Book 3: Chapter 11
On the second day of the Martial Arts Festival held the other matches of the first round. As both Kyle and Seran had no match that day, they instead nned on watching the matches for reference, but the only opponent really being somewhat of a match for them was Darius. Ang informed them that Darius wouldnt be appearing until the final match of the day, so Kyle and his group took their time heading to the arena.
Still, having to look at this statue every single time
In front of the arena, Seran looked up at the statue of his foster mother, showing nothing but displeasure. The statue of Le, who was seen as the undefeated ruler ten years ago, was watched in disgust by her son. It truly was a sad sight.
Why did she suddenly retire after bing a living legend? Urza asked, while looking at the statue.
Many spections went around, with many of them remaining even to this day. Even Urza, who only stayed here for a few days, heard about these.
Its not that big of a reason. She just got tired of it despite the honor and money. Seran said it was nothing special.
I heard she got fired for dealing with people. Being too popr, the ties of obligation were too big. She simply swung her sword for the sake of her freedomIn that case, you really are simr. Kyle looked at Seran, grinning.
Like hell that hag and I are simr! The reason I swing my sword is Seran screamed, but went silent mid-way.
Urza thought of this as odd, and asked him.
Then for what reason
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Did you try to be strongershe probably wanted to ask, but the loud cheers from the arena silenced her. Seemingly, the match had started.
Lets go check it out. Endlessly talking here wont do us any good! Lieze pushed everyones backs, entering the arena.
The matches of that day were moving along smoothly. While there were matches that finished immediately, you also had matches thatsted much longer, with all fighters being fairly strong overall, making them exciting. However, from Kyles point of view, no participant was dangerous enough for Kyle to keep his eyes on the lookout, except Darius, which he would probably meet in the final match.
So, he started thinking about something else. Namely, the previous incident with Minagi, and the Galgan Empire.
<em>I guess I was lucky to end up in such a fortunate rtionship with Minagi. I cant fully say it for certain, but theres a huge chance that Eldorands death was caused by Minagis assassination. Thus, the chaos would not happen, and they could prepare for the Great Invasion</em>
However, theres another problem.
<em>If Eldorand is alive, then Maizar most likely wont be the Emperor. Personally, Id prefer Maizar, butMaybe I should pay Minagi to assassinate Eldorand? No, thats too much. Are there any other ways of making Maizar the emperor? A peaceful one that would let the Empire keep its military power</em>
Kyle! Kyle! Lieze shook his shoulders, pulling him back to reality.
Y-Yeah, whats up?
Why were you spacing out like that?
I was just thinkingOh, is it already the final matchWait? There, Kyle realized something.
Yeah, somethings off.
The final match of the first round was about to begin, and yet Darius was the first to appear.
In this final match of our first round, we have the popr surprise match, which deserves everyones attention. First, from the East gate, we have the previous winner of the festival, Fighter Darius!
Summoned by the announcer, arge and sturdy man appeared, iming to be the strongest of the Empire. At first, roars of excitement filled the arena, but they soon drowned out in doubts. Normally, you would announce the most exciting participantst to keep the tension up. In other words, Darius opponent must be an even bigger fish than him. Darius himself seemed to know who he was about to fight, as he looked at the West Gate with a bitter gaze. His expression was riddled with tension.
T-Then, let me announce the final participant left to appear in the arena! Even the announcers voice was shaking. For five years, she was undefeated, crowned as the invincible ruler, leaving her name behind in the legends told even to this day, until a sudden retreat! Ever since then, she has yet to show herself!
From the West Gate, therge stone door opened, and the participant appeared. They possessed tanned skin with red hair, a greatsword about the same size as them on their back, shing a smile that would make even the strongest predator in this world cower in fear, as they slowly walked to the center of the arena.
However, she has now made a return after ten yearsKnown as the Crimson Ogre, Fighter Le makes a turbulent return!
Undoubtedly, it was Serans foster mother, and Kyles former teacher, Le. The moment the announcement ended, roaring cheers like thunder had struck ground rang out, enveloping the entire arena.
What is that wench doing Serans mouth opened wide in shock to the point he might dislocate his jaw.
W-Why is Teacher here Kyle tilted his head in disbelief, looking at his teacher of the sword.
Oh, she does look exactly like the statue.
It really is her, right?
Yeahthats Le-sanBut, why is she here?
At the same time as Shildonia admired this sudden appearance, Urza was still a bit dubious, only for Lieze to answer that question.
As a five-time consecutive winner of the festival, andst times winner, this is an unparalleled match-up. However, as the acimed strongest of the Empire, Darius, he must be feeling a bit worried now!
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As the announcers voice went all around the arena, Darius raised his sword high, pointing the tip of the de at Le. She responded with a swing of her greatsword, and swung it down like she was nning on splitting Darius in half.
Darius versus Le! He challenges the living legend!
The audience once again cheered in excitement, but the two people fighting couldnt be calmer. The two faced each other from a certain distance, not moving an inch. Les greatsword reached a size that almost seemed unbelievable in size for a normal weapon, and its destructive power was the greatest of all weapons, able to incapacitate you with a single hit. That being the case, a consecutive attack was always dyed, creating an opening. If Darius attacked first, or even managed to counter it, he had the overwhelming advantage.
As both fully understood that fact, Darius judged his timing for the attack, and Le took a posture ready to intercept it, neither of them moving. Even the audience went silent so that every breath could be heard.
This is bad, hell get sucked in.
YeahIve experienced it myself, and that is a pain.
Seran muttered, and Kyle agreed.
What are you talking about? Urza asked, answered by Kyle as he thought about the past.
Teacher is exceptionally good when ites to bargaining and reading the others moves. When you attempt to move for an attack, shell read your gaze or faint movement, and seal it off. Just by facing her, youll end up ying at her pace.
Yeah. Its like shes reading your own thoughts, seeing the futureShe makes you think that. And then, she already has the upper hand. Seran said with a bitter smile, having experienced something simr.
Just as Kyle stated, even though they were simply facing each other, Darius started to sweat aggressively, his breathing slowly getting out of rhythm. He probably saw a hallucination of attacking, and getting split in half in return. At the same time, Le shed an arrogant smile, calm as always. When fighting Le, you would need an iron mentality to even keep standing.
Thats just the difference in real battle experience. That old hags been fighting even way before we were born.
A surprise attack right after the beginning may have been his best betalthough it would be reckless.
Yeah. Probably wouldnt work against an enemy whose strength you dont know, but with herHowever, this is just the first round, with more matches tomorrow. If Darius goal is to win the festival as a whole, he cant take any risks.
Yeah, thats trueI know it cant be helped, but thats a nasty development. Kyle exined, to which Urza joined in.
Why are you two cheering for Darius?
From the way they made it sound like, they wished for their foster mother, or teacher, to lose.
Of course? We both cant help but sympathize with Darius in this case.
Kyle and Seran knew all too well what Darius felt like right now.
On top of thatpity, I guess.
Envisioning what was about to unfold, Kyle sent Darius aplicated gaze.
Darius seemingly finally made up his mind and moved. He put all his strength into his leg, taking a step forward, closing the distance between him and Le. His sword aimed at the centerline of Le, right where her heart was. As Le was previously waiting, she now swung her sword down with all her might, going in for the charge as well. That swing of her swordnded on the ground, and exploded before Darius sword could reach her. An impact strong enough to simte the shaking of the arena rang out, with the ground breaking and denting like it was the epicenter of an earthquake.
Such an impact that would leave no remains of any normal human being, Darius barely managed to avoid it with severe deceleration, barely making it out of that attack unscathed, now attempting to swing his sword down at Le to finish herHowever, he couldnt do that. Les attack, which resembled the explosion of a bomb, greatly influenced his surroundings even if it wasnt a direct impact. Vibration, sound, dust blew up into the air, like a second cmity, the explosive wind covered him, damaging him all over. His attempt of going for a counterattack now fired back at him.
Urk!
Even so, Darius wanted to attempt an attack, swinging his sword, but Le had her second attack ready, and Darius was forced to intercept it. As the greatsword was pushed up, Darius blocked it with his sword. That single swing possessed enough destructive force to most likely break Darius swordpletely, and since he would have no chance of winning without his trusty partner, he deflected a bit of the impact with a twist of his body, and somehow managed to block off the attackHowever the second he thought that, Le continued.
Off you go!
She put all her might into a kick, which she rammed into her own sword, kicking up Darius in the process. With the attack of the greatsword, Darius bnce was already off-center, and his own sword couldnt bear the iing damage, breaking in the process as he was kicked up into the air. Reaching a heightparable to a three-floor building, Darius seemingly had passed out at that point, and simply soared down onto the ground, not moving anymore.
Witnessing a shocking conclusion you wouldnt expect to see from a sword match, the entire arena was wrapped up in silence. However, Darius ended up unable to fight, and Le stood tall. Once the audience realized that the winner had been decided, an explosive roar rang out.
Darius really is strong. He made the old hag go all out
As the audience was roaring in excitement to the point that it made your ears hurt, Seran showed apletely different reactionpared to everyone else. Thatst kick of Le was actually from a rather unpleasant position, with all her might put into it, not considering the aftermath. She seemingly managed to keep standing despite everything, but her posture was broken for sure.
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That was all her strength, for sure. Not to mention so close to herIf Darius managed to keep standing after that, she would have gotten hit by a counterattack for sure.
Yeah, she probably guessed that he wouldnt go down without going the extra mileHe really is no joke, making Teacher go all out.
As the majority of the audience sent Le a round of apuse, Seran and Kyle insteadplimented Darius for his valiant efforts. Said Darius was still out cold, but most likely alive at least.
I doubt hed be happy to hear that praise after ending up that way.
Lieze muttered, while listening to thements of Seran and Kyle.