Roar Guards Co.

Ughh—!

I was expecting something on Zofia or the Radiant Knight's level, but is this all you've got...?

What a let-down.

That's the Roar Guards' old war horse! He's using the artificial environment and his speed to his advantage! The poor girl's got nowhere to run!

He stops! He shoots! And then he's on the move again! This is his 'Plastic Rhythm'!

(I-I can't see his movements! Why? He's not even as fast as Zofia—)

(He stopped! I've gotta block—!)

Too slow!

—Maria! To your left!

What—Uhgh!

Szewczyk just hopped on the wall there and made a beautiful burst of shots. My god, if he landed those shots where he really wanted them, we'd have to cut the broadcast short! That was close!

Even though he's been hit a few times already, his armor is so tough, there's absolutely no sign of damage at all! Yet he's able to move around in it so quickly! Astounding!

You see that, everyone? That's the latest product from the Roar Guards! The Jack 2 Special High Performance Rubber Paste!

This fantastic product can be yours today! But wait! We're even handing out 5% off coupons at the front of the arena right now! Be sure not to miss this opportunity!

So... That's Nearl?

Hold on, is she really the Radiant Knight's sister?

...What, are you disappointed?

Of course not... Why would I be disappointed by something like this? What about you?

Me? Well... Let's keep watching a little longer. We paid good money for our tickets after all.

I hate the atmosphere here... and Mob never fails to get on my nerves.

I don't understand how he manages to stir up the crowd when he commentates like that... And those advertisements... Is anyone actually running out to buy anything he's advertising?

There's probably a few.

After all, letting viewers put everything off their minds and go with the crowd is what these knight competitions do best, wouldn't you agree?

Hey, take a look over there. In the front row. 'Whislash' Zofia.

Not just her. There's more over there... Some lesser-known knights.

...We have about ten minutes left.

Looks like your luck hasn't run out yet. If I didn't have to drag this out, you would've begged me to spare your life long ago!

Nngh—!

Just surrender, kid.

You don't know the rules here. The judges aren't going to stop us until I have arrows sticking through all your arms and legs.

You don't need to do this. Throw in the towel.

I-I can't give up...!

Well, if you've already dug your heels in... You have her eyes, but, other than that, you're nothing.

Very well... Let's see how long you can keep this up.

—!

Training is nothing like real combat.

No one's going to try to be polite and take you head-on.

Besides, each contestant has her own equipment, weapon, and fighting style. On top of that, each battle takes place on different terrain, there are different traps and support equipment... Any one of which could influence the outcome.

Gathering intel sounds really important...

That's right, and that's where the problem is. There is no way you can remember the weaknesses of each and every one of the knights in the Kazimierz Major, but most if not all of them have their eyes on you.

Ohh...

There isn't a one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to winning the competitions, but if we have to come up with something...

Bring out the best in yourself—In other words, give it your all.

So, you mean... you've got nothing?

Ow!

Observe and think. You don't come up with solutions before you actually face the challenges.

You need to analyze the situation within an extremely short amount of time and come up with the appropriate response. That's not an easy thing to do.

—To the left!

You got lucky there.

Ohh?! This is the first time Nearl has countered his attack—Nope, all she did was block his feint!

The vote count hasn't changed! Szewczyk still has the advantage, and an overwhelming one at that!

(His knight armor—Jack 2?)

(The Roar Guards have thirteen different products, and none are called that—)

...Waiting for me to strike? Fool!

(It enhances his mobility... No, there's more to it than that... but this model...)

...Let's give it a try.

She's charging! 'Plastic' Szewczyk has been toying with Nearl so far this entire match, but she's finally charging him for the first time!

She dodged the flames burning through the crevices and the artificial frost! She's fast! Very fast—But Szewczyk is still not moving away! Is he going to fight her head on?!

It's suicide for an archer to fight a swordsman head on—

You won't get away—!

I'm not going anywhere!

What's this? Would you believe it?! We aren't just getting a knight match for our money today; we've got a circus show going on here!

Maria has finally closed in on Szewczyk, but she hasn't attacked even once! Is this her idea of a taunt?!

...It's not that she's not attacking; she can't attack. If she didn't dodge that, her left arm would've been crippled by now.

Plastic's trying to drag the fight on. He's trying to get sponsorships by putting on a show... *sigh*.

Maria...

What... did you just do?

It's getting a little hot in here, isn't it... Mr. Szewczyk?

Haven't the Roar Guards thought out the ventilation issues in that new armor you're wearing?

...That's something for the craftsmen to worry about, not for two dueling knights to have a discussion over.

(High performance, lightweight... It's obviously trying to replicate that high-end Victorian workmanship and the Originium skeletal reinforcement lining technology from Columbia...)

(They probably left out air vents because of some technical issues... No, maybe just aesthetics...)

(In that case... How much longer till it reaches its limits?)

(He moves and shoots, then repeats. I know his pattern, but I can't match his speed.)

(Wait, no... He moves, then stops, and then he shoots... Hold on...?)

We had a little interlude just now, but both sides have regained their composure! They pulled away from each other, and we're back on track—Hang on!

Maria's not hesitating at all! She took off right away and she's trying to match Szewczyk's speed! But! There's still some difference between them!

You don't know when to give up, do you? Hasn't 'Whislash' taught you not to make chase when you have the lower hand in speed?

(Now!)

A flash! The stadium is suddenly filled with a blinding light—Let's take this opportunity to look at all the advantages of Raythean's latest sunglasses, part of its Pioneer line of apparel!

(What? Advertisements? Who gives a crap when they've already thrown all that money on this?)

Nnn—!

She's not attacking—What—

(He's not attacking or moving! Again!)

—Hiyaah!

——

He blocked it! Szewczyk, a crossbowman, managed to block Maria's attack without even breaking a sweat!

Our Nascent Nearl, Maria, is running out of ideas!

(I knew it!)

So the Arts were all just a fluke... Was there even a point to that? It was your last chance.

Mr. Szewczyk, how's the automatic cooling system doing for you during combat?

Well, color me surprised... If you figured that out so quickly, maybe you should've been a mechanic, not a knight.

—Mr. Szewczyk, you're a really strong knight. Your speed and techniques are impeccable.

Sadly, it looks like you chose to be a corporate product tester instead.

...None of your business, and I suggest you stop underestimating the Roar Guards' technological prowess.

—Is that so?

Ohh?! Maria's willingly pulled herself back! What's the meaning of this?! What were the two of them talking about?!

I'm sure our audience is curious about that, too. I've always been an advocate for giving the knights mics—Who doesn't want to listen in on our contestants trash-talking each other?!

Well, the crowd's getting all fired up again.

It seems like Maria Nearl figured something out.

Yeah, it looks like it. Well, no matter. Knights should spend more time thinking instead of always trying to brute force a win.

Cheap tricks...!

He stops! He shoots! Szewczyk's starting his hunt again—Wait! Maria sidestepped the obstacles on the ground, and she's dashing straight towards Szewczyk!

Hmm?!

Szewczyk! Szewczyk's not moving an inch! Is he going to take that hit straight on like last time?!

*Warning sounds* Tsk! This stupid cooling system—!

Sorry about this!

Don't get cocky!

Ugh?!

It's suicide for an archer to fight a swordsman head on—I couldn't have said it better myself!

(It hasn't cooled down yet. I need to keep my distance!)

Out of the way!

Szewczyk—! Unbelievable! With just his crossbow and his bayonet, he blocked her flawlessly!

Yeah... now I remember...

That backhand thrust... It's the same one that took Margaret to victory.

You...

This is impossible...

Haghhh—

Th-That hurts...

—Wh-Who could've seen this coming?!

Szewczyk still had the advantage just a second ago, but she knocked him cold in just one blow! There is no question. The winner is Maria!

But how did she do that? Did we just witness a repeat of that miraculous final match?! Maria Nearl! Has she been hiding her true strength this whole time?!

Well, well. She did it.

...Let's go.

Not gonna keep watching?

What's there to watch? Better go home and fix up your weapon, don't leave any weaknesses for your opponent to capitalize on.

Hahaha, you're right about that. Wait up!

Maria... you really did it.

...Is this really a good thing?

Mr. Mob.

(Hey! This stage's for commentators! Get off!)

Shh... Quiet. Do not let the audience hear you... They cannot see me where I am standing, so relax.

I am just here to relay Mr. Pavel's thoughts on the matter...

Pa... Y-You dare call him by name... What do you want?

It appears Szewczyk lost this match out of ineptitude. This has been a huge disappointment to the Roar Guards Company.

You mean...

Quiet now... There are some things that are best kept unsaid. I am sure you are aware what that means.

Now go, the audience is waiting.

Everyone—! Everyone!

Going by the odds and votes, this has undoubtedly been a huge upset! This match is sure to be the talk of the town for days to come!

An independent, untitled knight managed to defeat the Roar K.C.'s vanguard! It looks like Maria Nearl's Originium Arts are a force to be reckoned with! She defeated the 'Plastic' Szewczyk, through pure skill!

Was it because Szewczyk underestimated her opponent, a newbie? Was it their conversation that determined the victor? This is why I said the knights should get mics—

In any case! Whatever excuses you've got, it's all too late now! I'm honored to announce the results of the first match of the day!

The winner—Maria Nearl!