"Fight!"
"Fight!"
"Fight!"
The entire arena was completely ignited by Lupa's words. Everyone in the stands was enthusiastically shouting and cheering.
"It seems we cannot refuse."
Augusta crossed her arms over her chest, turned her head to meet Noah's gaze, and extended an invitation:
"Want to join?"
Noah took a step back, his expression somewhat strange:
"I'll pass. It's just... can you handle it? It still feels a bit too risky."
"Don't worry."
Augusta patted her chest, beckoned with one hand, and a heavy sword as profound and heavy as a ruler was immediately drawn into her hand. She leaped down from the high platform.
Boom.
"Excellent performance, warriors. But remember, the champion title is not just a title. It is proof that your strength and wisdom have surpassed your opponents, thus earning you the qualification to receive honor."
Augusta landed steadily. She opened a gift box with her left hand, revealing the golden medal inside, then closed the box and put it away:
"Now, the medal representing the champion is in my hands. Come, join forces to take it from me!"
Her right arm straightened, pointing the heavy sword directly at Lupa and Avidius, looking majestic and imposing:
"After three counts, the battle begins!"
Inside the arena, the atmosphere was boiling with excitement. The audience's shouts and cheers intertwined as they counted down in unison:
"Three!"
"Two!"
"One!"
The battle erupted instantly.
Augusta took the lead in attacking, striding toward the two. She raised her heavy sword high and slashed down with tremendous force. Lupa and Avidius quickly separated, nimbly dodging the strike.
At the same time, Lupa thrust her spear straight at Augusta's face, forcing the latter to defend.
"Nice dodge counter. Very quick reaction." Augusta praised.
Avidius moved his footwork, circling behind Augusta and thrusting his spear toward her back.
"Too slow."
Augusta sidestepped, dodging Avidius's attack while swinging her heavy sword backhand toward Lupa.
Lupa hastily blocked with her spear shaft but was still forced back several steps by the powerful force.
The two sides went back and forth in intense combat for several rounds, causing all the spectators in the stands to cheer loudly.
With her rich experience and powerful strength, Augusta gradually gained the upper hand. Spotting an opening, she suddenly exerted force and fiercely slashed her heavy sword toward Avidius.
Avidius could not dodge in time and was about to be heavily injured.
At the critical moment, Lupa threw her Blazing Flag spear with full strength. After a resounding clash of spear and sword, the blazing long spear barely deflected Augusta's heavy sword.
The deflected heavy sword conveniently knocked Avidius's spear out of his hand. All three weapons flew out together and stabbed heavily into the arena ground.
On the high platform, the Glory Lion Statue moved. It leaped down from above in one step, landing heavily on the ground and letting out a satisfied hum.
Seeing this, the audience in the stands erupted in excited discussion:
"Look, the Glory Lion Statue moved. They have earned its recognition."
"Since Ephor Augusta, this is the first time someone has moved the Glory Lion Statue."
"Good! Very good!"
Augusta took a step back, retracting her aura. A smile appeared on her face as she signaled to stop the fight.
"Come over here. You have successfully proven that you are qualified to receive this medal."
As soon as she spoke, thunderous applause erupted throughout the venue.
As Avidius and Lupa approached, Augusta took out the champion medal, split it into two, and placed them on the two respectively:
"I split this medal into two to let you understand that Septimont's glory requires heroes who support each other in order to stand tall forever."
"Walking alone is certainly praiseworthy, but being able to protect those who stand shoulder to shoulder with you better demonstrates one's own strength. The high tide period is approaching. All warriors must remember this."
After speaking a few simple words, Augusta gave Lupa an appreciative smile and patted her on the shoulder:
"Lupa, you did very well."
"Thank you, Ephor!"
The happy puppy smiled brightly, her tail wagging rapidly.
On the other side, Avidius slightly lowered his head, his gaze dim. After this battle, he clearly saw that he was far inferior to Augusta.
Augusta... had been holding back the entire time—No! She had been holding back the sea! Every move he and Lupa made seemed to have been anticipated by her.
He knew there might be a gap with Augusta, but he didn't expect it to be this large.
Even the him at his peak in his previous memories would not be Augusta's match.
[Main Quest: "Shadow of Glory" has been completed.]
[Currently obtained: Radiant Tide20, Lustrous Tide25, Astrite15080, Shell Credit888w]
For Noah, this was the easiest main quest so far.
Because the pressure had all been shouldered by Cartethyia.
In the arena, Augusta straightened her expression and announced loudly, bringing the four-year Grand Gladiatorial Tournament to a close:
"I declare this gladiatorial tournament concluded. Everyone, please exit in an orderly manner."
Then, she looked at Lupa and Avidius:
"Let's go. We will set off now—to the Vale of Glory!"
[Main Quest: "Flames of Heart" has been activated.]
[Quest Description: The grand tournament has concluded. Wear the medal, head to the Vale of Glory, and make the choice that can change the direction of the story.]
[Completing the main quest "Flames of Heart" will grant rewards: Radiant Tide20, Lustrous Tide10, Astrite1600, Shell Credit100000.]
In the stands, all the spectators obediently exited one by one after the Ephor had spoken.
Augusta, along with Avidius and Lupa, each mounted a griffin led by staff members and flew into the high skies following the Glory Lion Statue.
On the ground, Cristoforo hid among the dense crowd.
Seeing that Noah was still standing steadily on the high platform of the arena, a smile appeared on his face. It felt as if a huge stone had been lifted from his heart.
"What a fool, Noah." Cristoforo secretly mocked in his heart:
"I thought you were so amazing, but it turns out you don't have the ability to foresee the future either. Hmph, nothing more than that."
"You definitely don't know that you missed the last chance to save Septimont. This time, no one can turn the tide anymore. There is no longer any turning point."
"Aren't you the savior? Can you save Septimont? Next, just watch as Septimont is completely submerged by the Dark Tide!"
Stretching out his right hand, a blood-red script emerged from his palm. Cristoforo's consciousness seemed to fly higher and higher until it floated above the entire Septimont.
He could already envision the upcoming scene: surging Dark Tide mercilessly devouring every inch of Septimont's land, cities collapsing in darkness, people struggling and wailing in despair, while he stood behind it all, enjoying the pleasure brought by destruction.
The overlap of script and reality gave him absolute control over Septimont's situation.
He clearly saw Augusta leaving with the two champions, while Noah remained inside the arena, even tasting a black ice cream as if it were an unparalleled delicacy.
On the other side.
Riding the griffin, Augusta spoke to Lupa beside her:
"Lupa, after two days of high-intensity gladiatorial fights, what have you gained?"
"I don't know. I only know I fought very happily!"
Lupa tightly gripped the fur of the griffin beneath her. As if remembering something, she suddenly spoke excitedly:
"Right, I remembered what I gained. It was what I felt during the fight with you, Ephor."
"What is it?"
"I have a teacher. He taught me very powerful dodge techniques. His own dodging ability is incredibly exquisite."
Against the strong winds of the high skies, Lupa shouted loudly:
"But just now when you attacked Avidius, Ephor, I suddenly realized that when there are partners we want to protect behind us, we cannot dodge."
Upon hearing this, both Augusta and Avidius trembled.
"Lupa, you..."
"Augusta" murmured softly, a smile rising on her face as she whispered to herself:
"Indeed, she has talent..."
...