Accidents occurred everywhere. People here dealt with accidents cleverly as nobles, but it was only on the surface. While the nerves were on edge during the back-and-forth, the melody of the violin played in the hall overflowed with enthusiasm.

“Oops.”

“Ah…! Who…!”

Distracted by the performance, I collided with someone. It was a boy who seemed to be my age.

He glanced at me once and then grimaced. It seemed like he was refraining from saying something, unable to guess my status.

“Um, I’m sorry.”

As I apologized, the boy’s expression darkened. Oh no.

“Lize!”

“Ah, Yurik.”

“I was surprised you suddenly disappeared. I told you to hold my hand tightly.”
Yurik firmly held my hand. Then, he noticed the boy standing in front and immediately became alert.

“What happened, Lize?”

“I accidentally bumped into this person.”

“Hmm…”

Yurik looked at the boy I collided with. Were they acquaintances? The arrogant boy’s expression hardened.

“It’s been a while. Count Longard.”

“…Ah, yes. You must be Lord Penthon’s acquaintance. Then this person is the Duke’s niece… I heard she has a younger sister. It’s true, she’s beautiful. It was nice to meet you. I’ll take my leave now…”

The boy fled as if running away. Yurik’s hand blocked my view.

“Don’t look.”

“Do you know him?”

“He’s the eldest son of Count Longard. He’s a guy who only knows himself. Just ignore him; he’s a weird one.”

After saying that, Yurik held my hand and moved towards the venue of the final game.

“Yurik, are you angry by any chance? I’m sorry for moving on my own.”

“I’m not mad at you.”

“Then?”

“Count Longard. I never liked that guy… He’s always been annoying.”

“Don’t get too angry. He didn’t do anything wrong. Did I catch your eye?”

Yurik stopped walking at my words.

“…?”

“You’re not my younger sister.”

Yurik held my hand again. I belatedly noticed his childish side, and a laugh escaped from me. Yurik’s ears gradually turned red at the sound of my laughter.

“Where did you go? Just come now.”

The lady who was already sitting at the seat noticed Yurik and me. She urged everyone to act, saying the game was about to start.

As the lady said, people sat down and waited for the players to come out.

Unfortunately, those who couldn’t find seats stood far away, raising their heels or lifting their heads high. Like those seated, they discussed who would win the match today.

Most predicted the victory of Viscount Kito. A minority predicted Lord Mount’s victory. Given their game skills and win rates over the past year, it was a convincing prediction.

The bustling venue quieted down as soon as the judges entered. The game would start soon.

After the judges took their seats, everyone focused on the chessboard in front. People looked at the empty seats and the chessboard, waiting for today’s protagonists.

The protagonists soon appeared.

If someone coughed, the sound would fill the venue, making the atmosphere solemn.

“…”

“…”

A tense game. After a brief handshake, Count Mount and Viscount Kito immediately started the game.

Amazing moves came one after another. The hands that moved quickly at the beginning now moved cautiously.

When the game started, the sun was at its zenith, but it gradually set.

The atmosphere indoors became even more intense. The sounds of people immersed in chess vanished. If someone moved a piece, a short exclamation sprang out among the onlookers.

For a while, my gaze, which had been focused only on the players’ hands and the chessboard, turned to Viscount Kito.
Unlike the intense heat, Viscount Kito’s face was as relaxed as usual. Count Mount’s face, who was currently lagging behind the viscount, was no different.

Looking only at their faces, the players seemed like spectators, and conversely, the spectators looked like players. How could they maintain composure in such moves? I found Count Mount and Viscount Kito amazing.

“…”

“…”

The clock hands moved.

The pieces moved.

Currently, Viscount Kito had the upper hand, but Count Mount was not to be underestimated. He had maintained the champion position for nearly twenty years. It was natural.

Even if his skills had declined recently, Count Mount was still Count Mount. The greatest chess champion in history generously poured his strength into the unluckiest viscount’s challenge.

The viscount’s queen moved. The queen captured the bishop. Six pieces remained on the board.

They entered the endgame.

“Hasn’t the notation arrived yet? Why is it so slow?”

The chess newspaper, which had been in operation for fifty years, quickly took action.

At regular intervals, a newspaper reporter among the spectators wrote down the moves of Mount and Kito. The person who received it immediately delivered it to the company.

The notation was transcribed and printed in the newspaper.

“Director! People are waiting for the next newspaper!”

“The complaint letters are piling up!”

But, normally, the notation that should have arrived ten minutes ago hadn’t come.

Naturally, the person in charge of the newspaper was frustrated to the point of breathlessness. He walked around biting his nails. He glanced out the window for no reason, vented his anger on his subordinate, and even tried shouting.

“Director! Director!”

The subordinate, who had gone out to the company’s main gate due to exhaustion from waiting, was suddenly surprised by a sound.

Finally, the awaited notation had arrived.

The subordinate welcomed his approaching superior with a big smile.

“All right, we’ve been waiting for this! Quickly, the notation…!”

“Well, not that, Director!”

The subordinate, breathing heavily, spoke.

“Huh? Why? What’s going on?”

“A new… A new champion… has been born!”