S-Class Conference: Topic 4

"For the 4th topic, Lord Akai Naoto, if you please."

At last my turn.

"Yes."

I answered as crisply as I could.

… The original me had been a self-deprecating introvert, and standing up in front of the class to present was something I'd hated.

Now I was going to step forward and present my own wishes as a topic to the 23 most senior figures representing this world, the S-Class Masters.

I'd changed too.

This kind of change was, I supposed, called growth.

… Even if I were sent back to the past, the moment of my transfer, this very instant, with my current self I thought I could improve the situation any number of ways.

I mean, Kanan no longer scared me one millimeter.

… But that was a state I absolutely didn't want.

Because even if I did my best in that world, all I could obtain would be Kanan, Yumi, Eclair, Maika and the rest of the Seven Greatest Beauties, and Setsuna. I couldn't be satisfied with that anymore.

Adelia, Lyuka, Leone, Yuria, Ursula…

If I were torn from my beloveds, I'd never be satisfied again.

Now, let's do this.

I had to obtain Eclair, Hizaki-san, and Himuro-san and complete the Reido Academy Seven Greatest Beauties. I couldn't move forward without it.

"All right, everyone, once more, pleased to meet you. I'm Akai Naoto. Looking forward to working with you from now on.

"Ehm… first, let me explain my situation.

"I'm an otherworld transferee. I came from the country called Japan, on Earth.

"I believe some of you have samurai and ninja among your Garumon — that's their country of origin.

"The school organization I belonged to, Reido Academy, transferred over with the school building itself.

"Though, I came in later, with this Kanan, the two of us.

"… The detailed circumstances are in the Garumon Communications Reido Academy special issue. If you'd like, please."

I had an NPC sister distribute the Garumon Communications I'd prepared for this.

"… We who transferred fought each other, as if led on, according to this world's rules.

"And… in the end, the ones who survived all the way to S-Class are me and 17th-ranked Eclair Feradria.

"Unless we settle things, the Reido Academy transfer incident won't conclude, I believe.

"… I'd very much like permission to duel her. Thank you."

I lowered my head once.

"One more matter. The other day, when I met 16th-ranked Lord Julian, our opinions on Garumon training differed, and we promised to settle it with a duel.

"I would also like permission for this duel. Thank you."

I lowered my head once more.

"That's all. I'd like permission for two duels. That's my topic."

There. I'd said what I had to. What would they make of it?

"… You're rushing, freshly debuted."

The first to give an impression was 8th-ranked Aleph. Hot-blooded, like a shounen manga protagonist, young-man-style.

"But that kind of thing's not bad, I think."

He… my impression of him was favorable. Getting a good reaction from 8th rank was big.

"Right, Fauzel?"

He passed it to 7th-ranked Fauzel.

"… That's true. If both sides have something they won't yield, settling it with a duel is necessary too."

Cool, handsome Fauzel had cool, handsome things to say.

Whoa, up to 7th-ranked… so it might pass without trouble?

"Is that so?"

… But the one raising a question, uwa, he was…

6th-ranked Duras Heidrich. Up until now, the one most vocally giving opinions, the standout, the S-Class debater.

… Being on his bad side might be bad.

"… Akai Naoto-kun, do you know why Garumon battles among S-Class Masters are prohibited?"

So he asked.

Calmly, I thought about it.

"… S-Class Masters are humanity's sword for facing the monster threat. Recklessly reducing the count of those swords would be the result."

I answered honestly, with what came to mind.

"Exactly so. Well understood.

"It's not that even S-Class Masters are forbidden from sparring matches.

"If you want to do a sparring match, that isn't something to prohibit, nor does it require our Council's permission.

"It's a matter Eclair Feradria need only consent to.

"Daring to challenge to a Garumon battle means wanting to wager mutual slave-status against Eclair Feradria.

"The winner gains the other and all their Garumon; the loser becomes the other's slave. Am I wrong?"

"… You're not wrong."

"That, as a result, reduces the count of S-Class Masters by one.

"The S-Class Conference cannot tolerate that."

When stated so rationally, so smoothly, it seemed there was no room for counter-argument.

"That's right, that's right, we can't permit selfish behavior! Getting Sario Shard along with Eclair…? Absolutely cannot be approved!"

"As if we're not already busy, with S-Class Masters being further reduced…"

When Duras spoke, the "well, then we'd better oppose" voices grew stronger.

Zeiros, Goldin and the like added their chorus.

Zeiros, well, nothing to do; but Goldin, with whom I had no particular relations and who'd seemed neutral, being swept that way was painful.

"… Wait. Lord Duras. I and the others were defeated by Naoto and joined under him… yet, by that, we have not become weakened.

"Rather, we've gained editing freedom; we ourselves review tactics and strategy and progress daily.

"It's fair to say our combat power has been greatly strengthened.

"Eclair Feradria is the same. She too currently has only 6.

"If she joined Naoto's banner, her combat power would only strengthen further.

"It absolutely does not mean a decrease in combat power. Naoto is currently able to do the work of more than two S-Class Masters."

Ursula countered beside me.

"Unfortunately, Lady Ursula.

"A former Master who has gained a goshujin, even if strengthened as a Garumon, is typically weakened as a Master.

"… I too have a former-Master futanari Garumon among my slaves, so I know.

"A Master who stands by self-pride, and a Garumon who can entrust their pride to another, are utterly different things.

"In this world, of S-Class Master and UR-Class Garumon, which is more precious and important, it'd be S-Class Master.

"UR-Class Garumon number 10,000 worldwide; S-Class Masters number only 24 worldwide."

Duras counter-rebutted Ursula's rebuttal. Truly an articulate man.

"Mm…"

Ursula too fell to thinking.

A Master who responsibly stands on her own, and a Sub-Master who can entrust her responsibility to another.

Which was the easier position needed no saying.

She didn't think she'd been weakened in combat strength, but if it was flatly stated she was "psychologically weakened somewhere," could it be denied outright?

"H-however, thou hast added Refalia, who was formerly a B-Class Master, into thy retinue likewise. By what right canst thou stop Naoto from doing what thou thyself hath done?"

"B-Class Master and S-Class Master are entirely different dimensions.

"Refalia, as a Master, could barely protect the territory she inherited from her parents — a Master of poor talent.

"… But Eclair Feradria is currently S-Class number 17. Her talent as a Master is sufficient. How is the loss of that not a loss?"

"That is precisely it! Refalia had no talent as a Master, but as a Garumon she is outstanding! And she had the capability to serve as Sub-Master in your party as S-Class number 6 — this is a talent that would not have blossomed had she remained an independent Master!

"Refalia became stronger by becoming thy Sub-Master! Why canst thou not say that I and Eclair would become stronger by becoming Naoto's Sub-Master!"

Ursula bit back at Duras.

"Oh…"

Cheers went up.

"… You're heated, Lady Ursula. Up till now you were always cool, transcendent… a bit chilly, somewhere. That was your charm.

"This heart-and-soul Lady Ursula, first time I've seen her. Everyone seems surprised.

"… Adorable."

Shaina sent me that message.

… So Ursula, for my sake, was speaking with such heat…

Thinking that, my chest grew warm.

I couldn't leave it all to Ursula. I had to push back too.

"… Lord Duras.

"Your opinion presupposes Ursula has weakened upon becoming my companion.

"But that's wrong. I commit to creating an environment where my companions can demonstrate their abilities to the fullest.

"Ursula will absolutely not weaken; if Eclair joins us as a companion in the future, I'll have her shine even more than she does now."

"That's an empty promise. You can't ask us to trust on a word alone.

"True, your Attack Battle Success record is impressive… but you're still a 24th-ranked newbie Master."

"And yet, there are Masters here who lack that Attack-Battle-Success medal.

"In that point, Naoto has demonstrated power."

Bachi bachi… Sparks flew.

Hmm, why was Duras Heidrich rebutting me? What he was saying was correct, but…

Duels between S-Class Masters apparently weren't that uncommon.

In general, I'd heard they were fairly readily approved.

"Well, the not-convinced part is there, yeah. Eclair's an exceptional woman like this. Plenty of guys who'd want to do her — not just you, right?

"Only you getting the chance — isn't that unreasonable?

"If challenging is allowed, I want to too!"

… Now Fergus bit in too.

But this too was sound reasoning. How did I rebut…

"But I have the promise of the duel with Eclair.

"For that promise to be fulfilled, I'm bringing this topic to the conference.

"… If you want a duel, you can apply to Eclair yourself."

"… Ignoring rankings and challenging selfishly is conduct that doesn't suit S-Class order."

At that moment, the one who opened his mouth was 5th-ranked Caios.

His appearance was gloomy, depressive in look. A nervous-seeming man with a pointed chin and slanted eyes.

He had a slightly high, grating voice.

… This man was a descendant of the legendary Master, the great Augusta, but…

Frankly, on appearance alone, he wasn't impressive.

But his clout in this conference was apparently fierce; the opposition seemed to harden all at once.

… Damn.

That Caios was my biggest rival in the race to succeed Leonhardt-san. The opponent I absolutely had to defeat.

… To have him stand in my way from a place like this.

No, if he saw me as even slightly to be wary of, this was natural.

If my combat power strengthened, his own position was threatened.

He was wary of my combat power strengthening from obtaining Eclair… Didn't seem to be overthinking.

Indeed, that was what I was aiming for.

… Still being underrated as 17th and 24th was why I'd thought this would pass easily.

If they were wary, the story changed entirely.

If 5th and 6th turned to opposition, 7th and 8th turning to support had weak effect.

If anything, like this it might slide into opposition.

Could be bad…

"Anyway, there's the year-end S-Class Tournament. Why rush to duel?"

Garland opened his mouth. A voice somewhat resembling Leonhardt-san's, but a bit slacker, less dignified.

"Right, allowing selfishness… S-Class order…"

Dunes opened his mouth… A man with a meek look, easily swayed by surroundings.

He'd only been making remarks that aligned with the prevailing atmosphere from earlier.

"Mm, yes… for the sake of S-Class order, allowing selfishness can't be…"

Even Zares, who was even more of a follower of room atmosphere than Dunes, looked distinctly like a mob.

People like these getting swept along with the opposition showed my disadvantage.

Mm, w-what to do. What did I say?

However I spoke, it seemed like I'd be taken as too desperate, no good. Same if Ursula urged.

Someone else… well, Shaina wasn't particularly eloquent, and relying on her would be cruel.

Who else to lean on… Leonhardt-san? But as a man trying to become Leonhardt-san's successor, going crying to Leonhardt-san was something I didn't want. Pathetic.

Was there any way…

"I rarely attend the conference, but…"

At that moment, the one who opened his mouth was the previously silent S-Class 3rd, Sairas.

A voice resonant enough to make you say "voice actor?" — a cool handsome-guy voice.

"Duels among S-Class tend toward approval. Why oppose this time? Duras."

He called out.

Duras Heidrich was a handsome, tall, aristocratic, cool figure.

Viewed alone, you'd say "ohh, this is what an S-Class Master is" — a person filled with dignity.

For a former commoner, he didn't seem like one.

… But before Sairas, everything paled.

"… As I said. We cannot easily approve a duel that would reduce the S-Class Master count."

"Then for the duel of Akai Naoto and Julian, there's no reason to oppose, correct?

"For now, that's good for approval."

So Sairas asked.

… No one raised a clear counter-argument.

Huh, it passed already? Eh, this easy?

… Eh, what? Why was he suddenly siding with me?

Was Sairas, perhaps, a nice person?

I was a bit confused.

"… I don't know what he's planning… but few men have brains turning as well as his.

"If he's siding with us, that's appreciated, certainly.

"… Though just what kind of debt we're incurring with him, I do not know…"

Ursula didn't seem to accept it.

Hmm, Ursula had known him for a long time, and just covering for me out of pure goodwill seemed… unlikely?

Probably some calculation behind it.

"Then what remains is the Eclair fight.

"I too read this Reido Academy special.

"… I found it quite interesting; how about all of you?"

So saying, he raised up the magazine I'd distributed for show.

"Indeed" — type assenting voices gathered… Thanks to Patty.

"This world is in its 300th year, isn't it?

"As a 300th-anniversary event, this seems just right.

"That both rose all the way to S-Class can be argued as preparing the best stage.

"We can set up the best stage, and have them duel.

"Above all, the vast majority of citizens want a duel between Akai Naoto and Eclair Feradria.

"If the S-Class Conference is known to have crushed it, the backlash against the Conference would grow great as well.

"That's not what we want.

"'Think of the people, and accomplish what the people wish' — weren't those your words before? Duras."

"… Mm… that is… certainly…"

Whoa, in plain view, Duras was talked down.

So this was Sairas…

Strong, and turned the tongue too.

… No, I couldn't space out. There was no doubt Sairas had covered for me.

I lowered my head and gave thanks.

"… Appreciation for the cover."

Ursula sent Sairas a message.

"Don't worry about it. Just my honest opinion."

Sairas's reply came.

"… Tch. This is why I dislike him.

"… I see him as a rival, but to him, I am not even a thing to count, see…"

Ursula was a little irritated.

… It wasn't a friendly reaction, but the fact she got emotional in response to Sairas was a little jealousy-inducing.

"That's so. I too was looking forward to those two settling things."

… The one chorusing with Sairas was Lady Aqueria.

Oh… what a beautiful voice. Lovely… with that gentle smile, beyond wonderful.

"If two talented people clash, and merge into one… there's a strong possibility of becoming stronger. If, from two lower S-Class Masters, a Master who reaches S-Class mid- or even upper-rank is born, for overall combat power it's a plus, isn't it."

Aqueria stated.

She, with a favorable opinion of me. Favor for me… that Aqueria.

The Aqueria I'd been admiring, looking up to…

No, I mustn't space out.

Thanks… maybe I should send my thanks.

"Thank you."

I tried sending a message.

"You're welcome."

came the reply. Oh… I'd exchanged messages with Aqueria. Ohh… somehow moving.

With 2nd and 3rd rank in support, this time it tipped at once.

Now, the only question was what 1st and 4th would say…

"When there's someone called a rival, without settling it, you cannot move forward.

"For the sake of a young man's future, I think we adults should not get in the way."

Leonhardt-san proposed it like that.

"Thank you."

I sent a message.

"Fufu, do your best."

Oh, this must be Mercheada-san. I lowered my head and greeted her.

The last was 1st-ranked Satoru, but…

"Hmm, fighting by skipping rankings is… I'd find that troubling, see～.

"… You know, if Sairas-kun challenged me, I wouldn't like it."

Hey, 1st rank. What was with that uncertain remark.

"… Is that a remark indicating you wouldn't mind if I challenged you?"

"No, no, no such intent… no, oh no, Lady Aqueria. Honestly, if I had to say, I wouldn't want even Lady Aqueria challenging me… but I just mean it'd be even more disliked if two challenged me…"

Bachi bachi bachi…

Uwa… 2nd and 1st were glaring at each other.

It was one-sided, Aqueria glaring, Satoru cowering.

To make that gentle-seeming, beautiful Lady Aqueria angry.

… Lady Aqueria seemed gentle and soft, but yes, the strongest S-Class Master. There was plenty of fierce side to her, apparently.

But places like that were nice too…

So even at the brink of how my opinion would land, I couldn't help being captivated by Aqueria.

"Well, the majority's pretty much decided, looks like? Then there's no point in me opposing."

Satoru wrapped it up like that.

… Which means,

"If 1st through 4th opinions have come together, no point arguing further."

Duras, who had been opposing, withdrew his argument too.

"… Tch."

But Caios glared at me unpleasantly. Glaring, glaring…

But seeing me not look away, he twisted his face distastefully and looked away.

… Yes, I won.

I shouldn't think that. Probably I'd earned his grudge or his anger.

But…

"Then, by unanimous consent, the approval is fine? Shall we vote?"

To the chairperson's opinion there was no objection.

"Then, the duel of Lord Akai Naoto with Lady Eclair Feradria and Lord Julian is approved."

It seemed…

My duel with Eclair was, safely, going to come about.

Ahh, good, good.

Anxieties remained for the future, but for now, truly, it was good.

"Then, in that case, let us decide the detailed rules right here.

"If it's being held as a 300th-anniversary event, we can't be sloppy."

… However, things were turning out to be a bigger deal than expected…

300th-anniversary event, eh.