Ryuuou no Oshigoto! - Volume 18 - Chapter 1.10

Challenger

People flocked to see the review session despite the late hour. So many were crammed into the Shogi Association’s Special Arena that it was difficult to breathe.

But the energy was so intense that just breathing the air made them feel like they had become one metaphorical big piece stronger.

“…………”

Both players were silent following the match.

It was typical protocol for the defeated to begin the review session.

However the defeated player in this particular match could only hang his head and sigh in disbelief. No words could escape his trembling lips.

It was so rare to see the Meijin so crestfallen that most of the attendees were looking at him rather than the board.

The ice didn’t break until one of the reporters from a sponsoring newspaper posed a question to the victor.

“………… My ticket to titles matches has been blocked by the Meijin by the slimmest of margins time and again. Though it was luck, finally breaking through is such ……”

The victor’s response was so choppy and quiet that everyone had to strain their ears just to pick up a few words here and there.

Many were already calling for the Crown League Challenger Match to be dubbed one of the memorable matches of the year.

“They’re both waaay too strong ……”

“Even Kuzuryu better watch out, yeah?”

“This generation is finally facing off in title matches ……!”

“I saw them play in the Elementary Meijin Finals. It’s come full circle.”

“Tearing up already.”

Comments were pouring in from all corners of the internet.

The louder they became, the more the Empress Title Match, which had ended prematurely on the same day, fell from public consciousness.

How could they ever imagine that the keys to Shogi’s solution were so heavily involved?

After the review session and interview, the professional players and Sub League members who came to watch the review session and attend the press conference started leaving the Shogi Association.

A single elementary-school-aged girl was among them.

“Ryuo’s Fledgling.”

The victor that day addressed her with no hesitation upon spotting her.

She was remarkably easy to find despite the crowd.

The reason was simple. People in her vicinity were ignoring her presence to the extent that she appeared cloaked in an invisible barrier.

“………… Sensei ……”

Ai was conflicted.

Would the young player’s choice to speak with her on this joyous day result in his social exile? The girl knew the risk he was taking.

However, she couldn’t ignore him either. She politely bowed her head.

“Congratulations on your victory.”

“Thank you.”

The young man then responded with a question.

“What of them?”

“U-Um …… Maria was in the Katsura no Ma but left saying, One such as I cannot bear to watch! and went home ……”

“I’m not referring to my sibling.”

“……!”

Then, who?

Ai was not so inept that she had to ask.

“………… Master …… is with Ten-chan, I think. He was asked to do some work for the Empress Title Match.”

“Yes. Then it is true,” the young player who was set to face Crown Yaichi Kuzuryu acknowledged in a quick breath.

“He seemed to have uttered a phrase during his placement match against Dark Taishi. Something along the lines of I’ll show you hell.”

“Hell ……”

Ai had also been playing a match at the association on that fateful day.

“He thus vanquished Dark Taishi with nothing short of sorcery in the early game, leaving his very spirit shattered. Shinokubo 7-dan has holed himself up within his quarters since that match, not even showing his face at practice sessions.”

Memories of that day were still crystal clear in Ai Hinatusu’s mind.

Yaichi’s imposing aura when he entered the arena when she was on the brink. That, and seeing Taishi Shinokubo listlessly drift through the hallway like a ghost.

“A true monster now resides within his soul. I plan to break the fetters of Shogi’s darkness and banish it over the course of a seven match series.”

“………… But …………”

Ai stuggled to find the right words.

Awaji’s matches, complete with Yaichi’s analysis, were being hailed as the comprehensive epitome of modern Shogi. The very fact that Yaichi was willing to make that information public meant that his research had already reached an even deeper level.

No matter how strong the young player before her was, how could he ever compete with that?

“I will vanquish your Master,” said the young man with a confident twirl of his white cape.

Ai couldn’t help but say his name. “Kannabe-sensei ……!”

“I have told you before. That name is simply a mask that allows me to exist in this realm. I possess a separate, true name!”

Ayumu Kannabe looked over his shoulder at Ai Hinatsuru, hiding half of his noble face with his hand and striking a pose that reminded the girl of time long since passed.

The same pose he struck the first time their paths crossed at the Kansai Shogi Association.

“Knight of the Shogi Realm! Silver Chevalier―――Sir Ayumu God Cauldron!”

Everyone in the vicinity exchanged awkward glances, but Ai was in awe to the point that her knees began to tremble.

“God-sensei ……!!”

The sheer depth of Ayumu’s feelings toward Yaichi and his intense determination brought Ai to tears.

After all, only a true White Knight could slay the Demon King.