Chapter 60. The Three Walls (5)

The jeers, whistles, and scattered applause filled the air. Christina walked steadily through it all.

Rena leaned close to me, and whispered softly, "You’ll probably face her this afternoon. Christina."

"My next opponent?"

"No, the one after that. Your next fight is about to start."

Thud! Thud! Thud!

The drums sounded. It was my turn.

The crowd chanted my name. "Zagan! Zagan! Zagan!"

They cheered for the name of the massive bull with griffon wings, a name I had borrowed from a Demon Lord for this facade. I stepped into the arena among the crowds' cheers and demands.

"Take off your helmet and fight!"

"Let’s see your face! Maybe you’re hiding another woman!

Wahaha!

"

Christina’s revealed identity had stirred the crowd.

Should I blame her for this?

Though they weren’t outright suspicious of me, the attention naturally turned my way, and I didn’t welcome it. If I were discovered in a human city, that meant instant death.

This situation...

It’s better to leave quickly.

My opponent approached me from the opposite side. He carried a small, thick, round shield with a protrusion like a glove covering his hand, and a curved blade. I’d seen him fight with the gauntlet.

He would pin his opponent and bash their helmet until it dented. Though smaller in stature, he was strong and skilled.

I asked him my third question. "How strong are you?"

The man hesitated, placing a hand on his side. "What?"

"How strong are you?"

He smirked slightly. "Me?

Hmm

... Why do you ask? I’m probably weaker than you."

He appeared respectful, probably because he had watched my earlier fights. "Those guys you defeated—I know them. I couldn’t beat them in one blow like you did."

I wasn’t used to compliments from humans, but that wasn’t the answer I sought.

I decided to reframe the question. "How strong do you think I am?"

He looked at me incredulously. "You’re asking strange questions. Did you live under a rock or something?"

"Let’s say I did."

"You? You’re superhuman."

"Superhuman?"

"Yeah. You’d be welcome anywhere. You could probably easily get a position like the captain of a count’s guard."

He answered honestly, even warmly.

Is it because he recognizes strength? Strength...

Suddenly, the image of the man in blue armor came to mind. I recalled Rena’s words.

You were lucky to survive, especially if that was one of the Empire’s Four Swordmasters.

The man before me was closing the distance. He seemed ready to attack.

"How would you compare to the Empire's Four Swordmasters?" I asked casually.

He suddenly froze, then burst out laughing, completely breaking his stance. "Have you gone mad?"

"What do you mean?"

"Why bring up nonsense like that?"

𝒇𝓻𝓮𝓮𝙬𝙚𝒃𝒏𝓸𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝓬𝓸𝒎

"Nonsense?"

"Yeah. At the level where they wield energy, this kind of fight doesn’t even matter."

What is he implying?

"Once you can channel magic through your blade, you can cut steel like tofu. How can you compare yourself to masters who can envelop themselves in energy?"

Cut steel like tofu?

The memory of the man who had split me in half, armor and all, resurfaced.

A chill ran down my spine. I wondered how many people like that existed in the world. According to what I’d heard, there were at least three more.

Suddenly, the man lowered his sword.

Thud.

"I’m done. Announcer, I withdraw. I forfeit."

What?

I hadn’t said anything particularly provocative, yet he seemed shaken.

"I said I’m forfeiting! I’m not doing this."

The announcer was flustered. "Participant Tebald, are you certain about your withdrawal? Truly?"

The man called Tebald gave the announcer a weary look. "What’s the point of fighting here? Let that lunatic win."

He trudged away, looking both despondent and pained. It was a baffling match.

"

Boo!

"

"What the hell!"

"This is boring!"

The crowd erupted in jeers, but Tebald ignored them as he disappeared.

I don’t get it.

"The winner is—!"

The announcer declared my victory amid the continued jeers. I walked back inside, shaking my head.

Rena’s eyes sparkled as she asked, "What did you say? I couldn’t hear over the noise."

"I asked how strong I am."

"And?"

"He said I’m quite strong. Then I asked if I was as strong as the Swordmasters, and he started talking about energy techniques and forfeited."

"

Haha

..." Rena smirked, raising one corner of her mouth. "That’s extreme. Forfeiting over a mention of the Swordmasters?"

"What’s his issue?"

"It’s hard to say, but maybe it touched a nerve."

"A nerve?"

"Energy techniques rely on talent. Most people never even sense it their whole lives."

"Really?"

"Some give up early, but others like him are stuck in between. They’re decent but can never cross that wall. It’s agonizing."

"I see."

"That torment lingers with them. They think they’re almost there, but they never quite reach it."

"Can’t they just keep trying? Eventually..."

"It only gets worse, so it’s better to focus on strength or skill. The longer they hold on, the more it hurts."

"

Mm,

" I hummed.

"The Swordmasters are the pinnacle of that. He must have been very sensitive to react like that, quitting over a mere mention." Rena popped a strawberry into her mouth. "Well, his loss is our gain. That makes things easier for us."

I mulled over her words and said something unexpected. "I’ll lose the next match."

However, Rena accepted it easily. "You’re pulling out? That makes sense."

"Yeah. People are too interested in what’s under my helmet. It’s time to wrap this up."

"That’s a good idea. I’ll go cash out!"

Rena then disappeared, likely heading to the betting area.

Not long after, a human woman approached me. She had a coy smile and she swayed her hips suggestively. "Oh my, I wonder how solid this armor is?"

What does she want?

"Up close, it’s even better. What’s your relationship with that girl earlier?"

The woman was dressed in a lavish gown and heavy eye makeup that exaggerated her eyes, but it didn't change their size. She laughed behind her fan.

Her behavior baffled me. Human mating rituals seemed both overly complex and utterly random. She tilted her neck to expose her pale throat, attempting to seduce me. Yet, I couldn’t simply grab and throw her in such a public setting.

I stared blankly into the distance, completely ignoring her.

"

Ugh

, boring."

She left in frustration, and several other women came and went with similar reactions.

Rena returned, the clinking sound of coins in her leather pouch clear as she approached. "You should’ve bet on losing. We could’ve gotten one more payout."

"Could I lose convincingly without suspicion? It would’ve caused more trouble."

"True. The cleaner the exit, the better. This way, we avoid the hassle."

***

The next match began.

"Zagan... Seere! Facing... Christina!"

Both the announcer and the crowd burst into cheers. Christina stood with her helmet on.

I lowered my sword. "Knight Christina."

She flinched at my call. Her dark eyes, visible through the helmet’s slit, wavered. All I’d done was call her name. There was nothing startling about it.

She spoke slowly, her voice low and honest through the helmet. "Why... do you call me so, Sir Zagan Seere?"

"Do your best."

I swung forcefully, my blade cutting through the air with a sound that silenced the crowd’s cheers.

Clang!

Impressive.

No one else had blocked this blow, but Christina stopped it with her massive sword. She counterattacked immediately.

Whoosh!

Her sword whistled through the air, cutting sharply. The attack wasn’t hard to dodge. She was strong, fast, and had decent reflexes, but nothing exceptional. I was faster and stronger. I toyed with her for about thirty exchanges, and her sword never touched me.

"

Hup!

"

She shouted for the first time, her blade descending in a vertical slash. I sidestepped, barely parrying the strike.

If that had hit, it could’ve been bad.

My helmet might’ve dented and exposed me.

I asked, "Why didn't you use this strength before?"

She hesitated, as if embarrassed. "I... need to shout to focus my strength."

"Then shout."

"They’ll... know I’m..."

Her voice grew quiet. I barely caught her words.

"Know you’re what? A woman?"

This human female was ashamed of even acknowledging her own gender. I decided to provoke her further.

"Why does that matter? Are you so confident you can afford to waste effort on such thoughts?"

If she didn’t give it her all, it’d be hard for me to convincingly lose. She gritted her teeth, and she sharpened her gaze as she lowered her stance.

Good.

I relaxed my grip on my sword. If she fought with enough force and speed, I could let go of my weapon naturally.

"

Haaap!

"

She charged and spun by using the momentum to swing her blade with incredible power.

Clang!

Our swords clashed, but the weight and speed difference sent my weapon flying.

Thud!

As planned, my sword landed far away.

"W-what?"

She hesitated, realizing I had deliberately weakened my grip.

I shrugged and nonchalantly said, "The loser will now step aside."

I walked to retrieve my sword and exited the arena. The announcer, slightly stunned, quickly declared Christina the victor.

I left the tournament grounds, heading for the city gates. Rena caught up, whistling cheerfully.

"Did stopping early cost us much?" I asked.

"Cost? You’re joking, right?" She pulled out a heavy pouch, loosening its tie to reveal a pile of silver coins. "Cost us? This is just two days' worth! We’re rich!"

"

Mm.

"

I didn’t quite think so, but there was no need to spoil her mood. Instead, I reflected on the people I’d encountered in the tournament.

I can handle most humans.

Even in this provincial setting, plenty of people had gathered. None were my match. I would’ve easily won the tournament.

Can I afford to feel confident?

I’d grown stronger, that much was clear. However, I hadn’t expected to be so far ahead of even the best competitors.

Still, the forfeit from that man lingered in my mind. He had said that compared to those who wielded energy, all of this was mere child’s play. That blue-armored man had used energy to cut through me, armor and all.

How many more like him are out there? How can I reach that level?

My sense of urgency grew. I needed to explore a new dungeon soon.

Hmm...

Suddenly, several men surrounded me.

"Excuse me! May I have a moment of your time?"

I instinctively reached for my sword but stopped when I scanned my surroundings and sensed no hostility. "What is it?"

"Sir Knight, we wish to speak with you!"

The men, middle-aged and rotund, were draped in fine silk. Their oily faces glistened as they clamored over one another, trying to outdo the others.

"Please, listen to us! If you’re leaving Lord Erast’s service, we would be honored if you considered working for our family instead!"

"..."

They repeated the same pleas over and over, trying to get me to join their ranks.

"Sir, we already have an arrangement..."

Rena tried to intervene, but one man cut her off.

"

Ah

, but we’re addressing this esteemed knight, aren’t we?"

Then, a familiar voice called out behind me. "Sir Zagan Seere!"

Christina dashed toward me with parts of her armor removed, though her helmet remained on her head. I waved off the persistent merchants and nobles, allowing Christina to approach.

"W-why did you yield the victory to me?"

Through the helmet’s slit, her dark eyes wavered.

I answered, "I had other matters to attend to. Did you come here knowing what kind of man your lord is?"

"No... I didn’t. I just..."

"Be cautious of him. He’s connected to dangerous people."

"What do you mean by that?"

"That’s the only warning I’ll give."

I couldn’t offer her more information.

After a brief pause, I asked something that had been on my mind. "Why are you still wearing your helmet outside the arena?"

She lowered her voice and answered, "My appearance... it’s unsightly."

"By what standard?"

"Well..."

"If you should hide your face or body..."

I glanced at the wealthy men who had just surrounded me. Their oily faces and protruding bellies contrasted sharply with Christina’s sturdy, muscular frame.

"Then those men should be the ones hiding."

"..."

"Be proud of yourself."

Christina looked bewildered, as if she couldn’t quite grasp my words. Leaving her standing there, I walked on, glancing back after a while.

Christina hesitated, her hand reaching for her helmet before stopping midway.

"She still can’t take it off."

"People don’t change easily. At least..."

"At least?"

"Not without some time."

Rena whistled a casual tune as we continued walking.