Chapter 23: White Witch

Today's Colosseum will decide the fate of the alliance pledge.

Enjoy watching Princess Elizabeth and the skilled individuals gathered from around the world!

Woooaaahhh!

Huff... Huff...

W-we won, Ethan!

The victors are the Swordbringer team! They advance to the finals!

Woooaaahhh!!!!

Yawn, these opponents are making me sleepy.

At this rate... we might actually win!

Yeah, compared to the ones we've faced so far, these are small fry.

Swordbringer team! They've finally advanced to the semifinals!

Huff... Huff... Even a triathlon would be easier than this.

It feels like this is not just about skill but a test of endurance too.

But semifinals mean only two more wins and we're almost done...

The semifinals and finals will be decided by a best-of-three match!

Eeek!

As long as we don't die, we'll be healed by the kingdom's most famous healer, Princess Guinevere!

Wooaaah! Fight! Fight!

......

We now bring you the first match of the Colosseum semifinals, folks!

Wooaaahhh!!

Their opponent is...

The runner-up from the last tournament... Team Urizabeth!

Woooaaahhh!

Wh-what??

Orcs? Wait, why are they wearing those ridiculous underwear armor?

Hehe, ever since you took our armor, we made something similar.

Thanks to this armor, our tribe has flourished.

We earn money, we live well. We cannot lose.

This is ridiculous...

You perverts!!!

Haa...

Ch-cheer up, Elizabeth. Tomorrow is finally the finals.

Yes, if we just beat Percival's team...

Haa... Two matches each... I'm already exhausted...

From the beginning, the real enemy of the Colosseum was Percival's team.

We only need to beat them.

Oh, if you mean Percival, her team already lost today.

Princess Guinevere...?

W-what?!

Percival... lost?

Yes... It's unbelievable, but it's true. A lone enemy defeated his team.

Even Roy, who was with her, was badly injured... She herself is also quite wounded.

But...

Not only me, but even my father was shocked.

After facing Percival, I knew. That woman has swordsmanship on par with Gawain.

If someone like her lost... the finals won't be easy.

We'll have to give it our all...

Yes, we can't let our guard down.

Murmur...

Yes! Against all expectations, we have the finals between the lone woman and the Swordbringer team!

Is that the woman? The one who defeated Percival's team in the blink of an eye?

Yes, the swordswoman from the Eastern Empire with white hair and horns... It's definitely her.

You're Ethan, right?

Huh?

You look weak. I hope your skills aren't.

...!? Wait, that woman is...

Huff... Huff... Don't let your guard down...

Too late already.

Ugh...

The Swordbringer team has fallen in an instant! Just like in the semifinals!

What just happened? We couldn't even see it, and they went down in one strike... Is the gap really that big?

Hmm, was the prophecy wrong? I didn't expect them to be this weak.

We'll take a short break and start the second match soon!

Could it be that the prophecy was actually wrong?

Huff... Huff... Too fast...

Let's end this now!

!!

Now's my chance!

Hiya!

Ugh!

Did it hit?

No, she's still standing!

... Hoho, this is getting interesting.

Judge, I'll take this as my loss.

Huh? W-what?

Sorry. I underestimated you, Swordbringer. This is my compensation for that.

Tch!

The Swordbringer team wins the second match! The third and final match begins!

Tsk... Are we still not enough...

Ha, haha, really? Was your prophecy right after all, Cain?

What are you talking about...

Hehe...

I've lost.

?!

The fact that you appeared now means the prophecy has been fulfilled. You did well to hold out this long.

I hope you find the sword. And... if the world really is in danger, I hope you save it.

I don't know what she's talking about, but it doesn't feel satisfying to win like this.

Heh, let's have a real match when you've grown stronger. For now, farewell.

W-wait? The woman from the Eastern Empire forfeits!

The Swordbringer team wins!

E-Ethan!

Wow, we won!

Hmm... It's hard to believe, but... A win's a win, right?

Hmm, it's a bit unsettling, but I guess we can be proud that we pushed someone of her level this far, Ethan.