...... Why would you go to such lengths?
Because I'm a brave man.
I've been kind of sick of hearing the word 'brave' lately. It's strange.
So I'm going to make a contract. I have the courage to do so. I'm a brave man.
Yamazoe lowered his sword and raised his right arm.
It seems that the one swinging at his fingertips is the 'Medallion of Contract'.
'Come here and fight me. It is the mercy of a brave man. I'll forgive you for that. I'm not going to be able to say that I'm a good person. Not a bad thing, is it?
Do you want to just fight?
Yes.
One-on-one?
Yeah. You will.
"Are we allowed to use weapons and items?
'No matter. You're supposed to use what you're equipped with!
What is the definition of 'fighting'? You don't mean we're going to cross swords until we both die, do you? Set a number of times, once, twice, or three times?
'You're so fine! Twice is all it takes!
That's a lot, one time.
'Okay! You and I will cross swords once, one on one, one on one. Feel free to use the weapons and items at your disposal! If you do that, I will miss you and my men will not be harmed! That's all you need to know!
"The 'contract' is short for me, please.
Just get on with it!
The problem seems to be no .......
Weapons and items are free to use. So this one can use Reggie, White and Lord Death.
As long as they cross swords at least once, it's OK.
Even if he does something, we can block it with White's "Shirudo".
Even if he does break through the shield, Lord Death has powerful armor. The moment he mumbled ......, he said, "I'll be able to block at least one blow, that there is no problem! He replies. "It looks fine.
"Okay. That's it.
It's a 'contract'!
Me and Yamazoe's "Medallion of the Covenant" shines through.
Honestly, I don't want to deal with it.
But Yamazoe is dangerous.
The 'visitors' so far have been working for merit. To become a brave man, or to be recognized by the nobility.
But that's not the case with Yamazoe.
The more you can't read the actions, the more dangerous it is. I'm sure you'll be able to find a great deal more to say.
Well then, I'm going to go.
...... master, Naykun, and Arujidono.
Don't worry, it's just one time to get your swords together.
I stepped forward, leaving Rita, Aine and Cutlass behind.
At the same time, Yamazoe's sword flashed, illuminating my helmet.
...... Are you going to not show your face?
It's not something to show you. Yamazoe-Takashi.
Is that voice ...... Nagiyama Sawtaro?
You've been noticed.
I didn't think you'd recognize me. My alias.
"I knew you had a powerful skill set..." ......
Not so much. I'm not the strongest.
'What level is this! Level 6? You're not going to be a LV 9, are you?!
So you're not so strong.
'If you can't tell me, then you're lower than me, aren't you? Isn't that right!
It doesn't matter. Let's just end it with a sword.
I readied my magic sword, Leggy.
When I got this close, I managed to see Yamazoe's face.
He's smiling. It's a disgusting feeling.
''If we can just cross swords once, it won't be a problem. Isn't that what you think? But what if the difference in ability is large? For example, if I'm level 6. If you were lvl 1, I could probably kill you in one hit, right?
What is it?
A bluish-white light is coming from underneath Yamazoe's feet.
'This skill works unconditionally on anyone in range.
Yamazoe raises his sword.
"Ah... Yamazoe's... the most powerful... skill... is...
......They are the ones who have been used by ......and whoever wins... will win... against Mr. Yamazoe.
.......... that skill set... that man... is out of reach...
What? I can't hear people's voices very well.
Is this another effect of Yamazoe's skills?
Immediately, I activated the 'Ability Contact Analysis (Skill Analyzer)'.
If I'm touching the effects, I should be able to find out about the abilities.
Yamazoe's skills displayed are...
"Decreased Levels of Ability, Level Downer, LV4.
The skill level of those within the area of effect is set to 1.
The owner of this skill is not affected.
The range is less than 100 meters. The moment you leave the range, your skill level is restored to its original level.
Also, high level long range attacks become level 1 power the moment they come within range.
''It's ...... amazing.''
Indeed, this skill makes Yamazoe the strongest.
It's natural since other people will be level 1. There will be no one stronger than me around. So that's why it's the most powerful skill.
Then let's go! Realize the difference in power, Nagiyama Sawtaro!
Yamazoe raises his great sword.
No reply.
They are all staring at Yamazoe.
'Why aren't you moving? You're going to defy me ...... Count Kelvis!
''Is it true that the 'martial arts tournament' is to create a demon army?'''
One of the participants in the tournament said, "Are we being used?
Are we being used by a brave man who is a visionary?
What are you talking about?
How did he know that?
The information management for the participants of the Martial Arts Competition should be perfect.
No unnecessary information has been communicated to them, and they have been prevented from having any contact with the outside world.
Furthermore, the quarters have been divided into small rooms, and they are not allowed to move in and out of each other's rooms.
There is no way that this kind of information would be transmitted to all of us, but...
'There's no way in hell I'm going to use you guys!
But I just went to ......
Just now? We were supposed to be out training for the night! And so I'm about to leave. Nothing happened: ...... Nothing happened: ......
Yamazoe looked around at the tournament participants and shouted.
'Don't get lost! Don't get lost in the fight. It's important to always think that we are the strongest. If we do that, the path will become clearer.
「「「「...... haha」」」」
Remember. Through the Martial Arts Tournament, you will be chosen to be the brave men and women of tomorrow.
Thud.
A chill ran through Yamazoe's entire body.
"What the hell? Was that ......?
The moment I said the word 'brave', I felt a horrible fear.
It's impossible.
I was supposed to be the chosen brave. The strongest and bravest...
'Hey, what. What is this horror: ......!
Yamazoe doesn't remember.
That fear is what he felt when he was defeated by Nagi.
He had his memories erased to erase his own sense of defeat.
But the fear was still there.
The fear that his skills didn't come through.
Fear that the stray visitor, the one he had looked down on, was actually strong.
Fear that I was a sham and that the real 'brave one' was elsewhere.
Yamazoe was reminded of this when he was defeated by Nagi.
But the memory was gone.
So now Yamazoe does not know the cause of his fear.
The fear of the Nagi remained as fear of the existence of the 'brave'.
''No, you're lying. If I'm afraid of Yuusha, I can't be a brave person ...... Uggaaaaah!
Mr. Yamazoe?
Get a grip!
Why is this ...... after all that shielding?
The participants of the "Martial Arts Tournament" walked away from Yamazoe, lending him a shoulder to lean on.
It wasn't that they felt sorry for him.
It was because they wanted to talk to Count Kervis, the organizer of the tournament. He couldn't just throw Yamazoe out of the room for that.
Ten minutes later, the participants and Yamazoe, supported by them, arrived at the 'arena'.
Then...
Oh. Chichiuei: ────!
A shout was heard.
The panicked participants used the key Yamazoe had and opened the entrance to the arena.
Once inside, they found .......
''Shagyaaaaaaaaaaaa!''
'Father! How could your father do this ────!
The firstborn son of Count Kervis and a woman who was a participant in The Martial Arts Tournament were there.
That and a black deformed monster.
It was several times taller than an adult.
Its entire body was covered in a slimy exoskeleton, with huge claws sprouting from its hands.
It has no hair on its head, but instead has twisted horns. Its eyes are red as blood.
Inside his open mouth are countless fangs.
''It's a servant of the Demon King!''
"No! That's not true. That's not my father...
'Shagyaaah! Grrrrrr!
'Father. Please be quiet for a moment!
The firstborn son of the Earl of Kervis cries out.
He looks at Yamazoe for help...
Yamazoe. What do you think you're doing! Use your skills to keep your father quiet!
...... Oh, yeah. Is that the Demon King?
'No! Anyway, use the 'Ability Decline (Level Downer)'! You're a brave man, aren't you ......, why are you cowering here! Why are you trembling!
...... different. I'm a crazy person ...... brave and scary scary ......
Shagyaaaaah!
Ah. So, father, please be quiet!
「「「「 Defeat the minions of the Demon King! We are the brave ones! 」」」」
Stop it. ──────!
'Brave and scary: ...... scary: ......'
And so the sounds of battle echo through the arena at midnight...
The next day, in the name of Kamil, the eldest son of Count Kervis, it was announced that the "Martial Arts Tournament" had been cancelled and that the Count himself had disappeared.