Thud
Lisa dropped to her knees, her eyes wide with shock as her breathing turned unstable. She found it difficult to keep hold of her whip as her body shuddered from time to time.
Before her, a battlefield filled with gore and bloodshed had just come to an end. Bodies of her Worker Bees were strewn across the ground and at the center of it all… Laura stood tall, completely covered in blood.
At this point, her feminine appearance was gone. Her visage looked more like a butcher that enjoyed bathing in the blood of those they killed.
Laura's breathing was ragged but she remained standing regardless, her sights fixated on Lisa.
Sensing her gaze, Lisa shuddered in response. "H-how is this possible?... She wiped out every single one of them."
She was unwilling to accept the facts but there was no way she could ignore them. For the first time today, Lisa fell into the depths of despair.
She despaired at the fact that the one she looked down on was stronger than her.
Just then, Laura's calm voice was heard. "Is that all or is there anything else?"
Lisa stared at her but remained speechless. What would she say even if she decided to respond?... Silence was the best answer at this point.
"No answer?... Then it's time to end this." Laura took a step forward and Lisa instinctively backed away.
"No, don't you dare come any closer. Stay away… Stay away!" Lisa swung her whip to attack Laura.
Due to the whip's trajectory being too simple, Laura reached out her hand and casually grabbed it.
She felt the pain but it no longer mattered. With Queen Bee gone, Lisa's whip had lost its poison properties, meaning Laura had nothing to fear even if the thorns embedded themselves in her skin.
Even though she knew that it would happen, Lisa was still unable to stop herself from gulping down saliva as she watched Laura grab her whip.
"N-No." was all she could muster before Laura began to take steps toward her again.
Each step was like a gong signaling her end and Lisa was unwilling to see that end, thus she dropped her whip, after which she got to her feet and ran.
There was no place to run to but she still ran. As long as she could keep the distance between herself and Laura, it would be enough.
Unfortunately, her struggle was in vain.
Laura moved her fingers and the swords flew out in response.
Lisa stumbled and turned her head just in time to watch the sword approach her like a weapon made for judgment.
"Ah!" She screamed even before the sword hit. "I yield!... I yield!"
With her eyes closed, she put up her arms in surrender.
As though on cue, the jester announced. "Laura Webber has won her first match!"
By the time Lisa opened her eyes, Laura was already halfway across to the changing room. Her whip was left on the ground and Lisa was forgotten.
She felt the urge to bury herself in the earth but there was no point since no one would care…no
Lisa turned her neck, hoping for something but the reality turned out to be different.
Her mother's expression was overflowing with anger while her father only felt disdain for her, not even bothering to spare her a glance.
Lisa chuckled inwardly as she realized the truth of the nobility. "It is only when you are strong that they would love you… the moment you disappoint them, you become just as good as trash in their eyes."
Without a word, Lisa silently sobbed.
***
"And now, let us welcome our next challenger!... Please make welcome, Dominic Wilkin!" the jester announced.
Elena groaned inwardly. "Ugh, not that guy again."
A second later and a blonde-haired pretty boy showed himself in the arena.
Donned in a suit of gold armor and wielding a brightly colored sword, Dominic walked with a hint of arrogance about him.
This was his fourth bout. His last three fights were so painfully staged it was obvious but no one bothered to say anything.
After all, if you have the money, then might as well use it for something.
For Elena, her repulsion was born out of the fact that the idiot would always make a romantic gesture in her direction after bagging a win.
It was the height of shamelessness.
"Can't someone teach that fool a lesson?... He is getting on my nerves." Elena muttered through gritted teeth.
"Princess, would you like me to take care of him?" Her retainer asked.
It would be a lie if she said she wasn't entertaining the possibility but in the end, she wanted to remain as low-key as possible without doing anything that could sully the imperial family name thus she held herself back.
"It's fine, let's just leave him for now. He's not worth the effort."
"By your will."
Meanwhile, down in the arena, Dominic had gotten to the center of the arena.
Dominic flashed a smile as he turned to face the VIP area while bowing. "Princess, this next match is also for you. Watch me closely." He said in the most cringe tone Elena almost changed her mind about dealing with him.
"This buffoon!... Someone take him out already!"
After he was done with his theatrics, Dominic stood up straight and spread his arms out. "Is there anyone willing to challenge the great me in a duel?... Please do not be afraid and step forth."
He was overflowing with confidence as he spoke but then an unexpected visitor caused him to grow tense as a voice was heard.
"I accept your challenge."
Dominic turned to the origin and found a teenager with dirt brown hair and brown eyes dressed in classic desert attire.
Narrowing his eyes, he questioned. "It's you?"