The moment that lazy, teasing voice drifted through the air, everyone turned toward the entrance.
Esdeath was walking in.
She wore a light-beige one-piece dress that clung smoothly to her lithe, curvy figure, outlining every elegant contour.
The hem rested just above her thighs, and paired with her long boots, her pale, slender legs looked even more striking.
If time were to freeze—
Even without lighting or scenery, just standing there, she was already a perfect painting.
Then, carried by a soft breeze—
Esdeath suddenly leapt forward like a swallow diving into its nest and threw herself into Ron's arms.
"Did you miss me?"
The moment she spoke,
Tohru, Rem, Ram, and Lucoa all snapped their eyes toward her with instant hostility.
A faint killing intent spread across the stands.
Rayleigh and the others lit up.
Yes.
This was what they wanted.
Women pulling hair, shouting insults—
now this was real entertainment.
Ron nodded lightly and asked,
"Where have you been these past few days?"
Esdeath released him and replied with a faint blush,
"I was cleaning up the trouble Night Raid caused…
and recruiting a few interesting people. That's why I haven't come by to drink lately."
Then she turned slowly and looked toward Escanor.
"Care to fight?"
"I've been looking forward to a battle with someone strong like you."
Escanor raised his chin.
"You are powerful."
"But the gap between you and me is vast."
"Still—
if you insist, I will grant you defeat."
Even though noon had passed by more than a minute,
the aura pouring off Escanor was still terrifying—
like a blazing sun incarnate.
Many of the onlookers felt uncertain.
Did this fight even need to happen?
Escanor was obviously going to win… right?
"I like your attitude," Esdeath smiled.
"Just don't lose too badly."
With that, she jumped down into the arena.
Escanor followed.
No more trash talk.
The moment they stepped onto the battlefield—
the fight began.
"I hope you can entertain me."
Esdeath chuckled, raising her right hand.
Instantly, countless ice lances formed in the air.
The next second, they shot toward Escanor like a storm.
"Such a madwoman…"
Escanor didn't move.
But roaring flames burst from his body, surging outward like waves.
Every ice lance that came near him was instantly vaporized.
Seeing this, Esdeath's smile grew even brighter.
She loved fighting the strong—
but in her own world, no one could match her.
This man was different.
From that single burst of power alone,
Escanor was already stronger than any Teigu wielder.
Esdeath leapt into the sky.
In the next moment, the sunlight vanished.
The entire arena fell into shadow.
Everyone looked up.
A colossal sphere of ice—hundreds of meters wide—
was hanging above them, held by Esdeath and hurled downward.
Rayleigh and the others' pupils shrank.
If that hit—
someone would die.
To create something that massive in an instant…
How strong was she?!
Then something even more shocking happened.
The ground beneath Escanor cracked, spreading for kilometers.
The flames around him condensed—
forming a blazing sphere of fire.
"Cruel Sun!"
The temperature of the entire arena skyrocketed.
If Thor hadn't immediately raised a barrier, Gray Wolf and Deep Sea King would've been cooked alive.
"Feel the blessing of the sun."
With a flick of his finger, the massive fireball shot upward.
It collided head-on with the falling ice sphere.
Steam exploded everywhere, covering the battlefield.
A deafening roar followed.
Even Sabaody Archipelago trembled.
"It's not over."
"Explosive Pride."
Escanor clenched his left hand.
The fireball detonated.
Golden flames erupted in all directions, instantly melting the ice sphere.
In that split second,
Esdeath formed layer after layer of ice walls in front of herself.
But the fiery explosion became countless golden meteors, smashing through every barrier.
"Interesting…"
Esdeath dodged smoothly through the chaos, evading every strike.
When the storm of fire ended,
the ground below had become a sea of flames.
"Shall we continue?"
Escanor stood tall, battle-axe on his shoulder, looking down at her.
From the clash just now, he already knew—
her ice was just ordinary ice.
It could never match his flames.
"Of course."
"Until the battle ends, no one knows who will win."
Esdeath drew her sword.
The two charged.
In a flash, blade and axe collided dozens of times, sparks flying.
Watching them, Rayleigh sighed.
"Young people these days really have energy."
"If it were me, I'd already be done for."
Ron snorted.
"That's just because you're empty."
"Then give me two more bottles of the good stuff!"
"No. You don't fix emptiness with supplements. You need rest."
Rayleigh's eyes grew watery.
"I've charged into battle every night for decades!"
"My kidneys are failing!"
"I finally find something that can save me, and you say it's useless—how would you know?!"
"Can you guarantee you'll never be empty in your life?!"
"If you don't give me the drink, Shakky will laugh at me forever!"
"I want to rise again!"
"Please!!"
Ron's face darkened.
So this was the Pirate King generation's secret art…
He ignored Rayleigh and focused on the arena.
Below, the two fighters finally separated again.
Esdeath was breathing heavily.
Her sword was chipped in several places—clearly inferior to Escanor's divine axe.
After a brief pause, Esdeath spoke coldly.
"This is my final move."
"Let your last struggle entertain me."
"All things shall freeze before me."
"Mahapadma."
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