Chapter 29
Even as Sazaby tried to make sense of the situation, the twins innocently approached the weapon Queen Sapia was holding.
"A rapier?"
"Never heard of it."
The twins tilted their heads as they examined Queen Sapia's weapon, while the queen watched them with amusement.
"Well, it may be rare in your country, eh, Nizuhock?"
Nizuhock, addressed by the queen, bowed and said, "Yes," then began explaining to the twins.
"Rudek has been at war for a long time, so weapons are generally specialized for group battles. Weapons intended for individual combat are indeed rare."
"I wonder if Roa knows about it. I hear Roa is quite knowledgeable about weapons."
When the queen asked again, Nizuhock nodded.
"...Roa probably knows."
"Oh, what a shame. I would have liked to get the better of Roa at least once."
"...Well, it's just that they're rare, and even some nobles in Rudek use them."
"...That is true."
Once the queen seemed satisfied, the twins spoke up:
"So this is only for thrusting?"
"Let me use it for a bit."
The twins pleaded with the queen.
"Hmm. It is a diversion. It might be interesting if everyone used rapiers this time. Langet, is that acceptable?"
The person she called by name was the military officer who had suggested a spar with the twins yesterday.
Watching the exchange, Sazaby wondered whether anyone would object to the queen taking part in the spar. But this concerned another country, so Sazaby quickly dismissed the thought.
"Yes, Your Majesty. Then I'll prepare at once, but... are you sure?"
"What is it?"
"The guests appear never to have used rapiers. Would that not give us rather too great an advantage?"
"...Well, who can say? Let us have them try."
Since the queen had said so, Langet did not press the issue. Rapiers for everyone were quickly prepared and handed to the twins as well.
"Oh, it's light."
"Like this? Is this right?"
As Sazaby watched the twins play with their rapiers, Langet brought rapiers for Sazaby and the others as well.
"Ah, no, we're only spectators."
When Sazaby declined, the queen, who had been watching the exchange, called out to Sazaby.
"What, you're not joining in? You look fairly skilled yourself."
"Ha ha... Compared with the twins, it's child's play."
The queen merely said, "I see."
"Very well. Then on our side, it will be me and Langet. And Kiries was the one who wished to participate..."
"Sapia-sama, may I participate as well?"
The volunteer looked familiar to Sazaby. It was the person who had stood closest to the queen yesterday. Judging from the atmosphere yesterday, this person was probably one of the queen's most trusted aides.
"Oh, Juveruno. It is unusual for you to join in this sort of game."
"If Sapia-sama weren't participating, I could have enjoyed this as a spectator, too."
The man moved with catlike suppleness. To Sazaby, he seemed less like a knight and more like one of their own intelligence specialists.
"Hmm, then there are six of us. In that case, let us fight in pairs. That should be easier for the twins as well."
"I don't mind, but you'll regret it."
"The two of us are invincible together!"
"Such boasting. Very well, let us see this invincibility of yours. I will team up with Juveruno. Langet and Kiries, you two go first and show us what you can do against the twins."
"Yes, Your Majesty. ...Even with the tips protected, we might land a solid hit, and Your Majesty may never get a turn..."
At Langet's confident words, the queen nodded with satisfaction.
"That is the spirit of a Tsanadefor warrior. But do not let your guard down."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Thus, the twins faced Langet and Kiries in a spar.
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"What a strange stance."
"Like this?"
Langet and Kiries stood at an angle as they faced the twins. Seeing this, the twins cheerfully imitated them.
"Then I shall begin."
Langet's expression changed, and a tense atmosphere enveloped the area.
Langet and Kiries edged slowly closer.
"Hah."
Suddenly, both men launched thrusts almost simultaneously, so fast they were nearly impossible to follow!
"Whoa!"
"That was close!"
The twins spun left and right to evade the attacks. They deftly returned to their starting positions as they spun, only for thrust after thrust after thrust to come at them!
But the rapiers never touched the twins.
"They're fast!"
"I see. This is interesting!"
They even had enough composure to watch the thrusts coming at them, looking delighted. By that point, Langet and Kiries had begun to realize how strange the twins were.
"What are these two...?"
The two men began to panic. The moment their thrusts grew sloppy, the twins did not miss it.
"Hup!"
"Like this!"
The next moment, Langet and Kiries were struck in the chest, fell onto their backsides, and stared blankly.
The twins celebrated innocently right in front of them.
Amid all this,
"That's why I told you not to let your guard down."
Queen Sapia's words rang out softly, as though she had foreseen the outcome.