Isn’t Being A Wicked Woman Much Better? - Chapter 70

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

Chapter 70
Isidore, who had stirred up quite a spectacle, charged forward like a flash of lightning the moment the match began.
“Gasp, who gave him that handkerchief?”
“Oh my, oh my.”
“Kyaaah, this can’t be!”
Only then did I notice the handkerchief I had given him fluttering from the grip of his lance, and I felt an inexplicable awkwardness wash over me.
‘I suppose I tied it there because the expensive handkerchief had such a nice texture.’
It was common enough for a lady to give a handkerchief to a knight, after all.
While I fidgeted with my fingers, trying to dispel the strange feeling by thinking of other things, Isidore shattered his opponent’s lance in two in an instant, and the match was over.
‘This is a competition where aura cannot be wielded, yet he possesses such overwhelming raw strength?’
My jaw dropped involuntarily at the unbelievable sight.
A brief silence fell over the Tournament Grounds. His appearance was so extraordinary that I realized I had underestimated Isidore’s capabilities as a knight.
When he displayed overwhelming performance rivaling Diera, the spectators grew even louder. The atmosphere grew more heated as people placed wagers on who would be the champion.
After that, renowned warriors who were predicted as contenders for the championship came out and competed in the tournament.
‘It should be time for him to appear soon.’
While everyone’s attention remained fixed on the matches, I anxiously gazed toward the Tent Pavilion where the knights were waiting.
It was now just past two o’clock, the hottest part of the day. I glanced sideways at my pocket watch.
‘Why hasn’t he arrived yet?’
I had submitted the request to the Horun District Administration Office a month ago, and the Imperial Palace had already granted approval.
‘Surely they’re not going to say it’s impossible now?’
As I worried, I spotted shop employees and workers carrying large bundles heading toward the Tent Pavilion where the knights were staying.
‘He’s arrived.’
Inwardly tense, I watched the situation unfolding near the Tournament Grounds’ Tent Pavilion.
* * *
‘It’s sweltering.’
Past noon, as the ground heated up, the inside of the Tent Pavilion became as stifling as a steam room. Orix Merkain wiped his sweat-soaked forehead with a worn handkerchief.
‘I didn’t expect it to be this bad….’
Though I had anticipated it would be hot because of summer, the heavy armor made the perceived temperature even worse.
Coming from the cold Northern Region, I was particularly vulnerable to this oppressive humidity. Relatively young compared to the other competitors, I lacked extensive match experience and had to battle the suffocating tension as well.
At seventeen years old this year, I had left my Territory last year after my older brother threatened to cut off financial support for myself and my younger sister, and I enlisted in the military. It was to send living expenses to my sister in the Dormitory. My impressive physique caught the eye of a knight in the Capital, and I trained as a recruit before competing in my first equestrian match this year.
Fortunately, since equestrian matches don’t involve wielding aura, I was able to climb quite high by utilizing my exceptional dynamic vision and innate physical abilities. With favorable matchups, I had even made it to the finals, but I encountered an unexpected obstacle.
Sweat pooled inside my armor and dripped steadily to the ground.
I was currently experiencing mild dehydration. Knights from high-ranking noble families had the means to employ attendants to manage their condition, but as a trainee of the Anonymous Knight Order, I had no such luxury. I was barely scraping by to feed myself.
“Sigh.”
Because of the scorching heat, sweat flowed endlessly, drenching my handkerchief. If I went into the match in this physical state, I would surely fail to dodge the incoming lances properly and fall from my horse.
‘Of all times! And I haven’t even shown what I can do yet.’
When my condition was good, my opponent had forfeited, so I hadn’t had a single chance to perform on this grand stage.
‘My luck has been so good until now.’
This was a golden opportunity to make my existence known to many and take another step forward, and it felt too wasteful to give up now. But my vision was blurring, and my strength kept draining away.
Then, someone suddenly thrust a cup of water toward me.
‘What is this?’
“A beverage prepared by Armand to honor the knights who elevate the Empire’s prestige and glory.”
Servants in neat uniforms moved through the Tent Pavilion with teapots, distributing drinks to the knights.
‘Armand?’
He gazed at the cup bearing a purple seal with a sense of bewilderment.
‘The cup is incredibly light. Is it made of paper?’
The paper wrapping the cup bore an explanation that beverages could be packaged and taken from the shop, along with a brief description of the drink inside.
‘Hydration. Quenches thirst.’
Orix Merkain, whose throat had grown parched, took a sip of the transparent beverage with thin lemon slices floating in it and started in surprise. The liquid went down smoothly. Amid its bland yet subtly sweet taste, the faint lemon aroma imparted a refreshing quality.
‘I don’t know what this is, but it’s not bad.’
As I drank the beverage slowly, a peculiar warmth bloomed in my chest. It reminded me of my mother, who had always been thoughtful enough to float thin lemon slices in water to prevent indigestion.
Seventeen was neither very young nor particularly old. Because I felt that desperate sense of standing alone in the world, their kindness tasted all the sweeter.
I drained the beverage in moments and took a breath.
“Huh?”
Suddenly, as Orix Merkain wiped away sweat, a short exclamation escaped his lips. His head had felt foggy and the heat had been unbearable, but now clarity returned.
He rose from his seat and moved his body with renewed vigor. Normally, after drinking a lot of water, there was that uncomfortable sloshing sensation in the stomach, but no such discomfort arose.
‘My condition has improved.’
The knights sitting nearby seemed to experience similar effects, glancing about curiously.
“What magic did they cast on this beverage? It’s different from plain water, but it works well.”
“Could it be blessed water?”
“Blessed water heals wounds, doesn’t it? I’ve never heard of it having thirst-quenching properties.”
Just then, clouds gathered in the sky, and the fierce sun’s intensity gradually diminished.
‘I think I can perform well in the next match.’
When his turn came, Orix Merkain rose, taking up a worn helmet borrowed from an acquaintance and a long lance.
And that day, he caused the greatest upset in the equestrian tournament.
* * *
Electrolyte drink.
‘In other words, a sports beverage.’
I had distributed it in paper cups bearing the Armand seal. When people engage in intense exercise and sweat profusely, not only is hydration lost but electrolyte balance is disrupted—electrolyte drinks facilitate rapid electrolyte absorption.
‘Digestion improves as well.’
I had once learned about making electrolyte drinks—oral rehydration solutions—in a health education course from my past life.
‘The production method was surprisingly simple.’
Mix six tablespoons of sugar and half a tablespoon of salt into over a liter of water, and an electrolyte drink was easily complete. It was nothing extraordinary, but I had made it appear quite convincing by decorating the transparent beverage with thin lemon slices.
Judging by the knights’ expressions, the reception seemed favorable. I sat in the prime front-row seat near the Tent Pavilion, so I could vividly sense the atmosphere among the tournament participants.
With a brief interval before the Round of 16 tournament, the nobles near me watched with curious faces as today’s champions drank the beverage.
“What is that stacked so high over there?”
A noblewoman seated nearby spoke up.
‘What else? Showmanship.’
To capture the audience’s attention, I had instructed the servants in advance to carry the stacked paper cups and distribute the beverage to the knights.
“They appear to be cups, don’t they?”
“Stacking cups that high while walking around? What happens if they break?”
At that moment, a young noblewoman interjected confidently into the conversation between the two noblewomen.
“They’re made of paper, so it should be fine.”
“But paper gets wet. How can it hold water?”
“A delicate water-resistance enchantment was placed on them. I saw it at Armand not long ago.”
“How fascinating. It looks convenient for outdoor use too.”
“Yes. With drinks like that, you can stroll outside and sip comfortably while walking. You didn’t know this was the latest trend?”
‘Well done. Very well done.’
The noblewoman fanned herself with an air of smug superiority, but inwardly, I wanted to encourage her even more from where I stood beside her.
“I wonder what they’re drinking?”
Meanwhile, the sight of the knights laboring under the blazing sun quenching their thirst gratefully struck the spectators as quite a positive image.

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————