Chapter 57

Delphina stepped closer, eyes drawn to its subtle craftsmanship: the half leaf-shaped blade, fang-like hook on the reverse side that blended neatly into a curved upper guard, a long purple plume tassel attached to it, and finally the dark, squarish steel shaft, wrapped in leather at the top and by the hilt.

It wasn’t just a glaive, it was a Glaive-Guisarmes. As she realised this, she muttered quietly in appreciation.

“She’s beautiful.”

Jenkins leaned forward and handed the weapon over to her with both hands.

It’s called Whisperfang, my Lady. Lighter than standard, artificed to be resistant to corrosion and skill interference, they say it hums in battle. However, I had them add a few… extras.

Ah, there it was. Jenkins had fashioned a brilliant excuse for Hayle and Pietro to understand his belated appearance. Playing along with him would be a breeze.

However, Hayle still leaned over in their direction, curiosity blooming across his features- Delphina thought he might die if she didn’t give him a hint soon. Turning towards the seated pair, she stroked a hand down the glaive’s long tassel.

“I thought my Estoc wouldn’t exactly be suitable anymore for… The situation today. Jenkins knows where my weapons are kept, so I had him pick out something more appropriate. Something more, flashy.”

They nodded their heads up and down in unison before exchanging a glance. Pietro slowly put on a pandering smile before asking if she could give them a twirl. Putting his hands together, he mockingly begged as he did so.

She didn’t even have to reply.

Jenkins had stepped back towards the back of the platform, giving her some space. Hayle and Pietro shuffled their chairs backward, practically pressing up against the railing and banister that faced the arena.

“Wow, they seem eager. Was Delphina known for her spear and polearm skills already?”

Stepping into the cleared space, she knew she wouldn’t be able to make any big moves. But a few demonstrative strikes should be enough, though who knew what ‘extras’ would be revealed with just that- if they even existed.

After all, she couldn’t read the sigils that moved like a mirage along the blade. Should she add learning an artificing language or two to her education? There was no way the original had been previously taught.

She might not have all the original Delphina’s memories, but the sigils didn’t even throw a single spark of recognition in her. Unlike before.

Shaking herself out of her wandering thoughts, she realised she had already completed a few standard thrusts. Set to step into an upwards strike, she flicked the shaft in her hands and knocked an imaginary sword up and away.

Allowing her invisible opponent to lunge at her once more, she snapped her right leg behind her, jabbing forward to catch the blade in the fang hook. As she did so, the sigils flared a peach colour.

Following through and pushing the glaive’s tip to the floor, trapping her enemy’s blade below, she twisted the shaft in her hands, disarming the sword from their grip. Continuing to rotate the glaive’s shaft, its blade edge now faced upwards.

Lunging forward and up, her non-existent enemy was bisected into two sections. As she completed the move with the weapon pointed upwards, a gentle shower of glittering peach light swirled around the platform.

She froze; she could swear those little points of light were flowers and petals drifting on the wind.

For a moment, everything went quiet, the cheers and ringing strikes from the Tournament outside fading away completely- a furious blush spread unerringly across her cheeks. She didn’t have a choice; the urge to crawl into a hole and die ran speedily across her mind.

All three of them made a creaking sound as they turned towards Jenkins. Delphina, her hands still out above her, Hayle and Pietro grabbing each other’s shoulders in shock.

But that automaton just sat there spuriously nodding his head.

Yes, I believe I made the right choice. It suits you perfectly, my Lady. Peach will go with any colour you choose to wear.

Delphina couldn’t do anything but let out a hollow laugh and vacantly bring her arms back down. Gently resting the butt of the glaive against the floor as she did so.

What could she retort with?

“Thank you for making her look like a generic magical girl from any series set in Earth’s 90s era? Should I be glad my clothes didn’t also transform?”

“Wow, Jenkins, you’ve truly made me the flower of the battlefield?!”

Or simply pull a pretty girl precure pose?

Instead, she didn’t have to do anything; Pietro practically said it for her.

“Sir Jenkins, whilst it does make my sister look very pretty. What exactly do the… lights do?”

The announcers’ call from outside cut off any reply. The mid-level finals had started.

Thankfully, her little light show wasn’t visible outside of the platform. Should she be grateful for the canvas roofing that had been added whilst the Tournament was being set up?

Sidling up to Jenkins slowly, she waited for him to reply to Pietro before lambasting him with her own questions.

The lights created by the artificer’s sigils can react to the user’s sword aura, forming a secondary form of attack or defence as needed.

Pietro made a sound of surprise before throwing her a look of amazement, and he almost gave her a thumbs-up of encouragement, too.

Well, that instantly killed any misgivings she had about the situation.

Fine remote control of different individual blades was something she already had an exceeding amount of experience in. If anything, she could combine it with one particular skill of hers to make it devastating beyond all belief.

Though that could wait for now, she was getting ahead of herself- pausing for a second as she thought about how to incorporate this into the plan.

“Hayle, when were you and brother planning on doing the rest of the display matches?”

Startling at her question to him, as he had been too busy staring at her weapon, he cleared his throat before replying.

“The next one would be myself after the Upper-ranked Squires and Hunters have their final. We don’t want people losing interest before the actual Knights and seasoned Hunters have their bouts.”

Standing up and stretching briefly, he continued.

“As you’re the only Sword Master here, I was going to hold off and have you do your display after the Upper Knight’s. Why, was there anything you wanted to change?”

Delphina’s eyes briefly flickered at Hayle’s statement before swiftly composing herself.

“No, that’s perfect. But seeing as we’re supposed to be ending on multiple Sword Masters facing off against each other. Is anyone from your side capable?”

Hayle licked his lips nervously.

“Ah, shit, that’s not a good sign.”

“No, apart from my Deputy, they’re all Upper to Elite, including myself. But what if… One of the assassins gets included?”

Pietro sucked in a sharp breath, Delphina also furrowing her brows in faux concern.

“You didn’t mention this whilst we were putting the plan together! Or do you mean, tell the assassin he’s a ‘Sword Master’ like you did earlier, and then lump him in with your Deputy? Hayle, my sister is strong, but she’ll also be facing off against other Sword Masters!”