Amphere Harrison
The quarterfinals of the tournament have concluded, leaving only four formidable contenders who are arguably the most formidable adversaries I have ever encountered in my lifetime.
Among the semifinalists is none other than myself, Amphere Harrison, a fighter who has achieved miraculous victories through a combination of intelligence and skill. Accompanying me is my loyal and talented dragonoid, Airelina Frembell, a pivotal member of Arcadia and the catalyst behind the annihilation of an entire city. Our shared objective is to emerge as the Princess's Knight and sway the very princess herself to endorse the Dragonoid Rights Bill—a significant legislation that aims to liberate all dragonoids from their plight.
The second semifinalist comprises a fearsome duo: Reina Stephanie Fleuret, the Student Council President and a Chevalier Unit member, alongside her newly acquired dragonoid, Richard Harrison (Astherson). Having uncovered Airi's secret, they harbor a vengeful goal directed solely at my dragonoid. This couple is undoubtedly the most terrifying adversary I have ever confronted, as they possess a chilling determination to kill. However, my primary concern lies in ensuring Airi's survival for the sake of passing the Dragonoid Rights Bill. Once that is accomplished, their actions toward Airi become inconsequential to me.
The third semifinalist is none other than the renowned Vesryn Pulse Canceler, Mark Anthony Octavius. I have meticulously studied his previous battles, all of which have showcased his unparalleled ability to not only nullify the transformations of enemy dragonoids but also impede the casting of spells or deployment of enhanced skills by any opponent. His dominance in combat is unquestionable, and his presence instills a sense of trepidation within me.
Lastly, we have Cleru Neos. While I am confident in my ability to overcome this opponent, each of his past encounters has been a fierce struggle, with his shield plate barely intact, hovering at a mere fraction of its original strength. Yet, I cannot attribute his victories solely to luck. I have discerned a refined mastery of swordsmanship within him, coupled with an unwavering determination to be chosen as the Princess's Knight—a driving force that propels him to triumph in every battle he faces.
With the tournament progressing, it has become evident that all participants, except for Airi and myself, have already showcased their Dracaryx, the powerful special attacks unique to each contestant. While this knowledge can be advantageous to us, it also poses a disadvantage as we are the only ones who have not unlocked our own unbalanced special attack. As we have one more week until the next fight, I remain hopeful that we can unlock our hidden potential and unleash a devastating special attack of our own.
After the tournament concluded, I found myself surrounded by a swarm of my exasperating fans in the backstage area. Each one of them clamored for selfies, autographs, and even requested me to utter my signature phrase, "Objection!" just to relish the sound of my commanding voice. It seems my popularity soared after witnessing my unwavering defense of Airi during the Regional Trial Court proceedings. Though these fans can be irksome, I lacked the nerve to push them away, obliging their every request.
However, my composure was completely shattered when one particular fan approached me. In an audacious display, she lifted her skirt, revealing her white undergarments and pointed her buttocks towards me, coyly requesting, "Can I have your autograph on my butt?"
My sanity was on the verge of collapse! Adding to the surreal situation, the girl blushed in silence, intensifying the absurdity of it all.
Thankfully, Airi came to my rescue in the nick of time. With lightning speed, she lunged forward, transforming her right heel into rocket-powered boosters and delivered a powerful kick to the girl's derriere with all her might. Amidst the chaos, Airi triumphantly exclaimed, "GOAL!!" as the girl was sent soaring through the air, wailing in outrage. The distance covered by her propelled flight easily surpassed fifty meters, leaving no doubt about the impact of Airi's blow. It was a sight both awe-inspiring and, quite frankly, lethal.
"Don't worry, Amphy. She's totally safe! She's wearing a Shield Plate, so the fall won't cause any harm," Airi reassured me with her innocent smile as she skillfully maneuvered us out of the swarm of fans vying for my attention.
Despite Airi's assurance, the fact that the girl had a Shield Plate gave me a small sense of relief. I made a silent vow to myself, swearing that I would never come to Airi's defense again if she ever caused harm to someone... again. Just when I thought I had escaped one troublesome situation, fate had other plans in store for me.
"Hora!" A familiar voice echoed from behind. Turning around, I witnessed a thirteen-year-old boy sprinting towards me, launching himself into the air and delivering a flying kick straight to my right cheek. What an unconventional way to greet someone!
The young boy was none other than Gaz. If his name doesn't ring a bell, he was the one who stole my backpack several years ago, inadvertently leading me to encounter Airi and the Arcadia. Perhaps, everything that has unfolded can be attributed to his actions, but that doesn't mean I harbor any fondness for the guy. It's worth noting that Gaz is now a member of Arcadia.
"How dare you betray my wife Airi!" Gaz exclaimed, placing his hands on his hips as he glared at me. He appeared more mature now, donning regular attire rather than the tattered clothing of his past life on the streets. "I can never forgive you for humiliating my wife Airi!"
Frustration welled up inside me as this foolish kid continued to spout nonsense about wives and whatnot. I was just about to rise and respond with a well-deserved punch, but before I could act, Airi swiftly positioned herself between Gaz and me, momentarily putting an end to our juvenile quarrel. "Enough of this, both of you!" she commanded.
An eerie aura emanated from Airi's presence, a sign that she was up to something mischievous. Gaz and I, being well-acquainted with this side of her, instinctively took a step back, allowing ourselves a moment to regain composure.
Gaz cleared his throat and handed a letter to Airi. "Commander Estoff informed us that the communication signals are being tapped, if not completely jammed. He sent me to deliver this crucial information."
As Airi opened the envelope, a three-page document filled with a comprehensive list of transactions and detailed information about Duke Dragunov was revealed. It appeared to be the financial statements of the duke, outlining his immense income during the Second and Third Dragonoid Wars, which even included the infamous Crimson Dragonfly Incident. The figures indicated involvement in transactions worth several billions of credits. Curiously, at the back of the document, a message written in permanent red ink caught our attention.
It became evident that Duke Dragunov was the mastermind behind all these wars.
As the pieces of the puzzle started falling into place, it became clear that something was indeed amiss with Duke Dragunov. The hints dropped by Alder during his interrogation by Kyle and Rudolf resonated strongly with me.
"So that's how it was," I murmured, piecing together the fragmented information.
To my surprise, Richard and Reina had been eavesdropping on our conversation and clandestinely spying on us from the shadows. Richard wore a friendly smirk, seemingly amused by the revelations. On the other hand, Reina's gaze fixated on Airi, her eyes filled with a chilling intensity. She clenched her fist tightly, struggling to contain her anger and the overwhelming desire to avenge her mother's killer.
"Reina," Richard addressed his beloved, attempting to bring her back from the brink. "Now is not the time for this. We can seek revenge later, once we have gathered all the necessary information."
Reina's voice trembled with a mixture of anguish and hatred as she responded, "So we're just going to listen and watch them play the blame game, passing the baton of guilt to one another? I can't bear to see my ultimate objective roam freely while we chase after scraps of information all this time."
Her words carried the weight of her pent-up frustration and the urgency to bring justice to her mother.
Airi bowed her head in guilt, bearing the weight of her actions, while Gaz remained expressionless, unaware of the truth behind the Crimson Dragonfly incident. As for myself, I maintained a poker face, devoid of any intention to engage in this ongoing dispute.
"I have faith in Estoff's words. I trust in Airelina's intentions. They were there for me when I was engulfed in darkness. The least we can do for them is to grant them the opportunity to explain themselves, to justify their actions," I stated calmly.
Reina, though still visibly trembling with anger, took a deep breath and let out a sigh. She crossed her arms beneath her bosom and when she opened her eyes, the past Reina emerged—a friendlier version of herself. "Think first and act later. That's my motto. Once we have captured and extracted every bit of information from Dragunov, we can hear Estoff's and Airelina's justifications."
Richard turned to me, a smile gracing his face. I returned the gesture, acknowledging the temporary ceasefire that had been established.
"Looks like we're getting into trouble again, Amphere."
Rudolf's voice resonated behind me. I turned around to find him fully clad in his gleaming silver ceremonial knight's armor, the distinctive attire of a Pentagram Knight in battle. Standing beside him was his faithful dragonoid companion, Kyrie.
"I've received information that General Kyle is currently engaged in a confrontation with Estoff Wraith. However, that's not our concern right now, as I know both of them are formidable opponents who can hold their own. Our mission is to capture Duke Dragunov in the nearby Twilight City. Are you all ready for this?"
Rudolf's contagious enthusiasm ignited a surge of determination within each one of us. With the capture of Duke Dragunov, the missing piece of the puzzle would fall into place, revealing the long-awaited truth that everyone yearned for.
"Yeah!" The resounding response echoed through the air, a collective declaration of readiness and resolve.