The spectators were shocked from the sudden attack, while Alma Elma and Alice's eyes widened for a moment, and the Queen's eyes narrowed.
Oni: Tsk… I tol- Guh!
The Oni was interrupted when she was backhanded away from Marco, who had a serious face, it looked like the injury wasn't that serious.
The Oni let go the sword and flew some meters away, leaving the sword in Marco's stomach, she stood up and looked at Marco who took out the katana and observing it.
Marco: Made really well…
Then he looked at the Oni and threw the katana to her head, she instinctively moved her head away, dodging the blade, but when she looked back at Marco, she found all three of his tails centimeters away from her face.
It was too late to dodge and got hit from the tails, which cracked the arena from the strength they had, but Marco didn't finished, he saw a shadow coming out from the smokescreen his attack made and followed it with Sylph's powers.
In some seconds he already reached the shadow, which was revealed to be the Oni who was bleeding in the head, the Oni was shocked once again from his speed, and tried to cut him with her katana which she grabbed before running away.
But Marco grabbed the Oni's hand before the katana reached him, stopping her arm, then Marco stopped and pulled the Oni towards him, like before, she couldn't resist much his strength and was pulled, then Marco headbutted her in the face, breaking her nose.
When he did that, he used his tails to grab the Oni and smash her in the floor, she spit saliva from the pain, but Marco didn't finished there, he grabbed her leg and threw her away.
She tried to stabilize herself, however one of Marco's tails was already coming for her, she put her katana in front of her to block the hit, which pushed her even more away and crashed in the wall of the arena.
Then he ran towards the Oni stuck in the wall, she tried to get out but Marco was already over her, he jumped, put himself in a horizontal position and smashed her chest with both of his feet.
This time something cracked inside the Oni, who gritted her teeth from the pain, however, it seemed that Marco finished his combo, and fell in the ground in his feet and looked at the Oni in the wall.
Marco: Who is the weak one now? Damn retard…
Then he turned and walked away under everyone's surprised gaze, they looked at the injury in his stomach, but it disappeared, leaving a hole in his clothes and a stain of blood, but there wasn't any cut in his stomach.
Oni: W...Wait…
The Oni managed to say a word even with the pain in her chest, Marco turned and looked at the Oni, who got out from the wall and was using her katana to support her body.
She was slowly walking towards Marco with bravery.
Marco: What? You need another beating?
Oni: Tsk… I… I will win… I c-can't accept this result… I trained… For years… So I could win against Kyuba… Then someone like you won against her… Someone like you is not worthy of victory… Especially against me, Rika, the champion of the Oni race…
I… I will beat you! AAAAARRRRRGGGHHHHH!
Then she stood on her feet and rushed at Marco as fast as she could while dragging behind her katana, which emitted white sword intent with some lightning around, Marco stood on his place, waiting for her.
Marco sighed and looked in the sky, still using his 3rd Gate, Gnome and Sylph.
Marco: Give me a break…
When Rika, the Oni, came in front of Marco, her head twisted towards the sky, surprising her.
Over her head, there was a foot standing in the air, before this happened, Marco kicked her chin like he did with Alma Elma, but unlike her, Rika didn't fly in the sky and was stunned from the attack.
Then she saw the foot falling at her face at an amazing speed, and slammed her in the ground, unconscious.
Marco brought back his foot in the ground after kicking two times Rika, the first was an upper kick at her chin while the second time Marco brought down his leg at her face.
After that, he turned towards the entrance of the arena, it seemed that Alma Elma vanished a while ago, and didn't watched the fight. It was Marco's victory, he won the Queen's Cup by beating down the last contestant, Rika.
[Later]
Marco and Alice were at the throne room, the Queen, sitting in the throne, was smiling from Marco's achievements.
Queen: Since taking the throne, I have never experienced such happiness… To think, a warrior who was able to win appeared! Now, for the presentation of the prize. Our royal treasure, the Green Orb, and the money… Please accept it.
It seems that the Queen didn't cared about giving money to Marco after she saw his fights, she held a beautiful green sphere in one hand and in the other a big bag of gold coins, which Marco picked up, checked the bag, which contained around 1200 gold coins, and put them in his backpack.
Marco: 'Alright, 3 out of 6.'
Queen: If you are in the area again, please stop by the castle. I'll always welcome the man who fulfilled my dream.
Marco: Then I'll take my leave now. Goodbye.
Marco and Alice then walked out from the castle leaving behind the happy Queen.
Alice: Congratulations for the victory.
Marco: Thanks… Still, the fight with Alma Elma was disappointing…
Alice: Well, she doesn't like to fight much…
Marco: It doesn't matter, we will meet once again, and the next time we will fight for real, I still need her to behave and not attack random towns or ships…
Alice: Oh? You want to fight the Heavenly Knights then?
Marco: Aye, all 4 of them, my main mission is coexistence, if I don't stop them, who will?
Alice: Nn… Then where will we go now?
Marco looked in the sky, and noticed it was afternoon.
Marco: I think it's better going to Yamatai Village now… I heard that there is something interesting while we checked the town.
Alice crossed her arms and smiled at the news, probably for the food.
Alice: Hmm hmm… That sounds good. Especially the "Onigiri" and "Soba" part…
Marco: '... I never said them… She's already gone in her own world…' Whatever… Hey Alice.
Alice: Hm?
Marco took out the ribbon he bought at the Elf's shop and gave it to her, surprising her.
Marco: Happy Birthday.
Alice was speechless, and looked at the black ribbon with white outlines with surprise.
Marco: It goes on the tail, sorry but we haven't a cake to eat.
Alice looked back at Marco, and silently hugged him with a smile, then she kissed him in his cheek, surprising Marco.
Alice: Thank you…
Marco smiled and hugged back, meanwhile the citizens around, humans and monsters, looked at them with a smile.
Everyone: Awwwww...
After that scene, Marco and Alice walked to Yamatai Village, while they walked there Marco remembered about the Kitsune Village that should be nearby.
[SPECIAL QUESTS]
1st. Kick Gabriel's ass
2nd. Achieve coexistence between Monsters and Humans
3rd. Kill Illias
4th. Return to Lucifina's grave
5th. Visit every places in Illias Continent, Sentora and Hellgondo
6th. Turn back to Sabasa Kingdom
7th. Visit Kitsune Village using the Nine Tailed Cub System