『Meilia: Generally, these celestial trails take a moment to form before each repetition. Once launched, their trajectory is linear and can only deviate slightly. 』
Following Meilia's words in his mind, Neizan observed the pattern of the trails. He was prepared, knowing where each would go, and with his sword in both hands, he charged directly toward his opponent. At the exact moment the gladiator's sword crossed with his own, Neizan used the momentum to launch a low kick—a precise Sokuto Geri aimed at his opponent's knee.
The blow echoed with force. The gladiator's leg bent at an unnatural angle, and instantly, a scream of pain tore through the air. Without giving him time to react, Neizan turned and delivered a precise cut. The opponent's sword fell to the ground as he looked in disbelief at his mutilated arm, blood gushing out.
Neizan took a step back, his breathing controlled and gaze fixed on his enemy, who now fell to his knees, defeated.
Finally, Neizan drove his sword into his opponent's chest, letting the body fall heavily to the ground. As he pulled out the blade, its edge was stained in a vivid red. Neizan turned his gaze to the last gladiator standing: his bloodied leg barely supported him, while his shield and sword, still in his hands, also rested weakly.
『Roy: Brother! No... 』
Neizan advanced toward him with slow steps, wielding his sword. The gladiator, defeated and filled with rage, made a clumsy attempt to stand, dragging his useless leg in a painful movement.
『Neizan: Surrender.』
『Roy: You bastard! You killed my brother! 』
With a cry of anger, the gladiator slashed at Neizan. But he blocked the attack effortlessly, deflecting the sword aside until its tip embedded in the ground. In a single motion, Neizan shoved the gladiator's shield with force, wrenching it from his hands, and gripped it by the edge. Then, in a swift and brutal blow, Neizan delivered a headbutt directly to his opponent's face, knocking him onto his back.
The gladiator dropped both his shield and sword, completely disarmed. Now, it was Neizan who held the shield by its edge, looking down at his fallen enemy with relentless determination.
He looked at the face of the defeated man lying on his back on the ground. He turned his gaze away from him and threw the shield far with a movement of his arm, then dragged the sword away with his foot to put it out of reach. As he looked up toward the stands, the crowd cheered, hungry for more death.
He raised his eyes to the emperor, who watched from above, commanding everyone's attention. A young man with blonde hair, brilliant like gold, and eyes as red as precious stones. His presence radiated absolute authority and imposing greatness. With a fierce and luxurious appearance, he wore red and white garments, golden bracelets covering his arms and forearms, and a necklace adorned with a gem in the shape of a diamond, as red as blood. Golden earrings hung from his ears, and a laurel crown adorned his forehead. The emperor raised his arm and, with a solemn gesture, lowered his finger, thus sentencing the fallen gladiator's life.
Seeing this, Neizan turned his attention back to the young man surrendered on the ground.
『Roy: No, please. Don't do it. 』
He pleaded for his life, tears in his eyes and blood running from his nose. Neizan, without hesitation, drove his sword into the warrior's heart.
After that, Neizan walked away without looking back at the crowd, returning to the coliseum's chambers. There, Meilia and Lina tended to him until his wounds were fully healed. Then, they returned together to the stands to meet up with Arthur and the others.
『Alberto: Well done, boy. You were magnificent once again. 』
『Arthur: Look, Neizan! Look at all the money I won with the bet! 』
『Neizan: You're already placing bets? 』
『Arthur: Yeah, apparently the crowd favored the brothers, so the winnings from your victory were huge. 』
『Neizan: Yeah… 』
『Miguel: You ran into trouble again. That first attack nearly blinded you. 』
『Arthur: He's right. Who goes out there without a helmet? 』
Neizan shrugged, looking away as he cleaned a small cut on his hand.
『Neizan: Well, how was I supposed to know that guy was going to use that kind of magic? 』
『Miguel: It's reckless not to wear your armor. In battles like these, it could save your life. 』
Neizan fell silent, remembering the searing flash that nearly robbed him of his vision. He had reacted quickly, deflecting the spell just in time, but he knew he had been lucky. He glanced at Miguel, who looked at him with a mixture of concern and frustration.
『Neizan: I know, Miguel. I just… I don't like the weight. It slows me down. 』
Miguel shook his head, crossing his arms.
『Miguel: Speed won't matter if you're dead. 』
Arthur, attempting to lighten the mood, nudged Neizan with a grin.
『Arthur: Don't mind him. Miguel just wants us all to walk around looking like iron statues. Besides, the crowd loves seeing the hero's face. 』
Neizan forced a smile, but his thoughts drifted back to the fight. The crowd's cheers, the taste of dust and blood in the air, and that moment of doubt when the magic attack had almost overwhelmed him. It wasn't just the armor. He felt that with each fight, he was toeing a line between glory and something darker—something that gnawed at him.
『Neizan: Thanks, both of you. I'll keep it in mind.』
『Miguel: Just... be careful, Neizan. 』
Arthur, noticing the serious turn in the conversation, changed the topic as they walked out of the coliseum chambers, talking about the next tournament and potential rivals.
※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※
Later that evening, as Neizan sat alone under the starlit sky, he felt the weight of the day settle on him. The noise of the crowd had faded, but their cries for blood still echoed in his mind.
『Neizan: Honestly, it's really uncomfortable to wear; it just hinders my movements. 』
『Miguel: Do as you see fit. 』
『Neizan: The cut on my face wasn't that bad, and the other injuries were just superficial. I actually pretended to lose mobility in my arm and act exhausted to make them drop their guard since they were already at their limit. I took advantage of that moment, and it worked out well. 』