Arc 27: The Reverse World
Chapter 285: Shogi tournant, and the first festival
I’ve finally managed to regain my composure after we’ve drunk so tea that was brought to the balcony of the Paluf castle.
Co on now, it’s all because I’ve fallen into that trap of self-hatred since a while ago. Still, I reflected that I had gone over the board. I was probably hated for it, that’s for sure. Oh well, it’s not a problem even if I am hated. It is not.
「For the discourtesy my cousin Rachel has shown you on this occasion... Please forgive us」(Lucienna)
「No-no. She’s a child, after all」(Touya)
I think that her rudeness was appropriate, but I wonder what sort of narrow-minded person would say “What insolence! Decapitate that child imdiately!” That person would probably be a tyrant. I don’t want to beco that kind of person. They are the worst.
「That match had nothing to do with our social standings after all. Therefore, I had dismissed any notion about raising a complaint or sothing right from the start. I do not mind」(Touya)
Well, It will likely be unreasonable for the other side to go and forgive just like that though... She’s a child, after all.
「It’s a good thing for you to be able to say it. I am thankful for today and Ernest would be delighted as well!」(Lucienna)
「Speaking of which, what do you think of the king of Paluf, Your Majesty The Dukedom King?」(Cloud)
Two people, who are sitting at the round table on the balcony along with , then turned their eyes to .
「Let see... He seems to be an obedient kid. I am a bit worried about his retrospective way of thinking, which may be due to his lack of confidence」(Touya)
In short, he’s thinking negatively. Well, it’s not that bad of a thing, and it’s probably much better than having a character that is similar to what the Duke princess has.
When I think for a mont that their characters are the polar opposite of each other, I get a bit scared. They also seem to act in a way without paying mind to social positions, naly the king standpoint and whatnot... which is sothing I can’t talk about. I am as well allowed to act as I please.
「Does the king of Paluf have any specialty he’s good at?」(Touya)
「A specialty, you say? Nothing of sorts... that child isn’t good with either swordsmanship or magic. He can play flute a little, but not so much as it to be called his ability」(Lucienna)
Uumu. So he’s a diocre boy, huh? No, he’s not too diocre at least because he’s a king.
That reminds , there was an old novel that began with sothing like “I am Senkogu Kamui, A typical high school student!” and then there was a retort like “Where the hell are you typical? With a na like “Naless”... Sohow the feeling is about the sa. ... Wait a minute.
「Ah, but...」(Lucienna)
「Is there sothing?」(Touya)
Princess Lucienna looked like she just rembered sothing, so she then went back inside from the balcony and brought a small box and a folded board. Eh, could it be that this is...
「Is this... shogi?」(Touya)
「Yes. Is Your Majesty The Dukedom King familiar with it as well?」(Lucienna)
Well, it’s not that I am familiar with it. You see, it was who brought the ga to this world.
putting away the plates, we placed the box on the table and took out the pieces. As I thought, it was indeed shogi.
「Does the King of Paluf play it?」(Touya)
「Yes. There was a ti when he played from morning till evening. However, he seed to be troubled about not having a suitable opponent 」(Lucienna)
Well, there was probably no way that the king would try to catch a maid-san and have her play shogi with him. If I am to take it further, it would’ve likely been difficult for him to even start talking about that, given the character he has. He’s shy towards strangers, isn’t he?
「His opponents were mainly or our esteed uncle. Naturally, I turned out to be too weak of an opponent」(Lucienna)
「Hasn’t he played with the young Rachel?」(Touya)
「He has, but Rachel utterly lost to him, knocking over the board, and never played it again ever since...」(Lucienna)
Are they children? Aah, yes they are. It’s clearly seen during scenes such as that.
Still, I should make ti for a ga of shogi then? I am interested just how much skill does the boy king have.
Unsure if he knew about my thoughts or not, the aforentioned boy king entered the balcony.
「I am sorry for making you wait!」(Ernest)
「No-no, do not mind it. Has Rachel managed to calm down?」(Touya)
「Yes. Well, sowhat. She has shut herself in her room, but she always does that when she’s in a bad mood, so...」(Ernest)
Uumu. She should be alright. Though I will be troubled if she turns into a shut-in.
「Hm? Isn’t this...」(Ernest)
The boy king takes notice of his shogi set in my hands.
「Aah, I’ve heard from princess Lucienna that Your Majesty has a huge interest in it. As a matter of fact, it was who produced this ga. I was surprised to find out that it has reached even Paluf」(Touya)
「Is that true?!」(Ernest)
「How about it? Shall we play a ga?」(Touya)
As soon as I, out of petty curiosity, proposed a ga to see how much skill he has in it, the King of Paluf swung his head back and forth with sparkling eyes.
Since it will be hard to play it at the roundtable, we sat down opposite each other at a small table in the room and lined up our pieces.
Now then, shall I give it a go? It’s been a long ti, but I should be able to manage sohow.
~~~~~
「... It’s my defeat」(Touya)
「Thank you very much」(Ernest)
I lower my head first, to which the king of Paluf lowers his as well. Ye-ep. This is my third loss in a row.
I don’t want to boast, but I am strong at shogi, to begin with. However, I now truly understand how strong my opponent really is. This kid is quite tough, isn’t he?
「You are quite strong. Out of all the opponents whom I had fought against, you have the ability to co out on top 」(Touya)
「R-Really? I have mostly only played with Uncle-sama though」(Ernest)
Does that an that Duke Rembrandt is that powerful himself?
Fumu. This may be a bit interesting. I may be able to have this kid gain self-confidence. A few monts later, I started to talk about the idea that popped into my mind.
「As a matter of fact, Brunhild will be holding a shogi tournant in ten days. Would Your Majesty like to secretly participate in it?」(Touya)
「Eeh?! B-but, is it really fine for soone like to participate?!」(Ernest)
「It’s of no problem. In addition to you, there will be nobles and royalty of other kingdoms participating in secret as well. Your safety is absolutely guaranteed」(Touya)
I’ve thought about the tournant itself just now, but people like the King of Belfast and Duke Ortlinde will likely participate in it. Or perhaps I should say that if I withheld the news about opening a tournant from them, I would definitely receive a complaint from them later.
I will make the people who seem tough as seeds, and then the tournant should gain its form by itself if I collect free participants.
「Wha-what to do...」(Ernest)
Next to the nervously pondering king of Paluf, his sister Lucienna began to talk to him.
「Isn’t it fine to not think too deeply about it? I think it’s fine to go on a trip to Brunhild for a bit. It will also be alright to take with you, you know?」(Lucienna)
「... Then, then I would like to participate...」(Ernest)
「It’s settled then」(Touya)
We clapped our hands in positive affirmation.
Looks like we’re going to be busy. Oh well, it’s likely to be fun even if we include all the troubles, so it’s fine.
~=~=~
「... It may be sudden, but I’ve decided to hold a shogi tournant」(Touya)
「It’s sudden alright」(Doran)
In the town of Leaflet, in the head office of “Silver Moon” inn, the one in front of is a red-headed and bearded man. It’s Doran-san, the father of Mika-san.
「So you say that you want us to participate in this tournant as invitees?」(Doran)
「Well, it’s not like being invitees is that advantageous, you will just be exempted from participating in preliminary matches」(Touya)
In addition to Doran-san from “Silver Moon” inn, I would like Balar-san from Weapons Shop “Bear Eight” and Simon-san from the second-hand shop to enter as the seeds. With them being players from the early days of shogi in this world, they should be at least more skillful in it than .
「So, will you participate?」(Touya)
「Damn right. We will uphold the na of Leaflet as the original land of shogi and aim for overall victory」(Doran)
When did they attach that na? At least he’s correct in one thing, this town IS where shogi first appeared.
「Moreover, how many people are going to participate?」(Doran)
「Aside from several invitees, we haven’t decided yet, but just so you know, every one of the invitees is considerably strong. We plan preliminaries for the first day and main matches for the second day. Since Doran-san and the rest will be participating right from the second day, it’s okay for you to co late on the first day. What do you think?」(Touya)
「Do not joke with . How can we allow ourselves to miss the matches of those who may turn out to be our future opponents? We will co on an opening day! As for the inn, Mika can manage it」(Doran)
So he says. I then inform them that I will pick them up on the day of the preliminaries and then leave Leaflet.
Upon my return, I called the King of Belfast, Duke Ortlinde, as well as the other rulers and solicited them as candidates.
We will also be conducting a baseball tournant and a martial arts tournant at the sa ti, so I asked the knights of each country to support and participate in it if possible.
The reason why I adopted other competitions because of the suggestion that having only the shogi tournant would be plain, and it was lacking to get fired up.
As the result, The lineup of players has turned out be unbelievable...
「What the hell, with those participants...」(Touya)
「Yep. Oh well, I can understand their feelings」(Yumina)
Seeing the list that I’ve assembled, Yumina floats a stiff smile.
■Participation applicants for the shogi tournant
King of Belfast (Belfast)
Duke Ortlinde (Belfast)
Emperor of Regulus (Regulus)
Monarch of Reefreez (Reefreez)
King of Paluf (Paluf)
Duke Rembrandt (Paluf)
Statewide Governor of Rodoa (Rodoa)
■Participation applicants for the martial arts tournant
Beast King of Misumido (Misumido)
Knight King of Restia (Restia)
Commander of the Knight Order Gaspar (Regulus)
General Leon (Belfast)
Knight Lyon (Belfast)
Commander of guards Garun (Misumido)
Baba Nobuharu (Brunhild)
Yamagata Masakage (Brunhild)
Kokonoe Juutarou (Ishen)
■Participation teams for the baseball tournant
Brunhild
Belfast
Misumido
Regulus
Restia
Reefreez
Rynie
Rodoa
It turns out this way only with the staff (acquaintances) from each nation. A bit unexpected.
「Will the security be okay? 」(Yumina)
「There will be no oversight. Excluding particular people like kings, others will be asked to wear an artifact that can be seen by other people. The guards from each nation will also be attached so that they don’t stand out. We will also, naturally, do our own guarding in secret as well. Even the cat squad, which is lead by Nyantaro, has been asked to provide help」(Touya)
I have also requested the help from familiars of Kohaku’s group of divine beasts, so we should be well covered in terms of security. What worries more is how Professor Babylon hasn’t yet started talking about participating in shogi tournant while Moroha-nee-san and Karina-nee-san don’t speak about the martial arts tournant.
I will sohow request them to give up on that sohow, but I am also a bit scared on what unreasonable demand they may ask of in return.
「It certainly looks like a festival with how things are going」(Yumina)
「Well, there is no mistake in what you’re saying. Street stalls will also be lined up, and there will be various trifling events happening. It’s just unfortunate that our preparation period was so small」(Touya)
Everything started out as just an idea, after all. It’s bad that everyone got rolled in it, but at least it looks like everyone looks forward to the end result in their own way, which is helpful. If we’re going to do it the second ti, I will make it so that we have a bit more ti to make preparations.
As for people like Kousaka-san, they grumbled complaints that we would’ve been able to gain much more revenue if only we had at least a month of ti in advance and advertised the festival outside of the country too. Well, I understand them.
「Yae-san, Hilda-dan, and Elzie-san seed to want to participate in the martial arts tournant as well 」(Yumina)
「That’s because I’ve asked them to help with security this ti. I should ask them to patient」(Touya)
Those girls should already be considerably strong. They are being trained every day by Moroha-nee-san who’s a sword goddess, and they are also receiving the effect of “Divine Protection” in addition to it. What I say is probable, but they may receive divine protection from three people, naly Moroha-nee-san, Karen-nee-san, and .
If I try to describe it, it’s like being under the patronage of a god. One receives various graces and can acquire abilities that separate them from ordinary people.
However, while it’s true that they receive a divine protection of a sword goddess, the effects are not those that directly raise their skills with swords. There seems to be an infinite variety of effects, depending on each individual. For example, Yumina here seems to be able to look several seconds into the future. This may be the divine protection which I have bestowed, but I don’t quite understand why it was that ability that revealed itself in her.
I feel it would be unfair for people like that to appear in the martial arts tournant. I would like everyone who has been gathered to participate to enjoy themselves, so I must show restraint, although I feel bad for the girls. If I don’t, then the aning behind not letting Moroha-nee-san participate will disappear.
As for Baba-jii-san and Yamagata-ossan, they’ve overco my opposition with the pretext of protecting an assembly hall. Well, there is certainly no limit to the number of fellows who may hold no-good ideas towards the participants, that’s for sure. So what they’re doing is necessary. We plan to sort out everything with barriers and artifacts in that regards, but I can’t call those asure absolute.
「Aah, there is more. Her Eminence The Pope of Ramishu and Karen-ane-sama say that they would like us to lend them a church in the castle town」(Yumina)
「A church? Are they going to pray there?」(Touya)
「It appears they are going to establish a consultation office there to listen to people’s worries. And speak with Kami-sama」(Yumina)
Listen to people’s worries, huh? I don’t mind sothing like that. They are the kind of people who seem to be able to give an advice on love, life, and stuff like that. However, will Her Eminence also conceal her social standing and participate in it?
As I inclined my head while pondering about it, the smartphone in my pocket started to vibrate. Hm? A call?
I took out the device and read the screen. It says “Incoming: Kami-sama”. Ueee?!
「H-hello?」(Touya)
『Ooh, Touya-kun. Would it be fine if I participate in this festival as well? How about it? I just want to sightsee for a bit, and speak in the church about trivial matters. There won’t be any troubles 』(Kami)
「Seriously?...」(Touya)
『I also want to et with the gods who’ve descended. Please take care of that one』(Kami)
As I listened to the laughing voice on the other side of the smartphone, I suddenly felt like I have a cramp on my face. ... This is bad. The unthinkable has happened.
The strongest protector, in a certain aning, will make his descent. Will it turn out okay... for this festival? Though there is no way he would be coming as a god, naturally.
Not good, now it seems like gathering the kings of each country here incognito is but a trifling matter...
What exactly am I going to do now...
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