130. martial arts contest (3)

Javier Franco.

Maxim clearly remembered the skill of the knight he had seen in the preliminaries and the previous two matches. A terrible swordsman with no mercy in his hands. At the end of his duel, the floor of the arena was covered with the blood of the other knight.

The referee was silent even as Javier’s sword ripped through their flesh. Since he was aiming for his opponent’s life, the wounds from Javier’s sword were not too big, and the sword had never aimed at a vital point to say that he was deliberately trying to cause a disability.

“The car I didn’t like was good.”

Saying that, Dennis tapped the table with his fingertips. The corners of his mouth went up, but his eyes were cold. Maxim looked at Dennis as if he was worried. Clearly, Dennis’ ability, as seen by Maxim, was not far behind Javier Franco’s. However, since he knew that he had to be careful with opponents of similar skill, Maxim could not stop worrying.

“What, why are you looking at me with such worried eyes? disgusting.”

Dennis frowned and waved his hand at Maxim. Maxim was moved and questioned Dennis as if arguing.

“Even if it was a senior, wouldn’t you have been worried about me if my opponent was that guy?”

“Hey, worrying about juniors is a senior’s privilege, man. Where is the new recruit with no blood in his head worried about me? The worry is, ‘Can you make it to the semifinals?’ I have to do it.”

Dennis grunted and grinned. The cold eyes at the sight of the name Javier Franco quickly disappeared.

“No matter what tricks that bastard plays, I will win. I am stronger than you think.”

Dennis tapped the crest of a lily hanging from the inside pocket of his overcoat. The King’s escort knights. As for his skills, he must be confident that he won’t lose to anyone in the kingdom. At the end, it was a voice that said that his pride was hurt a little, so Maxim felt sorry for some reason.

“Then don’t be mortifying. As long as it doesn’t make the contestants’ hearts heavy.”

“… sorry.”

As if trying to lighten the mood, Dennis stretched himself and turned his back.

“Let’s go get something to eat. Let’s go and curse at the match between you and me in the semifinals.”

Maxim took one last look at the table and nodded slowly. This matchup must also be the result of Benning’s trickery. A match that could unconditionally send Theodora to the finals and get rid of annoying knights in advance. When Maxim clicked his tongue slightly out of embarrassment, Dennis shrugged his shoulders, saying, “What is it?”

“If we meet in the semifinals, I won’t do anything like lose. I came to participate with a little awkward circumstances, but anyway, I want to try winning once I came out.”

Dennis looked at Maxim with a serious voice. Maxim smiled lightly when he realized that the emotion in his eyes was not a desire to win, but a desire to win.

“It won’t be easy, old man. Practice and practice are two different things.”

“You’ve never properly experienced my sword yet, but your confidence is on the verge of piercing the sky.”

Dennis giggled and accelerated his pace.

“Let’s go cut meat, meat. You have to eat well before anything important.”

“Is your senior living there?”

“Are you buying me something that you did well? If you meet me in the semifinals and win, then I will buy it for you. If you win, I’ll buy you another one.”

Saying that, Dennis walked past Maxim. Maxim looked at the back for a moment, then shook his head and hurriedly followed Dennis.

—

“How did it go?”

Leon Benning looked back at the witch and asked. Lilia was pushing the temple of Javier, who was sitting like a corpse, with a sad expression. Javier swayed in a pendulum motion as Lillia’s fingers pushed his head.

“As you said, I expanded the scope of the curse and strengthened my body with black magic. You won’t feel any pain, and you won’t run out of mana. The body will go beyond human limits and maneuver.”

Lilia moved away from Javier and looked at Leon Benning.

“Was it really necessary to do this? Unless it’s a disposable item that’s meant to be used once or twice and thrown away, it’s not good to leave this kind of magic on.”

“It is a disposable product. The skills of this puppet don’t reach that of Dennis Amber. I have to make it so that I can win even if I use expedients.”

Leon Bening looked down at Javier Franco with cold eyes. The nature of Javier Franco and the magical measures taken by Lilia would perfectly make this knight a killing machine.

Ten years ago, the pleasure killer and fugitive knight who briefly stirred up the frontier fell into the hands of Leon Benning and became a puppet named Javier Franco. Javier Franco, who was used for this and that dirty work, had to be disposed of neatly after the last use in this martial arts competition.

It was a waste of skill, but if you hold on to it longer because it’s a waste of skill, you might get your tail stepped on.

Leon Bening grabbed Javier Franco’s head. Eyes completely void of emotion were looking down at Javier Franco.

Eliminate Dennis Amber, the strongman of the Knights Templar.

Death during a duel is a common accident. What happens within the martial arts competition is the individual’s responsibility. It wasn’t that the count’s reputation was not damaged, but it was about as good as that, he could have asked for it. Has there ever been a time when cutting a tail was so easy?

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No, the important thing is next.

Arsene Vern heard the news that Dennis Amber had died. If he tried to act separately, we could have easily created an opportunity to eliminate them together. Just being able to get rid of the two promising timbers of the Escort Knights was enough harvest.

Leon Bening removed his hand from Javier Franco’s head. Reason returned to Javier Franco’s eyes, and then he bent over as he looked at the count.

“Did you call, Count?”

The Count looks at Javier Franco and orders in a dry voice.

“Kill Dennis Amber in the quarterfinals. Before he tries to surrender, inflict a mortal wound like an accident.”

Probably won’t even try to surrender.

Leon Benning laughed so viciously inwardly.

—

“-victor! Arsene Bern of the 2nd Guards!”

Despite Dennis’ warning that he would not be an easy opponent, Maxim was able to defeat the opposing knight without difficulty. The opposing knight, Alphonse Kiermeier, of the 4th Guards, seemed to have grasped Maxim’s fighting tendencies, and rushed at him, spraying aura from the beginning, but was defeated after being fooled by Maxim’s movements, which shed the knight’s attacks every time like a bullfight.

“Isn’t it too easy to get to the top 4?”

“Yeah, I didn’t even use an aura, but you defeated all opponents who used auras. If we keep doing this, it will be worth aiming for the championship.”

After the match, the spectators chattered as they watched the knights of the 4th Guards storming in, unable to hide their resentment. The spectators’ chatter continued right into the next game.

“-victor! Theodora Benning of the Knights of the Ravens!”

If Arsene Bern had a contest that made her feel like she easily beat her opponent, Theodora Benning gave the feeling of overwhelmingly crushing her opponent. Every time he swung his sword, an aura of the same color as fluttering platinum hair radiated from the sword.

And, the spectators watching Theodora Benning, who defeated her opponent in the quarterfinals in the same way, chattered among themselves.

“It seems that the victory has already been decided. Has there ever been an article that was so overwhelming?”

“I don’t think Arsene Bern is formidable… .”

“A virtuoso like Arsene Bern has limits. After all, don’t knights taste like using auras?”

Of course, such chatter was what everyone in the audience, Christine and Charlotte, and Arsene Bern himself had heard.

“Senior, you seem to be being ignored too much.”

Christine crossed her arms and looked at Maxim disapprovingly. Maxim shrugged his shoulders calmly and raised his eyebrows.

“This is much better than being praised for winning unconditionally. I don’t think I’ll be able to stand properly holding a knife because it’s so burdensome.”

When Maxim shuddered, Christine let out a small laugh.

“I’m just going to fight well.”

“It means you don’t need to receive so much support on set.”

Maxim then glanced at Charlotte, who was sitting next to Christine. Charlotte stared at the stadium in silence, as if she couldn’t hear Maxim and Christine’s conversation. In those sunken eyes, Maxim could see what she was worried about.

“Senior told me that it would be okay and that I would win. Don’t worry about the people fighting.”

Charlotte looked back at Maxim. Perhaps because of worry, shadows formed under his brown eyes. Charlotte looked down as if pondering Maxim’s words, then smiled slightly and nodded.

“yes. Worrying about it won’t help. Dennis always did well at his own pace.”

He said that, but Charlotte’s eyes continued to look at the stadium. It wasn’t that Maxim couldn’t understand his feelings, so he couldn’t say anything anymore and looked at the stadium together. The stadium was busy cleaning up the aftermath of the 2nd match of the quarterfinals, which ended with Theodora’s landslide victory. People were discussing excitedly in anticipation of the next game.

“The next match is real now.”

“Until now, there has been a feeling that one side won easily.”

After clearing the field, the referee slowly walked out. The crowd was boiling like a pot on the verge of exploding, eagerly anticipating the next game. After looking around the spectators, the referee declared the start of the 3 matches in the quarterfinals with a loud voice.

“next-! Dennis Amber of the 3rd Guards!”

Maxim saw Dennis walking out to the cheers of the crowd. I didn’t feel any tension in that expression, with the corners of my mouth relaxed. It was Dennis as usual. Neatly trimmed blonde hair and blue eyes that calmly subsided with fighting spirit.

“Javier Franco of the Knights of the Crescent Moon!”

The cheering crowd grew louder. Some greeted him with more enthusiastic cheers, others with heavy boos. The brutal game style that Javier Franco showed disgusted many spectators and fascinated even more spectators.

“Kill them! Javier!”

“I bet my entire fortune on you!”

He deserved to raise his hand in response, but Javier showed no response. He just walked and stood across from him with the attitude that he only saw Dennis in his own eyes. The eyes of the two knights met. The cool fighting spirit and the empty gaze met in the air.

“Dennis… .”

Charlotte murmured in a desperate voice. The referee stepped back, keeping the distance between the two knights. A different tension from the previous matches in the quarterfinals blew into the arena like the wind. Maxim looked at the stadium with a more tense expression than during his match.

“Yang players, get ready!”

Dennis looked at his opponent. Is it about a head taller than you? It was much taller than Maxim, who I thought was quite tall. His slender body made him seem even taller. Keeping that distance and fighting would only lead to defeat. The sword he was using was as thin as his body. Dennis, who was estimating Javier, suddenly heard an emotionless voice.

“I was convinced.”

Dennis looked at Javier as he spoke with a taken aback look.

“You cannot beat me.”

“I can’t tell if what comes out of my mouth is human speech or a dog barking.”

Despite Dennis’ provocation, Javier’s expression did not change. It was as if he couldn’t even hear it. Dennis frowned, not knowing what that knight was trying to provoke. At that time, the corner of Javier Franco’s mouth grotesquely twists and rises. A voice leaked through a twisted smile that would chill the viewer’s conversation.

“How brutally must I kill you before Arsene Bern loses his sanity.”

Dennis’ expression cooled. Javier, who was tearing up his mouth and making a grotesque laugh, was making an expression that looked like he would spit out a mad laugh at any moment.

“You do sh*t in a variety of ways. You don’t even know the rules of the martial arts tournament.”

Dennis drew his sword. I knew it was dangerous, but a guy who couldn’t even be called a knight entered the martial arts tournament. What was going on in Leon Benning’s head? Javier Franco wiped the grotesque smile from his face in an instant and drew his sword. Perhaps the blood was not wiped off, but the blade of the sword was covered with the blood of the opponent it had cut off.

“The rules of the martial arts competition are meaningless.”

A ghastly murderous intent welled up from Javier’s sword. A very pure murderous intent, unmixed with any emotion. No, it wasn’t without mixed emotions. The emotion that could be glimpsed behind the veil of murderous intent said that it was pleasure.

I can’t let this guy meet Arsene.

There is one more reason not to lose. Dennis aroused his fighting spirit. He confronted that delightful intent to kill by directing his own fighting spirit. As if facing swords, an invisible push was taking place.

The winter wind blows again. Tension was rampant. As the clamor and booing of the crowd reached its climax, the referee finally raised his hand.

“The match begins!”

thud-

The first attack was Dennis’ share. In an instant, a sword strike that took away the breath of the opponent spread out. Javier’s sword, which blocked Dennis’s sword attack, was shaking dangerously.

don’t push I had to push it so that the long sword could not fulfill its original role.

Dennis refrained from pushing, leaning his hips into the hand holding the knife. Javier’s sword slashed the air, and Dennis, who watched the sword’s path until the end, avoided Javier’s sword by a single piece of paper. A very fine gap created in that way. Dennis pierced the tip of his sword and started attacking through the gap.

up

It sounds like a monster grinding its teeth. Javier lowered his sword to block Dennis’ sword. The continuation could not be continued and was cut off. Javier’s sword wrapped around Dennis’ sword and surged with momentum to sever his wrist.

Tung-!

Dennis stopped Javier’s attempt by forcing his arm. The distance between the two knights widens again like the first time. In the fierce battle that took place from the first attack, the spectator seats heated up like a furnace. Dennis forcibly shook his aching wrist once.

“Uncomfortable, that expression.”

Javier said in a voice that could not hide his pleasure. Dennis let out a laugh and raised his sword again. do what you say

“It will be fun to watch.”

Javier lowered his stance and ran at the same time as the dripping words. A sharp sword strike like a whip emanated from the grotesquely fluttering arm. When Javier launched an offensive like this, the opposing knights would fall down with blood pouring from their bodies.

king-!

Dennis lightly blocked the first attack. However, I couldn’t find anything heavy on Javier’s sword. Sweeping down Dennis’ sword, Javier continued his sword strike. A swordsman who only lusts for blood. I didn’t care what sword the opponent used, and the sword that focused only on slashing the enemy’s flesh began to unfold.

“-!”

It was a fast, wicked sword. I thought I knew why those opponents had spilled so much blood. Dennis thought so while accepting Javier’s attack. However, I could read it. Didn’t back down. Simply stepping back because the net formed by that sword was not good enough to give that long-range sword a one-sided attack opportunity.

from now on.

Dennis stepped forward to get his foot back. Javier, as if the action was interesting, smiled again and thrust out his sword. did not block the attack. Javier’s attacks repeatedly failed to reach Dennis and only grazed him. If the other side says they don’t care about their sword, it’s the same.

Dennis’ sword traced its trajectory from bottom to top. Ignoring Javier’s sword, Javier leaned back and dodged the sword aimed directly at him. However, his arm moves like a creature with a will, and he persistently torments Dennis.

“Is that right to compete?”

“Anyone like that will have to get seriously injured before he can come to his senses.”

The crowd held their breath. As if walking a tightrope, the two swordsmen were exchanging swords at close range. No, the sound of swords clashing against each other could only be heard occasionally, and all they could hear was the sound of swords cutting through the air. When the blood-craving sword passed without touching Dennis’ body, Dennis’ steel sword grazed Javier’s leg.

did not touch each other. However, a more fierce exchange than ever before was taking place with each other’s blood as collateral. The expression of Dennis, who was cold and calm, contrasted with Javier’s grotesquely twisting mouth.

“… Senior Dennis, you are strong.”

Maxim muttered in admiration. Charlotte nodded in agreement. His expression was a mixture of half faith and half worry, and his eyes were looking at Dennis with earnestness.

“Dennis is strong. It is strong enough to rank among the top ranks within our escort knights.”

Charlotte looked at Dennis’ swordsmanship and said, like a person asking for a favor. Even in the midst of their conversation, Dennis was bloodily exchanging swords with Javier. Neither side backed down. The tightrope between the two knights was still going on.

“… You have to win, Dennis.”

Charlotte gave her cheers that her classmates couldn’t hear. at that time,

bang-!

A sound that hadn’t been heard before, and felt alien to this contest, exploded. Cranky, Javier Franco rolled loudly. And then quickly sit down and stand up.

“What, is Javier pushed?”

“In the end, it must have been that Dennis’ skills had the upper hand.”

Amidst the murmur of the crowd, someone’s sharp cry was heard.

“No, look over there!”

The crowd’s eyes were not on Javier Franco, who rolled over, but on Denis.

“That… .”

The identity of the heterogeneous phagong sound. It was not the sound made when two swords simply met, but the sound that only the blade of Mana could make. A light blue aura was blooming from Dennis’ blade. And,

pop.

Dennis unconsciously stole my cheek. Dennis’ cheek was cut and bleeding. Dennis looked at his opponent with cold, angry eyes. Javier Franco was looking at Dennis, his grotesque grin stained with dust as he created an aura from his sword. Its mouth opens slowly and emits an eerie voice.

“Did you shed blood?”