Ninth Round: Battle Begin (If Retrying)

My, you've certainly collected a lot of tokens, haven't you? Don't you think you're being a bit greedy?

Very well then, I'll use my scales to even the odds so that we may have a truly fair fight!

Aah! Astraea has all our tokens now!

There we go. Now both sides are evenly matched, and we're ready to have a great fight!

？！

The goddess of judgment is never wrong. This is all part of the Monde du Jeu's rules.

Rules, huh.

So if the one making the rules is taking part herself, what's to stop her from bending those rules as she likes?

If you ask me, the only way to ensure the game's actually balanced is for her to stay out of it.

Forget it. Not happening.

My Monde du Jeu Master there is right. This is the fairest, and by extension, most just way for us to play.

Also, for the record, Fujimaru, it is only now that you have lost nearly all your tokens that your side and ours are finally on even ground.

I swear to the truth of this statement upon Lady Justice's own scales.

So...you're saying we have enough strength on our side even without our tokens?

That's right, and it is why this decision is a just one.

I object in the strongest possible terms! And I'm more than willing to take this dispute to court if necessary!

While that does sound like it would be quite a spectacle...I can't say I have many fond memories of courtrooms.

I see... I understand, Queen Marie. I apologize on behalf of the inventor king for his nonsensical suggestion.

Well, I'm not going to apologize! I've not yet begun to fight!

？！

Don't worry! I'm prepared to fight this all the way to the top, even if I have to do so alone for the rest of my life!

(Yawwwn)... This is getting boring. Would you mind if I took a little nap?

I'll end this soon, Your Majesty. I don't have time to waste here, anyway.

If you don't have any more tokens you can use, Fujimaru, you can just fight yourself.

？！

S-Senpai? I mean, Master!?

I'll fight.

Huh? Voyager...?

Ah... Right. That's right.

Voyager, Senpai, and I have all been facing Monde du Jeu's games together.

Maybe the player has to fight if they don't have any tokens, but Voyager

It's all...part of the game. I can fight...can't I, Erice?

Are you serious, Voyager? But, you're my

Yes, I'm your Servant, and you're my Master. We're...fated friends.

But right now, I'm your opponent in this game.

I want to help you, Erice. So I'm gonna fight.

Khh...

...Astraea! Fair and impartial goddess of justice! I beg you, pass judgment on him, so that he might listen to reason!

Very well. Then I will commence my attack!

Well fought! Here are your tokens back.

I have made my ruling. Justice has been served. I am now yours to command as you see fit, Fujimaru. May justice smile upon you!

N-no way...

It's been a long match, Senpai, but we did it! We won the final round and the game!

Hmph. About time.

Did you start pulling your punches halfway through, Master? You've always been soft when it's time to go in for the kill.

It was indeed a close match, but you held on admirably! My heart is positively pounding!

That was so much fun♪

Dammit. How did this happen?

Well fought! Here are your tokens back.

I have made my ruling. Justice has been served. The winner is Erice Utsumi! May her name be praised far and wide!

Thank you, O goddess of justice. I will think of you whenever I gaze up at the constellations in the night sky.

Senpai...

？！

I know...

Well, speaking as a spectator, I thought it was an absolutely delightful battle. Great work, Fujimaru♪

I also found myself on pins and needles watching you fight, Erice.

Oh. I, uh... Th-thank you...

Teehee, you really are adorable. You're more delicate than a pastry, and softer than a madeleine.

But you also have traces of something bitter, like dark roasted coffee.