L.E.M. C.109: Let It Begin

That Day, Thunder

“Sorry for making you wait, Fio-san.”

“Ah, it’s fine, don’t min——-Nanaki-sama!?”

(T/N: the original was お構いな——ナキ様!?/okamaina——-naki-sama!?, couldn’t think of a way to localise that completely though)

Yes, this is don’tmindnanaki-sama.

hihi

“I have come to intrude.”

…..

To Fio-san who had let out a surprised voice as she turned around, I gave a smile and peace sign. This is called spectating nanakismile. Everyone around the world, don’t mind Nanaki.

….ok

“Eh, eer, I will be in your care……..?”

“I’m just spectating though.”

don’t mind Nanaki

Even though we have known each other for quite a long time, maybe because of her humble personality, but she won’t remove the sama. Since conversations between servants have been coming up more recently, it’s fine to be a bit more frank towards Nanaki.

casual~

“The question is what the Lightning Empress can learn from watching our match though. Let us work hard so as to not show her something unshightly.”

….

Nfufufu, aren’t you being a little too frank? Of course I am aware that it is a proof of friendship and am also happy about it. But be careful, Nanaki’s friend, Akiha. Nanaki accepting your friendship means you must also accept Nanaki’s friendship. Specifically, I will hit you like I hit Nazgul. Prepare yourself.

won’t she die?

“Nfufufufu”

“Ufufufufu”

im out

We faced each other and laughed. Please look Mother. Nanaki is getting along with my friend. I am greatly looking forward to the day I hit this laughing friend that looks like she is having fun.

rip akiha

“Now, shall we begin soon?”

“Yes. I will be in your care.”

“Likewise”

fight

Seeing a suitable timing, Akiha said that and the two of them stood at a set distance and bowed. At the same time as they finished their bow, Fio-san’s sword was drawn from the scabbard. A clean and solid stance. A basic form that is a favourite of many imperial knights.

the standard

“……..fuu”

breathe

In comparison, Akiha breathed out lightly and lowered her stance with the katana still sheathed. An ancient technique that was cultivated in the distant past, the stance for iai. With Akiha’s ability and mana, that single slash is already starting to step into the realm of godspeed.

this should end fast

The clash of new and old, sword and katana began immediately.

“——!”

?

Akiha made the first move. Without closing the distance they had made between them at the start with even a single step, she released a slash. Of course, the blade did not reach. But the slash that sliced through empty space birthed a blade of mana that flew at Fio-san. That speed is certainly godspeed. Even if it is easy for Nanaki, most people would not be able to respond to this speed.

but

So, it wouldn’t be strange if this ended it.

that would be too boring

Akiha’s ability is not inferior even when compared to imperial knights. That strength that was about the level of the average imperial knight when we met is now encroaching even into the higher ranks of the imperial knights. That is solely because she didn’t give up on developing her talent. Those that are called genius become indulgent easily. But she, Akiha definitely did not allow herself to grow indulgent.

wait this chap is long

That’s because she has a place she wants to reach. Because the tree that she wants to burn into her eyes,the tree of her lost birthplace is here in this capital. It was different from the path she has imagined, but Akiha’s wish has been granted. Just by enforcing one thing, the creatures known as humans become terrifyingly strong. The proof is that she has stepped in. Just now, that slash was godspeed.

she did it

That’s exactly why, Akiha widened her eyes in surprise.

didn’t work

“Wha——-”

no time for that

By the time she let out a shocked voice, Fio-san had closed the distance to Akiha. That is a textbook movement. In terms of repelling the opponent’s kill move and countering, there is nothing better than this. Just like Fio-san, a clean way of fighting.

steady

“……!”

surprise!

Having had the distance closed on her, Akiha has two options. Open up some distance again, or exchange blows at each of their engagement ranges. Even though the distance was closed, that is also Akiha’s engagement range. Since it is Akiha who has confidence in her speed, naturally she would choose the latter. But that confidence will be snapped. The instantaneous second slash, repelled. Third, forth, repelled.

not a fluke

“Wh——-”

?

‘Why?’

can she keep up?

Akiha is surely thinking that. Certainly Fio-san is not doing anything special. She always fights steadily and in a textbook fashion. I’ve accompanied her in her training a few times, all of her fighting is taught to her by someone else, not a bit of herself is in it. In short, there is not a single special thing about her. That’s why she doesn’t stand out.

not obvious

On top of that, Fio-san’s master is that remarkable mass of talent, Meia Alfred. There is no way she could stand out at the side of that brilliant talent that even this Nanaki acknowledges. But that is only not standing out. It’s just that she didn’t stand out, but she has constantly supported that brilliant talent.

she has the ability to do so

These are the words of Nanaki’s beloved sister, but it seems that it is extremely difficult to support a genius. That difficulty that made even that Flame Empress Envy complain so earnestly, Fio-san has constantly kept that up. There is no way she has no real ability.

it’s just not obvious

Meaning, Fio-san has ability and fights in a textbook fashion.

looks plain

The majority would probably say ‘well, so what?’, but this is actually a very difficult thing. Honestly speaking, I didn’t think it would work so effectively against Akiha. For this, I should honestly give Fio-san my compliments.

amazing

“Wh, why——”

you looked down on her

There is no why. If Fio-san is fighting according to the textbook, there is no way she could lose. In the past, Nanaki had also taken a peek at the textbooks because Envy told me to, but that was just garbage. It is written with convenient situations and opponent. Something like that is useless. In short, it is an ideal.

a mere dream

That’s why Akiha is no match for Fio-san.

one that has been achieved

She doesn’t stand out and has nothing special. Her stance and movements are according to the textbook. To say it bluntly, it is madness. Because against a skilled person like Akiha, she doesn’t need to do any special things and just makes the ideal movements according to the textbook. If you can embody the way to win that is written down, then of course you will win. It’s just stupid.

very

“………….a, amazing. I surrender.”

“Th, thank you very much. Thank you for the match.”

otsukare~

She doesn’t stand out, on top of not standing out, she has this humble personality. Since her mana doesn’t stick out like Meia-sama’s, no matter how you look at her from the side, she doesn’t seem strong. The sight of her being embarrassed with her sword at Akiha’s throat is quite surreal.

…..

In any case, I will praise their combat.

praise is important

“Good job, both of you. It was a good fight.”

“Th, thank you very much.”

“Thank you very much.”

ur wlc

One embarrassed, one sulking a little. Unexpectedly, it seems Akiha hates losing. I will tease her wholeheartedly later.

stahp

“How did that look to Nanaki?”

“How?”

“Just that, I was wondering if that tugged at your heartstrings a little.”

…

Hmm

unlikely

“Is that as Lightning Empress Nanaki? Or the current me?”

“Then as the Lightning Empress.”

….tough one first

Then the answer is no. Nanaki respects pride and wants to honestly give my compliments to the fight just now. But more than that, I cannot forgive weakness. Of course, I am not saying that Akiha and Fio-san’s strengths are weak, but if asked if the that tugged at the heartstrings of Lightning Empress Nanaki, then that is too far off. In this case, Akiha’s question can be taken as an insult to Nanaki.

unintentional

That also cannot be helped. The two of them have surely never seen Nanaki’s power. In fact, many probably do not properly understand Nanaki’s power. So, this might be a very good opportunity.

wait

“Akiha, as for the answer to that——-”

cant be

I am grateful, gods. For arranging this convenient stage, thank you.

this is

“——see with your own eyes.”

a bad idea

With the resounding alarm, everyone surely looked at the sky.

….

Those that are passing through the capital’s prided anti-air barrier, anti-air magic, are Nanaki’s enemies. Master would surely say this, kill those enemies. Even without him saying that, that is Nanaki’s absolute. That existence is not necessary for master and is not something that Nanaki can allow.

they are coming~

“Th, the alarm!?”

“! Meia-sama!”

prepare

With the piercing sound of the alarm, just as the two of them ran back to their master’s side, he finally came back. While scattering black lighting, he roared. Yes Friend, the gods that we hate have arrived. It seems that the curtains on this death match will be raised earlier than we thought.

like right now

Yeah, that’s right. Let’s kill all of them. And then Nanaki will obtain it. I made a promise for that. At the end of this death match, Nanaki will survive and obtain him. Because that will surely also serve to protect my promise with Mother.

for the second time

Now, let’s begin, Friend.

the gods have come

Into the arrogant gods who have ruined humanity——

they made Nanaki an enemy

Into the throats of those foolish gods that haughtily say they can save humanity——-

armageddon is here~

Let us stab the fangs of slaughter.