Orgord Earthguard, the 99th emperor.

The ruler of the world opened his mouth, and his voice was delivered across the nation through amplifiers and the imperial broadcast relay.

Of course, that voice reached quite literally the entire world.

“Hear me, everyone. I don’t have much time left. So I must select the next emperor…”

Just from hearing it, anyone could tell his voice was feeble, already drained of strength, a body on the verge of death.

He probably couldn’t even stand on his own anymore.

“Father!?”

Odin panicked at the sound.

He had seized control of the imperial broadcast and kept Orgord off the media to prevent any reckless statements.

But today was Road’s investiture ceremony.

There was no way to avoid broadcasting it.

Road had aimed for this exact moment, his scheme delivering it live to the world.

“The emperor should be the strongest… That is the history of the empire, the history of battle, the history of humanity. Therefore, I have decided that the next emperor will be determined through combat. Fairly and honorably.”

Odin stepped forward to stop the broadcast upon hearing that.

“Father is speaking, brother. Be quiet.”

“Kuh!”

Odin tried to halt the broadcast, but Road and Kenya stepped in front of him.

There were no troops of his here, only nobles.

And the suddenness had delayed his judgment.

“Road… So this is your check.”

“Yes, brother. Shall we pick up from that day? I believe I had you in check, didn’t I?”

What came to mind was their childhood.

The memory of Odin flipping the chessboard to nullify the game.

“I see… Then it can’t be stopped anymore.”

“Yes, this time it’s my turn to flip the board.”

If this was Road’s checkmate, then battle was inevitable.

Odin understood that too. Even if he smashed the screen by force, he could imagine Road finding some way to see it through.

“Is this alright, Lord Odin? If you give the order, I’ll cut everything down.”

“Osiris… Enough.”

Osiris moved to draw his sword, but Odin stopped him.

And in the footage, Orgord, bedridden with illness, rose to his feet.

His feeble voice gradually grew louder, regaining its former majesty, echoing through the venue.

“In the name of Orgord Earthguard, the 99th emperor, I declare! Here and now, the holy war—the duel once fought for the throne—shall be revived!”

The venue trembled. Soldiers and nobles alike recalled the emperor they had once served at the sight of him.

“I declare the Empire Sword Martial Festival open! The combatants will be Road! Odin! Their knights shall duel to determine the next emperor!!”

“Uoooooh!!!!!”

That day, the entire Earthguard Empire shook.

The traditional showdown had become a festival of martial prowess where holy knights tested their skills.

But this year was different.

Odin and Road would clash.

A battle to claim the throne, restoring its original meaning—a festival of true combat.

The citizens, grasping its significance, trembled with anticipation.

Odin’s knight was one of the empire’s strongest three paragons.

Osiris Halberd, the Sword Saint.

His swordsmanship, said to be the world’s finest, had earned him the title of strongest. On the battlefield, he was rumored to have cut down over a thousand foes.

His legends were known across the globe.

They said he had reached the pinnacle of the blade, able to slice bullets from the air.

In opposition, Road’s knight was a nameless youth, yet the youngest holy knight captain in history.

His true strength remained unfathomable, and expectations ran high.

A duel between holy knight captains was unprecedented in any official arena.

That was precisely why this Empire Sword Martial Festival held such weight.

A battle that would shape the empire’s future by deciding its next emperor.

“So that’s what you two were scheming behind closed doors… This is what Father and you were aiming for.”

“Exactly, brother. Force it out into the open. Admit it head-on. The entire nation knows now—you can’t run anymore.”

“And if I accept straightforwardly?”

“Of course, brother. And if I lose, I swear it: I’ll fight on the front lines as your pawn for life.”

“…Hoh.”

Odin pondered.

Taking control by force here would fracture the empire.

Many nobles would side with Road, and after all, his opponent was an undefeated commander.

Even if he won through raw power, a strategic reversal would be disastrous.

Besides…

(The Asia Union is an enemy now too. Depleting our forces isn’t wise…)

There was no time for internal strife.

The Asia Union would surely target that weakness—perhaps they already were.

That was why Road proposed a battle that would deal the least damage to the empire.

They both had the resolve to split the nation if needed, but neither wanted its destruction.

So Road had entrusted it all.

To that man.

“Entrust it… to him?”

“Yes.”

“…Heh. That’s not like you. But the gauntlet has been thrown. No turning back now.”

“Same to you, brother.”

Odin and Road faced each other.

Osiris and Kenya did the same.

Two princes and two knights.

The one facing Kenya was the empire’s mightiest knight, Osiris.

“Sword, so it comes to this. The Empire Sword Martial Festival, though…”

“Yes, Osiris. Those words from back then—I’ll make them reality. With everything I’ve got.”

“I’m looking forward to it.”

Osiris and Kenya exchanged smiles, locking eyes.

Road and Odin did the same.

“It’s been a while since we’ll fight, you and I. Reminds me, I was the one who taught you chess back then. You wouldn’t stand a chance now, though. But my knight is the empire’s strongest.”

“I’ll play chess with you anytime. No worries—my knight is the world’s strongest.”

Odin and Road locked eyes.

Odin turned on his heel then, his robes billowing as he showed Road his back.

“Have your head ready on the block, my dear brother. And you, Sword Silfield! Let’s go, Osiris!”

“Yes, sir!”

With the major announcement concluded, the investiture ceremony ended.

A party followed afterward, but talk was dominated by the Empire Sword Martial Festival.

“Wh-which side should we back…?”

“Y-Yeah. Can’t read this at all.”

“When it’s pure strength over politics… this is tricky. Better to stay neutral.”

The nobles debated whom to follow since the emperor’s declaration—Odin or Road.

But none could decide.

Because siding with the loser would brand them traitors.

So for now, watchful neutrality was the answer.

“I kinda thought I’d get more fawning attention…”

“Hehe, can’t be helped. I’ll fawn over you! Amazing job, big bro!”

“Wah, that makes me happy. Thanks, Reina.”

Kenya enjoyed the party food with Reina.

He’d imagined more congratulations, noble daughters coming to greet him.

But the only one celebrating was Reina, clapping and bouncing.

What is this? So cute. Can I hug her?

“Long time no see.”

“Pops!”

“Cut that pronunciation.”

Zeke offered his congratulations too.

The ever-dapper older man suited the party perfectly.

Missed ya, Pops!

“The venue’s buzzing about you two—which side to pick.”

“But all the nobles will play neutral. The military too.”

“Road!”

“You at least get what it means, right?”

“Uh, yeah… Probably ’cause no one knows who’ll win… right?”

“See? You get it. The match is in one week, so prep that machine too. Zeke, handle it.”

“Yes, sir!”

“No way… Takemikazuchi? You gonna pilot it!?”

“They’ll bring their latest custom unit. Can’t half-ass it with simulations—this is the real deal.”

“…Got it. Been a while since I’ll see Tanaka. He’s at the lab now, huh?”

“Yeah, in the sector I oversee. He’ll pilot it that day.”

“Alright, thanks.”

Issei Tanaka had crossed the sea with Kenya and the others.

Now he worked at a research facility on the outskirts of Earthguard.

He mostly researched solo, tinkering with Takemikazuchi’s upgrades.

They hadn’t spoken since arriving—too far apart.

In Japanese terms, it was domestic, but Earthguard’s scale made it overseas-level distance. Not a casual trip.

Still, they’d talked on the phone a few times, so no worries about his safety.

And so the party that day ended.

On the way home with Reina, her dad had left for Takemikazuchi business.

Won’t be home tonight, huh? Like always.

“R-Reina. You don’t have to be that on guard…”

“No, assassins might target you. I’m sticking with you from now on.”

Reina scanned their surroundings warily.

Her seriousness was endearing in a way, but assassins? Terrifying for real.

Nothing happened, though, and they went to bed normally that night.

When she tried to join him in the bath, he begged her to wait outside the door.

But when Reina bathed, she wanted him right by the door—so the shower sounds tormented him.

Why did fresh shampoo scent stir his urges so much?

(This is straight-up torture for a healthy high school boy.)

He didn’t know when he’d turn into a wolf.

But not now. After the Empire Sword Martial Festival, once the world was at peace.

With that resolve, Kenya endured.

Honestly, even if he went wolf-mode, Reina would beat him anyway!

Plus, it’d be disloyal to Kaguya.

Better yet, he’d love to fool around with both.

Disloyal? No, he loved them both for real—that was pure love.

“Good night, Kenya.”

“Yeah, night.”

Insisting on two beds made for better sleep than last time.

Otherwise, he’d collapse from exhaustion before the festival.

~The next day.

Ding-dong.

Early morning chime woke him at 6 a.m.—his usual sleep-in time.

No clue who would visit this early. Kenya opened the door.

“Who is it?… Military?”

Five burly soldiers stood there.

“You are Sir Sword Silfield, correct?”

“Uh? Yeah, that’s me.”

“We request your appearance before the Military Tribunal. Here’s the warrant.”

“What? What’s this about?”

A sheet of paper full of legalese thrust before him.

He saw the signature and understood.

“You stand accused of a grave violation of military discipline.”

This was Odin’s countermove.

“Will you come with us?”