Chapter 361: Final Contestants [3]
The finals were set to be held in three days.
This was so that the contestants could have enough time to recuperate and heal for the upcoming match. Typically, the contestants wouldn't need that much time to heal from injuries that involved fractures or broken bones.
A day was enough.
...And that was simply because the medicine that was provided to the contestants was extremely potent and expensive.
With the amount of money the streams were bringing, this was a necessary investment.
But that wasn't the main issue.
What couldn't be healed, however, was the contestant's state of mind. That required time, and hence why several days were given for rest.
On the second day, the day before the finals...
"What's that?"
"What's going on?"
A large shadow was cast over the borders of the Nurs Ancifa Empire as the people beneath started to panic, pointing toward the enormous object that levitated in the air, oppressively staring down at the borders as a large flag fluttered in the wind.
"Isn't that!?"
The citizens were quick to associate the flag, and the panic only heightened.
"Are we under attack?"
"They're attacking us?!"
"Everyone return to your houses! Do not panic and return at this instant!"
It was the guard's job to keep the citizens at ease, barking orders around as they tried to keep everyone from panicking. But how easy could that be?
....It could only do so much.
Especially since the enormous ship was still staring down at them.
Inside the ship.
"What's the hold-up?"
Empress Jordana sat in her seat impatiently, looking down the glass windows of the ship. There, she could see a small city beneath as tall walls stood erect, protecting the citizens from any danger.
Currently, several weapons were pointed in their direction.
"Is this how inefficient this Empire is? If it were up to-"
Woom-
A projection appeared in the middle of the ship.
There, a young man with yellow eyes and long blonde hair appeared. His appearance looked rather sickly, but he carried an air of regality and authority.
"Emperor."
He first greeted the Emperor who sat next to the Empress.
Then, turning his head he addressed her as well.
"Empress."
"Crown Prince."
The two returned a short greeting.
"How may I help you?"
"...Let us in."
The Empress was quick with her demands. Though her tone was soft, there was a certain resolution to it that made her stance clear. She wasn't looking for objections.
"May I ask, why?"
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The couple paused, looking at each other for a brief moment. They stared at each other for a while before the Emperor nodded his head and the Empress spoke,
"Right, it is only fair that we disclose this. We're here to pick up our son."n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om
"Your son?"
Gael's expression remained called.
"Must you personally come to take him? The tournament is over, and while he did sustain some injuries in his bout, it shouldn't be to the extent where you should be worried. If you want we can have-"
"No, we're not talking about him."
"...Uh?"
Gael's expression turned strange. As far as he remembered there were no other children...
"We're talking about our other son."
The Empress lifted her palm, and a small projection sprang to life. It revealed a young man with strikingly handsome features and penetrating gray eyes. Gael stared at the projection for a brief moment before his calm facade showed signs of cracking.
He alternated his gaze between the two figures before raising his finger.
"Give me
moment."
His figure flickered out, leaving the room in a state of silence that only lasted for several minutes before he reappeared once more.
"....Alright."
Gael nodded his head, his expression unusually serious. Staring at the two of them, he
lowered his head.
"You have permission to enter."
"Grea-"
"But!"
Gael stopped them before they could celebrate.
"He's always been strong."
Clank!
The exchange between Leon and Aoife was rather entertaining with both sides showing some
impressive moves.
"Heh."
I couldn't help but scoff when I saw Aoife perform my spell.
It felt wrong.
"Um, now that I think about it, how is she doing?"
I hadn't paid much attention to it since she had been placed in the nursery. I thought about
meeting her once she got out, but there seemed to be no signs of her leaving just yet.
Were her injuries that bad?
'No, more than that... How is she going to explain her abilities?'
Her 'concept' or the ability that she showed... It wasn't something that she could replicate.
After all, it belonged to the Angel who sucked the powers of all the hosts that it had. The same
was true for their mana.
"Oh, man."
I could already feel a headache for Aoife.
Plus, knowing her, she probably wouldn't say a thing about the entire situation and keep it to
herself.
At least, I hoped...
I'd need to talk with her later.
"Hm?"
Suddenly, my attention turned toward the projection. That was when I noticed a change occur
in Leon as Aoife started to cough blood.
She looked pale, and I knew that this was the time when Evelyn had completed her task.
But that wasn't what I was paying attention to.
No, it was Leon.
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Unknowingly, my eyes started to narrow as Leon's entire demenour changed, and he got into
a strange stance. The entire Colosseum fell into silence following his movements as I
narrowed further and observed every little detail of his movement.
'Why does this feel familiar...?'
He took a step forward, and that brought his sword down.
That was all it took for me to understand, and I felt my expression change.
"This..."
The match ended right after this movement.
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I sat in silence within my room, quietly staring at the projection unable to say any words as
the last scene replayed in my mind over and over again.
I drew up Leon's movements inside of my mind and soon closed my eyes.
"Yes, it's that."
Putting in the foot movement that I had managed to pick up from Leon, and combining it
with what Leon displayed, I could tell that they were a perfect match. Though Leon didn't display it since his movements were flawless, there were a few
imperfections in his movements. And that probably stemmed from the fact that it was incomplete.
'Right, it's no wonder he doesn't use the move.'
As powerful as it was, if someone knew its weakness, then he was as good as done for.
"There's a chance he won't use it on me."
Well, hopefully.
I didn't really want to go up against it.
"Haa."
Leaning back on my chair, I dazely looked at the ceiling.
A thought occurred to me.
"Right, I finished the quest. Where is the completion sign?"
It would usually come at about this time. This time, however, it appeared to be a lot slower
than usual.
'I'd be a nice boost considering that Leon is still quite a bit stronger than me in terms of tier.'
The fact that it hadn't shown up just yet was a little worrying.
However, I could only brush those thoughts aside for now. There was only one day left until
the finals.
I needed to be prepared.
"Hoo."
Closing my eyes, I sunk into my consciousness and started the floating orbs before me.
'...Let's figure out what the other three do.'