Chapter 46: Riven and Rosalind

A violent storm raged.
Too late. I hadn’t made it in time. Couldn’t make it in time. Was my decision too slow? Doesn’t matter. Results are everything.

"If you intend to fight the Black Clan, this is a path you cannot avoid. Then, let’s see if you can overcome it here and now."

She called it a trial, but does she even intend to let us pass? I don’t think so. That’s how absolute her authority is.

It was once said to be a grace bestowed upon her clan from the heavens. Thanks to that grace, the direct bloodline of the Black Clan awakens to abilities that surpass human understanding.

"Ri-kun, since you don’t have one, you may have forgotten. And since we have some first-timers here, allow me to explain my authority."

Each individual’s authority manifests differently, but hers is the absolute worst when it comes to combat.

"My authority is 【Collapse】. To break all things that have form—that is all."

Simple, yet utterly dominating. The moment it’s activated, I can no longer see any path to victory.

"…And what of it?"

"Reynard."

"I can still fight."

Even after being blown away, Reynard forced himself to stand. But still…

"Then, why don’t I show your friend exactly what that means?"

"Wait! Don’t do it!"

One of her whips lashed out again, just like before, striking toward Reynard. He tried to block with his sword again. If nothing changed, the same result would follow.

"…Huh?"

But it didn’t. A spray of red burst from Reynard’s mouth. The whip’s tip had pierced straight through his sword’s flat, through his armor, and into his side.

"That armor of yours has quite the elaborate enchantments layered on it. Yet before my authority, it’s as if they never existed."

"…I see. That’s… a bit beyond unreasonable."

"Indeed. No matter how prized your dungeon loot may be, anything with form is equal before my power. I’m glad you understand."

A simple ability: to break. Simple, but unstoppable. Defense, offense, anything material—it all shatters. And when wielded by her… Just brushing against that slender whip is enough to destroy, leaving you helpless.

"Now then, what will you do? Will you give up? If so, let’s go home together, Ri-kun. Your revenge, your goals—I’ll handle them for you. That much, at least, I can do."

"…Don’t make me laugh!"

"My."

Clutching my trembling arm, I still pointed my sword at her.

"If I were going to give up, I would have done so long ago. Even without a chance of victory, I’ll struggle to the very end."

"I see. Yes… if that’s the case…"

She tilted her head as if considering something. What now? What trick is she planning? I kept watch while assembling my next moves in my head. One mistake in judgment and I’d be finished. I couldn’t afford that.

"…First move: leap in, overhead slash."

"What!?"

"That’s a feint. Force me to block, then slip to the side, vanish from my sight with speed."

It was as if she was reading my mind—she was describing my exact plan out loud. That’s the mark of the Devil Heiress: her foresight honed by tracking the hearts of countless challengers. It was practically a declaration that everything I tried would be pointless.

"Once you vanish from view, you’ll rely on that unconscious girl for a surprise attack, pressing me again. The result: a gap in your own defenses."

I thought I saw Trishel’s body twitch slightly in the back where she was pretending to be unconscious.

"You’ll use that manufactured opening to go for my blind spot, deny me time to react with my whip, and press your blade to me again. That, perhaps, is your one plan with any chance of success?"

"…So you’re saying it’s useless because you already know?"

"More like… it’s simply impossible. I recall teaching you once that wishful thinking should never be part of strategy."

Wishful thinking, huh? Counting on her to lose sight of me—wishful thinking. Counting on her timing to be perfect—wishful thinking. Counting on her not to react if I got behind her—wishful thinking. Only certainty counts. Build only with that. Win only with that. That’s the logic of the strong.

"Heh…"

"Hm? What’s amusing you?"

"No… I’m just glad I get to fight here, against someone like you."

If it were only dungeon fodder or street thugs, I’d have kept fooling myself. But this absolute powerhouse before me reminded me—I’m the challenger here. So fight not with the logic of the strong, but with the logic of the weak. Struggle. Waver. Hunger only for victory. Cast aside all else!

"Once again—I will defeat you!"

I swung my sword and leveled it at Rosalind once more. Her cold gaze fixed on the tip.

"…Hopeless. Were you always this foolish?"

"Maybe. Honestly, even I’m a little surprised."

Perhaps it’s because I’ve seen two other idiots like me. I didn’t say it aloud, but I pictured their faces in my head and smirked. At the very least, I had to fight well enough to face them with pride.

I flipped my sword and charged Rosalind. Dodging her whips, I searched for an opening to strike. Reynard was no longer there to cover for me. That meant I had to read every whip movement myself and act ahead of them. Even if she was forcing my moves, it didn’t matter. All that mattered was finding the moment to outwit her. Surpass her expectations. Seize that instant!

"…You seem to be enjoying yourself."

"Do I? Maybe I am!"

"Yes, very much so. Enough to make me jealous!"

There! In that moment of emotion, a gap appeared. All that was left was to thrust my sword into it—!

"That too… was part of my plan."

The moment my blade made contact, it shattered to dust. I yanked my arm back just in time to keep her whip from seizing it as well, throwing myself backward. The fragments of my broken sword clattered against the whip as they fell to the ground.

Damn. I rushed it. A fatal mistake. Now I’d have to fight barehanded. Could I even reach her? And even if I did—would my arms be fast enough to catch her?

"Shall we just give up? Your little friend already ran off, you know."

Following her words, I shifted my gaze—and the Trishel who had been knocked down was gone.

Did she slip away in the chaos? Well, I can’t really complain; we were never that close anyway.

"I’ve decided I won’t admit defeat until I actually lose. Sorry, but I’m going to struggle to the very end."

"That’s a good mindset when it comes to contests… but… what’s that sound?"

For a moment, Rosalind’s attention shifted. Not enough, though, for me to exploit.

I looked and saw the stage moving.

Part of it was sliding; the display case containing the Kakuzuchi weapon was lowering.

Someone moved the stage? Who, and why? Could it really be…?

I laughed at the absurd thought. So what if it is? Hoping for a last-minute reversal is classic weakling thinking. But fine—I’ll indulge in it. If we’ve come this far, I’ll ride the same ship.

"…Well, it’s nothing. No real presence detected, so there’s no need to worry."

"Is that so?"

"Hmm?"

Rosalind wore a face of pure confusion. I decided to point out her flaw directly.

"I’ll tell you why you’re losing."

"A declaration of victory… you already said that earlier. So? I’ll listen."

"It’s because you’re far too competent."

She seemed to be thinking over the hidden meaning behind my words.

There was none. I meant exactly what I said.

If she were more timid, or if her analytical ability and grasp of what she could execute were uncertain, I would have already conceded.

But she doesn’t see her opponent as weak. She only regards him—or rather, me—as a challenger. That’s why she gives me a chance.

"What—"

"Trishel!"

"Got it! Catch this!"

Rosalind, still searching for a satisfying answer, was interrupted by a new figure appearing on the stage.

—Only the upper half of her body emerged from a hole in the stage.

As Trishel leapt out of the hole, she immediately wrapped around Rosalind’s legs.

Right. It was Charlotte.

I caught what Trishel had thrown.

Tenyuu’s weapon—Kakuzuchi.

"W-what… is this…?!"

"A cursed piece of equipment! Hehe, tough luck, huh?"

With Rosalind distracted, Charlotte’s interference slowed her. Both of them moved sluggishly. Charlotte even looked pale.

A magical tool that drags herself into the fight, huh? She’d complained endlessly about it being unwieldy. Now I understand why.

"…This helps."

I whispered so quietly no one could hear.

Almost simultaneously, I drew my sword and Rosalind regained her movements.

I swung with all my strength as she braced herself for defense. A frontal clash of sheer force.

"Uooooooooh!"

A sound like something being twisted to the breaking point echoed through the space. Sparks threatened to fly; my vision flickered with the collision of violent energies, which cast a white light.

There was no strategy for overcoming the Collapse authority. But the moment I gripped this sword, I felt it.

Now, I can break through.

And then, the conclusion arrived.

"No way… my authority…!"

"…We’ve won, Rosalind."

The tip of the severed whip spun through the air before thudding to the ground, motionless.

The tip had grazed Rosalind’s throat, cutting just a thin layer of skin; a single drop of red fell.

"Anything to say?"

"…Unbelievable. But… I feel a bit relieved."

Rosalind’s expression—astonishment mixed with relief—shifted as she met my gaze. A pure, innocent smile appeared on her face.

"Well done. I surrender."

She declared her defeat gracefully.