Chapter 221: Beatrix's Promise
"Do you know anyone from the elf tribe?"
She spoke again, this time with a probing glint in her eyes.
"Miss, it's rather impolite to interrogate someone like a criminal," Mahiro replied with slight helplessness.
"Before asking questions, shouldn't you at least introduce yourself? Taking off your hood would be the basic courtesy and respect."
"...You're right, my apologies. That was my oversight."
Her apology came surprisingly quick.
Immediately after, the other party lifted the hood from her head. Accompanied by a natural fragrance, she revealed her true appearance.
Just as I thought...
When I sensed that familiar aura earlier, I had already guessed.
The woman before me possessed a face strikingly similar to Olivier's, with incredibly smooth hair the pale gold color of faded gold.
A pair of distinctive elf ears.
But her eyes weren't sapphire blue—more like faded indigo.
Overall, she looked like a battle-worn version of Alpha.
Yet unlike Alpha, she appeared more mature and didn't seem particularly sharp-witted, instead giving off a somewhat ditzy vibe?
Moreover, she had two light blue markings under the corners of her eyes.
But far from detracting from her beauty, they added a wild allure.
Just then, the woman across from me asked again:
"So, do you know anyone from the elf tribe?"
Repeating the same question from before.
"I do."
"Really?"
"Yes, quite a few actually."
Enough to number in the hundreds—even your saintess and princess are among them.
"I'm looking for a particular elf."
"I see."
"She's a cute girl."
"Oh~"
"Have you seen her?"
"But all elf girls are cute and beautiful."
He wasn't being sarcastic—this was the truth.
So far, there truly weren't any unattractive female elves, each being more beautiful than the last.
But he still liked Alpha best.
"She looks very similar to me."
"Hmm."
"She's my deceased sister's child."
"Oh~"
"Have you seen any elf who closely resembles me?"
"I have."
"Really?! Where? Can you tell me?"
"Sorry, I'm not in the mood right now. Don't really feel like telling you."
"Why?"
"Because telling you brings me no benefit, and it wouldn't be good for that child either," Mahiro shrugged.
This was his small act of revenge.
Truth be told, this woman was quite ridiculous.
Alpha has been missing for at least several years, yet this woman only now thinks to search for her.
Perhaps she started looking years ago—her weathered robe could serve as proof.
But her methods are far too clumsy.
If not for him or Cid, Alpha would have died long ago!
"Then what would it take for you to tell me?"
"Let me think..."
Mahiro began pretending to ponder seriously, his gaze briefly sweeping over the woman before giving his answer.
"How about this: go participate in this year's Bushin Festival right now. If you manage to encounter me in the arena and defeat me, I'll tell you where to find the elf who looks strikingly similar to you. What do you think?"
The legendary Elf Sword Saint, the "War Goddess" Beatrix participating in the Bushin Festival? This couldn't be more perfect.
And it was bound to be quite interesting.
"Is that so?"
The woman appeared disappointed as she slumped her shoulders, then drew her sword with an utterly natural motion.
A lethal strike without any killing intent, not even the slightest preparatory movement.
This swift iaijutsu draw was clearly perceived by him, and—
"I'm not Cid. I won't just stand still and let you cut me down."
Mahiro reached out, gently pinching the long blade that had stopped precisely at his throat as if plucking a flower.
Simultaneously, he clearly noticed Beatrix's pupils slightly contracting the moment he caught the blade.
"You're indeed strong."
As if she had expected this all along.
Beatrix nonchalantly returned her weapon to its long scabbard.
It was impressive how she could draw this ōdachi that resembled a ceremonial sword in one smooth motion.
"May I ask your name?"
"Yotsuba Mahiro."
"..."
Beatrix quietly repeated the name a few times under her breath before nodding. "Alright, I'll remember it."
"I'll participate in the Bushin Festival as you requested, but I hope you'll keep your promise, Yotsuba Mahiro."
"Of course."
Mahiro responded with a slight smile.
After the two made their agreement, this cool yet somewhat naive Elf Sword Saint, the legendary War Goddess Beatrix, turned and left without the slightest hesitation, clean and decisive.
Watching her elegant yet resolute retreating figure, a slow smile curved at the corner of Mahiro's lips.
Alpha, I met your aunt~
He planned to bring this news to Alpha and see how she would react.
It was bound to be interesting, wasn't it?
"Will the contestants please enter the arena!"
Just as Mahiro was contemplating the amusement, the stadium announcement brought him back to reality.
His break time had been completely ruined because of Beatrix.
Because the next match was still his.
As for his opponent in this round.
It was a guy with shining golden hair, wearing exaggerated golden armor, with even his sword made of gold—completely dazzling from head to toe.
The kind that even Gilgamesh would probably compliment for having good taste.
"Fourth round, sixth match: Goldy Gilded versus Yotsuba Mahiro! Begin!"
Hearing the announcement from the speakers, the slightly larger but still sparse audience in the stands murmured in confusion.
They recognized Goldy Gilded, known by the alias "Unbeaten Legend" and self-proclaimed "Victorious Golden Dragon."
As for Mahiro...
"He's a sword technique instructor at the Magic Swordsman Academy of Midgard Kingdom."
A young girl sitting in the front row of the audience provided an explanation.
Her light blue hair swayed in the wind, while her eyes of the same color were fixed intently on the arena, filled with interest.
"Oh? Little miss, it seems you have high hopes for that noble young master."
Hearing someone address her like this, the girl slightly turned her head.
"...?"
"My name is Quinton."
His burly frame resembled that of a wrestler, with a long sword hanging at his waist that seemed somewhat mismatched with his physique.
He plopped down beside the girl.
"Oh, hello. I'm Annerose." The girl nodded slightly in response.
"I know you—Miss Annerose of the 'Velgalta's Seven Blades'."
Quinton's arrogant gaze met Annerose's sharp eyes for a moment.
Annerose was the first to look away, turning her attention back to the arena as she calmly said:
"I've abandoned that title. Now I'm just ordinary Annerose."
"My apologies. Though belated, congratulations on passing the 'Goddess's Trial'."
"Thank you."
"Speaking of which, are you interested in that noble young master? Do you think he can defeat Goldy Gilded, the Victorious Golden Dragon?"
"You should know that Goldy Gilded never takes the stage unless he's absolutely certain of victory—that's why he's called undefeated."
The noble young master Quinton referred to was naturally Mahiro.
With his fair, delicate appearance and refined temperament, he indeed didn't look like a Magic Swordsman.
He'd be more believable as a researcher.
But Annerose nodded and said:
"Because I've seen him fight. He's a terrifying individual."
"Terrifying? I can't see it."
Quinton rubbed his chin—he couldn't sense any powerful aura from Mahiro.
"He previously participated in the 'Goddess's Trial' and successfully performed a summoning."
"Seriously?"
Now it was Quinton's turn to be shocked.
After all, receiving the Goddess's response and summoning ancient warriors was something only excellent Magic Swordsmen could accomplish.
"Yes, and the ancient warrior he summoned was unprecedentedly powerful."
Hearing this, Quinton couldn't help but swallow.
What kind of existence could be described as powerful?
"More powerful and terrifying than Olivier, one of the Three Heroes—it was the legendary Witch of Calamity Aurora, along with an unknown elf and beastman..."
Annerose probably didn't realize how grave her expression became when she spoke that name.
"Hey, hey, seriously? That Aurora?!"
Quinton's eyes widened upon hearing this, filled with disbelief and even a chill running down his spine.
The Witch of Calamity Aurora—though not many knew about her—was said to be an existence once capable of destroying the world.
Even he had only heard about her once or twice in street rumors.
That such an unremarkable young master could summon her, along with an elf warrior and a beastman warrior... then wouldn't that mean...
But Annerose shook her head:
"I'm not sure. It's just what that now-dead acting bishop Nelson said."
Moreover, because the holy land was destroyed, this matter hadn't had time to spread, with only a handful of people knowing about it.
She happened to be one of them.
From that point on, when Quinton looked at the arena again, his gaze had changed—it had become fearful.
He didn't even dare to blink, afraid of missing any detail.
Meanwhile, in the arena.
"My, my, you're quite unlucky, young man, to encounter me, the 'Victorious Golden Dragon' Goldy Gilded..."
The handsome blond man narcissistically brushed the hair from his forehead.
So flamboyant.
Disgusting.
"Are you going to fight or not? If you are, hurry up. If not, get lost. What are you mumbling about over there?"
Mahiro said impatiently with dead-fish eyes.
His blunt words made Goldy Gilded freeze mid-action, his smile stiffening on his face.
"Oh? You're the first to dare speak to the great 'Victorious Golden Dragon' like that. Today, I'll teach you a lesson!"
Enraged, Goldy drew the golden greatsword he carried and raised it high.
"Is that so? Then hurry up and make your move. By the way, you only get one chance—don't say I didn't warn you."
"You dare...!"
Goldy's anger grew fiercer.
"You're just a nobody, yet you dare speak to me like this. In that case, I'll go all out to crush you. Don't hold a grudge if you die."
After saying this,
A massive amount of magical power emanated from his body, gradually converging on the raised blade.
The magical energy was so immense that the surrounding air trembled slightly.
The audience in the venue erupted in an uproar.
They had never seen such a scale of magical power in this Bushin Festival.
But Annerose couldn't help shaking her head and sighing softly:
"Goldy Gilded is going to lose."
Just from the magical energy emitted, it was clear—it wasn't even a thousandth of that of the Witch of Calamity. Pathetically weak.
That day, both the swordsmanship displayed by Mahiro and the immense magical power and exquisite control of Aurora had left an indelible mark on her.
Even now, the memory remained vivid.
And now, Mahiro hadn't even drawn his weapon after stepping into the arena. In other words, this level of attack meant nothing to the man, Mahiro.
But Goldy didn't know that.
He even shouted arrogantly:
"As a parting gift, I'll tell you this—my combat power is 4,300! And yours is only 800!!!"
After a brief pause, Goldy instantly closed in on Mahiro and swung his sword.
"Take this! Evil God Instant Kill Golden Dragon Sword!"
A torrent of golden magical energy surged forth, creating the illusion of a golden dragon.
The golden dragon rushed toward Mahiro.
Or so it should have.
But the next moment, a slender, bony hand pierced straight through the golden dragon, aiming directly for Goldy's face!
"How is this possible?!"
Goldy was stunned.
At that distance, there was no time to dodge. The hand grabbed his face and slammed him through the air to the other end of the arena.
Like a cannonball, Goldy's body flew backward and instantly crashed into the wall, hanging there like a wall decoration.
Mahiro withdrew his hand, brushed it off, and said helplessly:
"So, what were you mumbling about? I couldn't understand a word..."
The noise from the audience seats abruptly ceased.
Silence fell over the entire arena.
Utter silence.
All the spectators could only watch this scene unfold in bewilderment.
They never expected that this seemingly unremarkable man would so effortlessly defeat the "Unbeaten Legend" without even using a weapon!
Speaking of which, this world was indeed quite strange.
Although they were called Magic Swordsmen, it didn't mean they had to use swords exclusively. They could also employ spears, blades, halberds, hammers, and other weapons.
They could even fight empty-handed.
They could all be called Magic Swordsmen.
Just then, amidst the shocked and stunned gazes from the surroundings, Mahiro sensed a few distinct lines of sight.
Looking around, the first person he saw was Claire.
Her crimson pupils shone with excitement, admiration, and a sense of inevitability.
To her, it was only natural that her teacher would defeat his opponent. What surprised her was how effortlessly he had done it—with just a single strike!
"It seems I need to work harder too!"
Claire quietly encouraged herself, even though her match wouldn't take place until later in the competition.
Shifting his gaze slightly, he noticed a red parasol on the other side of the spectator stands.
Held by a red-haired maid, beneath the parasol sat a noble girl in gothic attire, waving toward him.
Not far from her was a white nine-tailed girl, with an attendant fanning her beside her.
So they really came...
Mahiro sighed softly.
"Master, congratulations on your victory~"
A sweet, delicate voice echoed in the quiet room.
After the day's matches concluded, Mahiro returned to his dormitory and received the two visitors from the spectator stands.
They were Elisabeth and Yukime.
Along with their attendant maids.
"Mr. Mahiro, your match was brilliant."
"Thank you for the praise."
Mahiro smiled faintly.
While it was gratifying to receive compliments from others, the process had been somewhat dull.
What kind of "Victorious Golden Dragon" was that? It couldn't even withstand a single punch.
It was nowhere near as thrilling as fighting Aurora or the vampire progenitor Elisabeth sitting before him.
"By the way, Master, something quite astonishing happened on our way here with Miss Elisabeth. Would you like to hear about it?"
Yukime suddenly leaned against him, her tails elongating slightly behind her and gently brushing against his chin.
Tch, as expected of a fox-eared girl—born with innate charm, isn't she?
And is this how you use your nine tails?
Before he could respond, Elisabeth, who was sitting primly at the edge of the bed with her hands folded over her abdomen, spoke first:
"Mr. Mahiro, on our way here, we encountered a woman who bore a striking resemblance to Miss Alpha. Her aura was also very similar."
Her words immediately drew a slight glare from Yukime.
What a tactless woman.
She could have used this opportunity to tease Master a little. No wonder she hasn't earned Master's favor yet—it's not without reason.
But Mahiro's response surprised her even more.
"Oh, the person you mentioned—I've already met her."
"Eh? Where did you see her, Master?"
"At the arena, of course."
Mahiro shrugged. "She's the Sword Saint of the Elf race, known as the 'War Goddess'—Beatrix."
"The 'War Goddess' Beatrix..."
Yukime opened her folding fan to cover her surprised mouth.
This was a name she had heard of—said to be the strongest in the surface world, the publicly acknowledged top powerhouse.
To think it was that woman who looked like she was dressed like a vagrant...
And she bore such a striking resemblance to Alpha.
"Then what is her relationship with Miss Alpha...?"
"She's her aunt. Alpha is the daughter of Beatrix's younger sister, making her Alpha's aunt."
As soon as the words fell, a faint sound suddenly came from the floor-to-ceiling window.
Simultaneously, a completely different voice cut into their conversation.
"....?"