Chapter 167: Cultural Exchange

***Arc 7 One Who Bare Their Fang on Reason, Chapter 167 Cultural Exchange***

On top of a thin layer of snow.

Two men fought in the center while hundreds of soldiers watched.

Over 6 shaku tall and muscular.

Dressed in military uniform, the spear wielded by the large man was surprisingly delicate considering its appearance.

With the slightest movement, he parried and avoided the opponents' spears, and naturally unleashed blows that would have been a certain kill for a normal person.

At times, he dared to create an opening, inviting the attacker to deliver a counter.

The 8-shaku spear, made of heavy Argana wood.

The sound of the wind was like the swing of aa club, and the thrust was like that of an arrow, punching holes in the air――if swung wildly, even the handle of a spear could become a deadly weapon.

On top of that, there was a solid set of theories supportinh it, and all of these things were within a well-calculated set of principles.

However, the tall and beautiful man was just as skilled as he was.

He also freely manipulates an 8-shaku spear, and his movements were fluid and dreamlike.

Like water running through rocks, or wind rushing through the gaps in trees.

The spear he manipulates is lean, evasive, and slips through the opponent's guard.

He continued to dodge the spear that would normally have been deadly, and even had enough time to counterattack.

On a day when not even the wind was blowing, the scene was like a storm.

Powdery snowflakes flew up and down, tracing a silver on the trajectory of both spears.

Kolkis Agrand, the best warrior in the kingdom.

Vinthril Sharana, the best warrior in Kreisharana.

More than half a Koku passed, with both sides lavishing their superhuman skills.

The one who lost the will to fight from the tip of the spear was the large man――Kolkis.

"My, my, it seems that I was unconsciously underestimating it as spear, that doesn't know anything about the battlefield. At this rate, it doesn't look like we'll be able to settle the spar. At this rate we both will continue to wield the spear until we're both exhausted."

"That seems to be the case. Although it's only a spar, a match is a match. I was determined to win, but... it seems like I need to train even more than I do now in order to break down your defenses."

Vinthril also released his stance, shouldered his spear, and said that amazed.

Putting aside the like of Krische's standard, if it's an opponent other than that, he should be able to win easily.

But such thought must have been a conceit.

Kolkis Agrand's spear had an air of a skilled veteran, reminiscent of the spear of his father, Chief Alkierence, and at the same time, it also possesses a surging ferocity.

Vinthril was giving his all in the fight, but he was not confident that he could corner Kolkis

"Underestimating, that's our word, Kolkis-domo. ...I had assumed that people of the plains accustomed to would be affluence――that Krische-sama was special, but I had no idea that there was a warrior like you in the kingdom."

Vinthril called Kolkis by name.

In Kreisharana, it was courtesy to call a warrior worthy of respect by their name rather than by their family name.

"If you were born in Kreisharana, it would not be surprising if you were in the position of Chief Warrior. The world sure is vast."

"I must admit it's quite embarrassing embarrassed to be praised so directly."

Kolkis scratches his head and smiled bitterly.

"Kuku, but there's something disgusting about complimenting each other like this. Let's stop here."

"Indeed. More than words have already been conveyed."

Vinthril approaches him with a manly smile on his handsome face.

Kolkis also strides up to him and holds out his right hand.

"Kolkis-dono, your abilities are sufficient. I could not ask for a better friend to stand side by side and fight under Krische-sama."

"I think the same thing. I'm more than happy to have met a warrior like you, Vinthril-dono. From now on, I would like to work with you for a long time while honing our spear skills together."

The two men clasped hands, and cheers echoed around them.

Although Kreisharana's warriors were not well received by the royal court nobility, this was not the case in the military, where military prowess and honor are held in high esteem.

Since ancient times, strength as a warrior has been an object of respect that transcends rank and status.

If one become warriors worthy of one against thousand, few would make fun of them and say that they are barbarians.

A warrior who competed on an equal footing with Kolkis, who could be said to be the best warrior in the kingdom, excluding Krische.

Vinthril was, at the very least, someone that many soldiers should respect.

Kolkis put a hand on his shoulder and roared for all to see.

"As you can see, the strength of Kreisharana's greatest warrior, Vinthril Shalana, is equal to Kolkis Argand's! Remember that by making fun of this man and his subordinates, you are also making fun of me, who fought him with spears like this! "

And then, he looked at Krische, who as usual was sipping tea in a special seat while watching the match――not but at Selene who was sitting between Lira and Krische.

Seeing Selene nodded, Kolkis invites Vinthril to his seat over there and told the soldiers.

"From here on, it's exchange session, so anyone who is confident in their skills can come forward as they please. From what I see, even if you exclude Vinthril-dono, all of the warriors of Kreisharana's skill are excellent. If you underestimate them, you'll be embarrassed, so be aware of that."

At the sound of his voice, a skilled warrior from the kingdom steps forward.

He was a member of Kolkis's second corps.

And one of the Kreisharana warriors too stepped forward. While looking at such a scene, they sat on the prepared chair, picked up the wine that had been poured, and exchanged glasses with Vinthril.

"Thanks to you, I saw a good fight, Vinthril -dono."

"Thank you, Your Excellency Marshal Christand."

"With one exceptions, Kolkis is one of the best warriors in this vast kingdom. Even though it's called a warrior nation, I can't believe that there's someone in that mountain who could stand up to him on an equal footing."

Selene said amazed and spread out her hands.

In terms of population, it would be less than one thousandth.

Even though Kreisharana was a nation of warriors, it was surprising that its chief warrior was as powerful as Kolkis, who was near the top of the kingdom.

It's not like Kolkis cut corners to make him look good.

As a matter of fact, Vinthril stood in a domain extremely close to Kolkis.

Vinthril laughed and shook his head from side to side.

"In the end, it's just a match. If it was a serious duel, it would have been a different story."

He looked behind Kolkis――his adjutant standing there, holding a full-body steel war spear.

Kolkis was dressed in a light military uniform, and the spear was similar to those used by soldiers.

Since it's a match, he's not in perfect condition either.

"No matter how you look at it, if he wear armor all over his body and get to wield that spear, I'll lose. We won the previous move, and now we can finally see victory――if it were a head-on battle, we wouldn't be evenly matched, but it would be my lose. I still have to work hard."

"If it's a serious battle, you'd probably wear light armor that allows me to straddle a griffin. In the first place, from the beginning our side is at an advantage since it's a fight with foot on the ground. In the end, we won't know who will win or lose."

Kolkis would probably win in a battle where he was fully armored.

Using his armor as a shield to forcibly step in and use that to forcibly decide the match.

A horse is just a substitute for transportation.

In the kingdom, those possessing magical power mainly engage combat on foot, and were equipped with heavy weapons and martial arts geared to that purpose.

For example, if it was Nozan or Gildanstein instead of Kolkis, the outcome would be the same, but Kreisharana's warriors mainly focus on fighting while riding griffins.

Hence the light clothing..

The means and purpose of fighting are different, so there is no way to compare them in a simple battle.

"Will you be able to use Griffin as a shield and take advantage of that opportunity to stab me? If we're going to fight each other seriously, that will be the deciding factor in the match."

"Then that would be two on one, Kolkis-dono. If we don't know the outcome of the match even with that then I'll probably lose."

Vinthril said happily.

Was it because they were two people who could be called genuine warriors?

The two of them got to know each other at a dinner party the other day, and their relationship has become like that of friends.

Lira looked on happily and took a delicious bite of the cookies placed on her table.

She have had a lot of delicious food since she came here.

Although she was afraid that she would not be able to endure it when she returned to my hometown, the temptations were too strong.

"Is it delicious? Lira"

"Yes, very much. I should refrain from being extravagant, but somehow... I'm embarrassed to say that I can't stop."

"Ehehe, I see. If you'd like, Krische'll teach Lira how to make them next time. Cookies are pretty easy, and Krische's sure you can make them over there too."

"Is that true?"

"Yes. It's true."

Lira happily nodded and thanked her, as she bowed her head.

Krische also smiled with satisfaction and looks at Vinthril.

"Vinthril, are you okay?"

"Yes, of course. Lira, don't get too excited."

"I-I know..."

In the center, a man came out from Kreisharana, and the two men began to fight.

The sound of cheers echoed, and it's hard to decide which side to support.

Cheers echoed and filled the place.

Krische, who was thinking about making cookies, turned her attention back there.

Just as Krische enjoyed cooking, they enjoyed the art of killing each other and the exchanges.

It seemed unhealthy, and it didn't seem right――and that was somehow strange.

Did they enjoy hurting others?

Was it fun to show that they were superior?

If it were the latter, it would be understandable, but now it seems that it was not healthy either.

"Anyway, why does everyone like this?"

"What do you mean by this?"

"Fighting"

Krische answered Vinthril who asks curiously.

While looking at the men competing with each other with her somewhat inorganic eyes.

"Krische can understand why risking your life to pick up a sword in order to protect society is praised. Krische can understand it in the sense that there is a competition for professional ability and superiority. But perhaps there is more to it than just that... Krische thinks everyone thinks it's fun."

'There are a lot around Krische too, but' she continued, remembering Kalua.

fundamentally, hurting people is bad.

However, improving one's skills is rather praised.

To protect themselves from external enemies――She could understand the logic that Gallen said.

However, that might not be all for them.

"Just like Krische enjoyed cooking. Krische think everyone somehow thinks that killing each other is fun."

Granmeld was like that too, and she had seen many people like that.

'Do they enjoy hurting people, or was there another reason?'

There's a joy in them that Krische don't quite understand.

"Especially, don't all the people of Kreisharana spend their whole lives training to fight? Krische a little skeptical about what's fun about living like that..."

"...Krische-sama sure ask something difficult."

Vinthril smiled bitterly, and Kolkis and Selene next to him looked at Cliche with exasperated faces.

What do you people enjoy about life――a question that was, in some cases, much too rude.

"But well, the truth is, it is probably fun."

However, there was no sign of any discomfort.

After thinking about it for a while, Vinthril easily answered.

"Otherwise, wouldn't the world already be a peaceful place without conflict? Humans are creatures that compare themselves to others and hope to gain advantage over other. ...Those who are envious, jealous, and feel pleasure in looking down upon other. I too can't stay away from those feelings."

"Is that so?"

"Yeah. I'm just trying not to feel it or pay attention to it. I think it's instinctual to want to be a superior being. Otherwise, I probably wouldn't have become a Chief Warrior like this. "

He indicated by tapping the curved sword he carried on his waist.

"To demonstrate excellence... In that sense, strength is very clear. It's simple and easy for anyone to understand. I think that's why so many people enjoy it."

"...That logic is understandable even to Krische. But to Krische, it doesn't really, like...in the end it's a technique for killing people after all, and Krische doesn't think it's a very good to enjoy it and, so, Krische is a little confused.''

Don't hurt people thoughtlessly.

This was a rule that everyone was taught when they were children.

For military personnel, being strong is an essential part of their raison d'etre.

As a soldier, she could understand it if it was for training, but she didn't understand how they could enjoy these battles as an event in of itself.

"Enjoying it as a spectacle like this is not very peaceful in itself, it feels like it's violent...somehow it's hard to express it."

Krische crossed her arms and tilted her head in thought.

Vinthril smiles bitterly.

"Strength is a clear indicator. Because of that clarity, being strong can lead to conceit, create arrogance, and as a result, disturb the peace――and as Krische-sama said, it can become dangerous. That's why many of the rules of Kreisharana forbid this."

Then he looked at the two fighting in the center.

"It is the nature of beasts to want more than others. We may have wisdom, but we are imperfect creatures just like beasts. That's why I heard that it can only be completed when ethics, law, and reason are in place to govern it.''

"......Complete"

"Competing and wanting more is the irresistible nature of people. I know that abstinence alone has its limits, so we sometimes comfort ourselves by letting it out like this. The skill of killing each other is truly idyllic when it comes to comparing skills with rules set like this. ...If it becomes a pastime, a harmony, and a source of fulfillment like the food and other things that Krische-sama says, then there's nothing wrong with it."

He tipped his sake cup and let the high grade sake roll on his tongue.

The sake too was delicious and comforting.

There was definitely a desire for more.

Without a disciplined heart, one will endlessly seek more and more.

If one seek beyond one capacity for anything, it will eventually lead to collapse.

"Nature is nature, it is natural that it exists, and there is no point in thinking about it. The important thing is to control it, to know that it is sufficient, and to have the peace of mind to enjoy what it is. What humans aspire to is the Holy Spirit Yagernaus."

"Regalave-san?"

Vinthril nodded and poured sake into the sake cup.

"If desire is a drink to be poured into, then reason is the vessel. If you seek beyond your limits, it will inevitably overflow and become uncontrollable. However, if you keep it within the vessel like this, there will be no problem. I can't drink the spilled sake, but as long as it's in the cup, it's mine.''

Shaking the sake that was halfway poured, he sipped it again.

He smiled as he tasted the sake.

"You could say that the reason we train every day is to expand this vessel. ...For over a thousand years, Lord Yagernaus has been living quietly on that mountain. He just watches things change, doesn't interfere, doesn't ask for much――in a sense, what Yagernaus-sama holds is a vessel like a lake.''

This was an analogy that she was particularly bad at.

Krische listened to it with a frown on her face and a difficult look on her face, and Vinthril continued with a wry smile at her.

"Even though Krische-sama has the power to have everything, Krische-sama have learned that the trivial days are more than enough. Kreisharana's predecessors believed that the secret lies in Yagernaus-sama's strength. ...If I train my mind and body, I will someday be able to possess such a skill, so I train every day."

'It's still a long and difficult road though' Vinthril puts down his finished sake cup.

Krische muttered, 'how difficult' still thinking.

"...It's very difficult..."

"Haah... You're supposed to be smart, so why are you so stupid?"

Selene pulled Krisha's cheek from next to her and sighs.

"Just because you like being spoiled by Bery, if you spend all day being spoiled, you're just a stupid spoiled baby. The Krische who is spoiled after doing what needs to be done is a Krische who is a good girl who can restrain herself. Then I won't have to nag you, and the estate will be peaceful every day, and the world will be safe. Do you understand the logic? "

"I see......"

"I see, not. Maybe you should learn a little more from the people of Kreisharana. It's been especially noticeable lately."

"Uuh..."

While pinching her soft cheek, Selene raised her eyebrows.

The kingdom marshal calmly scolded a girl who was not afraid of even Dragon.

Vinthril and the others looked at the two, half stunned.

"If you can hold back properly, you'll feel much happier when you're spoiled than if you're spoiled all day long, and I won't get mad at you either. Look, which one is better?"

"I-it's better if Selene is not angry..."

"That's right, I don't want to get angry either."

She waves her elegant golden hair and smiled.

She gently pat Krische on the head and look at Vinthril.

"That's a wonderful idea. I would like to emulate Kreisharana's way of thinking."

It was an excessive amount of play to be carried out in front of guests, but she didn't really care.

Although she was hidden in Bery's shadow, she too was completely numb to her sense of distance from Krische.

"H...hearing the Marshal said that, it makes me feel a little relieved."

Vinthril answered while feeling a little confused by the kingdom marshal's appearance.

"From the perspective of people from the plains, our culture may seem strange."

"......Is that so?"

"Training is harsh. There is no entertainment. However, it is precisely in this harsh life that you can be satisfied with small pleasures, and as long as you think that is enough, such a life is certainly not bad."

He spoke while looking at the royal capital behind, thinking deeply.

"...However, there are still many people who don't fit into that lifestyle, yearn for the outside world, and go out to the plains. When we see the kingdom like this, we are left wondering if our teachings are absolute."

Days dedicated to training.

There were times in the past that seemed difficult, and he could understand the feelings of those who left their villages.

Everyone who visited Kreisharana for the first time looked at the world of Kreisharana with strange eyes.

From an outsider's perspective, this was probably the world.

"Nowadays, we don't pursue those who leave...However, there was a time in the past when people who tried to leave were severely punished. We don't know whether it's a good thing to impose something they don't want, or what is the right thing to do."

"Well, it's just a way of life for practitioners. It's admirable, but the fact is that not everyone is that strong..."

Selene continued, unconsciously playing with Krische's cheek again.

"If diplomatic relations are opened and more people come and go...Is there something a little scary about it?"

"There may be things that are scary. However, if we think about what we should aim for, it is something we should accept....And I also believe that it's unlikely that we won't be able to accept change and lose everything. Even if it's not in the form it is now."

Vinthril smiled bitterly and showed the curved sword at his waist.

"At the very least I'm satisfied with my current life and accept it. No matter what happens to the next generation, if this is the right thing to do, it will take root and remain, even if it's tapering off. I think that's fine. And that is the way to imitate the Holy Spirit."

Then he looked at Krische.

"I've gone off topic a bit. ...In response to Krische-sama question, it may not be clear, but guess this is what I personally think."

"...Thank you. Krische is sorry that Krische also a little vague about what Krische wanted to ask..."

She thought and tilted her neck again.

"Krische is just, that the world is full of people who enjoy killing each other, so Krische thought for a moment that there would never be peace...so Krische asked the question before."

Vinthril words were very similar to what Bery and Gallen said.

Regardless of whether it was right or not, it feels like it's the right way to do it, so they worked hard for it.

Although the ideas and methodologies were different, the goals were still similar.

When she thought about it, it was true that an event like this cannot be called barbaric.

"However, Krische feel like that is a somewhat extreme conclusion, and it is somehow difficult"

Krische smiled when she said that as if trouble

"...But it's true that if everyone was a pervert like Regalave-san, ehehe. The world might become more peaceful. Krische feel like that's one solution."

"...That way of saying it is somehow...but at least it can be called an ideal world."

Vinthril laughed and Krische nodded.

"Well, it doesn't seem like we'll get an answer right away. Let's think about it later."

Hoping that someday there will be no more wars.

That every day is peaceful――but she's sure it's not that easy.

The reality is that one can't even be satisfied with oneself.

Changing the world must be much more difficult.

At the very least, it would be pointless to think about it until they have had enough time.

"First of all, we have to do something about the enemy outside. Vinthril, Krische would like you to visit Krische's private army――Black Flag Special Force later."

"Yes, as Krische-sama wish."

"Griffin is convenient because it can fly, so Krische thought we could use it together with the Black Flag Special Force. Selene, wouldn't that be nice?"

"Do as you like. There are 30 cavalry, and all I can think of is having them fly as bodyguards or messengers."

Selene stretches slightly and pulled her cheek with her fingers.

Although they were skillful, thirty people were still insignificant compared to the entire battlefield.

There are limits to what they could do.

However, if it's Krisch who had it, she could use it as much as she like.

She was the strongest warrior in the kingdom, and she had no shortage of limbs.

"Yes. Krische, just thought of something better."

"something better?"

Selene tilted her head, and Cliché nodded.

"Thirty cavalry should be enough. If things go well, even if the opponent has double the strength, we might be able to win with almost no damage."

She showed a beautiful smile.