Tiamat, I'm going to find a girlfriend!

"ok, I get it."

Artoria's expression was serious.

"Since Ian has expressed his approval of you, there's nothing to hesitate about."

After saying that, Artoria stood up on her own.

At first, Melyuchina thought she was going to find an opponent other than Ian for her, until Artoria pulled out the Golden Sword of Victory (Caliburn).

"bring it on."

"Since you don't want to have Lord Ian as your opponent—"

"Let me take your place."

Artoria pointed the Caliburn sword of certain victory at Melyuchina in front of her.

"is that OK?"

"..."

Although she could sense that Artoria was no ordinary person, recalling the humiliation she had suffered at the hands of Ian, she felt it was no longer a problem.

"Aroundight said no problem!"

Meiliuqina, who was holding a sword in each hand, became serious.

but--

Although a duel was about to take place, there weren't many onlookers.

Aside from Melyuchina and Artoria, who were participating in the duel, there were only Morgan and Ian watching from a higher vantage point.

"Is this the person you brought back in the rain?"

Morgan looked at Melyuchina in front of him.

"Correct."

Ian nodded.

"It's awesome."

"Is that so?" Morgan said thoughtfully. "If even you say so, then I'll have to keep an eye on her performance."

"If you lie to me, I'll punish you tonight."

The princess gently stroked the dragon's chin with her fingers.

the other side.

"Pointing the Caliburn sword of certain victory at the opponent," Artoria said.

"That's it."

"However, I hope you can give it your all."

"Of course!"

The battle is about to break out.

It was Melyuchina who launched the first attack.

She thoroughly enjoyed this sense of initiative.

However, having learned from her previous failures, Meliuchina was much more serious this time.

She immediately displayed her impressive speed.

Wings spread out—

Melyuchina left countless afterimages around Artoria.

It was as if each of them was her, yet it was also as if none of them were her.

"Here we go, Aroundight!"

The phantoms converged in an instant, coalescing into the shape of Meiliuqina.

This is her signature five-hit combo.

I failed to defeat Ian last time, but this time I'm determined to take down Artoria no matter what!

A chilling aura emanated from the deep blue blade.

Aroundight's surface was instantly covered in frost as it pierced towards Artoria.

This time I won't lose face, right?

But Melyuchina soon realized she was wrong.

Facing the five consecutive, chilling thrusts, Artoria didn't even show a hint of fear.

He dodged to the left, and the first thrust was avoided.

He bent over, and the second thrust was dodged.

Artoria evaded all five thrusts with near-perfect precision.

If--

Ian, who took the attack head-on with his body, was a monster.

Then Artoria in front of us is no less impressive.

However, what makes her so monstrous is that she can almost perfectly predict the direction from which all attacks will come.

Meiliuqina even doubted whether she would be able to touch her.

What's going on with these two?!

Are they all dragons?!

but--

Just as Melyuchina was pondering this, Artoria withdrew her sword.

"All right."

"You, pass."

"..."

Mei Liuqina was confused.

The competition had only just begun, how could it have ended so soon?

Artoria, as if she knew exactly what she was thinking, quickly explained with a smile.

"You stopped short of making a point; your performance was indeed quite good."

"I want to apologize to you. I did underestimate you a bit earlier."

"Ian's recommendation was indeed correct."

"..."

Mei Liuqina pouted.

So after all that, it turns out my test is still inseparable from that weird thing that insulted me?

I can't stand it!

Absolutely unbearable!

"Can we continue?"

Grasping the two Aroundight swords, Melyuchina blocked Artoria's attempt to sheathe her sword.

"I haven't even experienced the power of your attacks yet."

"At least let me try, okay?"

Although she felt that her words were somewhat provocative, Meliuchina did not regret doing so.

A swordsman should be a brave warrior who draws his sword like this!

"Are you serious?"

Artoria frowned slightly.

"I am serious."

Melyuchina crossed the two Aroundights together.

"No matter what happens, it's all my own problem!"

"I understand."

Ian isn't the only one constantly getting stronger.

Not to mention, Artoria already harbored a lot of resentment.

She raised her golden sword of certain victory (Caliburn).

At that moment, golden light gathered on the sword.

Meiliuqina felt her breathing become rapid.

She seemed to understand what Ian meant by the feeling of excitement one gets when facing someone they perceive as an "enemy."

"Aroundight, please."

As Melyuchina said this, she prepared to try and withstand the attack.

only--

An unexpected event occurred at that moment.

Suddenly, the burning golden sword began to tremble.

It looked like it had overloaded and broken down.

Click——

Click——

The crisp sound echoed through the duel.

Several cracks have appeared on the blade of the Caliburn sword, the sword of certain victory!

52. Even without it, I am still king.

"..."

"..."

The breaking of the Golden Sword of Victory (Caliburn) forcibly ended the duel between Artoria and Melyuchina.

Especially Melyuchina.

She felt as if she had done something wrong.

"This... how could this be..."

But what Melyuchina didn't know was—

Looking at the cracked golden sword in her hand, Artoria felt not sadness, but rather a sense of relief.

She felt that something that had been binding her for a long time had been shattered.

"It's alright, Melyuchina."

"I was taking it too seriously."

Don't worry, I won't blame you.

Everything I just said is still in effect.

Having said these words, Artoria departed, clutching the broken golden sword of certain victory (Caliburn).

Only Meiliuqina remained standing there, somewhat at a loss.

However, Morgan didn't care about her at all.

The princess of Britain felt that Artoria's reaction was a little off.