第９３９堀：実力の証明 (Part1)
**Chapter 939: Proof of Ability**
**Side: Yuki**
"Haa..."
Honestly, the world is just full of unexpected developments.
I had fully expected the fake emperor to feign ignorance during our audience, but the true, intended target—the young girl emperor herself—appeared to face us from the very start.
It was so sudden that I was genuinely surprised, wondering if my predictions had been completely off the mark.
However, a quick re-appraisal confirmed without a doubt that she was the (genuine) Emperor of the Zuraburu Empire. Between her complaints about the difficulties of dealing with the appearance she had adopted for the audience chamber and the reactions of her subordinates, she certainly seemed like the real deal.
"Well, it was unexpected, but it’s a relief that she’s more reasonable than I thought."
"Yes. It is fortunate that she is such an understanding person."
The one agreeing with me was Rurua, who was accompanying me at my side.
There is no one in Weed better suited for recovery duties than Rurua. She possesses a high level of proficiency in both magical healing and physical medical treatment.
I had brought her along just in case, but it seemed that wouldn't be necessary. As Rurua said, Emperor Eupia was even willing to verify whether we truly possessed the strength we claimed.
"I had even prepared myself for the worst-case scenario of causing a massive scene inside the castle."
"That would have been quite troublesome. Oh, it looks like it’s about to end."
Prompted by Rurua, I shifted my gaze from Emperor Eupia back to the training grounds, where Qual was standing alone, facing a burly, rugged man wielding a greatsword.
At a glance, it looked like an opponent Qual had no hope of defeating...
"Huff... huff..."
"Hmm. Is it already over?"
In reality, it was the burly man who was gasping for air.
Qual, by contrast, hadn't even lost her composure.
Well, given the overwhelming difference in their levels, this result was only natural. Unless he possessed an ability to nullify magic, the sad reality was that there was absolutely no way for that man to beat Qual, even if he tried a sneak attack.
"N-not yet!! I cannot back down, not when His Majesty has recognized my worth!"
However, the man couldn't simply accept that gap in ability.
Since he had been personally selected by Emperor Eupia, he had immense confidence in his own skill, and his pride—as well as the Emperor's—was on the line. More than anything, his words made it clear that he had sworn his loyalty to the Emperor.
It wasn't about strength or weakness. It wasn't about winning or losing.
He was simply fighting as a soldier and a subject for the person who had placed their trust in him.
But that was true for Qual as well.
"That loyalty is admirable. It is clear to me that this Emperor is a good liege for you. However, I, too, cannot afford to lose."
Once Qual declared this, she shifted her left hand to her blade, gripping it with both hands.
Until now, Qual had been wielding her sword with one hand, parrying every attack with ease. The fact that she was now using both hands was a clear declaration of intent: she was about to launch an attack.
The burly man understood this better than anyone. He knew this would be the final strike.
"U-Uwooooooh!!"
Even so, the man didn't retreat a single inch.
He gripped his greatsword with both hands once more and swung it down at Qual with enough force to crush her.
*Clang...*
With that sound, the greatsword shattered and flew apart.
Well, in truth, it was the sound of Qual’s blade slicing through his, but since seeing a sword get cut by another sword is a rare sight, it’s easier to say it "shattered."
Before Qual’s blade and swordsmanship, the man’s sword broke.
"A fine strike."
The moment Qual said that, the man collapsed to the ground with a heavy thud...
*KRAAAASH!!*
A beat later, the ground behind the man was also sliced clean through.
That Qual, she did that on purpose for the sake of the performance.
Well, I suppose that’s fine. If she had just knocked him down with a simple blow, the opponent might not have been convinced.
The effect was sufficient. Emperor Eupia, previously calm, suddenly began barking orders in a panic.
"That is enough! See to Dodan’s care immediately!"
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
The fact that she immediately ordered medical treatment showed she was someone who valued her subordinates.
So, the man's name was Dodan.
I could use a man with that kind of loyalty. He seemed like the type to take his work seriously.
Anyway, that aside, Dodan had merely been knocked unconscious and hadn't sustained any fatal wounds. Once those who rushed to his side confirmed this and relayed his safety to Emperor Eupia, a sense of relief spread through the area.
"I see. He is safe... Hmph. Magnificent! You are called Qual, correct?"
"Yes. I am the Captain of the Imperial Guard for Lord Yuki, the consort of the Queen of Weed, currently visiting your country as an envoy."
"An Imperial Guard Captain. And a woman at that."
"In our nation of Weed, whether one is male or female, those with talent are granted positions commensurate with their abilities."
"I see. Is Weed a good country for you?"
"Yes. I would not hesitate to offer my life for my country."
"Hmph. I see. Lord Yuki, you have excellent subordinates."
Only then did Emperor Eupia turn her attention to me.
"Indeed. They are subordinates I am proud of."
Well, they aren't *my* subordinates, but I'll let that slide.
As for the Queen herself, the one who actually owns them...
"..."
She was pouting, staring at Qual with a sullen expression.
The fact that she was still being held back by Deryu and Ratz meant she had probably tried to jump out several times during the fight.
Good grief. I thought she had grown up and become more docile since becoming Queen, but it seems she was just being kept in a cage.
It’s going to be a pain to get back into her good graces later.
As I was thinking that, Emperor Eupia spoke again.
"Normally, I would say 'Very well, let us continue with the next match,' but it would be the height of folly to challenge someone who can cleave a training ground in two with a single strike. I have seen a glimpse of Weed's strength, which was my initial goal. The man who fought just now is named Dodan; he is a soldier whose skill is far greater than his capacity as a general. He is known in the streets as a warrior worth a thousand men. To see him handled so easily... I can believe in Weed's strength, at least to some extent."
"That is good to hear."
With this, we had moved one step closer to the stage of negotiations with the Zuraburu Empire.
"That said, Qual is merely one soldier's strength. I can accept being beaten by brute force, but the report from Vol—that your forces took the main camp in the blink of an eye—is a different matter entirely. How did you accomplish that?"
She was asking directly now.
However, I had no intention of answering that honestly.
It seemed the custom around here was to show off one's strength to intimidate the other party, but I had no intention of doing anything so foolish.
"I cannot speak to that in detail. It is a military secret of our army, and if it were known, it could become a weakness."
"Hmm. I suppose that is only natural. However, if that is the case, it will be difficult for me to truly trust in the power of Weed's people, will it not?"
So she was going to press me on that.
I was surprised she had accepted my previous answer so easily, but I suppose that was to be expected. It was like gunboat diplomacy, but no one just hands over all their cards. Everyone keeps an ace up their sleeve. She was just using threats to try and make me reveal it.
"Well, I have prepared something else to take its place. If you look at that, I believe you will be sufficiently convinced."
"Oh? Are you referring to those strange vehicles the soldiers you brought with you possess?"