第１１９６堀：幽霊適正試験 (Part1)

第１１９６堀：幽霊適正試験 (Part1)

Chapter 1196: Ghost Aptitude Test

Side: Fiora

My throat is parched from the sheer intensity of the tension.

Even though it shouldn't be hot, I can feel every single bead of sweat trickling down my face with crystalline clarity. I am sharpening my senses to their absolute limit, determined not to miss a single twitch or shift in weight from the opponent before me.

And that opponent is...

"You won't be able to show your true potential if you're this tense."

Indeed, it is Seraria, the Queen of Weed, and now, my superior.

With those words—which could be taken as light advice—she appeared directly before me. I hadn't even felt the slightest hint of movement; she had simply stepped in and swung her blade.

I instinctively leaped backward, choosing to dodge rather than attempt to parry.

For some reason, I knew that if I tried to block that strike, it would be the end of me.

"Oh? You dodged."

"..."

I have no luxury to exchange words in the middle of this battle.

After all, someone like me is no match for Her Majesty the Queen.

Facing her directly today, I am certain that my assessment was not a mistake.

I was fortunate enough not to face her during yesterday's festivities, but watching those matches was enough to understand.

In my current state, I am out of my depth.

Even if I threw everything I had at her, victory would be impossible; I would be lucky just to survive. And if I showed even the slightest opening, it would be over in an instant.

"You haven't given up. You have the resolve to look for an opening. That's good. Come."

With that, Her Majesty Seraria not only dropped her guard but even let her sword-wielding arm hang limply at her side.

She is visibly wide open.

It is a blatant invitation.

But if I strike now, a devastating counter is guaranteed to follow.

...However, if I do not strike, there was no point in me requesting this sparring session.

I take a deep breath...

"Haa... *inhale*... *exhale*... Very well, here I come."

"Yes."

And so, for the first time in a long while, I poured the absolute limits of my ability into a sword strike aimed at Seraria.

"Haa... haa..."

How much time has passed since then? It feels as though we had been fighting for an eternity, yet it also feels like it lasted only a fleeting moment.

The result was clear from the beginning—an overwhelming 'defeat'—but because it was a defeat born from pouring every ounce of my strength into the fray, I feel strangely refreshed.

"Phew. That was incredible. If you had come to my country as an individual, Fiora, I would have made you my aide on the spot."

"Please, don't say such foolish things. That is impossible. More importantly, Princess Fiora, are you alright?"

As she says this, Quar, Her Majesty's aide, goes out of her way to bring me a towel and a drink, helping me to my feet.

"Ah, thank you very much."

"No, no. There is no need for thanks. Princess Fiora is Yuki-sama's wife. Well, you are still engaged, but even so, my status is lower than yours."

"In terms of rank, that may be true. But thank you nonetheless."

When I thank her again, Quar gives a wry smile.

"You really are like Her Majesty. The only difference is your earnestness. Princess Fiora, you are truly polite."

"Is that so?"

"Yes. In Her Majesty's case, she would say 'thanks' instead of 'thank you very much.' And after that, she'd be right back to practicing with her sword. She really is a handful."

"It's fine. From now on, Fiora can handle the 'earnest' department. Right?"

"Yes. Leave it to me. I will surely repay the debt of having my homeland, Dafaio, saved."

I answered with the utmost sincerity, pouring my heart into the words, but this time, Her Majesty Seraria gives a wry smile.

Did I say something wrong or strange? As I ponder this...

"Yes, that is one of your good points. But if you only focus on that, your husband will worry. You should find something you truly enjoy."

"Eh? What do you mean? Does Yuki-sama not necessarily like diligence? But considering what happened in Dafaio and here, I thought..."

I have the impression that he is a very serious and diligent person.

"Yes, Yuki-sama is a very diligent person. The amount of work he handles is still surprising even now. But he is never just chased by his work. He always maintains a sense of composure. Tell me, I believe you enjoyed the exchange meet this time, didn't you?"

"Yes, very much so. Even though it was a weapon I wasn't used to—the gun—it was fun to form strategies with others and aim for victory. ...Ah, is that what you mean?"

I realized it as I spoke.

Yes, I had been enjoying myself once I realized what the event was.

Of course, I understood Yuki-sama's intentions from the start.

Just as with Orelia and the others, he gave us this opportunity so that I and the others who will be working together in Weed could get accustomed to each other quickly.

That is why I made an effort to converse not only with the wives but also with the guests, and I took the martial arts tournament, where the strong gathered, very seriously.

And that was not a 'duty' I performed reluctantly; I did it because it was fun.

"Exactly. If you make someone do something they don't enjoy, they'll lose their mood. That leads to poor work performance. That is why I said you should find something fun, not just be diligent. Well, I thought your version of 'fun' was improving yourself like this?"

"Yes, that is true. I do seem to enjoy moving my body with all my might like this. Oh, and there is one other thing I can clearly say I like."

"May I ask what that is?"

"Yes. It is 'winning' that Battle Royale."

I stated it clearly.

I hate only ever losing.

And above all, that battle made my heart race.

Everyone stood on the battlefield under the same conditions, relying only on what they could find on the ground to survive.

That was truly the atmosphere of a battlefield. Well, the situation itself was quite peculiar, though.

Hearing my answer, Her Majesty Seraria and Quar looked blank for a moment before breaking into smiles.

"That's right. You don't want to just keep losing, do you?"

"Yes. As a soldier myself, I find that result quite frustrating. Honestly, it's because Her Majesty and Lowell-sama went on a rampage."

"Oh my, it's impossible to just shrink away and watch in that situation."

"Thanks to that, I was caught in a crossfire and eliminated quite easily."

"Ah, if that was the time, I believe I was the one who shot you. It was when Lowell-sama came forward with a frying pan, wasn't it?"

"Eh? Fiora, you were the one who shot me!?"

"Well, well. So you've already managed to leave a mark on Her Majesty. My, that is nothing short of wonderful."

Just as the conversation was heating up with the exchange meet as the topic, we were suddenly addressed.

"Hey."

If my ears didn't deceive me, that voice...

I turned around to confirm.

"Husband."

"Oh, dear."

"Yuki-sama."

Indeed, our husband, Yuki-sama, had come to the training grounds.

He was accompanied by a woman I had never met before.

Behind them, led by his guard Kirika-san, were Dressa, Vilia, and Hiiro.

Does this mean that this woman also holds a high position?

While I was thinking this, Yuki-sama walked over to us.

"Is training finished?"

"Yes. We were just reflecting on it."

"Yes. Since Fiora-sama originally worked for her country as a princess and a general, I don't think there are any issues regarding 'combat.' Her defeat by Her Majesty was likely due to the difference in raw power and experience."

"Eh, ah—I was stopped without being able to do anything even after giving it my all, so I think Quar-san's assessment is far too generous."

That's right, I feel I am severely lacking in ability.

"You can make up for those shortcomings as you go. Well, it was good to see both a head-on battle and small-group coordination. Besides, it seems Princess Fiora doesn't dislike fighting, either."