abcnovels
Chapter 493
Chapter 493
Chapter 493
The cheers from the colosseum had ceased.
The people had been imagining a duel between top-class swordsmen.
They were expecting an enjoyable exchange of flashy techniques.
However, what unfolded before their eyes was a battle.
Elna's sword sliced No-Name's skin, but at the same time, No-Name's fists damaged Elna's insides.
"Enough... Give up already!"
Elna's sword pierced No-Name's shoulder.
However, at the same time, No-Name's fist hit Elna's abdomen.
It was a perfect counter.
There was no time to let the force escape.
"Huff...!"
"Why don't you... stop being stubborn!"
That punch was an internal attack, emding with Elna, coughing up blood, falling to her knees.
Taking advantage of this, No-Name pulled Elna's sword from her shoulder and created distance between them.
Both of them still had the will to fight despite their ragged breaths.
"You don't look so good... I'm still only using about half my strength...?"
"I see... I'm still only using about thirty percent of my strength."
"I was mistaken... I'm still only using about twenty percent."
"I'm still not even using ten percent..."
Despite their battered states, they continued to argue.
However, their bodies couldn't keep up with their spirits.
Both of them had taken too many hits.
Still, they moved their bodies with sheer willpower.
For a moment, the spectators lost sight of them.
Then, in the center, the two attacked each other simultaneously.
Elna's sword against No-Name's magic-enhanced fists.
Both of them stood their ground until their powers finally burst on the spot.
Caught in the blast, Elna and No-Name were blown back to the walls.
"Really... you're stubborn..."
Elna muttered as she stood up.
No-Name was also standing in her line of sight.
There was no time left.
The designated time limit was approaching.
If they kept shaving each other off like this, the time limit would be reached.
Elna didn't want such a conclusion.
"I promised... to win."
Magic slowly gathered in Elna's sword.
There was hardly an opportunity to use a large technique in the narrow colosseum.
But if both opponents were worn out, they had no choice but to bet on one strike.
Because there was no time left.
No-Name was also accumulating magic in her sword in the same manner.
Elna drew a pentagram with her sword.
But, likewise, No-Name was drawing a pentagram too.
They had both chosen the same technique for their last attack.
"Ultimate technique-"
"-Star Engraving."
The technique that defeated No-Name's ancestor in the decisive battle long ago, a technique of the first generation Brave.
The Brave family had passed down this technique, but it was also passed down to No-Name's family who had experienced its power.
To not be outdone in the coming decisive battle.
It was a gift from their ancestors.
Both of them charged forward, thrusting the center of the pentagrams.
The same techniques clashed in the center of the colosseum, shaking the entire arena with their aftermath.
And then.
Elna and No-Name were enveloped in light.
The energy sought an exit outside, tearing through the Silver barrier and soaring up to the sky.
The breaking of the barrier put the SS-Class adventurers present on high alert.
They knew they would have to intervene if the situation escalated.
However, only Al did not move.
"-Time's up."
The last grain in the hourglass fell, and the horn announcing the time limit was blown.
The sound echoed throughout the colosseum, then eventually spread across the entire capital.
As the sound died down, so did the light.
In the center of the colosseum.
Elna stood there.
The tip of her sword was pointed at No-Name's throat, who was on her knees in front of her.
But
No-Name's sword was also pointed at Elna's chest.
Given their skills, it was unthinkable to miss at that distance.
Therefore,
"That's it! By the name of the Emperor of the Empire! This match is a draw!"
Immediately, the Emperor issued a command.
With his voice, the Captain of the Imperial Guards stepped into the arena.
This was because the two, engrossed in the fight, might seek to settle the outcome.
And both of them had sustained significant damage.
The intervention also served to treat them.
However, both refused the guards' medical attention.
"Step back."
"I do not need treatment."
Both repelled the guards, their gazes meeting.
Then.
"Next time, I will definitely win."
"That's my line."
They accepted today's result.
The conditions were the same.
They knew they were on a limited time.
And yet, they admitted to themselves that their strength at the moment was not enough to settle the match.
The Emperor spoke to them.
"You showed us a splendid duel. I doubt there are many emperors who have seen a duel greater than this. The Empress and I are very satisfied. Well done."
At the Emperor's words, Elna knelt.
No-Name didn't kneel, but bowed her head silently.
It was the least amount of courtesy she could show.
Watching them, the Emperor received a book from the Prime Minister.
"From now on, this duel will be told for generations to come. Such was this duel. If we do not reward anything, future generations will laugh at us. However, you two are an SS-ranked adventurer and the current Brave. There is a limit to what I can offer."
Saying so, the Emperor raised his right hand.
At this signal, many large spherical magical devices were brought into the colosseum.
"These magical devices are connected to the Adventurers Guild branches throughout the continent. Through these branches, my voice can reach all over the continent."
This was a continental-scale speech, a collaboration between the Adventurer's Guild, the Empire, and many other nations.
It was - a five-hundred-year-long atonement.
"To all the people living on the continent. I am Johannes Lakes Adler, Emperor of the Adrasia Empire. I beg your pardon for this sudden intrusion. But there is something I must say."
The Emperor's voice was delivered all over the continent.
It was an incredible feat under normal circumstances.
However, it was necessary.
"Five hundred years ago, during the war with the demons, a swordsman made a significant contribution. This swordsman, on par with the first generation Brave, challenged the first generation Brave to a duel before the decisive battle against the Demon King. The duel was to decide who would wield the Holy Sword. In the end, the swordsman was defeated, and humanity erased his name from history, equating him to a demon."
He was seen as hindering the Brave, hence he was seen as an enemy of humanity.
This might not have been praiseworthy.
However, his past achievements were not erased.
"However, that swordsman continued to fight for humanity. He kept standing on the front lines for humanity, which was cornered by the demon lord, alongside the Brave. His name was erased from history for five hundred years due to one mistake. This can be considered a mistake of humanity. It was a fair and square duel. Surely the timing was poor. But do those who were merely saved have the right to blame him? The first generation Brave wished for the swordsman's name to eventually be lifted from the darkness of history. I want to fulfill that wish."
The Emperor opened the book.
It was a book without an author's name.
An unknown author's book.
However, it was kept in a place where only the royal family could read.
It was Al who found it.
The book was about the fight against the demons five hundred years ago, and the names of the two swordsmen who contributed the most in that fight were written on the last page.
One was the first generation Brave.
And the other.
"As the ruler of a nation that has existed for five hundred years, I, Emperor Johannes, apologize for the mistake made five hundred years ago. We should not have forgotten. The name of the swordsman erased from history was Arvain Knox. Here and now, in the name of the Emperor, I return this name. For protecting humanity five hundred years ago. And now, for continuing to be a guardian of humanity as an SS-ranked adventurer. I give my gratitude and apologize for these two things. Thank you, and I am sorry. Descendant of Knox... No-Name."
The Emperor bowed his head quietly.
In accordance, all the royalty present stood up and bowed their heads.
TLs Notes:
Ill add the links later . At work rn
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