Keep it up, big brother! (Part 2)

The decisive battle was imminent. The First Prince, spear raised, charged directly at Maple on horseback!

His charge carried the momentum of a thousand armies.

Traditionally, a joust involved two knights charging at each other, with victory declared for the one who first unseated their opponent with a spear.

But…

‘At that moment, I felt a cold sweat for Maple. “Won’t he dodge? It feels like he’ll be trampled if he stands in front of him!”’

The First Prince’s spear glinted sharply, its accompanying charge so overwhelmingly powerful that it seemed to exert an invisible, inescapable pull.

Damn it, he can’t dodge, look out—

Maple, however, rode forward to meet him. He raised his shield in defense, and in that critical moment, astonishingly abandoned his spear.

Freeing his hands, he gripped the reins tightly, bracing for the impending impact!

Here it comes! CRASH!!!

The shield shattered into two halves, yet Maple miraculously remained mounted!

As they clashed, passing each other in a blur, Maple spun around and delivered a swift sword strike!

“Wh-what?!”

The sword flashed, and the First Prince frantically parried. Not only he, but even I failed to discern the incredible speed of Maple’s ‘Iaijutsu’ technique.

Maple then relentlessly pursued, engaging him in close-quarters combat. The First Prince could only use his spear to block left and right, finding himself overwhelmed and struggling to parry.

“Why isn’t the First Prince drawing his sword?” I couldn’t help but ask. “Don’t polearms lose their advantage in close combat?”

“Do you see him having any chance to draw it?” Luo Bing’ai’er replied.

“This…”

“He knows that close-quarters combat plays right into Prince Maple’s hands, yet he doesn’t even have an opportunity to ride away and create distance.”

No sooner had she spoken—

Maple’s sword locked onto his throat.

“I’ll give you a chance to draw your sword. Otherwise, winning like this holds no meaning.”

The First Prince froze, then shortly after, he offered a faint, acknowledging smile, knowing he had, in fact, already lost.

“You are likely more than just Britannia’s finest.”

He relaxed his grip, and the spear clattered to the ground.

Everyone present witnessed this scene, their faces collectively dumbfounded.

The First Prince conceded…?

Maple won…?

Yet, no one dared to applaud. After all, the First Prince, representing the Frankish Imperial Family, had been defeated. The venue fell into a stunned silence.

It wasn’t until applause echoed from the dragon throne that everyone finally erupted in cheers.

‘Hmph, a bunch of sycophants who only act according to my Imperial Father’s mood.’

Luo Bing’ai’er happily turned to me. “Your Imperial Father applauded Prince Maple! That means His Majesty has already acknowledged Prince Maple! I must say, he truly is impressive. His judgment of the situation was excellent, especially abandoning his spear at the crucial moment…”

“Since when did you become a Maple fangirl? This is merely a sparring match, not a real battle.”

She drooped her rabbit ears, sticking out her tongue in slight embarrassment. “Look quickly~~~ Sharabelle has already presented the champion’s laurel wreath to Prince Maple!”

Of course, he would give it to me. With a hint of smugness, I said haughtily, “Actually, I’m not really interested in the laurel wreath~”

Under the expectant gazes of the entire arena (mine excluded, of course), Maple rode a circuit around the field, then approached me.

The result was…

“…” Maple, holding the laurel wreath, silently stared at me from across the fence.

“…” I, sitting in the front row of the stands, also silently stared back at him. We simply exchanged blank looks, separated by a meter of space.

Finally, I couldn’t hold back. “Well, put it on me!”

“Well, come a little closer! My arm isn’t long enough!”