Both princes were on the stage, looking at each other, the only difference from the previous fights was the amount of arrogance in both of them, it was like they were placing every other being on a lower level than themselves.
'It's a mystery from where all that ego comes from, they are both 10 years older than me, but can't kill me in one shot, I would be a bitter fight probably, but still.'
After getting the confirmation he needed, the Scarlet Ancestor announced the start of the fight.
"Begin."
They both didn't conceal anything from the start, as if that would be beneath them, Darkness was seeping off Dorian, and it was mixing with the Water Particles on his skin. Dorian first broke through Rank 0 Water Path, he was more talented in that aspect, but it was clear he was at the Peak of Rank 1 with both Paths, all 3 of his stats were at the peak of Rank 1, with only Strength lacking in the mix.
While the presence Sturr was giving off was making him resemble a mountain, it was a completely unmovable and heavy. Silvery and Yellowing Particles were visible to the spectators as they were mixing on top of his skin. It was obvious that both of them were at the very peak of Rank 1, just a little bit away from grinding away that 9th door and stepping into Rank 2.
Dorian was using a dagger, while Sturr was using his bare hands, no gloves, nothing, it appeared incredibly savage.
The fight was incredibly intense at the start, but Dorian was quickly disadvantaged, he could only leave a swallow gash on the body of Sturr and that was only because of his speed, Dorian had Vitality instead of Strength at peak Rank 0, which was a severe handicap in a fight again a monster like Sturr who also had Vitality at peak Rank 1, with 100 times regeneration, the gashes disappeared before their number reached the double digits.
If a Rank 1 Dagger was allowed on stage, Dorian would win for sure, as his speed would be a better weapon against strong body, even if the Earth and Metal Particles would still be in the way, it would at least leave heavier injuries, but that was not the case, it could be fate or coincidence that things developed this way.
"Haaa!"
Dorian tried to use Darkness Corrosion, but Sturr only responded by using a mix of Earth and Metal Particles to defend again the Darkness.
Even Sigurd could defend against a direct corrosion with just the Metal Path, if the opponents Soul was not much stronger than his, that was the reason, only the blade of his sword was corroded and his hand was completely intact.
'This is going to be a long one.'
The fight continued for hours, Sturr just stood there deflecting the blows he could, defending against others using his body, shielding with his Paths from the corrosion when needed, while Dorian ran around him trying everything he could think of.
The Rank 5s were looking like they were could wait for years of needed.
The Emperors kept watching as if it was their duty.
Almost half a day later, Dorian finally got exhausted and there was a lapse in his movement, Sturr who had been waiting for so long, sprung forward, grabbing Dorian by the neck like a chicken.
"Emperor of Scarlet, what is your offer?"
"Hahahah, you little copycat, do you have no shame?"
"You copied someone 10 years younger than you."
"There is no shame in victory and making profit out of it."
"You are right, but I'm not a weakling like your stupid father."
"I don't need a son that couldn't figure out a way to beat you in half a day."
"If it was all stats and mindless fighting like that, why even fight we can just compare strength, speed, recovery and cognition."
"There is a giant pit around you, he could have angered you and lured you to the edge, there are countless strategies for the weak to beat the strong, not to mention he is on the same level as you."
"Go ahead, I don't need trash that will get in the way of my little monsters, I'll see how you handle them in the next elimination round."
"Well so much for the acclaimed once in a 100 years genius, your ending is truly sad, even your father don't want to save you."
"Please, don't, I admit I'm not your match."
Dorian didn't have any of the previous arrogant air, he was completely pale, scared and shivering.
"You know, I'll tell you a bit about where out family name came from."
"In the past, my ancestor had an execution method for their enemies."
Sturr made a fist and swung towards Dorian.
"I won't forgive you, Scarlet Emperor."
"Even if I'm a ghost, I'll haunt you."
Sturr didn't seem to notice anything Dorian was saying.
"It was them using their enormous Strength and hitting their enemies once."
The fist connected, turning Dorian into a blood mist, which then floated away carried by the now red colored wind.
"Bringing this effect."
"Winner Sturr RedWind."
Neither Lucien or Vlad even flinched, it was as if that person that just died, was not connected to them in any way.
"The fights are finished, if someone wants to challenge now is the moment, it only goes ."
"I did mention it, but only the younger ones can challenge the older ones, this is the only privilege they get anyway."
From the Scarlet Empire only Lucien and Vlad were left and coincidentally, they were the younger ones, nobody from the Holy Empire or the Barbarians could issue a challenge.
"I won't use my challenge right."
"Me neither."
'I could probably fight the brute, since I'm even more balanced, but even then all the stats are weaker than his, not worth the risk.'
Lucien voiced his choice and Vlad followed right after, it was not wise to pick a fight they were not sure of winning. The next elimination round would be the scene where they finish the job.
"Then this elimination round is officially completed, 4 of the contestants died in the battles, with the Scarlet Empire still having 2 heirs and the other Empires only 1 each. Since none of the Empires have any younger than 15 year old heirs, the second elimination round that is in 10 years will be among the 4 of you."
The Rank 5 completely ignored Sigurd, a handicap with a heart demon, would have hard time surviving the next 10 years, not to mention improving, even if he turned up in the next elimination round, he would die for sure.