It Seems the Demon King Has Returned to a World Where Gender Roles Are Reversed - Chapter 65

 Chapter 65 :

Martial Arts Festival 

This is the name of a festival held at the military academy.  

Its origins trace back to the grand festivals of Rebirth Festival and Extinction Festival, which take place at the end of spring and the end of autumn, respectively.  

The Rebirth Festival and Extinction Festival are ancient celebrations that have been observed since time immemorial. They represent the principles of the cycle of life birth and death and through these, people come to understand the great providence often spoken of by priests, realizing their own existence within this divine order.  

However, that’s merely the story written in books.  

In truth, it’s nothing more than a simple festival.  

In other words, twice a year, it’s a time when the food harvested throughout the year is shared freely, allowing everyone to eat and drink to their heart’s content.  

This period falls between spring and summer, and between autumn and winter typically in May and November.  

The Martial Arts Festival, held during this time, can be described as a kind of competitive event, an essential part of any festival.  

Its origins date back quite far. Just as the Rebirth and Extinction Festivals were significant events for the temple, the Martial Arts Festival also originated from the temple. As the names of the Rebirth and Extinction Festivals suggest, life and death are the most critical elements of these rituals. To prove this, the temple once held a ceremony where two of its finest knights were pitted against each other in a deadly duel.  

Through this, the outcome whether one survived or not was used to predict the fortunes or misfortunes of the year, as well as to read various omens.  

Of course, such barbaric practices are no longer acceptable today. A knight with exceptional skill is a valuable asset in their own right. If two such knights were consistently killed each year, it would create significant problems.  

Thus, the meaning of this ritual has evolved into a competition to determine who is the most skilled knight of the year.  

The Martial Arts Festival that Hazel referred to was precisely this competition.  

To be exact, it refers to the Autumn Martial Arts Festival, held during the Extinction Festival, between autumn and winter.  

“...”  

“Let’s settle things with Ragna at the Martial Arts Festival.”  

At this bold proposal, everyone falls silent, staring at her.  

In the midst of this, Liliana mutters with a serious expression:  

“What kind of absurd thing are you saying...?”  

“Oh? Absurd, you say?”  

“Are you mocking the Martial Arts Festival? Are you insulting those who have dedicated their lives to training for it?”  

“No, Liliana, I’m completely serious. In fact, I’d like to say this: don’t underestimate my resolve.”  

“What does that mean...?!”  

“I’m prepared to do anything right now. Anything to have Ragna.”  

“...!”  

Hazel glares at Liliana with fierce determination in her eyes.  

Faced with that intense gaze, Liliana is rendered speechless and closes her mouth.  

In response to Hazel’s declaration, Seria instinctively begins to bristle, as if she feels threatened. Anita, too, mirrors this reaction, staring at Hazel with a stern expression.  

“...But even so, if you can’t accept the means, the conversation will just go in circles. In the end, we need a method that everyone can agree on to reach a conclusion.”  

“And that’s the Martial Arts Festival?”  

“Yes, exactly. The Martial Arts Festival is a stage where only skill matters. A place where hundreds of warriors compete with their abilities. Only the strong survive. If it’s that, no one would have any objections.”  

At this response, Ragna looks at Hazel with a calm gaze.  

Hazel, in turn, stares back at Ragna with eyes sparkling with unmistakable desire.  

Ragna senses the longing and passion in her gaze.  

Where exactly is that passion directed?  

Is it truly aimed at Ragna himself, as she claims, or...  

A faint smile creeps onto Ragna’s lips.  

A low voice escapes from between those lips:  

“...Interesting.”  

At this bold statement, Seria and the others look at Ragna in surprise.  

Hazel, smiling, responds:  

“It seems I’ve piqued your interest.”  

“Indeed. But before I accept your wager, I have a condition.”  

“Hmm, what condition would that be?”  

“What I’d like to propose is the ‘condition for victory.’ If even one of ‘everyone gathered here’ defeats you or achieves a better result than you, you forfeit your claim.”  

“Oh? Everyone, you say?”  

“What’s the matter? Can’t accept it? But this is a wager that determines your fate. Without conditions like these, there’s no reason for me to agree to it.”  

“Wait a moment!”  

Suddenly, Liliana shouts in protest.  

With an angry tone, she continues:  

“Why are you deciding this on your own?! I haven’t agreed to this!”  

Clearly upset at being dragged into this wager without her consent, Liliana objects.  

But Hazel ignores her and muses:  

“...Hmm, indeed.”  

“Well?”  

“You’re right. Without conditions like these, there’s no point in making a wager. Heh, otherwise, no one would be convinced, would they?”  

“So, you’re accepting it?”  

“Very well. I accept.”  

“...!”  

Hazel nods with such a carefree attitude that everyone’s expressions are colored with shock.  

Yet, amidst it all, Ragna remains calm, nodding as he says:  

“Then this matter is settled.”  

“Yes, it is.”  

“Is there anything else to discuss?”  

“No. Well then, I’ll take my leave. Farewell.”  

With those final words and a satisfied smile, Hazel departs.  

Following her, Anya and Liche, the two girls who had barely recovered from their shock, trail behind.  

After the three girls disappear, Anita, finally regaining her composure, sighs and questions Ragna sharply:  

“...What on earth were you thinking, accepting her proposal like that?”  

“Hmm, is there a problem?”  

“Of course there is! Even if she made a fool of herself once, she’s still the first-year representative. Her skills aren’t to be underestimated. If you let your guard down, thinking you’ve already cornered her with strategy, you’re in for trouble.”  

“...Even for someone like me, facing her head-on would make it hard to predict the outcome.”  

“Hmm, is she really that formidable?”  

At Liliana’s comment, Ragna mutters in genuine admiration.  

Seeing this, Anita sighs again:  

“What were you thinking, causing this mess? Cancel it right now. This is an incredibly disadvantageous wager.”  

“Hmm...”  

“And before that, there’s something I want to hear from you.”  

“Huh?”  

At her words, Ragna turns to Liliana.  

With an angry scowl, she says:  

“Why did you drag me into this? I don’t have time to indulge in such ridiculous games.”  

“Right, Ragna! Why did you involve the others?! And why did you even agree to this in the first place?!”  

Amid the barrage of criticism from the girls, Ragna gives a wry smile. Stroking his chin, he says:  

“...But in that situation, if I hadn’t done that, she wouldn’t have agreed.”  

“Huh?”  

“What do you mean? Were you planning something?”  

At Anita’s question, Ragna nods with a faint smile.  

“I’m sorry to Liliana, but in that situation, I had no choice but to say it that way.”  

“...Why? Is there a reason?”  

“Yes, there is. If I had mentioned everyone’s names one by one in that moment, she would’ve caught on... to our trump card.”  

“Trump card?”  

“...! I see, that’s what it was!”  

At Ragna’s words, Anita slaps her forehead and bursts out laughing. Ragna nods in confirmation.  

Liliana, still not understanding, frowns and says:  

“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”  

“It’s simple. No matter the situation, we have a trump card that guarantees victory.”  

As he says this, Ragna places both hands firmly on Seria’s shoulders, who is standing beside him.  

“...Huh?”  

Seria blinks at Ragna in surprise.  

Liliana, finally realizing, lets out a low groan:  

“...I see, that’s what you meant... So that’s why you said ‘everyone here.’”  

“Exactly. If I had specifically named Seria, she might’ve figured it out.”  

That’s why he deliberately avoided mentioning names and pressed for a quick response. If Hazel had heard Seria’s name, she might have reconsidered.  

No matter how skilled Hazel is as the first-year representative, her abilities are still only at the level of a first-year student.  

No matter how impressive her skills may be, surpassing Seria who is comparable to an active knight and expected to one day become a White Knight is impossible.  

“...Indeed, a trump card.”  

“To think you came up with that in such a short moment and chose your words so carefully?”  

Anita mutters, clicking her tongue.  

Ragna nods at her.  

But Liliana, still dissatisfied, says:  

“...Even so, I’m not thrilled about being dragged into this without my consent.”  

“I’m sorry about that. I apologize.”  

But Ragna’s tone feels oddly light.  

Feeling irritated by this, Liliana frowns. Anita, giving a wry smile, pats her on the shoulder.  

_____________

After the three head off for lunch and afternoon training, Ragna also makes his way to the dining hall. After filling his stomach at the area designated for male knights, he heads to the academy’s library.  

The history of Schreid Military Academy is prestigious, even compared to other kingdoms.  

Thanks to this legacy, Schreid’s central library boasts a collection comparable to that of a royal palace library.  

Looking at the towering bookshelves, stretching up like a dense coniferous forest, Ragna lets out a light sigh.  

Every time he comes here, he can’t help but reflect on how he managed to end up in this place.  

Regardless, the challenge lies ahead.  

With that resolve, Ragna steps into the sea of books. Just then—  

“Hey, Ragna.”  

A familiar voice reaches Ragna’s ears as he begins to move.  

Turning his head, he sees a familiar boy approaching, arms full of large books and a bright smile on his face.  

It was Eric.  

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Translated by Reversalnovel.web.id