Battle: Beatrice (5K) (Continued)

"I see."

And so, Alpha had already finalized its schedule, preparing to have the Seven Shadows stop their work and come to the "Bushin Festival" to watch Mahiro's match.

Beatrice did indeed keep her promise and signed up for the "Bushin Festival," singing her way through the crowd amidst their anticipation and astonishment.

However, the day before Mahiro and Beatrice's match was scheduled, Rose suddenly showed up at their door.

"You seem really busy lately. How come you suddenly have time to see me?"

Mahiro poured a cup of hot tea and placed it in front of Rose, the rising steam blurring her face.

He has been very busy lately; he didn't even register for the "Bushin Festival" or go to watch the competition.

But that's mainly because...

"It's because..."

Rose opened her mouth, but then swallowed the words that were about to come out.

Is it that you can't say? Or that you don't want to say?

Mahiro sat opposite Rose and took a small sip of his tea.

It seems like students have a lot of worries lately. Is it because they're getting older?

As he thought about it, he comforted himself:

"If it's something you can't say, then that's fine. The teacher won't ask and won't make things difficult for you."

"No, Yotsuba Clan- sensei, I..."

"It's okay, take your time."

Mahiro interrupted:

"If you want to say something but don't know how to start, then just say it. You can say anything to me, and I'll keep it a secret."

Rose lowered her head and nodded slightly.

After a long while, he uttered a startling statement.

"Teacher, I'm getting married."

Oh wow...

"Teacher, aren't you surprised?"

Under Rose's gaze, he simply smiled and shook his head.

"I'm guessing it's Duke Doem, isn't it?"

"How could you...?"

Rose suddenly stopped talking.

She suddenly recalled everything that happened in the Sanctuary, and then it all became clear.

It turned out that the teacher was much more capable than she had imagined...

So he lowered his head slightly and nodded.

"Yes."

Not long ago, on a rainy day.

The sound of rain pattering outside reached my ears.

She practiced swordsmanship in the academy's dojo as usual, listening to the beautiful sound of the rain and letting the moist air fill her lungs.

But on that very day, she received a letter.

A letter from the Oriana Royal Family.

The letter not only mentioned that her father and mother, who had initially disapproved of her learning swordsmanship and disdained swords, would be coming to the "Bushin Festival" to watch the competition, but also another important event in her life—

Her fiancé has been chosen.

Just as the teacher described, Duke Doem Katzhardt, the adopted son of the House Ketsuhat, a man of thirty years old who still had a handsome face.

But she already has someone she loves, and she has been trying her best to catch up with him, hoping to spend her life with him when the day comes.

Rose then wrote home to question him, but never received a reply.

She even went to see her father and mother in person.

Unfortunately, she was unable to see her father; it was her mother and Duke Doem who received her and ruthlessly told her the truth.

She was naturally heartbroken, but she also noticed some clues and doubts.

She wondered if her mother and Duke Katzhart were getting a little too close.

Moreover, some of their behaviors were completely inconsistent with the royal etiquette of the Oriana Kingdom!

Countless guesses popped into her mind, but she dared not think about them in detail, so she unknowingly came to the teacher's place.

So, what are your own thoughts?

"...?"

"I mean, what are your own thoughts? Do you want to marry that man?"

"I..."

Rose gently bit her cherry lips, pondered for a moment, and then shook her head slightly.

Marry Duke Doem?

Although that man had a good reputation, he was definitely not the right partner for her. After meeting him once, Rose was even more certain of this thought.

"In that case, let's follow our hearts."

Mahiro's answer surprised Rose.

Follow your heart, do what you think. Remember, your teacher will always support you and will always be your strongest backing.

Even though I betrayed many expectations because of my own willfulness.

Even so.

Even if it means betraying the expectations of even more people in the future?

"So what? Expectations are just wishful thinking on someone else's part. Do you, Rose Oriana, live for others?"

These words seemed to touch a deep part of Rose's heart, causing her delicate body to tremble slightly.

She pressed her lips tightly together, nodded firmly at him, and said:

"Thank you, Ms. Yotsuba Clan! I understand what to do now!"

"That's good. Go ahead and do it. If you need anything, feel free to contact me anytime, and I'll help you."

"Okay, thank you..."

After saying that, Rose got up and left.

She gripped the sword at her waist tightly, her steps firm, as if she were about to do something important.

But to be honest, the methods used by this cult are really despicable.

He wanted to secretly control the country and find so-called magically gifted individuals to conduct research on replicating Diablos, but each time he ended up relying on arranged marriages to deceive the feelings of young girls.

Alexia was like that, and so was Rose Oriana.

That's truly disgusting.

Thinking of this, Mahiro picked up his cup and took a small sip of tea, trying to clear away the feeling of nausea.

However, the next day, news spread throughout the entire capital of Midgar.

[Rose Oriana, the Student Council of the Midgar Royal Spellsword Academy, stabbed Duke Doem Kazhart of the Oriana Kingdom and then fled.]

"What is that woman doing..."

Alexia's voice echoed in the room. She was sitting at the table, throwing the newspaper she was holding onto the bed, and then biting her nails.

These days, she has been diligently practicing swordsmanship under the guidance of Rose, and she also wants to bring Rose into her camp.

That's right, although the alliance that day didn't materialize, she never gave up.

But today's news completely shattered her illusions.

My original desire to go to the "Bushin Festival" to watch the competition has been largely dashed.

For some reason, Rose -senpai is now a fugitive, and what can she do?

There's nothing we can do.

Early in the morning, Alice came over specifically to remind her not to interfere.

The Oriana Kingdom also prohibited the Midgar Kingdom from intervening, insisting on resolving this "domestic matter" itself.

Alexia was now completely helpless.

If she were to intervene in her capacity, it would absolutely escalate into friction between the two countries and damage their alliance.

"What do I do..."

At the same time.

Mahiro also knew about this.

Looking at the contents of the newspaper, he sighed softly in a voice devoid of joy or sorrow:

"What a silly woman..."

I clearly told him before that he would help me if I needed it, but what happened?

That silly girl actually went and did it herself.

"My lord, what should we do next?"

The one who asked this question was Zeta (Lili), a golden orc who was lying on him like a cat.

"Let's investigate first, find out where she escaped from, and then I'll deal with Beatrice's situation myself after I've settled things here."

"Okay, I understand."

Zeta nodded and vanished from his embrace in an instant.

To her, her master's commands and will were more important than enjoying his affections.

At that moment, the announcement for the competitors' entry into the arena began to play outside.

"Alright, now it's our turn to fight, the legendary Elf Sword Saint— Beatrice."

Mahiro stood up and walked out of the players' lounge.

The weather was pretty good today, with clear skies and no clouds.

The stands were packed with spectators, creating a very enthusiastic atmosphere.

However, most people came to see the legendary "Goddess of War" Beatrice in person, while only a small number came for him, the dark horse who participated in the Bushin Festival for the first time.

The Seven Shadows of the Shadow Garden, disguised as [Blood Queen] Elizabeth and Snow Princess, are also among them.

Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, Mahiro and Beatrice slowly walked into the arena.

Mahiro was still empty-handed, while Beatrice was still wearing that tattered gray robe.

"Aren't you going to use a weapon?"

Beatrice blinked, looking at his empty waist and hands with a hint of curiosity.

"Well, for some reason, my weapon is unusable."

Mahiro shrugged.

There's really no other way.

The Bushin Festival competition does not allow participants to use ancient relics, and Est does not allow him to use other weapons.

So, left with no other choice, he had to go on stage empty-handed.

"Yeah."

Beatrice seemed to accept his statement.