The Greatest Demon Lord Is Reborn as a Typical Nobody - Volume 2 - Chapter 34

CHAPTER 34 

The Ex–Demon Lord Baffled by His Little Sister 

For the second match, I’d lost against Olivia due to foul play.

Afterward, Olivia apparently locked herself away in the staff dorms out of embarrassment, which meant she was disqualified, too…so no one was sure who won.

Thanks to that, the arena became rowdier as everyone eagerly awaited the next match. I watched from the back of the venue and waited for the next pair to be announced. As I did, I saw a shift in the large crystal floating at the center of the arena.

“Well then, our third match is— ,” the commentator invoked the participants of the next match to show up on the crystal.

Two names.

The first was Ireena. And the other one…

Ginny.

“The daughter of the Heroic Baron and a dark horse! This is a match that’s not to be missssssed!” 

As the stadium broke into white-hot excitement, I crossed my arms as I waited for the girls to appear.

Finally, the pair exited the corridor and glared at each other from across the large center stage. They exchanged a few words that I couldn’t hear because of the uproar, but I was able to read their lips.

“We were interrupted during the Battle Event.” 

“Let’s settle things this time.” 

They were both brimming with valor.

As for me, I had mixed emotions. They were my pupils…and dear friends. And now they were fighting against each other in a showdown. If possible, I wanted both to win, but I knew that was impossible. With my heart anguished—the match began.

“Hi-aaaaaaaaaaa!” 

Diving right in with gusto, Ireena made the first move. Making a beeline for her opponent, she swung her sword above her head.

In response, Ginny took a defensive stance. “Feh…!”

Lowering her center of gravity, she halted Ireena’s attack. As sparks flew between their clashed blades, Ginny’s eyes narrowed sharply, and she stepped forward with a shove.

“Hah!”

Twisting her body, with the sword gripped tight as she diverted her opponent’s blade, Ginny used the momentum to drive an elbow into Ireena’s face.

“Agh…!” Ireena stumbled forward in agony from the harsh attack.

…At this, I almost leaped out of my seat without thinking.

“Hi-ya!” Ginny began to pursue her, taking advantage of her weakened state.

“Don’t…! Get too cocky!”

A blow, using the force of her entire body. Ireena unleashed her attack in vertical line, violent and bursting with power.

“Tch…!” Ginny instantly switched from offense to defense.

As she stopped the attack with her sword, it sent off a spray of sparks accompanied by a thunderous roar.

Ireena’s physical strength was mighty. It was now Ginny’s turn to be deterred; her face pained. The ground beneath her feet crumbled as fragments flew in all directions.

After that, it was a constant back-and-forth, engaged in combat one-for-one that grew into a close battle. The crowd was on the edge of their seats, their electrified excitement knowing no bounds.

As everyone, including myself, watched over the outcome of the match, this equilibrium began to come down on itself.

Because slowly but steadily, Ireena began to make headway.

“Ngh…!”

And the difference in ability and strength began to rear its head.

It was unavoidable. Ginny was a succubus, after all. Her forte was attack magic, which was unsuited for enhancing physical ability.

On the other hand, Ireena’s race—the elves—had a high command of all magic, even though they didn’t have a set specialty. Their particular skill was enhancing their physical strength.

This difference between the two races factored into the current tide of the battle. Ginny had slowly fallen into defense, and it was starting to become obvious she was being bombarded. Yet, the fighting spirit in those eyes had not faded in the least.

“You…! You think…! I’d ever stand losing to you?!” She pushed forward forcefully and went to lock swords. As their faces pressed against each other, they brimmed with power.

“I will never lose to you! To someone who tries to steal Ard for herself!”

…Hmm? This is taking a weird turn… 

“Don’t you see Ard as a friend? In that case, there shouldn’t be an issue even if Ard is surrounded by girls, myself included! After all, as a friend, it’s none of your business!”

“None of my businessssss?! What the heck is with this harem of yours anyway?! I absolutely won’t accept it! I’m the only one who can stay by his side!” Ireena screamed back, powering up.

The balance that they’d managed to strike between the two swords was coming undone once again.

“Ngh…! What kind of line is that?! You see him as more than friends, huh?! Then just come out and say you love him—as man and woman!”

“Sh-shut up, shut up, shut uuuuuup! That doesn’t matter now!” 

With her face flushed, Ireena gained command of the duel. Overpowered, Ginny lost her stance under attacks that rained down—but she did not fall.

“Ard belongs to…everyone!”

“Ard is mine!”

They yelled as they dove into another violent rally.

…It was getting to be too embarrassing to watch.

“A catfight over a man! On which side will love prevail?!” 

Please don’t encourage them. I’m begging you. To all the spectators watching, stop looking at me. Focus on the match… Ugh, enough of this. I wish they’d hurry up already. 

As if the heavens had heard me, it came to an end all of a sudden.

“Agh…?!”

Ireena had gotten her foot caught in a divot on the raging battlefield…and lost her balance.

There was no way Ginny would miss this golden opportunity.

“Ard! We’ll receive you!” Ginny readied her sword and stepped forward.

Her sword plunged down, aiming straight for Ireena’s head.

It was impossible to escape such a direct hit. In that moment, everyone knew the outcome, myself included.

“I won’t! ” Ireena yelled, deliberately loosening her stance even further and collapsing to the side. “I won’t! Give Ard! To anyooone!” 

Her sword went for Ginny’s throat at a close range, and the jab caught her completely off guard. Even in her swing, I could see Ginny was shocked, as she arced her weapon that had lost some of its sharpness—

Their attacks met at the same time.

Ginny’s sword caught the top of Ireena’s head, and Ireena’s was at Ginny’s throat. As for the victor…

“I…won’t lo…” The hoarse voice broke off.

Ginny lost consciousness and collapsed.

On the other hand, Ireena was unharmed. Although she had suffered a major blow to the head, she didn’t catch the brunt of it by making herself take that tumble on the battlefield.

Which meant both were collapsed on the stage.

Though visibly shaken, Ireena stood up almost immediately.

Meanwhile, Ginny continued to lay facedown.

“G-Ginny can no longer continue! The winner of this battle is the daughter of the Heroic Baron! Ireena Litz de Olhyyyyyyyyyyyyyyde!” 

Game, set, and match.

At this announcement, Ireena remained dumbfounded for a while as she took a ragged breath. “I… I did iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiit!” 

She bopped up and down, beaming in her charming way.

I felt sorry for Ginny, but deep in my heart, I celebrated Ireena’s victory.

“U-ugh…”

Shortly after the final decision had been announced, Ginny regained consciousness, sitting up and frowning—either from neck pain or the frustration of losing. Ireena sullenly held out a hand to her…and helped Ginny back up. Afterward, they both praised each other’s valiant efforts with glum expressions.

…I knew they were amazing girls with good personalities. From the depths of my heart, I was proud to be their teacher.

“And now! It’s been totally decided who should stay by Ard’s side!”

“…What are you talking about? That can’t be settled by a sword fight. Are you stupid?”

“…Excuse me?” The veins in Ireena’s forehead pulsed. “And just whooooo are you calling stupid?! You dirty succubuuuuuuuuus!” 

“Dirty? That’s fine by me! At least I’m developed in my mind and not just my body!”

The two started going at it, and the staff tried to break them up, but they were knocked back, and things got out of hand.

…Well, what can you do?

They were spirited, which I thought was a fine thing indeed.

………

……

After the third match finished, they wrapped up the four remaining rounds, and the first phase of the Sword King Battle Tournament came to an end. The second phase would begin after a two-hour break.

During this time, the combatants could do as they pleased… I headed out to a restaurant with the remaining victors, Ireena and Sylphy—plus Ginny, who only lost by a slight margin.

“Well, this may be rushing things a bit, but…let us celebrate Ireena’s and Sylphy’s victories. You were amazing out there.”

“Heh-heh! Leave it to me—”

“Don’t get ahead of yourself. You won by pure luck.”

“…What?”

“…Hmm?”

Ginny and Ireena shot daggers at each other. I desperately tried to calm them down before I glanced at Sylphy.

I knew it, something weird was going on with her. She wasn’t excited over Ireena’s victory in the least and sipped her water without a word.

There was intense discomfort lurking in my heart.

Then—Sylphy stared back at me and spoke up. “Hey, Ard. I’ll win this tournament, no doubt. Then…when it’s all over, I want you to meet me in front of the Tree of the Sword King. There’s something I want to tell you.”

I couldn’t refuse. I felt an intense will in those eyes. I could do nothing more than nod in acceptance.

“…Good luck.” Ginny patted my shoulder and gave me a thumbs-up.

“Grrr…” Ireena seemed to be deliberating over what she should do, grinding her teeth. Her eyes kept darting from me to Sylphy.

…Sylphy, is this what I think it means? If it does, I… 

………

……

After a lunchtime squandered in agony and conflict, the Sword King Battle Tournament proceeded ahead once more—unfolding the second and third phases. The number of participants dwindled with each round.

Then, at last, it was the battle to decide this year’s ultimate champion, the final round.

And up against each other: Ireena versus Sylphy.

“If one word could be used to describe this year’s tournament, it’d be unexpected. That’s all. Starting with Lady Olivia participating in the battle, top picks eliminated in the preliminaries, and the rise of some dark horses, this year’s Sword King Battle Tournament is turning out to be one twist after another. And then—there’s the roster set to rise up to the final stage! The height of unpredictability!” 

As the commentator stoked the crowd’s excitement, Ireena and Sylphy looked at each other at center stage, where it seemed Ireena was calling out to her, but Sylphy was unresponsive.

Ireena must have sensed her seriousness. She stopped talking, glaring and pursing her lips at Sylphy with a grave expression. As they remained in silence, time ticked by—

“And now it’s time for our biggest, baddest battle! The Sword King Battle Tournament finale! Staaaa—” 

Just before the commentator finished with an “—rt ” sound, Sylphy had disappeared.

It was her unbelievable way of stepping in—leaping forward with enough speed that even I couldn’t follow her with my eyes.

As she was now, Ireena had no chance of catching her—

“Agh…?!” Ireena’s neck was struck with heavy force, and she let out a small cry of anguish as she fell backward.

And fainted. Ireena was lying spread-eagle, not even a single finger twitching. Only two words rose to mind: the end .

With Sylphy winning the match almost instantaneously, the stadium was enveloped in absolute stillness.

“Huh…? The match is over…? ” the commentator, whose role was to fire up the crowd, doubtfully announced.

Which was how the biggest event of the school festival came to an anticlimactic end.

…I crossed my arms as I watched Sylphy look down at Ireena at the center, and I made a promise to myself.

Sylphy. If you’re taking things this seriously, then I’ll answer in kind. 

I’ll chose to hurt you. 

I won’t run away or hide any longer. I’ll reveal the truth. And as a result of that— 

Even if you kill me, I’ll have no regrets.