Chapter 25: The Beginning of the King’s Battle

"I don’t believe there’s any point in continuing this discussion. Neither of us is willing to yield. This is exactly the kind of situation the ‘King’s Battle’ was meant for—a system designed to settle matters as peacefully as possible when neither side can back down."

Having declared that she would accept the ‘King’s Battle,’ she donned the mask of a saintess without hesitation. Every composed word she spoke embodied the ideal image of a saint—so perfectly that anyone watching would see it as a noble act of devotion.

"If this situation cannot be resolved with my treatment alone, then… though I feel sorry for Lord Toma, this is the only option."

She forced a troubled smile and turned it toward me, creating the illusion that her proposal was for the sake of everyone present.

"I do not wish to become the cause of conflict. Even so, if that is unavoidable, then I believe this method will cause the least trouble—and allow things to move forward."

I wanted to shout that those weren’t her true feelings. I wanted to tell her that she hated being used as a saint. I cursed my own immaturity for letting things come to this.

Even so, events continued to move forward. They were already in motion—and I knew this flow could no longer be stopped.

It was true that the ‘King’s Battle’ existed for precisely this reason. It was also true that any further negotiation would be meaningless.

"For the friendly future of both the Yaranri Kingdom and the Swordria Kingdom, I am willing to offer up this body."

"Don’t screw with me."

I knew I shouldn’t have said it—and yet the words slipped out. Even though what she was doing was, without a doubt, the optimal choice when considering the future.

Still, I couldn’t accept it. I was irritated—angry—at the people of the Yaranri Kingdom who had created this situation, and at myself for being unable to stop it.

"Someone who thinks like that—someone who believes their own life has no value—can’t change anything. If you think it doesn’t matter what happens to you, then you won’t change a damn thing. And I absolutely refuse to let someone who doesn’t even know what they want decide anything."

But more than anything, I was angry at Alicia.

At the way she tried to perfectly fulfill the role of the saint she hated so much… hiding behind a smile built entirely on lies.

If you’re sad, then cry. If you’re hurting, then say so. It’s not like you chose to live your life always smiling like I did.

No one is strong enough to keep forcing themselves forever.

"That’s why I’ll decide your future. Let’s have a ‘King’s Battle,’ Shion Ace. A fair duel—no grudges, no matter who wins or loses."

If she intended to carry everything on her shoulders, then I would take some of that burden myself.

I don’t think I can replace the protagonist who doesn’t exist in this world. I don’t think I can become them.

Even so, at the very least… I want her to be able to move forward by her own will. Whether she’s a saint or not, she’s still someone worth admiring.

If Alicia is going to impose her will, then I’ll impose mine as well.

And when it comes to forcing my will onto others—there’s no one better than me.

"You will have two hours to prepare. I will await you at the arena in the center of this city."

"Works for me. You might want to start preparing to leave your country."

Alright then—let’s begin.

My first ‘King’s Battle.’

"Why did you say something like that?"

"I already told you. Because I believed it was the best option."

The meeting had ended, and both nations were now preparing for the ‘King’s Battle.’ This time, it would be a straightforward one-on-one fight. The field would be standard—meaning pure ability would be laid bare. Normally, I’d want as much time as possible to prepare.

Even so, I pressed Alicia for answers.

Hikari stood nearby, ready to step in if anything happened. She was dressed as a maid, but that didn’t matter—if things escalated, she’d stop me without hesitation.

"So you’re planning to move forward without even being willing to wager your own life, Sword King?"

"I am. That’s my responsibility—my duty. But that also means I have rights. What you did this time was overstepping your authority."

"This ‘King’s Battle’ will help solidify your position as Sword King. And if our opponent wins, the rewards they stand to gain will be extraordinarily generous. If I hadn’t proposed this, that opportunity would have been lost."

"If a country can only be saved by one person’s actions, then it’ll eventually collapse from the ground up."

She let out a quiet sigh.

The weary expression she showed was unlike anything I’d seen before—as if it were her true self.

But the fact that she believed that was her real self only proved how little Alicia understood herself.

"Sword King, I am a saint. I have lived as a saint, and I know no other way to live. That is why I believe this is the correct choice—as a ‘saint.’"

"What do you mean you can only live as a saint? You’re the one who put on a hood, thought you were disguised, and went around doing street magic for pocket money—taking donations while you were at it."

"...Huh? Wait, seriously? Alicia, you actually did that?"

Hikari reacted dramatically to my words. Honestly, I understood the reaction—but I wished she’d stay quiet for now. And stop staring at Alicia like that. She was already bright red.

"W-Why do you know that…?!"

"Plenty of people noticed. That candy apple vendor was thrilled to talk about it. Everyone knew—they just pretended not to."

"T-That’s not…! My disguise was perfect!!"

"You might want to rethink that. With how cute you are, and with a voice like yours, just changing your hairstyle and clothes isn’t nearly enough to fool anyone."

I’d suspected it before, but she really was a natural airhead. The fact that she thought that worked as a disguise proved it. Or maybe she was just sheltered.

On top of that, she helped people constantly. Whether she was acting as a saint or in her so-called “disguise,” she would always stop to help a child who had fallen. That was why she was so incredibly popular in the royal capital.

Not just there—she traveled to nearby villages on healing pilgrimages. The patients and their families adored her. Honestly, if she were used as a stake in the ‘King’s Battle,’ it wouldn’t be surprising if a rebellion broke out.

Compared to a newly appointed Sword King, the “saint”—no, Alicia—meant far more to them.

"T-That’s impossible… Something like that wouldn’t happen just because of me…"

"Normally, no. If you were just a saint, losing you wouldn’t provoke that kind of backlash."

So why was this situation dangerous?

The answer was simple.

"Because people have been watching you. Not just the saint—but you. They’ve seen everything you’ve done. Your words, your actions, your heart. That’s why they’ve come to love Alicia."

She once said that no one would value her if she wasn’t a saint.

I can say with certainty—that’s wrong.

"People didn’t come to love you because you’re a saint. They love you because of what you’ve done—something that goes beyond titles."

Even if she weren’t a saint, with the same abilities, she would have done the same things. That’s just the kind of person she is—kind, and always thinking of others.

"Y-You’re wrong. I’m not that kind of person. I was afraid of you. Back in that forest… Even when you were covered in blood, even after losing an eye, you kept fighting. I was scared of you. I envied your strength—I resented it! Someone like me… has no right to be a saint…"

"But you didn’t look away."

If she didn’t want to see it, she could have turned away. No one would blame her. Even I knew how brutal my fighting style had been.

I threw everything away except survival, relying entirely on her light magic to heal me as I fought.

"I created that dream. With magic—I connected everyone’s dreams. The reason you got hurt was—"

"Because I was weak. Not your fault. And I won’t get hurt like that again."

That’s right. There’s nothing wrong with her.

The only problem is the guilt she places on herself.

And that, in its own way, is arrogance.

"Don’t assume everything is your fault. There’s only so much one person can carry. If it’s too heavy, say so. If you’re tired, say so. I’m an idiot—I won’t know unless you tell me. I won’t even be able to offer you a shoulder or reach out my hand."

Her face remained lowered—I couldn’t see her expression. I didn’t know what she was thinking.

But I kept speaking, believing my words were reaching her.

At the very least, I wanted to make sure my true feelings weren’t misunderstood.

"Alicia. I wanted to be your friend. That’s why I asked you to walk around the royal capital with me that day. Not because you’re a saint—but because you’re you. The you who listened to me and talked with me."

That day we met—before the titles of Sword King and Saint—we were just two people who had just met. No titles, no roles. Just… friends.

"I’m heading out now. But I’ll say one last thing."

I have a bad habit of rambling when I don’t know what to say. But this time, I kept it simple.

"I want to be with you—no one else but you."

I was too afraid to hear her answer. I couldn’t even bring myself to look at her face.

She said I was strong—but I couldn’t even face a girl’s feelings. I was weaker than she thought.

Still… at the very least, I wanted to look cool.

So I tightened my grip on the holy sword.