Published: July 5, 2025
On the day of the mock battle.
The audience seats at the Fifth Training Ground, which serves as the venue, were filled with members of the Royal Knight Order and the kingdom delegation.
It seems there were requests from the Empire and the alliance wanting to see the match, but King Abel apparently turned them down.
Only kingdom officials and church representatives assisting as recovery personnel were allowed to watch.
Of course, the participants from "Room 10" were Nils, Eto, and Amon.
Each of them used their own weapons instead of mock swords.
It was just like a real battle.
On the opposing side, three members from the Royal Knight Order also stepped forward.
The two squad captains, Zack Cooler and Scotty Kobuck.
And the other one… no, perhaps it should be said another golem.
“Go for it, number four!”
“Be the pride of the Royal Knight Order, number four!”
“Give it your all, number four!”
Cheers rang out.
“What an unexpected popularity for number four,”
Ryo exclaimed in surprise.
“Seems like he has completely captured the hearts of the Royal Knight Order,”
Abel remarked with a laugh.
Yes, the third member from the Royal Knight Order was the swordsmanship instructor number four.
“My subordinates seem to be cheering only for number four,”
Zack said, shaking his head.
“Don't worry, Zack, mine are the same,”
Scotty replied with a wry smile.
Fifty members of the Royal Knight Order watching were led by the two captains.
They had traveled from the Naitorei Kingdom aboard the Skizblaznil Vessel, going as far as the dark continent, overcoming hardships together.
However, it appeared that their popularity didn’t quite reach the newcomer, number four.
“Once this is over, I’ll have them run twenty kilometers fully equipped,”
“Zack, you’re scary,”
Zack expressed his resentment towards his subordinates who were cheering for number four instead of him, and Scotty shrugged.
The six participants lined up in the center of the arena.
Ryo stood as the referee, and even Abel took his position.
“Finishing off the opponent is prohibited. If you kill your opponent, you will be disqualified.”
“…”
Ryo explained.
The five listening had expressions that seemed to say they expected it, but it was necessary to state it nonetheless.
“As for number four, if he loses a limb or gets disarmed, he will lose.”
Nils, Eto, and Amon from "Room 10," along with Zack and Scotty, nodded.
“That concludes the explanation.”
With Ryo's words, Abel stepped forward.
“This mock battle will be held in the name of King Abel the First. Show no shame in your fight, both sides.”
“Ha!”
The six seemed to gather even more spirit at Abel's words.
“Both sides, take your distances.”
At Abel’s command, they moved about fifty meters apart.
“Begin!”
With that command, all six began to run simultaneously.
The three from "Room 10" took a clear course with a specific purpose in mind.
Nils, the party leader and a b-class swordsman, aimed for swordsmanship instructor number four.
“Number four is being ambushed!”
“The idea is to take down number four first. That’s quite a thought-out strategy.”
Ryo pointed out, and Abel nodded.
“But that means Eto will have to face…”
“Scotty.”
“Scotty’s sword is…”
“Of course, strong. He's a squad captain. He was originally as strong as Zack…”
“Eto…”
Ryo's expression turned somewhat worried.
In a three-on-three mock battle, the maneuvering of backline support like a priest or mage is quite difficult.
Naturally, the opponent would first try to engage in close combat and crush them.
Against Scotty's sword, Eto countered with his staff.
“Staff technique!”
“Rhea uses it too, but Eto’s staff is quite impressive, isn’t it?”
Ryo exclaimed in surprise, and Abel evaluated.
Ryo was astonished because he had never seen Eto handle close combat with a staff.
Actually, while he had seen Eto swing his staff before, it had been in a manner like a swordsman practicing his swings.