In truth, the presence of the [System] wasn't particularly noticeable. Lancer often forgot it even existed. Yet, it had always provided him with the most precise guidance, allowing him to gain a comprehensive understanding of his own physical attributes.
Throughout the past year, he had only taken out his spear to train when he was alone, maintaining the weapon's familiar weight in his grip. But most of his time was spent practicing with the lance, causing his [Strength] attribute to rise steadily. Although it still hadn't surpassed his [Agility], the gap was narrowing.
His current physical prowess was already comparable to some Danger Beasts. Coupled with the passive skill [Destroyer] and its substantial strength boost to heavy weaponry…
He'd only be surprised if Esdeath had managed to block that blow.
Realizing the overwhelming difference in raw power, she had wisely abandoned the idea of a direct confrontation. If brute force wouldn't work, she'd simply overcome strength with finesse.
Snap—!
Whether inspired by the girl's fearless fighting spirit or by the crack of her whip, the crowd erupted in excitement. As Esdeath rose once more, the audience roared its approval. Across from her, Lancer raised his lance again, pointing its tip straight ahead.
It was undoubtedly a signal to resume battle!
The whip sliced through the air with a sharp whistle, arcing wide as it lashed towards Lancer. He swung his lance sharply, attempting to entangle the whip. Once caught, his superior strength would let him dominate the tug-of-war easily.
But if Lancer understood this, wouldn't Esdeath realize it too?
Snap—!
Under Esdeath's deft maneuvering, the whip twisted at an unnatural angle, slamming hard into the lance without getting entangled. It was a fleeting, agile strike—but it was far from finished.
Ranked among the most unpredictable exotic weapons, the whip moved like an extension of Esdeath's will. Its fierce snaps came in relentless waves, as she abandoned all concerns for stamina, striving desperately to suppress Lancer. However…
"Haa!"
With a fierce shout, Lancer swept his lance from left to right, generating a powerful gust that instantly disrupted the whip's trajectory. Esdeath was forced to expend even greater effort just to keep her attacks controlled—but unfortunately, her window had already closed.
A lancer's attack was all about relentless momentum; once begun, it rarely ceased midway. Using the wind pressure to scatter Esdeath's attacks, he lifted his lance high, then drove it straight down at her feet!
Skreeech—!
Esdeath, hands suddenly freed from the whip, drew a dagger from her chest to shield herself. Yet, such a small weapon was obviously insufficient against Lancer's strike. His lance slammed fiercely into the ground at her feet—
Boom!
An explosion-like crash erupted as the arena floor shattered once again beneath Esdeath's feet. Unable to withstand the impact, her already exhausted arms collapsed, and she was hurled violently into the air before landing brutally against the ground.
"Whoooaaa!"
Esdeath's harsh landing brought another wave of cheers from the spectators. Lancer, raising his lance triumphantly, saluted the crowd and concluded by bowing respectfully towards the Emperor's viewing platform.
From his special box seat, the Emperor applauded with satisfaction.
Just as Lancer had stated earlier, the Emperor had understood that the previous declaration was merely a way to provide a convenient "step-down." However, he hadn't anticipated Lancer performing this spectacularly—especially his deliberate choice to fight without his shield or Teigu, which particularly pleased him.
In his mind, the Emperor quietly gave Lancer a final assessment:
A man worthy of trust, in both strength and character.
But just as everyone thought the duel had ended, Esdeath staggered upright once more, covered in wounds.
"Haa… haa…"
Panting from internal injuries inflicted by her heavy fall, Esdeath gripped her blood-covered dagger tightly in her right hand, eyes blazing with defiance at Lancer.
Undoubtedly, Esdeath's extraordinary abilities fostered immense pride far beyond her age. But when that pride shattered, what emerged was her true nature:
An unyielding and fiercely competitive spirit!
Anyone could see Esdeath had lost her chance at victory. Lancer stood nearly unscathed, while she had practically lost the ability to fight.
"The match is over. You need med—"
"The fight isn't over! As long as I can still hold my weapon, it isn't over!"
Despite her trembling voice, her aura was somehow even more terrifying, radiating an animalistic desperation that made Lancer involuntarily frown. At this moment, he felt she was even more dangerous than before.
"It's pointless. You couldn't beat me when you were at full strength. What could you possibly do now? You can't even get within striking distance of my lance. If you want to challenge me again, at least recover from your injuries first."
Once, Lancer had viewed these story characters through tinted glasses, presuming their roles predetermined. But Leone's circumstances taught him something essential—that brash, heroic woman was nothing more than an overlooked girl from the slums before she gained her Teigu and joined Night Raid.
Likewise, the person standing before him now wasn't the future Ice Queen who alone held back armies of foreign tribes, but rather a stubborn, inexperienced girl taking her first bitter steps.
Yet, before he could finish his well-meant advice, Esdeath rudely interrupted him.
"Shut up! No one in this world decides my choices! No one! If you want me to listen, then beat me! Crush my ability to resist completely! Come on!"
Beneath her shattered pride lay a twisted heart—a heart warped irreparably by the slaughter of her people. Ever since that day, the proud yet innocent girl had ceased to exist. In her place stood a deeply damaged soul.
"In that case… I'll fulfill your wish!"
From Esdeath's words alone, Lancer knew further dialogue would be pointless. He raised his lance once more, and the previously ecstatic arena gradually fell silent.
The ordinary spectators could not hear their exchange, yet they sensed the shifting mood clearly enough.
"Haa… haa…"
Esdeath's breath grew heavier, her vision wavering, yet she continued glaring at Lancer through gritted teeth.
She despised this man for defeating her!
Yet she also felt grateful—because it seemed he was about to grant her an "honorable death."
Suddenly, Lancer's form blurred oddly before her eyes, and she lost sight of him entirely.
Where is he—?
With this final, fleeting thought, her consciousness slipped away…
---
T/N: another slave? LMAOOOOO anyways uhhhh wow i ACTUALLY forgot about Destroyer, like HELLO? WHY ISNT IT IN MY SHEETS? anyway fixed it, its in my sheet now destroyer is first mentioned first arc chapter 33 btw alongside gourmet, oughh my sheet only has everything else but not passive skills gulp
bonus chaps
100 stones -> 1 chapter
200 stones -> 2 chapters
300 stones -> 3 chapters
and so on
discord.gg/wisetl
patreon.com/wisetl