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Chapter 73. To The Founding Festival

The Founding Festival has begun.

It's said that this festival, where magic knights duel each other, started when the first commander of the Magic Knights, Alfred Bifrans, demonstrated his swordsmanship before the king. Although magic knights are usually forbidden from private fights, today is the one day when they can officially battle each other, making it practically an alumni match for Chronos Magic Knight Academy.

"Hah!"

"What!?"

The first match of the festival has already started, but despite the early hour, the crowd is buzzing with excitement, having gathered not just from the capital but also from surrounding cities.

Fighting in the arena is, if I recall correctly, a young magic knight from the First Division... and his opponent is Ash Garndi.

"...I've heard this year's freshmen were exceptional, but I didn't expect anyone to hold their own against a magic knight."

"Hold their own? You need to get your eyes checked, First Division Commander."

"Well, well... he must be quite fond of his subordinates."

I've intentionally seated the royalty and the division commanders of the Magic Knights close to each other, and it's immediately clear that the aristocratic-looking First Division Commander and the rough-looking Second Division Commander don't get along. Meanwhile, the Third Division Commander, Liester, is yawning, likely due to the busy preparations for the festival.

Stepping between the two quarreling men is a calm-looking woman... probably the Fourth Division Commander, according to the documents Ivy prepared. The Fifth Division Commander, whom I've met before, remains silent under his full-face helmet, looking quite serious.

"Seeing all of them together is quite overwhelming."

"Ivy?"

"Yes."

I glanced behind me to find Ivy sitting beside me.

"First Division Commander Bolth, Second Division Commander Estamil, Third Division Commander Liester, Fourth Division Commander Kimaris, Fifth Division Commander Rondor."

"Without exaggeration, the strongest force in the Kuria Kingdom."

All the magic knights of Kuria Kingdom are undoubtedly strong, but those five are exceptional. Especially the First Division Commander, Lucas, whose prowess is apparent just by looking at him—he stands out from the rest.

"Half of them might be enemies, which is really disheartening."

"That's just a hypothesis, right? They could all be enemies or maybe all allies."

Ivy shrugged at my words.

Regardless of our concerns, Ash was defeating the young magic knight in the arena.

"...Still want to continue?"

"No, I surrender."

With the magic knight's declaration of defeat, the crowd erupted in astonishment at the unexpected outcome of the first match. No one would have imagined a freshman would overthrow a magic knight in the opening match. Ash's performance with his single-handed magic swordsmanship was on a whole different level. The more his opponent polished their swordsmanship, the more Ash's superiority became evident—it was quite amusing.

"Hey... are you enjoying yourself?"

"...Hello."

As the second match was about to begin, the Minister of the Interior, Frodil, took a seat next to me, opposite Ivy.

"Aren't you busy?"

"Not at all. I'm only busy before the opening and after it's over... with the chancellor gone, I have to attend the award ceremony too, which is quite a hassle."

"But during the matches, it's not your concern."

"Exactly. That's the job of my subordinates."

He casually started a conversation, but we're still adversaries, right?

"Regarding that matter, can I assume you've refused?"

"Well... there are things I can't compromise on."

"And what would those be?"

"My life, for one."

"Your own life? How cowardly."

Call me a coward... The absolute role of any creature is to leave descendants. For that, survival is the most crucial ability.

"...Ash Gandy, he'll make a fine magic knight."

"..."

"It's a bit sad to think he must be eliminated here."

This guy... he's aware that Ash is on our side? Though I haven't been hiding it, anyone watching my student life would soon figure it out... where has he been observing from?

"Minister Frodil, can I ask you something?"

"What is it?"

"...In the future you envision, is there peace for the Kuria Kingdom?"

"...Who knows. Perhaps it's something to carve out with our own hands. We must overcome the end times, forsake the gods, and start walking on our own."

"And you'll take that first step?"

"If the people... if the world allows it. No matter what happens to me, I will ensure the kingdom's strength... that is my greatest tribute to the Kingdom of Kouria I love."

Hmm... it seems his vision of the Kingdom of Kouria doesn't exclude royalty or citizens. And... he seems prepared to lose his life for his reforms—or rather, he anticipates being killed by someone.

"Well, enjoy the Founding Festival. It took quite an effort to prepare."

"I'll enjoy it as much as I can."

"Haha... if you keep worrying about the future, you'll age quickly."

Mind your own business.

"He's quite an enigma. He doesn't seem drunk on his own justice, yet he's not entirely a villain either."

"What he's planning amounts to treason, so he's definitely a villain."

Though he's not doing it for personal gain, it's still a crime. Even if it's for a noble cause, a crime is a crime. As much as I say 'if it goes unnoticed, it's not a crime,' a crime is still a crime.

"If you kill one, you're a villain, but if you kill a million, you're a hero."

"What's that?"

"Nothing."

For the sake of a great cause, any sacrifice is trivial, Minister Frodil would probably say... but avoiding responsibility isn't right.

"I want to keep my eyes open to what I've done. That's all."

What we're about to do might be justified by a great cause, but it's simply a crime. A crime is a crime, and it deserves equal punishment. But it's too late for me to stop now.