Princess Knight

Arata: “Princess?”

The return of the Second Knight Order.

In the place where the commander should have been, there was a familiar face.

— Shinki Izayoi-Bara

* Izayoi-Bara = Izayoi Rose; Shinki = Heavenly Princess/ God Princess

A virtual video streamer with over a million subscribers, a well-known figure in the industry.

Among her fans, she was affectionately known as 『Goddess-sama』 and 『Princess-sama』.

Her character motif is a 『Princess Knight』.

She uses a traditional avatar with blonde hair, blue eyes, and a silver armor.

Her role-playing ladylike speech also contributes to her popularity.

However, she often has accidents like ending a one-hour game stream on mute or spilling a drink and flooding her PC.

Even I, who am not familiar with this kind of scene, knew her because she was also streaming “Regicide of Saga”.

Among them, I liked the stream where she played the game with high spirits and was defeated by the weakest Fur Rabbit in just one minute.

Because of that, she has been given the dishonorable nickname of 『Death-prone Princess Knight』 by some.

And now, at the head of the triumphant return of the Second Knight Order right in front of me, was 『Luna La Pases Rose』, the player character operated by Shinki Izayoi-Bara , riding a horse.

The silver armor, which is clearly of high performance at a glance.

The rapier she wears at her waist shines in gold.

In order to differentiate from her avatar during streaming, her blonde hair styled in a vertical roll gives off a 『ladylike』 atmosphere.

I didn’t expect her to be in this world.

But that’s none of my business.

I have no connection with her, a celebrity, and I don’t remember doing anything to incur her wrath.

Izayoi-Bara-san, responding to the cheering crowd, waves from horseback.

However, her hand suddenly stops.

…Why?

Why is she looking in my direction?

Does she know someone here?

I look behind me.

There’s no one there.

Izayoi-Bara-san dismounts and steps out of the parade line.

Aya: “Um, Arata-san. It seems like Lady Rose is coming this way…”

Arata: “It must be your imagination.”

Probably, she knows the owner of this shop.

I stop watching the parade and return to conquering the remaining pancakes.

Yes, it’s delicious.

Aya: “Um… Arata-san?”

Arata: “Aya-san. Your parfait is melting.”

…When did that happen?

The parfait glass in front of Aya-san was already empty.

This is the mystery of the second stomach…

It’s terrifying.

Izayoi-Bara: “May I have a moment?”

Arata: “You’ve got the wrong person.”

I bluntly cut off Izayoi-Bara-san, who had come up next to me.

Unfortunately, I’m busy conquering the pancakes right now.

The salt and pepper seasoning on the fried egg is exquisite.

Especially, I feel the attention paid in using two types of grinds, coarse and fine.

–A rapier thrust in front of me

I have no choice but to stop eating.

Arata: “…What do you think you’re doing?”

Izayoi-Bara: “Spit it out, who’s behind you?”

The conversation doesn’t match.

What does she mean by “who”?

Arata: “Isn’t this a case of mistaken identity?”

Izayoi-Bara: “…Are you going to play dumb to the end?”

I deflect the tip of the bouncing rapier with the knife I was holding.

A knife for dining and a rapier used as a weapon, the latter is clearly stronger in strength, so I need to parry carefully.

Izayoi-Bara-san, who is shocked at the series of movements.

However, she had probably anticipated it to some extent and moves on to the next attack.

A double thrust launched from a crouched position with a drawn-in arm.

The ability 『Twin Stab』 that can be learned at level 2 of the 【Rapier Technique】 skill.

It’s a handy technique because it’s quick to launch and has high power.

However, since it’s just a level 2 technique, it’s easy to avoid.

I, who had stood up from my seat, step back the length of the rapier.

Just by doing that, I can get out of the range of  『Twin Stab』.

“You’re a bit good!”

“…”

Her movements are monotonous.

I can see Izayoi-Bara-san’s attack pattern like the back of my hand.

Abilities tend to be considered strong because they have corrections to power and movements.

However, there is a limit to how much you can win in PvP with just abilities.

It’s only good up to the middle of the bottom at best.

If you aim for the top, you need to create an opportunity to hit with the ability first.

The ability Izayoi-Bara-san chose next is the level 5 ability 『Helical Thrust』 of the 【Rapier Technique】 skill.

A high-powered thrust with a penetration effect.

However, because the emphasis is on attack speed and power, it can be easily avoided if dealt with calmly.

The trajectory of Izayoi-Bara-san’s rapier was aiming for my right thigh.

So, I take a step back with my right leg.

Just by doing that, Izayoi-Bara-san’s rapier ended up only piercing the air.

Izayoi-Bara: “Grr… you!”

Arata: “…”

Indeed, the level in this world is low.

I felt it when I saw the soldiers struggling in the stampede and the B-rank adventurers who were defeated by the Goblin Emperor.

And the fact that Izayoi-Bara-san is serving as the commander of the knight order.

The level and combat skills are low due to the disadvantage of being next to death in battles with monsters.

That’s why she could become the number two in the knight order with her status and ability push strategy.

I believe she was in the 400s in the last stream I saw.

My level, on the other hand, is 72.

The fact that I haven’t been defeated despite this level difference is the best proof.

I can predict the next ability she will use from her attack pattern.

The level 8 ability 『Meteor』 of the 【Rapier Technique】 skill.

It’s one of the most powerful abilities because it’s unlocked at skill level 8.

And the biggest effect of this ability is 『automatic tracking』.

Because the ability is released while moving towards the target, it’s a sure-hit technique.

Izayoi-Bara-san used this technique a lot in her streams.

However, this technique, if you know the motion and effect of the ability and a little trick, you can easily deal with it.

You can even counterattack.

Izayoi-Bara-san, who takes a motion of lowering her body and pulling her hand back, which is holding the rapier.

The ability she used after a slight charge was, as expected, 『Meteor』.

At this point, I throw the fork I was holding in my left hand.

I aim for her thrusting rapier.

The ability 『Meteor』 has a major weakness.

That is, it’s a single-hit technique.

The technique only hits one target, and the ability ends the moment the judgment is made.

And this 『hit』 target does not necessarily mean the individual being targeted.

The fork I threw touched Izayoi-Bara-san’s rapier.

At this moment, 『Meteor』 is activated.

Due to its overwhelming power, the fork is split vertically.

Next, a freeze time due to the use of the ability.

I placed the knife I was holding at the neck of Izayoi-Bara-san, whose movements had stopped.

Now.

What should I do with her?