Chapter 22: Onward to Kazimierz

After what can hardly be called a vacation, we are moving to Kazimierz because the Kazimierz major event is approaching. This will also serve as a stop before heading to Victoria. Perhaps I got too carried away with the idea of a knight tournament and expressed my desire to join, which I now regret.

Now, I've found myself in intense training led by three people: Patriot, Helagur, and Pith. I’m not entirely sure why Pith, a former noble and primarily a caster, is so enthusiastic about training me. It seems odd, but I feel like she would enhance my training if I mentioned it.

A month has passed since the Obsidian Festival, and I'm still training. When I said I wanted to train with a weapon I created, they agreed, but in hindsight, that might have been a mistake. Still, I can't let this opportunity slip away, especially since I plan to attend the event as Nero—though not the Nero from FGO, but rather as a Draco race.

I chose the Draco race largely because of Nero, particularly her incarnation into Sodom's beast. For my outfit and weapon, I opted for Nero's regular attire and her favorite sword, Aestus Estus, though I regretted that I couldn't recreate her noble phantasm.

(Wait, maybe I can?)

I recall that in the later chapters of the Arknight Assimilated Universe, there’s a special dimension created by Originium where the souls of every Sarkaz who died end up, including Theresa. This is why Civilight Eterna was able to get Theresa's form initially and why Amiya can access the memories of the previous Sarkaz king.

There are special cases like Diablo, but most Sarkaz end up in this dimension. This gave me an idea. I already created a pocket space to store my weapons and dangerous items, so this is a perfect opportunity.

I decided to try and replicate Nero Claudius's noble phantasm, Aestus Domus Aurea, which is essentially Nero’s theater. While I think I can create the scenery, I also ponder whether I can replicate the effects. Remembering that there is a school of Art focused on buffing and debuffing, I should incorporate that into the Art itself.

While I was at it, I made it so that every slash I executed would leave a trail of petals. Although the petals don't do anything in the original, I decided to have them burn enemies upon contact, as this is, after all, Nero's style.

After practicing this Art in secret every day, I finally managed to perfectly replicate Nero Claudius's noble phantasm, Aestus Domus Aurea, complete with the petals and all. I felt a sense of pride in my ability to manipulate Originium so effectively.

However, while I was enjoying my accomplishment, I noticed someone in the audience chamber—Amiya, looking amazed, along with Doctor and every Sarkaz operator, including Kal'tsit.

I had planned for everyone in the tournament to witness the glory of my creation. This dimension included almost everyone within the stadium's range. Unfortunately, that meant my opponents and the audience had already seen all the embarrassing things I had just done.

I can't hold back my embarrassment any longer, so I cancel the Art, and everything returns to normal. However, I’m sure everyone can see my discomfort. After a while, I hear Kal'tsit’s voice coming through the intercom, calling me to the command room.

At least I need to ensure that no bystanders who weren't planning to watch accidentally enter the dimension. Still, this situation is quite shocking—there aren’t as many people inside as I expected. Is it because the setup isn't as complete as I thought?

In the end, I got scolded, but amusingly enough, everyone seemed more surprised by what happened and kept asking me what I had done. I ended up giving them some vague answers, which they accepted, though I noticed Amiya has been following me for some reason.

"Alisia, can you do it again?"

"No, Kal'tsit got angry last time, and besides, I haven't completed the Art as I had planned."

"What do you mean?"

"You see, the Art was something I intended as a surprise for the Kazimierz Major during the final match, but I realized not everyone was included in it. Now, I'm researching and tweaking the Art to ensure it encompasses everyone."

"Oh, that sounds amazing, but I don't think Doctor Kal'tsit will allow that."

"Damn, I forgot about that."

In the game, Kal'tsit is always shrouded in secrecy. She tends to hide things, like the real gun that comes with the Rainbow Six Siege unit, because Earth guns are easy to make and would disrupt the balance. She even conceals the backgrounds of other operators, which has led many new recruits, including former criminals and children, to join Rhodes Island.

This illustrates just how absurd Rhodes Island can be. However, Kal'tsit keeps crucial information secret, such as my ability to manipulate Originium. Unless in an urgent situation, she practically bans me from using it outside of Rhodes Island, which likely means I'll be banned from using it in the tournament as well—a real pity.

I should have been more careful when developing this Art and only released it during the final match, but now it's too late, and there’s nothing I can do about it. I’ll probably just participate like a regular Nero, without a Noble Phantasm, even though I prepared to chant it.

At least she won't comment on my participation. I’ll likely face Nearl in the tournament, or even her little sister Maria, but there’s a chance I'll encounter the Blood Knight instead, with so many worthy opponents to hone my skills further.

For this tournament, I decided to impose some restrictions on myself. First, aside from the school arts of Verbesserung and Wiederherstellung, I won’t be using any other arts, with the exception of the petal, which I need for some of Nero’s special techniques.

Second, I won’t be using any of my skills, as they are too dangerous. In fact, my third skill has a random side effect that can be even scarier.

Lastly, I won’t cure or absorb any Oripathy during this tournament. Although some, like the girls from the Pinus Sylvestris group, may be tempting, I plan to wait until after I’m done parading as Nero before I consider curing any patients.

After completing my thoughts, I headed toward Kal'tsit, dressed in my usual Sankta outfit, including my Rhodes Island jacket.

"You want to enter the tournament?" she asked.

"Yes, you should have heard from everyone that I planned to enter since the tournament now allows the infected to participate."

"Indeed, you can participate, but the bullying of the infected is very severe. Are you going to be okay?"

"Yes, in fact, I want you to introduce me as Nero Claudius since I will be going in this form."

After saying that, I slowly made my halo and wings disappear and grew a horn and a tail, resembling a stage 3 draco. To those who see me, they might think I’m a strange Lung, but without a tail, they would likely mistake me for an Oni because my horn is larger than that of a typical Lung.

"What is this?" she asked.

"Well, you know I can change my race, right? I thought I would go with a mix of Lung and Oni so no one can trace me back to my original form."

"That’s good, but I still can’t understand how you can change your race like that. If you have a plan, I will handle your participation, but does that mean you're not planning to cure anyone?"

"While I do plan to cure patients, that will be after the tournament. Besides, I feel like there’s something suspicious happening in Kazimierz right now."

Just then, I heard a shout. I turned to see Margaret, widely known by her codename, Nearl, at the door.

"Is what you said true, Alisia?" she asked.

"Yes, Nearl, and remember, I have a codename now. It’s just a feeling I have right now since I don’t have any proof."

"I see. Kal'tsit, while you're at it, I will go back home after a long time."

"Are you sure?" Kal'tsit asked.

"Yes, just for a while. I want to see how my family is doing. Besides, I heard Maria is entering the tournament as well, so I was planning on watching."

While Nearl mentioned that she would likely join the tournament to replace Maria due to a certain event, I wasn't sure it would happen, but there was a high chance it could.

"Okay then, will you explain it to the other two or…?"

"No, I will tell them myself. This is my problem to solve. Besides, Ali— I mean Orisa— was planning to enter the tournament, right? So Maria will have a tough time."

"It's okay, Nearl. I was planning to hold back."

Upon hearing that, Nearl's gaze suddenly turned sharp as she looked at me.

"Orisa, while I'm not going to dictate how you conduct yourself in the tournament—because that's your choice—please give it your all when facing Maria. There’s no greater shame for a knight than to face an unserious opponent."

"Geez, okay. If I match her in the tournament, I will. Besides, I need to get through the preliminaries before officially entering the tournament anyway."

Although I wasn’t sure who I would face in the preliminaries, it would be a good opportunity to test my skills within my limitations. Still, I wondered if I should intentionally lose to Maria; I felt that Nearl would be angry if I lost on purpose.

"Sure. Oh, by the way, I was planning to attend the match in this form, but I will change my outfit and weapon. As for a title, how about 'Rose Knight'? Since Rose is the theme I was considering."

Nearl blinked for a moment before letting out a giggle, while Kal'tsit sighed and facepalmed. Well, now all we needed to do was get to Kazimierz.

"By the way, since Rhodes Island is slow, can we even make it in time?"

"If you want to join the preliminaries, you should leave now with a fast ride. If I remember correctly, Orga can help."

"Yeah. So, do you want to go with Rhodes Island, Nearl?"

"Indeed. I can't bother you, and it's still quite far before the Kazimierz major officially opens."

"Here, I've already completed some of the requirements for you to enter the major."

"Oh, I almost forgot! Orisa, if you want some information, go to the bar. They often have intel or players who have free time. Will you join a club?"

"Oh, thank you, Kal'tsit! And thanks, Nearl, for the info. But I don't know any clubs, so I’ll probably go solo."

"Are you sure? While infected individuals are allowed, you might have a hard time, you know?"

"Yes, besides, I will be camping near the infected site since I am infected after all."

"But from what Kal'tsit informed me, you can cure yourself, right?"

"Yes, but if I do that, I won't see the dark side. It will be more interesting if I experience it firsthand."

Nearl sighed as Kal'tsit left after giving me an envelope, which meant she had prepared for my participation all along. Now that I thought about it…

"Then, Nearl, I will go now. Can you send a message to everyone?"

"Sure! Take care, and make sure you go all out against my sister, you hear me?"

"Okay, see you!"

I slowly walked outside and called for Orga, who ran toward me wearing a Rhodes Island jacket. This surprised me, but remembering she was now in her human form, it was common for people to mistake her for one of the operators. Now we were heading to the rooftop, where it would be easier for Orga to transform and fly.

Kazimierz, here I come!