Apart from the small incident involving Anis and the former Count Leghorn, the tournament proceeded to its conclusion without any major disturbances. To put it simply, Anis emerged as the ultimate victor. I had never doubted that outcome, so to me, it didn’t come as any great surprise. I couldn’t say the same, however, for the person who took second place. To my surprise, Baron Cyan was the runner-up. In other words, the final match had been between him and Anis. Much of the audience was taken aback by this development, seeing as neither contestant was capable of wielding traditional magic. But it was difficult to find fault with the outcome, especially considering how intense the showdown between the two finalists had been. Baron Cyan’s reflexes were every bit as good as Anis’s, but in the end, he ultimately succumbed to her unrelenting onslaught. That did, however, bring with it the tournament’s greatest surprise. Up until that final match, Anis had won most of her contests with a single blow. The fact that Baron Cyan had held his own against her for as long as he did was a testament to his skills and talent. Frankly speaking, I thought the results exceeded all expectations. That these two had won first and second places would set the stage for the future. On top of that, the fact that those nobles fixated solely on magic had for the most part been eliminated in the first round only highlighted the utility and potential of magical tools. And so I found myself waiting for the top three contestants to enter the room so I could offer them all a few congratulatory words. “The winners are here, Your Majesty,” sounded a voice. “Show them in, please,” I urged. The attendant bowed his head. As I waited for Anis and the two others to arrive, Father-in-law, sitting alongside me, let out a soft chuckle. “Do calm down, Euphyllia. You’re also here to bestow your blessings as queen. Remember that,” he cautioned me. “…Yes,” I answered, slightly embarrassed. “It’s rare to see you so restless,” my father observed. “Don’t make a scene, Grantz,” Mother-in-law interrupted in my defense. Well, it was only natural I was so eager to see her. Anis did win after all. Though I had always known she would win the tournament, I was overjoyed that she had managed to do so without suffering any injuries. What was so bad about that? At that moment, the door swung open, and in walked the attendant followed by Anis, the victor; Baron Cyan, the runner-up; and a middle-aged man who had placed third. His name was Count Derrick Celadon, a knight from the north with dark green hair and soft yellow-green eyes. For some reason, his face broke into a joyous smile when he laid eyes on me. “It’s been a long time, Queen Euphyllia,” he said. “I’m glad to see you’re doing well.” “A long time…? Have we met somewhere before?” I didn’t remember this man. Inwardly, I was a little flustered, but Count Celadon flashed me a warm grin. Strangely, Anis and Baron Cyan were also smiling. Just what was so funny about all this? “I apologize. You probably don’t recognize me, seeing as we’ve never properly spoken face-to-face. Allow me to introduce myself—I was the knight captain who took part in the dragon-slaying mission. Does that ring a bell?” “…Huh?! From when we fought the dragon?!” “You weren’t expecting that, I’ll bet,” Anis said. “I was shocked when I heard he’d reached the semifinals.” I wouldn’t put it past her to recognize an old acquaintance. Right, so this man was the knight captain from back then. Just as Anis said, I was truly surprised. I would never have foreseen us meeting again this way. “Ah. If you helped subdue the dragon, you must have been responsible for defending the Black Forest, I assume?” Father-in-law asked. “That’s right, King Orphans. I still serve as a guardian of the forest. We were all immensely grateful for Princess Anisphia’s and Queen Euphyllia’s help during the dragon attack.” “It makes for a heartwarming story, but truth be told, my daughter decided to storm out alone to show off. It all turned out well and good in the end, but I’m sure she caused you no end of worry.” “No, it was no trouble. Actually, seeing her defeat it up close really inspired me. I’m glad to see my efforts since then got me so far today. Though Baron Cyan did best me in the end,” Count Celadon said. Baron Cyan shrugged his shoulders as he broke into a grin. “It was luck, that’s all. Once you’ve got a proper handle on your own Mana Blade, I won’t stand a chance against you.” “Don’t be modest! People said all sorts of things when you first got your barony, but the proof is in the pudding! You’ve just demonstrated that the former king made the right call elevating you to the nobility! It’s wonderful, really.” “Mm-hmm.” Father-in-law nodded. “I’m pleased as well, Baron Cyan. It’s reassuring to have you and your daughter supporting Anis and Euphyllia. I can breathe a sigh of relief.” “You honor me, Your Majesty. This is all thanks to Commander Anisphia. I’ll continue to endeavor to live up to her expectations as lieutenant commander of the Magicology Guard.” “Ha-ha-ha! Who would have thought Lady Anisphia, who we first met at the Black Forest as a simple adventurer, would end up leading her own knightly order? Life sure is unpredictable!” Celadon chuckled, prompting Anis to let out a small laugh as well. “I never thought I’d see you again here,” she said. “You certainly gave Navre a good workout.” “Ah. It was a close call, my bout with him. Commander Sprout must be very proud. His son put in a remarkable performance.” “Oh no, he still has a long way to go. I’ll have to do more to encourage him,” the commander answered. As it happened, it was Navre who had lost out on receiving an award, coming in a close fourth after losing to Count Celadon. Commander Sprout, who had watched the match with our group, wore a complex smile, equal parts happy and frustrated. I was impressed to see him muttering how Navre still had room to grow and how he needed to train harder. Incidentally, Gark had also taken part in the tournament, but he ended up losing against Baron Cyan halfway through. “I offer my sincerest praise for all the effort you put into your endeavors,” I said to the three victors. “I’m honored, Your Majesty,” Count Celadon answered. “My journey isn’t over yet. I’ll keep working hard to aim for greater heights,” Baron Cyan added with a deep bow. A moment later, Anis broke into a proud smile as she, too, offered a slight bow. “We’ll be holding a celebratory banquet later as a token of my appreciation,” I said. “I would like to offer some more words of congratulation at that time.” “Thank you! Ah, the wine’s going to be delicious, isn’t it?! I can’t wait!” Count Celadon grinned eagerly. The atmosphere remained light and friendly as we exchanged casual conversation. I was particularly curious about recent developments in the northern region and the Black Forest. There had been a decrease in monster activity before the dragon attack, but things seemed to have returned to normal now, and the knights were as busy as ever. Even so, there were several pieces of happy news—such as Count Celadon’s marriage to a woman he had met during the dragon attack. “All of us in the north, especially those involved in taking down the dragon, sing your praises, Lady Anisphia. We’ve been surprised by all your successes over the past few years, but we’re just as pleased as if they were our own. We have high expectations for the magicology city and your Magicology Guard as well. I hope we won’t have to wait long to get more magical tools available in the north,” the count said. “I’ll do my best to make it happen. Feel free to come visit us with your wife at the magicology city when you have time,” Anis answered. “I’d like to consider arranging some exchanges between our knightly orders. I suspect that will have to wait until after the magicology city is complete, but I’m hoping we can make it a reality.” “I’d like that as well,” Anis said with a beaming smile. Yes, this was a positive development. It wasn’t long, however, before that easygoing conversation drew to a close, and it was time for us to join the festivities. “It’s almost time. We’ll head to the venue a little early. We’ll see you soon,” Father-in-law said. “Yes. We won’t be long,” Anis answered. “Make sure you see it through all the way to the end, Anis.” “Y-yes, Mother…” “Take care of Anis for us, Euphyllia.” “Of course. She’ll be safe with me.” Mother-in-law remained as concerned about Anis as ever, but eventually she let Father-in-law lead her to the venue. Both my father and Commander Sprout left as well. From here on out, it was my job to offer congratulations. “…Apologies, Baron Cyan, Count Celadon, but could I speak with you again there? I’ll catch up with you shortly,” I said. “Huh? Euphie? Is something wrong?” Anis asked. “Very well,” Baron Cyan answered. “We’ll go on ahead. Let’s be off, Count Celadon.” “Hmm? Ah, all right. Got it. I’ll see you later, then,” the count added. The two men, both seeming to grasp the reason for my request, offered quick bows as they strode off. Before long, only Anis and I remained. Finally realizing I had wanted to give us a moment alone, she breathed a long sigh as she rested a hand against her forehead. “Hey, Euphie?” she said, fixing me with a sharp look. “Sorry, Anis. I couldn’t wait any longer,” I answered, embracing her in a tight hug. I surrendered myself to her presence, letting her affection wash over me. Anis was visibly surprised for a moment, but she soon succumbed. “…We have to go out in public soon. Don’t do anything weird, okay?” she begged. “…Let me stay like this a little while longer. Otherwise, I’m afraid I could lose control. I love you so much.” “You can be a little scary sometimes. I guess you’re not giving me any choice, huh?” she said, wrapping her arms around me and gently patting me on the back as if comforting a small child. “Anis?” I asked. “What?” “I love you.” “I know.” “I am so in love with you.” “Uh-huh.” “…You’re so important to me. You accept me for who I am; you want me for who I am—every little part of me.” “…I do,” she said, embracing me in turn. How I wished this moment in time could last forever… I was delighted, happy beyond control, all because of her. There was no doubt in my mind—my existence, my soul, wanted nothing but her. I never wanted to let her go. I wanted her more and more, and I wanted her to want me. I didn’t care how greedy it made me; my love for her knew no bounds. “Stay with me. Forever,” I whispered. “…You’re sure?” “Even if the world won’t permit us to stay together, I will. I’ll make the world obey, if need be.” “You’re sounding awfully scary lately…” “I was thinking I shouldn’t hold back anymore.” “Hold on. You’re saying you’ve been holding back till now? You’ve gotta be joking. Right?” “You think you’re a joke to me?” “…It’s not really the sort of thing I’d expect to hear you say.” “You think I should put it another way?” “…Huh?” As we held each other close, staring into each other’s eyes, I realized Anis wore an almost pitiful expression. Watching her filled me with immeasurable joy, and I couldn’t help but flash her a smile. “You want me with everything you have as well, don’t you? You couldn’t do anything to calm your racing heart,” I said. “…You’re saying you’ve fallen in love with me all over again?” “Yes. No matter how many times we’re born and reborn, I want it to be with you.” “Now you’re just exaggerating!” “I’m not.” To me, Anis was every bit as important as my own life. Because of her, I had learned how to love. Because of her love for the world, I had discovered a world that I wanted to love as well. But if I were to lose her, everything would fade away. If society were to deny her, were to rob her of a place to be herself…I would create a new world that she could live in. Even if it meant destroying the current one. If she knew how I really felt, she might come to fear me. Perhaps deep down, she already realized it. But if she felt the same way for me as I did for her…would she let me love her with everything I was? If so, I would be the happiest woman in the world. And so, resting my face against her neck, I called out, pleading, “…Anis…” “Hmm? What’s the matter now?” “Is it okay, for me to be happy?” Please, give me the answer I need. Would she let me live in a world where she was happy, too? All I wanted was to be by her side, even if it meant other people fearing me. All I wanted was her love, her acceptance, and her forgiveness… If she rejected me, I would wither away like a decaying flower. I wanted her to keep me by her side, to be a part of her life as naturally as breathing and drinking water to quench one’s thirst. “That’s a given. You need to be happy, Euphie.” “What do you mean?” “I mean, I wouldn’t want to be the only one who’s found joy.” …Ah. A shaky breath escaped my lips as relief and joy slowly flooded my chest. Yes, I could breathe properly. I could live this life to the fullest here in this lovely world, with the person who brought me happiness beyond compare. We gazed into each other’s eyes without saying anything more, until naturally our lips met. I loved her so much that I could say with certainty that this was the natural order of things.
Chapter 136
13 min read