TTPB 28

Chapter 28

– It Wasn’t Human Skill

It was already afternoon, past noon, by the time Rose woke up. She had never been one to sleep in late before. Surely, she had grown complacent from hearing nothing but praise about herself lately.

“Get a grip. Have you already grown lazy just because life has gotten a little easier?”

She straightened her clothes and glanced at Tebere’s envoy. Helia, whom she had sent away yesterday only to summon again, wore a sulky expression.

“You said you’d call me early. I’ve been waiting since morning.”
“Sorry. I didn’t expect I’d sleep in.”
“Thanks to that, I wasted half my day when I could have been with Your Highness.”
“……”

His words didn’t sound like a joke, and Rose could only respond with an awkward smile.

‘Why does he sound so serious when he’s teasing?’

She wondered whether he was truly Tebere’s envoy, given how personal his remarks felt. Thankfully, the head lady-in-waiting broke the tension with a pointed cough, giving Rose the chance to avoid an awkward reply. Rose unfolded the letter he had brought.

It was a handwritten letter from the Pope himself. To sum it up: the Holy See was offering to back her. Though nothing was written outright, the flowery rhetoric was essentially declaring support for the Third Princess.

“So, they’re planning to use me as a tool to expand their influence.”

To them, “Saint Rose” was the perfect means of interfering in the imperial family. A new pretext, one that hadn’t appeared since Emperor Euclide. Of course, she was also an easily disposable pawn. In the original story, the saintly Rose accepted the Pope’s offer, was used to the fullest, and then cast aside—ending in her death.

“And it was also the main reason Tanasis ended up killing the princess.”

Once he became Crown Prince, Tanasis systematically eliminated foreign influences. The Holy See’s puppet, Princess Rose, was killed for that reason. There was no reason for her now to accept such a proposal that would only worsen her current, relatively stable situation.

“And besides… I don’t want to extend my hand to foreign powers anymore.”

One way or another, Tebere was the number one faction she had to avoid.

“Originally, the Archbishop of Eretria was supposed to deliver the founding festival’s congratulatory speech, but this year they want Your Highness to do it instead.”
“The founding festival speech?”
“Yes.”

The Founding Festival began on the second Sunday of every September and lasted twelve days. During the celebration, carrying decorations in blue was a tradition, and the capital’s marketplace overflowed with life. Envoys from other nations and countless spectators would visit for the grand event. Naturally, the opening ceremony was the highlight everyone watched.

Both the opening and closing ceremonies took place on board that year’s newly launched ship. Only ships that had successfully completed their launch ceremony were given that honor. This year, that honor went to the Pontus.

“But… me giving the speech?”

It was different from the original. In the story, the Third Princess never gave such a speech. She had died before that year’s founding festival even arrived, back when she was still praised as a saint.

“And going aboard means I’d have to face the water!”

She could faint just from looking at water. This was a serious problem.

“I need to come up with some solution.”

“I hear the ship for the opening ceremony is the one Your Highness supervised the launch of? I’m looking forward to it.”
“You plan on staying until the festival?”
“Of course. Why, do you want me to leave early?”

Helia looked at her with pitiful eyes, as though wounded. Rose swallowed hard, determined not to be swayed by those pleading eyes. She knew well the sly fox that hid behind such an expression.

“If I tell you to leave, will you actually go?”
“Correct assessment.”

With that, he snapped his fingers.

“They say the festival is full of amusements. I’m already ready to enjoy myself.”
“Oh my. Anyone listening might think you’ve lived a joyless life until now.”
“You’re right. Tebere is full of stiff, dull people. There’s no room for such pleasures there.”
“Sir Deon, forgive my boldness, but please mind your words.”

The head lady-in-waiting finally stepped in to scold him.

“What’s the harm? Even the palace knights are buzzing with excitement.”
“The knights? Why?”
“What, Your Highness doesn’t know?”

Helia’s voice grew excited.

“If you win the founding festival’s swordsmanship tournament, His Majesty himself grants a reward. Everyone’s obsessed with it.”

To prove his words, he led Rose to the knights’ training grounds. Normally used for drills, today the air rang with deafening shouts. The roar sounded at once like cheers and like battle cries.

Rose climbed into the stands and looked down. Two armored knights were crossing swords in the center. The sharp clang of steel echoed, making her flinch and cover her ears. Helia bent low and whispered in her ear.

“Don’t be nervous. It’s just sparring.”

But she wasn’t the only one who found it frightening. Around them, knights shouted encouragement at the fighters.

“Commander! Don’t you dare lose!”
“Show him the strength of age and experience!”

On the pauldrons of each fighter shone the crests of the Imperial Knights and the Remigis Knights. Two burly men fought with all their might, neither yielding an inch. At last, the bout ended with the Imperial side conceding defeat.

When the two removed their helmets, the crowd gasped—they were none other than the commanders of their orders. Baron Richard Officier, commander of the Imperial Knights, shook Arsen’s hand with a broad smile.

“You’re as strong as ever, Marquis. Looks like I’ll never retire after beating you.”
“I know you haven’t even shown half your true skill yet. Why quit midway?”
“Hahaha! Do you really want to see me collapse after draining every ounce of my strength?”

So one of the fighters had been Arsen himself.

“Amazing!”

Seeing with her own eyes the talent she had only read about before, her heart raced uncontrollably.

“He lacks nothing, and even his swordsmanship is that extraordinary! How could anyone not fall for him?”

Rose blushed, smiling brightly.

“Whew, it’s like he’s stirring up a storm wherever he goes. Truly incredible.”

Helia whistled and leaned back against the railing with his hands clasped behind his head. At that moment, the Imperial commander turned to address the knights.

“Don’t think you can neglect palace security just because you’re itching to enter the tournament! I understand the excitement—after all, His Majesty grants any request to the winner—but don’t forget your real duty!”
“Yes, Commander!”
“Only those who pass my evaluation today will be allowed to compete!”

At his shocking declaration, the knights grumbled loudly.

“What! That’s too much! Who could possibly meet your standards?”
“You’re basically telling us not to compete!”

Then, a noble youth stepped forward from behind Richard. With golden hair, proud red eyes, and an air of arrogance, it was clear he came from a distinguished house. Saluting Richard, he donned his helmet and looked set to fight Arsen next.

Richard patted the youth’s shoulder and descended the steps, leaving the ring to him. The young man immediately drew his sword with a harsh glare.

“Don’t tell me you think beating the commander means anything.”
“Of course not, Jad Lambert.”
“Don’t sully my name with your filthy mouth.”

He was noble faction to the core, practically trembling with disgust at the Remigis Knights, hailing from Dunstane Isle.

“I can’t fathom why the commander would even bother crossing blades with you.”

With murder in his eyes, Jad lunged. The ferocity of it made Rose whisper urgently to Helia.

“Shouldn’t we stop them? Someone’s going to get seriously hurt!”
“As long as he’s not a complete fool, he won’t cause real trouble inside the palace.”

Helia watched calmly, so Rose had no choice but to turn back to the fight. The surrounding knights, clearly accustomed to such scenes, were already betting on the outcome.

“Yikes, Jad’s going all out! Lord Lambert, stop bullying the islander!”
“Sir Lafayette! Smash that pretty face of his!”

The longswords clashed again and again, each strike aimed at vital points. Locked blades sparked with malice. Straining against each other, Jad hissed.

“A lowborn face like yours has no right to tread noble ground. Once I win the tournament, I’ll drive your lot out.”
“Win first before you boast.”
“Hah! As the next commander of the Imperial Knights, victory is child’s play for me.”

Arsen deflected the strike and countered with a forceful slash. Jad barely dodged by stepping back.

“Sir Officier is still commander.”
“He said he’ll retire soon. Obviously, I’ll succeed him. Who knows? I might even become commander as soon as this festival ends.”

Arsen sneered at the arrogant noble who spoke as if he were already commander. Then, with timing half a beat faster, he pressed the assault. His sword pushed aside Jad’s defense and closed in again, strike after strike.

Jad’s expression faltered. Arsen’s sword style, honed for combat on cramped ship decks, was utterly foreign to continental knights. His fluid, unpredictable strikes overwhelmed Jad, who had trained only in traditional knightly methods.

“What kind of filthy swordplay is this?!”

Jad snarled, but Arsen only pressed harder. His opponent barely managed to defend, his stance crumbling until a gap opened. Arsen seized it in an instant.

Whoosh—his blade kissed the hollow of Jad’s throat.

“……Tch.”
“The tournament isn’t limited to knights. You’ll face all sorts of ‘lowly’ sword styles. Surely you don’t plan to scream every time?”
“Ugh… Lafayette!”

Jad flushed red, scowling as the knights jeered. He had no choice but to admit defeat. The Remigis Knights cheered their commander’s victory.

Unbothered, Arsen sheathed his sword and gave a composed bow of courtesy. He swept his gaze over the rowdy knights—only for his eyes to freeze suddenly on a single spot.

“……!”

Rose had been waving frantically at him.

“Wow, isn’t Arsen amazing? He won two matches in a row!”
“Yeah. Truly, it wasn’t human skill.”

Helia pouted, leaning lazily on the railing. The knight who had just displayed such ferocity suddenly fled the arena in a fluster, as though he were a loyal dog running to his master.

Seeing he might come up to them, Helia began scheming how to slip away. It wasn’t yet time for him to face Arsen. Before leaving, he playfully tapped Rose on the arm.

“Anyway, I’ll be waiting for your answer soon, Your Highness.”

Only then did Rose remember that Helia was here as the Pope’s representative. She would have to give her reply soon on whether she would accept Tebere’s backing—or reject it.