Chapter 24
The crowd quieted as Edger and the female holy knight entered the ring, anticipation thick in the air. Edger's expression was calm and focused, his gaze assessing his opponent. The holy knight, known as Seraphine, held her head high, her determined eyes meeting his with unwavering resolve.
Edger gave a slight bow and spoke, his voice carrying a hint of curiosity. "So, what brings a holy knight like Seraphine to a tournament like this? Shouldn't you be out helping the poor or spreading the teachings of the gods?"
Seraphine met his gaze, her voice steady and resolute. "That's exactly why I'm here. With the prize money, I could feed the children of many orphanages—children left behind by nobles who rarely consider the common people."
She drew her sword, the polished blade glinting in the sunlight as she held it high. With a murmured prayer, Seraphine imbued the sword with holy magic, causing it to glow with a radiant, golden light. The aura of her magic intensified her presence, giving her the look of a warrior guided by divine purpose.
"You're lucky to come from such a prosperous region, to serve a noble who truly cares for his people. Not all of us are so fortunate," she added, a note of challenge in her voice.
Edger nodded, acknowledging her words as he unsheathed his own sword, its edge gleaming in contrast to the holy light surrounding her blade. "I'm well aware of this," he replied solemnly. "That's why I swore my allegiance to my Duke. He's a man who respects both his people and his soldiers. My blade serves him and the people of our land."
They locked eyes, each warrior seeing a reflection of their own convictions in the other. The crowd held its breath, sensing the gravity of the moment.
With no further words, they launched into battle.
The clash of their blades echoed throughout the arena as they charged at each other, their swords meeting with fierce intensity. Holy magic flickered from Seraphine's blade with each strike, leaving trails of light in the air. Edger, unfazed, countered her moves with precise blocks and swift parries, his movements honed from years of disciplined training.
They moved like two blurs around the ring, their footwork flawless as they dodged and repositioned, each looking for an opening. Seraphine's magic infused her strikes with strength and speed, allowing her to meet Edger's force head-on, while Edger's calculated strikes and impressive endurance kept him on par with her.
The crowd was captivated, murmuring in awe at their skill.
"She's matching him blow for blow," someone whispered.
"Yes, but look at Edger's composure. He hasn't even tapped into his full strength yet," another replied, eyes wide with excitement.
As the duel wore on, sweat beaded on their brows. Seraphine's magic began to flicker, the glow on her sword dimming as her energy waned. Realizing this, she launched one last, powerful assault, her strikes becoming faster, almost desperate, as she tried to break Edger's defense.
But Edger held his ground, countering with patience and precision. Finally, with a swift maneuver, he blocked a downward slash and twisted his blade, meeting her with a powerful, decisive strike.
The sound of shattering metal filled the arena as her sword broke, pieces of the blade scattering across the ground. She stumbled back, breathing heavily, her hands shaking from the shock of the impact.
For a moment, silence hung over the arena. Then Edger lowered his sword, his face filled with respect rather than triumph.
"You fought well, Seraphine," he said, his voice low. "Your resolve is admirable."
Seraphine straightened, pride still in her eyes despite the defeat. "And so is yours, Edger. If all nobles held your loyalty and honor, the world would be a better place."
The crowd erupted in applause, moved not only by the intensity of the duel but also by the shared respect between the two warriors. As Edger and Seraphine left the ring, murmurs rippled through the audience, their admiration growing for both combatants who had given their all.
As Edger and Seraphine returned to the waiting area, their exhaustion was evident. Both were catching their breath, their bodies aching from the intense duel, yet there was a quiet respect between them. Seraphine nodded to Edger, her admiration clear, while Edger offered a tired but respectful smile in return.
Edger took a moment to steady himself, then walked over to Alarcus, who had been watching the previous matches with a sharp, focused gaze.
"I've been thinking about your request earlier," Edger said, his voice low and serious. "I don't know the smith you're after myself, but my friend does. I'll see what I can do to help you meet him."
Alarcus's eyes lit up, a brief flicker of hope crossing his otherwise hardened face. "Thank you, Edger. Truly. I…" He hesitated, glancing down, as though unsure of how to express the weight of his gratitude. "You don't know what this means to me."
Edger placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "Just remember, he's not an easy man to find. And even if you do, his work demands respect—and a worthy purpose. So be ready for that."
Alarcus nodded, his expression becoming serious once more as he whispered, "I'm ready for whatever it takes."
As they spoke, the waiting area buzzed with murmurs and speculation. The next round of duels, leading up to the semifinals, was about to begin, but everyone's mind was already on who would claim victory in the end. From the crowd's perspective, only two true contenders seemed poised for the title: Edger and the mysterious Alaric, whose skill and versatility with the dwarven weapon had captured the arena's attention.
The competitors and onlookers couldn't help but whisper in anticipation.
"It's got to be Edger," one warrior muttered. "Did you see the way he fought that holy knight? He's practically unstoppable!"
"Don't be so sure," another replied. "Alaric's got the dwarven weapon, and he's been adapting with every match. It could go either way."
Meanwhile, Reyn was watching intently from his spot, keenly observing each competitor's strengths and weaknesses. He had taken note of Seraphine's impressive display of holy magic and her noble intentions behind entering the tournament. Her dedication resonated with him, and he decided he would send her a message later that night, after the day's battles had concluded. He wanted to reach out, perhaps to offer a word of encouragement or to discuss her goals further.
Liora nudged Reyn with a grin. "Already thinking ahead, huh? Sending messages to noble warriors now?"
Reyn chuckled, feeling a little self-conscious but undeterred. "She's fighting for a good cause. People like that deserve some support."
As the last few matches of the round went by quickly, the energy in the arena shifted, as everyone eagerly awaited the semifinals. Whispers spread like wildfire, and the excitement grew, with all eyes on the two most anticipated warriors.