CH 149

[Best Bout]

The martial arts tournament had its closing ceremony after all the matches had finished.

At this ceremony, the Best Bout Award was given, and was decided by votes from the members of the Order of Knights who watched all the matches.

And the result…

“This year’s Best Bout Award goes to—Barrett Albers and Jarvis Lekrust’s match!”

The highly energetic voice of the female student who acted as the host resounded.

At the same time, the loudest cheers of the day erupted from the entire venue.

“I would expect no less of Lord Barrett!”

“Lord Jarvis, too!”

“Congratulations, both of you!”

Raul, Eureka, and Tayte praised us, while the other participants of the martial arts tournament congratulated us by clapping.

“Come on up to the stage!”

Prompted by the host, Jarvis and I, still feeling emotional, proceeded to the stage.

There Principal Abigail was waiting for us with her arms crossed.

“It’s been a short while, Barrett Albers.”

“It truly has.”

“Jarvis Lekrust, you did amazingly well.”

“It’s an honor, Principal.”

“The fact that you guys stood on this stage… gladdens me, truly.”

We exchanged handshakes with the principal and were presented with commemorative rings.

Immediately after that, there was thunderous applause from the venue.

“Congrats to you both!”

“You have my respect!”

“I’m looking forward to you guys participating again next year!”

Praises, lots of praises, rained down on us from every direction—praises that if I had followed the steps of the original Barrett, would have never received.

“…………”

Naturally, I clenched my fist.

I was moved.

――Looking back, I’d worked really hard to get here.

People weren’t congratulating me half-forcibly like back during Divine Gift Ceremony, but they were congratulating me sincerely, from the bottom of their hearts. It was kind of funny how unreal it felt.

“Geez… this isn’t a gala, why are they making such a big fuss?”

When I suddenly shifted my gaze to my side, I found Jarvis smiling shyly.

…She was one of the characters who had a tragic end in the original storyline.

But here, at this moment, she was receiving cheers and applause.

She was not suffering in a dark and cold prison, but standing proudly on this bright stage.

“…………”

“Hm? What’s wrong?”

“Ah, it’s nothing.”

Anyway, glad everything went smoothly.

That left… the Halmans’ conspiracy, huh.

A full-fledged investigation would most likely be carried out, but… I wondered how much would they be able to dig up.

I was also worried about what the principal had said: “The time will come when I will have to ask for the help of the Knights of the Academy.”

What was the principal getting at by that?

Did she have some sort of secret goal?

There was still so many things mystery to me.

One of them being the continuation of【The Rise of the Weakest Holy Swordsman】.

Where was the story heading? How would it end?

…Well, regardless, I would create a future where Tayte was happy.

With that in mind, I waved my hand to the audience in response to their loud cheers before waving to Tayte and her alone.

Tayte happily waved back in response.

—Now, there was only the afterparty left for the day.