"Lord Cyan, I heard you encountered an enemy last night?"
After his morning training, Lancelot came to find Cyan and asked about what had happened the previous night.
Cyan encountering an enemy was a serious matter. The patrolling soldiers naturally didn't dare to hide it. However, it had been late at night, so Arthur and the others hadn't wanted to disturb Cyan and Nishi's rest — especially after learning that two women had entered Cyan's room. They had even less desire to inquire.
When Grand Magician Merlin learned of it, a lewd expression appeared on his face as he sighed.
These outsiders really know how to have fun. I wonder if that kid's small body can handle it!
Just by looking at the lewd smile on Merlin's old face, anyone could tell the old pervert wasn't thinking anything good. Arthur, Lancelot, and Percival pretended not to see it. After spending time with him, they had more or less come to understand the true nature of this mysterious grand magician.
(Arthur's mother was a married woman. Merlin helped King Uther seduce her and even transformed Uther into the appearance of the woman's husband so they could spend the night together. That's how Arthur was born. After the woman's husband died, Uther married her. Merlin could be called an old pimp.)
"Mm. After a brief exchange, he escaped."
Cyan knew it was the two soldiers who had told Lancelot. She nodded slightly, not wanting to say more about it.
"Lord Cyan, when you discovered the enemy, what was he doing? Could you tell me in detail?" Lancelot pressed. He could tell Cyan didn't want to talk about it, but he had no choice. Arthur and Percival had pushed this task onto him, so he was in a difficult position.
"He wanted to scout the situation inside the castle."
"Thank you, Lord Cyan. By the way, are you interested in the Knight Festival? Would you like to participate?"
Lancelot extended an invitation. He still held Cyan in high regard. Her strength was formidable, though some of her methods were unacceptable to him as a knight. Aside from that one point, he felt he could become good friends with her.
"The Knight Festival, huh…"
Cyan thought for a moment and declined Lancelot's invitation.
"Lord Lancelot, I won't be participating in the Knight Festival. Just notify us when it's time to attack Archduke Garibaldi's forces."
"In that case, I won't insist."
Lancelot smiled, accepting Cyan's refusal.
Preparations for the Knight Festival were in full swing. Many people from nearby villages came to participate.
Cyan practiced Infinite One-Blade Style swordsmanship in a deserted corner. The black widow spider stood on the wall, her wine-red eyes unblinking as she watched the flashing blade light. She held a biscuit in her hands, eating while watching — looking very much like she was enjoying a movie.
"What's the point of just practicing like this? Want to spar with me?"
Asuka walked over after seeing Cyan practicing swordsmanship. She took out her lance. Although her spearmanship hadn't been systematically trained and was purely self-taught through battle, she was confident she wouldn't lose!
Ten minutes later…
"Want to continue? That's the 23rd time already."
Cyan looked helplessly at Asuka. The demon blade's edge was already pressed against her neck, yet she was still stubbornly refusing to admit defeat.
"No! I haven't lost yet! Again!"
Asuka swung her lance to knock the demon blade aside and brought it down toward Cyan.
Cyan placed her hand on the blade and raised it to block the lance from the side. She stepped forward. The sharp demon blade scraped against the barbed tip of the lance with a harsh metallic screech as she slashed at Asuka.
"That's the 24th time."
Cyan punched Asuka in the stomach and pressed the tip of the demon blade against her chin.
The punch made Asuka's stomach churn. She couldn't help but complain, "This is supposed to be a spar. Can't you go easier?"
"Would that kind of spar have any meaning? Would it really improve your strength?"
Cyan took two steps back and swung the demon blade. She glanced at Arthur, who was standing not far away watching, and a hint of displeasure flashed in her eyes.
She didn't particularly like being stared at by strangers.
"Or are you saying you actually want me to hold back against you?"
Cyan withdrew her gaze and looked at Asuka. Though they hadn't known each other long, she could tell this was someone with pride and a competitive spirit.
"You holding back would mean you're looking down on me!"
Asuka rubbed her aching stomach and turned the pain into motivation. She charged at Cyan again. This time, she had learned her lesson and was much more cautious in dealing with Cyan's attacks instead of rushing in recklessly.
The lance was originally a specialized weapon meant for use on horseback. It was heavy and powerful. Asuka using it as her regular weapon already put her at a disadvantage. Even though the lance's length gave her an advantage, it was far too unwieldy.
Cyan had been contemplating Infinite One-Blade Style for a long time. Even when she wasn't practicing swordsmanship and was simply sitting to the side resting with the demon blade in her arms, she was likely practicing the sword style in her mind.
"That's the 33rd time."
Cyan looked at Asuka, who was lying on the ground covered in sweat, and withdrew the demon blade from her shoulder.
"Again… Again! I haven't lost yet!"
Asuka stubbornly got back to her feet. She didn't know the meaning of giving up. Looking at Cyan, who wasn't even out of breath, she felt a surge of frustration.
"I'm tired."
Cyan sheathed the demon blade and carried it on her back. She extended her hand toward the shadows in the corner of the wall.
A black shadow emerged from the darkness and landed on Cyan's shoulder before quickly burrowing into her collar fur.
"I haven't lost! You—"
Asuka caught her breath and continued, "Did you hear me?! I haven't lost yet!"
"Mm."
Cyan responded to Asuka and left, leaving behind a very unwilling Asuka who was fuming internally.
At night, Bani arrived at the meeting place he had arranged with Phantom.
Nishi carefully followed behind him, maintaining a safe distance. When Bani stopped, she lay down on the ground and covered herself with a cloak that matched the color of the grass.
If Arlon's spirit in heaven knew his precious cloak was being used like this by a thief, he'd probably be so angry he'd turn into a ghost and return to the world of the living — especially if this were the Samurai Shodown world.
Phantom's elusive figure appeared in front of Bani.
"Lord Phantom."
"Lord Phantom, the day after tomorrow is the Knight Festival."
"Good. The day after tomorrow is your time to perform."
Phantom took out a map and handed it to Bani.
"Go to the location marked on the map. Once you arrive there, your task will be complete. The rest will be up to me."
"After Bani completes this, everything you want will belong to you. Your life, your status, and your descendants — everything will change. You will no longer be a commoner but a noble. A noble who made great contributions to Lord Garibaldi's nation. Your name will be recorded in history forever for future generations to admire."
Listening to Phantom's words, Bani's eyes, which had carried a hint of unease, gradually became excited. He seemed to see everything Phantom had described — money, status, a completely changed life. As long as he completed the plan the day after tomorrow, all of this would become his!
Money and status… Who are you trying to fool…? You powerful people just love these empty promises!
Nishi heard Phantom's words and curled her lip. She glanced at the pitiful fool who was being used as a tool. He was about to die, yet he was still feeling smug!
After Bani left, Phantom didn't leave immediately. He stood in place for a moment before suddenly charging toward where Nishi was hiding.
H-Has he discovered me?!
Nishi tensed up. Just as she was about to get up and run, a swordsman ran past her from the grass beside her.
"Lord Phantom, Lord Barbas and Lord Muramasa are already heading toward the camp."
"Good."
Phantom nodded in satisfaction.
After Phantom and the swordsman left, Nishi patted her chest in relief.
Phantom had suddenly charged over just now, scaring her so much she didn't even dare to breathe. She had thought she'd been discovered.
After confirming Phantom wouldn't suddenly return, Nishi carefully stood up and activated Extreme Speed, leaving the area at her fastest speed.
"Master, Phantom gave Bani a map."
Nishi spoke as she repeated what Phantom had said to Bani.
"The location on the map is where the enemy will set up their ambush. I'll have to trouble you again with this matter." Cyan realized that besides Nishi, there really wasn't anyone else who could handle this.
"Mm, leave it to me."
Nishi patted her chest. This was what she was best at.
"You don't need to bring the map back. Can you remember the marked location?"
"Can't we just capture Bani directly?" Nishi asked in confusion.
"If Bani doesn't appear on the day of the Knight Festival, they'll become suspicious. Also, while Bani is definitely the traitor, it's possible he's not the only one." Cyan explained the possibility. The safest method was to learn the enemy's ambush location marked on the map without alerting Bani.
"You're right. That's possible."
Nishi hadn't expected Cyan to think so thoroughly. She hadn't considered that angle at all.
Late at night, Nishi quietly snuck into Bani's room. After some effort, she found the map inside his shoe.
The strong, sour smell of foot odor made Nishi's face twist into a pained expression.
Using the moonlight, Nishi spent some time memorizing the marked location on the map. She then put the map back into the shoe, restoring everything to its original state as if she had never been there.
The next day, using the excuse of going to a nearby village to buy supplies, Cyan, Nishi, Asuka, and Asama Ai left the castle. After wandering around a village and buying some things, they went to the location where Phantom planned to set up his ambush.
"That should do it!"
Asuka wiped her sweat and carefully cleaned up the traces left behind after digging.
An extremely well-hidden fuse was pressed down by an inconspicuous stone in a place only they knew about.
After returning to the castle, before the Knight Festival began, Cyan did nothing but practice Infinite One-Blade Style and respond to Asuka's challenges. Otherwise, she quietly sat in a corner petting the black widow spider, occasionally taking out food to feed her. She was really treating her like a pet.
The black widow spider's loyalty toward her skyrocketed, reaching 90.
And then she became even more clingy.
Time flew by, and the day of the Knight Festival finally arrived.