“Every time the Major reaches its finals, Kawalerielki gets especially lively.” Zofia held a little horse plush she’d just bought from a souvenir shop, curiously looking around at all the new attractions and decorations that hadn’t been there in previous years.
Today, Zofia wore a dress made from rather expensive material.
Golden patterns were embroidered across the white fabric, giving it an understated yet refined appearance.
Especially striking was the slender waist outlined by the fitted dress, curved like a saber sharp enough to hook away a person’s soul.
Clarus walked beside her with his hands in his pockets and a lollipop between his lips.
“Definitely.
There’s a lot of new stuff this year.
You can’t walk ten steps without seeing another Black Knight poster.” “The Black Knight is just way too popular.
Even her opponent has barely shown his face because of how overwhelming her reputation is.” Zofia smiled and lifted the plush beside her cheek.
“Clarus, Clarus~ Which one is prettier, me or the plushie~?” “You.” Clarus pulled the lollipop stick from his mouth and tossed it neatly into a roadside trash bin.
“So perfunctory.” Zofia pouted, though the smile creeping across her face betrayed her anyway.
“What are you two talking about?” Margaret approached with little Maria beside her, each of them carrying two ice creams.
“Nothing.” Clarus took the strawberry ice cream Margaret handed him.
He’d always had a weakness for strawberry-flavored things.
“Where’s Uncle?
Didn’t he go with you two just now?” “Don’t even mention it.” Margaret was dressed as plainly as ever today—a white T-shirt and athletic shorts.
Those long legs were genuinely distracting.
“We were halfway through buying something when he suddenly got a call.
The General Chamber of Commerce urgently dragged him away to handle security inside the arena.” “There really are a lot of people here to watch the match.” Zofia suddenly tilted her head and took a bite straight out of Margaret’s scoop of ice cream.
Her face immediately lit up with bliss.
“Mm!
Stealing Margaret’s really does make it taste better~” “Auntie!” Margaret called out helplessly.
Clarus had already developed complete immunity to Zofia’s recent barrage of sweetly manipulative remarks and was busy checking messages on his terminal.
“They’re about to start letting people in.
Let’s go line up!” Zofia pointed excitedly toward the enormous queue already forming and grabbed Margaret’s arm, pulling her toward it.
The energetic little Maria clung to the hem of Clarus’s clothes as she followed along, shouting excitedly the entire way.
Her voice was so loud that Clarus couldn’t resist joking that she should become a singer when she grew up.
With lungs like those, she’d definitely sound incredible.
Of course, the four of them had no intention of waiting in a line at the entrance that looked as long as the queue for a ride at a certain amusement park.
They simply slipped into the VIP entrance and were inside in no time.
“These seats are amazing!
We can see the center of the arena from so close!” Zofia practically sparkled with excitement.
Margaret had finally managed to quiet Maria down by giving the little girl the half-eaten ice cream she’d been holding.
Now Margaret was seriously considering how she might pry some of that ice cream back out of Maria’s hands, then convince Clarus that Maria couldn’t finish it and ask him to help…
Maybe she should give Maria the terminal instead?
If Maria started playing with a terminal, she’d definitely forget all about eating…
Clarus: scrolling on terminal.jpg The atmosphere inside the arena grew hotter and hotter, like an already full gas cylinder that someone simply refused to stop pressurizing.
The temperature kept rising.
And finally— when two figures appeared at the center of the arena, the largest gas cylinder in all of Kazimierz was finally ignited.
The people of Kazimierz erupted into blazing cheers.
“BLACK KNIGHT!
BLACK KNIGHT!
BLACK KNIGHT!” The fanatical crowd shouted the title in perfect unison, turning it into something more than a name.
A symbol.
A belief.
At the center of the arena, the Caprinae woman showed almost no reaction.
Or perhaps…
she had simply grown accustomed to it long ago.
“Two championships already…” Zofia murmured enviously.
“I wonder if she’ll win a third and become a true legend.” Zofia herself was working toward becoming a competition knight.
Even Clarus had to admit that House Nearl’s love of martial prowess seemed carved directly into their bones.
The speed of Zofia’s improvement was enough to make even Bald Marcin praise her.
Clarus had little doubt that she would eventually achieve her dream as well.
“So strong…
She’s really strong!” Margaret leaned forward, making no attempt whatsoever to conceal the fire burning in her eyes.
This was undoubtedly the strongest—and most worthwhile—opponent she had ever seen.
Clarus lowered his head and rubbed his hands together.
For some reason, he suddenly didn’t feel like watching anymore.
Why was he feeling a little guilty all of a sudden?
As for Młynar…
he was in absolutely no mood to watch the match.
Mr.
Nearl, temporary head of security, was currently frantically calling for emergency medical assistance while trying to save an overly enthusiastic spectator who had accidentally fallen from the stands.
“All~ right!
Ladies and gentlemen!
Welcome to the grand finals of the 21st Kazimierz Major!” A thunderous announcer’s voice blasted through the speakers, pushing the atmosphere even higher.
“It’s your old friend—Big-Eyed Oak!” “All right, ladies and gentlemen!
The black-robed gentleman you’re looking at right now is the greatest dark horse to fight his way through this year’s Major!” “And let me tell you, his knightly title is unbelievably arrogant!” “Let us welcome~~~ the Knight!
Of!
Myriad!
Arts!” Thunderous cheers erupted throughout the arena.
Knight competitions operated under a principle of “respect,” after all.
Even though most of the audience supported the Black Knight, the fact that the Knight of Myriad Arts had made it this far was proof of his strength.
He was unquestionably an opponent worthy of respect.
The Knight of Myriad Arts raised a hand and waved toward the stands.
“All~ right!
Ladies and gentlemen, the Knight of Myriad Arts appears to be in excellent form today!
Let’s hope he gives us a spectacular match!” The deafening roar within the arena gradually subsided.
Little by little, the enormous venue became completely silent.
The Caprinae woman slowly lowered her eyes.
Her expression remained unchanged as she calmly adjusted her equipment.
“Greatness that needs no explanation.” Big-Eyed Oak’s voice also dropped, becoming deep and solemn.
“Glory that needs no explanation.” “Two-time champion of the Kazimierz Major!” “Defending champion!” “The young ruler who has dominated the Major!” “And the knight voted number one on this year’s list of ‘Opponents Nobody Ever Wants to Be Matched Against!'” “She is a warrior born for battle!” “She is the undisputed Demon King of the Major!” “For six entire years, she has drowned the knight competitions of Kazimierz beneath a darkness that belongs to her alone!” “Before her, every obstacle shall be reduced to dust beneath that greatsword!” “Come, my friends!” “Let us shout!” “Let us sing her praises…” “Let us welcome—” “THE!
BLACK!
KNIGHT!!!” Yet in the silent arena, what came first was not an earth-shaking roar of cheers.
Instead, a deep song began drifting through the stadium.
The melody was solemn and powerful, carrying far across the stands.
Slowly…
little by little…
nearly everyone in the arena began to sing along.
Tens of thousands of voices joined together.
A true chorus of tens of thousands.
Thunderous.
Solemn.
The music suddenly paused.
Then— it surged upward, breaking free of every restraint!
Like the roar of a God of War reaching toward the heavens, swearing to tear the sky itself apart with bare hands!
Like a berserk warrior raising a bloodthirsty greatsword, vowing to drown its blade in blood!
The Black Knight, who had been idly tapping her fingers against the hilt of her sword, abruptly raised her eyes.
The entire arena exploded.
…
TL: What is author cooking, where is Silver Knight?