I Tried To Be Her Loyal Sword

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175 Chapter

“You’ve waited long! Today is the last day of the Swordsmanship Tournament, and it’s finally the finals!”

Waaah!

With the host’s cheerful voice, a massive cheer erupted. I adjusted the decorations on my sword, checked my ring on my pinky finger, and lightly touched the ring around my neck, then slowly took a deep breath and looked up at the ceiling.

Time had passed, and today was the finals of the swordsmanship tournament.

‘There are so many people.’

I slouched in the chair of the waiting room, staring at the large crystal sphere showing the arena. Since it was the finals, the arena was packed with more spectators than any previous match.

‘Everyone I know must be here.’

I thought about my narrow circle of acquaintances. My family and friends were high-ranking nobles and would be watching from the best seats. Since Yasha said she would come, it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say everyone I knew would be watching this match.

‘Hah. So you’re the Princess of Crisis. How fascinating. I hope you’re doing well.’

When I revealed my true identity as the Princess of Crisis, Yasha’s reaction was rather calm. Perhaps my overly composed demeanor flustered me; Yasha mentioned she’d heard rumors of the Princess of Crisis participating in the swordsmanship tournament and fussed about coming to see.

‘That proud girl! Even this old man should cheer for her! Should I gather people to make a cheering group?’

“If you don’t want to see me faint while standing during the match, please don’t do that…”

Yasha had taken to me so much that she already considered me her granddaughter.

Thinking many people would watch my performance today made my heart uneasy. My hand gripping the sword felt tense.

Today, a significant incident would occur during the tournament, one that would turn the whole continent upside down.

That incident…

“Princess, it’s time to get ready to go out.”

I jolted out of my thoughts upon hearing the cautious voice calling me. The incident would unfold after the finals. For now, I had to concentrate on the match.

I shook off my seat and stood by the door. A man who carefully followed me eyed me anxiously and spoke.

“Um, Princess. As you know, since it’s the finals today, many are looking forward to an exciting match. Wouldn’t people appreciate it if you could put on a splendid performance, even if it’s on purpose?”

The swordsmanship tournament was like a festival, and the staff had to consider the spectators’ joy. Seeing the worry and eagerness in the man’s eyes, I scratched my head awkwardly.

‘Was it because of the semifinals?’

Thanks to the information Diego had provided, I had been rather out of it lately. After several days of awkwardly making mistakes, I eventually messed up during the semifinals.

I took down my opponent within a minute.

“I know the princess can handle a sword to some extent. But this is it. That, the ‘Sword of the Storm’ Hester, ahhh!”

The sword began to whirl at a deadly speed, and ‘the Sword of the Storm’ Hester lost consciousness in less than a minute. Thus, I was forever deprived of witnessing the technique of ‘the Sword of the Storm’.

After that, Hester gained nicknames like ‘One-Minute Wonder’ and ‘Laughing Swordmaster’. Those who watched the match said the outcome was so quick it was boring but began to murmur again about my skills.

‘He might be worried I’ll end this like last time.’

Watching the man with a mournful expression, I felt a strange sense of guilt. It wasn’t pleasant to be a spectacle, but the swordsmanship tournament was a place one had to prepare for that kind of thing.

I nodded decisively.

“Don’t worry. I’ll put on a fantastic show.”

With that opponent, I had no intention of taking it easy.

“…And so! The finalist is Princess Kashmir Dorema de Caesar Crisis!”

Was that the end of the preamble? The host finally called my name. It was time to go out.

Waaah!

As I passed through the dark corridor, I heard the roar of cheers. The enormous arena was drenched in the glow of the bright sun.

“Who would have guessed the princess would come this far! It’s a pity her remarkable skills weren’t known to the world before the tournament! Truly, her skills make one think of the Crisis name! Despite her small stature, she managed to seize the upper hand against the strong men!”

‘When will they stop mentioning my petite stature?’

I grumbled inwardly, staring at the air. Living as a mercenary, I had grown used to people underestimating my small frame. Ever since I became a sword master, few dared to comment on my size.

Listening to the host’s worthless explanation, I half-heartedly paid attention while glancing at the highest seat.

‘It’s a bit tense.’

Caesar’s expression as he gazed intently at the host was subtly stiff. To others, he might appear expressionless as always, but I could see that he was uncomfortable.

No one dared mention the name of Crisis frivolously. Moreover, Caesar reacted particularly sensitively about matters concerning me.

Considering the circumstances, some noise was to be expected, but seeing Caesar’s expression, the host might have a bumpy road ahead in life.

“And the princess’s opponent is…!”

‘Finally.’

My heart raced loudly, and a pleasant shiver ran down my spine. I was about to face someone I truly respected in combat. This was the moment I had been waiting for. I couldn’t help but smile.

The sound of footsteps got closer. Through the haze, a familiar silhouette approached. I inhaled the familiar aroma brushing my nose happily and beamed.

“It is Sir Reiner Cartell Noah Einhardt, Captain of the Royal Second Knights Order!”

A pleasant breeze ruffled his silver-gray hair. His golden eyes glimmered under the sunlight.

Of course, my opponent was Reiner.

Reiner approached me with his strong, dignified steps. As our eyes met, his previously expressionless face softened into a gentle smile.

Reiner bowed slightly, smiling faintly. I reciprocated the gesture and returned the bow.

“It’s an honor to meet you here, Princess of Crisis.”

“It is I who is honored, Sir Reiner.”

After exchanging polite pleasantries in a lighthearted tone, I noticed Reiner’s eyes shining brightly.

“Indeed, you came as I hoped. I was looking forward to encountering you here.”

“I thought so too. I naturally expected you to be here, Reiner.”

Gripping the hilt of my sword, I grinned.

“You haven’t forgotten that we’re supposed to fight seriously, have you?”

Reiner chuckled softly, gripping his sword’s hilt as well.

“Of course. I am still lacking to fully satisfy you… but I am prepared to face you.”

Reiner’s voice was resolute as he spoke.

“You haven’t unleashed your aura until now.”

He suddenly lowered his voice. The surroundings were noisy, and though his tone was quiet as if he was talking to himself, I could distinctly hear Reiner’s words.

Swish.

Reiner’s large, rough hand drew his sword. It was neither too big to be considered a one-handed sword nor too small to be a great sword, a perfect medium size.

Choosing the middle ground could risk losing both agility and power, but Reiner had achieved mastery of both. His attacks were swift yet carried significant weight.

“I know that without unleashing my aura, I won’t be a match for you, but I still want to face you as equals. I won’t use my aura either.”

At Reiner’s firm statement, I widened my eyes. A swordsman renouncing their aura was akin to a chef refusing fire. It was laying down the most vital instrument.

‘He’s not concerned with winning or losing.’

From Reiner’s words, I could tell he was focused more on the duel with me than on the outcome itself. Considering his high position as captain, losing to a mere young lady in front of others might weigh on his mind, yet his attitude was unmistakably Reiner.

“…Alright.”

Swish.

I elegantly drew my sword. The sharp blade glimmered, reflecting the surroundings clearly.

Focusing all my senses on him, time seemed to freeze, and the world faded away. In that realm, only Reiner and I existed. I could feel his heartbeat, transcending the norm. All of Reiner’s focus converged on me.

I slowly swallowed. Then I smiled.

It was a delightful tension.

“Then let’s settle this purely through swordsmanship.”

Swish!

As the mana from the vast arena was pulled toward us like a black hole, murmurs erupted from the spectators sensing the flow of mana.

Noah’s eyes narrowed, and a satisfied smile blossomed on Caesar’s lips. Among the crowd, I caught sight of Yasha bursting into laughter.

Many expected a clash of swords to involve aura.

Indeed, aura was glorious and explosive. It was a spectacle.

However, thinking that a fight could only be exciting because of aura was utterly mistaken.

A sword was the simplest yet most powerful weapon. Depending on how a swordsman moved, it could yield countless expressions.

The movements of the sword embodied the swordsman’s life. Clashing swords was a collision of the lives of two completely different individuals.

Bang!

The act of getting to know each other was beautiful in itself.

The two swords, imbued solely with pure mana, collided violently, producing a sound resembling a volcanic eruption.

The mana in the air quivered madly, sending shivers down everyone’s spine. Even those without mana affinity felt a cold sensation from the vibrations. While the audience stirred more loudly, I trembled.

It had been a long time since I had faced someone as potent as Zigmund, who made my hands ache momentarily when our swords met.

My heart raced, pumping red blood throughout my body at high speed.

A chilling tension crept down my spine. Excitement boiled in my brain. My blood screamed for more movement, demanding.

In history, fewer than a hundred sword masters often turned out to be brawlers or broken individuals. While I used to find it incomprehensible before, since becoming a sword master, I finally understood why that was the case.

The blood of a sword master craved a fight. It roared for conflict like a predator yearning for prey.

Unlike them, I had a belief more important than fighting, and thus my greed for combat was comparatively weaker. Regardless, I had to continually suppress the voice within me dragging me into the battlefield like a siren luring sailors.

To me, the sword was instinct. It was an extension of myself beyond being merely an object.

I reveled in combat.

As Reiner’s pure mana clashed with my dense mana, I laughed widely at him.

“Kashmir makes that expression when fighting, huh?”

He murmured softly. Upon seeing his expression, I couldn’t help but widen my eyes in surprise.

It was a look I had never seen on Reiner before, nor had I expected to see it. It seemed inexplicably fitting yet completely unlike him. His sharp eyes softened, and his previously straight lips broke into a broad smile.

Reiner was grinning like a child.

“I am glad to know the new Kashmir.”

Again, our swords clashed.