Crest of the Strongest Knight

Chapter 24 - The Meaning of Unity

"That's quite the flashy start, don't you think?" Brigitte clicked her tongue in annoyance.

Viviane had stopped paying attention to anything else the moment she saw the princess successfully resonate with Medrauta. Her delicate hands were gripping the railing so hard that they were beginning to hurt, but she paid the pain no mind.

After all, it was nothing compared to the hurt she felt in her heart right now.

But I... We tried so hard... Why does she get to do it so effortlessly? Am I really that useless...? Am I even worthy of Medrauta...?

Viviane wrenched her eyes shut, unable to trust herself to hold back the tears that were beginning to form. At this rate, I might as well just—

"Hey! Viviane!" Brigitte shook Viviane's shoulder, concerned. "You alright? Do you need to step outside for a bit?"

"E-Eh!? A-Ah... No, um... I just..."

"...I'm sorry," Brigitte sighed.

"H-Huh!? T-There's nothing you need to be sorry for, Brigitte!"

"No, I should've told you about this beforehand. I didn't want to since I wasn't certain it'd happen, but... it would be more strange if the princess couldn't resonate with Medrauta."

"Um... Why's that?"

"The imperial family bears the blood of Emperor Soleil, the first knight. While it's only a theory, someone who possesses the emperor's blood should be able to resonate with any knight they wish, even if they haven't attempted resonance imprinting."

"Resonance imprinting...? Oh! You mean like that thing where you h-h-h-hold each other's h-hands?" Viviane blushed fiercely at the mere thought.

"Yes, that." Brigitte laughed. "In any case, let us see how the match proceeds. If you find yourself too uncomfortable though, please let me know. As Medrauta's friend, it is my duty to take care of you while she is away."

"...T-Thanks, Brigitte."

During their conversation, Medrauta and Riku had already exchanged a slew of fierce attacks.

Medrauta's swordplay was brutally efficient, incorporating a mixture of dizzying combinations and perfectly executed parries that normally bewildered her opponents.

However, the foreign knight matched her strike-for-strike with relative ease. It was a refreshing feeling for Medrauta. After having gotten used to one-sidedly pushing her opponent back until their noble was forced to activate their Crest, being able to trade blows on equal terms with her opponent was a novel and fun experience.

"Sir Riku, was it? How about you become my sparring partner during your stay at the academy?"

Riku laughed as he parried Medrauta's latest strike, responding with his own. "I would love to, Dame Medrauta. Unfortunately, my lady and I will be too busy during our stay to accommodate that. My deepest apologies."

Medrauta flicked her wrist, sending the flat of her sword arcing toward Riku's and smacking it aside as she stepped back to create distance. "Shame. I was hoping to get a better feel for that sword of yours."

Riku smiled in reply, brandishing his unique weapon. Unlike the straight-edged swords that the empire favored, the foreign knight's sword was slightly curved, and it possessed only a single edge. The blade's steel was unfamiliar too, bearing a wavy pattern that Medrauta had never seen before.

Moreover, she found Riku's fighting style and physical build unusual as well. Unlike the burly male knights of the empire who prioritized physical strength and wore heavy plate armor while swinging around the largest weapons they could find, Riku's techniques and battlefield equipment were far more similar to Medrauta's.