Volume 6 Chapter 23 The Night Before the Blood Duel
The Blood Duel Cup would begin tomorrow.
Only twelve people had been chosen. All of them were strong. Too strong. Any one of them could bring war to a nation. That's why the staff had been told—no mistakes allowed.
Each fighter had their own room. It was clean, nice, and well-guarded. But the rooms didn't matter much tonight.
There was a party.
A long table filled with hot meat, fruits, and bright drinks waited in the center of the hall. Gold plates. Red wine. Rich cheese. The kind of food made to calm monsters.
And there they were. All twelve. Waiting, watching, pretending not to look at one another.
Then the host stepped forward.
Valzeil.
The king of this land.
Tall, proud, with silver armor that shone like glass. He held a microphone made from magic.
"It's been fifteen years," he said. "We could not hold this event during the Demon Lord's rule. But now... we can eat, talk, and fight again."
He smiled, but only a little. His eyes didn't smile at all.
"I know you did not come here for me. You came for something else. Something you want to try."
Some guests frowned. Others raised eyebrows.
"That's fine," Valzeil said. "Try it. Test each other. This is not for glory. It's to find what's still inside the world. The parts that are still... interesting."
He looked at a man named Horace. Just for a second.
"Use your power. This world doesn't let you show it often. But here? Try. Show me the pieces you can't show anywhere else."
Then he stepped off the stage.
And the real talking began.
* * *
A huge man, with arms like tree trunks, leaned down toward Cain.
"Is that your king?" the man asked. "Your country is lucky."
Cain gave a small smile. "Sometimes the boss is bad. But the workers fix it."
The large man was Garboros. He wore a black coat, with a pirate's two-horn hat. He came from the sea nation of Abystal.
"Not like my place," Garboros grunted. "They ask for much, but give little. They whine, they lie."
"You're asking for something without a name," said a soft voice.
A woman in a long red and black hakama stood near them. She had kind eyes, dark hair, and a little red in her bangs.
Her name was Tokohime. She came from Shirogane, the land of swords.
Garboros laughed. "I heard the general there had a daughter."
"And I heard you only care about food," she said calmly.
"I came to try the sauces for raw fish."
"So I am the ginger on the side, huh?"
They both smiled. But their eyes stayed still. Cold.
"──Always about food with you," said an old man with a soft voice.
He was short, with deep lines on his face. But he stood tall.
"You're one to talk," said another voice. "Didn't you demand mushrooms the moment you walked in?"
"True," the old man laughed. "Can't deny that."
He was Vande. He led a group called Abyssal Tree.
The man beside him was Zachariah, a sorcerer from the Azette Kingdom.
* * *
Elsewhere, Rivela was busy filling her plate with sweets.
Next to her, a calm man named Sumeragi gently picked up a rice cake.
He was known as the Iron-Cutting God.
He smiled. A gentle one.
A knight named Masamitsu looked at him and frowned. But he said nothing.
"Oh, right. Masamitsu, long time no see," Sumeragi said.
"Yes. It has been."
Rangella, a woman nearby, blinked. "You two know each other?"
"It was long ago," Sumeragi replied. "I got lost."
"You? Lost?" she raised an eyebrow.
"Just a small mistake..."
She sighed. "Still the same."
Truth was, Sumeragi once forgot to give Ivan two swords: Dark Matter and Yggdrasil. Powerful, important swords. He simply... forgot.
"That's just him," Ivan said, shaking his head.
"By the way," he added. "Did Sid break the curse?"
"Yes," Rangella answered. "Though someone changed a few things in it."
"Not great that Horace worked on it," Ivan muttered.
"What's that mean?" Rangella asked.
"You know."
"I do."
* * *
Horace looked around the room.
"So this group... they'll all fight tomorrow."
"Will it be fun?" someone asked.
"I don't know. But it will be... interesting."
One thing was clear.
No one here could beat Laris Glasha—
the man from the Order of the Sealed Dragon.
Notes:
• Cain - A 14-year-old beautiful boy with short, light purple hair. Newly appointed Commander of the Diamante Kingdom Knight Order. Highly talented and efficient, tasked with managing the 'Forest of Souls' dungeon and participating in the Blood Duel Cup. Twin brother of Abel.
• Garboros - Known as the Royal Table. Captain of the Captain of the Five-Star Pirates. His appearance is not described, but he is known for his immense strength, capable of taking down powerful sea monsters alone. He is primarily interested in gourmet food and has little regard for honor or material possessions. His relationship with Horace is one of acquaintance, and he participates in the Blood Duel Cup seemingly for the experience.
• Tokohime - From 'the Sword Nation Shirogane', known as 'Unarmed Two-Hander'. Her appearance is not described. She asks about Horace's baby, suggesting a friendly or familiar relationship.
• Vande - Known as the Abyssal Tree. Leader of the Underworld Tree, known as 'Abyssal Tree'. Their appearance is not described. They seem surprised that Horace is still alive, implying a history between them.
• Zachariah - Known as the Hundred-Heaven Blade. Court sorcerer of the Azette Kingdom. His appearance is not described. He congratulated Horace on his promotion, suggesting a respectful relationship.
• Rivela - Leader of 'Muspelheim' and wielder of the 'Great Flame Sword Surt.' She is 18 years old, energetic, and a participant in the Blood Duel Cup. She earned the nickname 'Unscalable' for creating a huge wall of flames during a monster rampage.
• Sumeragi - One of the Five Divine Gods, known as the 'God of Iron-Slicing.' He introduces himself with a pleasant smile and seems to have a purpose in meeting Horace.
• Masamitsu - Known as the Holy Knight. Member of the 'Moonlight Nine'. His appearance is not described. He expresses concern about Horace being in the spotlight, indicating a friendly or cautious relationship.
• Ran - A silver-haired, busty, and beautiful young girl with a dominating spirit. She is one of the 'Four Source Maidens' and is deeply affected by her mother's disappearance.
• Laris - The final boss of the Jeweled Ice Sea Domain. A warrior from the Glasha family who sealed Zeth Halcon a thousand years ago. Now serves as the dungeon boss, appointed by Shildress, though his motivations remain unclear.
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