I glance at Nina, and she's giving me a patient but pleading look. Dammit, Alto might be right...I am a softie. I let out a deep sigh, then nod at Nina before turning to Alyse, who is giving me a puzzled look.
"Ehem...I see no issue with you and Alto sparring, Alyse, but it seems that my Lady wishes to participate in some of the archery activities while we're here. Would that be possible?" (Mizuki)
Alyse's confusion intensifies, and she raises her eyebrows as her tone turns skeptical. Nina, realizing I'm on board, begins staring at Alyse excitedly. I have a sneaking suspicion that, if we weren't in public, she'd squeal.
"Uhm...I had no idea that Lady Nedonera is interested in archery. Even so, I'm not sure if she can participate. There's the matter of whether The Ring's staff will let her, which I don't mind asking about, but sadly she'd need to have brought her own bow and arrows." (Alyse)
"Her equipment won't be an issue. My Lady, perhaps you'd like to demonstrate?" (Mizuki)
A while back, I offered to make Nina another spell ring so that she can carry her own stuff without relying on me like a pack mule. Sadly, she gave me some nonsense about not wanting to wear rings other than her wedding band. So, I gave her instructions for when I need to open an item box in public and pass it off as her spell.
Nina nods immediately and raises her arm out in front of her. I subtly summon my item box in front of it, then Nina reaches inside and produces her equipment. Afterwards, I dispel the item box. Taking a quick glance around, the only strangers who seem to have noticed the spell are the receptionists at the nearby check-in desk. Their eyes are wide with shock.
I turn to Alyse – her mouth is hanging open. Whelp...this is what I get for being so soft on Nina. I'm getting ready for another explanation about why an earth-type dragon can use an extra-rare dark class spell, but...
"Uhm...I see...okay. Then, let's go to the main arena and we can talk to one of the betting station staff about Lady Nedonera participating. After that, the rest of us can continue to the lower levels." (Alyse)
She's not going to ask any questions? I'm sure the surprise shows on my face. Maybe she's just excited to spar with Alto. Regardless, I'm not going to complain – I'm tired of keeping up our master-servant charade and all the cover stories that come with it.
Alyse leads us into the main arena, past the check-in receptionists that are still gawking at Nina. As we begin to move through the crowd of people, toward the center of the room, it becomes obvious that Alyse's confidence about her sword skills aren't unfounded. Not that I doubted her.
"Woah, check it out! Is that Alyse Egris!?"
"Oh man, I wouldn't mind sword lessons from her."
"Hey man, I..uhm...don't think you're her type."
"No way, the Blade Goddess!? That's her!?"
"That's definitely her, she just only does private training here anymore! I saw her fight a few decades back, but she hasn't competed in a while."
The Blade Goddess...seriously? I wonder how Alyse feels about that name, or those other comments. People begin to nervously mill towards us, or rather Alyse, as we continue walking. To my surprise, she's not the only one getting attention.
"Dude, are those humans with the Blade Goddess!?"
"Hey wait, no, that lady with the bow...isn't that Nedonera the Elder Dragon!? I saw her at the royal announcement recently!"
"Oh, you're totally right! Shit...do you think the Blade Goddess is going to spar with an Elder Dragon!? Is that even possible?"
Needless to say, we arrive at the betting station nearest the archery areas with our own entourage, and the staff member on duty seems sufficiently overwhelmed with the commotion. Alyse clears her throat to get his attention, and the young man's eyes snap to her with a bewildered expression.
"Ehem...excuse me. I'm Alyse Egris, and I've brought a guest with me. The woman behind me is Lady Nedonera the Elder Dragon. She was wondering if she'd be able to participate in some of the archery activities going on right now." (Alyse)
There's a rush of murmurs from the crowd around us, and the staff guy turns to Nina nervously.
"Uhm...w-w-well...t-the contestants need to be of interest to betters, so they have to be approved by Boss. I'm not su-" (staff member)
The response from the crowd around us is immediate.
"Hey, let her compete!"
"Yeah, I'll take that action!"
"Seriously! I want to see an Elder Dragon shooting a bow!"
There's a round of forceful assent from the crowd. The poor staff guy looks like he's breaking out into a cold sweat.
"O-Okay...then, I guess it's okay..." (staff member)
Approving cheers break out from the make-shift crowd, and I see Nina smirk.
[Fufufu...my adoring fans yearn for my participation, I see!] (Nina)
God...her ego did not need this.
"Well, my Lady, it seems that you're taken care of here. I'm going to go referee Alto's and Alyse's sparring match, and we'll meet you back up here. Please have restrained fun!" (Mizuki)
[This crowd looks a little wild, but no dropping bodies while I'm gone, Nina.] (Mizuki)
Nina purses her lips disapprovingly at me.
[I am capable of self-control, Mizuki.] (Nina)
Oh really, when did she develop that ability? I don't say that, though. Instead, I just nod at Nina approvingly, then face Alyse. She appears to have been listening to our conversation.
"Okay, Alyse. Please lead the way!" (Mizuki)
Alyse gives me a skeptical look and glances at Nina nervously. She doesn't say anything, though, then after a moment she nods and gestures for Alto and me to follow her. We begin making our way through the crowd, towards a door on the far side of the arena. I'm expecting several of Alyse's fans to try and follow us, but everyone seems to be more interested in Nina for now.
Alyse leads us through the door, then down two flights of stone stairs and a couple of hallways. Eventually, we arrive in front of a massive, wooden double door, and Alyse forces it open and walks through. The room inside looks kind of like an underground basketball court in shape and size, and bright lanterns and chandeliers illuminate the space.
Alyse turns around to face Alto, who's standing next to me. There's an excited smile plastered across her face. Yeah...heavy battle junkie vibes.
"So, Alto...how would you like to do this?" (Alyse)
Alto gives a small smile.
"Hmm...how about we start thirty paces apart, and we have Mizuki signal the beginning of the match? The match will end when one of us forfeits or is deemed by Mizuki to be unable to continue. Of course, no maiming or killing is allowed." (Alto)
Alyse raises her eyebrows at Alto.
"That's all fine with me, but...thirty paces? That's it? It seems like that puts a mage like you at a big disadvantage." (Alyse)
Alto smirks at Alyse.
"Yes, I think that's the only fair way to start. If you don't have any objections, let's get in position." (Alto)
Alyse snorts at Alto, and begins making her way towards one side of the room. She looks over her shoulder with a teasing smile as she walks away.
"I hope you're not taking me too lightly, Alto. I'm not going to hold back against my opponent in a serious sparring match, no matter how beautiful she is." (Alyse)
I feel my eyes widen involuntarily. Did she...just...flirt with Alto? I'm not very used to seeing it myself, at least not before Cara, but that definitely seemed like flirting. Also, does Alyse have...game? That seemed smooth to me. Too bad the only thing that gets Alto excited is books.
I glance at Alto, and she looks surprisingly flustered. However, her expression quickly changes to a faint smirk. She walks over to stand about twenty meters away from Alyse. As Alto arrives in place, Alyse pulls out her sword and takes up a two-handed overhead stance. Alto raises her eyebrows at the observation.
"You're worried about me taking you lightly, but you're only using one of your swords, Blade Goddess." (Alto)
Alyse's expression becomes focused, ignoring Alto's teasing about her moniker.
"This is me taking you seriously. Dual-wielding is best against other swordsman, since it lets me chain attacks more effectively and overwhelm them. However, it will offer no such advantage against a ranged fighter like yourself. I'm less encumbered with this one blade. Now...I suppose that's enough talk between the two of us. Mizuki, I'm ready." (Alyse)
Alto nods and widens her stance, then her expression becomes serious.
"Mizuki, I'm prepared as well." (Alto)
I guess they're only waiting on my signal now. Well then, far be it from me to keep them in suspense!
"Alright. Get ready! Annnddd...BEGIN!" (Mizuki)