The Warm-Up Is Almost Over - Anime: Infinite Swordsman! (Danmachi+Asterisk War+Rakudai)

Chapter 439: The Warm-Up Is Almost Over

"That stance… Come to think of it, I've always wanted to ask."

Announcer Iida stared at Luke's stance with a puzzled expression before turning toward the elderly man beside him.

"That oddly shaped sword hanging at Luke's waist—is that also a Device?"

As mentioned before, two people sat in the commentary booth for the Seven Star Sword Art Festival.

One was the announcer responsible for the live play-by-play, which was Iida's primary role.

The other was a professional Mage-Knight responsible for explaining technical knowledge related to the matches.

Nene had refused the commentary job, while Kurono needed to remain in the stands in case something went wrong.

So another professional Mage-Knight had been chosen for the semifinals and finals.

He was none other than the chairman of the Seven Star Sword Art Festival operating committee—

Thunder of Judgement, Kaieda Yuzou.

Having someone of his position serve as a semifinal commentator was somewhat inappropriate, but there were currently no better candidates.

Besides, this year's semifinals would have qualified as finals in almost any previous Festival.

Their quality even surpassed most actual finals from prior years.

Naturally, even someone as experienced and influential as Kaieda could not possibly know Ser-Veresta's true origins.

Still, he had made some educated guesses.

"That weapon is not a Device."

Kaieda shook his head.

He did not know its exact background, but he could at least tell that much.

Speaking into the microphone, he explained it not only to Iida but also to the audience.

"I doubt Luke's homeland is much of a secret."

"You mean the neighboring big country, China?"

"Correct."

Kaieda nodded and carefully observed Luke before continuing.

"Blazers possess Devices. Mastering a single weapon is already enough to occupy someone for an entire lifetime, so few choose to study another."

"Furthermore, ordinary weapons are extremely fragile compared with Devices manifested from the soul."

"They can easily break from even a light clash."

"However, that does not mean a Blazer cannot fight using other weapons."

"It is simply uncommon in our country… or rather, throughout the League as a whole."

At this point, Kaieda sighed somewhat regretfully.

"Ultimately, we simply lack the depth of tradition."

"Such practices are considerably more common in certain major nations."

"The most representative example would be Luke's homeland, China, where martial arts culture remains exceptionally strong."

"There, Devices and Blazer abilities are not always treated as the absolute priority like they are here."

"China has something called martial sects."

"The concept resembles what we call schools or styles, but their social standing is entirely different."

"I've heard that some heirs of major sects will even abandon Devices that are incompatible with their inherited martial arts."

"Because of that, some Blazers use additional weapons, treat their Devices merely as support for their martial arts, or even avoid using Devices altogether."

"This custom also means China never abandoned the craft of forging conventional weapons."

"In fact, their techniques have continued advancing, producing weapons that can rival Devices."

"I suspect the unusual sword Luke has always carried at his waist belongs to that category."

Kaieda pointed toward Luke and gestured for Iida to study his stance more carefully.

"I consider myself reasonably familiar with nearly every style practiced in Japan."

"But as far as I know, none uses a stance like that."

"Furthermore, Luke clearly carries the marks of an extremely deep martial tradition."

"He obviously studied under an exceptionally powerful master."

Kaieda's explanation gave both Iida and the audience a sudden sense of understanding.

Although this world possessed modern technology, international travel was not as simple as one might imagine.

The League and Union remained hostile, while criminal organizations such as Rebellion constantly caused trouble.

Traveling abroad was certainly possible.

It was simply much more dangerous.

As a result, many people never left their home countries throughout their entire lives.

Knowledge about foreign customs and cultures often came solely from the internet or books.

China belonged to the Union.

For Japan, a League member state, China was not particularly dangerous—but neither could it be called completely safe.

Because of that, many spectators listened with great interest and even hoped Kaieda would continue explaining.

However, unlike the audience enjoying the story, Iida was still a professional commentator.

His attention never completely left the match.

After thinking over Kaieda's words, he suddenly understood the implication.

Iida's head snapped upward.

He stared at Luke in shock, and his exclamation blasted through the speakers, jolting the audience out of Kaieda's story.

"Y-You mean… that sword might actually be Luke's true weapon?!"

"Luke has effortlessly defeated powerful opponents without injury all this time!"

"Even after that intense exchange with Stella just now…"

"H-He was still hiding his strength?!"

Shock instantly swept throughout the venue.

"Hiding…?"

Kaieda quietly shook his head.

"Perhaps no one before now was simply qualified to make him use everything."

"Th-Then doesn't that mean the rest of this match will become completely one-sided?!"

"No. You're wrong."

Kaieda rejected Iida's conclusion without hesitation and turned his gaze toward Stella.

"You received the updated report on the Crimson Princess's ability too, didn't you?"

"A conceptual interference ability…"

"Something like that won't merely amount to increased destructive power."

"Those two…"

"Up until now, they were probably only warming up."

...

Boom—!

Another enormous explosion thundered through the venue!

This time, however, Stella was not responsible.

Ser-Veresta, transformed into an odachi, smashed mercilessly into the ground.

The instant Stella dodged the massive white blade of light, Luke increased its output and blasted apart the surrounding terrain.

Using the flying rubble and dust as cover, Starfall Sword in Luke's right hand became a streak of sword light and slashed directly toward Stella!

Clang—!

At the last possible instant, Stella swung Laevateinn and blocked Luke's strike!

…

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Chapter 439 - The Warm-Up Is Almost Over