Then came the next day, the 22nd.
After breakfast, Gajue Tsuga's party acted according to plan.
In other words, they revealed Manon's true identity.
"...W-What did you just say?!"
Chancellor Premus Hai Yasuna was thrown into a complete panic.
"L-Lady Manon is an automata?!"
"Yes. I am an automata created by Lord Jin Nidou, the current Magi Craft Meister."
"I-Is that truly a fact?"
Duke Keith Tennick de Norha also wore an expression of sheer disbelief.
"Yes. Please, look at this."
As proof, Manon displayed a feat far beyond human capability.
Namely, she bent a metal bar she had prepared in advance.
"Th-This is..."
Faced with such superhuman physical strength, they had no choice but to believe it.
"And so, before we take our leave today, we would like to hold a goodwill match."
Gajue Tsuga proposed a match between Manon and one of the Norha Principality's golems.
"Hmm... I certainly am curious."
When the Duke said this, the Chancellor agreed as well.
"Indeed, Your Grace. Since she is the creation of a 'Magi Craft Meister,' I am quite curious to see what level of performance she possesses."
Those hailing from Mitsuho knew very well how much weight that title held, and many of their descendants had undoubtedly heard of it as well.
In that regard, Manon's intention was right on the mark.
"Very well, I shall permit it....Or rather, I wish to see it myself. The craftsmanship of a Magi Craft Meister, that is."
And so, preparations for the goodwill match were arranged in great haste.
Since Gajue Tsuga and the others had to depart, everything needed to be concluded within the morning, so all unnecessary formalities were dispensed with.
Those who gathered were only the personnel already present within the castle.
The venue was the drill grounds in the inner courtyard.
"Everyone! We shall now conduct a mock battle between Lady Manon, an automata and member of the Avalon Friendship Delegation, and a combat golem of our Norha Principality!"
The Duke made a brief proclamation.
A reserved cheer went up from the royal ritters stationed at the castle and the guard soldiers.
In addition, off-duty servants had also come to watch.
"Avalon Secretary, Lady Manon!"
The Chancellor made the introduction, and Manon advanced to the center of the drill grounds, the arena for the match.
A murmur of mixed surprise and bewilderment arose. And reasonably so, for Manon was dressed in plain clothes—a top and bottom athletic outfit closely resembling a tracksuit.
In reality, however, the fabric was GSS produced on Hourai Island, boasting a toughness that could not be severed by ordinary swords.
"Norha Principality Royal Palace Guardian Golem Type V2, Unit 3!"
A louder cheer erupted than during Manon's introduction. Naturally, the onlookers wanted to root for their own country's golem.
That golem, the Type V2, was a full-armor type standing two meters tall.
"In the interest of fairness, it shall not be equipped with a shield or sword for this bout," the Chancellor declared.
Hearing that, Manon gave a wry smile.
(It wouldn't do to overwhelm it too completely; I need to make this a good, close match...)
"Now then, begin!"
At the Chancellor's signal, the sham fight commenced.
First, Manon launched a preemptive strike. Leveraging her speed to step in, she darted sideways for a split second and delivered a side kick.
A loud metallic clang echoed, and the Type V2 staggered slightly.
"Wh-What incredible speed?!"
"And that kick...! It made the Type V2 stagger?!"
Such voices could be heard from the gathered spectators.
Though it had staggered, the Type V2 swung its arm sideways toward Manon.
A direct hit would have dealt severe damage... but using the recoil of her kick, Manon had already bounded sideways to put distance between them.
Up to this point, the dynamic was established as Manon's speed versus the Type V2's power.
(I see... Judging from that feedback on my hands... rather, on my foot, its power is lower than my full output.)
Through that instantaneous contact, Manon had analyzed her opponent's strength. Rather, that was her primary objective.
"Next!"
Once again, Manon closed the distance.
This time, the Type V2 was wary as well, taking the initiative to step forward and disrupt Manon's spacing.
(I see, it possesses tactical judgment in combat as well.)
Seeing this, Manon executed a high jump twenty centimeters before making contact with the Type V2.
"Oh?!"
Cries of surprise rose from the spectators.
Manon vaulted straight over the Type V2 and landed behind it. Then, she drove a jumping kick into its completely defenseless back.
Having stepped forward, the Type V2 could not hold its footing and pitched forward onto the ground.
However, Manon, whose body weight was significantly lower, kept her distance instead of following up.
...Or so it appeared to the spectators.
In truth, it was because delivering a follow-up attack would likely have ended the fight right then and there.
(Its body is stiff. That's why it falls over so easily....The exterior construction isn't very good either.)
Because its joints lacked flexibility, Manon assessed that its recovery when losing balance was poor.
Having gotten back up, the Type V2 cautiously closed the distance with Manon.
(Its learning capacity isn't bad. But its physical performance is terribly disappointing.)
She had wanted to test their strength against each other, but overwhelming it would make the disparity far too obvious and likely humiliate the Norha Principality, so she abandoned that approach.
Manon intended to win solely by displaying superior speed and technique.
(Technique... then how about this!)
Feinting left and right, Manon drew close to the Type V2.
Catching the Type V2 off guard as it cautiously tried to anticipate how she would dodge, Manon grappled it from the front.
Then, employing an arm throw from the martial arts of the Shouro Empire, she hurled the Type V2 through the air. Had Jin seen it, he would have called it a one-arm shoulder throw.
"Ooooh!"
The spectators were astounded.
After all, Manon, standing around 160 centimeters tall, had just thrown the Type V2, which was well over two meters.
However, since the ground was earth, the damage was negligible, and the Type V2 slowly got back up.
(Once more!)
Manon swiftly circled around behind it and delivered a roundhouse kick to the back of both its knees.
Triggering a classic knee-buckle, the Type V2 arched backward and began to fall.
Taking advantage of that, Manon locked her arms around its neck and hurled it over. It was a form of arm throw, a technique possible precisely because it was being performed on a sturdy golem.
"Woooaaaah!"
"Unbelievable!!"
Amidst the gasps of astonishment escaping from the onlookers, the Type V2 golem was slammed into the ground.
Manon promptly leaped back and assumed a combat stance... however.
"That is enough! The victor is Lady Manon!"
The Chancellor's voice rang out, declaring the end of the match.