=== Diamant & Kagetsu ===
--- C ---


[Kagetsu]
Prince Diamant! I must see your skill.
Let us duel.
[Diamant]
A duel? Sounds like fun.
[Diamant]
I don't believe we've had a proper sparring
match yet, have we?
[Kagetsu]
Ah, you are easy to convince. Good!
[Diamant]
You like to train, right? I have a pretty rigorous
routine myself.
[Diamant]
I just got done sprinting up and over three local
mountains. A duel sounds like a nice cooldown.
[Kagetsu]
Mountains? Three mountains?
[Diamant]
All right, Kagetsu. Give me everything
you've got!
[Kagetsu]
...
[Kagetsu]
I cannot.
[Diamant]
What? Why?
[Kagetsu]
Much as I long to challenge you, it would not do
to face you in this state.
[Kagetsu]
It would not be satisfying to win merely
because you are tired.
[Diamant]
So you won't challenge me unless I'm fresh out
of bed? A win is a win, so let's duel!
[Kagetsu]
No. I cannot allow it.
[Kagetsu]
I have been raised to prize honor above victory.
That is my homeland's way.
[Kagetsu]
Win or lose, it is essential to uphold standards
of dignity and fairness.
[Kagetsu]
We must be like cherry blossoms, blooming
only at appropriate times.
[Diamant]
Ah, I see. That is an admirable philosophy.
Let's consider our duel...postponed.
[Kagetsu]
Thank you. I know it was I who extended this
invitation. I appreciate your understanding.
[Diamant]
I'll make sure I'm rested and at full strength
next time. I won't hold anything back.
[Kagetsu]
Excellent! I look forward to this fine contest.
--- B ---


[Kagetsu]
We are well matched, Prince Diamant.
[Kagetsu]
Your strength is beyond my expectations!
[Diamant]
You're not so bad yourself, Kagetsu.
[Diamant]
You'll have to keep giving this duel everything
you've got. I certainly will.
[Diamant]
So? Do you want to keep going?
[Kagetsu]
I have fought with all my strength. I am content
to leave it here and not push us to exhaustion.
[Diamant]
Same here. You're quite an opponent!
[Kagetsu]
I realize you put much of your valuable time
toward this. Thank you.
[Diamant]
It was fun. We'll have a rematch soon, right?
[Kagetsu]
Would you like to?
[Diamant]
We can't just let this end in a draw, can we?
[Diamant]
I'll warn you...our next battle is going to end
very differently.
[Diamant]
I'll lay my honor as a crown prince on the line
and fight until you're begging for mercy.
[Kagetsu]
You speak boldly. But I swear by my blade
that I shall have victory!
[Diamant]
Your blade is rather impressive. I can tell you
sharpen it often.
[Kagetsu]
Our swords reflect our souls. I tend to mine
each and every day.
[Kagetsu]
Yours is majestic and powerful as well.
[Diamant]
Ah, well... Brodian culture prioritizes strength,
so I make sure my sword is a symbol of that.
[Diamant]
And just like you, I consider it to be more than a
simple weapon.
[Kagetsu]
It is interesting. Our cultures are far apart, and
yet this perception of weapons unites us.
[Diamant]
It's amazing how well you get to know a person
once you start crossing swords with them.
[Kagetsu]
Knowledge beyond words. I look forward
to our next contest.
--- A ---


[Diamant]
Another draw. I can't believe it.
[Kagetsu]
Nor I. You are much stronger than before.
I was certain I would win this time.
[Diamant]
Same here. You put in some real work after our
last duel, didn't you?
[Kagetsu]
A strong opponent provides much motivation
to grow. Thank you, Prince Diamant.
[Diamant]
Is that why you challenged me to begin with?
To grow stronger?
[Kagetsu]
That is part of my reason...but only part.
[Kagetsu]
My true interest is in learning about the world.
[Diamant]
How do you mean?
[Kagetsu]
Custom, ideology, philosophy... There are many
differences in other cultures I do not yet grasp.
[Kagetsu]
But there are many similarities as well─such as
our views with regard to swords.
[Kagetsu]
I believe, as you do, that crossing swords can
teach us more of one another than mere words.
[Kagetsu]
That is why I wander in search of strong and
interesting opponents.
[Diamant]
Ahh, so that was your goal...
[Diamant]
I'm a bit jealous, to be honest. My position often
prevents me from traveling on my own terms.
[Kagetsu]
Perhaps you could experience travel through
me. I would be glad to share stories.
[Diamant]
I'd like that. I do enjoy a good adventure story.
[Diamant]
Uh... Pardon me.
[Kagetsu]
Haha, no need to apologize. Our duel has
worked you up to hunger!
[Kagetsu]
Here, have some onigiri. It is made with rice.
Delicious and refreshing.
[Diamant]
Huh. Odd shape, but food is food.
[Diamant]
It's...so sour!
[Kagetsu]
There are plums inside, dried and salted.
Does it not soothe your tired body?
[Diamant]
It definitely has a kick out of the gate. Hm...
I could get used to these.
[Kagetsu]
Perhaps this could be another frontier for us
to explore together, Prince Diamant.
[Diamant]
Like a meal exchange? Sounds fun. Let's put
down our swords and load up some plates.
--- S ---