"Next, we will begin the group mock battle!"
Various terrain features like trees and rocks appear in the arena.
The court mages are using teleportation magic to bring in pre-prepared terrain.
It seems this isn't difficult magic since they can only bring nearby objects, making it different in principle from teleportation.
"I thought we'd be facing off on flat ground, but with terrain, strategy will be effective," Tanya commented, looking at the arena interior that had transformed into something like a forest.
I had just come down to the waiting room with Asella to check on the knights who would participate in the mock battle.
Asella looked at the knights and ordered, "The captain will take overall command as we've trained. Use Tanya actively at the front."
"I'll follow your orders."
A total of one hundred and forty knights are gathered before us.
The 2nd Regiment's 1st Company will participate today as part of the Wolgwang Palace faction, as per our contract.
I spoke to the company commander, "Commander, remember the contract? It would be troublesome if you show even the slightest sign of acting under Tojin Palace's influence."
"Hey, come on. Don't kill our enthusiasm before we even start. We've received your help too—would we really do something so despicable?"
The 1st Company knights were energetically warming up, seemingly full of vigor.
It's thanks to the aspirin they got from me, allowing them to live healthily for several days.
"Just watch. We'll show you what we can do."
"Good. Listen well to our knights."
I patted his shoulder encouragingly.
There's probably not much to worry about.
"One hundred and forty is still a bit lacking compared to other factions."
The other factions have roughly two hundred knights each.
With all factions' total forces battling in the arena at once, chaos is expected.
We don't have enough enhancement vials to distribute to everyone.
"This much should be necessary."
In times like this, I go for the simple, efficient approach.
I pulled out a book from my chest.
"Oh, is that the Holy Book?"
"No, it's a novel. Someone recommended it, and I've been reading it when bored. It's quite interesting."
It's the romance novel Lauga mentioned.
Even without the Holy Book, I can still make it look like I'm praying.
"Ah, goddess or whatever, just listen."
As I recite the prayer, brilliant white divine power radiates from my body.
"May strength dwell in their bodies, amen."
As I finish casting, the ground sparkles and light envelops the knights' bodies.
"A blessing!"
"This feeling... my strength is overflowing!"
The knights jumped around excitedly.
I cast Blessing of Strength. Since they're physical fighters, they should appreciate thicker muscles.
In exchange, my divine power is depleted.
It doesn't matter since I rarely use divine spells anyway.
"To think you'd use such a large-scale blessing—you truly are the Imperial Physician!"
The company commander said, flexing his newly bulging biceps.
"I usually charge money for this."
"Haha, if war breaks out, I'll pay any amount to stay by your side, sir. Actually, I thought you couldn't use healing arts since I never saw you use them."
"Why wouldn't I be able to use healing arts, you fool."
There are probably few healers in the Imperial Medical Office who are better than me.
"Well, I suppose you don't need to use them since you have better techniques."
"That's right. Don't spread false rumors."
"Hey, I didn't start them!"
The company commander stretched his neck indignantly.
I meant it as a joke, but are there really rumors going around?
Who started them?
"Princess, your orders for deployment."
The Wolgwang Palace captain bowed with disciplined posture, extending one arm vertically in front of his chest.
Asella raised her chin authoritatively and commanded, "Secure victory."
"Yes!"
The knights rushed toward the arena in a crowd.
The clanking of armor filled my ears.
After watching them leave, I returned to the spectator seats with Asella.
On the way, she said to me, "Young Lord, you're good at healing arts too. I've never actually seen blessing spells before."
"Ah, I see."
"...Are you not using healing arts because of me?"
No, I'm just tired of them.
Princess, try being the healing shuttle in a hero's party day in and day out. See if you still want to use them.
I only have the experience of dying while using them.
Though it was an extreme situation with unfavorable conditions.
Using healing spells makes me feel like I'm back in those moments.
They're definitely not good memories. I'd rather not recall them.
But Asella's question seemed perfect for an excuse.
"That's exactly right. I am Your Highness's physician. Skills unnecessary for you are unnecessary for me as well. Even a lifetime is too short to master all the medical techniques needed for your care."
"I see."
Asella listened to my answer impassively.
Thanks to this, I gained a good justification to use as an excuse.
After this competition is the magic festival. Asella plans to participate directly.
Come to think of it, I wonder if Seymour is coming. He hasn't shown his face all day—maybe he didn't come to the tournament at all.
Would Asella know?
"Your Highness, I have a question."
"..."
For some reason, Asella didn't answer.
"Your Highness?"
"Oh, yes?"
Only after I called her a second time did Asella seem to hear me, turning her head with a start.
"Is the Sage not coming today?"
"Yes, he's not com... Sigh."
Wait, did Asella just make a mistake with honorifics?
After taking a deep breath and returning to her usual expression, Asella glared at me sharply.
"You dare ask me such a trivial matter when I'm thinking about important things?"
"I have committed a mortal sin."
Seeing that she seemed upset again, I immediately bowed my head in respect.
...There was no response.
Just as I was tensing up, wondering if I'd crossed a dangerous line, Asella's calmer voice reached my ears.
"Raise your head."
"Do you forgive me? Am I not to be executed?"
"I won't. If you die..."
Asella seemed lost in thought again and mumbled to herself, so I couldn't hear the rest clearly.
"...I'd have no one to heal me for the rest of my life."
***
"Now, watch carefully! The magnificent might of the Tojin Palace knights! Each piece of armor is made of thorium crafted by dwarf artisans. And we have two hundred of them! Of course we'll be the last ones standing."
Georg, sitting arrogantly in the spectator seats, shouted with confidence.
Indeed, his knights, including the 2nd Regiment from the southern garrison, appeared quite determined.
"Brother, are you going to embarrass yourself again? Our Geumseo Palace knights are strong too, you know?"
"Your knights are already staggering into the arena, still sick from the epidemic. Meanwhile, our knights have been specially managed by the Imperial Medical Office."
"What? That's unfair."
"Haha, the battle begins with how much ability you can use in the preparation stage. His Majesty values influence within the palace in daily life."
Georg was right.
The knights' condition, including their armor, reflects the abilities of their faction's leader.
"Falkenhain! This time you won't fail me!"
When Georg barked at him, Falkenhain stepped forward and answered.
"Yes, Your Highness. The knights have been thoroughly managed and are in perfect condition."
"Good."
With the sound of a large drum, the battle commenced.
The knights' battle cries soared high enough to pierce the clouds.
Over a thousand knights had entered the arena.
Each faction had to start from their base, cross difficult terrain, and strike the enemy.
"Georg's knights definitely have the advantage in a direct confrontation."
Differences created by wealth and background are hard to overcome with skill alone.
Though weapons are standardized for non-lethal combat, being hit still causes injury.
The quality of armor greatly affects combat endurance.
Moreover, we're using the hastily assembled 1st Company, so gaining tactical advantage won't be easy.
No matter how strong Tanya is, she's still just one person.
"That's why we need Lauga."
BOOM!
Dust rises in the distance. The sound of dozens of shields colliding simultaneously beats like drums, raising excitement.
The real competition has begun.
Already formations are breaking and knights are falling in some engagements.
"What? That unit...!"
Georg ground his teeth after checking the flag through binoculars.
From the first engagement, his flag was rolling on the ground.
"Lauga, that's your unit! Why are they attacking my knights first?!"
Lauga giggled behind her hand at the excited Georg.
"This is still the reconnaissance phase. Charging blindly will never lead to victory!"
"I don't need to win! Festivals are just about having fun. Brother, just sit down and enjoy it."
Seeing Lauga's brazen attitude, Georg sighed in disbelief.
"Anyone can see this is a malicious attack!"
"Whyyy? I'm just using my strategy."
"How is that a strategy?!"
I could understand Georg's frustration.
Lauga's knights weren't even holding weapons but were charging recklessly while carrying large oak barrels.
The barrels contained sticky slime mucus.
It has no special effect. It just makes you feel disgusting when covered in it.
Georg's knights were thrown into confusion, breaking formation.
"What are these guys doing? They're just charging mindlessly!"
"Get away! Remove this sticky stuff!"
Lauga's knights clung to them like zombies, pouring slime on them.
"You guys, *cough*, you got your epidemic treated... how unfair!"
"We were dragged here while burning with fever! We'll infect you too!"
There was no honorable combat to be seen—only what looked like a brawl between drunkards.
The Emperor laughed heartily watching them.
It was clearly not a laugh of admiration for Georg's high performance.
"My knights!! What grudge do you have against me to do this, Lauga?!"
"You stole and ate my special cake last month. Don't you remember?"
"Cake? You ruined this important tournament over a mere cake?"
"Mere cake? It was a rare cake made by a famous patissier from the kingdom who only makes twenty per day!"
"And it was imported from an enemy country! Good grief."
Georg clutched his head as if having a migraine and collapsed into his chair.
I look around the arena.
The Wolgwang Palace knights are steadily occupying high ground while avoiding other factions to minimize casualties.
At the front, Tanya is mowing down enemy soldiers like autumn leaves.
At this pace, we can expect quite good results.
I went over to Asella to make conversation.
"Your Highness, it seems the Second Prince is suffering from a headache."
"Indeed he is."
"What do you think, should I lend him some aspirin?"
Asella giggled at my joke.