Beatrice's Promise (5K) (Continued)

"Um."

"It's my deceased sister's child."

"Oh~"

Have you ever seen an elf who looks remarkably like me?

"I've met you before."

"Really?! Where is it? Can you tell me?"

"Sorry, I'm not in the mood right now, and I don't really want to tell you."

"Why?"

"Because saying it wouldn't do me any good, and it wouldn't be good for the child either," Mahiro said with a shrug.

This could be considered a small act of revenge on him.

To be honest, this woman is quite funny.

Alpha has been missing for at least several years, but this woman is only now thinking of looking for it.

Perhaps they had already begun their actions several years ago, as evidenced by the weathered robe they wore.

But it's a bit too clumsy.

If it weren't for him or Cid, Alpha would probably be dead by now!

"Then how can you tell me?"

"Let me think..."

Mahiro pretended to think about it, and after briefly looking the woman over, he gave his answer.

"How about this, you go participate in this year's 'Bushin Festival' now. If you can meet me on the field and defeat me, I'll tell you where the elf who looks just like you is, how about that?"

The legendary elven swordswoman, "Goddess of War" Beatrice, participating in the "Bushin Festival"—isn't that perfect timing?

And it will definitely be very interesting.

"Yeah?"

The woman lowered her shoulders with a look of regret, then drew her sword with an extremely natural movement.

A deadly strike without any killing intent, and without any preparatory movements.

He clearly caught the swift, drawn sword strike, and—

"I'm not Cid, I won't just stand there and let you chop me down."

Mahiro out and gently caught the long blade that was pressed against his neck, as if plucking a flower.

At the same time, he clearly noticed that Beatrice's pupils contracted slightly the moment he gripped the blade.

"You're really strong."

It was as if it had been expected all along.

Beatrice casually sheathed her weapon.

It's all thanks to her ability to draw that nodachi, which looks like a command sword, all in one go.

"I haven't asked your name yet?"

"Yotsuba Mahiro"

"Yotsuba Clan... Mahiro..."

Beatrice chewed the food in her mouth a few times, then nodded and said, "Okay, I've got it."

"I will participate in the 'Bushin Festival' as you requested, but I also hope you will keep your promise, Yotsuba Mahiro."

"Of course."

Mahiro smiled slightly and agreed.

After the two of them made their agreement, the aloof and adorable elven swordswoman, the legendary goddess of war Beatrice, turned and left without hesitation.

Watching that graceful and resolute figure from behind, a smile slowly crept onto Mahiro's lips.

Alpha, I met your aunt!

He planned to take this message to Alpha to see how she would react.

It'll be so interesting!

"Now, please welcome the contestants to the stage!"

Just as Mahiro having some fun, the arena's announcement brought him back to reality.

His halftime break was completely wasted because of Beatrice.

Because the next match is still his.

As for his opponent in this match...

He was a guy with shiny blond hair, wearing exaggerated gold armor, even his sword was gold, and his whole body was glittering with gold.

If Gilgamesh saw this, he would probably praise it as having good taste.

"Round 4, Group 6: Goethe Kimmich vs. Yotsuba Mahiro! The match begins!"

Upon hearing the announcement over the loudspeaker, the audience, though slightly larger than the previous one, still appeared sparse and expressed their confusion.

They recognized Goethe-Kimmaze; he was known as the "Invincible Myth" and called himself the "Ever-Victorious Golden Dragon."

As for Yotsuba Mahiro...

"He is the swordsmanship instructor at the Magic Swordsman Academy in the Midgar Kingdom."

The girl sitting in the first row of the audience began to provide commentary.

Her light blue hair swayed in the wind, and her eyes, the same color, were fixed on the arena with great interest.

"Oh? Little sister, it seems you think highly of that noble young master."

Hearing someone speak to her like that, the girl turned her head slightly.

"Who are you...?"

My name is Quinton.

His muscular physique resembled that of a wrestler, and he carried a long sword that seemed somewhat incongruous with his appearance.

He plopped down next to the girl.

"Oh, hello, my name is Anne Rose." The girl nodded slightly in response.

"I know you," said Anne Rose, one of the Seven Blades of Beccada.

Quinton's arrogant gaze met Anne Rose's sharp eyes in an instant.

Anne Rose was the first to look away, returning her gaze to the arena, and calmly stated:

"I have abandoned that name; I am now simply Anne Rose."

"I'm so sorry. Although it's a bit late, congratulations on passing the 'Goddess's Trial'."

"Grateful."

"So, on that note, you're quite interested in that noble young master? Do you think he can defeat Goth Kinmay, that undefeated golden dragon?"

You have to understand that Goethe Kimmel wouldn't even step onto the field unless he was absolutely certain of victory, which is why he's called undefeated.

The noble young master that Quinton mentioned was naturally Yotsuba Mahiro.

Because of his fair and delicate appearance, and the refined and elegant demeanor he exuded, he certainly didn't seem like a magic swordsman.

It's more plausible that they're researchers.

But Anne Rose nodded and said:

"Because I've seen him fight, he's a terrifying guy."

"Terrible? I didn't realize that."

Quinton stroked his chin, unable to sense any power from Yotsuba Mahiro.

"He had previously participated in the 'Goddess's Trial' and successfully summoned her."

"Really?"

This time, it was Quinton's turn to be shocked.

It's important to know that only exceptional magic swordsmen can receive a response from a goddess and summon ancient warriors.

"Yes, and the ancient warriors he summoned were also more powerful than ever before."

Upon hearing this, Quinton couldn't help but swallow hard.

What kind of being could be called powerful?

"Even more powerful and terrifying than Olivier, one of the three heroes, is the legendary [Calamity Witch] Aurora, along with an unknown elf and orc..."

Anne Rose probably has no idea how solemn her expression was when she uttered that name.

"Hey, hey, hey, is it real? Is it really Aurora?!"

When Quinton heard this, his eyes widened in disbelief, and a chill ran down his spine.

[The Witch of Calamity] Aurora, though not many people know about her, is said to have once been powerful enough to destroy the world.

Even he had only heard about it once or twice from rumors circulating in the streets.

To be able to be summoned by this unassuming young master, and even to summon an elven warrior and an orc warrior, doesn't that mean he is...

But Anne Rose shook her head and said:

"I don't know either, that's what the deceased acting bishop Nelson said."

Moreover, because the holy site was destroyed, this matter did not have time to spread and was known only to a small number of people.

She happened to be one of them.

At this point, when Quinton looked at the arena again, his eyes filled with fear.

They didn't even dare to blink, afraid of missing any details.

Meanwhile, on the field...

"Oh dear, young man, you're really unlucky to have run into me, 'The Ever-Victorious Golden Dragon,' Goth Kingmay..."

The handsome blond guy even narcissistically flicked a strand of hair across his forehead.

Flirtatious and sassy.

Disgusting.

"I said, do you want to fight or not? If you do, then hurry up. If not, then get lost. What are you muttering about over there?"

Yotsuba Mahiro, with his deadpan expression, said impatiently.

His blunt words caused Goethe Kimmel to freeze, even his smile turning stiff.

"Ha, you're the first person to dare speak to me, 'Ever-Victorious Golden Dragon,' like that. Today, I'm going to teach you a lesson!"

Enraged, Goethe drew his golden greatsword and raised it high.

"Is that so? Then hurry up and make your move. By the way, you only have one chance, don't say I didn't warn you."

"You really dare to say that..."

Goethe's anger grew increasingly intense.

"You're just a nobody, how dare you speak to me like that? Well then, I'll use all my strength to crush you. Even if you die, don't blame me."

After saying that.

A large amount of magical power emanating from his body gradually condensed on the raised sword blade.

The magic was so powerful that the surrounding air trembled slightly.

A murmur rippled through the audience.

This was the first time they had ever seen such a massive amount of magical power at this year's "Bushin Festival".

But Anne Rose couldn't help but shake her head and sigh softly: