Chapter 159: Victory
But this favor, he had no intention of repaying just yet.
Watching his weakening state, defeat was merely a matter of time, and Cain decided to take a rather daring action.
During the stalemate with Arthur, he exerted himself to push Arthur back just a bit before suddenly retreating, trying to create some distance between them.
Arthur, recovering from the initial push, immediately began to chase after the escaping Cain.
Seeing Arthur rapidly closing the gap, the retreating Cain gritted his teeth and switched from retreating to charging forward, raising his sword high, ready to land a swift blow on Arthur’s head.
“Clang!” Cain’s sword came crashing down, only to be parried by Arthur’s own blade.
The impact threw Cain off balance, his body tilting to the left along with his sword.
After deflecting Cain’s attack, Arthur swiftly spun around and appeared behind Cain, delivering a strike to his back.
The clash of sword against Cain’s armor sent brilliant sparks flying.
Though it did not break through his defenses, the force of the blow further destabilized Cain.
He stumbled forward, nearly toppling over.
Yet, Arthur’s assault didn’t end there.
Cain had reached a dead end.
Not only was his stamina nearly depleted from previous battles, but maintaining his own balance was a challenge, let alone countering Arthur’s attacks.
After his first strike didn’t yield results, Arthur followed up with a second blow aimed at Cain’s back.
Another dazzling spark lit up the arena.
After this strike, while Cain remained standing, he was now swaying, giving everyone the impression that he would collapse any moment.
This scene resonated with many.
Although Cain was trapped in an inevitable defeat, could he push through like before and continue to withstand Arthur?
Arthur stared at the faltering Cain and refrained from attacking, letting out a sigh as he spoke, “Why do you insist on holding on like this?”
At first, he had been disappointed by Cain’s lack of fighting spirit.
Now, he found himself exasperated by Cain’s stubborn resolve.
He didn’t want to go too hard on Cain, fearing he might inadvertently cause some unpredictable injuries.
After all, Cain was someone he had high hopes for.
Cain slowly turned around, his actions appearing quite laborious and unsteady.
Yet, he managed to do it.
Looking at Arthur, he replied, “Although you are indeed stronger than I am, I still don’t want to lose to you, and you have not yet defeated me!”
“True, I have not yet defeated you, but how much longer can you hold out in your current state?”
Arthur questioned.
He hadn’t anticipated that Cain would be so stubborn.
This wasn’t just a burden for him; it was tough for others too.
Take him for instance.
“Every moment I can hold on counts! Come on, Axi! I won’t lose to you!”
Cain’s demeanor appeared somewhat crazed.
However, at that moment, it was hard not to feel a mix of admiration.
After all, he was a gifted individual, just pitted against a stronger Axi.
“Alright, if that’s how you wish it, I’ll completely defeat you.”
Seeing Cain’s indomitable spirit, Arthur first shook his head, but then his expression turned resolute as he responded.
There was no point in dragging this battle any longer.
Since Cain wanted to exit in this manner, he would oblige.
With that, Arthur charged at Cain.
Though Cain saw Arthur rushing toward him, he remained motionless.
No, he made one move: a slight smile appeared at the corners of his mouth, and then he closed his eyes.
He looked like a man waiting for death.
Which suited his current predicament; he was practically waiting to be defeated.
As Arthur reached Cain, he unleashed a flurry of attacks, which Cain could not defend against, forced to endure the blows.
The sword in Arthur’s hand created a dazzling display of sparks across Cain’s body.
Yet, like a Weeble, he wouldn’t fall over no matter what.
Eventually, with no other options left, Arthur resorted to a “trick,” stealthily tripping him while Cain was unsteady.
Although ending the fight in this manner felt a bit anticlimactic, no one protested; the battle had reached this point.
Overall, it was an exceptionally captivating fight.
Arthur emerged victorious, earning everyone’s respect.
He truly possessed the strength to defeat Cain.
The crowd erupted in cheers, celebrating his victory.
And although Cain lost, he did so with great honor.
His performance would be remembered.
However, for the rest of his life, he would likely be labeled as Arthur’s rival.
The match concluded, and the audience began to gradually file out.
Though some lost significant sums, that’s the nature of gambling; it’s either win or lose.
Once lost, acceptance is the only option.
As the crowd thinned, fewer and fewer people remained in the Grand Arena.
In the stands, Airael remained motionless, her gaze locked on Arthur below.
She remained still, and Celia and Aurora naturally did not move either.
Meanwhile, Arthur was focused on the fallen Cain.
Cain had already passed out.
He was completely down for the count.
“You’re a very strong warrior, but precisely because of that, I need you even more. Therefore, I must defeat you to win our wager.”
Looking at Cain, Arthur spoke softly.
Unconscious, Cain had no way of knowing if he had heard, but his lips twitched slightly.
Just then, a medical team rushed in swiftly to start treatment for Cain.
Arthur didn’t interrupt, watching as they examined and provided emergency care, before finally carrying him away.
“How does it feel to win?”
As he walked out of the Grand Arena, Airael suddenly asked Arthur.
“Nothing much; this is just the beginning.”
Arthur glanced at Airael, his tone indifferent.
“Pfft—!”
To Airael, this seemed like all too deliberate a façade: “Though it’s just a start, for you it’s a fantastic one. A good opening can ease the path ahead considerably.”
At least now, the entire city of Lanahl and the Machia Republic held Arthur in high regard.
He was no longer just a famous figure.
Arthur was now a politician poised to enter the upper echelons of the Machia Republic.
