Chapter 16: vs Zahard's Princess (6)
Under the setting sun, a white-haired boy and a blue-haired girl walked side by side down the road — both clutching small black-nosed teddy bears tightly in their arms.
"Hey, didn't you say you wouldn't fight an opponent without a sword? You bought those clothes only a few hours ago."
"Shut up! It's your fault for teasing me!"
"Hey, I was just stating fa—"
Bzzzzt—
"—Actually, yeah, maybe I went a bit too far. Sorry, princess."
"Hmph. Anyway, keep your promise."
"You mean that match you wanted later? Yeah, yeah, I remember. I'll give your servant my Pocket number, so just contact me through that."
"No, just give it to me now. I'll save it in my Pocket myself."
Maschenny forcibly snatched my Pocket, typed both her number and mine into each other's devices, and before returning it, glared at me with a threatening look.
"If I call and you ignore me, I'll have the Royal Execution Unit sent after you."
"Haha, that sounds terrifying. Don't worry, I'll answer."
When we arrived in front of the Khun family's residence, we finally went our separate ways.
Jeez—she didn't even say goodbye. Guess this polite gentleman will have to do it instead.
"Maschenny."
"?"
"That was… actually pretty fun. See you at the Tournament."
She didn't reply.
Cold as ever.
But I did clearly hear her mutter a quiet "...yeah."
She probably thought I hadn't caught that.
Having met an unexpected person and spent a surprisingly enjoyable time, I turned on my heel and made my way back to my quarters.
....
"You're back? You should've heard the Floating Castle manager's reaction — it was hilarious. The guy practically screamed when you swiped his card for several hundred million points!"
"Wasn't that what it was given for? And honestly, for someone at that level, a few hundred million points isn't that big of a deal."
"Heh, true. But that guy's a total cheapskate. Anyway, he won't be bothering you anytime soon."
"Because of the Floating Castle?"
"Yep. People like me — Rankers, and kids like you — can stay in our respective branches, but that guy? He just got fired. Until he's reassigned to another castle, he's basically unemployed. Right now, everything depends on you. So yeah—you're the boss for now."
Hmm, sounds like I can swipe that card a few more times.
Perfect timing too — my clothes got burned to ashes earlier.
Maybe I'll grab some new ones… and pick up some gifts for the others while I'm at it.
"By the way, what's with your look? And that teddy bear?"
"It's a long, tragic story involving the princess. Oh, right — if you've got time, could you send this up to the 99th floor? To our Floating Castle. It's a gift for Anna. The sooner the better."
"…? Sure, I've got nothing but time. I'll take it up now."
"Thanks, sis."
As my assigned Ranker left to deliver Anna's present, I collapsed onto my bed.
God, I was tired. Sure, sparring with Maschenny had been fun, but…
"She's seriously strong."
Even my massive Shinsu Blade — which I'd fired at full power — barely matched the strength of her bare fist.
Of course, that was probably her full-force blow as well, and a difference of a thousand points isn't exactly small… but still.
Between my Shinsu Blade and her punch, there was a huge difference.
She could use that kind of power freely in actual combat.
I couldn't.
Maschenny wasn't insane enough to just wait for me to gather Shinsu for several seconds mid-fight.
In terms of speed — she had the upper hand.
Physical ability — still her advantage.
The only things I could rely on were my Shinsu control and the Arie clan's swordsmanship.
If we fought as we were now, my odds of winning were less than fifty percent.
And losing would mean…
Losing my home.
After the Tournament, I'd be sent down to the Second Floor as a reserve, but Albelda, Vicente, and Anna would all be scattered.
Especially Albelda — she'd only been safe in our Floating Castle because Vicente and I, the strongest of the Arie branch, protected her.
If she were sent to another castle, the Arie there would see her as nothing but easy prey.
"Anna's still too young."
She's too young and too gentle to get caught up in the clan's brutal survival games.
For now, Vicente and I have to keep shielding her — it's too early for her to face that kind of world.
I'm sorry, Maschenny.
But I can't afford to lose.
I guess I'll have to hurry my preparations a bit.
Originally, I thought I'd be ready by the time the Selection Tournament came around… but after realizing just how strong she really is, I can't afford to take it easy.
With that thought in mind, I rose from my bed and headed toward the underground training chamber.
....
— Khun Family Residence —
"Welcome back, Princess. I've been waiting. Shall I prepare some coffee?"
"No. I don't need it."
Maschenny buried her face straight into the bed.
—Maschenny, that was pretty fun. See you at the Tournament.
Ugh…
What is that boy, really?
The first time we met, he was ready to kill me.
Then the second time, he just smiled as if nothing had happened and walked up to me so casually.
"He made me furious when he teased me…"
But when he said "That was fun. See you at the Tournament," — those words… I didn't reply to them for no reason.
Sure, I'd said it softly enough that he probably didn't hear me, but still…
Our third meeting will surely take place at the Tournament.
When that time comes — how will he approach me?
And how… should I treat him?
"Princess, I heard you visited the game corner earlier today with a young Arie noble named Hoaquin."
Maschenny turned her head sharply toward her assigned Ranker, glaring with eyes that crackled faintly with electricity — the kind that left no doubt she was angry.
"Stay out of it. Don't think I'm generous enough to overlook someone who spies on a Princess of Zahard twice."
"Princess, as a loyal servant of the Khun family, allow me to offer some advice. Please remember your position — as a Princess of Zahard — and what immense power that title brings to our family."
"I'm aware."
"Then you must also know the rules that bind a Princess of Zahard, do you not?"
Maschenny fell silent.
"Princess, if I may—"
BZZZZZT—!!
Before he could finish, a surge of lightning struck him squarely.
The Ranker didn't resist — he simply stood there, taking the full brunt of the electric current without even flinching.
"Get out of my sight. Did you think I wouldn't notice which faction you truly belong to? To dare lecture a Princess of Zahard—your arrogance disgusts me."
"...My deepest apologies, Princess. I'll withdraw immediately. If you require anything, please summon me."
The Khun family Ranker disappeared without another word.
Annoying bastard.
Always looking for a weakness — latching onto the smallest detail, waiting for an opportunity to bring me down.
If I lose in the upcoming Tournament, he'll definitely use that as leverage to have me expelled from the family.
Pushing away the irritation, Maschenny closed her eyes again — refocusing her thoughts.
Arie Hoaquin.
Among those of similar age within the direct Arie bloodline, he was said to be the strongest.
A body almost comparable to that of a Ranker — only slightly below that level —a monstrous physique even by the standards of the 10 Great Families, an overwhelming mastery over Shinsu, and that mysterious swordsmanship unique to the Arie.
If that first encounter had continued into a full battle…
who would have been the one to collapse first?
Those cold eyes that aimed only at human vital points —the killing intent imbued in each merciless strike of his sword —I can still remember it vividly.
Crackle—
Sparks once again began to scatter around her.
But unlike before, the emotion behind them was different.
Earlier, it had been rage.
Now, it was excitement — pure thrill and joy.
The exhilaration of meeting, for the first time,
an opponent whose defeat was uncertain even if she fought at full strength.
Maschenny felt a mix of emotions toward the boy named Arie Hoaquin, but thanks to her inherently battle-crazed nature, it was the thrill of encountering a strong rival that dominated everything else.
"I suppose I'll have to learn that, too."
....
Two Months Later
The tournament progressed much as people had predicted.
The battle between the Lo Po Bia and Yeon families.
The showdown between Khun, Ha, and Arie.
The Yeon Family barely managed to defeat the Lo Po Bia, earning exclusive rights to the new Shinsu Creature, "Jigena."
The Ha Family, on the other hand, lost key participants who were suddenly selected as Regulars,
creating a gap in their lineup —and suffered a disappointing, hollow defeat due to lack of manpower.
And so, only two families remained: Khun and Arie.
By the time it came down to the final match, the identities of the last two standing were exactly as everyone had expected.
Me — Arie Hoaquin.
And her — Khun Maschenny Zahard.
This would be our third meeting.
The first time, we aimed for each other's throats.
The second time… well, that one's hard to describe —
let's just call it an unexpectedly fun and interesting encounter.
"Hey, I don't know what you've been doing every day in that training room, but if you've worked that hard, you'd better win."
"Yes, sis."
After a short word of encouragement, I entered the arena.
Since it was the final round of the Grand Tournament,
it seemed like almost all the Ten Families were there to watch.
I could see the heirs of each family who'd participated, even the ones who had withdrawn, along with their assigned Rankers —everyone's eyes were on this match.
Well, of course.
A duel between a Princess of Zahard and the Arie Family's most promising heir wasn't exactly an everyday spectacle.
Besides, after our first encounter —that bloody clash — people had been waiting for the rematch.
Stepping into the arena, I saw Maschenny already standing at the far end.
I smiled faintly, raising a hand as I greeted her
for our third meeting.
"Hey."
-------------------
If you want to read 10 advance chapters ahead.
Visit my patreon: patreon.com/Leonzky