Polka in the depths of midwinter, with snow flickering through the air. Apart from the bathers seeking healing from ailments, the area has recently begun to resemble a training ground where many swordsmen come to hone their skills. While most of these were voluntary training sessions by the Diane Special Forces and their affiliates, inspired by them, one could also see elves with strong warrior inclinations imposing special training upon themselves at the forest’s edge.
Even so, on days when the heavy snow accumulates in earnest, even Aurora’s presence is absent from the outdoors. It is not exactly “plowing in the sun and reading in the rain,” but immersing oneself in books in the inn’s dining hall, much like Aurora does today, could certainly be considered a meaningful way to spend the time.
“Decurion Aurora, what are you reading?” “Tetes. I wonder if you are capable of reading this.” The book Aurora closed bore the title: Chronicles of the East and West Heroes of Celesta, Vol. 22. “Hero Chronicles…?” “It is a book advertised as the latest definitive catalog, comprehensively covering information on famous warriors, primarily focusing on the Celesta military… officially, at least.” “So, ‘officially’ means…” “Even if it claims to be comprehensive, it is after all a civilian publication. There is much inaccurate information and many omissions… well, since there are those like myself, an Ace Knight, whom it is difficult to track achievements for, one could instead praise it for investigating quite well without touching upon military secrets. However, for the standard evaluations of Master Knights and equivalent classes, this provides most of what one needs to know.” “I see. Is it your goal, Decurion Aurora, to be listed in there?” “Fufu. I cannot say that is not a part of it.” Aurora smiled and opened other books she had piled on the table. Each bore titles such as Legend of the Sword Saint: The 39th Year of King Ulysses III and Great Encyclopedia of Continental Knights, Vol. 7. “Whoa. You have a lot of these.” “I have loved reading them since I was a child, so whenever I visit a large city and see a bookstore, I find myself unable to resist buying them. …There are even articles about my brother and Anzelos.” “Oh, I might want to see that. I know some personal information, as it does make its way into the Royal Intelligence Agency of Renfangus, but I don’t know their detailed evaluations.” As Tetes flipped through the pages, Aurora pulled out a bookmark.
—The Noble of the Forest Territory: The Blade of the Vacuum cuts nothing!—
General Lucas (32) Master Knight / Celesta Southern Army Corps ・Power: ☆☆☆☆☆ ・Speed: ☆☆☆☆☆☆☆ ・Technique: ☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆ ・Overall Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆☆★
The legitimate heir to the Colony Leader of the Southeastern Forest Territory, a beautiful swordsman hailed as a genius. His true strength remains immeasurable, and some voices claim the information in this article is an undervaluation. When his blade is swung, a giant tree twenty paces away is severed and falls with a crash; it is certain that due to his sheer originality, there are aspects that cannot be measured by star ratings alone.
Most unfairly, he possesses looks and elegant mannerisms to match his prowess. He is considered the very model of what a noble should be. However, it should be noted that he has recently been involved in some trouble, having been placed under house arrest following an audit by the Intelligence Brigade, the reasons for which remain unknown.
—The orthodox style trained by Trot: The “Wind-Severing Sword” is here!—
“Wind-Severing Sword” Decurion Anzelos (Age unknown) Ace Knight / Celesta Special Forces ・Power:
☆☆☆☆☆☆ ・Speed ☆☆☆ ・Technique ☆☆☆☆☆☆☆ ・Overall Rating ☆☆☆☆☆
Until recently, he was famous as an escort for the “Crossbow Unit,” a renowned detachment guarding the borders of the Trot Kingdom. A half-elf boy swordsman who boasts massive armor disproportionate to his physique and a heavy blade that, despite being a shortsword, can take down even an ogre in a single strike. Contrary to his beautiful boy appearance, both his technique and raw strength are the real deal—a prime example of why judging someone by appearances can lead to a painful mistake. Recent investigations have whispered rumors of a female identity, but due to a transfer to a special task force, the details remain unknown.
“Wait, I thought Centros, the Decurion, was incredibly fast… Is he really only three stars in Celesta?” “As I said, it is not entirely accurate. It fails to account for the fact that Centros transitioned to a speed-based style after losing his armor to his brother the year before last. They likely haven’t updated the old information. At present, I’d say six… no, seven stars is a safe bet.” “Right? Thank goodness. If he were only three stars, even Al-chan would be around five, wouldn’t she?” “I believe there was an article on the ‘Dancing Spear’ in that ‘Great Encyclopedia of Continental Knights.’ The information is dated, but the evaluation criteria are nearly the same.”
──One of the candidates for the Fastest Knight of the Afilm Empire──
“Dancing Spear” Almeida An Elf Paladin. An adventurer currently affiliated with the Folklore Adventurers’ Guild. Once one of the most renowned Paladins in the Afilm Empire, she has, for some reason, become estranged from the Afilm military. She is currently believed to be staying in Folklore, the second-largest city of the Trot Kingdom. While possessing combat techniques balanced at a high level, her speed is nothing short of incredible, leaving even beastmen with superior leg strength in the dust. Furthermore, her attacks using a spear—a weapon that should inherently lack volume—exhibit terrifying movements that easily saturate even the best defenses. Her fighting style is much like a well-rehearsed dance.
・Attack Power ☆☆☆☆☆ ・Speed ☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆ ・Special Skills ☆☆☆☆☆☆☆ ・Total Combat Power ☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆★
”…The writing is a bit stiff over here.” “That is likely because ‘The Chronicles of Heroes of East and West Celesta’ contains much more gossip. That one can feel a bit… tawdry in parts.” “True. Still, Al-chan’s rating is really high, isn’t it?” According to that book, Almeida’s rating is comparable to that of a Master Knight. Comparing different books is one thing, but her rating is higher than Lucas’s. Tetes nodded, looking satisfied with the conclusion, when the actual Almeida appeared. “That book, is it? …I am being overrated.” “Al-chan!” “It is true that I have confidence that I won’t lose to anyone in terms of speed, but the critic’s delusions have crept into the evaluation. Look, if we follow these criteria, it implies I am the strongest of all the knights in Afilm.” “Oh, you’re right… There isn’t anyone rated higher than Al-chan, even among the Lords of Afilm.” “In reality, if I were to spar with a Lord, I would lose more than half the time. Being fast alone is not enough to defeat many opponents.”
“I see…” “No, rather, I find it surprising that I am winning nearly half of them…” “Well, I have received numerous recommendations for lordship, after all.” Almeida looked slightly displeased. “Over there, it is not matches or examinations, but rather the Knight Selection Committee—composed of general-class officers selected from each principality—that decides on the investiture of Paladins and Lords. …Depending on the political winds within the Empire, you may never be invested regardless of how many recommendations you receive, or you may be invested even without sufficient strength.” “So, you’re saying it wouldn’t be strange for you to be a Lord, Almeida…?” “I do not know whether one can become a Master Knight or a Black Arm, but at the very least, that was the caliber I occupied in Afilm. …Furthermore, it is a fact that shows the Lords I was able to defeat were not necessarily strong.” “Well, there is a small possibility that even a Red Arm isn’t particularly strong.” The Red Arms, the True Knights of Renfangus, are invested based on the number of frontline decorations they have earned. While most are veterans truly worthy of the title, there are several interchangeable decorations, and there is even a ‘trick’ where one could be invested without ever having encountered a monster. However, that takes an incredibly long time to achieve. “Well, at the end of the day, it is merely an article written by a foreigner based on hearsay. Besides, I am already a knight of Renfangus…” “Al-chan, the publication date of this book is the year before last.” ”…W-well, I suppose that can’t be helped, then.” Since Almeida had only moved to Renfangus last year, it was natural for the information to be outdated. “In the first place, the only thing published annually in this collection is the ‘Biographies of Heroes of East and West Celesta.’ The ‘Great Encyclopedia of Continental Knights,’ which tracks famous knights across the continent, often has gaps of four or five years between editions. No matter how fast information travels these days, gathering high-quality information on such a wide scale seems to be quite a struggle.” “Oh dear. But I hope to become a knight worthy of being featured by the next publication!” Tetess said brightly. However… if word ever got out that she was the sister of Alex Buster, she would be featured effortlessly. After all, being a “famous” knight doesn’t necessarily mean being a particularly strong one. …Aurora decided to keep that particular detail to herself.
“Still, the level of detail in the ‘Chronicle of the Sword Saint’ is incredible… I’m impressed they allowed such thorough reporting.” Almeida sighed as she gazed at the “Chronicle of the Sword Saint.” “That is likely because the editor is the War History Club of the Royal Capital University.” “A university club? They produced such a magnificent book in a place like that?” Almeida closed the book with a snap and inspected the binding closely. The fine leather cover did not look like the work of amateurs at all. “I heard it started as scrolls. It took its current form due to Viscount Crawford’s desire to publish it widely to boost morale, and apparently, the Crawford family still provides the publishing funds even now.” ”…Well, even a heroic Sword Saint couldn’t easily dismiss an interview with university students, and the book would certainly turn out well-made. Still, it is impressive they managed to keep it going even after the Celesta War.” “Celesta has no intention of destroying or abolishing the Sword Saints themselves. In fact, they still make full use of them as a deterrent against the Afilm Empire.” The nation of Celesta was strict regarding conflicting interests, yet it understood well that valuable things are fragile and hard to replace. They recognized that the immense trust and admiration for the “Sword Saint” nurtured by the Kingdom of Trot, as well as the power they held over neighboring nations, would be impossible to rebuild once scattered; thus, it was worth utilizing, even if it required some strained effort. “They say many children still aspire to be swordsmen, longing for the myth of the Sword Saint. It seems the policy is to permit such publications, provided they do not show overt hostility toward Celesta.” “The more I hear, the more tolerant Celesta seems to be. It is hard to imagine such a mindset coming from the blood-soaked chaos of the Afilm Peninsula. …Though, there is a story that there was once a plan to seize one-third of Trot during the collapse of the Sword Saint Brigade to use as a bridgehead against Celesta, but it was aborted because Celesta left more of Trot’s military strength intact than expected.” “Celesta is a nation of merchants, after all. They are shrewd when it comes to things of utility.” “If only Afilm… no, if only the Deep Green were like that…” Almeida flipped through the book again. “By the way, there are a lot of bookmarks in this book.” “Yes. Since there are many articles about people I know, I find checking them quite enjoyable.” “People you know…?” “Not only the Great Sword Saint Arthur Bonaparte, but I am also acquainted with Centurion Gilbert Grant and Decurion Hector Randall. I have even placed bookmarks for the Sword Saints I saw in Renest the other day.”
“Ho… though I only caught a glimpse of him at Ghibli Fortress.” Using the bookmark as a guide, Almeida flipped the page.
──The strongest in the history of the Sword Saint Brigade. The Living Legend, the Divine Blade──
Arthur Bonaparte Former Captain of the Sword Saint Brigade Former Captain of the Royal Guard His power and charisma were largely responsible for the era when the Sword Saint Brigade was hailed as the strongest in the Northwest Plains. Standing at 189 cm, he is quite large for a human. If you approach him, you can feel a truly overwhelming aura. Yet, the impression given by his smile is that of a true gentleman, possessing a refreshing quality reminiscent of a mischievous young boy. While it is certain that his appearance contributes significantly to his charisma, his true strength was even more absolute. In addition to superhuman muscular strength that would never yield even in a contest of power against an Ogre, his swordsmanship is said to have reached the divine realm. His cherished blade is a greatsword forged by the hands of Vicks Valley, the top of the Royal Capital’s Ten Swordmasters. While it is by no means suited for duels, he remains undefeated in matches against numerous other Sword Saints. He is particularly masterful in the use of “Blast Attack,” the signature technique of the Trot Swordsman; a full-power Blast Attack from him can trigger a whirlwind capable of destroying ordinary houses. However, the wounds he sustained in the previous war were not shallow, and he is currently recuperating. Given his age, returning to active duty may be difficult, but as an author, I, too, hope to see the figure of this great hero raising his sword in the Grand Colosseum once more.
Attack Power: 7 Agility: 6 Combat Skill: 10 Overall Rank: S (Stats reflect his time in active service)
──The Demon Instructor of the Grand Colosseum──
“Sensei” Gilbert Grants In the Grand Colosseum, many young swordsmen are working up a sweat again today. Most of them are “Ace Knights” knighted after the Celesta War, but the man who drills techniques into them is a genuine, pure Sword Saint. Even as he approaches his fifties, he still commands fear among the young swordsmen. While it is a running joke that he might possess the blood of a long-lived race, the secret to his strength lies not only in his diligent training, which he never fails to perform every week, but also in his perfected technique and bottomless willpower. His name is Gilbert Grants. Despite being such an illustrious Sword Saint, he is also an assistant professor teaching at the Royal Capital University. His lectures are famous within the university for being easy to understand, yet his lack of mercy toward absentees is equally notorious—so, for those who lack confidence in their perfect attendance, my advice is… but I digress. By nature, he is a scholar at heart; he is an unconventional Sword Saint who even declined membership in the Sword Saint Brigade during the recent war because he hated being away from the university. That said, his unit command capabilities are said to be top-tier. There are also rumors that he turned down a commission with the rank of General from the Celesta Army for the same reason, though whether that is true or false remains to be seen. He is also a true native of the Royal Capital, possessing a friendly side that sees him leading his students on tours of the city’s hidden gems during his time off. I feel as though my attempt at an introduction as a Sword Saint has gone somewhat astray, but that is simply the kind of man he is. Please forgive my wandering pen, as there are aspects of him that cannot be seen through the lens of his title as a Sword Saint alone.
Attack Power: 4 Agility: 5 Combat Skill: 10 Overall Rank: B
──The Last Sword Saint is the Full Package──
Hector Randall A genius swordsman who attained the title of Sword Saint at the young age of fifteen. He is known as the “Last Sword Saint” because shortly after his investiture, Trot suffered a defeat, resulting in the loss of supreme military command and the authority to bestow the title of “Sword Saint.” The eldest son of the prestigious Randall noble family and an outstanding student, he is a constant fixture in the Royal Capital University, always surrounded by women. He appears to have few male friends on campus. While his blade has been used in actual combat only once (during the collapse of the Sword Saint Brigade), his true ability is highly regarded. There are even rumors that he has already begun to distinguish himself, surpassing ordinary senior Sword Saints, and that the Master Knight exam is well within his sights. His style is purely orthodox; he is proficient in “Burst Attack” and possesses remarkable speed. On one occasion, when a right-wing group within the Royal Capital University caused an uproar, he worked alongside Assistant Professor Gilbert Grant to suppress the disturbance. His brilliant skill—using nothing but a single dagger and a single Burst Attack to upend a desk and instantly rescue a female student who had been taken hostage—has become legendary. The Fine Arts Club at the university even painted his likeness in oils, which is currently on display. Rumor has it that he personally purchased the painting just so he could hide it away. The fact that swordsmen like him can still emerge from within the country provides great hope to the people of Trot in the capital.
Attack Power: 6 Agility: 7 Combat Technique: 6 Overall Rank: B
──His movements, like flight. His strike, like fangs and claws──
Joseph Bay, “The Eagle of Schlantz” Former Captain of the 7th Unit of the Sword Saint Brigade. A Great Sword Saint, it is said his true strength was ranked in the single digits even within the Sword Saint Brigade. He served as a mentor to Abel Dingil, the “Gale,” and is renowned for his high-speed swordsmanship. A master of dual-wielding, he is known as the “Eagle Knight” for his magnificent strikes that sever an opponent’s clavicle to break their will, followed by instantaneous disengagement. He later came to be known as “The Eagle of Schlantz,” taking the name of his homeland. While his combat prowess is top-tier, he is also highly regarded as a general. It is a famous story that the military command of the time struggled deeply with whether Joseph Bay was more useful as a lead attacker for the Sword Saint Brigade or as a general.
Attack Power: 8 Agility: 8 Combat Technique: 8 Overall Rank: S
──His color is the azure sky, the blue of salvation──
Bart Dean III, “The Azure Knight” Former Captain of the 11th Unit of the Sword Saint Brigade. A Great Sword Saint. A dandy known as the “Azure Knight” because he always wears his family heirloom, a blue cloak. He fights while wearing it on the battlefield, and the terrifying fact that the cloak shows no signs of bloodstains or tears even now is a testament to his skill. A master of the halberd, he also makes skillful use of Burst Attacks. His tactics are flawless, and he is famous for his ability to retreat at the perfect moment. He particularly excels at rescuing allied units, and many Trot soldiers can never forget the brilliance of that blue. There is even a saying that the only things capable of staining his cloak are a wicked woman or a sudden storm.
Incidentally, he is also a henpecked husband; they say he lost a significant amount of weight once these words reached his wife.
Attack Power: 5 Agility: 7 Combat Skill: 8 Overall Rating: A
──The Fierce Vanguard of the Sword Saint Brigade──
“The Penetrator,” Kane Gold Former member of the 2nd Unit of the Sword Saint Brigade. Great Sword Saint. Even within the Sword Saint Brigade, where coordinated action is their greatest weapon, there are moments when operational breakthroughs are required. When such times arise, the reliable man who charges in first is none other than Kane Gold. His breakthrough capability is near absolute; he possesses an uncanny knack for finding that exquisite window of opportunity—one that ordinary vanguard units can never hope to hold back, and cavalry units cannot possibly react to in time for pursuit. His breakthroughs have often led the Sword Saint Brigade to victory; in formal battles alone, he has provided the turning point for victory seven times, and there are rumors that the number is even higher in skirmishes. Some even call him the brigade’s finest when it comes to achieving results through solo maneuvers. However, his injuries are by no means few. Even for the invincible Sword Saint Brigade, it was the unceasing efforts of brave warriors like him, who fight amidst bloodshed, that sustained their undefeatable streak.
Attack Power: 8 Agility: 7 Combat Skill: 4 Overall Rating: A
“I see… I, too, would like to test my mettle against Arthur Bonaparte once.” Almeida grunted. “Al-chan and Sir Arthur Bonaparte, huh? Now that is something I’d like to see,” Tetess said irresponsibly. Though it was only training, Aurora gave a troubled smile, remembering how she was no match for the two of them alongside Anzelos. Just then, Sieg Becker happened to pass by, trailing puffs of steam as he returned from the hot springs. “Oh. You’ve got an interesting group here spreading out some interesting stuff.” “Special Centurion.” “Heh. So there are evaluations for Lord Bonaparte, huh? Wait—this is pretty low.” “Is it low?” Since Almeida looked interested, Sieg grinned. “If I were writing it… let’s see, I’d say Attack Power 10, Agility 8. There’s no way that old man’s Attack Power is lower than the Eagle of Schlantz.” “An Attack Power of 10 is reserved for special cases, like General Scott Vincent…”
Aurora interjects small. As an “Overnight,” Vincent is a General of Celesta. It is a stat that is essentially unused in the “Legend of the Sword Saints” that Almeida publishes. However. “That bastard Vincent certainly has high attack power, but I feel like I could charge up a strike against that old man’s serious blow. That level of attack power isn’t just a matter of technique or anything like that; it’s something more fundamental.” ”…Fundamental.” Aurora and Tetess look confused, while Almeida seems to grasp the meaning, in a way. It was a realization that only those who had fought as warriors for a long time could share. “Speaking of which, there must be articles about Vincent and the others in that ‘Chronicles of the Heroes of East and West Celesta,’ right? …Oh, issue 22 is from the end of last year. You’ve been keeping this, huh?” “I purchased it in Talc the other day.” “Ah, I see, that was then. Let’s see…”
──The “Sword” of Celesta! The Lightning King, rumored to be the strongest on the continent──
Special General Scott Vincent (41), “The Lightning Overnight” Overnight / Member of the Celesta Special Lightning Brigade ・Power ☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆ ・Speed ☆☆☆☆★ ・Technique ☆☆☆☆☆☆ ・Overall Rating ☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆
The strongest Ogre warrior, symbolizing Celesta with absolute attack power. While his immense physical strength is breathtaking, what is truly noteworthy is the lightning ability that gave him his moniker. The “Elecorn” constitution, which rarely manifests in Ogres, allows one to manipulate electricity, but normally, at best, one can only manage to numb an opponent upon contact. However, his ability far exceeds that limit; he can freely discharge lightning from his horns and, depending on the weather, can strike the surroundings from the heavens with incredible power. There is no enemy capable of defending against this power. Even if they could, his prized double axes would cleave them in two. It is said that the fear of him appearing anywhere atop a wyvern serves as a deterrent, not only for domestic public order but also for neighboring nations. Incidentally, he is still single. He apparently says a cat or fox beastkin would make a good bride. He seems to be having quite a bit of trouble finding a partner, as his fur tends to stand on end.
──The “Shield” of Celesta! The terror of an invincible man being there──
Special General Ryo Amatsushima (38), “The Steel Overnight” Overnight / Member of the Celesta Special Lightning Brigade ・Power ☆☆☆☆ ・Speed ☆☆☆ ・Technique ☆☆☆ ・Overall Rating ☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆★
To put it bluntly, he isn’t much to speak of in terms of raw combat power. However, the reason his overall evaluation is abnormally high lies in his uncanny vitality. There is even an anecdote where a military doctor lost his temper, snapping, “Decide once and for all: are you a walking corpse or a holy beast?” Despite having survived situations that should have killed him at least 137 times by now, he simply stands back up as if nothing happened. Caught between a battering ram and a boulder. Stabbed repeatedly by a spear unit. Burned alive along with a fort. Buried alive. Crushed by a double-axe during a quarrel with General Vincent. Drowning in the Sea of Quica. And so on. Yet, in almost every instance, he returns alive, drenched in blood, shouting things like, “Dammit, that hurt!” To an enemy, he must be nothing less than a nightmare. While his attack power is only at a minimum level for an Ace Knight, his deployment inevitably plunges the enemy army into utter chaos. In a sense different from General Vincent, he is considered a trump card—a true secret weapon of the High Command. Though, he is quite famous.
──The Monstrous Bird Arrives! What shall the Blue Bird carry?──
General Clay Kingfisher, “The Blue Storm” (42) Master Knight / Member of the Celesta Western Legion ・Power: ☆☆☆☆☆☆ ・Speed: ☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆ ・Technique: ☆☆☆☆☆☆ ・Overall Evaluation: ☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆
The Birdman race is rare even within Celesta. However, despite their rarity, the Celesta Army boasts several Birdman Ace Knights. Among them, he is the most famous and the strongest warrior. Though he is a Birdman, he uses immense leg strength as his primary weapon, using his wings merely for directional control and aerial maneuvering. This is, however, a rational tactic designed to allow Birdmen to move with the greatest possible speed and unpredictability. His movements, sweeping through the battlefield like a storm, are difficult even for an Ace Knight to track. There is a famous anecdote from the Master Knight exam where three Ace Knights were unable to even land a single strike against him. That said, there are also rumors that he is a show-off and quite clumsy. Perhaps it’s a bird thing.
“Bwahahahaha! This is great! The person writing this must have no fear, man! I’ve gotta take this to Kingfisher next time.” “Could you please stop? It feels like you’re going to tear it.” “Ah—yeah, that’s a possibility.” Sieg laughed loudly, kicking his legs about. Aurora wore a look of annoyance. “Besides, Special Centurion Becker is being poked fun at as well.” “Seriously?”
──When it comes to the world’s most famous intelligence agent, there is only him!──
Special Centurion Sieg Becker, “The Daydream” (40) Ace Knight / Member of the Celesta Special Intelligence Brigade ・Power: ☆☆☆☆☆ ・Speed: ☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆ ・Technique: ☆☆☆☆☆☆☆
・Overall Rating ☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆
The genius who reportedly passed the Ace Knight exam at the age of twelve is now forty. Time is truly merciless. With numerous military exploits brought to light, he is a highly skilled individual who has conquered many legendary-class monsters and ruins. His speed, in particular, is said to be the fastest on the continent, allegedly even surpassing Almeda of Afilm, the “Dancing Spear,” and Abel Dingil of Trot, the “Gale.” However, his fighting style is that of a pure assassin, making heavy use of knives and traps, and it is true that some argue whether he could truly hold his own in a direct confrontation. Rumor has it that he was recently caught by an ogre woman. And that his infidelity was discovered instantly. He is a man who lives a flamboyant life, even in his private affairs.
“Hey, who wrote this?! I can only assume you have a personal grudge against me!” “Don’t look at me; I can’t help you. Also, if you tear that, you’re responsible for finding a replacement.” ”…Gugigigi…” Sieg, who had been gripping the book so hard it looked ready to rip, reluctantly set it down. Tetes, who had been chuckling, suddenly turned her attention to Almeda. “Come to think of it, is Abel Dingil in here too? I’ve been wondering for a while.” “He is included in this.” Almeda quickly flipped through the “Chronicles of the Sword Saints” in his hands. “I’ve been curious about it for some time, as we’ve been strangely compared to him for about ten years now.”
──The Fastest Knight of Trot──
Abel Dingil, the “Gale” Former member of the 7th Squad, Sword Saint Brigade. Half-Wolf Beastman. The Sword Saint Brigade tends to prioritize overall competence and cooperation over individuals with exceptionally specialized abilities. However, while possessing those traits, he also possesses a top-tier, standout ability on the continent. It is likely due to the influence of his blood, as his mother is a wolf beastman. Even so, someone with his level of agility is a rarity even among beastmen. While demi-humans are seldom found in the Sword Saint Brigade, he is one of the few, making him a rare man in many respects. His swordsmanship utilizes a hit-and-run tactic very similar to that of his master from the Great Colosseum, Joseph Bay, the “Eagle of Schrantz.” Due to his high physical capabilities, some voices claim that his combat prowess already surpasses that of his master, marking him as an elite knight. In the previous war, he was somewhat overwhelmed by Celesta’s tactics, which made effective use of many demi-human forces. Starting with his presence, the era of Trot recognizing and utilizing the power of demi-humans may be just around the corner.
Attack Power: 7 Agility: 10 Combat Technique: 7 Overall Ability: A
”…” “Hey, Dancing Spear. I’m a little curious… this guy is younger than us, right?” “If he is younger than you, Sieg Becker, then it is impossible for him to be older than me.” “Don’t you think his favorability rating is strangely high compared to us veterans? It’s kind of cheeky, isn’t it?” “I feel similarly. In fact, those of us who specialize in speed deserve a more honest evaluation.” “Right? Don’t you agree?”
Almeida and Sieg radiated a dark aura. Aurora let out a sigh. Tetess, whether she was being bold or just something else, decided to pivot to a new topic. “More importantly, how would you rate people who don’t appear in these kinds of things—like Centurion Diane or Aurora-san—from Becker’s perspective?” “Hmm… that, huh? Well, I guess…” Sieg picked up a black chalkboard used for writing the menu from a corner of the dining hall and began scribbling away with chalk.
・Captain Diane Attack: 9 Speed: 10 Combat Skill: 10 Overall Performance: The Strongest
・Anzelos Attack: 6 Speed: 8 Combat Skill: 8 Overall Performance: A-
・Aurora Attack: 7 Agility: 4 Combat Skill: 7 Overall Performance: B+
・Tetess Attack: 5 Agility: 5 Combat Skill: 8 Overall Performance: [Incomplete]
?
・Naris Attack Power: 4 Speed: 5 Combat Skill: 7 Overall Performance: ?
”…Something like that, I guess.” “Anzelos-san’s numbers are quite… Also, Tetes-san and the others, your overall performance is listed as ‘random’?” “To be honest, I think Captain Anzelos still has plenty of hidden strength left. Depending on how they combine magic and the Gale Sword, they could become something quite formidable. It’s hard to say for sure since they haven’t been in a cornered fight recently, though. And as for Knight Tetes, you haven’t even shown anyone your full power yet.” “Eh…” “It’s obvious you’re playing it safe. Keeping an ace up your sleeve isn’t a bad thing, but strength you don’t use in training doesn’t always show up in actual combat. Don’t die from overconfidence. Also, as for little Naris… how should I put this… she has a certain ‘Smyson’ vibe about her.” “Wh—!” “Wait, Sieg Becker! Naris is still—and Andy is—” “Calm down, Captain Aurora, Dancing Spear. It’s not like I have some beastman-like sense of smell and can pick up her body odor.” Sieg shrugged. “It’s just… I feel like if you cornered Naris-chan, she’d start squeezing out more and more strength, little by little. She has a depth to her that’s unfathomable, though in a different way than Knight Tetes. …Same with Smyson. That guy isn’t much, neither in terms of ability nor intellect. But looking at what he’s accomplished, I can see why the Elves treat him so well. Depending on the situation, Naris-chan might turn out to be quite interesting.” “Hmm…” “I wonder…” Tetes looked slightly dissatisfied, while Aurora fell into thought. …Then. “My abilities aren’t that high.” Anzelos appeared out of nowhere, erasing his presence with a piece of cotton cloth. “What are you doing?” “For one thing, I hate those weird books! I wish people would stop giving me nicknames! Andy laughed at me!” “Come on, it’s not so bad.” “I’m saying it because it is bad! I don’t want to become famous in some weird way!” The swordsmen began to bicker loudly.
“Well, it doesn’t matter if I’m not strong, as long as Andy-san loves me plenty♪” “Hmm. Well, as a female slave, I suppose that is the correct way to be.” “I wonder when they’ll be back…” Seren, Irina, and Maia sipped their tea in unison.