A Wonderful Aspect of Autumn: Action (25)

The finals of the arena tournament’s pairs division had arrived. The two pairs that had fought their way here by defeating the tournament’s remaining heavy hitters both employed unusual fighting styles.

One pair consisted of Kanna and Raga, who had previously won this division. The distinctive duo—a warrior and a horse—appeared in the arena mounted as usual.

"Aaaaaah!!!"

The instant the two appeared in the arena, high-pitched cheers erupted from the spectator seats. Kanna, fully armed and riding atop Raga, who was equipped with heavy barding, looked incredibly gallant. Many male players respected her strength, but she was even more popular with female players.

Their opponents were an equally unusual pair: a woman dressed in little more than underwear and a suit of armor that moved autonomously. Their style involved the woman fighting while wearing the armor, but the two always appeared in the arena separated from each other.

"Woooooo!!!"

The cheers immediately changed to deep, booming roars. The moment the woman, whose figure resembled that of a gravure model, appeared, she smiled and waved to the spectator seats. She had firmly captured the hearts of the male players during the tournament.

The four of them gathered in the center of the arena and faced each other. Kanna lightly dismounted from Raga and held out a hand to shake hands with her female opponent. The woman clasped Kanna’s hand firmly with both of hers, her eyes growing moist as though she were overwhelmed with emotion.

"Um! I’ve been a fan ever since I saw you at the first arena tournament! To think I get to fight you in the finals of the arena tournament... It’s an honor!"

"Oh, really? Being told you’re a fan makes me feel a little embarrassed."...