The Protagonist's Party is Too Diligent – 143
EP.143 Rival (5)
Even so, when I could properly use my abilities, I had confidence that I could resolve situations on my own.
No matter the circumstances, I had the power to reverse the situation, canceling everything and returning things to the most advantageous state for me. It was an incredible privilege. Honestly, I don’t think there are many characters in other games or comics who possess a power as valuable as mine.
The problem, however, was that I couldn’t use that ability right now.
The image I had carefully maintained with that power was now precariously hanging on by a thread, and more importantly, without my ability, I was utterly helpless in the face of the current situation.
Was the masked woman watching me from somewhere, still mocking me?
Thinking about it made my insides boil with frustration, but at least for now, she didn’t seem to have any intention of killing me. If her true identity was one of the people I suspected, it was unlikely that she would act... at least for now.
I still had to be cautious about the fact that she had tried to shoot Alice, though.
If I thought about it that way, the current situation could be seen as quite favorable for me. I couldn’t predict what would happen if the masked woman attacked, but at least if Lucas charged in, there were plenty of people who would step in to stop him. Each individual might not match his strength exactly, but if they attacked all at once, I didn’t think even Lucas would be able to win.
But that didn’t mean that this situation had no problems at all.
"…So."
Jayden was wearing a rare expression—one that was downright "angry."
"Are you saying that you spent the night with my sister?"
"Wh-what? No, that’s not..."
"How does that even make sense?"
Unable to stand it any longer, I stepped between Jayden and Leo, speaking up. Otherwise, it seemed like Jayden was about to swing a sword.
"You and that bastard in the same place—"
"Well, the Sword Saint was there too."
"Yeah. Even I wouldn’t interpret the situation like that."
Even the Sword Saint, who had been spouting off cheesy lines just moments ago, now had an expression that screamed disbelief as he turned to Jayden.
"But he definitely—"
"—Please stop emphasizing the word 'spent the night.' Are you deliberately bringing it up over and over again?"
I swallowed the word "brother" that was about to slip from my mouth.
"...Do you want to tarnish my honor like that?"
"You really didn’t need to cut the word short like that."
Seeing Jayden speak in such a disappointed tone, I couldn’t hold back and pressed my hand to my forehead.
"…I will clarify this."
I tried to speak as calmly as I could.
"Leo and I study at the same academy, in the same class, and we are both from the same student council. And I have a close relationship with his sister Claire, so naturally, Leo and I are friendly as well. Even after this year ends, we will still be seeing each other for three more years, so our relationship may grow even deeper."
"Exactly!"
No, please, don’t get angry over that. It’s not like he’s an elementary school student who’s teasing a girl for holding hands during a school trip's folk dance.
"Just because a man and a woman are together doesn’t mean they have to be in a romantic relationship. Do you want to be the subject of rumors just because you talked to another noblewoman at the ball?"
"……"
Jayden didn’t answer.
Ah, wait.
Was he unpopular with women?
While Lucas was a character who was popular with women but didn’t show much interest in them, Jayden seemed to be the type who was interested in women, but for some reason, he wasn’t as popular with them. He was definitely described as handsome, but for some strange reason, women didn’t seem to like him much...
No, it wasn’t that strange. There was a character setting where, every time he spoke, Jayden would boast about the sword he had received from a military arsenal or how he performed on some battlefield. In other words, he was the type of person who talked about military stories in front of women.
…Wasn’t it also part of his character that he had never danced properly with a woman at a ball?
"Unless it's a strict, abstinent girls' school, it's natural for a woman to have casual conversations with a man. There's no need to interfere with every little thing."
I turned my head to look at Leo. He seemed a bit moved by what I said. After all, if the son of a baron was scolded by a prince, he would probably be terrified. It was only natural that he would be grateful for the princess stopping it.
"Has our conversation ever progressed beyond the ordinary and into mutual romantic feelings?"
"No, of course not!"
"Even at the Sword Saint’s cabin?"
"That’s correct!"
Leo’s response was emphatic, and Claire nodded vigorously in agreement. Jayden looked at the two of them for a moment, then turned his gaze back to me.
"Is that so?"
"Yes, that's how it is."
I nearly muttered, ‘You fool,’ but managed to hold it in.
If I had been in a situation where I could use my time-rewind ability, I might have said it without hesitation. But since I didn’t have that ability right now, this mess was, in part, my fault.
Jayden slowly lowered the hand that had been resting on the hilt of his sword. He let it hang dejectedly.
Hmm, I didn’t feel sorry for him at all.
"And most importantly..."
To drive the point home, Alice, who had been quietly listening, finally spoke up.
"It’s none of your business who Sylvia marries. Would you react the same way if she brought a man she liked?"
"Of course—"
Jayden began to speak but then stopped when his gaze met mine.
I was confident that my expression was entirely neutral. Though, of course, "neutral" could be interpreted differently depending on the observer and the situation.
…At least it was fortunate that Jayden still didn’t fully understand my true intentions.
*
And then, as if the situation wasn’t already chaotic enough, the final blow came. Why were all these important people gathering here? It felt like some kind of convention event.
"Well, well."
Leo and Claire were naturally horrified at the voice they heard. Even if they didn’t recognize that thick and deep voice, there weren’t many people in the Empire who wouldn’t know the face of the Emperor.
"I apologize for not coming to greet you immediately when such an esteemed guest has arrived."
The Emperor, addressing the Sword Saint, who looked nearly twenty years older than him, spoke in a way that only someone like him could.
As the Emperor’s gaze briefly shifted toward me while entering the training grounds, I could tell by the amused smile on his lips that he was certain I was up to something.
And, well, he was right.
"Oh."
The Sword Saint also smiled at the Emperor. The fact that he didn’t bow his head even once showed that he wasn’t easily intimidated. His personality, one that didn’t bend to authority, was something that had been mentioned in the original story, so it wasn’t surprising.
And then—
Bang!
The Emperor immediately drew his sword from his waist and charged at the Sword Saint. When the swords collided, there was a sound like an explosion.
Even though neither sword released any sword energy, the sheer force of their swings created a gust of wind around them. It wasn’t the kind of violence that could blow things away, but it was enough to send their hair and clothing fluttering.
"......"
Silence.
Both the Emperor and the Sword Saint were smiling at each other. The way they smiled was enough to make one question whether it could even be called a smile, but more importantly, it didn’t seem like they hated each other that much.
“You’re still in good health, old man.”
“And you, haven’t you always just sat in a chair?”
...Hmm?
Before I could even question their conversation, both of them sheathed their swords and returned them to their scabbards.
Then, they both extended their hands and shook hands firmly.
What?
It seemed like I wasn’t the only one wondering that. Alice, Leo, Claire, and even Jayden were all staring at the two of them, wide-eyed, clearly surprised.
“Well, I didn’t think I’d see this again.”
The Emperor spoke in a friendly tone, one I’d never heard from him before.
“I didn’t expect to come down to such a bustling place either.”
The Sword Saint answered casually, as if it were nothing.
...Wait, do they know each other?
Well, I kind of expected that they might know each other. But I never thought they’d have a friendly relationship. I figured it would be more like the relationship between famous figures and a president—just knowing each other’s existence. But this? This seemed different.
“In that case, you should thank your daughter. After all, I was lured down here by that girl.”
Eh.
When the Sword Saint said that, everyone in the training ground turned to look at me all at once.
Oh… um...
Well, that’s kind of what happened...
I only intended to bring the Sword Saint with me. I just wanted to pull some aggro from Lucas and have a conversation or something.
But how did things end up like this?
I never intended to have some rival reunion or anything.
And now everyone who was looking at me had expressions like, ‘Oh, she’s up to something big.’
......
Even if the Masked Woman was the future version of me or someone close to me, it wouldn’t matter.
The next time I meet her, I’ll make sure to hit her and make her cry.