The Meaning of Unity

“That’s quite the flashy start, don’t you think?” Brigitte clicked her tongue in annoyance.

Viviane had stopped paying attention to anything else the moment she saw the princess successfully resonate with Medrauta. Her delicate hands were gripping the railing so hard that they were beginning to hurt, but she paid the pain no mind.

After all, it was nothing compared to the hurt she felt in her heart right now.

But I... We tried so hard... Why does she get to do it so effortlessly? Am I really that useless...? Am I even worthy of Medrauta...?

Viviane wrenched her eyes shut, unable to trust herself to hold back the tears that were beginning to form. At this rate, I might as well just—

“Hey! Viviane!” Brigitte shook Viviane’s shoulder, concerned. “You alright? Do you need to step outside for a bit?”

“E-Eh!? A-Ah... No, um... I just...”

“...I’m sorry,” Brigitte sighed.

“H-Huh!? T-There’s nothing you need to be sorry for, Brigitte!”

“No, I should’ve told you about this beforehand. I didn’t want to since I wasn’t certain it’d happen, but... it would be more strange if the princess couldn’t resonate with Medrauta.”

“Um... Why’s that?”

“The imperial family bears the blood of Emperor Soleil, the first knight. While it’s only a theory, someone who possesses the emperor’s blood should be able to resonate with any knight they wish, even if they haven’t attempted resonance imprinting.”

“Resonance imprinting...? Oh! You mean like that thing where you h-h-h-hold each other’s h-hands?” Viviane blushed fiercely at the mere thought.

“Yes, that.” Brigitte laughed. “In any case, let us see how the match proceeds. If you find yourself too uncomfortable though, please let me know. As Medrauta’s friend, it is my duty to take care of you while she is away.”

“...T-Thanks, Brigitte.”

During their conversation, Medrauta and Riku had already exchanged a slew of fierce attacks.

Medrauta’s swordplay was brutally efficient, incorporating a mixture of dizzying combinations and perfectly executed parries that normally bewildered her opponents.

However, the foreign knight matched her strike-for-strike with relative ease. It was a refreshing feeling for Medrauta. After having gotten used to one-sidedly pushing her opponent back until their noble was forced to activate their Crest, being able to trade blows on equal terms with her opponent was a novel and fun experience.

“Sir Riku, was it? How about you become my sparring partner during your stay at the academy?”

Riku laughed as he parried Medrauta’s latest strike, responding with his own. “I would love to, Dame Medrauta. Unfortunately, my lady and I will be too busy during our stay to accommodate that. My deepest apologies.”

Medrauta flicked her wrist, sending the flat of her sword arcing toward Riku’s and smacking it aside as she stepped back to create distance. “Shame. I was hoping to get a better feel for that sword of yours.”

Riku smiled in reply, brandishing his unique weapon. Unlike the straight-edged swords that the empire favored, the foreign knight’s sword was slightly curved, and it possessed only a single edge. The blade’s steel was unfamiliar too, bearing a wavy pattern that Medrauta had never seen before.

Moreover, she found Riku’s fighting style and physical build unusual as well. Unlike the burly male knights of the empire who prioritized physical strength and wore heavy plate armor while swinging around the largest weapons they could find, Riku’s techniques and battlefield equipment were far more similar to Medrauta’s.

He wore only light armor accompanied by a metal chestplate, and his techniques prioritized not only speed, but precision as well. While Medrauta was certainly a physical specimen to be reckoned with, her raw physical strength still lagged behind behemoths such as Prince Galahad.

Because of that, she had decided to eschew the greatsword for the longsword, sacrificing power for speed and accuracy. By supplementing her incredible strength and speed with a weapon capable of capitalizing on advantages only she could exploit, she had become the strongest, unbeatable knight.

However, had she the choice, she certainly would have preferred the power and reach of the greatsword. That was why Riku’s techniques and physique confused her. Was it a choice, or was he simply born that way?

Medrauta couldn’t tell. But she also couldn’t afford to study her opponent for too long. After all, they were almost capable of matching her skill with a blade.

Almost.

Riku came at Medrauta with blinding speed, his sword moving so quickly that it was barely visible. Yet, this speed came at a price.

Instead of intercepting the strike, Medrauta simply twisted to the side, allowing the blade to pass her by harmlessly. Without any resistance, Riku stumbled forward.

In an instant, Medrauta thrust her sword at Riku’s exposed upper body, the sound of a light ‘twang’ repeating itself four times within the span of a second as she did so.

Huh?

Something was wrong. Medrauta’s finely honed combat instincts immediately took over. Without even thinking, she threw herself to the side, rolling as she recovered onto her feet.

Four arrows were planted equidistantly apart in the place where she had stood a second ago. Something warm trickled down her cheek, and she frowned. She ran her thumb against her face, only to find that it came away wet... and red.

Medrauta stared at the lady who had been standing behind her knight all this time. Lady Sakura’s silver bow was raised, and another arrow had already been nocked to the string. Was I... actually hit?

She shuffled backwards slightly, wariness in her eyes as she gained a newfound respect for the foreign lady. Something brushed against the side of her foot, and when she looked, Medrauta found a fifth arrow buried right next to her, its gleaming tip stained scarlet.

She shot another one after that initial volley...? You’ve gotta be fuckin’ kidding me.

Riku had recovered now, positioning himself perfectly so that he could shield his lady without interrupting her line of fire. It was almost like he instinctively knew where she stood, and for the first time in her life, Medrauta felt unsettled.

What the hell...? Is this what they do in other countries? Lady Sakura hasn’t even used her Crest yet...

“Prepare yourself,” Riku said. There was a new light in his eyes now, one that transformed him into a different person altogether. “We’re coming.”

Medrauta was no longer facing Riku, nor was she facing a knight who had been bestowed a Crest. Indeed, she fought against a true pair.

“Medrauta! What are you doing, you fool!?” Princess Gwenhwyfar shouted in rage. “Manifest the Ignis Fatui! Do not embarrass me!”

Medrauta did not even turn to address the princess. Her eyes were fixed ahead of herself as she stared at the brand new world that unfolded before her eyes. Within seconds, countless arrows filled the air. Like a brigade of soldiers, they surrounded Riku in his advance and supported him.

Medrauta could not help but be enraptured by this sight.

More than a display of synchronized skill, it was the everdistant unity that she had sought with Viviane. Even so, Medrauta had no doubt she could defeat Riku if only she would call upon the power of Gwenhwyfar’s Crest.

But she would not. She would not stain this perfect example of what a pair should be with the mockery that she was now bound to.

No.

She would not allow the perverse servitude that chained her to sully this beautiful sight before her.

If she would win against this pair, then there was only one lady she would permit herself victory with.

“Medrauta!” Princess Gwenhwyfar screamed.

Viviane.

Medrauta smiled and allowed the point of her sword to drop to the ground. Her brilliant blue eyes glowed as they gazed into the depths of Riku’s brown, almost as if inviting him to deal the finishing blow.

Riku’s sword flashed toward Medrauta, but it did not cut her. Rather, it smashed aside the arrows that had once been destined to pierce her before finding its place in his sheath.

“...What is the meaning of this, Dame Medrauta?”

“I cannot win.”

“Why?”

Medrauta’s gaze drifted to the stadium bleachers and lingered upon Viviane. The ghost of a smile played on her lips as she took in Viviane’s worried expression. She must have thought I was going to be turned into a pincushion. How cute.

“My lady is not with me.”

Riku’s brow furrowed in confusion at first, but he quickly followed Medrauta’s gaze. He nodded, recalling the silver-haired knight’s strange gesture of resolve before the match started. Even though the bars of the prep room gate had obscured the sight slightly, the emotion in Medrauta’s gesture had been unmistakable.

“...I see. Then we shall continue this another day.”

“Yes. We shall.”

As Trista was made to end the match in a draw, only then did Medrauta turn to face the princess. Though her imperial anger was powerfully palpable, Medrauta’s serene smile was unfettered.

The princess’ wave of rage dashed itself against her uselessly, like ocean waves breaking against a rock.

“How dare you!? I granted you my Crest! I granted you victory!”

“Your Imperial Highness.”

“Y-You dare address me so casually after making a mockery of me!?”

Medrauta shook her head calmly. When she spoke, it was as if she were speaking to a child. “It was impossible for me to win.”

“Impossible!? Impossible!?” Princess Gwenhwyfar stomped the ground angrily. “I bear the most powerful Crest in all of Avalyne!”

“It was not because your Crest was weak that I could not win.”

“Then why?”

Medrauta simply smiled.

“Because my lady is elsewhere.”

†

Viviane had been confused up until the very end. But in that single moment, she understood everything.

Her hands relaxed on the railing at last, and her sorrowful heart found a ray of warmth at last. For the first time since Medrauta had been torn away from her, a genuine smile bloomed on her lips.

Ah... So that’s what it meant.

At last, Viviane finally understood what Medrauta had been trying to say before the match had begun.

‘You may take my sword by force, but my heart will always belong to another.’

It wasn’t a message meant for her. It was meant for the princess.

A new light of determination shone in Viviane’s eyes as they lit up like beacons in the night.

...Thank you. Now it’s my turn to show you my resolve! Wait for me, Medrauta!