Chapter 189
Translator: uly
Chapter: 189
Chapter Title: In Their Respective Positions #5
A duel trial wasn't just a fight to determine guilt or innocence—it was a grand spectacle, a massive form of entertainment.
"Oh, front-row seats. Good thing I reserved them early."
"I wonder how good the fight will be."
In a world short on entertainment, what could be more thrilling than two people spilling blood against each other?
Especially when it was a blockbuster matchup.
On the day of the match, people who had lined up since dawn flooded into the stadium.
The usually quiet training grounds used by Ark cadets for drills and laps were now packed tight with crowds, so noisy there wasn't even room to step.
I had thought the players' waiting room would be a bit peaceful, but even that was soon overrun by intruders, turning rowdy.
"Hey, you sure you're really okay?"
Elga, visiting as a guest in the waiting room, inspected every inch of my body. She pried open my lips to check my teeth, shone a candle in my eyes to test my focus.
"Your condition looks good."
"Lady Elga, you're making me more anxious by fussing like this."
"What's that supposed to mean? I'm just worried about you—"
Elga growled. But the response came not from me, but from Mirna Draco, who was fanning herself beside me.
"Lady Lioness, if you're so worried, why don't you step up and fight yourself?"
"...Hmph."
Elga snorted and turned her head away. There was a reason she couldn't fight as a champion, after all.
Oblivious to that, Mirna pressed her advantage with another jab, practically giddy.
"The great Lioness shying away from a fight? How peculiar. Have you finally learned some decorum as a lady?"
"What're you on about? Shut it. You're the noisy one—Theo can't rest with you yapping."
"What did you say? The noisy one's you, Lady Lioness, with your constant barking."
Elga and Mirna were both loud.
But watching them growl at each other eased the tension that had been clouding my mind a little.
That was right.
I was nervous.
Fighting in front of so many people for the first time—it was only natural for someone like me, utterly unfamiliar with duels.
"So, where'd Aira run off to? It's her trial too."
After bickering for a while, Elga seemed to shift the conversation, looking around.
Today's stars were me, Theo Gospel, and Queen Aira.
"You don't know?"
At Elga's question, I recalled my earlier talk with Aira.
"Who knows. She said she had some business with the stage crew and event staff. No idea. Probably headed to the VIP seats in the stands already."
"Hmm—"
"You two should head there now as well."
Elga, Mirna, Aira, and the other VIPs had a spacious, luxurious tent in the packed stands.
Like Roman emperors watching gladiators, they'd be spectating my fight against the hunter today. I used to be on the watching side.
Swoosh.
"Friend, how's the body holding up? A duel hinges on your morning condition, you know."
Someone approached me then.
It was Kasim Tanak, the Turkic prince in silk robes and a gem-encrusted turban.
Spotting Mirna and Elga beside me, he shrugged. "Hope I'm not interrupting a good time."
They exchanged brief introductions and greetings. Royal and noble etiquette was the same everywhere.
"Kasim Tanak."
Elga named him first.
"You're the one who trained Theo, right? Be honest—how do you see this fight going?"
"Three to seven. Theo's the three, hunter's the seven. It's a trained archer against a fresh battle mage."
Three to seven.
My odds were higher than expected.
From a scrawny half-fairy to 30% against the protagonist? That was worth celebrating.
"Sir Theo Gospel, it's time to enter the arena."
At the event staff woman's words, I left the waiting room and headed slowly to the field.
Elga and Mirna followed behind, but their eyes weren't on the noisy stands or the dazzling sky—they fixed on the opposite entrance far ahead.
"Hey, you really planning to fight that thing?"
Elga had spotted the opponent.
The man emerging with his own escorts was enormously tall, standing rigid like a utility pole even from afar.
Black bandages wrapped tight around his body fluttered like a cape. Elga commented on the sight.
"...Calling it two-to-eight might be generous. Never heard of a guy like that. How's he so damn tall?"
This was Elga's first time seeing the hunter? The odds dropped from three-seven to two-eight.
"Sir Theo, shouldn't you at least wear armor or a helmet?"
Even Mirna, brimming with confidence in me, suggested defenses. The hunter's appearance must have shocked her.
Kasim said,
"A beast in human skin. Won't be easy."
Everyone sensed the danger.
Me too.
His dark glare pierced my face from dozens of meters away. Had he forgotten our deal to throw the fight? He looked fully intent on battling.
"Alright, everyone to your seats."
At my words, Elga hesitated, then slapped my back. "Hey, don't get hurt too bad." She headed off with Mirna to the distant stands.
Kasim said,
"Friend, looks like tricks won't work on him. Facing a guy like that—your courage as a battle mage outshines mine."
"What should I do?"
"Focus only on him. And don't die."
Not much help.
* * *
"May a just verdict be rendered before god, man, and justice. Let the duel—the trial of justice and equity—begin."
At white-bearded Hainax's words, the match started. The field was about 100 meters across. Yet it felt suffocatingly small to me.
The hunter stood 20 meters away. Click—his handcuffs unlocked.
He flexed his wrists, eyeing his weapon on the field: just a belt studded with countless daggers.
"Can't use my crossbow...? Fine."
No issue, though.
He handled most weapons well. He favored the crossbow for efficiency—I knew that.
Swish.
He wrapped the belt around his waist. In a cold, emotionless voice, he addressed me.
"You didn't run. I'll give you that."
The stands fell into hushed silence, aware the real fight was on. Only countless spectators remained.
Gulp.
It felt like only the hunter and I existed in the world. Was that what "focus only on him" meant?
—Mana Shield.
I chanted lightly.
Wooong. Seven petal-shaped shields bloomed on my left hand—two more than against Kasim last time.
A physical barrier that could block most attacks eight times. Hiding behind it eased my mind a bit.
"Seven petals. Been a while since I fought a mage like you."
The hunter bared shark-like fangs. Was that a smile?—I thought, just as—
Shing.
He drew two daggers from his belt. Twin blades in each hand, he looked like a mantis poised to strike.
「Calm Situation Judgment!
Gained experience from Talent 《Composed Thinking》.
All job experience +5」
Mantis.
Apt comparison.
A ruthless, emotionless insect predator snatching prey—that's what he resembled.
"I sense fear."
Seeing me frozen at a distance, he spoke in a low, gloomy tone. He stepped forward; I stepped back.
"Afraid of death? Then why stand before me? Do you believe I'll honor our deal?"
His voice stabbed like needles. But listening to the enemy mid-fight was dangerous.
No reaction from me—he chuckled softly.
Swish.
He kicked off lightly.
Tadadat.
Kicking up sand, he closed in, slashing his reverse-grip right dagger at my throat.
Swoosh.
The blade whistled past my ear. Clang—my raised left arm shattered one Mana Shield petal.
Woooah—!
Cheers erupted everywhere.
Amid the blazing sunset and my ragged breaths, only the hunter stood vivid.
"A gap."
His gaunt frame uncoiled, slashing down with the dagger. Clang. Another petal shattered.
Five left.
At this rate, I'd get shredded. I backpedaled swiftly, aimed my wand, and shouted.
—Air Bullet!
Pew pew pew pew—
Four invisible air rounds flew at him. Somehow, he dodged them all with bizarre acrobatics.
At least the distance grew a bit.
Gave me time for bigger spells. Not yet, though—I unleashed more air bullets.
Pewpewpewpewpew.
Dodging, he finally leaped airborne, reverse-gripping a dagger at my head. A diving predator.
But midair, dodging my magic was impossible. I chanted my prepared spell.
—Gamigin!
Crackle.
A purple bolt struck him squarely.
"...What was that?"
Landing, he seemed puzzled it didn't hurt, then smirked, realizing.
"Can't move now. Never seen magic like this."
"...Hoo—."
No answer—I caught my breath. Landing CC meant prime time for a big move.
My finisher—
—Heaven-Rending Vortex!
I swung my raised wand down hard. My mana surged out, spinning into a massive vortex.
Whoooosh—
A razor-sharp whirlwind blade.
Boosted by Demon King's perks, its power exceeded expectations—dark clouds gathered, sky dimming.
No matter how tough, he'd struggle taking it head-on.
Swoosh.
Facing the oncoming maelstrom, he extended both hands.
"Impressive. Come—"
Paralyzed, he'd block with dagger hands. He even looked pleased.
Like a child with a gift, facing my ultimate.
Kagagagang—
The blade-vortex collided, grinding like a shredder on metal.
Rip, riiiip—amid tearing bandages and flesh, he ground his teeth.
"Grgh...!"
Even the strongest man wouldn't shrug off a grand spell barehanded.