Scenario:Charlotta - Captains' Mettle

Captains' Mettle

As a part of King Carl's visit to the Holy Kingdom of Lumiel, the Lumiel Order of Holy Knights and the Order of White Dragons are set to have a match against each other. When the Order of White Dragons is victorious, one of the members asks to face off against Captain Charlotta as a reward. Charlotta gladly agrees, and the two begin fighting.

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White Dragon 4: Humph!

Holy Knight 4: Oof!

White Dragon 4: Hwaaaah!

Charlotta: That will be enough!

Lancelot: The winner is Thomas of the Order of the White Dragons!

The parade ground of the Kingdom of Lumiel is the site for the match between the Order of Holy Knights and the Order of the White Dragons.

The attendance of both the sovereign and king ensures that the proud warriors of both orders fight intensely.

Charlotta sits to the sovereign's side and Lancelot, the king's; all watch on as the order members clash.

A great swordsman from the Order of the White Dragons makes a particularly noteworthy performance.

The brawny, towering warrior effortlessly wields a blade that's as long as he is tall.

Showing a ferocious performance from the very first match, he advances through the tournament until he emerges as victor.

Sovereign of Lumiel: That was a stupendous battle. Whatever you would have as your reward, I will grant to you.

Sovereign of Lumiel: Name what it is you desire.

The eminent member of the Order of White Dragons accepts the great honor.

White Dragon 4: Anything at all... Then if I may be so bold...

The request stuns the audience.

White Dragon 4: I wish to spar with Captain Charlotta, that master swordfighter rumored to be the most powerful in the history of the Lumiel Order of Holy Knights.

As Lancelot is attempting to stop the member making the intrepid request, Charlotta speaks up.

Charlotta: Captain Lancelot, let us proceed.

Charlotta: That battle was magnificent. Your ferocity in battle made you seem like valor made flesh.

Charlotta: I am the captain of the illustrious Lumiel Order of Holy Knights that laid the foundations for our glorious kingdom.

Charlotta: And still you want to contend with me in a swordfight?

The order member takes in Charlotta's dignified gaze without a hint of the intimidation that it's typically met with.

White Dragon 4: Yes.

Charlotta: Very well. May the strength of our hearts be reflected in our blades.

Charlotta steps down into the arena, unsheathes her brand, and advances toward the order member.

Charlotta: I have seen your resolve.

Charlotta: Now show me the whole of your power as if your life were on the line!

Captains' Mettle: Scene 2

Charlotta displays an easy strength that is great enough to overpower the member of the Order of White Dragons in an instant. As soon as the face-off ends, the rank and file members begin working themselves into a frenzy wondering aloud whether Captain Charlotta or Lancelot is more powerful. Realizing that the commotion isn't about to die down on its own, Charlotta and Lancelot decide to battle then and there.

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Charlotta: ...

White Dragon 4: Gwaaah!

The battle lasts but an instant.

Charlotta: ...

Only Charlotta is left standing.

White Dragon 4: Did I attempt to fly too high...

Charlotta: Because I watched you fight, I was able to spot your weakness before we ever crossed swords.

White Dragon 4: My fighting style...

Charlotta: You displayed a rare style in which the longer you fight, the more force you are able to muster, especially when swinging your blade.

Charlotta: I didn't think that I could contend with you in a fight of stamina. If the battle went on for long, I'd be at a sure disadvantage.

Charlotta: So I had to bring the battle to a conclusion before you reached your full power.

Charlotta: This is true enough in any battle, but...

Charlotta: There's a way to fight that accounts for the difference between your and the opponent's body, physical strength, and condition.

Charlotta: I chose the way to battle that seemed best to me in these circumstances.

White Dragon 4: ...

Vyrn: That's sure easy to say, but is it that easy to do?

Lancelot: It certainly is easy to say, but devising a plan and carrying it out within the span of a single moment—well, that's something entirely different.

Vyrn: Whoa! I knew Charlotta was really something.

Lyria: Charlotta's so impressive!

White Dragon 1: My takeaway's that they call her the strongest for a reason after all...

Holy Knight 1: No kidding! We can't have people looking down on our captain.

Charlotta: Extraordinary strength and endurance are your armaments.

Charlotta: You're sure to become a mighty warrior whose heart and mind can carry the weight of the order.

White Dragon 4: Yes ma'am!

White Dragon 4: I was prideful and misjudged my ability. Please forgive my impropriety.

Charlotta: You stood tall above all the others. There's nothing wrong with wishing to test one's powers.

The members' gasp before Charlotta's overwhelming force and commanding presence.

Lancelot: Thank you, Captain Charlotta.

Charlotta: That much is nothing.

Charlotta: What's more impressive is how well your order is training its knights.

Lancelot: Yes. I'm looking forward to seeing how they progress.

As the tournament is nearing its end, someone calls out.

White Dragon 2: This was just a thought, but...

White Dragon 2: If it came down to Captain Charlotta and Captain Lancelot, who'd finish on top?

Lancelot: Hm?

Charlotta: Wha?

Holy Knight 1: Quite the question...

Holy Knight 1: But it could be tough to compare the strength of one captain with another.

Holy Knight 2: That said, we all just saw Captain Charlotta's strength in action.

Holy Knight 2: Nothing against Captain Lancelot, but there's no way he'd outdo our captain.

White Dragon 1: Oh, don't give me that!

White Dragon 1: Captain Lancelot, the brave and storied leader of the Order of the White Dragons, would never finish last!

Lancelot: Members! Refrain from any arguing any more!

Charlotta: Exercise some control, everyone!

Holy Knight 2: I'm not so sure though. I feel like our captain has to be stronger.

White Dragon 2: How are you so positive? There's no way to tell outside a real battle!

Members are growing excited over the thought of the two formidable fighters opposing each other.

Vyrn: It's like they aren't listening at all!

Charlotta: Really now!

Lancelot: Hm... This is a dilemma indeed.

Charlotta and Lancelot sigh upon realizing that the excitement is not about to dissipate.

Lancelot: Well now... Captain Charlotta, it doesn't seem like we have much of a choice.

Charlotta: No, it doesn't.

The two quickly exchange glances, reach toward their weapons, and take to their feet.

Lyria: Huh? Are Charlotta and Lancelot really going to battle!

Cheering Members: Hurraaaah!

Charlotta: If we're doing this, we'd better give it our all.

Lancelot: Yes, of course! Let's battle with all our might!

Captains' Mettle: Scene 3

Charlotta and Lancelot seem to battle fiercely, but the sovereign of Lumiel and King Carl order their battle to a quick end. The two captains were not fighting in earnest but rather had improvised to satisfy the order members. Charlotta announces that she is willing to battle any contenders all the same, and (Captain) takes her up on the offer before long.

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Charlotta: Eeh!

Lancelot: Haaaah!

The pair of captains lock blades right before the eyes of the order members.

(Captain)'s palms break into a sweat as the battle unfolds.

Charlotta: Humph!

Lancelot: Geh!

This uncompromising contest between two evenly matched fighters shows no sign of abating.

Lyria: Mmph... Please... Just don't get hurt!

As the onlookers watch breathlessly, two voices call out.

Sovereign of Lumiel: Captain Charlotta, haven't you fought enough?

King Carl: And you too, Lancelot. Is this going to continue indefinitely?

Order Members: Huh?

Charlotta and Lancelot lower their weapons.

Lancelot: So you saw through us after all, Your Majesty.

Charlotta: His Eminence isn't so easily fooled either.

The monarchs' voices bring the battle to an easy conclusion.

The rank and file seem confused that their respective captains are being reprimanded for putting on a show.

Vyrn: What's going on here?

Charlotta: We had to improvise so that our battle wouldn't reach its conclusion.

Lancelot: We figured that if we were to both fight in earnest, things could get very ugly.

Lancelot: No one wishes for either of us to lose our life after all.

Charlotta: This was the only way for us to keep the situation under control.

Charlotta and Lancelot call out to the clamoring order members.

Charlotta: It's fine and well to be curious, but knights have greater missions than just testing their strength against each other.

Charlotta: What's important is that we live proudly and keep improving ourselves each day—that we live nobly.

Charlotta: All the same, it's not every day that two great orders have the chance to assemble and polish their skills.

Saying this, Charlotta unsheathes her blade.

Lancelot: Yes.

As if following after Charlotta, Lancelot unsheathes his blade.

Holy Knight 3: Huh?

White Dragon 2: Hm?

Lancelot: If there's anyone who wishes to challenge us, speak now. We'll battle you with alacrity!

Lancelot: Now show us how brave you are!

Charlotta: We'll take on any number of opponents!

White Knights: Raaah!

Holy Knights: Raaah!

The order members go wild upon hearing the sudden proclamation of the two captains.

Some applaud the duo, others raise their blades high in the air, and still others challenge them.

Charlotta: Forever Pure, Forever Righteous.

Both Orders: Forever Pure, Forever Righteous.

Lancelot: Glory to the Order of the White Dragons... and the Lumiel Order of Holy Knights!

Both Orders: Glory to the Order of the White Dragons... and the Lumiel Order of Holy Knights!

A sense of pride overcomes the order members as their captains knock out every challenger that joins the tussle.

The monarchs of the two kingdoms, too, behold the spectacle.

The exercise ends successfully, having strengthened the bond between the two kingdoms.

A few days pass.

Charlotta: I'm back, (Captain)!

Charlotta has returned from the joint exercises. (Captain) steps toward her with a determined facial expression.

Charlotta: What is it, (Captain)?

1. Fight me, if you don't mind.

Choose: Fight me, if you don't mind.

Charlotta: Hm? You wish to spar with me? At this very moment?

(Captain) expresses a sincere thirst for battle after seeing the fiery fray between Charlotta and Lancelot.

A fighting spirit burns in the captain's eyes.

Charlotta: I see. So that's what you had in mind.

Charlotta: Very well. That curiosity and healthy combativeness are sure to nurture your future progress.

Charlotta: Now draw your blade, and challenge me with the entirety of your body and soul.

Heart afire for battle, (Captain) trains with Charlotta all through the night.

Lust for strength is what has made (Captain) so irrefutably strong.

Charlotta has great expectations for (Captain)'s coming growth, though they're tinged with fear.

"One day the captain will accomplish something great."

Charlotta seems confident about the future that waits on the other side of (Captain)'s swinging sword.