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??? POV:
"Get that old geezer!"
"Go, Prince Albert!"
"We're putting all of our money on you!"
Despicable.
Listening to the trash surrounding me makes me sick.
All of these people are blind.
How could they support a scum like him?
I hope the b*stard gets beaten to a pulp.
What he is doing is spitting akin to spitting on the graves of Royal Ancestors of the Beland Kingdom.
The equipment he used belonged to the Founding King of the Beland Kingdom.
That demonic crimson armour was crafted from the scales of one of the first Ancient Dragons to have walked Lunara, Balarog The Vile. An evil red dragon who even the gods can't subdue.
Then there was the sword, Blood Drinker, forged out of Adamantium by Dwarven blacksmiths of the highest calibre and enchanted with powerful runic magic by the long-forgotten Rune Witches. One small cut from that blade could leave you on the ground dying from blood loss.
For him to brazenly wield the Kingdom's sacred artifacts like toys is blasphemy of the highest order!
As much as I want to strangle him myself, he's in the midst of fighting Lilith's Familiar.
However, this is good in its own way. If Sir Knight won this match, Helen would face far less bullying and mistreatment at school.
On the off chance he doesn't, and that b*stard, Albert forces them to disgrace themselves. I'll have to get some blood on my hands.
3rd Person POV:
In the viewing boxes of the Arena, the crowds were going wild.
"Yeah! Get him, Prince!"
"Beat that old codger to a pulp!"
"Kick his *ss, boy! I bet my life's savings on you!"
Amidst all the support for Prince Albert were a few dozen or so people who remained silent, watching the battle play out.
Among them was Instructor Emily, who was refereeing the match and Helen and Lilith, who were in the viewing boxes.
Although Lilith appeared calm like the other girls, if one observed closely, one could see her hands tightly clenched on her skirt and a bead of sweat formed near her brow.
(Come on! You have to win this!)
(No, please win this! You've done so much! For you to fail here, I can't stand it!)
(Lady Vera, if you have even the slightest pity for my family, please! I ask you to let him win!)
3rd Person
In An Unknown Viewing Box:
Somewhere among the loud audience was a viewing box.
It looked the same as the others, a simple, white prism-like structure enough to fit fifty people.
However, if we were to look inside. It tells a much different story.
The floors were layered with a plush, expensive red carpet, the same ones found in a King's throne room or halls.
The walls were adorned with several beautiful paintings and tapestries sourced directly from the genius artists of Rosa, the land of artists and great minds.
The wondrous fancy furnishings were all made from the rare Heaven Trees from Eldara, which were used to create many legendary weapons, potions and artifacts due to their durability and high mana conductivity.
To top it all off, a large chandelier made of Sky Jewels hung in the center of the room, overlooking a table full of exquisite tea sets, pastries and other small snacks for a gathering.
Such a display of wealth could only be a sign that the occupants of this box were powerful, wealthy or influential. Perhaps all three.
Indeed, the majority of the occupants belonged to all three categories.
Sixteen people were present, all wearing masks that hid their faces, as though they were here for a secret meeting or masquerade.
Half of the people were seated, watching the battle unfold. The other half stood by their side.
"DIE OLD MAN!"
"Bring it on, youngster! I'll have you reformed in no time!"
"Pffft!"
"That arrogant redhead is about to have his *ss handed over to him!"
"How uncouth! As expected from the barbarians of the Empire! You don't know etiquette!"
The ones arguing were a large, muscled armoured man wearing a spiked helmet with his face covered by a gas mask and a thin one dressed in a formal military officer's uniform wearing an opera mask.
The armoured man turned to the one dressed as an officer.
"Shut it! I don't want to hear that from a rebel who massacred innocent children because of their blood!"
"You Imperial dogs don't know the suffering we had to endure from our oppressors! Don't talk like you're any better! I bet half the people in your glorious Empire can't afford three meals per day and a warm bed to sleep in!"
"At least they live honest lives! Unlike you whining republicans who only pin the blame on others and do not do anything yourselves!"
"You take that back! Our citizens are earnest, hard-working and are treated fairly! You force yours to work and behave at the end of a whip!"
"And you send yours to the gallows if you hear the slightest voice of dissent!"
"You-"
"Alright, that's enough, boys. Have you forgotten what we're supposed to be doing?"
The one who spoke was a slender woman in a dark gothic dress with long, waist-length black hair wearing a distorted mask of a person screaming.
"Tch! This isn't over yet, Imperial brute!"
"Right back at you, atheist!"
"I'm not one of those extremist Robins, you dog!"
"You're a dog if I've ever seen one!"
"What's that supposed to mean!"
The woman with the scream mask facepalmed.
*Sigh!*
"Those two are always at it like cats and dogs."
"Do you need some help?"
"Please."
A white translucent barrier covered the quarrelling duo, isolating them from the rest of the room.
The scream-masked woman turned to a woman in priest robes wearing a white veil and thanked her.
"Thanks. The ruckus those two cause is unbearable."
"Don't mention it. While those two are still arguing, let's discuss our thoughts on the Visitor, shall we?"
"That would be much appreciated. I'll start with my opinion if you don't mind."
Seeing everyone either agreeing or not saying anything, the scream-masked woman began.
"Looking at his behaviour and actions, he is, without doubt, a fine gentleman and an excellent role model of how a knight should be, as evidenced by how he stood up for the Sharon girl when no one else had."
The scream-masked girl replaced the scene of Charles and Albert fighting with a short clip that showed Charles saving Lilith from an outsider's perspective.
There were two reactions everyone displayed.
Disgust of how Albert blatantly tramples on the weak and approval of how Charles taught the b*stard a lesson.
"Despicable! I'm glad that old knight put him in his place!"
"HAHAHAHA! He looks like a squirrel with those cheeks!"
"What a beautiful slap! So full of elegance and grace! And not lacking in power the slightest!"
"Oh, wow! That grandpa looks so dreamy!"
Everyone besides the arguing duo trapped within the barrier stared at the veiled woman.
A short, stocky man in worker's clothing and a welder's mask broke the silence.
"Aren't you a part of the Church? Shouldn't you be all about protecting your purity and all that BS the Church feeds you? If it were the witch saying that, that'd make sense. For a nun to express that feels weird."
The scream-masked woman grabbed the stocky man by his collar and lifted him up into the air with one hand.
"What the f*ck do you mean you'd expect a witch to have an old man fetish, dwarf?"
Although the scream-masked woman said the sentence in a normal voice, to the dwarf, it sounded threatening.
"W-well, aren't witches supposed to be the opposites of nuns who value their v-card? Like, they're supposed to be smoking hot-"
"Oh? You're saying that I'm an ugly hag?"
The veil-wearing nun snatched the dwarf from the witch's hand and lifted him up with both hands while several swords made of light appeared behind her.
"N-no! That's not what I meant! I'm just saying it's more likely for a witch to have an old man fetish than a nun because witches are supposed to be descended from Succubuses!"
"Did you just call me a wh*re!?"
The witch summoned several purple Fireballs, each the size of a baseball and radiating immense power.
"Want to beat him up together?"
"Sure."
The dwarf gulped and accepted his fate.
A Few Minutes Later:
The nun, witch and dwarf seated themselves back down. The dwarf, although with no visible injuries, winced as he sat down on his seat.
Thankfully, they avoided his nuts and didn't hit his face too hard.
The witch then resumed the conversation.
"Now, back on topic. Although the knight is indeed a splendid example of noblesse oblige. I believe he is very dangerous if left unchecked."
"You've seen how he didn't hesitate to slap a Royal's face. This means he has the power to combat against a kingdom, or he's a fool."
"Given his age, I'd like to think it was the former."
The nun asked a question.
"Why do you think he's a threat? Personally, I think we shouldn't do anything that'll antagonize him. I sense a divine aura from him that only the gods and their servants could have. Perhaps he is a Messiah sent by Lady Vera to save us from an unknown impending disaster."
"You have a point there. However, there lies the problem. We don't know why he is here."
"If he were to choose a side in a dispute between nations, it may escalate into war, and whichever side has him would be at an advantage."
"No offence, but if your Church got their hands on him, they'll most likely gain more power and influence by cooking up some story about how he's Vera's direct aide and everyone should bow to him and the Church."
"No offence taken. The Church has done many shameless and vile things in the past, some of which I am ashamed to speak of. However, I personally believe that he is a man of integrity who will remain steadfast in his beliefs whatever comes his way."
"Where do you get such confidence?"
"Just a hunch."
"Hmm, interesting opinion."
"Any others besides the two idiots arguing?"
"Well, I believe that he-"
"No one asked for your opinion, dwarf."
The dwarf dejectedly remained silent in his seat.
"Now then, anyone else?"
A man in a full suit of white knight armour raised his hand.
"Yes, Tin-Can?"
The man wasn't insulted by this since that was what he was often called by most people, given how he never spoke more than necessary.
Everyone was surprised by how he was the first to volunteer due to how inactive he is in group discussions.
"I agree with Lady-"
"Alright, I'm going to have to stop you there for one second. This meeting is supposed to be masquerade-themed! You are not allowed to call others by their names!"
"My apologies, Lady- I mean witch."
"I agree with Lady- nun. It is against my code of conduct to cross swords with a fellow man of honour I have no enmity with."
"Thank you for your opinion. Anyone else?"
The next member who spoke was a man dressed in...
Very unusual clothing.
He was dressed in a formal suit waist up, while his lower half was in a kilt that reached past his knees.
His knee-length socks were a mismatched pattern, and to top off the madness. He donned an enormous tophat that could fit a man inside and a distorted opera mask that was half-laughing and half-crying.
"I believe that a man capable of performing such fine arts with his sword can't possibly have any evil intentions! Have you seen the minimal effort he puts into blocking those strikes!? The slight twists and turns he uses to deflect his attacks minimizing his energy loss while maximizing his opponent's fatigue and energy usage, are outstanding!!! Pair that with the grace he carries himself with, that splendid moustache and-"
"Please silence him."
"Done."
A white translucent barrier covered the oddly dressed man.
"Now that we heard from him, what about you, Host?"
The ones left that paid attention turned to look at a woman who sat in the corner of the shadows with a teacup in hand.
After blowing her cup and taking a sip, she finally responded
"Everyone holds valid opinions. However, we can only make one choice."
"I agree with nun that Sir Knight seems to be a good man, but on the off-hand, if he were to turn his blade against Lunara, we'd be in for a rough fight that would bring no benefits to our side."
"Therefore, I propose that we have someone monitor him, and I have just the person for the job."
"All that's left is for you to agree. Those in favour raise their hands. Those not in favour, keep your hands down."
Everyone, except the three goofs stuck in their barriers and dialogue, raised their hands in agreement.
"Four to three, a close vote, but nonetheless, it passes."
"Now, let's enjoy the rest of the show."
"I can't wait to see that insufferable tomato head get turned to ketchup."
Charles POV:
*Sigh!*
What a disappointment.
I didn't expect Prince Ginger to do much, but he's doing even worse than I thought.
Even with the power of those artifacts of his, his ability barely increased at all. The lad isn't using them to their full potential.
Worst of all-
"HAHAHAHA! FEEL THE WRATH OF MY BLADE, YOU OLD F*****!!!"
He keeps making beginner-level mistakes like overswinging his sword too much or breaking his stance, leaving many open weak points to hit.
Prince Ginger imbued his sword with flames and slashed at me, aiming for my vitals.
"You're a hundred years too early to land a blow on me, youngster."
Without moving from where I stood, I tilted my greatsword slightly to the left and deflected the blow.
*CLANG!*
Drunk on his own power, Prince Ginger continued making the same sloppy attacks.
*CLANG!*
*CLANG!*
*CLANG!*
He's basically just an untrained kid swinging a stick amid a tantrum.
"HAHAHAHA! KNEEL DOWN AND BEG FOR MERCY!"
He must be delusional to think I'm backed into a corner.
Could he not tell I'm fending off his attacks without breaking a sweat?
Oh, he's switching his attack now.
This time, he aimed at my legs, switching his attack pattern, attempting to catch me off-guard and deal a decisive blow.
If he were fighting an opponent of a similar level to himself, this would undoubtedly have driven them into a bind.
Unfortunately, he was fighting me, the Chosen of Lady Ishta, who had defeated the Demon King.
Well, I did defeat the Demon King with help from the Saints and the united armies of Solaris, but let me bask in my hard-earned glory, will you?
Anyways, back to the battle.
Prince Ginger tried to slash off my legs with that magical longsword of his, and as usual, I blocked his blow with minimal effort.
*CLANG!*
"HAHAHAHA! YOU MUST BE FEELING THE HEAT NOW, OLD MAN!"
"If you're talking about the matchstick that's your sword, I'm afraid it barely gives off any feeling."
"Actually, calling that sword is an insult to matchsticks. At least a matchstick can do its job of lighting a candle properly. Your sword can't even land a single hit on me."
"I bet it can't even light a candle."
Oh, my word, he looks really mad. I can see the veins bulging, and his face is nearly as red as his hair!
"F*CKING B*STARD! I'M GOING TO F*CKING KILL YOU!!!"
"What vulgar language! Are you sure you are a member of the Royal Beland Family? You were probably switched at birth or dropped head-first from a considerable height for most of your vocabulary to be made up of profanities."
The whole Arena fell silent at my remark.
Well, it was silent, to begin with, since we were fighting far away from the audience seat.
A few moments of silence and inaction pass by.
Any moment now.
"DIEEEEE!!!"
"What a delayed response! You really need to see the doctor after this match. I'm not talking about the physical state you'll be in after I'm through with you. Rather I'm worried about your mental health. Your slow reaction might be a sign of Alzheimer's or Dementia."
"SHUT UP!!!"
Prince Ginger raised his sword over his head and empowered it with his mana. The runes on the blade glowed an intense crimson red and amplified his attack.
Honestly, I could end the battle right here and now with a simple blow to the back of his head.
But watching him trample over Miss Lilith made my blood boil. Nobody should treat an innocent young lady like that.
So, I decided to wait for him to finish charging up his attack.
After he was done, he unleashed his attack.
"TAKE THIS! BURN TO ASHES! PHOENIX BLAST!"
Prince Ginger swung his sword down, and a large ball of flame shot forth, forming a fiery Phoenix heading straight toward me.
*SCREECH!*
"What an annoying bird."
3rd Person POV:
The Phoenix conjured by Prince Albert hit Charles head-on, swallowing him in flames.
The whole crowd fell silent before cheering.
"HAHA! LET'S GO! THAT TEN THOUSAND GOLD IS MINE!"
"HELL YEAH! YOU DID IT! YOU BURNED THAT OLD COOT TO A CRISP!"
"LONG LIVE PRINCE ALBERT!"
"WE LOVE YOU, PRINCE ALBERT!"
"WOOHOO! THE BELAND KINGDOM IS IN GOOD HANDS! HE MIGHT BECOME THE HEIR TO THE THRONE!"
While most of the audience were cheering. Lilith Sharon sat in her seat blank-eyed.
(It can't be!)
(He died!?)
(WHY!?)
(It should be impossible! Even if Albert was using powerful artifacts, I saw how you singlehandedly beat him to a pulp! You shouldn't lose like that!)
(You promised you would win!)
(After I thought I was done for, you were the one that stepped in to save me. You gave me hope. You made me think that I had a chance to turn my sh*tty life around!)
(SO WHY!?)
As Lilith quietly despaired in her seat and wept silent tears. A voice called out.
"WHAT THE!? HE'S ALIVE!?!"
Lilith looked at her screen, and a look of surprise washed over her face.
It was him, Charles. Standing where he was with a crater around him.
Through the screen, he spoke.
"I've had enough of your games. It's time for your re-education."
What happened next was an absolute bloodbath that left the audience silent.