“Once again, let us celebrate the fierce battles of this year's Chronostaria Swordsmanship Tournament! Emerging victorious and claiming the esteemed title of champion, we have Freesia Greyfrost! Let’s have a winner’s interview! How are you feeling right now?!”

Barely a moment had passed since my final match against Weiss when Spica Louder, the tournament’s announcer, came charging at me with questions before I could even catch my breath.

“Uh, umm…”

Being suddenly put on the spot, I found myself stumbling over my words. After that intense duel, my hair was a mess, my clothes were disheveled, and I looked absolutely terrible. As a duke’s daughter, I would have liked some time to freshen up… but this woman had a tendency to charge in without reading the room, giving me no such chance.

──Perhaps that’s a necessary skill for an announcer, but for the one being interrogated, it’s downright exhausting…

Even so, the audience, who had watched the tournament unfold until the very end, now turned expectant eyes toward me. This, too, was a responsibility of the victor. Taking a deep breath, I managed to force out some words.

“I… I’m honestly really happy.”

“This was your sixth time participating in the tournament. Last year, you made it to the top rankings but narrowly missed the championship. It seems like you put in an exceptional amount of effort and training for this year’s competition. Would you say that’s true?”

“I continued my training as always, but… this year, I was especially determined.”

“And what do you mean by that?”

Spica Louder didn’t miss a beat, firing question after question without giving me a moment to collect myself… Definitely not my favorite type of person. Still, strangely enough, my answers came naturally.

“There’s someone I’ve always wanted to fight. I know I’m not strong enough to defeat him yet… but he’s someone I’ve admired and set as my goal for a long time.”

Speaking so openly about my true feelings in front of so many people was more embarrassing than I expected. But once the words left my mouth, they wouldn’t stop.

Trying to shake off my embarrassment, I turned toward the Hero standing beside me. I hadn’t landed many hits on him, but in the end, my magic had struck him directly. Though I had already dispelled it, traces of frost still clung to his clothes and skin.

And yet, here he was, standing tall and calmly enduring this victory interview—his endurance was remarkable.

“I see, I see! Now, let’s hear from the runner-up, Weiss! What do you think of your opponent, Freesia?”

Spica’s target shifted from me to the Hero. Startled by her sudden approach, he managed to gather his words.

“Well… she was incredibly strong. I’ve seen her fight many times before and thought I had prepared countermeasures, but… somewhere along the way, I got too caught up in the battle, and she got me fair and square.”

“Whoa, that face is just too good-look—wait, I mean… I see! But! Weiss, your swordsmanship and magic were also truly outstanding!”

“Ah, thank you.”

Despite his regret, the ever-gracious Hero still maintained his smile. Also, was that a flirt just now, announcer? I’m pretty sure you were just flirting.

──Why is she treating him more politely than the actual champion?

Not that it mattered. Honestly, this was preferable to her prying into my personal affairs.

Though I had won the tournament, my real fight was far from over. In fact, it was only just beginning.

As Spica started asking unrelated questions to Weiss, I took a deep breath, finally able to relax for a moment. Sorry, Hero, but you’ll have to be the sacrificial lamb for a little while.

Just then, as I enjoyed my brief moment of freedom, two knights approached me.

“Congratulations on your victory, Lady Greyfrost.”

“Congrats—!!”

No need to wonder who they were—none other than Gilflare and Weene, today’s special commentators.

“Ah, thank you very much!”

Even I couldn’t help but feel nervous in front of two of the kingdom’s finest knights. Perhaps sensing this, Gilflare asked a question.

“So, now that you’ve won, have you decided who you’ll challenge for your victory prize?”

“Huh?”

“Yeah, yeah! That! So, Glass’ little sis, who do you wanna fight—me or Gil?”

I hesitated for a moment. The truth was, I already knew who I would choose. But saying it outright in front of these two was… difficult.

“Oh, hold on! While we were getting sidetracked, it seems Freesia and the Seven Peerless Swords are having a secret discussion! Hey, hey! Let me in on this conversation too!”

Spica Louder, who had been busy interrogating—no, flirting with Weiss, suddenly noticed us and rushed over. As a result, all attention in the arena returned to me.

“So, what are you all talking about?”

“Uh, just about who I plan to challenge with my winner’s right…”

“That’s an incredibly important topic for the tournament! You can’t just leave the announcer out!”

“Ahaha, my apologies…”

Gilflare chuckled wryly and apologized, handling Spica’s outburst like a true adult. Once their little exchange ended, the focus was once again on me.

“Now then! Let’s go over this once more! As the tournament champion, Freesia has earned the right to challenge anyone in this venue to a special duel! But this right is only valid today! You’ve fought strong opponents one after another, and it’s clear that you’re exhausted! Even so, will you use your right to challenge someone?”

Spica delivered her final confirmation. My answer was already decided.

“Of course.”

“Oooooohhh!!”

The crowd erupted in cheers at my response.

Fatigue, dwindling magic reserves, aching all over—none of it mattered. I had come this far for this moment.

“Thank you for your enthusiastic response!

“The right awarded to Freesia holds political weight, as it bears the royal seal of Chronostaria. In other words, it carries the same authority as a royal decree, and the chosen opponent has no right to refuse—no matter who they are, even a member of the Seven Peerless Swords!”

Spica added a lengthy explanation before flashing her biggest grin of the day.

“Now, Freesia! Who will you challenge?!”

The audience held their breath, waiting for my answer. I steadied my breathing and scanned the venue once more.

There was Ibuki, whom I had fought earlier, the Hero Weiss, and in the stands, several of the contestants I had defeated in the preliminaries. Even the two members of the Seven Peerless Swords seemed slightly restless.

──But I’m sorry. Fighting the strongest knights won’t serve my purpose. I know it’s a luxury to say such a thing.

Even so, my resolve wouldn’t waver.

My gaze settled on a boy sitting in the noble and royal guest area, looking slightly out of place. Though he was quite far from my position, our eyes met unmistakably. He looked visibly shocked, and I smirked.

“──I challenge Claym Bradley to a duel!!”

If you’re so determined to refuse my invitation, then I’ll just force you onto my battlefield, Clay!