A Polka in the dead of winter, with snowflakes dancing through the air. That place, apart from being a resort for those seeking healing through hot springs, has recently taken on the appearance of a training ground where many swordsmen come to hone their own skills.
Most of these trainees are members of the Dianne Special Operations Unit and their associates engaging in self-directed practice. Inspired by them, elves with a strong warrior inclination can now be seen undertaking rigorous personal training along the forest’s edge.
Even amidst such activity, on days when heavy snow blankets the ground, no one is foolish enough to frolic outdoors. Though it may not be “ploughing in fair weather and reading in foul,” immersing oneself in books at the inn’s dining hall under an aurora sky like today can still be considered meaningful.
“Aurora Ten-Headed Leader, what are you reading?”
“Mr. Tetes, can you read too?”
The book Aurora had closed was titled Celesta Eastern and Western Heroes Chronicle, Issue No. 22.
“Heroes Chronicle…?”
“It’s a newly updated catalog claiming to comprehensively cover information on famous warriors, centered around Celesta’s military personnel—officially speaking.”
“Officially speaking means…”
“To be frank, it’s still just a civilian publication. There are inaccuracies and omissions galore… Well, even an Ace Knight like me struggles to track down certain records, so one could say it’s actually quite well-researched without compromising military secrets. For a Master Knight or someone of equivalent rank currently active in service, this book captures almost everything.”
“Wow. Are you aiming to be included in that list too, Leader Aurora?”
“Hehe. Well, I can’t deny there’s some truth to that.”
Aurora smiled and spread out other books stacked on the table. Titles like Sword Saint Chronicle: Year 39 of King Yurisius and Comprehensive Guide to Continental Knights, Volume 7 were printed on their covers.
“Wow. You’ve got so many!”
“I’ve loved reading these since childhood, so whenever I visit a major city and spot a bookstore, I can’t help but buy them… There are even articles about my brother and Mr. Anzeros.”
“Oh, I’d like to see those. I know the basic personal details since they reach the Royal Intelligence Bureau of Renfanggas, but I don’t have access to detailed evaluations.”
As Tetes flipped through the pages, Aurora inserted a bookmark for him.
──The Noble Son of the Forest Territory: No Blade Can Sever the Vacuum Edge!──
General Lucas (32) Master Knight / Southern Army Corps, Celesta Military ・Power: ★★★★★ ・Speed: ★★★★★★★ ・Technique: ★★★★★★★★★ ・Overall Rating: ★★★★★★★★
The legitimate heir and prodigy of the Colony Leader in the Southeastern Forest Territory, hailed as a beautiful swordsman of genius. His true strength remains immeasurable, with some voices suggesting this article underestimates him. When his sword swings, it cleaves through massive trees twenty paces away, felling them with a thunderous crash. Due to its originality, there are aspects that cannot be quantified by the ★ rating system.
Above all, what makes him truly cunning is the combination of his formidable power with his striking appearance and graceful demeanor. He stands as the very model of how a nobleman ought to conduct himself.
However, it should be noted that recently, though the specific circumstances remain unclear, he underwent an audit by the Intelligence Legion and was subsequently placed under house arrest, indicating a history of various troubles.
──Here is the orthodox “Wind-Slicing Blade” trained in Trot!──
“Wind-Slicing Blade” Anzoros (Ten-Headed Leader, Age Unknown) Ace Knight / Special Operations Unit of the Celesta Army ・Power: ☆☆☆☆☆☆ ・Speed: ☆☆☆ ・Technique: ☆☆☆☆☆☆☆ ・Overall Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆
Until recently, he was famous as the guardian escort for Basson’s renowned border unit, the “Crossbow Squad,” which protected Trot’s borders. He is a half-elf boy swordsman whose pride lies in his massive armor, disproportionate to his frame, and his short sword capable of felling even ogres with a single strike. Despite his appearance as a beautiful youth, he possesses undeniable skill and strength; judging him by looks alone would be a painful mistake. Recent investigations have whispered that he may be female, but details remain unknown due to his transfer to the Special Operations Unit.
“Oh, Anzoros Ten-Headed Leader seems quite fast… Is it really only three stars in Celesta?”
“That’s because my information isn’t entirely accurate. I haven’t been able to keep up with Anzoros’s shift toward a speed-based fighting style since he lost his armor two years ago due to an incident involving his brother. My data is simply outdated. If I were to update it now, I’d say six stars… or perhaps seven would be more solid.”
“You’re right? Good, because if he were only three stars, wouldn’t Al-chan be around five?”
“The article on the Dancing Spear should be in your ‘Comprehensive Guide to Continent Knights.’ The information is old, but the evaluation criteria are almost the same.”
──One of the fastest knight candidates in the Afilum Empire──
“Dancing Spear” Almeida An elf Paladin. Currently an adventurer affiliated with the Folklore Adventurers’ Guild. Once one of the most renowned Paladins in the Afilum Empire, she has since severed ties with the Afilum Army for some reason and is said to be residing in Folclore, the second-largest city of the Kingdom of Trot.
She possesses combat skills that are perfectly balanced at a high level. Above all, her speed is so extraordinary that it leaves behind even beastkin who excel in leg strength. Her attacks, delivered with a spear—a weapon that should never rely on sheer volume of strikes—display terrifying movements that effortlessly saturate any defense. Her fighting style resembles a meticulously choreographed dance.
・Attack Power: ☆☆☆☆☆ ・Speed: ☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆ ・Special Skills: ☆☆☆☆☆☆☆ ・Overall Combat Power: ☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆★
”…This one is a bit more formal in its wording.”
“That’s because the ‘Celesta East-West Heroes Chronicle’ tends to include a fair share of gossip, I think. It has some rather earthy parts as well.”
“Indeed. Still, Al-chan’s reputation is quite high, isn’t it?”
According to that book, Almeida’s evaluation rivals even that of a Master Knight. Though comparing two different works, her rating surpasses Lucas’s. Tete nodded with satisfaction, thinking, “Of course,” but then the actual Almeida appeared before them.
“That book… It seems I’m being overrated.”
“Al-chan.”
“While I’m confident no one can beat me in speed, there’s a bit of the reviewer’s fantasy mixed into that assessment. Look—if judged by those standards, I’d be considered the strongest knight even among the Afilum order.”
“Oh, really… There’s no one rated higher than Al-chan, not even among the Lords of Afilum.”
“In reality, I lost more than half my matches against the Lord. Speed alone isn’t enough to defeat many opponents.”
“I see…”
“No, actually, it surprises me that I won nearly half of them… Though officially, I’ve received multiple recommendations from the Lord.”
Almeida looked slightly displeased.
“In their region, promotions aren’t decided through battles or exams. Instead, a Knight Selection Committee composed of selected officers from each duchy determines who becomes a Paladin or Lord. Depending on political trends within the Empire, one might never be promoted despite numerous recommendations, or conversely, be promoted without possessing adequate strength.”
“So, it’s not entirely surprising that Almeida could become a Lord…?”
“I don’t know if I’d qualify as a Master Knight or Black Arm, but at least in Afilum, I was on that level. Moreover, the fact that some Lords I defeated weren’t necessarily strong serves as proof of this.”
“Well, there’s still a slight possibility that even Red Arm isn’t particularly strong.”
Red Arm, a full knight of Renfangsa, is promoted based on the number of Frontline Medals he holds. Most are indeed formidable warriors worthy of such accolades after countless battles, but there are several interchangeable medals in value, and some have managed to be promoted without ever encountering monsters—a kind of shortcut, though it takes an extraordinarily long time to accumulate enough medals for promotion.
“After all, this is just an article written by foreigners based on hearsay. Besides, I’m already a knight of Renfangsa…”
“Al-chan, the publication date of this book was two years ago.”
”…Well, in that case, there’s nothing to be done about it.”
Since Almeida had joined Renfangsa last year, it was natural for the information to be outdated.
“In any case, among these publications, only the ‘Celesta East-West Heroes Chronicle’ is issued annually. The ‘Comprehensive Guide to Continental Knights,’ which follows famous knights across the continent, often has gaps of four or five years between editions. Even though information spreads quickly these days, gathering such extensive and high-quality data is quite laborious.”
“Oh dear. But I’d like to become a knight worthy of being featured in the next edition too!”
Tete said cheerfully.
However… if even a hint that she’s Alex Buster’s sister became known, she’d surely be included without hesitation. After all, “famous” knights aren’t necessarily those who are particularly strong. …Given these circumstances, Aurora decided to keep silent.
“But the detail in ‘The Legend of the Sword Saint’ is astonishing… They let me give such thorough interviews.”
Almeida sighed while gazing at “The Legend of the Sword Saint.”
“That’s probably because the editor belongs to the War History Club at the Capital University.”
“A university club? Can they really produce such a magnificent book?”
Closing the book with a snap, Almeida examined the binding closely.
The magnificent leather binding certainly doesn’t look like something produced by an amateur.
“It seems the original was a scroll. Midway through, it was reshaped into its current form at the behest of Lord Crawford, who believed it should be widely published to boost morale. To this day, the Crawford family continues to fund its publication.”
”…Well, if a university student is conducting an interview, even a Heroic Sword Saint can’t simply ignore them, and the resulting book will naturally be substantial. Still, I’m surprised it’s continued even after the Celesta War.”
“As for Celesta, they have no intention of destroying or abolishing the Sword Saint themselves. They continue to utilize him effectively as a deterrent against the Afilum Empire.”
Celesta is a nation that is strict regarding conflicting interests, yet fully understands that valuable things are fragile and difficult to replace.
The immense trust and admiration surrounding the “Sword Saint” cultivated by the Trot Kingdom, along with its formidable influence over neighboring states, is something that, once shattered, cannot be easily rebuilt. It is recognized as an asset worth leveraging even at some cost.
“There are still many children who aspire to become swordsmen inspired by the legend of the Sword Saint. Such publications appear to be tolerated as long as they do not openly oppose Celesta.”
“The more I hear, the more tolerant Celesta seems. It’s hard to imagine such a mindset coming from the blood-soaked conflicts of the Afilum Peninsula. …Indeed, there were plans at the time to seize one-third of Trot by capitalizing on the collapse of the Sword Saint Legion and use it as a bridgehead for Celesta, but those plans were abandoned thanks to Celesta leaving more of Trot’s military strength intact than anticipated.”
“Celesta is a nation of merchants. They are shrewd when it comes to things with value.”
“Afilum… no, if Deep Green had been like that, it would have been better…”
Almeida flips through the book again.
“By the way, this book has quite a few bookmarks.”
“Yes. Since many of the articles feature acquaintances, checking them is enjoyable.”
“Acquaintances…?”
“Naturally, His Excellency the Supreme Sword Saint Arthur Bonaparte, but also Captain Gilbert Granz and Lieutenant Hector Randall are all familiar faces. I even added bookmarks to the entries about the Sword Saints I saw in Rennesot recently.”
“Hmm… I only caught a glimpse of them at Gibraltar Fortress.”
Almeida opens the page using the bookmark as a guide.
── The Strongest of All Generations of the Sword Saint Legion: The Living Legend, the Supreme Sword Saint ──
Arthur Bonaparte Former Commander of the Sword Saint Legion Former Captain of the Royal Guard
Much of his ability to make the Sword Saint Legion known as the strongest in the Northwest Plains lies in his strength and charisma. Standing at 189 cm, he is tall even for a human; approaching him evokes an overwhelming sense of dominance. Yet, his smile conveys that of a true gentleman, accompanied by a refreshing vitality reminiscent of a mischievous youth. While his appearance undoubtedly contributes to his charisma, his actual prowess is even more absolute. Not only does he possess superhuman strength that never loses in a contest of power against ogres, but his swordsmanship is said to have reached the divine realm. His favored weapon is a greatsword crafted by Vicks Vale himself, the top-ranked swordsmith of the Capital’s Ten Swordsmiths. Though unsuitable for formal duels, he remains undefeated against every other Sword Saint he has faced. He is particularly exceptional in wielding the “Blast Attack,” the symbol of Trotian swordsmen; when unleashed at full power, it creates a tornado capable of destroying ordinary buildings. However, the wounds he sustained in the previous war were not superficial, and he is currently recovering. Given his age, a return to active duty is unlikely, but I would like to see him once again raise his sword in the Great Arena as a great hero—even just once.
Attack Power: 7 Agility: 6 Combat Technique: 10 Overall Strength
S (The portrait depicts him during his active service.)
──The Ghost Instructor of the Grand Arena──
Gilbert Granz, “Master” Even today, countless young swordsmen sweat within the Grand Arena. Most are “Ace Knights” commissioned after the Celesta War, yet the man who imparts their techniques is a true and unadulterated Sword Saint. Approaching fifty, he still instills fear in these youthful warriors.
Jokes circulate that his longevity stems from his bloodline, but the secret to his strength lies not only in his relentless weekly discipline but also in his perfected technique and boundless mental fortitude.
His name is Gilbert Granz. How fitting that a man of such stature serves as an associate professor at the Capital University. His lectures are renowned for their clarity and his merciless attitude toward absentees; those lacking even a shred of confidence in perfect attendance are advised not to enroll… but let us leave that aside.
Originally of scholarly disposition, he refused enlistment in the Sword Saint Legion during the previous war, fearing it would disrupt his university duties—a rare anomaly among Sword Saints. Yet, his command capabilities are said to be first-rate. Rumors persist that he also declined a general’s commission from the Celesta Army for similar reasons; whether true or false remains uncertain.
A native of the Capital, he possesses a friendly demeanor, often guiding lecture students to hidden culinary gems in the city during his off-duty hours.
Though intended as an introduction to his role as a Sword Saint, this portrayal seems somewhat off-key. There are facets of him that remain invisible when viewed solely through that lens; please forgive my hesitation in putting pen to paper.
Attack Power: 4 Agility: 5 Combat Technique: 10 Overall Strength: B
──The Last Sword Saint Bears Both Flower and Fruit──
Ector Randall A genius swordsman who earned the title of Sword Saint at just fifteen, he is known as “the Last Sword Saint” after Trot’s defeat shortly following his commission, which stripped the military command authority and the power to appoint Sword Saints.
As the legitimate heir of the prestigious noble House Randall and an outstanding student, he is constantly surrounded by women within the Capital University, though male friends remain scarce on campus.
Though his sword has been wielded in actual combat only once—during the collapse of the Sword Saint Legion—his prowess is highly regarded. Reports suggest he has already surpassed ordinary senior Sword Saints, emerging prominently and even entering the range for the Master Knight examination.
His style is purely orthodox; he is proficient in “Blast Attack” and possesses considerable speed.
When a right-wing group within the Capital University caused a disturbance, he worked alongside Associate Professor Gilbert Granz to suppress it. His brilliant feat—using a single dagger and one Blast Attack to flip a desk and rescue a female student held hostage in an instant—has become legendary on campus.
The university’s art club painted his likeness in oil, which is now on display. Rumors say he wishes to purchase the painting and have it removed.
The fact that swordsmen like him can still emerge from within the nation offers great hope to the people of Trot in the Capital.
Attack Power: 6 Agility: 7 Combat Technique: 6
Overall Combat Power B
──That movement, swift as flight. That single strike, sharp as a claw and fang──
“Raven of Shrantz” Joseph Bay Former captain of the 7th Squad, Order of the Sword Saints. A Great Sword Saint, reputed to rank among the top ten in terms of raw power within the Order. Mentor figure to “Zephyr” Abel Dingil; renowned for his high-speed swordsmanship. A master of dual-wielding, he delivers a dazzling blow that severs an opponent’s collarbone to shatter their will to fight, then vanishes instantly—tactics that earned him the title “Knight of the Raven.” Later, after adopting his homeland Shrantz as his epithet, he became known as the “Raven of Shrantz.” Though his combat prowess is first-class, he also commands great respect as a general. The Order’s legendary readout attacker, Joseph Bay—the man who could lead from the front or command from afar. It is said that even the military headquarters of that era struggled greatly to decide which role would prove more valuable.
Attack Power: 8 Agility: 8 Combat Technique: 8 Overall Combat Power: S
──That hue, the azure sky, the blue of salvation──
“Blue Knight” Bartholomew Dean III Former captain of the 11th Squad, Order of the Sword Saints. A Great Sword Saint. Known as a flashy noble for always wearing his family heirloom, the Azure Mantle—hence the moniker “Blue Knight.” Even while donning it in battle, the mantle remains untouched by bloodstains or tears—a testament to his formidable skill. A master of the halberd and adept at executing burst attacks; his tactics leave no openings, and his timing for disengaging is equally renowned. He excels particularly in rescuing allied units, earning him many loyal Trot soldiers who will never forget the brilliance of that azure cloak. There’s even a saying: “Only a wicked woman or a sudden storm can soil his mantle.” Incidentally, he was also notorious as a henpecked husband; once this reputation reached his wife, he reportedly lost considerable weight.
Attack Power: 5 Agility: 7 Combat Technique: 8 Overall Combat Power: A
──The Order of the Sword Saints’ ferocious spearhead commander──
“Penetrator” Cain Gold Former member of the 2nd Squad, Sword Saint Legion. Great Sword Saint.
Even within the Sword Saint Legion, where coordinated action is their greatest strength, there are moments when a breakthrough is tactically essential.
In such situations, it is always this reliable man who charges in first: Cain Gold.
His ability to break through lines possesses an almost absolute power; no ordinary vanguard unit can hold him back, and even the cavalry cannot effectively pursue him. He combines this with an uncanny instinct for spotting those fleeting opportunities that lead to victory.
Cain’s breakthroughs have frequently guided the Sword Saint Legion to triumph. Official records of formal battles show he created winning conditions seven times alone, while accounts suggest his impact in ambushes was even greater.
In terms of achievements achieved through solo maneuvers, he is widely regarded as one of the top performers within the entire Sword Saint Legion.
However, he is far from unscathed; injuries are not uncommon.
Even the invincible Sword Saint Legion owes its string of victories to the relentless efforts of warriors like him, who fight while bleeding.
Attack Power 8 Agility 7 Combat Skill 4 Overall Rating A
“Indeed… I’d very much like to test my skills against Arthur Bonaparte someday.” Almeida grumbled thoughtfully.
“Arthur and Lord Bonaparte? Hmm, I suppose I should take a look at them too,” Tetes said carelessly.
Even though this was just training, Aurora smiled helplessly; she had been unable to stand a chance against Anzeros and the other two.
Just then, Sieg Becker returned from the hot springs, steam rising from his body as he passed by.
“Hey! What an interesting group putting together some fascinating matchups!”
“Special Duty Captain.”
“Huh? So there’s actually an evaluation for Lord Bonaparte? Man, that rating seems pretty low.”
“Low?” Seeing Almeida’s intrigued expression, Sieg grinned.
“If I were to rate him… well, let’s say Attack Power 10, Agility 8. There’s no way that old man could have lower attack power than the Eagle of Schrantz!”
“When you say Attack Power 10, that’s basically a special category like General Scott Vincent…” Aurora pointed out gently.
Vincent, being an Overnight, is Celesta’s general; in Almeida’s “Chronicles of the Sword Saint,” his stats are effectively unused.
But…
“Sure, Vincent’s attack power is high, but I get the feeling that old man’s serious strike could make even him pause. That kind of attack power isn’t just about technique or skill—it’s something more fundamental.”
”…Fundamental?”
The Aurora, looking utterly bewildered; Tetes, who seemed to have grasped the situation after all; and Almeida, appearing somewhat satisfied with his understanding. This was a realization shared only by those who had long fought as warriors.
“Of course Vincent’s article is there too, in that ‘Chronicles of Celesta’s Eastern and Western Heroes’ issue… Oh, number 22—that’s the December issue from last year. You’ve got great taste!”
“I bought it at Tark just recently.”
“Oh, I see, back then. Let me take a look.”
──Celesta’s “Sword”! The Lightning King, renowned as the strongest warrior on the continent──
“Overnight of Thunderclap” Special General Scott Vincent (41) Overnight / Member of Celesta Special Lightning Brigade ・Power: ★★★★★★★★☆☆ ・Speed: ★★★☆☆☆☆☆ ・Technique: ★★★★☆☆☆☆ ・Overall Rating: ★★★★★★★★☆☆
The ultimate Ogre warrior who embodies Celesta with his absolute offensive power. While his immense physical strength is awe-inspiring, what truly stands out is the lightning ability that gave rise to his nickname. Though some Ogres possess a rare condition called “Elercon,” allowing them to manipulate electricity, it usually only serves to numb those they touch. But Vincent’s abilities far surpass this; he can unleash lightning freely from his horns and, depending on the weather, strike the surroundings from the sky itself with terrifying precision. No enemy can withstand such power. Even if one could, his prideful double axes would cleave them in two. His mere presence, appearing anywhere at will atop a Flying Dragon, has become a deterrent not only for domestic security but also for neighboring nations. By the way, he’s still single. He claims to prefer wives who are cats or fox-beasts, though finding a match is proving difficult due to their bristly fur.
──Celesta’s “Shield”! The terror of an invincible man standing there──
“Overnight of Steel” Special General Ryo Amatsushima (38) Overnight / Member of Celesta Special Lightning Brigade ・Power: ★★★★☆☆☆☆ ・Speed: ★★★☆☆☆☆☆ ・Technique: ★★★☆☆☆☆☆ ・Overall Rating: ★★★★★★★★☆☆
To put it plainly, he’s not particularly strong in terms of combat power. Yet his overall evaluation is abnormally high due to his extraordinary vitality.
There’s an anecdote where a military doctor snapped, “Either make him a Moving Corpse or a Holy Beast!” Despite having survived at least 137 near-death experiences without actually dying—having risen unscathed each time—he continues to act as if nothing happened.
He’s been crushed between siege engines and boulders, riddled with spears by infantry units, burned alive along with fortresses, buried alive, beaten to a pulp with double axes after a fight with General Vincent, drowned in Queenica’s sea, and countless other horrors.
Yet in almost every case, he emerges alive, blood-soaked but shouting things like “I’m not done yet, you bastard!”
To the enemy, he must be nothing short of terrifying.
Even though his attack power is merely the minimum required for an Ace Knight, once he’s deployed, the enemy forces are left in complete chaos.
Regarded as a trump card in a different sense from General Vincent, he is truly the command’s secret weapon. Well-known, yes.
──The Strange Bird arrives! What does the blue bird carry?──
“Blue Gale” General Clay Kingfisher (42) Master Knight / Celesta Western Army Corps ・Power: ★★★★☆ ・Speed: ★★★★★★★★ ・Technique: ★★★★☆ ・Overall Evaluation: ★★★★★★★★
The Birdman race is rare even in Celesta. Yet, surprisingly, there are several Ace Knights who are Birdmen within the Celesta forces. He is by far the most famous and strongest among them.
Despite being a Birdman, he wields immense leg strength as his primary weapon, using his wings only for directional control and jump maneuvers. This is a rational tactic suited to their nature, allowing them to move faster and more unpredictably than any other race.
His movements, sweeping through the battlefield like a storm, are difficult even for Ace Knights to track. It’s well-known that during Master Knight trials, three Ace Knights couldn’t even draw a single strike against him.
However, there are also rumors that he’s attention-seeking and rather scatterbrained. Perhaps because he’s a bird?
“Boo-ha-ha-ha! Great! Anyone writing this has nothing to fear! Next time I’ll drag Kingfisher over here!”
“Please stop. You might break him.”
“Aww, that’s possible.”
Zieg laughs heartily, kicking his legs back and forth. Aurora looks visibly annoyed.
“And Becker Special Lieutenant Colonel got picked on too.”
“Seriously?”
──The world’s most famous spy is none other than him!──
“Dreamer at Daybreak” Special Lieutenant Colonel Zieg Becker (40) Ace Knight / Celesta Special Intelligence Brigade ・Power
☆☆☆☆☆ ・Speed ☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆ ・Technique ☆☆☆☆☆☆☆ ・Overall Rating ☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆
This genius, who passed the Ace Knight exam at just twelve years old, is now forty. Time is merciless. His numerous feats have long been revealed; he has conquered countless legendary monsters and ruins, proving himself a true powerhouse. In particular, his speed is said to be the fastest on the entire continent, surpassing even Almida’s “Dance Spear” and Trot’s “Zephyr” Abel Dingil. However, his fighting style relies heavily on knives and traps—he is nothing less than an assassin in battle. There are indeed counterarguments questioning how he would perform in actual combat. Even so, rumors have recently surfaced that he was captured by an Ogre woman, allegedly caught in the act of cheating immediately afterward. He is undeniably a flashy man even in his private life.
“Hey, who wrote this? I can only think you must hold some grudge against me!”
“I’m afraid I can’t say anything to you. And if you break it, please bring us a replacement.”
”…Guh-guh-guh…”
Zieg, clutching the book as if ready to tear it apart, reluctantly sets it down.
Tetesu, chuckling softly, suddenly turned his gaze toward Almida.
“By the way, is Abel Dingil mentioned here? I’ve been curious about him since earlier.”
“He’s included in this.”
Almida quickly flipped through the “Legend of the Sword Saint” she held.
“I’ve been oddly compared to him for about ten years now; it has bothered me quite a bit.”
──The Fastest Knight of Trot──
“Zephyr” Abel Dingil Former member of the 7th Squad, Order of the Sword Saints. Half-wolf beastkin. The Order of the Sword Saints tends to prioritize overall capability and teamwork over individuals with exceptionally突出的 abilities. Yet he possesses both those qualities while also holding one of the most outstanding talents on the entire continent. Given his mother’s wolf-beastkin heritage, bloodline influence may play a role. Still, few—even among beastkin—possess such agility as he does. Though rare to find demi-humans within the Order, he is one of the few exceptions, making him an uncommon man in many ways. His swordsmanship employs a hit-and-run tactic reminiscent of his master, “Eagle of Shrantz” Joseph Bay, who trained him at the Grand Arena. Due to his exceptional physical prowess, some even claim his combat ability already surpasses that of his master. During the recent war, Celesta’s strategy of effectively utilizing demi-humans proved decisive in certain aspects. With Abel as a catalyst, Trot may soon enter an era where the power of demi-humans is fully recognized and embraced.
Attack Power: 7 Agility: 10
Combat Skill 7 Overall Performance A
”…………”
“Hold on, Dance Spear. I’m a bit curious… this guy seems younger than us, right?”
“If he’s younger than you, then it’s impossible for him to be older than me, Sieg Becker.”
“Doesn’t he seem oddly likable and cocky compared to our seasoned veterans?”
“I think so too. Honestly, we Speedsters should be getting a fairer evaluation.”
“Yeah? Yeah?”
Almeida and Sieg, radiating black auras.
Aurora sighs. Tetes boldly—how else to put it—brings up a new topic.
“Speaking of which, what do you think of people like Captain Diane or Ms. Aurora who aren’t listed here? How would Mr. Becker rate them?”
“Hmm… that’s a good question. Well, let’s see.”
Sieg picks up a blackened board from the corner of the mess hall used for writing menus and begins scribbling with chalk.
・Captain Diane Attack Power: 9 Speed: 10 Combat Skill: 10 Overall Performance: S-Tier (Strongest)
・Anzeros Attack Power: 6 Speed: 8 Combat Skill: 8 Overall Performance: A-
・Aurora Attack Power
7 Agility 4 Combat Technique 7 Overall Performance B+
• Tetes Attack Power 5 Agility 5 Combat Technique 8 Overall Performance ?
• Naris Attack Power 4 Speed 5 Combat Technique 7 Overall Performance ?
”……I guess that’s about it.”
“Anzeros-san’s stats are quite… and Tetes-san and the others’ overall performance ratings seem rather arbitrary, don’t they?”
“Honestly, Captain Anzeros still has a lot of reserve power lying dormant. Depending on how he combines magic with his Wind-Slicing Sword, he could become quite formidable. He hasn’t been in any desperate battles lately, so it’s hard to tell, but… Also, Knight Tetes, you haven’t shown even a fraction of your true strength to anyone else yet, have you?”
“Eh…”
“It’s obvious you’re driving cautiously. While I wouldn’t say using your trump card is bad, there are cases where power not demonstrated in training simply doesn’t show up in actual combat. Don’t die from overconfidence. And as for Naris-chan… well, she smells like Smayson.”
“Wha—?”
“Hold it right there, Captain Aurora! Naris hasn’t even…”
“Calm down, Captain Aurora, Dance Spear. I’m not saying I’ve sniffed out her body odor with some beast-like sense of smell or anything.”
Zieg shrugged.
“Naris-chan just seems like the more you corner her, the more she’ll slowly, gradually squeeze out a little bit of juice each time. In a different sense from Knight Tetes, there’s something about her that remains utterly unknown… Smayson is the same way. He’s not much of anything—neither in ability nor intellect. But just by what he’s done, you can’t help but acknowledge the elves’ generous treatment of him. Depending on the situation, things could get quite interesting with Naris-chan too.”
“Muu…”
“Is that so…”
Tetete looked slightly dissatisfied, while Aurora was deep in thought.
…Then, there he was.
“I’m not that powerful,” Anzeru said, suddenly appearing and wiping himself off with a cotton cloth.
“What are you doing?”
“Honestly, I hate weird books like that! I don’t want to get a nickname! Andy laughed at me!”
“Who cares?”
“That’s why I’m saying it! I don’t want to become famous in such a strange way!”
The swordsmen began shouting and making a commotion.
“Well, even if you’re not strong, as long as you receive plenty of love from Lady Andy, that would be fine, wouldn’t it? ♪”
“Hmm. Well, for a female slave, that must be the correct path.”
“Shouldn’t we head back soon…”
Selen, Eirina, and Maia all sipped their tea together.