Torn Asunder by War, A Sword Saint for Tomorrow X The Knight Wizards!! – Chapter 82

Chapter 82: The Reckless Female Knight VS The Taciturn Knight ‘However, a Mock Battle’
  Unaware of the backstage being hastily prepared, two pairs of men and women were walking down the main street of the royal capital Asia under the autumn sky.
  
  Among them, the taciturn knight, Zacks, was considerate of the mage Linea who was walking beside him, adjusting his stride to match hers. In contrast, the spirited knight Rain was captivated by the lively cityscape bustling with preparations for the festival.
  
  “Well, it’s good to see things are going smoothly. It makes me even more eager to train for the jousting tournament.”
  “… First, the upcoming performance evaluation test is important.”
  
  Perhaps to help her focus on the upcoming mock battle at the Clawsolas training grounds outside the walls, the mage boy Johan called out from behind. Rain turned around, her beautiful long golden hair swaying.
  
  “Of course, I’m also looking forward to that. It’s an honor for our Cram family to be entrusted with the new Svel F-type.”
  
  “That being said, I won’t go easy on you.”
  “Geez, Zacks, you’re too serious.”
  
  Exasperated by his blunt words, which could cause friction depending on the situation, Linea, her partner both professionally and personally, added her own words. However, unlike her appearance, which could be classified as beautiful if she remained silent, the valiant female knight unfortunately brushed it off and turned on her heel.
  
  ‘If only everyone were as straightforward as Rain.’
  
  She sighed inwardly, recalling that she had argued that some officials, including those in important positions, should not be involved in the possible internal conflict within the Aius Empire that might occur soon.
  
  Those who believed that the magic core technology was provided by Nina Valer might be one thing, but if King Claude decided to send reinforcements, those who were unaware of the situation would likely cause trouble.
  
  Incidentally, in addition to the main maintenance crew, many of the royal capital’s exclusive knights and mages were aware of the inside story and were prepared to go to the battlefield if necessary.
  
  ‘I wish I could send them off with a smile… everyone…’
  
  If things went wrong, it wouldn’t just be a matter within the castle, and even the common people might start questioning the policies. Therefore, it was necessary to pay close attention to how the situation developed.
  
  As Linea pondered with a slightly clouded expression, Zacks’ large hand reached out and patted her lightly, as if to comfort her.
  
  “… I don’t know what you’re worried about, but is it the kind of thing that can be solved by worrying?”
  “Yes, yes, it’s a “waste of time” anyway~”
  
  While wondering why she fell in love with such an insensitive man, they passed through the main gate of the royal capital. Following Rain and the others, they reached the training grounds, located several hundred meters away from the defensive walls. There, a white-based, black-mixed close-combat type giant knight, the “Svel F-type,” was stationed.
  
  Since it used thicker alchemically-made armor in key areas compared to the sniper type, the installed magic furnace was an output-slightly-increased type that the twin elves were involved in.
  
  Today as well, the petite twins were diving into the cockpit, their long, bamboo-shaped ears twitching as they worked diligently.
  
  “Mia, Mila, the mages are here!”
  “”Understood, send them this way!””
  
  The twins poked their heads out from the third and fourth Svel-type Clawsolas units, which had been assigned to each knight, at a similar time.
  
  Smiling at their appearance, resembling small animals living in a tree hollow, Jax, the squad leader, urged Johan and Linea to board their respective Clawsolas units.
  
  After a short while, the exclusive knights also boarded their adjusted giant knights and moved to the center of the vast plain, facing each other at an appropriate distance.
  
  “Listen up! The blades of the weapons are made of soft iron, which is softer than the armor, but don’t get too carried away and break the Clawsolas! Especially Rain, you understand, right?!”
  
  『Ugh, why am I the only one being singled out?』
  『… No, I think he’s got a point, Rain.』
  
  Johan’s deep agreement was conveyed through the nerve nodes of the artificial muscles wrapped around her body, and the Cram family’s young lady, slightly displeased, maneuvered the fourth Svel F-type Clawsolas and had it hold the training halberd.
  
  Zacks, facing her, lowered the center of gravity of the third Clawsolas, holding the same weapon diagonally. With the signal to start, he activated the back burst mechanism and charged with a low posture and a shout.
  
  『Here I come!』
  『Too hasty!!』
  
  Rain reacted instantly, pulling back the fourth Clawsolas’ left leg and swinging down the axe blade with her own weight and strength. However, Zacks was slightly ahead of her.
  
  Her full-powered slash was stopped by the halberd shafts clashing against each other. Immediately after, she was hit by a charge with increased acceleration, and the giant knight she was piloting was forced to take a few steps back.
  
  『Ugh!』
  
  She gritted her teeth and tried to endure, but the approaching third Svel F-type Clawsolas had already raised its right knee, and a sharp middle-level kick was unleashed immediately.
  
  She received it in the Clawsolas’ abdomen and was pushed back. As the distance between them opened up again, a finishing blow was delivered.
  
  『Don’t underestimate me!!』
  『Hey, Rain!?』
  
  Ignoring Johan’s voice trying to admonish his reckless partner, she raised the halberd held in the fourth Clawsolas’ palms, using the intersection of the crossed shafts to stop the slash.
  
  Furthermore, with a fluid motion, she swung down the axe head at the tip, hooked the curve of the blade behind the third Clawsolas’ neck, pulled it closer, and delivered a knee kick to its solar plexus!
  
  
  『Ugh, you got me good.』
  『Ugh, that hurts…』
  
  While listening to Linea’s groan through the sensory sharing via the artificial muscles, Zacks grabbed Rain’s weapon with the Clawsolas’ right arm, which he had released from the shaft. He removed the entangled blade curve to the side and jumped back with consecutive back steps from the close-quarters position.
  
  However, Rain immediately stepped in with the fourth Clawsolas and swung the axe blade vertically without hesitation.
  
  『I’ll finish you!!』
  『… Too hasty.』
  
  The taciturn knight muttered and thrust out the third Clawsolas’ arms, once again crossing the halberd shafts to barely withstand the heavy and sharp blow.
  
  Not stopping there, he twisted his waist while thrusting his left fist diagonally to the right. As the grasped shaft tilted and rotated past the fourth Clawsolas’ head, he took a step forward and spun it in reverse, aiming for her left clavicle.
  
  “Whoa!”
  “Gugh!?”
  
  Caught in the powerful circular motion that also utilized the “lever principle” and the upper body’s springs, Rain’s Clawsolas lost its posture significantly. It stumbled on the third Clawsolas’ left leg, which had been subtly placed, and fell.
  
  Even if she tried to get up in a hurry, it was too late. The soft iron axe head was swung down at the defenseless fourth Svel Clawsolas… and lightly tapped the armor plate of the chest where the cockpit was located.