of his attack and he landed on the ground with strength remaining.
So he took a step back to kill the momentum and open a gap between them.
But, once again Rio closed the distance between them and then sent out a continuous push towards Satsuki.
「KUH」
Satsuki looked into Rio eyes who was holding her spear with both hands and came to attack her. And then, one way or another he managed to regain his footing while warding off the countless urges that came after him.
After that, Rio pretended to pull his spear and then swept his spear with the trick.
Satsuki easily avoided the sweep coming from the side by lowering her position. And then launch a counterattack from that position.
Rio moved his body with flexible footwork and avoided that push with thin paper.
「OOH!」
Passionate gazes could be seen in the eyes of the spectators watching the fierce exchange of the two without daring to blink their own eyes.
「Excellent spear handling」
「Not only Satsuki-sama, mister Haruto is also equally amazing in that regard. Isn't this a 」 equivalent fight
「No, it looks like Satsuki-sama is being overwhelmed」
Thus, the surrounding audience gave their own reviews.
「It looks like our match turned into some kind of exhibition instead!」
Saying so, Satsuki swung her spear from a standing position.
But, Rio skillfully received Satsuki's spear in a high position and then directed his strength to the side.
The remaining power of Satsuki's spear collided with the ground.
「Do you still have the composure to chat casually?」
「Ups, let me do it!」
Satsuki hastily swung her spear over in her attempt to land the attack on Rio's body.
However, Rio jumped lightly back to dodge Satsuki's spear and then did a backflip that was closer to the acrobatic movement.
Almost at the moment before he landed on the ground, his spear was aimed at Satsuki's practically helpless stomach. It was an incredible attack that combined between body movements and spear movements.
「KYA!」
Satsuki jumped back as her instinct sensed the impending crisis on her.
At that moment, Rio's spear grazed the piece of armor on Satsuki's body.
When Satsuki landed on the ground again after opening the distance between them,
「What is this, calm you」
After taking a short breath, he said it in a slightly joking tone.
「I don't have such things that you know」
Section 7
Rio shook his head in denial while showing a wry smile as he set his position again.
「No, I do not mean that you will be easy on me but, I can feel that you can do more than that」
Satsuki's glaring at Rio.
「I mean, aren't you holding back?」
「That's true but, I can feel a huge gap in our experience and basic abilities. To be honest, I don't think that I can win against you in normal situations if our physical reinforcement is at the same level 」
"I was surprised . So Satsuki-san is also the type of person who gave up victory from the start？ 」
Saying so, Rio was staring at Satsuki while showing a bold smile.
「A-It'S just a prediction, EVERYTHING I SAY IS JUST MY PREDICTION！ DON'T MAKE THINGS RIGHT SINCE I'LL SEND YOU FLYING Y」
Satsuki's regulating her attitude excitedly.
「Then, let's continue the match」
Saying so, Rio stepped forward.
Satsuki tightly held the spear in her hand. . Each of his pores were focused on Rio so that he could respond with any kind of strike.
"TOO NAIVE! "
Shouting like that, Satsuki thrust her spear forward after entering the gap between her and Rio.
It was an incredible attack that would result in a clean blow on Rio's body when his thrust ended.
But, Rio moved his spear like his own limbs to change the trajectory of his thrust.
But, Satsuki's attack won't falter with just that either.
He mixed the combo of cutting and pushing in that short interval, and managed to excel over Rio in a few seconds.
Once, Satsuki made a rather large swing with her spear.
Rio avoided that sweep by lowering his posture.
But, Satsuki who was probably expecting this move earlier had calmly changed the trajectory of her spear to sweep again towards Rio who had just lowered his posture.
But, Rio lightly kicked the ground and jumped onto Satsuki's spear tip and just so used his own weight to push the spear tip to the ground.
Their environment makes a sound 「OOh」 in seeing the superhuman achievements.
The next moment, Rio thrust his spear into the left side of Satsuki's neck.
No matter how one looks at it, the winner has decided.
Satsuki just showed a puzzled expression for a moment and then,
「…………. I'm lost"
He admitted his own defeat.
「Winner, Black knight, lord Haruto!」
Kyle announced Rio as the winner.
After which, the silent onlookers began to raise cheers for him.
"Thank you very much"
Section 8
Rio was doing the closing greetings of the match while slightly bowing to him.
"Thank you very much . …………. Ha ~ h, besides I can't win 」
Satsuki said it in a strange and refreshing voice.
「No, you're great, you know. I know that you will get better as time goes by 」
「Yes, I noticed that somehow I became stronger with this match. I'm fresher now after moving my body 」
Satsuki's flexing her body lightly as she says it.
「I'm happy then. And my deepest apology. Because I…………"
Rio told her with a somewhat hazy face.
「Yeah, I'm really grim but, that's no reason for you to apologize to me. We can get along this way, 」
Satsuki shook her head in denial while smiling at him.
「Have you considered that calmly?」
「Aa, Un. 「1。 I did it before, but before that. Are you coming for dinner in my room tonight? Because I had something to say at the time?
「Yes, I don't mind」
「Really?「 ？ Well, it's been decided 」
Satsuki smiled at Rio and agreed to his invitation.
"Yes nih . …………… Then, it's okay, right. Can you come up with fewer articles about your clothing? Half of the usual. . I'll thank you if you come on an empty stomach 」
Rio said it after faltering before touching his lips.
「EH? Yes . Doesn't matter………… . . But for what reason？ 」
「Then, please look forward to dinner」
Rio showed a happy smile as he looked at Satsuki's confused face.
☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★
After the match with Satsuki, Rio went to Duke Kretia's house on foot.
Since he had already made an appointment with Liselotte earlier, the procedure was done smoothly.
After following the guide up to the living room, not only Liselotte alone, her parents, Julianne and Cedric were also with her.
After sitting on the sofa facing the three of them, their meeting began.
「I have decided to leave the royal capital tomorrow. Even though it was only for a while, I am truly indebted to everyone in the Duke Kretia family. Thank you very much"
Section 9
So, Rio told them his gratitude while also saying goodbye.
「Nothing, even though I didn't do anything important, I still enjoyed myself for a while. If it's okay with you .... How about I send you back to my territory to take you away on my magical ship 」
「My deepest apologies. It was an amazing offer but I already have a previous agreement 」
Rio rejected her invitation politely.
"I saw . Although your rank is different from other common nobles, you are the noble of this kingdom. Although you can do as you please as a noble, I will be happy as long as I can meet you even after this 」
Cedric told her in a subtle tone.
「It will be my honor. In fact, today I also came to report my surname because it has been decided 」
「Hou, glad to hear that. Please tell us about your full name.？ 」
Cedric said it with interest.
「Amakawa, It has been decided that from now on I can use the name Haruto Amakawa」
「Hou, so Amakawa yes. I have never heard of such a name but, strangely in my ears it is a good surname 」
"Thank you very much . The reason why it sounds weird might be because I use the language used in my parents hometown 」
Rio replied with a blatant lie.
「Ah, your parents originally came from Yagumo right. So that's the reason, then no wonder ............. . hn？ 」
The clinking sound of the tea cup hitting the tea plate interfered with Cedric's words.
And then, everyone stared focusedly at the person who made that sound— Liselotte.
「What's the problem, Liselotte？ How rare of you to make such a mistake」
Making a tinkling sound while drinking tea is considered a violation of manners.
Cedric looked at Liselotte who had never made such a mistake based on her perfect attitude and elegance while drinking tea with a astonished face.
「Ah, nothing ......................... My deepest apologies. For me to show this rude attitude is .....
Liselotte apologized while showing an awkward smile.
「I don't mind that abot but, are you currently in the weather?」
Cedric was worried about his daughter,
Section 10
「It's okay. I just cried for a moment 」
「Fufufu, could it be because you feel nervous in front of Haruto-san?」
Julianne showed a mischievous smile at Liselotte who was shaking her head.
「AH, Ahahahaha, dear mother ....................」.
Liselotte made a faint statement with a wry smile on her face.
「…………. It's impossible"
Rio did not miss the small crack on his lips.