Chapter 93

#93 Episode: The Tin Knight and the City of Struggles (12)

Dorothea thought.

‘Not really feeling it. Sounds suspicious.’

First off, there was no guarantee that what Franka said was true.

I mean, even if there are plenty of ways to verify whether it’s a lie or not, she and Franka had once tried to kill each other!

So, there was no compelling reason to jump at the chance to help her.

Except, well…

Glancing sideways,

Dorothea caught a glimpse of the Tin Knight.

He had a serious expression, unchanged and rather stoic (to be fair, he never really had an expression). Still, having been around him long enough, she could tell.

Right now, the Tin Knight was quite excited.

It was an undeniable fact that what was perceived as ‘a hassle and a dangerous task’ in normal terms turned into ‘an exciting and entertaining venture’ in the realm of the Tin Knight.

In other words, if she flat-out rejected this, it was clear the Tin Knight would be grumbling about it nonstop.

More than that, a bet was a bet.

She felt obligated to let the Tin Knight participate in the martial arts tournament.

If they had to participate anyway, they might as well maximize the benefits that came from it.

Letting out a short sigh, Dorothea changed her expression and opened her mouth.

“Alright, I’ll accept that proposal.”

***

Trakus Martial Arts Tournament.

– Individual Participant: Adelheid von Lenart

– Team Participants: Team Dorothea (Tin Knight/Dorothea Aschengard/Sophia Hubris)

After the registration for the tournament was wrapped up,

Adel looked uneasy as she asked,

“Um, am I really going in the individual competition?”

Dorothea shrugged her shoulders.

“Well, I’d prefer taking you over Sophia, who’s not much help in a fight, but this stubborn one just won’t budge.”

[The ‘Tin Knight’ claims it’s the perfect opportunity to test Adel’s new style!]

[The ‘Tin Knight’ argues that to avoid becoming a greenhouse flower, she needs to accumulate experience fighting alone!]

“Uh.”

Adel’s voice got stuck in her throat.

She felt wronged.

‘Well, okay, maybe that was true before, but nowadays, I don’t think I’m that much of a greenhouse flower…’

Was Dorothea reading her mind, or was her expression just so transparent? Either way, Dorothea tried to reassure her.

“Well, just do your best. Even getting 3rd place would be something to brag about, right?”

“Well, um.”

At Dorothea’s words, Adel felt a flicker of temptation.

The Trakus Martial Arts Tournament was one of the most renowned tournaments on the continent.

In fact, the only larger events were those irregularly hosted by power players like emperors or dukes, making it practically the biggest and most regular tournament around.

So, if she could perform well here, it would definitely be something to boast about once she returned to her territory.

If she did well in the team event, there might be doubts about whether she was carried by others, but in the individual event, she would be free from such suspicions.

Moreover, unlike the representative instructor position at TikTok, there was no risk of her qualifications being revoked based on her family’s wishes; that made it rather attractive.

[The ‘Tin Knight’ declares he’ll train her to her limits before the tournament starts!]

[The ‘Tin Knight’ asks if she’s prepared to get stronger!]

The Tin Knight extended his right hand.

With a determined look, Adel grabbed that hand firmly.

“Yes!”

***

And about 46 hours later.

“Gasp, gasp!”

Thud.

With a pale face, Adel collapsed weakly.

Her breathing was ragged, and her clothes looked like rags.

To anyone who looked at her, Adel seemed close to her limit when Sophia approached her.

“Oh no, no…!”

Adel shook her head with a pained expression, but Sophia opened her mouth with a melancholic gaze.

“I’m sorry, Adel. But you know there’s no other way.”

“Ugh.”

Adel squeezed her eyes shut.

And then Sophia reached out to her.

In the next moment,

A bright light radiated, infusing vitality and energy into Adel’s body.

Even though Adel experienced a miraculous effect where her wounds vanished and some of her fatigue and exhaustion were restored, her face didn’t show a hint of joy.

Instead, she just looked even more pale.

On Adel’s shoulder, the Tin Knight gave a friendly pat.

Looking at the ruffled Adel, who had hair standing up like a cat’s, he gave a thumbs-up.

[The ‘Tin Knight’ exclaims, “Just one more set for you, member!”]

“Kyyaaaaaaaah!”

Adel screamed.

It was a pitiful cry that could bring sorrow to those who heard it, but the heartless lunatic didn’t care. Sophia was smiling as if she hadn’t been sad at all.

[The ‘Tin Knight’ evaluated that since he heard such a loud voice, it seems the holy magic worked properly!]

[The ‘Tin Knight’ felt proud that the teammates are all helping Adel train together in such a heartwarming scene!]

The Tin Knight’s words were not empty flattery.

The group was genuinely united in helping Adel with her training.

Whenever Adel got tired or wounded, Sophia would heal her, and when her magical energy drained, Dorothea would replenish it.

Although there was a limit to the strength restoration using holy magic, giving her an hour-long break every six hours left plenty of endless waves of training crashing down on Adel.

It was training that would leave any rational warrior aghast.

No matter how much external assistance was given to replenish stamina and magical energy, an ordinary person would be ruined in no time trying to keep up with such a schedule.

But Adel was an exception.

Sophia remarked in admiration,

“The physique of the Lion Duke’s Bloodline is truly astounding. They have way more overall stamina than regular folks, but their recovery speed is almost like that of a child. Is it that all the bloodline are like this, or is Adel especially exceptional?”

[The ‘Tin Knight’ claims that the fundamental training he set up has proven its worth!]

Of course, it didn’t matter to Adel, regardless of admiration from the outside.

Unlike the two inhuman beings who had no connection to sleep or rest, she wanted to argue with all her might that an ordinary person like herself needed to rest properly (if Dorothea had heard this, she would have coldly pointed out that she wasn’t exactly normal either).

As the recovery finished, seeing Adel sprawled out like a laundry line, the Tin Knight remarked.

[The ‘Tin Knight’ states that if she can land a solid hit on him, that will mark the end of training!]

Flinch.

Adel’s body reacted significantly.

Her previously dull eyes lit up with determination as she asked,

“What are the criteria for a hit?”

[The ‘Tin Knight’ informs her that striking the torso counts!]

“How about the rest period?”

[The ‘Tin Knight’ says it’s 24 hours!]

Adel gripped her sword with both hands.

Golden magical power began to seep from all over her body.

With the sword slanted on her right shoulder, Adel charged.

In contrast, the Tin Knight stood poised to greet her without any magical power enveloping him.

Clang!

[The ‘Tin Knight’ points out that even if you enhance cutting power with sword mastery, if you don’t hit properly, the impact will greatly reduce!]

Bang!

[The ‘Tin Knight’ encourages her to remember that a sword is just one means of attack and to employ various methods!]

Whoosh!

[The ‘Tin Knight’ advises her to actively make use of her lightweight!]

The strikes didn’t cease.

Adel relentlessly rushed at the Tin Knight, tumbling and rolling on the ground time and time again.

Initially, onlookers from the Mercenary Group, drawn in by the sound of clashing swords in a special district park, were left in disbelief.

The guards dispatched after hearing the sword sounds applauded before returning.

Nobles visiting to form connections, having heard that one of the representative instructors from the Lenart Dojo was present, left shaking their heads in disappointment.

Time rolled on once more, days turning into nights in succession.

Boom!

Adel delivered a spinning strike that came crashing down on the Tin Knight.

Upon noticing Adel’s sword partly lodged into his shoulder, the Tin Knight declared,

[The ‘Tin Knight’ announces that she has passed the test!]

“……”

Adel didn’t let out a cheer.

She didn’t shed tears of joy either.

Merely dazed, she looked back and forth between her hand and the Tin Knight’s shoulder.

Then, with a gulp, she collapsed to the side.

The Tin Knight quickly grabbed her to support her.

Adel had lost consciousness, deeply so, enough that she wouldn’t be waking up anytime soon.

Sophia approached them.

“Great job, both of you.”

[The ‘Tin Knight’ rejoices that they reached the target successfully!]

[The ‘Tin Knight’ notes that had he not wrapped his body in magical energy for the final strike, it would have gone even deeper!]

“I’m not well-versed in martial arts, but even to me, Adel is remarkable.”

[The ‘Tin Knight’ expresses gratitude towards Sophia once more!]

[The ‘Tin Knight’ acknowledges that thanks to holy magic, they succeeded in intensified short-term training!]

“Oh no, it’s just that Adel’s innate recovery ability is so extraordinary that I barely had to do anything. It was a bit bothersome having to sneak it in without anyone noticing, though. I just hope I won’t be able to use it during the competition with all those spectators around. Is that okay?”

[The ‘Tin Knight’ confesses that he actually enjoys restricted combat settings.]

“Well, that’s a relief.”

A brief pause followed.

After looking down at Adel’s face for a moment, Sophia suddenly remembered something and said.

“By the way, Tin Knight?”

[The ‘Tin Knight’ inquired why she was calling him!]

“Oh, it’s nothing serious. Just, you said that if Adel passed the test, she’d get a 24-hour rest, right?”

[The ‘Tin Knight’ confirmed that he did say so!]

“But, I mean, since she’ll need to recover her condition the day before the tournament anyway, doesn’t that mean she should rest for at least a day?”

The Tin Knight paused for a moment.

This went on for about five seconds.

[The ‘Tin Knight’ insisted that what trainers at training camps say is always like that!]

[The ‘Tin Knight’ says you have to work hard to finish early, but no matter what, the time to go home will remain the same!]

Truly, the Tin Knight had a heart colder than metal.

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