Chapter 42: Mobile Knight Tournament

Chapter 42: Mobile Knight Tournament

My third year of elementary school was at its end.

And the mobile knight tournament was about to begin.

It was a really popular event that would even be broadcasted.

Since even the upper-class gathered to watch the matches, there was no doubt about the scale of how much attention it drew.

Inside of the hangar I was standing in front of Avid.

Marie was holding my helmet in her hands.

To be able to watch Lord Liams battle up close, I cant help but tremble in anticipation!

Youre really that excited?

Yes! This Marie here is truly lucky to be able to do so!

It was cute seeing her cheeks flush as she flattered me, but I wasnt looking for that kind of response.

Then another girl passed by me.

It was Rosetta.

She was wearing a pilot suit that really showed off the curves of her body.

The eyes of the boys naturally gathered on her.

She had a large chest and a well-defined behind.

And yet nothing looked off-balance.

While the rest of the boys unabashedly stared at her chest, I kept my poker face.

I called out to her,

Hey Rosetta, are you participating as well?

thats right.

If her glare could freeze, Id be frozen solid.

By now the story of me trying to get us engaged had probably reached her, so Im sure that she despises me right now.

Arent you being a bit cold? I want us to get along better, Rosetta.

Im not interested.

As Rosetta walked away, Marie was expressionless.

She was surely thinking about how Rosetta was taking an unforgivable attitude towards me.

She was a yes-man who always agreed with whatever I did or should I say yes-woman? Well in short, she was that kind of person.

But right now I wanted a woman like Rosetta.

I wanted to see the surrender of the girl who always glared at me with sharp eyes.

To see her face distorted in humiliation would surely be an amusing sight.

Marie, who am I fighting against in the first round?

I had Marie check.

The reason I didnt look into it beforehand was because of my position as her superior.

All such miscellaneous matters could be handled by my subordinates.

For I am their ruler.

its Rosetta.

When Marie whispered that with a complex expression, I smiled,

How lucky, dont you think so too, Marie?

In the very first round, I could beat down that proud woman.

I hope you dont surrender too soon, Rosetta.

Yes. Lord Liam, you truly are a person blessed with luck.

Marie replied to my joke with a serious response.

As I thought, this didnt satisfy me.

The auditorium was located far away from the tournament venue.

Afterall, battles between mobile knights were dangerous.

Since the audience could be put in danger, it was normal to watch the fights through holographic images and large monitors.

The matches were being broadcasted throughout the entire Empire.

For a nobleman, the was a small show, but at the same time an important chance.

Theyd be able to confirm with their own eyes which heirs showed potential and grew strongly, while also seeing which ones had been given the wrong upbringing and should be avoided.

In that sense, Derrick was seen as an abomination among the nobility.

In the two times that hes acquired the title of champion, he had done so through threatening his opponents, winning without any personal merit at all.

The nobles thought there wouldnt be any decent matches while he was around.

From the spectator seats Kurt was watching Derricks match.

Its a terrible fight.

While Wallace was betting on Derricks victory.

It was because he was sure that hed win.

Even though Liam was participating and couldnt see him, Kurt was wondering if that was okay.

Its a luxury aircraft, but from which weapon factory? From what I can see maybe its a new model from the third one?

Derricks aircraft was a state-of-the-art mobile knight.

It was a model that hasnt even been used in the imperial army yet.

Sitting next to the two who were talking was Nias, the representative from the Seventh Weapons Factory invited by Liam.

There were stakeholders sitting around them.

In the audience seats, there were representatives from the various factories who had come to show off their new machines.

Its an aircraft from the First Weapons Factory. Its a model built by taking the combined technology from the other factories available to them since theyre based on the imperial capital.

It was a bitter-sounding explanation that sounded like it had a grudge behind it.

Kurt whispered while amazed,

I-is that so? Can Liam win?

Despite Derricks lack of skill, the new models overwhelming performance was still something to be amazed at.

Nias grinned,

Can he win? It wont even be a match, Im just worried

At that moment, her expression turned serious.

At the end of her line of sight were the representatives of the First Weapons Factory.

They were also being glared at by the other representatives.

if itll be a decent fight, that is.

For the weapon factories, this tournament was a great opportunity to show off their aircrafts and products while boosting sales.

Nias expected Liam to do the same thing for herself that Derrick did for the First Weapons Factorys new model. She was just worried if it would end too quickly.

Wallace looked at the holographic image and shook his head,

Thats just plain terrible.

Liam was going to participate in the next match, but before that, Rosetta entered with a training model from the elementary school.

As she thought so, she erased her smile and wiped her tears,

(Ive had enough, the Claudia house should be destroyed with my generation. I cant allow my child to live out the same fate. This is the only way for me to rebel.)

Tightening her face, she started to glare at Liam.

Thats quite the ungraceful figure you have there, Rosetta.

He was laughing.

Oh, so it was possible for the honour student to make such an expression?! I know your true nature! Even if I lost the match, I will never give in to you! If youre going to kill me, then kill me already! You wont find anyone willing to bow to you here! Im a Claudia Rosetta Ceret Claudia!

If you chose to participate in the tournament, youll be told beforehand that youll be doing so at the risk of death.

Even if a fatality did occur, itd be treated as an accident.

Many people used this as a chance to eliminate the heirs of hostile houses.

Right now Liam had complete authority over whether Rosetta was going to die or not.

Even so, she was still able to show such strength because she didnt care anymore.

(Mother Grandmother please forgive me. We dont have any other paths left. This is the only way for us to be saved. Even so I wished that our lives were a little bit happier.)

She didnt want anything luxurious.

To marry a man she loved and live a modest life together with him thats all Rosetta needed to be happy, she didnt need to be a winner in life.

However, that was something that was completely out of her reach.

(if theres a next life, Id like it if my dream of becoming a bride would come true. I always wanted to try wearing a wedding dress)

The treatment of her house and the harassment of the supervisors had gotten to her Rosetta had finally given up.

And in response to her cry Liam laughed.

Rosetta, you truly are the greatest of gems.

Id like to thank you for letting me hear a kill me line in real life.

In my previous life, I had a junior who would talk about how great kill me lines were with fervent enthusiasm.

But now I also understood the greatness of kill me lines.

I couldnt help but take my hat off towards your spirit that never broke.

but its all for nought.

Lord Liam, I did it! This Brian here was able to persuade them!

Well done Brian, your timing is impeccable.

Brian gave me a report at the most opportune moment.

This is probably because of the good deeds I do everyday.

Or should I say evil deeds?

The guide had probably done some things behind the scenes.

Next time I see him, I need to make sure to bow my head towards him.

I really needed to express how grateful I was to him, but how could I ever thank him enough?

Rosetta, I have some good news for you.

What is it?

I felt myself inexplicably smile at Rosettas firm bearing,

Our engagement has been officially decided. Your mother, the Duchess has accepted it.

huh?

Seeing Rosettas stunned expression, I really felt like I won.

it was the painful expression of someone who just been betrayed by the family they believed in!

Lets get formally engaged during our fourth-years long vacation. Eventually, youll succeed as your houses head, and then your status will become mine.

Rosetta was trembling.

She must be vexed.

The family she trusted had given in to me, and she had also lost her houses Ducal status.

I felt this pain in my previous life as well.

It wasnt just about how I lost my family. What really hurt was the betrayal.

So I could understand her suffering.

But even so, I will break her. Thats right, I wasnt on the side of those who had things taken from them anymore.

I was on the side that took things away.

I even got permission from the Empire. Arent you glad? No matter how much you deny it, your family has already accepted me. The house that you could go home to doesnt exist anymore. Your hometown broke out in celebration at this news.

Eh, ahh

Her voice wouldnt come out. Rosetta was a poor thing, her family had been taken hostage, and she had lost her hometown.

Rejoice Rosetta for you are going to be my wife.

She was crying.

Her tears spilled as she said something, but I couldnt hear it.

I wonder if I was seen this way in my previous life?

My chest hurt a little, but that was only because I was remembering the past, not out of guilt.

I contacted Marie,

Marie, keep an eye on Rosetta. If anything happens, take care of it.

When I gave my order, she rejoiced like a loyal dog,

Yes! Please leave everything to this Marie here!

I turned my back on the crying Rosetta and returned to the cockpit.

Now then, who am I facing next?

The one-sided match was over.

Wallace had a complicated expression on his face when he saw Rosetta cry.

I dont know what he said, but to make her cry like that Liam is a demon.

He tried speaking to to Kurt, but he seemed to be excited over something else.

Liams stronger than he used to be. No, maybe its the aircraft that changed?

The conversation between Liam and Rosetta couldnt be heard by the audience.

And now the next match was about to start.

However, Nias noticed something unusual,

Theres static on the projection?

While small, the interference was gradually getting worse.

Then suddenly, several aircrafts could be seen approaching Liams Avid.

Arent those the new aircraft models from the First Weapons Factory?

Although their appearance had changed, Nias could tell what they really were.

Wallace stood up,

T-this isnt good! This is how Derricks going to kill Liam!

Wallaces face had gone pale at the sight, but the video was suddenly cut off.