It's a two on two, a rather uncommon competition format. Originally, to showcase the teamwork within the Knightclubs, it should've been at least three on three or four on four.
Zofia
No matter the format, you don't have a Knightclub, so we need to find you a partner.
Maria
Oh... Who am I up against?
Zofia
The competition schedule says it's the Snowyheel Knightclub.
Bald Marcin
...They have some decent archers, and even one knight that uses meteor hammers. I don't know who you'll end up against.
Bald Marcin
Maria's finally reached the point where we'll know her opponents by name alone, huh.
Maria
Ahaha......
Zofia
I don't know if that's a good thing or a bad thing...
Bald Marcin
Maria, defeating Tytus is definitely something worth celebrating, but it also means that there will be a lot more eyes on you.
Bald Marcin
Draw on the lessons you learned from Flametail and Ashlock. Don't tip your hand.
Bald Marcin
It's important to compromise and work with the corporations when you have to. Times have changed. You can't hold onto your glory with wins alone.
Maria
......
Zofia
...Why didn't you help me convince her last time?
Bald Marcin
I did have a proper conversation with Maria after you slammed the doorββBy the way, you broke my door that time.
Zofia
Ugh. I'll cover it...
Zofia
Where's V and Kowal?
Bald Marcin
It's 'that day.' They're not back yet.
Zofia
Ah... They're at the gravesite. Shit, I wanted to ask if he could help repair Maria's equipment...
Bald Marcin
Just use his workshop.
Bald Marcin
He even said so himself, one time last year, drunkenly. If you ever wanted to, Maria, he would gladly pass on his workshop to you.
Maria
Eh?! Why haven't I this before?
Bald Marcin
Either way, he's still sworn to never touch the anvil again.
Zofia
*Sigh*... Even after so many years...
Bald Marcin
It's hard enough for anyone to let go of the past, let alone us oldies who have nothing but the past.
Zofia
Lets forget about them for now. Maria, you'll need to fix up your equipment yourself.
Zofia
And then... Do you have a partner in mind?
Maria
Me? Umm...
Maria
......
Maria
D-Do I actually not have any knight friends?
Zofia
That's why I wanted to introduce you to someone. A known quantity is always safer than getting a random stranger assigned by the Association.
Maria
Err, who is it?
Zofia
The Fartooth Knight. She's an expert archer.
Zofia
Just like you, she fought her way up as an independent knight, refusing to accept sponsorships from the corporations. I've heard she's even planning to form a completely self-sufficient knightclub.
Zofia
I think you'll be able to get along, and cover each other's weaknesses in battle. You'll come to understand that team battles are completely different from melees or one-on-ones.
Zofia
If only we had more time, you could get to know each other better on the training field. Unfortunately, you'll have to improvise.
Maria
...O-okay.
Bald Marcin
This is the disadvantage of being an independent knight... Temporary allies fighting against a battle-hardened team will always be at a disadvantage.
Maria
I wonder what she's like... I'm a little nervous...
You're very accustomed to such work. Running between the various arenas and joining in countless teleconferences.
Corporate Employee
Ah, no... There's nothing to be said for someone like me...
Spokesman Czarny
Your appearance is somewhat sloppy. One's appearance is also an important bargaining chip, is it not?
Corporate Employee
A-Apologies... To be honest, I was unemployed not too long ago... So...
Spokesman Czarny
Oh... What has that got to do with this?
Spokesman Czarny
I don't dislike employees like you. Only those who have fallen to rock bottom are able to understand the cruelty we face. It is only when you have acknowledged it, that you will be able to make satisfactory decisions.
Corporate Employee
......
Spokesman Czarny
Remember each and every word I have said, each and every action I have taken.
Corporate Employee
Eh? Ah, the meeting minutes for the Snowyheel Knightclub? Don't worry, I've preparedββ
Spokesman Czarny
No no no, their sponsor is an old friend of mine. They won't trouble us much.
Spokesman Czarny
It's just for a particularly insignificant...working habit of mine.
You know I never approved of you becoming a competition knight, not since the beginning.
Maria
Eh, huh? Where did that come from? I knew that already...
Zofia
But you've proven yourself.
Maria
Though it was always by the skin of my teeth...
Zofia
Rather than your motivations, platitudes, promises or whatnot... Winning in the arena is the only proof of your determination.
Zofia
Even though you're still very naive.
Maria
Ahaha......
Zofia
Maybe...it's your desire to win back the glory of the Nearl family that makes you so strong.
Zofia
ββThough it was just a fluke, being able to take a point off Tytus means your upcoming opponents should be manageable.
Zofia
You've developed your own Arts techniques, but it doesn't seem to work against particularly strong opponents, unfortunately.
Zofia
For example, if the Left-hand Knight had fought seriously from the start, you would've probably lost even if there were four of you.
Zofia
I can teach you swordsmanship and tactics, and you can ask V about archery techniques. He may not look it, but back in the day V was an expert your granddad respected.
Zofia
ββBut when it comes to Arts, you are the only one who can grasp your light.
Welcome! Welcommme, one and allllll, to the Fireblade Arena!
Greatmouth Mob
The previous match just ended, and the blood of the 'Softwind' Knight still stains the ground. But that's just seasoning for the next battle!
Greatmouth Mob
No doubt, everybody's here today to witness the splendor of Nearlββ! This lassie here may yet be young, but she's already done miracles before our very eyes!
Greatmouth Mob
We'll have an extra short break. In just ten minutes the temporary duo of Maria Nearl and the Fartooth Knight willββ
Greatmouth Mob
Go against this year's rookiesββThe alliance of vengeance formed by elites of past years who've failed to enter the MajorββThe Snowyheel Knightclub!
Greatmouth Mob
A brand new legend versus the blade of vengeance, in an all-new two-on-two point match. What an unbelievably thrilling sight! The match shall begin soooon!
No rest for the wicked, ehββWhat? You still think we're letting them rest too much? Come on, we've got to at least act like we're clearing up the battlefield, alright?
Greatmouth Mob
How many of you are here for Nearl?! How many of you want to see the lovely Nearl?!
Greatmouth Mob
Speaking for myself here, as someone who's followed every step this super rookie has taken, I've personally watched this prize pool grow to the king's ransom it is today!
Greatmouth Mob
Let's look at the numbers! Right here, right now, in every city, every village in the country, the crowd watching this fight is in the hundreds of thousands!
Greatmouth Mob
Who do we have to thank for this?! I'm sure we all know!
Greatmouth Mob
But! I have some tragic news. The Fartooth Knight suffered heavy injuries in the incident last night and remains missing!
Greatmouth Mob
Even so! Maria did not choose to forfeit! She steps into a two on one fight completely undeterred!
Greatmouth Mob
Let me see how much her bravery means to each and every one of you!
Greatmouth Mob
PresentingββThe hottest rookie of this season! Nearl's little knight, Maria Nearl!
Maria
Oh no, is she not here yet? What should I do...?
Maria
...No, I can't give up easily. To give up before I've even begun is to disrespect knighthood!
Maria
Knighthood...yes, knighthood.
Greatmouth Mob
And on the other side! Two veterans of the Snowyheel Knightclub!
Greatmouth Mob
Back in their old Knightclubs, they failed to make it into the Major two seasons in a row. Looking for a way out, they finally ended up together in this Knightclub of vengeance!
Greatmouth Mob
The two members of the Snowyheel Knightclub here today are also well-known knights! They areββ
A sudden deafening sound interrupts the announcer.
Male Tourist
Wait, what's this? Am I seeing things?
Female Tourist
N-no, there's a weird smell, it's really grossββ
Male Tourist
What's happening?!
Heavy footsteps resound within the twenty thousand seat arena.
As people regain their senses, the entire place remains silent.
Greatmouth Mob
...Ugh.
A rare occurance in the world of knight sports. In a place that should be packed with vivacious enjoyment, tens of thousands of tourists and spectators hold their breaths, as if listening for the source of the footsteps.
The first to grasp it are VIPs on the grandstand, themselves knights.
Left-hand Knight
...Is that fog on the field? Originium Arts? Or some special equipment?
Left-hand Knight
Is there anyone like that in the Snowyheel Knightclub... hmm...?
(Hey! What's going on? The deal for the day wasββwhat? Huh? I can't figure out which of them isββ)
Greatmouth Mob
...The Snowyheel Knightclub'sββ
Greatmouth Mob
The 'Corrupted' and 'Withered' Knights!
The expected cheering does not materialize, as silence envelops the audience.
Naturally, the first thought in their minds is that of terror.
However, they soon come to realize that this terror is not for themselves, seated in the audience, but for the young girl who has not yet understood her situation.
This cruelty brings about a striking round of applause.
Tourist
This... Isn't this too scary?
Tourist
...Nearl is going to fight these two all by herself?
Tourist
Hey... Isn't this going to be an amazing show?
Greatmouth Mob
Alright, then let's start the maββ
Maria
Whatββ
Withered Knight
Target hit.
Corrupted Knight
ββGuh!
Maria
Why so... ugh?!
Corrupted Knight
Guh... Shield, very durable. Not easy.
Withered Knight
No matter... Kill her, not difficult.
Greatmouth Mob
T-They're already exchanging lightning-fast blows before the match has even started! Is this a problem? Of course not! In fact, the match started the moment the knights stepped onto the field!
Greatmouth Mob
Can Nearl turn this around?! Or will she choose to forfeit earlyββ
Greatmouth Mob
(What? Not allowed to forfeit...? This... urgh, fine.)
(My wounds are rotting, I can't heal them...! Losing blood... It's cold...)
Maria
Faster than Mr. Szewczyk... Bigger than Mr. Ingra...
Maria
These twoββ
Maria
ββ
Should I forfeit?
Maria
No, just hold on, I can stillββ
Withered Knight
...Hit. She should have fainted. You, go.
Corrupted Knight
Guh... Boring fight... Just smash her head in.
Withered Knight
Go, quickly!
Corrupted Knight
......
...The Sarkaz raises his weapon up high.
The sun shines brightly on the girl trying to regain her balance.
Maria
Ugh, *cough*...
The blood on the ground, the metallic taste in her mouth, ears buzzing, head spinning, the fragrance of dirt after rain.
She tries to support her body with her hands, but gives in to the intense pain.
Maria
(Old wounds... Hands...!)
Corrupted Knight
Guh... It's over.
Maria
Nnng...
Maria lies on the ground, unmoving. This sorrowful scene is reflected in the Sarkaz knight's emotionless eyes.
Suddenly, her vision brightens.
Perhaps the clouds blocking out the sun have dissipated, or perhaps the angle of the sunlight just happened to pass through the building's shade.
The next momentββHe hears a thunderous sound. All the cells in his body are warning him, telling him that he must act immediately, that he must strike this defenseless little knightββ
His vision brightens even more.
At the same time, the warhammer in his hand flies off, knocked away by someone.
