Chereads / The Lustful Conquest / Chapter 2 - The Athirus Tournament (1)

Chapter 2 - The Athirus Tournament (1)

I managed to find my way out of the village before nightfall and found my way into the first kingdom hours later named The Kingdom of Athirus. I've noticed most of the kingdom is made up a mix of shinobi and fine warriors. I walked around and looked at all of the people and buildings. There seemed to be a festival going on and I knew I had to stick my nose in it.

I walked towards the central of the city, where the real party was. I looked around and noticed a woman, a beautiful woman who had long silver hair, blue eyes, and wore a blue and purple dress. She was accompanied by two other people one of them being Kotone. I smirked then noticed someone tug my kimono. I looked back then down, seeing a young girl. I turned to her and crouched down.

"Hello there, young one. What is it you need?" I asked.

"Are you here to see Queen Azusa as well? She's supposed to be announcing something important." She asked and looked at me.

I smiled at her then nodded. "I am here to see her. Why do you asked?"

"You just looked different from everyone else here. You aren't from around this country are you?" She asked.

"You've got a keen eye, but it is obvious that I am not from here, young one. I am from a different land all together." I responded.

"Oh...well welcome to the Athirus Kingdom!" She smiled brightly.

I ruffled her hair and chuckled then stood up. I looked at Azusa then crossed my arms. I noticed Kotone looking at me then she whispered something to Azusa. Azusa looked at me and forrowed her eyebrows at me. I waved at her and she looked away at her people then cleared her throat. The horns blew and the music stopped and the people stopped dancing.

She walked up on the podium and cleared her throat. "People of Athirus! Today is a momentous day as this is the 20th Anniversary of the Late Queen Maribelle, my mother. She is the first to conquer the Dark Dragon of Xaedel and her feat is worth celebrating every year! Keeping up with traditions we will be hosting our usual annual tourneys! Those who wish to battle, form a line in front of my Advisor, Sir Takesi III."

I crossed my arms and watched the line form in front of Takesi. He had short red hair, wore a black assassin's jacket and black pants with black ninja footwear. He carried a great sword on his back and had his arms crossed watching everyone sign up for the tournament. I decided to get in line as well just so I could get a closer look at Azusa.

Once I got up to sign the paper to join the tournament, Kotone slammed her hand on the paper. I looked at her then chuckled.

"Seems like you're still upset from earlier. I didn't mean to hit your delicate body so hard. I wish I would've held back." I said.

"Shut...up. You're not joining this tournament. In fact you're not welcomed here! Leave our country, Yeshan. People like you old dark wielding brutes aren't welcome." Kotone said.

"Setting aside your casual mild racism, I believe all people are welcome to join any form of event no matter their origin." I said then Azusa cleared her throat.

"Let him join, Kotone." Azusa said.

"But Milady!" Kotone looked at Azusa.

"I won't repeat myself." Azusa closed her eyes.

I looked at Azusa and she looked at me. I smirked and signed my name then walked off. "See ya around." I said then went to find an inn to stay at for the night.

Azusa looked at me then looked back at Kotone. "You say he's from the Yeshan Empire? What's a man like him doing here?"

"He said he wanted to conquer Uthea. We can't let him do such a thing!" Kotone said and looked at Azusa.

"I see. Takesi, I want you to join this tournament. Defeat him. Kill him...He's just like the other men who come here." Azusa said.

"As you wish." Takesi nodded and signed the paper.

I whistled and waltzed to the inn then noticed a few knights stop me. I looked at them and stopped whistling. "A fine night to you lot as well."

"We heard of your intentions and we have come to put an end to it now before you even get the chance." One of the knights said.

"Listen, we can play good guy, bad guy tomorrow. I am tired and I need my beauty sleep, so before you end up embarrassing yourselves I suggest you step out of the way." I said and rested the scabbard of my sword against my shoulder.

They summoned their swords and lances then got in their stance. They looked at me with the intent to kill.

"Well...don't say I didn't warn you all." I said and dropped my bag.

They dashed to me and went for an attack at me. I dodged their attacks and used my aura to push them away from me.

"Nnngh! He's strong!" A female knight said.

"We mustn't give in!" A male knight bellowed.

They all dashed at me again, going for attacks then I closed my eyes. I slightly pulled my sword out my scabbard then dodged their attacks once again. I put my foot behind one of the knights and grappled onto her and got behind her, holding the sharp edge of my sword at her neck. She froze and the other knights froze.

The young girl watched me from behind a light post and her eyes sparkled. A few of the city folk watched with terror, worried I was going to kill the female knight. I let her go then pushed her forward. She stumbled forward and exhaled, holding her neck.

"Even a five on one, you can't defeat me. I tried to warn you, but now you've gone and embarrassed yourselves." I closed my eyes and picked up my bag then walked into the inn.

"Whoa..." The young girl said in awe then heard Azusa calling her name then hurried over to her. "Coming!"

I paid for my room and set my bag down next to my sword. I laid down on the bed, placing my hands behind my head and looked at the ceiling. "Tomorrow will be an interesting day..." I chuckled then closed my eyes and drifted off to sleep.

The next day arrived and I opened my eyes. I turned my head and noticed the sun peering through the window. I sat up and moved my hair from my eyes then got out of bed. I made up the bed perfectly then walked over to the table to grab my bag and sword.

I left the inn and went to go find a late in the outskirts of the kingdom. Once I found a lake that was secluded from society, I took out a bottle of soap from my bag then took off my clothes and went to freshen up in the water. I washed my self thoroughly then opened my bag to take out some fresh clothing. I got out of the water and dried off then put on my new kimono. I folded my old clothes then packed up. I walked off and stretched then made my way back to the kingdom.

Once I made it back to the kingdom, I noticed some commotion going on. I walked to the crowd and noticed what they were staring at. It was a beautiful wild gray horse with a white mane and tail. The horse had magic symbols all over its body and looked at the people. I walked through the crowd and walked towards the horse.

The horse looked at me and everyone watched me get closer to the horse. I gently pet the horse and the horse snorted a bit.

"There now. It's alright." I said, calming the horse down. I checked the undercarriage and noticed it was a mare. I looked back up and smiled then she neighed.

She had finally calmed down and noticed me as her owner. I nodded and she allowed me to get on her back.

"To the stadium!" I said and she galloped to the stadium.

"Alright boys and girls, ladies and gentlemen! We are going to get this 20th Annual Tournament underway!" The announcer yelled with excitement.

"Lady Azusa, it appears Ryoma is running late." A maid said.

"I suppose it's fine. The matches are already decided already on who's going to go when. He better hope he comes prepared because this may be his very last day living." Azusa said.

A few of the matches had already gone by and I just reached the stadium. I got off my horse and hurried inside of the stadium.

"Next battle will be between Ryoma Miyazaki and Rai Suga!" The announcer said.

Rai walked into the battlefield of the stadium and everyone cheered. I wasn't anywhere to be found and everyone was confused.

"He must've chickened out.." Kotone said.

"Ryoma Miyazaki is a no-show and therefore must be-"

Rai grunted and deflected my sword then I appeared where my sword was then smirked. He looked at me and glared. "You almost got disqualified."

"Well, I'm glad I made it on time.." I said and took my sword out of the ground, standing up straight. I pointed my sword at him then winked. "Don't hold back on me now, I actually want to impress the queen."

"Tch. I'll wipe that smug off your face." Rai said.

The horns blew and Rai dashed to me. I smirked and dodged his attacks then he went for multiple kicks. I blocked his kicks then sweep kicked him off his feet. He fell on his butt and grunted. I walked backwards then got in my battle stance. I held my sword pointed backwards and placed a hand behind my back.

"That stance.." Azusa said.

"What about it?" Kotone asked.

"It's a royal swordsman stance only one of the Seven Royals of Eyica knows. The form of the Great Emperor of Yesha. How does he know that form..?" Azusa asked.

"Oh...I forgot to tell you, he's the Previous Emperor of Yesha. He gave that role to his brother when he moved here from what I heard." Kotone said. "When he fought me, he held his sword like any other knight.."

Rai dashed to me and went for multiple slashes. I copied him and did the same, causing us to clash multiple times in a few seconds. The crowd was in awe on how I perfectly copied his attack. He looked surprised and jumped backwards. I smirked and copied his stance and rested the flat edge of my sword on my hand like he did.

"He can copy people's fighting techniques and stances..?" Azusa asked as she paid close attention to me.

"You're copying me now..? You're taking me for some kind of joke?!" Rai yelled. "I'll kill you for mocking me! Answer my call, Alastor!"

Rai's aura surged powerfully and his green eyes shined brightly. I stuck my sword in the ground and closed my eyes then began to doing hand signs just like Kotone. She looked surprised and stood up.

"He's copied my Inferno Ballista..!" Kotone said.

I raised my hand in the air and a large ball of flames appeared over me. I grabbed my sword from the ground then raised it in the air. I used the large fireball's energy to fuse with my Shining Light attack. The light aura became sparkling flaming aura.

"Die!" He dashed to me and jumped into the air. "Spirit Breaker!"

My eyes shined brightly and I stabbed my sword into the ground then a massive wall of flames emerged from the ground and struck Rai. He groaned loudly. "Shining...Ballista!"

I bellowed and the flames turned white then a massive explosion happened. Rai crashed into the walls of the stadium and his aura vanished. The smoke cleared and I stood up straight.

"This is the power of the Yeshan King!" I said and stuck my sword into the ground and crossed my arms, looking at Azusa.

She stared at me and her left eye twitched slightly. "This is The King of 1000 Techniques I've been hearing about...It is this arrogant fool."

"Mama, he's so cool!" The young girl said in excitement. "He's also a King? He's super strong!"

Azusa looked at her daughter and looked back at me. "Hmph..."