#02 – Suspension
“What is the meaning of this…!”
The sound of hands hitting the table echoed.
In the waiting room on the second floor of the arena, Iria Orlando raised her voice.
The two large men that sat on the opposite side were startled, and they wiped sweat from their foreheads with handkerchiefs.
“Hmm.”
The tapping of a finger on the table, and a muttering voice.
A man was sitting gracefully with legs crossed. It was Count Orlando, and the other men flinched.
“In other words, Yukito’s right to compete in the tournament has been suspended. And you did this without confiding in me.”
He said angrily.
“Bu-but… He was arrested…”
“And that matter has already been resolved, has it not? Has that not reached the ears of the management committee?”
“No, we…but it was before…”
“Hmm. You sure rushed to make a decision. Why does it sound like you were trying to oust him from the tournament?”
“Th-that is not the case…”
Every time the count’s finger hit the table, the room seemed to grow colder.
Indeed, he was likely right.
The count had many enemies. After all, he was one of the most successful nobles. On top of that, he was a moderate, and had enemies in the military factions.
He supported the imperial family and was in the position of a leader. So many would want to hinder him.
However…
“And you cannot take it back?”
Yukito asked. The men nodded while wiping their drenched foreheads.
“In that case, could you announce it so that I was the one to withdraw? Say that I was injured.”
“Yukito?”
It was true that he had been framed like an idiot and was arrested once. Things like this had happened all of the time in his old world, where a famous person would get arrested and be treated like a criminal just for that.
Considering the reputation of the tournament, he could understand not wanting to be associated with him.
“I don’t know anything about nobles. But even I know that it would be a bad idea for me to harm the reputation of the count, who had been good to me.”
This was the best option that would result in the least amount of damage.
“…Yukito. Aren’t you angry about this?”
“I don’t care what people say about me.”
They said that the winner would have the right to challenge the old man. But that old man had gone missing. So it was no longer a problem.
However, the count sighed and shook his head.
“Really, there is no need for you to be worried about me. Still, I will accept it then. However, I will still make a formal protest against the committee for what they did.”
“…I understand.”
“Count…”
“It’s fine, Yukito. Ever since we met, I have gained far more than I have lost. Do not make me look ungrateful.”
He said with a smile.
◆ ◇ ◆
“I still can’t believe that happened.”
After that, the count and the committee members left.
Now that she was alone with Yukito, Iria shipped her tea and grumbled.
“It’s fine. I was never all that interested in the tournament anyway.”
“You are too modest, teacher. …You should be in the position of a state guest.”
“Now you are exaggerating.”
Yukito said with a shrug, but Iria looked at him with an exasperated expression. Why?
“…Well, perhaps this is a good thing.”
“Hmm?”
“After all, the Sword Saint…your old man, has not been found yet.”
Iria was right.
After the incident, many people visited him and volunteered to help in the search for him.
Not just the count, but Gileus Marion and Black Tower Dragon also offered to help.
Though, there was currently nothing to show for it.
That being said, there was nothing that Yukito could do. Professionals were searching day and night already.
(What to do now…)
“Teacher.”
Her voice was like a bell, pulling him away from his thoughts.
“If you have nothing else to do…what about going sightseeing?”
“Huh?”
Yukito turned his head and saw that Iria was blushing.
“Um, it is your first time at the Twin Moons Festival, but you haven’t really been able to enjoy it…”
Yukito was not sure what to say to that.
Just how much he had worried her.
He had wanted to fight alone. Not get her involved. But she had chosen to fight on her own.
Perhaps he had been arrogant…
But before he could answer, there was a click, and the door opened.
He thought it was the count, but when he looked…
“…Who are you?”
It was an unfamiliar young man that stood there..