Kael Vane's attack looked violent, but in reality, everyone on the field was only unconscious. No one was seriously hurt.
In a single instant, he had struck over a hundred people. To be that fast—and at the same time, so precise that he only knocked them out—was a level of control the king wouldn't have dared to imagine.
This wasn't a man.
This was a monster of technique.
A living legend with a blade.
"Minister!"
"Your Majesty." The minister hurried over at the king's sharp call.
"I want everything you can find on that man. Ten minutes."
"Yes, Your Majesty." The minister turned at once and moved quickly, already issuing orders to the attendants nearby.
The king could feel it. If it was this man, the dragon-slaying plan would work.
"Wh… what just happened?"
"I think I saw a fire dragon, and then it was just over."
"The nine-star genius, Alan, was beaten in one hit?! But he's a nine-star!"
"Who is that man?!"
Slowly, the crowd recovered, staring in disbelief. The entire Sorbear Kingdom had fewer than ten nine-star swordsmen.
Nine-star was the peak. They had never heard of a nine-star being beaten in one hit.
Even if two nine-star fighters faced each other, it should have been a fierce battle.
To be taken down in one strike meant only one thing: they weren't even in the same league.
『It's over!』
『The winner is… Yoriichi Tsugikuni!』
The announcer's voice shook with disbelief.
『I don't believe what we just saw!』
『In a heartbeat—over a hundred contestants, all high-star swordsmen, and even a nine-star genius—dropped in a single strike!』
『And not one serious injury—just unconsciousness! That control… that precision…』
『Who is this man?!』
The announcer knew what he was talking about. He was an eight-star swordsman himself, and he had a sharp eye.
"Sword God! Sword God! Sword God!"
The crowd chanted anyway. To them, the higher the skill, the more respect it deserved—and Kael's skill was at the very top.
『We will now take a one-hour break before the semi-finals! In the meantime, please enjoy this intermission performance!』
A troupe of performers in cute outfits ran into the arena and began to put on a short show.
Kael Vane returned to the contestant area. The four blocks had separate rooms so they wouldn't bother each other.
Kael went back to the Block D room, locked the door, and canceled his transformation.
"Hah…"
Kael let out a slow breath. Yoriichi was different from Ulquiorra. Ulquiorra's form drained magic power just by being active. Yoriichi's form barely used any power, as long as he wasn't using breathing styles or fighting. He could probably hold it for three or four hours.
But if he used strong moves or fought hard, that time would drop to three to five minutes.
He needed to rest. There were 20,000,000 J on the line. He didn't want to mess up.
Kael had no idea what kind of storm he had caused. Everyone was talking about "Yoriichi Tsugikuni" and where he came from. Some said he was a hermit. Others said he was a master from another country.
…
In the royal palace.
"No record?! What do you mean, no record?!" The king frowned at his minister.
The minister wiped his sweat. "Your Majesty, it means exactly that. I had my men check the list of everyone who entered the city. No one named Yoriichi Tsugikuni. And the guards say they've never seen him."
"…"
"Is it transformation magic?" the king wondered. It was a common type of magic, but it had no combat power, so most people didn't bother to learn it.
But it didn't matter. The man's sword skill was real. No matter who he was, he had to join the dragon-slaying plan.
The minister asked, "Your Majesty, how should we arrange the semi-finals?"
"Hm… do this."
The king set the matches.
A little while later, the hour was up.
『Everyone! The exciting semi-finals are about to begin! The matches are set! Please look at the big screen!』
Everyone looked up.
『Semi-final, Match 1: Arthur vs. Erza!』
『Semi-final, Match 2: Kray vs. Yoriichi Tsugikuni!』
"Ooooooooooh!!"
The crowd went wild. They had seen all four of them. They were all master swordsmen.
Arthur, the strongest in the kingdom. Kray, who was said to be his equal.
Erza, the only woman to make it this far, who was both beautiful and strong.
And Yoriichi, the mysterious "Sword God" with his unbelievable skills. Everyone wanted to see him fight again.
『And now, please welcome Contestant Arthur and Contestant Erza!』
"Ooooh!"
"Arthur! Arthur! Arthur!"
"Erza! Erza! Erza!"
The crowd cheered for both of them. Erza and Arthur walked out from their waiting rooms and met in the center of the arena.
"Titania, Erza?" Arthur asked.
Erza was surprised. "You know me?"
"Not really. I just heard your name when I was traveling in Fiore."
"I see."
"You're a wizard, right? You'd better use your magic."
Erza frowned. "Magic? Isn't this a sword-fighting tournament?"
"Yes and no. All high-star swordsmen are magic swordsmen. My swordsmanship is my magic. If you think you can beat me with just sword skills, you're underestimating me. Show me your full power. Let me see the full power of the woman they call Titania!"