Liberi Reader

The previous Platinum harbored a secret love for his target, and so for the sake of protecting the object of his affections, he died at the Armorless Union's hands.

As a result, the girl of today was pushed hastily into the position, our 'youngest Platinum.'

...She is a gifted mark, make no joke, and I must say her strong potential makes her unignorably suited for the role... but in all other respects, she is far and away one of the least mature to ever assume the position.

I-I see... Why are you telling me this? The Armorless Union's existence should be classified... so aren't you...

Oh, do lay your concerns aside. It's simply been on my mind quite a bit as of late. Had I not made the effort to get to where I am today, I would hardly enjoy the privilege to ponder it.

Did you know? Our present Platinum was elected to the position by the very Platinum before her, doomed to die as he was.

A great deal of food for thought... Not to mention why the Armorless Union would listen to a traitor, to say nothing of how electing this girl would have absolutely no impact on his own death sentence. For what reason did he do this?

Before the arrow of his own colleague shot through his chest, did he think to cry out? To whom? Of what? To what end? Would it have been that easy?

......

If I remember correctly, you a Słoma employee, correct?

Y-Yeah... so far in the event, I've been responsible for liaising between the major companies and the Knights Association...

Errand work takes quite the toll.

It's no problem. If I can contribute to the business, that's what I'm here for—

No no no, your work is what they pay your salary for. You needn't use such humble language.

You apparently had your own business before. What made you abandon it?

Ah... I didn't have what it took...

What distinguishes failure and success may be more than ability. Perhaps you have chosen the wrong path to walk, or perhaps you walk as I do now.

P-People like me only...

In Kazimierz, anything is possible.

......

Zofia... feels like an age since I saw you.

Oh, Marcin...

...Have you seen Maria?

Something cropped up. Had her head back home.

I see—

—I smell blood. Hold on. What are these bandages?

Has Maria been hurt? Who was she fighting? What happened?!

I told her not to be rash! Why doesn't this silly girl—

Steady, now. It's some other kid who got hurt.

...What happened?

Someone went for the Ashlock and Flametail Knights out of nowhere... Ashlock got injured, and by a mighty stroke of something, they ended up in here.

This morning, they said they didn't want to cause Nearl any more trouble and left.

...Do things like that just happen?

They're in a hell of a tight spot, but our hands are tied.

Seen the news this morning?

......

What's Maria doing now?

Competing.

Competing in what? Against who?

Unguarded one-on-one, just like with Ingra. Head to head.

Against 'Left-hand' Tytus Topola.

Hold on—who?

Blade Helmet Knightclub commander. Noble knight, big commercial name, been as far as the Final 16. Tytus Topola.

But... But there should be no way Maria gets matched against him at her point level, and his social standing is...

Someone came looking for Maria. It wasn't good.

She's just like Margaret used to be. Obsessed with charging forward, no idea how to deal with the corporates.

You think... she's like Margaret?

Margaret KNEW what she was doing. Maria only got like this after falling for her own wishful thinking about her own ideals.

She's not even clear what's in front of her, and she doesn't know what to do about it. She can't keep pushing upwards like this!

Maria was so much more carefree before this... She doesn't need to be the kind of knight you and I were, does she?

You might be right, but you need to remember she's got her own mind for things. You can't decide it all for her.

She's still real young, and uneasy at that. Maybe her being carefree was all just so she wouldn't worry you.

......

Maria might not come off mature a lot of the time, but what kind of kid without a fighting spirit could overcome the Plastic Knight, come to a draw with Brassrust, hold third place in a melee?

Maybe she ought to lose a match. It'd sober her up.

If you're telling me that's what you really think.

......

...Which arena is it?

Ladiiiiiiies—aaaand gentlemeeeenn! Welcommme, to the Fireblade Arena, and welcome to a very special event today!

An event already drawing the greatest media attention since the start of the preliminaries! Right at this verrry moment, all twelve imprints of the Rose Paper Union are zeroed in on one arena!

And not just that—whoa, put your hands together now for the Fireblade Arena, the third largest in Kazimierz! Because today! Every single seat has been filled!

Are our opponents today just that popular?! Or is this going to be one seriously major show?!

It's my job to tell you the answer is—booooth!

And I gotta say—what a privilege!

In today's special event! Our first competitor, hailing from the Nearl family, the mania for her's off the charts! The marvelous maiden knight who's got all her fans talking—Maria Nearl!

And facing her—! The concealed blade, the height of status, named for the old knight of legend, it's the headliner of the Blade Helmet Knightclub, it's 'Left-hand' Tytus Topola!

Ooooh, man! Might be a first, today—the knights haven't even come in yet, but the prize pool is running insane numbers! Looks like I oughta stop running my mouth already—I bet y'all wanted me to stop, right?

I got you! No time to lose! Would our two knights please enter the arena!

......

First on the battlefield is Maria Nearl! Just like always, pure white armor! Just like always, a delicate stance!

After defeating 'Plastic' Szewczyk, she's been marching victorious! Big or small, no matter the event, Maria Nearl brings her A-game!

Standing here now, she declared way back she had to get a place in the Major! Can she use this match as a stepping stone, and rise to the apex of the Kazimierz knights? We're all waiting to see!

(I never did that...)

And in the other corner—please—

Shut up, motormouthed clown.

Your sort don't deserve to stand in my arena. Get off the stage. Get out.

—No mistake! That's Tytus Topola! I've been saying forever, we oughta give all our contestants microphones and let the audience immerse themselves in the heat of battle!