Kays Translations
Just another Isekai Lover~
Chapter 68: The Two Swordsmen
“So, it finally begins—the battle of the Sword. Jin, this must be complicated for you.”
“Yeah. But both of them are putting their lives on the line. No matter the outcome, I’m ready to accept it.”
(Even if it means one of them dies… right, Father?)
Jin and Zoid watched from the audience stands, designated for Valhalla Academy students.
But their eyes were not those of mere spectators—because what was about to unfold was not a match, but a battle to the death.
One was a father.
The other, a friend.
Neither could possibly view this as just another fight.
That’s why Jin was determined to watch closely, to accept whatever outcome awaited them.
“Sword is strong. Far stronger than I am. And yet… I still can’t picture my father losing.”
“He’s one of the Three Heroes, called the strongest in the Empire. As a mere Holy Knight, I can’t begin to measure either of them.”
“Alright, I’m sitting here.”
Colonel Star plopped down beside Jin and Zoid.
“Never thought that transfer student would end up here… a duel with the Empire’s strongest knight.…Huh? Lielbert isn’t here?”
“No, I don’t see him anywhere. Colonel Star, aren’t you drinking today?”
Normally, Star would already be drunk by now.
But today, he hadn’t touched a drop.
His expression was serious.
“How could I drink while my own student is fighting to the death? And against Osiris, of all people…
Do you know why they call him the Sword Saint?”
“N-No… I only know the title.”
“Osiris was once surrounded in battle. He ran out of ammunition. His fate was sealed—defeat, capture, torture, death.
But he changed that outcome… with a single sword.
They say he felled fifty enemy units that day.
From that day on, they called him the Sword Saint.
As if something inside him had awakened, he became untouchable.
Many stories are told about Osiris.
But the most famous is how he single-handedly cut down fifty KOGs from an enemy battalion.
It sounds impossible.
Yet, the soldiers who were there swear it’s true.
They say he is no longer human.
That he has been embraced by the sword itself, reaching a domain beyond mortal limits.
Thus, the Sword Saint.
A living embodiment of the blade, an existence beyond reason.
“…Then… can Sword win? Against your father?”
“I don’t know. But I’ve never seen Sword lose. Not even struggle. I’ve never seen his limit. Which means… no one else has, either.”
“Th-That’s true, but…”
“Either way, today will decide it. Today, we find out who is truly the strongest in the Empire.”
The two turned their gaze to the grand stage.
A massive stone battlefield—so vast that even two rampaging KOGs wouldn’t be an issue.
For now, it remained empty.
…
“I’m sorry, Sieg… Can you carry me to the cockpit?”
“…Yeah.”
Sieg hoisted Kenya onto his back, carrying him toward Takemikazuchi’s cockpit.
Kenya was so exhausted, he couldn’t even climb a ladder on his own.
“Your back is so big, Papa…”
“You’ve still got the energy to joke, huh? Mitsurugi… sorry I couldn’t do anything for you.”
“Then… after this is over, give me Reina’s hand in marriage. That would really motivate me.”
“…Hah. You idiot. Ask her yourself when this is over. That’s between the two of you.”
Kenya understood the meaning behind Sieg’s words.
He felt like he had been accepted.
This warmth, this comfort—it almost made him want to close his eyes.
It was the warmth of a father’s back.
“I’m lowering you down. Can you pilot?”
“Yes. I don’t need much strength to operate it.”
“Mitsurugi… I don’t have much to say, but—fight, my son.”
Kenya gave a fragile smile.
Because those words weren’t meant for a fake son—
They were meant for him.
“Kenya… I’m counting on you.”
From outside the cockpit, Lord gave his encouragement.
“Kenya-kun, do your best!”
Tanaka cheered as well.
“Go! Use every last ounce of your strength! I believe in you, my son!!”
Sieg pounded Kenya’s shoulder firmly, then stepped back.
The cockpit closed.
Takemikazuchi moved forward.
Slowly.
At that moment, the stadium announcer’s voice echoed.
“And now, it is time for the knights to enter!
First, from the East—!”
As soon as the name was called, a crimson-and-black machine emerged.
Its very presence exuded malice.
It was the personal KOG of Osiris.
Its name—
“Here it is! The latest, most powerful unit of our Empire! Named personally by His Majesty Odin! The Gungnir! With its colossal spear-like blade, it pierces all enemies before it! Now entering—our Empire’s strongest knight! Sir Osiris Halberd!!”
A machine wielding a massive sword as large as itself appeared, resembling the “Clothes-Drying Pole” sword once carried by a legendary Japanese swordsman.
Its body, a blend of red and black, radiated power yet carried an unsettling presence.
And its opponent—
“And from the west! Many of you may have seen last week’s knighting ceremony! Claiming the title of the strongest student, the youngest Holy Knight Commander in history—Sword Sylphid-sama!”
Slowly, Kenya and Takemikazuchi stepped forward.
“So beautiful…”
As that machine appeared, the audience let out awed sighs.
A purely white machine.
Snow-white, immaculate, without a single blemish—stunningly beautiful.
It carried two swords and no long-range weapons.
A machine built in the image of a dual-wielding swordmaster, Kenya’s trusted partner.
“Its name… Takemikazuchi-no-kami? Yes! It’s Takemikazuchi-no-kami!!”
Amidst the cheers, the two warriors faced each other.
They spoke through their KOGs.
“Sword, are you ready? Both physically and mentally?”
“Of course. I will defeat you with everything I have.”
Kenya put on a brave front, not letting even a hint of weakness show.
Because crying or begging here wouldn’t change anything.
Forfeiting would mean Odin’s victory, and the world would fall into his hands.
So, he had to act strong.
To deceive even himself, to preserve his fragile pride.
“Good. Then I have nothing more to say.”
Osiris Halberd knew nothing of Kenya’s condition.
Odin had deliberately kept that information from him, judging that it would be a disadvantage in battle.
For a week, Osiris had done nothing but train, sharpening his blade without engaging in any other duties.
Odin had ensured that he remained completely isolated from any reports about Kenya.
Of course, Odin knew that Osiris wouldn’t be affected even if he knew.
But Odin always took the best course of action, no matter what.
“We are the swords of the Empire. From here on, let our blades do the talking.”
The two knights, the two swordsmen, faced each other.
“With this blade!”
Kenya stood only by sheer willpower.
If he let his guard down for even a moment, he would lose consciousness.
But he couldn’t afford to fall.
Losing here meant Odin would take control of the Empire, plunging the world into war.
No one knew how much blood would be spilled.
So, he had to give it everything he had.
“Yes, with this blade. With this KOG. Because there’s something I must accomplish.”
…
“You’re here, Lord. So, what do you think of your knight?”
Odin already knew the answer.
Yet he smirked at Lord, provoking him.
Beside Odin, Lielbelt and Catherine looked on.
“He will win. My knight will triumph. Do not think you can measure him by ordinary standards.”
Lord shot Lielbelt a glance before shifting his gaze back to the battlefield.
“Hahaha! Stop bluffing. Even your most trusted subordinates betrayed you. I now hold all the power! You have nothing left! Isn’t that right, Catherine, Lielbelt?”
“Yes, Lord Odin. Osiris-sama’s victory is all but assured. The fact that Sword is still piloting is a miracle. He might already be dead inside, considering how much blood he was coughing up… Ah, how filthy, how disgusting.”
“My apologies to Sword, but I don’t see any way he can win now.”
Odin and Lord sat upon their twin thrones, each watching their knight.
“I still have something left.”
One wore an expression of confidence.
The other gazed straight ahead, believing in what remained.
Gong… Gong…
The bell tolled twelve times.
And with that, the battle began.
“Now then, both fighters, are you ready? 3… 2… 1… Fight!!”