New chapter of Incompetent Bratty Prince is out! (3/8 chapters)

 

 

It Seems like I am About to Grasp a Clue

(Thank you for reading at bayabuscotranslation.com)

“Hey, what’s wrong? You don’t look too good.” (Obul)

The day after I watched Despina’s match, Obul came to bring my meal after I returned to the prison following my own match and spoke to me with concern. That said, it seemed he already knew the reason, and he was probably just trying to comfort me.

“…I’m fine. It was just… by chance.” (Harold)

“O-oh, I see…” (Obul)

Yes, by chance… no, that’s not right. It is inevitable. However, it isn’t because I got nervous thinking about the match against Despina or lost my composure.

“Well, there’s no point in getting taken down by some other gladiator before you even fight Despina. Be careful, alright?” (Obul)

“Yeah.” (Harold)

Obul placed the food on the floor and left the cell.

I tore the bread in half and handed it to Cas.

“Nom… but, just like that guy said, are you really okay?” (Casparleague)

“Of course. It’s true I wasn’t at my best, though.” (Harold)

While Cas munched on the bread, I patted his head and shrugged as I answered.

It was true that I had been distracted, thinking about the match with Despina, and that was when I got nearly hit. After that, I was almost cornered more than once. But even so, I was able to discover something. A way to defeat Despina… a way to shut down all of her attacks.

“Cas, there might be moments in the matches from tomorrow on that’ll make you nervous like today but trust me. I’ll block every single attack from here on out.” (Harold)

“Y-yeah…” (Casparleague)

Cas nodded, though he still looked uneasy.

“What is it? Can’t you trust your partner?” (Harold)

“Th-that’s not true! I’ve always believed in you, Haru!” (Casparleague)

“I thought so.” (Harold)

I said that with a slight teasing tone, and Cas shouted back with intense energy to deny it.

Seriously… he’s such a cute partner, as always.

“That’s how it is, so just watch. By the time the match with Despina is over, I’ll be even stronger.” (Harold)

Or rather, if I don’t become stronger, I might die. So, I have no choice but to do it.

Believing in the single possibility I happened to grasp in today’s match, I clenched my fist tightly.

 

—

 

“Guh…!” (Haru)

“Damn it! I almost had you!” (Gladiator)

I narrowly dodged a sharp thrust, and the opposing gladiator clicked his tongue. Unlike yesterday, this gladiator was very skilled. It made me want to question whether he was really just some random fighter. Even so, this was the perfect opportunity to test the lead I had found. More importantly, if I couldn’t beat someone like this, there was no way I could win against Despina.

“Hey, hey, hey! Is he finally going to get taken down?” (Spectator)

“I’m betting on you! Don’t let a single blow land!” (Spectator)

The spectators shouted provocations at us with amused voices.

It made me want to say, “Must be nice to be so carefree”, but then again, they were only here as customers. The ones I should be complaining about were not them. If I had something to say, it should be to the people running this colosseum and to the woman who threw me in here.

“No! This isn’t it!” (Harold)

I narrowly dodged the gladiator’s rapid thrusts and gritted my teeth. What I found yesterday wasn’t this. If this was it, I could just defend normally. I had to watch my opponent’s movements more closely and find it. The path beyond my defense…

“Uoooh!” (Gladiator)

Maybe because his last attack had almost landed, the gladiator let out a roar and charged with his sword raised high. It looked like he thought this was his chance to win. I read his movements to the limit and blocked the attack at the last possible moment. Repeating that over and over…

“Ah…” (Harold)

The same feeling as yesterday. It feels like I have gotten a little closer again. If I keep doing this, then maybe someday… not only would I be able to block all of Despina’s attacks, but I may also even be able to shut down Xandra’s attacks too.

Feeling that strong premonition, I blocked, dodged, and deflected the gladiator’s strikes.

And then…

“That’s enough! Time’s up!” (Judge)

“Daammn iiiiiittttt!” (Gladiator)

As the judge declared the match over after the one-hour time limit, the gladiator screamed in frustration. I, on the other hand, had found yet another foothold to grow stronger, and I looked up at the sky with satisfaction.

 

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