Side Story - 'Birth of a New Sword King'

　間話「新たなる剣王の誕生」

Chapter 143.5 Side Story - 'Birth of a New Sword King'

　剣の聖地。
　当座の間。

　そこには三人の剣聖が片膝を付いていた。

　ニナ・ファリオン。
　ジノ・ブリッツ。
　エリス・グレイラット。

　彼らの前に、剣神ガル・ファリオンの姿があった。
　剣神はゆるりとした立ち姿で腰の剣に手をかけつつ、三人を睥睨する。
　ゆっくりと口を開いた。

The Space of the Present, the Holy Land of Swords.

There kneeled three Sword Saints.


Nina Farion.

Jino Britts.

Eris Greyrat.


Standing in front of them was the Sword God, Gull Farion. The Sword God leisurely moved his hand to the sword at his waist, overlooking the three of them. He slowly opened his mouth.

「お前らの剣技は、すでに剣聖の域にない」

　その言葉にジノの肩が微かに震えた。

"Your sword techniques have already surpassed the bounds of a Sword Saint."

At those words, Jino's shoulders faintly trembled.

「そろそろ、ギレーヌに続く二人目の剣王を決めようと思う」

　ジノの目が見開かれた。
　拳がギュっと握られ、わなわなと震えた。
　歓喜の感情が体を支配しているのだ。
　彼は飛び上がって喜びたい気持ちを、ただひたすら抑えつけている。

　しかし、剣神の話はまだ続いている。

"I think that it's about time to choose the next Sword King after Ghislaine."

Jino's eyes widened. Fists clenched, he trembled all over. His body was taken over by feelings of joy. He was single-mindedly keeping in check his desire to jump up in joy.

However, the Sword God continued to speak.

「その前に質問だ」
「……」
「お前らは、剣聖と、剣王と、剣帝の違いは何かわかるか？」
「……強さですか？」

　ぽつりと答えたのはニナだった。
　そんなもの、強さ以外に何があるのか、と全員の目が語っている。
　だが同時に彼らは理解していた。
　剣神が聞きたいのはその先。
　強さの元となるものであろうと。

　剣神はニナには応えず、逆に質問を返した。

"Before that, a question."

"..."

"Do you lot understand the difference between Sword Saints, Sword Kings, and Sword Emperors?"

"...Is it their strength?"

The one who muttered this was Nina. You could see in all their eyes that they were asking if there was anything else besides strength. However, at the same time, they all knew. They knew that what the Sword God wanted to hear was beyond that. That he wanted to hear what came before this strength, and where this strength came from.

Not answering Nina, the Sword God instead asked her another question.

「ニナよ。『光の太刀』を習得する前、お前の師匠はなんと言っていた？」

　ニナの師匠は剣神ガル・ファリオンではない。
　彼女に直接剣を教えたのはジノの父、剣帝ティモシー・ブリッツである。
　ニナは師の教えを思い出し、言葉を絞り出した。

"Nina. What was it that your shishou told you before you learnt the 『Longsword of Light』?"

Nina's shishou wasn't Sword God Gull Farion. She was the direct disciple of Jino's father, Sword Emperor Timothy Britts. Recalling his teachings, Nina squeezed out her words.

「『お前は右利きであるがゆえ、左手を鍛えろ』と。左手一本で完璧に剣を操作出来るまでは、光の太刀は放てないと」
「そうだ。『光の太刀』は利き腕とは逆の腕が重要だ。なぜか分かるか？」
「利き腕に力が入れば、剣先が横にブレるからです」
「そう。全ての闘気をそこにつぎ込み、まっすぐ斬る。単純だが、これが『光の太刀』の極意だ」

　剣術というものは、動く相手を斬るものである。
　馬鹿正直に真正面から斬りかかっても、簡単に回避されるだけである。
　故に下から、横から、斜めからと、剣士は斬るための工夫として、様々な形で斬撃を放つ。

　しかし、初代剣神は違った。
　彼にそんなものは不要だった。
　ただ最速で剣を振り、あらゆるものを両断した。

"『Because you're right handed, train your left hand.』 he said. I was told that until I could use the sword perfectly with my left hand, I wasn't to use the Longsword of Light."

"That's right. The hand that isn't dominant is needed for the 『Longsword of Light』. Do you know why?"

"If your dominant hand is filled with power, the tip of your sword will shake side to side."

"Right. Collecting all your touki and cutting right through. It's simple, but that's the heart of the 『Longsword of Light』."

Swordsmanship was to cut down a moving opponent. If you just foolishly slashed head-on, your attack would just be simply avoided. That's why slashes from below, slashes from the side, slashes that slanted; various slashing techniques were devised so that a swordsman could cut the opponent.

However, the first generation Sword God was different. He had no use for such things. He would just swing his sword faster than anyone, and cut everything in two.

「この極意ってやつには、剣神流の歴史が詰まっている」

　コンと、剣神が剣の柄を爪で叩いた。

"The heart of the Longsword of Light is filled with the history of the Sword God Style."

The Sword God tapped the pommel of his sword with a sound.

「初代様がなんとなしにやってた事を、歴代の剣神が少しずつ解明して、ようやく行き着いたのが、今の剣神流だ。
　『光の太刀』の極意の解明、原理、その練習方法。
　行き着いてしまえば簡単な事だ。
　ちょっとでも才能のあるやつなら、誰にでも使えるようになった。
　剣神流が最強と呼ばれる時代の始まりだ。
　俺様たちは初代様と、初代様の技を解明した歴代剣神のお陰で、でかい顔が出来る」

　剣神は、コンと、もう一度、剣柄を指で叩いた。

"The thing that Shodai-sama somehow managed to do, is what each generation of Sword Gods after him spent their time refinement little by little, until it finally became the present Sword God Style.※ The Longsword of Light... The refinement of it's key points, the principle behind it, and the way to train in it; when these were followed to the end, what we ended up with was something simple. It became something that anyone with a little talent will be able to use. This change marked the beginning of the Sword God Style's recognition as the strongest. We Sword Gods have refined Shodai-sama's techniques, and together with him were able to spread the name of the Sword God Style far and wide."※

With a sound, the Sword God tapped the sword pommel again.

[※Note: Shodai = first generation. You guys watch Naruto, yeah?]
[※Note: Strictly speaking it's not 'refinement' by 'clarification' or 'making clear'. Basically they researched the technique and made clear everything about it.]

「『光の太刀』は剣神流最高の技、他流派で言う所の『奥義』だ。
　その極意を習得したのに、優劣が出やがる。
　剣聖、剣王、剣帝、剣神……おかしな話だなぁ。同じ事をしてるだけなのに、強ぇ奴と弱ぇ奴がいやがるのはよぉ」

　剣神はそこで、ジノへと顔を向けた。

"The 『Longsword of Light』 is the ultimate technique of the Sword God Style. It's what other styles would call a 『secret technique』. Even though you've all learned the same principles, something like differences in strength appeared. Sword Saint, Sword King, Sword Emperor... It's ridiculous huh? Even though you all know the same bloody things, for there to be strong guys and weaks guys is, you know...?"

Having said that, the Sword God turned to face Jino.

「その違いはなんだと思う？　ジノ、答えてみろ」

　問われ、ジノは顔を上げる。
　その顔には不安が張り付いている。
　問いの答えがわからない。
　しかし、早く答えなければという焦燥が、彼に口を開かせた。

"What do you think the difference is? Jino, try answering."

Having been asked this, Jino lowered his face. His face was plastered with anxiety. He didn't know the answer to the question. However, the impatience of not being able to answer quickly forced his mouth open.

「ご、合理的に考えて、技以外の、足運びの巧みさや筋力、あるいは……ぶ、武器の優劣、でしょうか」
「武器だぁ！？　お前、何年修行してんだ！　初級からやり直した方がいいんじゃねえのか！？」
「も、申し訳ありません！」

　剣神の怒鳴り声に、ジノは真っ青になって俯いた。

　ジノは「才能」と答えたかった。
　だが、剣神がその答えを望んでいない事は、ジノも重々に理解していた。
　そんな簡単な言葉で片付けてはいい話ではないはずだ。
　なにせ、才能の中身についての話をしているのだ。
　そんな事を言えば、本当にこの場から追い出されかねない。

"T-, thinking about it logically, excepting techniques, it would be the skill and strength of their footwork, or it could be... w-, the quality of their weapons?"

"WEAPONNNS!? You, just how many years have you been practising!? Wouldn't it be better for you to start from scratch again, huuuh!?"

"I-, I'm truly sorry!"

At the Sword God's angry shout, Jino completely paled and hung his head.

Jino had wanted to answer 『ability』. However, he knew very well that it wasn't the answer that the Sword God wanted. It wouldn't have been an answer that you could so easily write off the problem with. At any rate, it was a discussion about what the heart and origin of talent was. Had he answered 'ability', he might really have been chased out of this place.

「お前はまだガキだからわからねえか？
　まあいい。わからなくても強ぇ奴は強ぇからな。
　よし、じゃあ、ニナ、答えてみろ」
「…………」

　問われ、ニナは熟考する。
　今聞かれていることが、恐らく剣神と剣帝、そして剣王。
　自分たちと上との違いを指すのだ。
　彼らにあって、自分には足りないもの。
　そういえば、剣神と剣帝は全員、すでに伴侶がいる。
　自分が欲しいもの。彼氏？　夫？
　ジノの方をちらりとみる。
　彼は俯いている。
　その表情は実に悔しそうだ。
　ここ最近、ニナは年下の彼のことが気になって仕方がない。
　と、そこで剣神がよく口にする単語を思い出した。

"Since you're still a brat, you don't geddit huh? Well, whatever. Even if they don't get it, strong people will remain strong. Alright. Well then, Nina, you try answering it then."

"..."

Being asked this, Nina carefully considered it. What he was asking was probably about Sword Gods, Sword Emperors, and Sword Kings; the difference between her and the ones above her. They had something that Nina and the others lacked. Come to think about it, the Sword God and Sword Emperors all had partners already. Something that she wanted. A boyfriend? A husband? She glanced towards Jino. He was hanging his head. His expression was truly mortified. It couldn't be helped that he, who was younger, was recently on Nina's mind. And at that moment she recalled the word that the Sword God often used.

「……『欲望』ですか？」
「ハッ、お前、最近なんか色気づいてきたな。さすが俺様の娘だ」

　剣神は、ニナの心の奥底を覗きこむように笑った。
　ニナは動じない。
　動じないような訓練を、続けてきた。

"...Is it 『desire』?"

"Hah, lately you've realised it as well, huh? As expected of my daughter."

The Sword God smiled as though peering into the depths of Nina's heart. Nina was perturbed. This type of training continued.

「『欲望』それも間違っちゃいねえ。けどじゃあ、お前の欲望ってなぁ、どこまで耐えられる？」
「耐える、ですか……？」
「例えばだ。ジノと結婚するのと、剣王になるのと、どっちか選べと言われたら、どっちを選ぶ？」

　結婚と言われ、ジノとニナの目線が絡んだ。
　ニナの頬に若干の紅がさした。

"『Desire』 isn't wrong. But yanno, just how far can you endure for your desires?"※

"Endure...?"

"For example, between marrying Jino or becoming Sword King, if you were asked to choose one, which would you choose?"

Hearing the word 'marriage', Nina and Jino's gazes overlapped. Nina's cheeks turned a little red.

[※Note: more lit. 'how far can your desires endure'?]

「……剣王を選びます」

　ジノとの結婚と剣王なら、自分は剣王を選ぶだろう。
　つまり、自分の欲望とは、その程度のものだ。
　ニナは自分が言葉を間違えた事に気付いた。

"...I would pick becoming Sword King."

Between marrying Jino or becoming a Sword King, she would probably pick the latter. In other words, her desire was of that level. Nina realised the mistake in her words.

「相変わらず甘っちょろいな。じゃあエリス、お前はどうだ」
「覚悟よ」

　エリスは即答であった。
　何ら考える事なく、即答した。

"You're as naive as ever, huh. Then Eris, what do you think?"

"It's resolve."

Eris immediately replied. Without thinking about anything, she immediately replied.

「『覚悟』。そいつは違うな」

　剣神は、それを笑って否定する。
　だが、エリスは剣神を睨みつけるように、もう一度答えた。

"『Resolve』. That's wrong, huh."

The Sword God smiled and rejected it. However, glaring at the Sword God, Eris replied once more.

「違わないわ。『覚悟』よ」

　この時、エリスの脳裏には、かつての光景がありありと浮かんでいた。
　オルステッドに胸を刺し貫かれる、ルーデウスの姿。
　無力を嘆く自分、崩れ落ちるルーデウス。

　あの時より、自分は強くなった。
　パワーもスピードも、数年前に比べれば段違いだ。
　しかし、オルステッドには勝てまい。
　この数年の修行で、エリスも自分の限界が見えた。
　恐らく、これからどれだけ修行しても、オルステッドの領域にはたどり着けまい。

　だが、ルーデウスと一緒なら。
　彼と一緒ならば、手は届くはずだ。
　魔術師(かれ)と、剣士(わたし)、二人でやるのだ。

　もし、私が刺し違えてでもオルステッドの足を止めれば、ルーデウスはやってくれる。
　ルーデウスが勝てれば、勝ちだ。
　もちろん、自分が死ぬが、ルーデウスは生き残る。
　そうすれば、きっとルーデウスと共に生きる未来はなくなる。
　だが、それでもいい。
　未来を考慮すれば腰が引ける。
　腰が引ければ剣が鈍る。
　剣が鈍れば、自分もルーデウスも、二人とも死ぬ。
　なら、死ぬのは自分だ。

　エリスは覚悟をしていた。

"It's not wrong. It's 『resolve』."

What floated through Eris' mind at that moment was a scene from long ago. The figure of Rudeus being stabbed through the chest by Orsted. She who had lamented her powerlessness, and he who had fallen.

She had become stronger since then. Whether it was her power or speed, there was a huge difference compared to a few years ago. However, she couldn't win against Orsted. These past few years of training had allowed Eris to see her limits. It was probably the case that no matter how much she trained from now, she would still never reach Osted.

However, as long as she was with Rudeus... As long as she was with Rudeus, her hand would reach Orsted. He, a magician, and she, a warrior, would do it together.

Even if they stabbed each other, as long as she could stop Orsted's movements, Rudeus would finish the rest. If Rudeus could defeat him, then it was their win. Of course, she would die and Rudeus would live. Were this to happen, she'd never have a future together with Rudeus. However, even that was fine. If she considered the future, she would get cold feet. If she got cold feet, her sword would dull. If her sword dulled, then Rudeus as well would die. In that case, it was better that she died.

Eris was resolved.

「じゃあ、剣王にはなれなくてもいいな？」
「別にどうでもいいわ」
「強くなりたいんじゃねえのか？」
「ええ。なりたいわ。でも呼び名なんてどうだっていいでしょ？」

　剣神は嬉しそうに呟いた。

"In that case, are you fine even if you don't become a Sword King?"

"I don't really care."

"Don't you wanna get stronger?"

"Yeah. I do. But something like a title doesn't matter, right?"

The Sword God then murmured happily,

「よし、エリスにニナ。お前たちの内、勝った方を剣王とする！」

　その言葉に、最年少のジノは静かに肩を落とした。

"Alright, Eris and Nina. You two fight, and the winner will be chosen as the Sword King!"


---


　エリスとニナ。
　二人は向かい合って立つ。

Eris and Nina. The two of them stood facing each other.

「……」

　互いの手に握られるのは木剣である。
　しかし、剣聖同士の技を持ってすれば、相手を絶命させるに容易い。

"..."

The two of them were both holding wooden swords. However, with both of them using Sword Saint techniques, it would be easy for them to lose their lives.

「初めて来た時の事を思い出すわね」
「そうね」

　二人の脳裏に浮かぶのは、数年前。
　エリスがギレーヌに連れられてやってきた時の事だ。
　魔獣のようなこの女に、ニナは屈辱を植え付けられた。
　他の剣聖や、ジノの見ている前で、無様に失禁させられたのだ。
　今思い出しても、顔を覆って転げまわりたくなる。

　だが、エリスに対する憎悪は無い。
　彼女のおかげで、自分は強くなれた。
　慢心をなくし、ひたむきに修行に打ち込めた。
　そう思えば、あの屈辱も糧となったと、そう自信を持って答えられる。

"This brings to mind the time when I first came, huh?"

"Yeah, it does, huh."

What floated through their minds was something that happened a few years ago; the time when Ghislaine had brought Eris here. Because of that beast-like girl, humiliation had been planted inside Nina. In front of the other Sword Saints, as well as Jino, she was shamefully made to wet herself. When she remembered this, it made her want to cover up her face and roll about on the ground in embarassment.

However, she didn't bear any hatred towards Eris. Because of Eris, she had become stronger. Her conceit was gone, and she whole-heartedly applied herself to her training. Thinking about it that way, she could say with confidence that the humiliation had fueled her growth.

「今日は、私が勝つから」

　ニナがそう宣言した瞬間、エリスから殺気がほとばしった。
　だが、ニナはたじろぎもしない。
　悟りきった修行僧のような玲瓏たる表情にて、エリスを見つめる。

"I'll definitely win today."

The moment Nina said this, bloodlust welled up from Eris. However, Nina didn't falter. With a clear expression like that of a monk who had reached enlightenment, she beheld Eris.

「…………ふん」

　次の瞬間、エリスの殺気がみるみるうちに消えていった。
　そして、ニナとは対照的な表情がエリスの顔に張り付く。
　笑みである。
　ニマニマと、気持ち悪い笑みが、エリスの顔に張り付いた。
　猛獣の笑みである。

　ニナはこの笑みに本能的な恐怖を覚えている。
　水王イゾルテとの鍛錬中、エリスとは何度も打ち合った。
　そして、負けた。
　無論、勝てる時もあった。
　だが敗北の記憶だけが、やけに頭に残っている。

"...Hmph."

The next moment, Eris' bloodlust quickly disappeared. Then, an expression in contrast to Nina's, appeared on Eris' face. She was smiling. It was an unpleasant smile, but Eris was smiling. It was the smile of a wild beast.

Nina instinctively felt fear at that smile. During their training with Water God Isolte, she had fought Eris countless times. And she had lost. Of course, there were also times when she won. However, only the the memories of her failures remained burned in her mind.

「……」

　エリスは動かない。
　野獣の笑みを浮かべたまま、静止している。
　常に先手を取ろうとする彼女にしては、珍しいことに。

　ニナの脳裏に、カウンターの文字が思い浮かんだ。
　イゾルテとの戦いで何度ももらった、あのカウンターだ。
　エリスは、水神流の技を使えない。
　だが、北神流にもカウンターの技術はある。
　エリスは恐らく、それを狙っているのであろう。

"..."

Eris didn't move. With that beastly smile still plastered to her face, she stood still. It was something rare for Eris who always took the initiative.

The word 'counter' floated in Nina's mind. The counter that she had faced countless times in battle with Isolte. Eris couldn't use the techniques of the Water God Style. However, there were also counters in the North God Style. That was probably Eris' aim.

「…………」

　場に沈黙が流れた。
　中段に構えるエリスと、上段に構えるニナ。
　一足一刀の間合いで静止する二人。
　無表情のニナ、笑みのエリス。
　不気味なオブジェのように、二人はただただ睨み合った。

　静止、それは先手必勝をモットーとする剣神流同士の戦いでは珍しい事である。

　ぴたりと静止した二人。
　それにため息をついたのは、何を隠そう剣神であった。

A silence flowed through the place.

There stood Eris in a middle-guard, and Nina in a high-guard.※

The two stood still at a range※ of a single step and swing away from each other.

Nina was expressionless, and Eris was smiling.

Like a strange artwork, the two of them mere stood there, glaring at each other.


For those of the Sword God Style whose motto was 'victory goes to he who moves first', it was a rare stillness.


The two of them stood close together, stock still.


Frankly speaking, the Sword God sighed at them.


[※Note: For ppl who aren't familiar with swords, left is Nina, right is Eris
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/61/FENCING_AT_AN_AGRICULTURAL_SCHOOL.jpg]
[※Note: maai]

「いつまでお見合いしてんだ？」

　その言葉がきっかけとなった。

　動いたのはニナであった。
　彼女は鋭く踏み込んだ。
　何十万と繰り返してきた、剣神流の所作。
　極めて合理的な位置についた足は、爆発的なエネルギーを上半身へと送る。
　そのエネルギーはニナの体から発せられる闘気と融合。
　腕へと伝わり、そして剣に乗った。
　『光の太刀』。
　圧倒的な剣速を誇る剣が、上段より勢いよく振り下ろされる。

　完璧な技であった。
　誰がみても惚れぼれするような、完璧な『光の太刀』であった。

　だが。

"How long is your marriage interview going to go on for?"


Those words became a trigger.


The one who moved was Nina.

She took a sharp step forward.

It was a movement of the Sword God Style that she had practised tens of thousands of times.

Taking a step into the absolutely most optimal and logical place, she sent explosive energy into her upper body.

That energy combined with the touki emitted from Nina's body.

It was transmitted through her arms, and then into her blade.

『The Longsword of Light』.

The sword which boasted an overwhelming velocity swung downwards from her upper-guard.


Her execution was perfect.

It was so perfect a 『Longsword of Light』 that anyone watching might have been mesmerised by it.


However.


「があぁっ！」

　ニナは腹にすさまじい衝撃をくらい、後ろへと吹っ飛んだ。
　道場の壁にたたきつけられ、ずるりと地面に座り込む。
　道着が破れ、よく鍛えられた腹が見えている。
　その腹に、ゆっくりと赤いミミズ腫れが走り始める。
　焼けるような痛みを感じる頃、剣神が宣言した。

"GAAH-!"


Nina suffered a terrifying blow to her abdomen and was sent flying backwards.

She smacked into the wall of the dojo, and then collapsed onto the ground.

Her dougi was ripped, and her well trained abdomen was visible.

On that abdomen of hers, a swell like a long red earthworm was beginning to form.

While she felt a burning pain, the Sword God made a declaration.


「そこまで！」

　ニナは呆然とした顔でエリスを見た。
　額にびっしりと汗をかいたエリス。
　道着の肩がわずかに破けているが、それだけである。
　その顔には、すでに笑みは浮かんでいない。
　だが、その立ち姿は、勝者のそれであった。

"That's enough!"

Nina looked at Eris with a dumbfounded expression. Eris whose brow was wet with lots of sweat. Though her dougi was a little torn at the shoulder, that was it. Her face was no longer smiling. However, her figure was that of a victory.

「……くっ」

　何をされたのか、ニナは理解している。

　エリスは、ニナが動くとほぼ同時に踏み込んでいた。
　そして、上段のニナに対し、エリスは身を深く落としながら、横薙ぎの『光の太刀』を放ったのだ。

　だかわからない。
　それなら自分の方が先に届くはずである。
　先に動いたのはニナであり、剣速もエリスよりニナの方がわずかながら速く、しかも、もっとも剣速が上がる、上段からの振り下ろしでもある。
　ならば、わずかに頭を下げたとしても、エリスより先に自分の剣が届いてもおかしくない。
　だというのに、結果は相打ちにすらならなかった。
　なぜ自分はへたり、エリスは立っているのか。

"...Kuh."

Nina comprehended what had happened.

Eris had stepped in at roughly the same time that Nina had. Then, in the face of Nina who was using an upper-guard, Eris dropped low to the ground and simultaneously let loose in a horizontal slash her own 『Longsword of Light』.

However, she couldn't understand. In that case, it should have been her attack that connected first. Nina was the who moved first and her sword swings were just a little faster than Eris'. Furthermore, an attack from an upper-guard should have been even faster. Since that was the case, even if Eris lowered her head a little, it wouldn't have been strange for Nina's own sword to reach first. Even though that was the case, the result was that it wasn't even a simultaneous attack. For some reason she was collapsed, whilst Eris was standing.

「人を倒すのに、必要以上の力はいらないわ」

　エリスは静かにそう言った。
　その言葉の意味が、ニナにはわからなかった。

　エリスが使ったのは、北神流の技であった。
　本来ならあらゆる相手をオーバーキルする『光の太刀』。
　エリスはその威力を、速度に回したのだ。
　斬撃の威力を倒すに止め、その分だけ速く動かす。
　エリスはそうした闘気の配分を、北帝との鍛錬で学んだのだ。

　もっとも、そうして生まれる速度は、微々たるものである。
　大きく殺した威力に、釣り合わない速度。
　しかし、そんなわずかな速度の上昇は、髪の毛一本分の差を覆し、勝敗を決するのに十分であった。

"You don't need more power than what's necessary to knock someone down."

Eris had spoken quietly. Nina didn't understand the meaning of those words.

What Eris had used was a technique of the North God Style. Normally, the 『Longsword of Light』 was something whose power was overkill for use on every opponent. Eris turned that power into speed. She limited the amount of power in her swing to what was necessary to knock Nina down, and moved quickly with just that much. The ability to distribute touki was something that she had learned through training the North God Style.

However, the speed that she gained from such a thing was just a slight amount. Compared to the amount of deadly might the swing had, the speed gain was disproportionate. However, because of that slight speed gain, she was able to turn the tables by just a hair's breadth, and it was enough to decide victory or defeat.

「見事だエリス。お前に剣王の称号を授けよう」

　ニナはゆっくりと起き上がった。
　腹部に鈍痛を覚え、顔をしかめる。

"Well done, Eris. I'll grant you the title Sword King."

Nina slowly got up. She felt a dull pain at her abdomen, and grimaced.

（完全にやられた）

　木剣だから吹っ飛ぶだけで済んだが、真剣であればニナは内蔵をぶちまけただろう。
　光の太刀と言えば、胴体が真っ二つになってもおかしくないが、致死量には十分だ。
　対するエリスは、肩口を切り裂かれる程度にとどまったろう。
　完全に敗北である。

　ニナはため息をついて、その場に座り、背筋を伸ばした。
　全てにおいて負けた。
　先に動き、そして負けた。
　負けた。
　負け。
　ニナの胸のうちから、重く苦しいものがせり上がってきた。

(I was completely done in.)

Because it was a wooden sword, it had ended with just being knocked away, but had it been a real sword, her organs would probably have spilled out. Of course it wouldn't be strange for a Longsword of Light to cut a person in two, but just the slash Nina would have received would have been more than enough to kill her. On the other hand, Eris had gotten away with just a cut to the shoulder. Nina had completely lost.

Nina let out a sigh, and stood up straight where she was. She had lost in every way. She had moved first, and then lost. She lost.

Lost.

Something heavy and painful began to rise into Nina's chest.

「悔しいか、ニナ」
「はい」

　ニナの目からは、ボロボロと大粒の涙が流れていた。

"Are you frustrated, Nina?"

"Yes."

Large drops of tears were flowing from Nina's eyes.

「お前はまだ伸びる。精進しろ」
「はい、お父さん」

　ニナはその日、久しぶりに己の父を父と呼んだ。

"You still have room to grow. Focus on your training."

"Yes, Otou-san."

On that day, Nina had referred to him as her father for the first time in a long time.

「……」

　剣神はニナが泣き止むのを静かに待っていた。
　エリスもまた、口をへの字に曲げ、腕を組みながら、待っていた。

"..."

The Sword God waited until Nina had stopped crying. Eris, with her mouth upturned into a へ, and with her arms crossed, waited as well.


---


　ニナが泣き止むのを見届けて、剣神はエリスに対し、言った。

After he had made sure that Nina had stopped crying, the Sword God spoke to Eris.

「エリス。お前に剣王の称号を授けたが、すでに教えることは何も無い。免許皆伝も授けよう」

　免許皆伝。
　その言葉を聞いて、ニナとジノは顔を見合わせた。
　二人の剣帝も、剣王ギレーヌも、もらえなかった称号。
　免許皆伝とは、そうしたものである。

"Eris. You've gained the title Sword King, but I already have nothing to teach you. I'll give you the proof of mastery."※

Proof of mastery. When they heard these words, Nina and Jino looked at each other. This was a title that neither the two Sword Emperors, nor Ghislaine had be given. The proof of mastery was that amazing a title.

[※Note: lit. that she's gunna gain Menkyo Kaiden.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Menkyo#Menkyo_Kaiden]

「ついでに剣帝の称号を授けてもいいんだが……ただし、その場合は、ギレーヌと戦ってもらう事になる。もし一足飛びに剣神を名乗りたいなら、俺様を殺すんだな」

　どうする？
　と、剣神は己の刀に手を掛ける。
　エリスは首を振った。

"Though it'd also be fine to jump you straight up to Sword Emperor but... you'd have to fight Ghislaine here. If you want to jump to up Sword God then you'll have to kill me."

'What will you do?'

As if asking this, the Sword God moved his hand to his sword. Eris shook her head.

「剣神なんてどうでもいいわ」
「だろうな……じゃあ、これからどうするつもりだ？」
「ひとまず、家族の所に帰るわ」

　エリスのまっすぐな瞳を見て、剣神は眩しさを覚えた。
　彼女は、彼がいつしか失ってしまったものを持っているように感じた。
　愚直に強くなる姿勢と、その目的を見失っていないなら。
　あるいはエリスなら。
　あの無敵のオルステッドを倒せるのではないか、そんな予感すらあった。

"I don't care about the Sword God or whatever."

"Right? ...Well then, what do you plan on doing from now?"

"First of all I'm going to go to where my family is."


Looking right into Eris' eyes, the Sword God felt their radiance.

He felt that she possessed something that he had lost at some point.

Because she possessed an earnest attitude towards getting stronger without losing sight of her goal...

Or it could be that because she was Eris...

He that that perhaps she might be able to defeat that peerless Orsted.

「来いエリス、剣王の証として、七本剣の内、一本を授ける」
「……はい」

　エリス・グレイラットの長い修業はその日、終わりを告げた。

"Come, Eris. As proof of your ascension to Sword King, I'll give you one of my seven swords."

"...Yes"

That day, it signalled the end of Eris Greyrat's long training.


---


　エリスと剣神が退出し、剣王称号授与式は終わった。
　残ったのは二人。
　ニナと、ジノである。

Eris had parted with the Sword God, and the ceremony for bestowing the Sword King title had finished. Only two people remained there.

「……」
「……」

　二人はしばらく、黙って座っていた。
　二人の胸の内にあるのは、悔しさであり、羨望であった。
　だが、決してそれを口にも、そして顔にも出さなかった。

"..."

"..."

For a while, the two sat there in silence. Both of their chests held frustration and envy. However, they would absolutely never speak of these feelings, nor show them on their faces.

「……」

　二人どちらともなく立ち上がった。
　並んで歩き、当座の間の端に並べ置かれている木剣を手にした。


　ややして、当座の間から、カンカンと木刀の打ち合う音が聞こえてきた。
　それは、剣の聖地なら、どこにいても聞こえてくる音であった。

"..."

Without doing either, the two of them stood up. Walking side by side, they moved to the corner of the Space of the Present and picked up the wooden swords that were left there.

For a little while, the sounds of wooden swords striking each other could be heard from the Space of the Present. Because it was the Holy Land of Swords, this was a sound that could be heard anywhere.



(to be continued)