Chapter 13: The Queen's Cup
A couple of days have passed since his departure from Port Natalia and now he has arrived at Grand Noah, the reason it took longer than usual for him to get there is because he wanted to take his time exploring the landscape. The breath-taking meadows and sparkling clean rivers running for miles.
There are times when he would meet a monster in the wild, sometimes they would aggressively attack him on sight, other times they would try and talk him into giving them what they wanted. In the end, it always ended with Luka having to put them to sleep and leaving them with some food for when they woke up later.
As unpleasant as it is, it did give the purplette the opportunities to practice using Undine's power. The flow would help him with sensing an attack coming and dodging them, it could also be used to splash water on his foes. Not very effective, but useful for unlimited, clean and drinkable water.
Who knows? Maybe the reason it was so weak is because he hasn't mastered Undine's power yet. He tried using it defensively and it still doesn't work.
Other than that, he is trying to get used to activating both powers at the same time. The result can be pretty mixed, sometimes he could use both but at the cost of quickly running out of energy, there's this time he tried it again and it ended up canceling each other out.
So, until he can comfortably use both powers without any problems, he thinks he should just stick with the wind. Not to say he wouldn't use the flow when given the chance, it would just be his 'secret trump card' while he mainly uses the wind. The spirits recommended that he started integrating some of his techniques with the flow state and he's trying his best at doing that too.
When he sees the massive Kingdom in the horizon, the forest dweller thought about going at it like last, but seeing as he doesn't have his cloak anymore and he's trying to get better at talking to people, Luka hesitantly walks towards the guarded gate of the Kingdom and waited in line with everyone else.
He could see merchants and people of other professions in his row, maybe they traveled here because they also wanted to see what's so special about the kingdom like him too. Nervously stepping forward when It's his turn to be inspected, he answers the questions they gave him as best he could.
"Before you enter, we need to verify your identity. Tell us your name and occupation." The guard before him said, his voice is stern and professional.
"R-right, my name is Luka, just Luka. And I don't have a qualify job..."
"I see, then how do you make a living?" He follows with another question.
"Um, sometimes I would do quest and such but th-"
"So, you're an adventurer who does quests sometimes. Is that right?" The guard cuts him off and summarizes his words.
He just nodded, trying his best to maintain eye contact.
"Got it. You may enter now." The guard said and let him pass through.
"H-huh?" Luka expresses his shock. "I thought you were going to ask more questions?"
The guard simply waves his hand at that, "No need, I already ask you enough. Not to mention, you look way too meek to be a problematic person." His words only serve to embarrass the forest dweller, knowing he'll get nothing by staying there, he moves inside the kingdom.
'Don't worry Luka! That guy can't sense magic.' Sylph chimes in to reassure him.
'Even then... do I really look that weak...?'
'Do you want us to answer honestly?'Asked Undine.
He sighs. "Never mind..."
The glare from the sun hurts his eyes as he passes the gate, so he shields it with his left he made it further inside, he was taken aback by the sight in front of him.
Unlike Port Natalia where most of the friendly monsters are mermaids, here Luka can see monsters of different races living in coexistent with humans. He has read about this kingdom and how the relationship between humans and monsters is a lot less strained but seeing it in person is very different from how he imagined it.
In fact, using the wind, he can see various monsters make a living by selling their wares in a local market with an Elf owning a Tool Shop, a Minotauros selling her milk, an Alraune selling flowers and a Tarantula girl trying to pass herself off as a Spider girl in some form of clothing business.
...He doesn't know why the wind decided to tell him that last part but decided to move on.
After walking around and marveling at the lively city, he put on a brave face and approached a silver harpy girl humming to herself on a tree branch. She looks friendly enough, maybe he could practice some more.
"H-hello there!" He started the conversation, a bit louder than he intended.
"GWAK!"
The harpy girl squawked in surprise, almost falling off the tree. Alright. Maybe next time he shouldn't sneak up on people to talk.
She was pretty mad at him after that, he apologies and told her he wasn't very good at making conversation which she agrees. The flying monster then asked him about what he intended to do in the kingdom while he's here.
"I'm not sure... maybe I'll try buying some stuff..." Luka stopped his mussing when she started looking at him strangely.
"..."
"Is there... something wrong?" His words snap her out of it as she stumbles over hers.
"Oh! Nothing, I, well, y'know- I was just wondering if you wanted to try out the Colosseum is all. Ha ha..." She ended her strings of words by trying to not look him in the eyes, her face blushing red.
Already, he could tell this doesn't sound good.
"What's that?" The purplette asked, the library barely has any information about it, so he's curious to learn.
The harpy awkwardly laughs at his question. "Ah, well, It's a place where people... compete with each other."
Oh, so that's what it was. Though, why did she talk about it like that?
She encourages him to give it a try once more before he says goodbye and leaves. All and all, wasn't as bad as it could have been. Sure, at the end there it got a bit weird, but that just means he still has a lot to improve.
He tries again why a group of kids playing with a slime girl, they all looked like they were having fun. When they saw him approaching, he was immediately invited to join. When he asks why, they say he looks desperate for friendships.
It made him feel massively self-conscious and the slime had to make the kids apologies to him before he stopped sulking in the corner.
"No! You shouldn't say something like that out loud, even if It's true!"
"...Was that last part necessary...?" He goes back to the corner.
It took a bit for them to get him to play, but soon the forest dweller is using his connection to the winds to lift them up, making them feel like flying. He was being very careful of course, making sure they didn't fly higher than a couple feet above the ground.
The slime thanks him for helping her play with the kids, and he finds out she's actually a babysitter and this is her job. This fact makes him feel a bit embarrassed, knowing he just walked in and tried to have a conversation while the person was busy working.
"Don't be silly~! I appreciate it!" The slime cheerfully said.
The forest dweller then asks about the Colosseum and if she knew anything about it.
"Not in front of the children!" She admonished him, covering the ears of the boy next to her. This confuses him even more, so he apologies and promptly leaves.
...
...
...
So far, he has done pretty much all he wanted to do, from trying out new types of food to buying a new outfit for himself, replacing his old cloth with one that's more suited for travelling. He has also bought some exotic plant seeds from the alraune's flower shop that he wanted to try planting in his garden.
The only thing he had not done yet was go to the Colosseum. Luka heard that the tickets are pretty expensive, not only that, but they get sold out quickly. Even if he managed to get enough money for it, he would need to be lucky enough to buy any that's left.
As he thought about this, the book in his bag started glowing, signaling him that the pages wanted to be out. He held the book where there were enough spaces for them to appear and soon after he was greeted by each of them.
"So, we're here now? About time."
"Did you have fun exploring the city, Luka? I like the new outfit, by the way."
"How fascinating..."
The purplette told Page 17 and 257 about what he has done so far, and how he wanted to try going to the Colosseum despite the difficulties. Meanwhile, Cogita observes her surroundings in wonder, she must've been surprised at the various monster and human interactions in the kingdom.
"Why do you want to go there anyway? Did you develop a thirst for battle after gaining more power?" Page 17 said. He knew she was just joking, but it did make him question it.
In the end, he was just curious about the whole thing. Seeing a bunch of people fight each other, various different fighting styles clashing to determine which one is the superior one? It made him feel excited, like back whenhis mother would tell him about legends of heroeshe would read those fairytales in the Forest of Spirits.
"I'm just curious, I supposed." He simply said, his voice going monotone.
The pages notice this and ask if something's wrong. He tells them It's nothing and if they have any idea about what he should do about the Colosseum. Just then, a woman wearing a hood that hides her face approached them.
"Excuse me, I was walking by and couldn't help but overheard your conversations." She spoke, startling him as he was not prepared to talk to a stranger.
Realizing this, Cogita talks to her in his stead. Saving him from making a fool of himself.
"Yes, we are. Is there anything you need?" She answers the woman's question with a professional tone of voice, putting back her mask when not talking to them.
"Why yes, I do." He was a bit surprised she could make eye contact with the librarian monster without any problem. She must be a very strong-willed person.
"Please allow me to explain, I'm a noblewoman with an interest in seeing people fighting. I have been to the Colosseum many times before and if my hearing is still fine, I take it you are also interested, young man?" She finishes by turning to Luka, causing him to shyly answer her.
"Ah, well... I wouldn't say I'm as invested as you are. But yes." There's just something about her that makes him more nervous than usual.
She gave him a small smile, "Well now, I'm feeling a bit charitable today. Why don't I give you an extra ticket that I have? That way you can also watch the fight."
The shy forest dweller could see hundreds of red flags popping up from that interaction alone and by the looks on his friends' face, they agree. Why would a random noblewoman come to him and offers an expensive ticket on a whim?
But, at the same time... this could be his only chance at getting into the Colosseum.
Unsurely, the purplette ask the noblewoman if she was sure about giving it to him. She just laughed and told him it was an investment on her part. In the end, he accepted the ticket from her, and she said she'll wait for him in there.
"Honestly, if something bad happens don't say I didn't warn you."
"Oh, Luka. So innocent, if only you'd fall for me like you did with that honeytrap."
"Are you sure that is wise?"
The pages were all pretty disappointed in him for taking the ticket, which he understands, but if it was a trap, the wind would have informed him.
===0===
Trying to find where his seat is like finding a needle in a haystack. Hundreds of people were inside the Colosseum, and he had to lower his connection to the wind least he got overwhelmed by the loud noises of them chanting for the fights to continue.
When he did find it, it was in the highest seat of the bunch. So, after maneuvering his way through a lot of people, he finally managed to sit down and gather his bearings.
"I take it you're not comfortable around people?" Spoke the noblewoman next to him. The same one who gave him the ticket.
"..."
Oh boy...
The forest dweller then saw a lot of monsters and humans in here, but it confused him how most of them are all females with little to no male. Before he could ponder more about this, the loud announcement informs everyone that the fight is about to start.
From one corner, a Centaur girl proudly gallop into the arena. While on the other side, a powerful looking Minotauros walks inside the arena with a confident smirk on her face. The purplette could see the way she moved and the battle scars on her arms, signs of her being an experienced fighter.
As the fight start and the two waited for the other to make a move, the noblewoman next to him spoke. "Tell me, young man. What do you think is going to happen?"
"The centaur is losing." He said without hesitation.
"Oh?" She seems taken aback by that. "What made you so sure, young man?"
Rushing forward with impressive speed, the Centaur girl begins attacking her opponent with her spear. Anticipating this, the Minotauros bring her axe up in defense, blocking the spear thrust.
Too absorbed in the fight, the forest dweller momentarily forgot about his shyness. "She's too reliant on her speed because she knows her opponent isn't fast enough to catch her. That made her predictable." Just like he was back then before Sylph set him straight, and Alma Elma proves her right.
"I see..."
Although the Centaur girl seems to be overwhelming her with fast, quick attacks, Luka's prediction came true, the Minotauros is simply biding her time and waiting for the perfect moment to strike. Sure enough, the Centaur girl eventually gets careless, allowing the Minotauros to fell her with one blow of her axe.
The noblewoman's eyes widen as they announce the winner, the Minotauros raising her axe victoriously into the sky.
She turns to him then, seeing the purplette blankly looking down at the defeated Centaur girl being taken to infirmary. What she didn't know was that he was having a conversation with the spirits in his head about the outcome of the fight. Sylph was reminiscing about old times and Undine asked him if he got what he wanted by coming here.
"Young man." Her words caught his attention and he turned to see her looking at him intently.
"Yes ma'am...?"
"Are you by any chance a fighter?"
"I do fight, but only when necessary."
"How strong would you estimate yourself to be?"
"Well... I have lost before. But with my connection to the wind, I'm confident in taking anyone in a fight."
"What is your name, young man."
A Dullahan enters the arena, flourishing her sword skills for the people watching.
"Luka, just Luka."
From the other side, a human fighter shows up, gaining his attention before the noblewomen got up from her seat and motion for him to follows her. He was a bit disappointed by this as he wanted to see how the man would fare but since she was the one who gave him the ticket, he went with her.
"Luka, I want you to follow me inside my carriage." She said, as another man readies the horses.
"Um..." The wind is still not warning him of anything, so he climbs inside and sat next to her. As the carriage is being pulled, the forest dweller hears the sounds of the audience cheering inside the Colosseum.
It's too bad he's leaving now; he wonders what's happening in there?
===0===
The noblewoman turns out to be the Queen of Grand Noah. One mini panic attack later, she reveal the reason she disguises herself was so she could leave her castle and not be seen by the people, something he could relate to. She then went on to tell him that she was looking for a person who could return the honor of the Colosseum by winning the Queen's Cup (a tournament that takes place in the Colosseum every four years).
That person is him, Luka, the shy forest dweller. The one who can barely stand near a group of people without running away... yeah, he fails to see the vision she has.
She said it had to be him because he's a human and she could tell how strong and experienced he was, something he tried to refute but couldn't. In the end, she was right. Not many people can say they have fought a heavenly knight twice and survived.
Luka was trying to come up with other reasons she should ask this to another person and why it shouldn't be him when she started bowing to him causing the purplette to panic again.
"Please, Luka. I know that I'm asking a lot of you. To fight in front of so many people when you're so timid. But you're my only hope of ever restoring the Colosseum's honor."
He really has no idea what she means by that, and how it must be a human who won, but when someone is pleading him to help them so sincerely...
"F-fine... I'll fight in the Colosseum and win the Queen's Cup..." He finally accepts her request.
At this, she stood back up and expressed her gratefulness to him. Before she could get into detail on what he needed him to do, he held up a hand to quickly say something important.
"There's one thing, if I'm going to fight in there... I have one condition."
The Queen merely smiles at this, fully expecting him to ask for compensation. "Of course, as the Queen of this kingdom I could give you anything you could ask for, if it is within my power."
He looks at her, a serious expression on his face.
"Your Majesty, you can't tell anyone about my identity. I want to remain anonymous."
===0===
The next morning, after a long and thorough discussion with the Queen. Luka let the Pages out of the book and gave them all tickets for the Colosseum. They were all understandably confused by this and asked him how he managed to get his hand on the tickets.
After a lame and unbelievable excuse, he encourages them to go and enjoy the fight in the Queen's Cup while he goes and does some light shopping. Page 257 wanted to join him saying It'll be like a date but he insists that she go with everyone else since this event only happens every four years.
"If It's so important then why are you going shopping instead?" Page 17 points out.
"W-well, you know. I've already been there yesterday so..."
Before they could question him some more, Cogita came to his rescue and led her juniors to the Colosseum. He was very thankful, and she gave him a knowing smile.
"Have fun 'shopping' Luka."
"Hmm..." He nodded to her as she left the area, chuckling softly to herself.
Now that everyone was inside, he went to the back of the Colosseum and entered through a secret underground door that the Queen had told him about the other night. Walking passed the two loyal knights of the Queen; they nodded to him and let him into the room they were guarding.
"I'm here your Majesty..." Said Luka as he saw the Queen stand in front of a vanity mirror, next to it, there's a table with a bunch of accessories on display.
She looks relief to see him and motions for the purplette to sit on the chair she had prepared.
"We don't have much time, let's make sure this works."
He closed his eyes in concentration, here goes nothing...!
===0===
"WELLCOME, LADIES AND GENTLEMENS!"
The announcer's voice loudly reverberates across the Colosseum as hundreds of people cheer with excitement from the big event. Even sitting inside the waiting room, Luka could still hear them loud and clear.
"ARE YOU READY FOR THE QUEEN'S CUP AND THE AMAZING GROUP OF FIGHTERS WE HAVE GATHER HERE TODAY?! IF SO, LET US FIRST STARTS THIS OFF WITH A SPEECH BY OUR WONDERFUL QUEEN OF GRAND NOAH!"
Up on a podium, the Queen walks forward and raises her hand in the air. Immediately, everyone was paying attention as the Colosseum went quiet.
"My loyal people…"
She went off from there, probably using the same speech she said four years ago since who would be bother to remember it?
Al the while, he's trying his beast to curb his anxiety as hundreds of butterflies plays around in his stomach. He reminds himself of all the preparations he had made with the Queen, and the back-up plan just in case something bad happened.
"I'm fine… everything is going to be fine…" Luka repeats this words to himself like a mantra, his mind keeps catastrophizing no matter how much he try to calm himself.
When the time came for him to move out, he did so with so with slow, uncomfortable gaits towards one of the entrance to the arena.
Like back when he entered the kingdom, the glare of the sun assaulted his eyes. Only this time he wore a mask so it was more bearable.
"AND COMING FROM THE LEFT SIDE, WE HAVE A HUMAN FIGHTER FROM THE NATALIA REGION! WITH YEARS OF EXPERIENCE FIGHTING AGAINST OTHER POWERFUL WARRIORS AND A RESPECFUL ARSENALS OF SKILLS UNDER THEIR BELT."
Standing right in the middle of the arena, Luka became the focus of hundreds pairs of eyes. Yet when he sees the Queen looking at him with worry, he forgets all about his apprehension.
EVERYONE! GIVE A SHOUT OF APPLAUSE FOR THE RESPLENDENT SWORDSWOMAN WHO STANDS BEFORE US TODAY! LILLY OF THE VALLEY!"
Smoothly taking the rapier from his side, 'Lilly' gave his opponent a polite bow before pointing it at them. In his face was a monochrome theatre mask covering his eyes, he wore a regal white combat outfit resembling a dress. And his long blonde hair is tied in a braid.
"A human woman? Not only that, but she's also participating?"
"I've never seen her before, is she an up-and-coming fighter?"
"It's too bad she's not a cute boy..."
As the announcer introduces his opponent,Luka could hear the audience making comments about him. Well, more like the persona he's putting on, but still. It was an idea the Queen had come up with to make sure he stayed anonymous.
At first, he was unsure about the idea, pretending to be a girl sounds pretty embarrassing, but when he sees how different he looks in the vanity mirror, he had to admit the effectiveness of the plan.
"-AND WITH THAT, PLEASE WELCOME OUR PAST PARTICIPATER! THE DULLAHAN!"
Raising her sword into the air, the monster before him basked in the cheers of the people who were familiar with her presence in the Colosseum. Her body is like that of a woman wearing a revealing armor, the only difference isher head being carried by her left arm.
The Dullahan appraised him with a cold look in her eyes. She spoke up to him in a commanding voice.
"I do not enjoy one-sided fights, human. Surrender and leave this arena unharmed."
Luka tilts his head at this. Wondering why she's leaving so many holes in her guard.
"...?"
His silence gained him a glare from the Dullahan, somehow.
"Fine then. Don't blame me after this..." Rushing to him, Luka can see her going for his legs with the Flow of the World.
Calmly getting into a low stance, the disguise fighter sidesteps her attack and counter by slashing her across the armor on her hips, this pushes her off balance and as she stumbles to regain it, he moves into her unguarded side and landed another attack on her protected knees.
"Gah!" She falls to the floor as her legs buckle under the unexpected attack. When she turned to him, Luka had already walked in front of her and pointed the tip of his rapier to her chest. It would be the only part he strikes without an armor to protect her, and she realizes that.
...
Staring at him in shock, the Dullahan was at a loss for words. Not only did she lose, but it was to a fighter she had horribly underestimated.
"AND THE WINNER IS LILLY! MY GOODNESS, DID YOU SEE HOW SHE SKILLFULLY DODGE THAT ATTACK!? I THINK WE MAY BE SEEING A PRODIGY IN HER PRIME LADIES AND GENTLEMENS!"
"Woah! Did you see that!?"
"She won!? And so fast too, I could barely see them moves!"
"I can't believe the Dullahan lost so soon..."
As the people in the audience started cheering and talking with each other about what happened, Luka placed his rapier back to his belt and approached the defeated monster blankly staring ahead. He offers her a hand, and this seems to bring her back to reality.
"You... even after I was so rude?"
Wait, she was being rude to him? When did she do that?
All he remembers was she doesn't want to hurt anyone she thought was weaker than her and gives him a way to leave if he wanted. If anything, he thinks she was being pare to all the monsters he had fight, at least.
Still holding his hand for her, he simply nodded. Seeing this, the Dullahan shakily took his hand and allowed him to help her up.
"I see now,I was wrong about you... thank you for the fight. Though, I will be stronger when we meet again!" Said the monster, her words getting steadier as she talks.
"OH MY! WHAT A TOUCHING SHOW OF SPORTSMANSHIP!"
The audience cheered once more, this time for both of them. There are even some people who started chanting their name in tandem.
Looks like people are quite curious about this 'Lilly of the valley'. Maybe he should play it up some more? Still holding the Dullahan's hand, Luka gave a deep bow to the crowds. His opponent understands his intention, and she joins as well.
That marks the end of the first round.
===0===
...
...
...
By the time he finished his fifth round, Luka was honestly getting used to being watched by an audience as he fights. As long as they don't know who he truly is that is, he would never be able to do this without his fake identity.
After his performance in the first round, the monster he fights started getting more powerful and experienced. They took one look at him and immediately realized it would bebest to take him seriously. Maybe because they can sense his aura, or they always fight without holding back, either way, Luka still won in the end. His persona: Lilly, has gained a reputation for being a deceptively powerful fighter in the Colosseum.
There are even people who call themselves 'The true fans of Madam Lilly!' whatever that means...
Wiping the sweat from his forehead, Luka laments how stuffy the outfit he's wearing is. Unlike his light and airy cloak, the dress-like combat outfit is not good for warm weather and long hours of fighting.
The guard came in and tell him It'stime for the final round. The one he needed to win if he wanted to restore the honor of the Colosseum.
"Alright..." He let out a long sigh, "Here we go."
Putting back his mask, Luka walks back into the arena. In front of him are the monsters he has heard so much about from the other participants. She's Cerberus, the monster who famously also goes by the name 'Hellhound'.
With three heads attached to one four-legged body, each able to think for itself. Her agility isvery high, and it's difficult to get an opening on her due to her three sets of eyes. All and all, a very dangerous monster to cross swords with. He had heard that so many had fallen to her might, and what she would do with her defeated foes is stuff he wish he didn't know.
"THIS IS IT, EVERYONE! THE FINAL ROUND OF THE QUEEN'S CUP IS ABOUT TO COMMENCE!"
A malicious smirk appears on her face as she regards him.
"A girl? How boring. I was hoping to win this year's Queen's Cup by fuckinga man in front of everyone!" Said the first head of the Cerberus, causing him to blush at her vulgar language.
"Oh well! Who knows? Maybe violating a pure girl like youcould be fun too~?" His face got even redder as the second head of the beastly monster started eyeing him in a perverted manner.
There's a hunger in her eyes, one he refuses to satiate as he pulls the rapier from his belt. Getting into a counter stance as he waited for the fight to begin. The weapon is given to him by the Queen, she said it used to belong to her back when she would go on adventures with her friends, but as she got older, the duty of a royalty forbids her from continuing and she store it away.
She named it 'Ark' and so far, Luka has come to appreciate how reliable and precise the weapon is. He must be careful when using it as it is very sharp and maiming people is not something he's interested in. Sometimes he would fall into old habits and call it Iris, but then realizes he probably shouldn't use his technique with an unfamiliar weapon.
"-MAY THE BEST EMERGE VICTORIOUS AND LET THE BATTLE BEGIN!"
As the Cerberus lunges at him for a bite, the world slows to a crawl. The flow state making it so he perceived even the smallest of changes around him and what his opponent is going to do before they even move. He leans back, calling her bluff and dodging her real attack; aswipe from her claws that barely grazes his hair as Luka parries her follow-up punch.
His hand feels numb, it looks like parrying that was a bad idea...
Seconds later, his vision is filled with the waves of her future attack.
"Let's see how you dodge this!" Shouted her third head in fury.
[Death by a thousand cuts]
With so many slashes coming at him, his first instinct is to dodge by leaping back. But realizing that wouldn't help since she would just chase after him, Luka steels himself and counters the monster's attack with his own.
Clang!
The Cerberus' eyes twitched in annoyance as the human she's fighting started deflecting her attack with her own, causing the human to be pushed back by the difference in size. Again and again, the swordswoman would stand her ground and parry her slashes despite her body not being able to keep up with the onslaught of attack.
Clang!
Bit by bit, her regal white combat outfit was turning red as the cuts on her body started piling up. Yet despite all of that, she continues to move herself against the pain. The Queen of the Grand Noah Kingdom watches in extreme worries as the young man she pleads for help to is down there sacrificing his own body for her selfish request.
Clang!
In the audience sections, three page monsters sitting next to each other felt a familiar sense of dread as they witnessed the mysterious human fighter struggle to overcome the streams of attack from her opponent. Cogita narrows her eyes as her juniors started rooting for the swordswoman to win, while the rest of the audience and the announcer silently watch the scene in complete disbelief at what they're seeing.
Clang!
Once more, he deflects her attack as three more scratches his shoulder, drawing blood that falls to the floor. He could barely feel anything at this point, his legs were shaking as his breathing became paring her strength to his is like the different between a child and an adult.
Clang!
'Just...a bit more...'
Clang!
He could almost see it...
Clang!
All he need...is one opening...
Clang!
As his vision became cluttered in waves, beneath the chaotic movements of the world around him, Luka saw it. A small whirlpool above the rest...!
CLANG!
Everyone's eyes widened in surprise as Luka parries her overhead slash downward, causing the ground belowto be destroyed, dust and broken pieces of rock flying everywhere.
"What!?" Now that her right hand is buried in the ground, she tries to swat him away with her other hand. A vain action as Luka has already leaped into the air, flourishing his rapier under the glimmering midday light.
Stabbing Arc into her thick hides, it fails to penetrate her shoulder, but that wasn't what he was aiming for. A sudden popping noise startled the Cerberus as the joints in her shoulder separated. The beastly monster roars in agony as the limb is rendered useless.
The glare she gave him would have made the sun jealous.
Seeing this, he wipes the blood from his face and dashes forward, making the Cerberus flinch back in shock. For many would see the sight as a warning, Luka could only see the holes in her guards, and his victories.
'I can see it... the weak spots all over her body!'
Wildly trashing in place, the beastly monster was too late to stop the bloodied fighter from getting into her guard and landing a devastating attack on her right side of her belly, bruising the organs inside despite not being able to penetrate the skin.
"Gah! YOU BITCH!"
Finally freeing her right hand from the ground, she swipes her claws at him. Luka simply spun his body over the moving limb to her other side and proceeded to land several more stabs across the Cerberus' weak spots, causing her to almost pass out from the pains.
"N-no! I won't lose to a nobody like you! I refuse!"
She's very stubborn Isn't she...?
'You don't have the right to call someone else stubborn, Luka.' Said his fairy friend dryly.
'I think It's time we finish this.' Undine pointed out.
With the Flow of the World now stable again, Luka presses forward and landed a newly learned attack of his. Stabbing Arc directly into the spiral in front of the Cerberus.
[Serene demon blade]
The technique clashes against the Cerberus' claws and promptly broke it to pieces. The impact pushed the monster back as her body spun in the air before crashing to the ground. Ending the fight once and for all.
...
He did it... he managed to win the Queens Cup. And he did it while also keeping his identity a secret, not using the power of wind at all throughout the whole thing.
It was quiet for a while, just the sound of the forest dweller's heavy breathing filling the Colosseum.
Then one person started clapping, then another one, and another one. Soon the entirety of the audience is cheering for his victory. It was very loud and disorienting, but he keeps himself in character and politely bows back.
"AND THERE YOU HAVE IT LADIES AND GENTLEMENS! THE WINNER OF THE QUEEN'S CUP IS NONE OTHER THAN THE RADIANT SWORDSWOMAN HERSELF! GIVE A LOUD APPLAUD FOR OUR NEW CHAMPION! THE LILLY OF THE VALLEY!"
Using his connection to the wind, Luka finds the pages cheering with everyone and when he looks for the Queen, he sees her clapping at his performance, standing from her throne with a teary smile.
"Oh." The adrenaline wears off.
He realizes just how many people are looking at him. Some were in admiration, others with jealousy, there was even lust, and it spiked his shyness to overdrive.
"Look! Lilly is blushing from the applause. She's so cute!"
"Madam Lilly! I LOVE YOU!"
"Kyaaaa! I would totally eat her up if I ever met her!"
"Please marry me! Madam Lilly!"
At this point steam is coming from his head; his face is so red it reaches a new spectrum of colors. Running back into the waiting room, Luka was spared from hearing even more degenerate praises that came after.
END OF CHAPTER
Author's note: I swear man, these chapters keep getting longer and longer...
Having Luka as a participant in the Colosseum is normal. Now, having Luka in the Colosseum as a crossdresser? I think I've reached my peak...
The reason why Luka doesn't use Sylph's power is because It's too recognizable. The harpy and slime girl he talks to in the beginning has already seen him using the wind, not to mention this is the exact next day. Of course, some people are going to make the connection.
That's why I have him dye his hair blond and only uses the flow.
On that note, now we get to see how Luka fights without the wind buffing his speed.
