Chapter 107

#107 Little Lion and the Crimson Monster

The night before the finals.

Dorothea and her party were throwing a feast.

It wasn’t something they had planned ahead of time.

Lorenz Halder rented an entire restaurant to host dinner and invited everyone, but the Tin Knight thought it was too empty with just the four of them and called in some more folks. As a result, Dorothea, who had been dead to the world until just before dinner, couldn’t stop it.

The chaos included the Iron Spike Mercenaries, staff from Halder Trading Company, Kumara’s party, and even Peter. Dorothea was fed up, but no matter how hard she thwacked the Tin Knight on the head with her staff, she couldn’t turn back the clock on such a wild gathering.

“Hah, seriously. Anyone would think the battle’s already over. A party the night before the finals? There’s a line you shouldn’t cross.”

[The ‘Tin Knight’ says that while he complains, his hand is honestly honest in picking up bread!]

“Shut it.”

Despite her grumbling, Dorothea kept stuffing food into her mouth.

It was a strange sight for someone who usually ate politely.

After days of barely getting by on instant meals and having not eaten at all today due to all the sleeping, it was no wonder her appetite was finally kicking in.

“Hahaha.”

Adel watched the banter between Dorothea and the Tin Knight and chuckled merrily.

She was aware that it could seem like overexcitement, but still, this time felt enjoyable for Adel.

With the daunting fight against a strong opponent looming over her, it felt like the tension was easing away.

Adel suddenly scanned her surroundings.

“Honestly, we’ve really done our part here. You know that, right?”

“I get it, so quit whining. Do you know there’s a stubborn side to you?”

Kumara, with a face flushed from drink, was being entertained by Peter’s usual banter.

Despite having multiple chances to talk to Sophia, she seemed to want to treat the vampire business as a finished story.

“So, I’m saying, our Iron Spike Mercenaries are completely smitten with your astounding charisma, and we’re here as your loyal ties to conquer this city—”

“Hmm, I mean, sure, with the massive purge of our existing branch members, we do need new recruits—”

Hindley and the mercenary captain were energetically explaining to Lorenz Halder, wrapping up the past events with appropriate exaggeration and embellishment.

They seemed to be trying to find job openings through this opportunity, but Lorenz had already caught on and was scheming.

Amidst the clamor of cheerful voices.

Followed by joyous toasts.

And lively, heartwarming music.

Despite not having a drop of alcohol, Adel felt a bit tipsy.

‘It’s been a while since a banquet like this.’

In the past.

When Friedel Territory was thriving, and her father was alive.

Beating back monster nests or celebrating victories in territory wars, and the official knighthood ceremony of her older brother, Wilfried von Lenart.

Whenever there was a significant celebration for the whole territory, the lord’s family, vassals, and all the knights would occasionally gather for a feast.

Her father, the lord of Friedel, was a man of few words and solemn demeanor, and while Wilfried trained under their father, he was more of a scholarly type who loathed conflict.

Therefore, it always fell on the adorable youngest daughter, Adelheid, to uplift the banquet atmosphere.

It wasn’t especially difficult.

Adel’s light dances would earn cheers, and even the simplest of stories would have people bursting into laughter.

‘…Looking back, it seems like there was a sense of exaggerated response.’

I mean, how many people could dare to be grumpy in reaction to the beloved lord’s sweetheart trying to charm them with her antics?

So the enthusiastic responses back then weren’t solely about Adel’s talent but also a result of her status.

Adel forced a wry smile.

Realizing anew why no one in Friedel Territory genuinely relied on her.

This was probably just the tip of the iceberg, and there might be more reasons underneath.

She wasn’t particularly hated in the territory. In fact, more people had goodwill towards her.

It was just that no one ever viewed her as someone who could save the territory in a crisis.

‘But what about now?’

The difference between who she was just after leaving Friedel Territory and who she was now.

Adel knew there was an enormous gap between the two.

The girl who was captured and sold off as a powerless slave by a mere thief had now gained enough strength to easily take on any common bandit.

She had earned tokens from two of the five guilds, bore the grand title of representative instructor, and was now aiming for victory in a highly esteemed tournament known across the continent.

‘With this, surely.’

With these skills.

With these achievements.

Wouldn’t the people of Friedel Territory start acknowledging her?

Instead of just the cute, lovable youngest lady who couldn’t be relied upon, wouldn’t they start to see her as a new heir capable of reviving the territory?

Could Roni, seeing the transformed young lady, have his eyes wide open in awe, and could her mother, waking from a long slumber, see hope in Adel’s figure to break free from the sadness of losing her husband and son?

Of course, there could be shortcomings.

That was all she could prove for now; her strength and reputation were needed, but being a lord required more than just that.

However, with it still being a parameter to gain recognition.

‘If I win this time.’

And if she gathered all the remaining tokens in the time left.

Not stopping there, but also accumulating other achievements along the way.

At this moment, for the first time since entering this tournament, Adel found herself desperately craving victory deep within her heart.

Instead of a vague goal of one day becoming strong, instead of blindly following the Tin Knight’s lead, she started demanding victory right before her eyes with clear determination.

“Adel? You’ve been staring blankly for a while now, if you’re tired, it’s probably best to rest early.”

“Yeah. If you feel like resting without worrying about this guy’s glances, go ahead. Nothing’s stupider than messing up your condition trying to fit the flow around you.”

[The ‘Tin Knight’ says not to treat him like a department head pressuring group dinner, feeling wronged!]

Adel blinked.

Then she smiled brightly.

“Haha, it’s okay! I plan to rest soon. I just have so much more to eat!”

Saying that, Adel took a bite of bread nearby, munching happily.

Seeing her content, the others shrugged and returned to their business.

Finishing the bread, Adel quietly opened her eyes.

Her violet irises shimmered like flames.

***

The next day.

[Ladies and gentlemen! After a long time heating up this city of struggle, our Martial Arts Tournament is nearing its grand finale! What a pity! What a tragedy! But fear not, for the greatest and most magnificent flame to ignite your passions is about to begin!]

Waaaaah!

[In the blue corner! A warrior donning the legendary belt and clad in beastly armor, wielding an oversized great sword! Though no one here knows his face, no one is unaware of his fame! The warrior of warriors! The champion of champions! Kalidahs!!]

“Yay! Win it, Kalidahs!!”

“Throw that little brat who doesn’t even know where she came from!”

“Like always, win with grace! I bet my entire fortune on you!”

[In the red corner! Shining like gold under the sun, a mysterious maiden ascending! Those who don’t know the blood of a lion do not exist in the empire! Though she may be small, her twin swords are a ferocious beast that bites at enemies! The rising star! Adelheid von Lenart!!]

“Go for it, little lady!”

“Life is one shot! Anti-hero hype gooo!!”

“I’m sick of the unchanging champion! We need a new breeze!”

[Amidst the explosive cheers, the contender and champion face off! The long twin swords and the heavy great sword point at each other! Ah, the referee signals the start! Finals, BEGIN!!]

***

As the match started, neither side charged at each other.

Kalidahs, with the oversized great sword resting on her shoulder, nodded her head.

{{What’s up, not coming? I thought you excelled at speed. If you stay glued to the ground like that, you won’t get anywhere.}}

Adel gave no reply.

She simply observed Kalidahs in silence.

‘She’s too relaxed.’

Kalidahs’ casual demeanor, casually speaking to her, was worlds apart from the intense focus she had during the semifinals when she kept silent till the end.

Adel didn’t view this as arrogance.

Arrogance is attributed to excessive confidence compared to one’s skills. Arrogance backed by ability is merely pride.

For instance, it would be true arrogance to wish equal treatment with Peter without having even close to his skills.

‘I can’t afford a direct confrontation. I need to avoid even crossing swords with her.’

Adel’s sword was indeed larger than a typical one-handed sword, but Kalidahs’ great sword was in a completely different category.

It could cover Adel entirely if its side cast a shadow.

Engaging in a strength battle with someone who could effortlessly wield such a massive weapon with merely a flick of the wrist would be sheer folly.

Thus, Adel charged straight, headlong into a direct line before Kalidahs.

A gasp from the commentators cut through the air. The audience gasped and yelled in confusion.

Adel thought.

‘Too much irrelevant information.’

Her senses were heightened beyond normal, but they weren’t properly under control.

All kinds of stimuli bombarded her, all feeling overwhelming.

Frowning, Adel moved as low to the ground as a snake, gliding forward.

It was almost a slithering rush. A heavy great sword driven by fear swept overhead.

Her neck stiffened with fright, but thanks to that, her runaway senses found direction.

Adel executed a slide across the ground and swung her sword forcefully at Kalidahs’ heels.

Clang!

Using the force of her swing, she spun halfway around and leaped, landing a second blow on the back of Kalidahs.

Whump!

Just as she finished the second blow, Kalidahs’ great sword came sweeping like a storm.

Dodging that strike once more, Adel thought about Kalidahs’ extraordinary sturdiness.

It wasn’t merely due to the quality of the armor.

The armor was superb, but more importantly, it was the magic manipulation technique.

‘It’s just like what the knight does.’

Not simply surrounding her body or armor with magic to enhance it, but concentrating magic at the point of impact the instant an attack is received to elevate her defense.

Kalidahs filled the gaps between attacks with that technique.

But.

‘Not as perfect as the knight.’

Perhaps due to Amaryllis’ belt granting her incredible physical prowess.

Kalidahs’ great sword, whether it unleashed its energy or not, demonstrated formidable power just through its mass and force.

However, it seemed she relied too much on that, making her pure magic manipulation technique not as exceptional.

While the Tin Knight’s magic allocation was like fine sand, this one felt more like pebbles.

Thud! Swish! Whack!

Kalidahs raised her great sword high, perhaps frustrated by Adel’s dazzling, circling assaults.

Then, she swung down the sword to the ground.

Boom!

The floor of the arena shattered as countless fragments flew into the air.

The once-smooth stone now cracked and slanted, forming a small gully, and dust erupted to cloud the view.

And amidst that dust, Kalidahs swung her great sword again.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

No, it wasn’t just once.

Time and again, like a miner with a pickaxe, Kalidahs hammered at the arena.

The smooth floor transformed into a lumpy battlefield.

Adel quickly realized her intention.

Kalidahs was reducing the space for Adel to evade her attacks.

Sweat cascaded down Adel’s cheek.

---