Volume 6 Chapter 26 Questions About 'Brave'. The Inquiry Is To The 'Holy Knight
"Shh!"
"...Hmm."
The silver blade of Rangella's Dragon Silver Sword Tel Agatha clashed against Masamitsu's Holy Sword Venus Breath, sparks flying as metal met metal.
The battle between the Brave and the Holy Knight had begun.
Ice and light crashed together.
It was a clash of legends—Luster Report's proud warrior against the face of Moonlight Nine.
When one is an adventurer, skill must be shown through the sword.
"So this is your power now. Interesting."
"Your skill, Mr. Masamitsu, is just as strong as ever."
Truth be told, this was not their first meeting. Their first known encounter had been in a fancy bar, some time ago.
But to them, it started even earlier.
Back when Rangella was still the Transcendent Frost Dragon Ran Jailer, a thousand years ago.
They had known each other since then.
"You were strong back then too," Masamitsu said, blades locking again. "But now, you're even stronger. I see... the Chairman is strong, yes, but he was never a researcher. You, on the other hand, seem to have learned some very deep magic theories from your master."
"Well, I'm not very smart, so I just learned a few tricks."
"You were taught in a way you could understand. That's what makes it special. Your master really is a fascinating man."
From Masamitsu's words, one could tell just how strong Ran Jailer had once been.
But even if a species is powerful, becoming stronger takes more than that.
A huge amount of magical power—and the sense to use it well.
Even if someone has both, schools can't always handle them. Teachers get overwhelmed. In the end, they just praise and move on.
And later, even someone like that can still be crushed when they meet someone stronger.
It happens all the time.
Rangella is the reincarnation of the Transcendent Frost Dragon Ran Jailer.
Her potential is among the highest in the world.
But teaching that power, guiding it deeper and stronger... that takes a special kind of person. Horace. A true researcher.
...Though ten years ago, when he had just found Rangella and she still couldn't use magic well, he had tried to help her imagine it by saying:
"Just clench like you're pushing something big out!"
Was that the right way to teach?
Well... that part is still up for debate.
"By the way," Rangella said, slashing again, "I have one question about my master."
"Oh? What is it?"
"The problem about the Four Source Maidens' Keystone Dragon... If it involved a stone filled with lingering power, then surely it must be tied to the Four Source Maidens. I can't believe you wouldn't be involved."
"..."
"The Duke Lecoitenides mansion. The warehouse. The fact that Sid from Key of Pharos had the item. And Terra... they were interested in my master too. Do you really think that's all a coincidence?"
"And if it isn't?" Masamitsu asked calmly. "Do you think I would move others like chess pieces, just because I wanted to?"
"...No, I don't."
"Exactly. Horace is probably linked to something far older than we can understand. Maybe tied to the very history of this planet. But me? I don't care about that."
"...Then what is 'Mama' doing?"
There was something about Horace that even Masamitsu didn't know.
Something only Rangella understood.
Something no one else ever could.
And because of that...
Masamitsu gave off the smell of secrets left too long in the dark.
But even then, was he truly interested in Horace?
Rangella wasn't sure. Maybe not. Or maybe he was... but didn't want to admit it.
Still...
"The Chairman would never push their troubles onto others."
"In that case... sigh. Maybe I really should've turned that fox into stew."
"By 'stew,' do you mean the saying? You know, in this region long ago, people used to say 'to stew someone' meant sitting in a forty-degree bath for an hour."
"I meant boiling hot water. Literally."
"Ah. Well, it's good to know you care about your master as well as the Chairman. In the past, you were... hmm. Never mind."
Rangella's strikes became sharper, harder.
Masamitsu went quiet.
Ice and light grew stronger.
But from a distance... Masamitsu looked like the one with the upper hand.
It made sense. In a "normal" fight, Masamitsu had more experience.
Ran Jailer was sealed by Laris Glasha a thousand years ago.
She gave up on waking up as a dragon and chose to be reborn as Rangella seventeen years ago.
But Masamitsu had been fighting that whole time.
So yes, in a normal fight, he was stronger.
But as beings, Masamitsu and Ran Jailer were from different classes.
That difference... could change everything.
That's what Masamitsu was excited to see.
Rangella had never beaten Horace.
Still, she came here.
Even if she couldn't win, there was something she wanted to try.
But still...
"I've never seen you fight with your full power," she said.
"No. I've never shown it. But I have used it."
"Oh?"
"When the Chairman disappeared from the world stage, I tried to go with them. I had to prove I was worthy."
"..."
"I thought the same thing then..."
Masamitsu blocked another attack and looked around.
Then his eyes went back to Rangella.
"There's a huge crowd watching, but I know you're not afraid to go all out. That's fine with me. However..."
His face grew serious.
"If you use great power, you must be ready."
"I understand."
"The Chairman has strong thoughts about that. Do you remember what they said?"
"'Readiness is not something you decide. It is something that's tested.'"
"That's right. No matter how far you try to go, someone will stand in your way. Someone will say 'no.' Going beyond that... that is the trial of the strong."
Masamitsu raised his sword again.
Rangella gave a small laugh through her nose.
"...That's such a 'Moonlight Nine' thing to say. So proper."
"Ha. This is why the 'Four Source Maidens' Keystone Dragon'... makes battle so much fun."
Maybe Masamitsu had already passed that trial, long ago.
That would explain his presence. His pressure. His power.
But for someone like him, the world can feel boring sometimes.
No one strong enough to chase him.
No one left behind him.
He had been here for over a thousand years.
It didn't matter if someone was young, or full of foolish hope.
If their heart was pure and they chose to move forward, then—
Even if they were weaker—
He found the battle... fun.
"Shh!"
"Heh..."
A huge wave of ice and light clashed again, shining across the whole arena.
Notes:
• Masamitsu - Known as the Holy Knight. Member of the 'Moonlight Nine'. His appearance is not described. He expresses concern about Horace being in the spotlight, indicating a friendly or cautious relationship.
• Ran - A silver-haired, busty, and beautiful young girl with a dominating spirit. She is one of the 'Four Source Maidens' and is deeply affected by her mother's disappearance.
• Laris - The final boss of the Jeweled Ice Sea Domain. A warrior from the Glasha family who sealed Zeth Halcon a thousand years ago. Now serves as the dungeon boss, appointed by Shildress, though his motivations remain unclear.
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