Hachinan tte, Sore wa Nai Deshou!

Ei! Tou!

When I left the house together with Elise and the others after dressing ourselves in the early morning, Erw swung a katana enthusiastically in a space that is equivalent to a garden.

Having obtained Mizuho clothes before anyone noticed, his appearance now looks like that of a foreign swordsman.

In my eyes his movements of swinging the katana started to look quite good.

Though thats as far as it goes, as for the judgment of an amateur.

Even Haruka, whos coaching him, didnt say anything in particular and gazed at his form.

However, as expected of a beautiful samurai girl, she looks good by just standing there.

Its also good that Erws expression doesnt break into a foppish grin.

Oyy~~, Erw. (Wendelin)

Wend? So, hows my katana aptitude? (Erwin)

So-so? (Wendelin)

Id like him to pardon me from giving an accurate comment as amateur.

I dont have any talent in using a katana. I have already given up on the path of swordsmanship a long time ago and dont practise it either.

If I had such time, I would rather spend it on training my magic or archery as that would be more efficient, I think.

Even though things may appear this way, it gives off quite the good vibe. (Haruka)

Is that so? (Wendelin)

Once I ask Haruka, whos at his side, she begins to explain while revealing an attractive smile.

Erw-san became already strong enough that its at least possible for him to be enlisted in the Battou Unit. He reached the point where hes able to fight quite evenly against my elder brother. (Haruka)

Thats amazing, isnt it? (Wendelin)

According to Haruka, Erw has more talent in using the katana than the sword.

The reason why he didnt know about that until now is probably because katana dont exist in Helmut Kingdom.

It seems there are very few people that possess one, but its at the level of being secretly collected by some maniacs.

However I think he did well to get this far in such a short time.

When I thought that, Erw got happy by Haruka handing him something like towel to wipe away the sweat.

Since Erws original facial features are decent, it gives the impression of a beautiful manager handing a towel to the ace after finishing club activity.

As he has talent in using the katana to begin with, hes probably eager to show his good points to Haruka.

His motive was evil, but I dont think its a problem since he actually got strong by seriously training.

(Riajuus do exist) Katana, huh? Is that the one you bought first? (Wendelin)

Yea. Though its a crude, mass-produced item, I suppose. (Erwin)

Erw shows me the katana he has been swinging.

Once I examine the quality of the material with the Analyse spell since I dont have any accurate knowledge about Japanese swords at all, it was steel with quite the high purity.

It was created by a campaign expert blacksmith of the national army of Earl Mizuho Country. The material was the one you gave me before, Wend. (Erwin)

Aah, the one I prepared, you say? (Wendelin)

Dont be so forgetful. (Erwin)

I remember that because Erw told me about making a katana, I gathered an appropriate amount of iron sand from the ground, removed the surplus components, formed it into a clump of iron and gave it to him.

Do you possess talent in smithing as well, Earl Baumeister-sama? (Haruka)

No, I simply collected it with magic. (Wendelin)

Im not proud of it, but I didnt receive anything better than average scores in practical subjects such as art, crafting and physical education in my previous life.

Its unthinkable for me to have talent in the making of Japanese swords or similar.

I simply extracted the metal from the ground by using magic.

I answered Harukas question in such manner.

Im good at gathering metal from abandoned mines and mine polluted ponds, but processing it is impossible for me. (Wendelin)

Its regrettable since I could have flourished as magic tool craftsman if I was able to do so.

The reason for me thinking that is because I selfishly consider the appearance of craftsmen as cool.

However, it was praised by the swordsmith to be magnificent raw material. (Haruka)

Mizuho katana become high-quality products if they are smithed by using raw materials with an iron purity that is as high as possible.

Even so, if you create iron with the technology of this world from iron ore originating from a mine, it ends up becoming an alloy-like metal with titan and such mixed in.

In that case it apparently tends towards becoming a hard weapon, but as flexibility is very essential for a katana as well, the expensive katana seem to be produced by expressly gathering iron sand with a high purity from rivers and similar.

I heard that they did the same in old Japan as well.

My superiors hobby at my workplace were Japanese swords. Thats why I heard about it at the year-end party.

Originally its high-quality iron thats not used for crude katanas.

Hee, really? (Wendelin)

No matter how much Earl Mizuho Country excels at technology, they seem to be unable to obtain high-quality iron as katana material that easily.

The work of removing the impurities from the iron and processing it into steel is surely something that relies heavily on magic, I guess.

What is handed out as sword that can be used by a low-ranking soldier in the kingdom and empire is an item that gets forged with just sturdiness as its main attribute.

A sword that is forged by a blacksmith himself actually swinging his hammer is something that will be bought by low-ranking nobles after saving up money.

This katana is amazing, but once I get much better, I want to create a katana out of orichalcum. (Erwin)

Out of orichalcum? Can you make that?

If Mizuho katana and Japanese katana are identical, I wonder whether its possible to recreate a katana that is made by combining hard and soft iron with just orichalcum?

I felt slightly doubtful about that.

I have been told that the top class Mizuho katana are an combination of soft secret steel, where pure orichalcum is processed in a special way, and hard secret steel, which is a mixture of mithril and orichalcum with a fixed ratio, following the secret formula of Earl Mizuho Country. (Haruka)

As expected of the beautiful samurai girl.

Having the necessary knowledge, coupled with her appearance, Haruka was the most suitable to explain the Mizuho katana.

Isnt it wrong to tell people of a foreign country too much about such secrets?

If its this degree of knowledge, all of the empires blacksmiths know about it. The precise mixing ratio and the unique method of processing are tightly kept hidden. Even Im not fully aware of those. (Haruka)

I see

There are too many secret techniques in Earl Mizuho Country anyway.

Putting aside the magic katana, I was surprised by those magic rifles.

From the standpoint of Duke Nrnberg who is a firm ultranationalist, they were likely seen as threat that should be either dominated or destroyed.

Though, in my case it wasnt a serious issue as I want to be on good terms with them since its a distant, semi-independent nation that reminds me of Japan.

Orichalcum katana possess offensive abilities comparable to magic katana after being charged with mana, even if they are not regularly maintained in a sophisticated process by craftsmen. Therefore there are many among the Mizuho people who desire one. (Haruka)

The orichalcum sword that Erw obtained, cut through many golems in Herthania Valley like tofu.

If its an orichalcum katana, its sharpness is even better, Haruka says.

Erw, have them make small and big orichalcum katana. (Wendelin)

No, thats probably unreasonable. (Erwin)

Yes. Leaving the costs aside, the material is lacking. (Haruka)

According to what Haruka says, theres apparently no orichalcum on stock.

If there was, it would have been made into katana for the Mizuho household and the chief retainer households. As of yet theres almost nothing on stock, Haruka explained.

A new orichalcum mine hasnt currently been discovered in Earl Mizuho Country, it seems.

I have the material! (Wendelin)

All the orichalcum that was mined in the Savage Lands and Herthania Valley was delivered to me. I also gathered it in my childhood by using mana wastefully if there was even the slightest response to my search spells.

Orichalcum cant be collected in quantity anyway.

Discovering promising large-scale ore deposits, I finally gathered around 200 kilogram after mining for several years.

Lately, the iron deposits were big hits, I guess.

To a degree that such conversations are held between the mining staff.

Rather, there have been many orichalcum products that had been excavated from ancient ruins.

I will provide the material for two katana and give them Erws orichalcum sword to make up for their effort. (Wendelin)

Thats fine with you? (Erwin)

Even though its only material, one sword has an amount of orichalcum that allows for two Mizuho katana with different sizes to be made.

Taking into account the processing fee, Erw apparently realizes that my side will incur a loss.

You know, even if I possess a katana (Wendelin)

If its a sword, I might be able to at least kill a single soldier.

However, even if I unreasonably owned a katana, the current me would definitely be unable to handle it.

I longed for one as Im a Japanese, but theres no meaning if I cant use it.

That means letting Erw keep it is the most efficient solution.

Besides, my last defense line are you after all, Erw. (Wendelin)

Certainly, thats my job. (Erwin)

Then, accept it. (Wendelin)

I pass a clump of orichalcum to Erw.

It was around half of my stock, but it should be possible to forge the necessary number of katana with this.

Isnt that too much? (Erwin)

Can you forge around three katana with this? For the time being, please try to create only what is possible. (Wendelin)

I asked Erw to order the creation of the Japanese swords.

Wont you come to the expert blacksmiths place as well, Wend? (Erwin)

Studying by observation? Thats a great idea. (Wendelin)

Following Haruka, Erw and I moved to the the field workshop thats adjacent to the headquarters of Earl Mizuho Countrys national army.

The campaigns master smiths and magic tools craftsmen repair and produce weapons and armours here.

Several dozens master smiths and magic tool craftsmen forged katana and maintained magic rifles.

Erwin-dono? Hows the katana I forged for you?

The one who called out to Erw was an elderly person with an appearance that immediately told one that hes a very skilled katana smith.

Wearing clothes that resembled a monks working clothes, he walks over to us while wiping his sweat off with a towel.

I have grown accustomed to it. (Erwin)

Thats great. So, hes Earl Baumeister-sama, right?

Yes. As a matter of fact, my lord appears to have a request (Erwin)

Is it a katana creation request? Aah, sorry for forgetting to mention it. Im called Kanesada the 87th, a master smith employed by the Mizuho household. (Kanesada)

Going by his name, he seems to be a person who forges great katana.

It appears there are people who make Japanese swords as family occupation for generations in Earl Mizuho Country, too.

Im Wendelin von Benno Baumeister. Id like you to actually forge katana out of orichalcum.

Once I say so, Erw gives the clump of orichalcum to Kanesada.

You did well to obtain such a big amount. I guess it will result in two sets of of large and small katana, and one dagger. (Kanesada)

I guess as should be expected of a renown artisan.

Seeing the clump of orichalcum, he can immediately estimate the number of katana that can be created from it.

Then, please forge katana for Erw. (Wendelin)

I will gladly receive your order. (Kanesada)

Kanesada-san, will that be really alright? (Erwin)

Erw apparently holds Kanesada in high esteem.

He addressed him in a polite tone.

Its because you have improved at a magnificent pace, Erwin-san. I believe it will become necessary very soon. Besides, even if its me, I want to be able to temper orichalcum. Looking at it like this, Im a greedy master smith. (Kanesada)

Because orichalcum itself is rare, it looks like people can also forge it seldomly.

In the eyes of a master smith it must be a material they long for.

I might be conceited, but Im a master smith said to be equal to Kanesada the 1st. Please trust in me as I will certainly forge famous katana. (Kanesada)

Thats very reassuring. Then, heres a big service. (Wendelin)

I take out the other half of the orichalcum from my magic bag.

Then it will become five sets of small and big katana, and one dagger. (Kanesada)

I wont specify a time for delivery. Please forge them until you can agree with them. (Wendelin)

Thank you. (Kanesada)

As he demanded a clump of iron, that had its composition adjusted by me, as payment, and a bit of mithril to be used as component, I have given those to him as well.

Earl Baumeister-sama, you can refine high-grade iron with magic, right? If its this iron, everyone will be delighted. (Kanesada)

Then, I leave it to you. (Wendelin)

When the three of us returned to our hose since we finished requesting the production of the Japanese swords, several Mizuho people awaited us in front of the entrance.

Going by their attires, the appear to be quite high-ranking chief retainers.

Earl Baumeister-sama, please sell me the Mizuho katana you requested by providing the materials.

Id like you to sell them to me!

If its money, I will pay! How about 300.000 ryo?

I will pay 400.000 ryou!

It seems they swiftly got hold of the information about me having carried in a large amount of orichalcum to the field workshop. They approached with a very strong intensity asking me to sell the completed katana to them.

Hee, something like that happened?

On that day, Burkhart-san listens very interested to the details during the chat at the dinner location.

The Mizuho katana is a swordsmans pride, their soul. (Haruka)

I do understand that they cherish them, but (Ina)

Haruka explains the frantic emotions of wanting to obtain an orichalcum-made katana harboured by her countrymen as if its easy to understand.

Ina was able to understand that they treasure the weapons which save their own lives, but being told about pride, soul or such, she seems uncertain of the meaning.

One more person tilted their head to the side.

Elise, do you understand?

What I know is just the knowledge that the samurai in the old Japan cherished their katana.

As this is just knowledge to the bitter end, I myself dont harbour such sentiments towards katana.

I think its only at the level of having some yearning and thinking I have to take care of it.

Its like cherishing the scriptures and the priestess garb, for example?

Yes. Though these are important, God states that Dont cling to possessions

Its probably a proverb for the sake of restraining materialistic desires, but I can understand them being unable to cooperate religiously with Earl Mizuho Country due to this point.

Actually there are many priests who like money and expensive items though.

Its not like Earl Mizuho Country is particularly adhering to items. Rather, I think it has the meaning that they will cherish a katana they had forged once as much as possible.

If its that way of thinking, I can understand.

I dont comprehend talks about philosophy or religion at all.

I just said it non-committally, but Ina and the others are puzzled as they apparently cant understand after all.

As for Doushi, he concentrated on the food.

I guess he has absolutely no interest.

What Doushi cherishes is probably his own body.

It might be easier to understand if you call a katana a partner to whom you entrust your own life. (Erwin)

Thats it, Erw-san. (Haruka)

Haruka is usually a quiet woman.

She owns the two aspects of showing no openings as first-class swordsgirl and her feminine virtues of old Japan.

However, after getting involved with Erw, she talks about various things while looking happy.

(Theres hope for Erw?) (Wendelin)

Its desirable as Erws best friend and at the same time its related to having a link to Earl Mizuho Country.

After all that country has many of the dearly-missed, Japanese-like items I desire.

So, how is it going? With Haruka? (Wendelin)

I think my conquest is close at hand. (Erwin)

After dinner I called Erw and tried to ask him when it was just the two of us. As expected, it seems that theres hope.

However, theres a single problem

It seems that Harukas elder brother makes a fuss with You can forget it if you are not at least an even match with me!.

I end up thinking that hes a stubborn old man from someplace.

Thats from the viewpoint as next family head of a retainer household? (Wendelin)

Its a fact that he was the next family head of an outrageous retainer household, but originally, Harukas home is a retainer household with a low social position. Them being currently treated well is because the elder brother and the younger sister are excellent with katana to a degree of being chosen for the Battou Unit.

Even without the guarantee that his own children will be skilled enough to enter the Battou Unit, he isnt that obsessed with marrying his little sister away first since they are a small household to begin with.

Haruka is complicated as marriage partner, isnt she?

Since her pedigree is low, she cant marry into a distinguished retainer household as first wife. Shes more excelling with the katana than a husband that might accept her.

In Earl Mizuho Country, that puts importance on katana skill, a wife, who surpasses her husband in ability by miles, seems to be an existence that gets treated as something troublesome.

Thats why all the other women affiliated with the Battou Unit are single as well.

In addition, theres her elder brother, too.

He loves his younger sister and seems to constantly voice his opinion of Rather than being troubled by getting married into some strange place, stay at home forever.

In short, he is whats commonly referred as sis-con.

Given that his younger sister cant help being lovely, he probably doesnt want her to become a wife if possible at all.

Harukas elder brother, I met him in the past as well, didnt I? (Wendelin)

Yeah. (Erwin)

As he possesses top-class ability for a young man, he was previously introduced to me by High Earl Mizuho.

I remember that he looked like a very serious youth, but having a sister complex certainly isnt something that you can deduct from a persons appearance.

Shall I ask Harukas elder brother? (Wendelin)

Please. Going by my current ability, it will take several years until I can compete against Harukas elder brother. (Erwin)

Erw seems to be confident that he will be able to catch up with the katana to Harukas elder brothers.

Since hes actually got talent as well, thats probably no conceited bragging either.

If we waited until then, Haruka will be a woman who missed her chance of getting married, I guess.

Wai-! You!

If Therese hears about this, it will turn into a scandal for Erw.

I blocked Erws mouth in panic.

Anyway, it will be fine if I try asking Harukas elder brother personally. (Wendelin)

I leave it to you, Wend. (Erwin)

The next morning I head to the encampment of Earl Mizuho Countrys national army together with Erw and Haruka.

Once we go towards the station of the Battou Unit within that encampment, Harukas elder brother was practising with his katana there.

Oh, Earl Baumeister-sama? Im grateful for you taking care of Haruka.

Hello. (Wendelin)

Harukas elder brother, who doesnt look like a sis-con but a diligent and fluent youth, stopped his training and greeted me with a cheerful voice.

Has Haruka been helpful to you?

She has good skills after all. I wont ever be able to win against her with my swordsmanship. (Wendelin)

When I praised Harukas katana skills, his mood improved.

Moreover, he seems to be relieved after confirming that his younger sister looks just as usual.

As a matter of fact, theres something Id like to speak about with you (Wendelin)

Its not allowed! No matter what, no!

Once I try speaking about it, he suddenly refuses me before I can even really start.

He apparently partially sensed with his instinct what I was going to ask him.

Nii-sama? Whats not allowed? (Haruka)

Its nothing you need to know, Haruka!

??? (Haruka)

(Huh?)

At this moment I realize a certain fact.

As Haruka is far too serious, she doesnt seem to have much of knowledge in that direction.

No, I guess she simply hasnt noticed it?

It looks like she hasnt realized until now that she might be married to Erw.

It was possible that her being friendly to Erw was just because her happiness about the improvement speed of Erws skills influenced by her, as simple swordsmanship idiot.

Lets have a chat for the time being.

No! Its in vain. Something like sending my cute younger sister to a foreign country!

I suppose as elder brother he doesnt want his lovely younger sister to be send as wife to a foreign country.

In such case it will be fine if I rely on High Earl Mizuho, but even if hes ordered from above, it would leave a bad aftertaste on the emotional side.

It would likely be the best if we could receive his consent.

Whats wrong about Erw? (Wendelin)

He has talent, but hes still inexperienced.

Be that as it may, how many years do you want to make him wait?

That is

He wishes to keep his adorable younger sister at his side, but having said that, she will think badly of him as elder brother if he obstructs a marriage for his own reasons.

Harukas brother seems to continue being conflicted in his mind.

If Haruka lives in a foreign country, there will also be a different culture there

I dont think that its something you have to worry about this much though

There isnt that much of a difference in the language. The food culture is close to Mizuho as well, thanks to me.

Besides, I have placed the condition to enter trade with Earl Mizuho Country as reward for cooperating towards an end of the civil war in the empire.

I will go shopping there regularly. At that time Haruka should be able to serve as good guide.

As long as Teleportation exists, she will be able to visit her home right away.

But

Even if you throw a tantrum like a child, its inevitable, isnt it?

As for me, I wont force Haruka, if she dislikes it.

Theres plenty of other candidates. Erw doesnt wish for that either.

However, I had no intention to pull back with her elder brothers refusal as reason.

The man, to whom I entrust Haruka, has to be strong.

However

Defeat me if you want my younger sister.

Putting aside something like that as story, in reality its established as being nothing more than bothersome.

I dont think that theres a household that has any merit in inviting Haruka as wife or that theres man, whos stronger than her elder brother, loving Haruka at present.

In that case, I dont consider it to be that bad as first connection between the Earl Baumeister household and Earl Mizuho Country.

If I told High Earl Mizuho about it, he should give me an okay right away.

Its no good unless its a man who can win against me.

In the next few years Erw will probably have skills at the level of being at least even to Harukas elder brother.

Although theres such judgment, I have a problem with waiting for several years just like that.

I think I at least want him to value the future prospects.

Wont Erw be good enough in several years?

Its no good if its not now! Anyway, its pointless!

Harukas elder brother was obstinate.

The emotional aspect is big, but he might also not follow the concept of enlarging the household with forced political marriages since they are a low-ranking retainer household.

Well then, how should I get the person himself to agree?

How about if you fight with a sword and not a katana, Erw? (Wendelin)

No, the current me cant win, even if its with a sword. (Erwin)

From my point of view, Erws swordsmanship looks to be considerably developed, but Harukas elder brother is even further above that. And in the Earl Mizuho Country there are several masters who exceed even Harukas elder brother.

(How about having a try and going for it for the time being? After all it might be possible.)

(If lose with that, the talks will reset to the starting point again.) (Erwin)

(Thats right isnt it?) (Wendelin)

Since hes saying that he wont hand over Haruka as wife if he cant win, its necessary to somehow defeat Harukas brother.

Its fine even if its you, Earl Baumeister-sama.

Eh? Me? (Wendelin)

Im bewildered by Harukas brothers sudden proposal.

Arent you Erwin-donos lord, Earl Baumeister-sama? If you are strong, I will be able to let her go with a peace of mind.

I dont understand why its alright even if its me.

I dont have any particular intention to take Haruka as wife. Theres not a splinter of a chance that my swordsmanship is better than Erws.

Are you aware of my swordsmanship skills? (Wendelin)

No, I want to fight against your magic, Earl Baumeister-sama. Thats your strongest weapon, isnt it?

Magic, you say? (Wendelin)

I end up wondering whether Harukas elder brother isnt an outrageous battle junkie.

He will oppose magic with a katana.

I wondered whether it might be some different kind of hand-to-hand competition, but never did I consider that he would challenge me to such contest.

Wend, I leave it to you. (Erwin)

Uuh Got it (Wendelin)

Its the request of Erw whos my retainer and dear friend.

I acknowledged the duel with Harukas elder brother.

Dont use any exceedingly big magic.

Also, killing is forbidden.

I know.

Tentatively I have to warn you. Your magic is sometimes no joke, Earl-sama. (Burkhart)

Indeed. It has power at the level of calamity class. (Armstrong)

As what kind of destroyer do you two see me? (Wendelin)

Please answer normally that its a joke at this point. (Wendelin)

Even though I met with Harukas elder brother to have him approve of Erws and Harukas marriage, it ended up with me dueling him on the grassland located on the parade ground of Earl Mizuho Countrys national army for some reason.

From where did they hear about it?

In addition to Therese, Alfons and High Earl Mizuho, many spectators have gathered at the grassland.

Burkhart-san and Doushi became my seconds before I noticed.

It seems everyone is starving for entertainment in this protracted war while they are expanding the field encampment and colonization.

A subtle blood-thirst welled up in me due to to everyone observing while eating and drinking as they please.

Dont be careless.

Thats only natural. (Wendelin)

I cant use too strong magic. And Harukas brother possesses a magic katana.

Since I have never been actually attacked by one of those yet, it was difficult for me to predict to what degree it can destroy a Magic Barrier.

Seeing the nature of magic katana, an elementary magician will be killed if they are careless. (Armstrong)

Is it a magician killer?

I dont know since theres likely no opportunity to kill a precious magician if theres no war, but the probability is high. (Armstrong)

Its just as Doushi says, but that might mean that Harukas elder brother wants to get a hang of this with a real combat format duel against me.

It seems that Im used as a guinea pig here.

Dear, please be careful of injuries. (Elise)

We will stop at injuries that are in the range of your healing capability, Elise. (Wendelin)

Elise called out to me while looking worried.

Wend, I think that Harukas onii-san is a different case than Erw. (Ina)

I see. I dont know anything but him being somehow amazing. (Wendelin)

Theres a difference between katana and spear, but Ina was surprised by Harukas brothers high ability.

I dont comprehend anything but him being quite good more or less.

Although I could roughly measure the capacity of a magician, I was an outsider in regards to katana techniques.

You practiced swordsmanship in the past as well, Wend, didnt you? (Luise)

Seeing that I have no talent, it cant be helped. (Wendelin)

I dont think that you will lose easily if its magic, but its best if you are not stingy with the mana for your Magic Barrier, Wend. (Luise)

Luise also revealed her wariness towards Harukas brother who is confronting me with around 20 meters between us.

Dont allow him to close in on you. (Wilma)

Anyway, dont give your opponent the initiative by rapidly firing small spells. (Katharina)

After receiving advice from Wilma and Katharina as well, I will fight against Harukas elder brother.

I dont understand the reason completely, but Normally its probably a setting where Erw fights, causes a miracle and Harukas brother brings it to an end with You are quite the guy, arent you?.

And yet Im stuck competing against him with the reasoning that Im Erws lord.

I dont get it at all.

Is that guy a battle junkie or something like that? (Wendelin)

Its certain that hes a person who has large targets. He might wish for power that enables him to fight against magicians to some extent. (Erwin)

Im the guinea pig for that, huh? (Wendelin)

Sorry. Nii-sama has (Haruka)

I end up complaining to Erw unintentionally, but once I see Haruka apologizing next to him, theres no way for me to throw the match.

If I win, we will at least gain Harukas brothers approval for a marriage between Erw and Haruka.

Oh well, dont mind. It will be fine if I win. (Wendelin)

While cracking a joke for the sake of Haruka, Im actually convinced of my victory in my mind.

Seeing that I have a Magic Barrier, the other sides attacks wont get through, not matter how I think about it.

Then, lets start?

Earl Baumeister-sama, lets have a fair fight.

Elise and the others leave me vicinity and the match begins at the same time as Burkhart-san launches a fireball into the sky as signal.

Seeing that my opponent uses a katana, theres no point unless he gets close to me.

That means that it would be best for my side to make him accumulate damage with magic that out-ranges him. First I create a large amount of pellets with magic and then I release them towards Harukas brother with different timing.

He should become incapable of fighting if hes hit by several of them.

As expected, it would be wrong of me to kill him in front of his younger sister.

Theres also the side of High Earl Mizuho who is his lord.

Naive!

However, Harukas brother draws his katana at lightning speed and repels the pellets by cutting them one after the other.

His movements were just like the user of a sword that cuts iron that appears in a certain 3rd generation series.(T/N: Goemon Ishikawa XIII from Lupin 3rd, I think. At least he fits the bill here)

No way! (Wendelin)

I, who ended up having all my pellets cut apart, fire small fireballs in succession at Harukas brother next.

Once I do so, he drew his third sword, the magic katana which is his trump card.

When Harukas brother swings the katana blade thats clad in a faint bluish-white light, the fireballs vanish one after the other while giving off a poof sound.

Water attribute, eh?!

Its possible to regulate the mana quantity and attribute used by a magic katana!

Next I release small wind cutters in succession.

Those have killed and wounded many soldiers in the capital and during our escape, but they are also extinguished by the yellow-glowing blade in succession.

My wind cutters ended up getting erased by him cladding the blade in earth-attribute mana.

(Mizuho magic katana; arent those dangerous?)

If ones at the level of an unskilled elementary magician, they will get easily killed by a master magic katana user.

This is what Duke Nrnberg should be wary of.

(This means I cant afford to let him get close.)

The magic katanas flaw is that it will turn into a simple katana once the magic gem inside runs out of mana.

In that case it will be fine if I make him waste it as much as possible while not letting him draw closer.

Since he will approach even while cutting fireballs or such, I next take out the sword without blade I received from master in the past.

I immediately produce a fire blade and after stabbing that into the ground, I release Fire Snakes that run towards Harukas brother in rapid succession.

Tsk!

Of course they shouldnt hit him, but Harukas brother had to stop his advance in order to evade.

During that time I gradually fell back to the rear.

Ice Snake, Earth Drive and Whirlwind Cutter, I wonder which of them is good? (Wendelin)

Since I dont expect Harukas brother to answer, I fire in rapid succession while adding feints into it.

Anyway, its in order to not allow him getting close, as I was told by Wilma and Katharina.

If Im late in deploying the Magic Barrier in worst case, it will spell my defeat.

Theres nothing thats impossible for a magic katana.

Harukas brother continued to dodge my magic, but after moving widely to the side, he stabs the magic katana into the ground.

The blade shines red for an instant and a flame as if a fuse was lit heads my way.

It seems that hes copying my magic.

(Even though he isnt a magician, magic katana are frightening items, I guess. But)

I had waited for this.

I think that its amazing, but such attack will exhaust the precious remaining mana in the magic katana.

If Harukas elder brother, whos not a magician, loses the mana of the magic katana, he will return to being a simple excellent swordsman.

Actually, when the magic katana erased several Ice Snake spells, light vanished from that katana.

Fufu. Theres no mana left in the magic katana!

Suddenly Harukas brother opens the hilt of the magic katana, removes the the empty magic gem and replaces it with a spare magic gem he took out from his pocket.

It was a shocking reality.

The magic gem inside a magic katana was exchangeable like a battery once it used up its mana.

However, this way things will never end. Let me oppose you with my entire power from now on.

No sooner than saying that, Harukas brother charges in a straight line towards me.

I try to hinder his approach with a series of fireballs in a hurry, but all of them are erased with a large swing of the magic katana.

Wh-!

He attempted to get close to me in one go without economizing on his mana.

As theres a difference in physical ability to begin with, my retreat wont be in time.

Since Harukas brother approached very close, I defend with a big fireball having a diameter of 1 meter next, but it ends up being cut in two by the magic katana that was clad in water attribute.

Magic Barrier!

Theres almost no distance between me and Harukas elder brother anymore.

If he gets this close, I have no other choice but to continue defending against his attacks with a Magic Barrier.

Therefore I cast a Magic Barrier, but I had somehow a bad premonition for an instant.

It was a kind of 6th sense, but I have a hunch that I will go through a bitter experience most of the times if I ignore these things.

Accordingly I made the Magic Barrier thicker than usual and it seems my intuition was correct.

Mizuho Shinkage-Ryu Secret Technique Wolf Fang!

Harukas brother didnt slash but unleashed a thrusting attack that focused on one point.

He plots to break through at one point by charging just the magic katanas point with mana.

This judgment is correct. It was a situation where his attack pierced almost completely through the skin of the Magic Barrier that was thicker than usual.

If I didnt follow my intuition, I would have probably lost after getting stabbed in a vital spot.

Since we arent allowed to kill each other, I have lowered the mana output as handicap, but even so, its true that I would have lost.

Its my loss.

At the moment his full power attack didnt reach, Harukas brother put the magic katana back into its sheath and accepted his defeat.

I would have lost if I didnt make the Magic Barrier thicker after getting some bad premonition, you know? (Wendelin)

That intuition is something you obtained by diligently devoting yourself to your studies, Earl Baumeister-sama.

You are strong.

No, not at all. Im still too much of a novice. By the way, its about Harukas matter. Seeing that I lost the match I believe that I want to approve of it. If Haruka goes to Earl Baumeister-samas place, she will probably be relieved as well. Erwin will become strong before long, too.

Thats great.

There was worth in going as far as having a duel.

With this the obstacle to Erws and Harukas marriage vanished at last.

Haruka-san.

Erw-san.

And then Erw and Haruka, the two concerned parties, stared at each other.

The rest depends on Erw showing his ability, I guess.

Though its after this war ends, but would you come to Baumeister Earldom with me, Haruka-san?

Yes, gladly. (Haruka)

Haruka agrees to Erws proposal without any hesitation.

Finally Erw-boy will marry as well, wont he? (Burkhart)

Thats nice, isnt it? (Armstrong)

Cant thou make such a proposal to me as well, Wendelin? (Therese)

No, thats impossible, I think. (Alfons)

Alfons, theres no need for thee to respond calmly only at such times. (Therese)

A part of the gallery was noisy, but above all its great that things came safely to an end.

Once Erw succeeded in proposing, the surrounding looks turned at the receiver Haruka

That should be so, but for some reason it created an unexpected accident in this place.

Next Haruka said something unthinkable.

Yes. I will be Erw-sans swordsmanship instructor. I gratefully accept! (Haruka)

Yes? (Erwin)

Erw apparently intended to propose to her, but Haruka seems to have perceived it as having obtained the permission to go to Baumeister Earldom as Erws swordsmanship instructor.

Meaning her own elder brother only opposed his younger sister going to a foreign country.

Due to Harukas unforeseen reply, Erws eyes turned into dots.

Which reminds me, did anyone talk to Haruka about marrying Erw?

Once I try considering it from another angle, I feel like we never directly talked to her about a marriage.

At least I have attached such condition though.

So, how about you, onii-san? (Haruka)

Sorry My words were only in opposition to you going to Baumeister Earldom

There was also the issue of swordsmanship ability, but as Harukas brother, whos basically a sis-con, couldnt permit the fact of his younger sister marrying, he apparently didnt try to use this move of education at all.

With her being a beauty, having talent in swordsmanship and being skilled with things such as cooking and sewing, shes a woman with the image of displaying the female virtues of old Japan, but it seems that the knowledge about romance or marriage mostly hasnt entered her mind.

Imouto-san, have you been hit on by your comrades in the Battou Unit?

I made such bad people understand with training.

Since both, younger sister and elder brother, belong to the Battou Unit, he apparently fought hard so that no strange bugs attached themselves to Haruka.

Hes truly a man appropriate to be called the mirror image of a sis-con.

Since we will get the permission from High Earl Mizuho, make sure to properly explain it to your younger sister as the next family head and as elder brother.

Please excuse me from that.

(As expected of a sis-con) Not allowed. Do it!

I won.

If he cant yield that much, I have to strengthen my tone and order Harukas elder brother.

I will comply

Seizing both shoulders of Harukas brother with both hands, I succeed in persuading him.

However, something like refusing the demand of an Earl, albeit from another country, this man is a frightening sis-con.

Since hes an old-styled swordsman going by his appearance and as he usually conducts himself in such manner as well, theres probably few people who have realized the instinct of a sis-con flowing inside the heart of this man.

The rest is just getting the permission from High Earl Mizuho, I guess.

With the hindrance to Erws and Harukas marriage finally having vanished, I sighed in relief from the bottom of my heart.

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