It Seems That the Demon King Is Among the Members of the Hero’s Party

61. Martial Arts Tournament Finals

My current condition was the worst. Physically, I was fine, but mentally, I was a mess. Being alone in the waiting room made me think too much.

There were already many things to think about. Eclair’s face and the unknown black-haired woman floated in my mind. I shouldn’t know them, but I felt a sense of affection towards them, just like with Eclair.

I must have known them. But there was no memory of them in my head. My brain was noisy, telling me to stop thinking.

The waiting room door opened.

“Kyle, it’s your turn.”

“I’m ready.”

After the semifinals, I had 30 minutes of rest, but I spent the whole time thinking, which didn’t improve my condition. Was I okay to head into the finals like this?

“Good luck. You’ve finally made it to the finals.

Are you ready?”

“I’m ready.”

“Then, please enter the arena. We’ll be cheering for you.”

“Thank you.”

The staff’s voice encouraged me, and I headed towards the center of the arena, just like during the semifinals. As I emerged from the tunnel, the audience erupted in cheers again. I thought I heard Dal’s voice saying, “Kyle, do your best!!”

When I turned towards the voice, I saw Dal, along with Cecil and Tra-san, smiling and cheering for me.

And then, I saw Eclair, who I fought in the semifinals, sitting in the audience with Dal and the others. Seeing her face made my head spin.

What was this? The sense of discomfort was huge. It felt like some kind of power was working to prevent me from remembering.

“Kyle, hurry up!”

I was stopped by the referee’s voice. It wasn’t angry, but the tone was strong, making me feel pressured.

“Your face looks bad. Are you okay?”

“I’m not in top condition, but I’ll do my best.”

“I’m looking forward to your fight, but don’t overdo it.”

“Thank you.”

The king of this country has a stern voice and appearance, but he’s a good person. Everyone calls him “Head” because he prefers it.

“The champion who entered from the east is the top contender for this tournament! The one who defeated the ‘Brave’ has no equal! Has the championship already been decided?”

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“‘Sword Saint’ Kyle Grahem!!”

The female commentator’s excitement is palpable, and the audience’s cheers are loud. Hmm, I can hear it. Who’s telling me to lose? It’s annoying, and I want to find out who it is, but when I look in the direction of the voice, it suddenly stops. Annoying.

“And now, entering from the west, is the dark horse of this tournament?

With an unknown background and unknown abilities, this masked swordsman has made it to the finals with their skills alone!

Natsume Shinonome!!”

The commentator’s voice prompts the opponent to emerge from the opposite corridor. Most participants wear armor, but the one in front of me is dressed in light, traveler-like attire. They’re wearing a silver mask that covers their face except for their mouth. It’s suspicious. Very suspicious.

“The battle between the Brave and the Sword Saint has ended, but the real final battle is about to begin!

Compared to the Sword Saint, he’s unknown, but we’ve all seen his abilities! What we’re about to see is an upset or the Sword Saint’s strength!?

Let’s get started! The long-awaited final battle!

‘Sword Saint’ Kyle vs. Natsume

The match begins!!”

With the commentator’s signal, I charge at my opponent. They choose not to defend and instead take a large step back, creating distance between us. Are they trying to get away?

“I’ve been looking forward to fighting you, Kyle-san!”

They call out to me with a cheerful tone. From the sound of their name, I think they’re Japanese, but they’re a reincarnator, so it’s probably correct.

“Thank you. I’ll go all out.”

I respond and charge again, but they create distance between us once more. What’s with this movement? I feel a slight sense of discomfort.

The crowd is booing, calling Natsume a coward. I can understand their sentiment, but please calm down. You’re getting too worked up.

I infuse my foot with magic and quickly close the distance between us. I swing my sword at Natsume, but they dodge it with a light movement. Were they trying to provoke me?

I receive a swift, horizontal slash that’s sharper than I imagined. My hand tingles a bit. They’re stronger than I thought.

“I can talk to you now without worrying.”

It’s a soft voice, almost inaudible amidst the cheers of the crowd. Only I, who’s clashing swords with them, can hear it.

I wonder why they chose this timing to talk, but when I look closely, I see that they’re quite far from the referee, the Head. Do they not want the Head to hear? When I look at them, they nod slightly.

“I’m sorry, but let’s continue like this.”

I can somewhat read their intentions. They’re telling me to fight them seriously, but it’s not a real battle. It’s like we’re practicing sword techniques.

I swing my sword quickly, trying not to reveal my true speed. Even so, they’re responding with ease. This person is strong. Are they a reincarnator too?

“Please try to keep your voice down. I don’t want to be heard.”

“By the Head or the audience?”

“No, it’s not that. You know who I’m talking about. It’s Mirabel.”

My voice naturally becomes softer, responding to theirs. They don’t want to be heard by the Head or the audience, but by Mirabel? They must be a reincarnator too.

“It doesn’t seem like you’re blindly trusting her, though.”

“Who are you?”

“I’m a reincarnator, just like you. Maybe I’ll become your senior?”

They give me a signal with their eyes, and I receive their sword. Now it’s my turn. I’ll swing my sword in a way that they can receive it.

“Why are you using such a roundabout method?”

“I don’t want Mirabel to know. She’s watching this world. If you’re in contact with me, you’ll inevitably catch her attention.”

“Isn’t she listening to our conversation too?”

“Mirabel isn’t always watching this world. Right now, she’s busy with work. She’s just checking in on us during her breaks.”

Their swords clashed, locked in a fierce stalemate. To the audience, it seemed like an evenly matched battle. The commentator’s enthusiasm was palpable, and the voltage was rising.

Still, this guy was surprisingly well-informed. How did he know Mirabel was working at this time?

“She might be listening to our conversation, but at this volume, Mirabel won’t notice unless she’s paying close attention.”

“What’s the reason for going to such lengths?”

“Don’t you already know, just like me?”

“…………”

“Should I be frank? Mirabel is our enemy, one of the reincarnators.”

With a burst of power, he sent me flying. “You’re doing great, Kyle!” he exclaimed, his voice dripping with drama. He was like an actor, his performance impressive.

In my mind, Mirabel had already lost her credibility. But hearing someone else say it made me feel a little uneasy.

“Can you say that so decisively?”

“Do you need a reason to accept it?”

Our swords clashed again, our eyes locked on each other. I could anticipate where his sword would strike next.

“If you could answer, I’d appreciate it.”

“Mirabel is granting protection to the reincarnators.”

“Protection?”

“It’s a curse in disguise.”

A curse? This was a pretty ominous conversation. I swung my sword, and he effortlessly parried it. I let out a shout, and the audience’s voices grew slightly annoying.

“It’s a curse that decides the fate of reincarnators.”

“What do you mean?”

“If you investigate, you’ll find out soon enough. Reincarnators don’t die normal deaths.”

“That’s true.”

“It’s all because of Mirabel’s protection. The protection warps their lives, forcing them to die unnatural deaths.”

If his words were true, it meant that all the reincarnators who had died so far were victims of Mirabel’s protection. At the same time, it was a plausible explanation. Reincarnators didn’t die peaceful deaths; most of them died young and tragically.

“Don’t trust Mirabel. If you do, your fate will be ruined, and you’ll die.”

“It sounds like you’ve seen it with your own eyes.”

“I’m not just saying that. I’ve actually died due to Mirabel’s protection.”

I parried the sword that came crashing down. As I counterattacked, he took a step back, creating distance between us.

I couldn’t fully grasp the meaning behind his words, and I found myself staring at him. He had said he died, but the person in front of me wasn’t an undead. His skin was a normal color. Was this a story from a past life?

“I want to talk more about this, but it’s not a good idea to discuss it here.”

“What do you mean?”

“If the match drags on, Mirabel will grow suspicious. It’s not a simple conversation that can be had in a short amount of time.”

We continued to exchange blows, our conversation ongoing.

“I’ll investigate on my end, but I want you to look into it as well.”

“What’s that? State your subject.”

“A way to communicate with Mirabel without being detected.”

The moment he said that, Diavolo’s existence flashed in my mind. Were there other methods? I needed to think about it.

“She’s watching this world, especially your situation. If you don’t move without being detected, everything will fall apart.”

“What’s the reason for going that far?”

“It’s just unbearable. Mirabel is manipulating us reborn individuals. Do you want to end up as her puppet too?”

He let out a loud voice and jumped up, swinging his sword down. It’s easy to dodge, but I deliberately chose to take the blow. I can sense the audience’s gaze.

The words felt like they were filled with real emotion. It’s not something to be taken lightly. I need to reevaluate. Mirabel is an enemy. That’s the reality.

“I understand. As you said, there’s a high chance I’ll become her puppet if I stay like this.”

“It’s already certain. You’re also under a heavy curse.”

His voice sounded like he was worried about me. He was furious towards Mirabel, but his tone was gentle towards me, a fellow reborn individual.

“Can I trust you?”

“That’s something you should decide after hearing my story. Let’s prepare a way to meet and discuss it.”

“Alright. I’ll look into it too.”

“I’m counting on you. I’ll try to find a way as soon as possible.”

His words were trustworthy. If he had said “trust me,” I would have been cautious. But he said he wanted me to judge him after hearing his story, leaving the decision to me.

That’s a way to do things, but I still can’t fully let my guard down.

We’ve clashed swords multiple times. It may seem like an even match, but if it drags on, suspicions will arise.

“What should we do when we find a way to meet?”

“Do you know Maxwell? He’s the great sage of the dwarves.”

“I know Maxwell. I’ve received his help several times.”

“That’s good. If you tell him, I think he’ll get in touch with me too. Since we don’t want Mirabel to find out, let’s use a code.”

“A code?”

“That’s right. I’ll have Maxwell convey it too. If you say ‘don’t you drink?’ to him, that’ll be the signal.”

“That’s the code?”

“He’s a teetotaler, so I think he’ll react interestingly.”

He chuckled.

“If I find a way first, I’ll let her know. I think you’ll receive the message soon too.”

“Whose business is it?”

“…………”

He attacked me in silence, not willing to explain. That’s how it is. He’s still hiding something.

“Alright. If you don’t want to tell me, I won’t ask.”

“Sorry about that.”

“One more thing, is it okay?”

“What is it?”

“What should I call you? Is it okay to call you Natsume-san?”

This must be our nth sword clash. It’s better to end it here. If it goes on any longer, it’ll be suspicious. I can see where his gaze is headed. This time, I won’t take the blow and will create some distance. He immediately attacks, but I receive it with ease.

“That name isn’t mine.”

“A fake name?”

“It’s borrowed. I’m using her name because I want her to know my existence in this place.”

Who is the woman he’s referring to? It’s a Japanese name. If he’s borrowed her name, that means she’s also a reborn individual. I don’t think it’s Eclair. The image of a black-haired woman in my mind denies it.

Then who is he talking about? He won’t answer even if I ask. He doesn’t seem to want to say.

“Can I call you ‘sir’ or something?”

“Sir?”

“I used to be a teacher in my past life, so I’m used to being called ‘sensei’ and react easily to it.”

“Is it unpleasant to hear your real name?”

“I think Mirabel would be on guard if she knew.”

He’s implying that I shouldn’t pry any further. It’s better to stop here. Let’s just call him “sensei” for now.

“Let’s wrap this up. If we continue, it’ll be suspicious.”

“Got it.”

“Put all your magic into it and swing your sword with full force. Pretend to run out of magic and don’t channel it into the sword.”

“Got it.”

What I’m doing feels like a fixed match. I feel uneasy and guilty. I follow sensei’s instructions and swing my sword, infusing it with magic. Sensei tries to receive it as before, but the sword breaks at the root and its tip flies off in an arc.

“I give up! I lost!”

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Sensei raises both hands in surrender, and the chief referee raises his hand as well.

“It’s finally settled!

We thought the unknown dark horse, Natsume, would be no match for the ‘Sword Saint,’ but he put up an incredible fight!

However, in the end, he couldn’t surpass our strongest swordsman!

He’s indeed strong. He’s the true ‘Sword Saint’!

And the winner of this tournament is… just as everyone expected! It’s ‘Sword Saint’ Kyle Grahem!”

The announcer’s voice booms, accompanied by an explosive cheer from the crowd. I won the tournament, but I can’t genuinely celebrate. The fight against Eclair was also suspicious, and the final match felt like a fixed game.

“Once you’re ready, let me know. I’ll contact her as well.”

“If possible, I’d like to know who my opponent is.”

“We’ll discuss that at the meeting. Come, everyone is waiting for you in the center.”

“Got it.”

“Let’s meet again, Kyle.”

The chief referee is shouting, “Hurry up and come over!” There’s a trophy-like object nearby. Was it conjured using storage magic?

It looks like a dwarf made it, and it’s excessively elaborate. Honestly, I don’t need it. It’ll just become a burden.

I stand next to the chief referee, waving my hand in response to the audience’s cheers, and another explosive cheer erupts. When I notice, sensei is gone. I’ll meet him again when the meeting preparations are complete.

I should probably hurry up with the Diavolo matter.

───To be honest, I don’t feel like I won the tournament at all, but it’s finally over.

I don’t need the trophy, so I reluctantly asked the chief referee to hold onto it. When I said I’d take it if I won, he gladly accepted and took the trophy. Is this guy a battle junkie?

I gratefully accepted the prize money. This money will definitely be used as bail when my friends get caught. Having money isn’t a problem.

The martial arts tournament may be over, but it seems my day isn’t yet.

That night, Eclair visited my room.

───I have a really bad feeling about this.