Chapter 85

Long ago, a swordsmanship competition was held every ten years, gathering the strongest warriors from all over the world.

Although it was called a “swordsmanship competition,” it was open to anyone who used close-range weapons or engaged in close combat, as long as they didn’t resort to cowardly long-range weapons.

The prize for the winner was nothing.

Only the honor of being called the strongest in the world.

However, the winner of the competition received attention and respect wherever they went, and their success was practically guaranteed, making the honor more than enough as a prize.

But, under the pretense that anyone could participate, there was a condition due to the overwhelming number of applicants.

They had to defeat the renowned strong warriors invited as judges to qualify.

Those who defeated these judges and entered the competition were considered to have at least enough skill to make a name for themselves, if not more.

Yet, the skill and reputation of the participants varied greatly.

Spectators buzzing over the match schedule could roughly guess who would advance to the next round.

“Huh? What’s this? The next match seems like a no-brainer. One side is completely outclassing the other.”

“The opening match should be fierce and lively. The organizers don’t seem to get it.”

“Haha, but isn’t it still worth watching? Empress Artemis is not only skilled but also famous for her striking figure and attire! When else would we get to see her?”

“……”

Among them, Kairon, with a displeased expression, glared at the match schedule and clicked his tongue.

“This is basically telling me to lose. Isn’t that right, judges?”

The most promising candidate, even considered the already reserved winner of this competition, Empress Artemis Rimpos.

The Rimpos Empire, with the largest territory and the bravest warriors in the world.

The vast western region was practically divided between the Rimpos Empire and its vassal states, earning it the title of “Great Empire.”

The nomadic Rimpos tribe, with their exceptional combat skills and tactical abilities, had practically subdued the entire west and were now threatening the central regions.

And the great woman who overwhelmingly defeated her competitors in the Rimpos imperial family, where the next emperor was decided through duels, to ascend to the throne.

Empress Artemis Rimpos was that woman, and Kairon’s first opponent.

“The opening match will begin soon, everyone, please take your seats!”

“I can understand. The organizers probably want me out first.”

What Kairon pursued wasn’t flashy swordsmanship.

It was disciplined yet lethal swordsmanship, seeking maximum efficiency with minimal force and movement.

Thus, to the organizers who needed to provide a spectacle for the gathered spectators, Kairon was someone they wanted to eliminate quickly.

Moreover, compared to Kairon’s disciplined swordsmanship, Artemis’s spear technique was incredibly flashy, making Kairon a pitiful sacrifice to highlight Artemis, who was practically already the winner.

But Kairon thought to himself.

“Actually, this works out better. It’s much easier to defeat her now when she doesn’t know me well, rather than struggling against her in the finals after being thoroughly scouted.”

With that thought, Kairon calmly walked into the arena.

“Now, the long-awaited opening match of the swordsmanship competition begins!”

The announcer’s voice, amplified by magic, echoed through the massive arena carved out of a mountain.

“First, let me introduce to you all. The formidable winning candidate, the mistress of the fiercest nation in the world! Introducing Empress Artemis Rimpos!”

As soon as her name was announced, the entire mountain turned into a cauldron of excitement.

And Artemis, the object of that excitement, entered the arena with her voluminous, beautifully tied golden hair shining.

With every movement, her healthy, sun-kissed skin, barely covered by thin fabric, gleamed, and her bright smile, confident of victory, sparkled.

“Greetings, everyone! Today is a hot and glorious day for us all! If I win this opening match, I will dedicate that glory to all of you who welcomed and accepted me!”

“Wooah! Empress, you’re the best!”

“I’m captivated! Please take me as your subordinate!”

The crowd cheered again.

But Kairon, uninterested, quietly waited for his turn.

Soon, the announcer shouted again.

“Everyone, don’t be surprised. A challenger has appeared, daring to face Empress Artemis Rimpos. Introducing the spirited challenger, Kairon!”

As the gates opened, Kairon walked out nonchalantly.

Dressed lightly with only a shabby sword.

Compared to Artemis’s splendid attire, the challenger looked utterly shabby, and the spectators didn’t hesitate to jeer.

“Go back to the countryside, you hick!”

“How dare you face the Empress? Don’t even think about transferring the mold on your clothes to her!”

But Kairon remained unfazed.

His sole purpose in this competition was to win.

“Grandpa, watch over me from the heavens. I’ll keep my promise.”

To fulfill the dream of his master, who dreamed of winning the swordsmanship competition but couldn’t.

“Greetings, you. Your name is Kairon, right?”

“……”

A voice so loud it made his ears tingle without even using mana.

Kairon hesitated briefly at Artemis’s greeting.

After some thought, he decided to respond, albeit minimally.

“Yeah, I’m Kairon. Nice to meet you.”

“Oh……?”

But his casual response seemed to pique Artemis’s interest.

“You don’t seem intimidated in front of me.”

“Why should I be? You’re not trying to kill me.”

“Of course, the absolute rule of this competition is not to kill your opponent. But……”

Suddenly, Artemis’s bright eyes flashed ominously.

“Not taking a fight seriously is unforgivable. It’s an insult to me, the leader of Rimpos, where everything is decided by combat. I will take this seriously. And if you don’t come at me with everything you’ve got, I’ll leave you alive but take everything else from you.”

“Don’t worry. I’ll give it my all. My grandpa drilled it into my head to do my best in any fight.”

“Grandpa? Your master? I don’t know who he was, but he must have been a great teacher.”

Kairon just nodded this time.

Artemis, seeing his nod, realized Kairon wasn’t keen on small talk.

So, she stretched out her hand, and a magic circle appeared in the air, summoning a massive spear crackling with lightning.

Artemis swung the spear a few times, then pointed its sharp tip at Kairon.

“You want to start quickly, don’t you? I feel the same. Let’s see how long that composure lasts.”

“You seem strong, but your eyesight isn’t great.”

As Artemis prepared for battle, I loosened up a bit.

“What I’m showing isn’t composure. It’s conserving energy by restraining everything as much as possible.”

“A fine warrior’s spirit. I, leading an army, have a habit of being flashy and inefficient to boost morale. If I ever step down from this position and return as a single warrior, I might act like you.”

“How about we save the chit-chat for later?”

“Haha, I agree. Announcer!”

Artemis briefly called out to the announcer, who cleared his throat and amplified his voice again.

“Now, starting right now! The grand and glorious swordsmanship competition, the long-awaited opening match~!”

Dong-dong-

The drumbeats heated up the atmosphere.

The announcer dragged it out to build up the tension among the spectators.

After a while, the announcer finally spoke again.

“Let the opening match~~~~ begin!!”

And so, the opening match began.

But contrary to her earlier display of dominance, Artemis didn’t charge at Kairon immediately.

Noticing this, Kairon saw Artemis’s lips moving.

“Thunder.”

“Hey, the match has started. You looked like you were about to charge, but now you’re muttering some battle prayer……”

“Strike!!”

Kwa-boom-

At that moment, a massive thunderbolt struck above Kairon’s head, shattering everything in its path.