A Performance (before battle)

I can't stand watching this charade.

How much time are you going to waste fighting those small fries?

Hmm, people who are too quick to grouse and moan never seem to offer clear solutions.

Hearing Ishmael's disapproval, Ryōshū shook her head and assumed a confident look as though she was about to put on a demonstration.

... Then I'll show you art.

You there, gimme the knife.

You may wrest it from my hands forevermore.

It will be better if the blade parts from my side to drift about the air for however long.

Thank.

Ryōshū took Yi Sang's dagger and threw it straight into the air.

It struck an anchorage on the ceiling that kept the chandelier still, causing it to sway precariously.

Indeed… Ryōshū may have been weakened from the peak of her strength once she became a Sinner, but nevertheless…

... she was still the best swordswoman we had, able to cut through steel like a proverbial hot knife.

Sure, she had more respect for a stray wad of gum than whatever I had to say, but that didn't really matter.

Everyone reflexively turned their eyes toward the swinging chandelier…

And eventually, flustered by all the gazes falling upon it…

Thus, in a haze does it succumb to the imminent fracturing.

Uhh -

W-watch out!

WHAAAM!

The chandelier crashed to the floor in full force, making a tremendous noise that thundered through the casino.

……

And… that's just about all it did.

Nothing else happened.

A brief silence followed as both parties stared blankly at the fallen light fixture in the middle of the floor.

<So, uh, what was that for? Ryōshū?>

… Performance art.

You just came up with that, didn't you?

S-still, I'm glad none of us were hurt!

… We'll have to see about that.