Chapter 23: Australia (Town) Final Match (2)

“Let’s move on to the next match. Erka and Svioha, please step forward.”

Perhaps due to her small stature, Erka struggled to draw the large tachi from her waist. 

Watching her, I couldn’t help but worry if she could even wield it properly. 

However, once she began her sword practice, my concerns faded as I saw her handle the sword with ease and fluidity.

It was quite surreal and fascinating to see such a small child swing a massive tachi as if gravity had no effect on it.

“The duel between Svioha with her staff and Erka with her sword—truly a battle between the divine and the ancient. The youthful vigor versus the seasoned experience. I can’t wait to see who will emerge victorious.”

“…Did you just call me ancient? Do I look like a grandmother to you? I’ll remember your face and name, you brat.”

“Eek, spare me, please.”

It seemed Erka was quite irritated by the old warrior’s joke about her age. 

No wonder Svioha had warned her to be careful about comments regarding her height and age.

As Erka glared at him with murderous intent, I quickly decided to proceed with the match to avoid any real trouble.

“Please take your positions. I will count to three, and then the match will begin.”

One, two, three!

The situation was similar to before. 

Svioha moved her hands swiftly, while Erka dashed forward rapidly.

Talismans spread around Svioha as she formed seals.

“The blessing of the fire fox Mira,” she chanted. 

The characters, infused with her magical energy, transformed into fox fires and began orbiting around her.

“The laws of heaven, the rules of earth, the spirits of man.”

As she swung her staff, nine fox fires shot towards Erka in sequence.

“Hoh, fox fires. Quite a mysterious ability.”

Her tone was relaxed. 

Erka, unfazed by the incoming projectiles, maintained her speed.

“Let’s deflect them.”

With her sword held in a mid-guard position, Erka rhythmically deflected the flames as if playing a rhythm game.

I didn’t know you could deflect them like that.

The deflected flames exploded only after Erka had moved away, causing her no harm.

Now it was Erka’s turn. 

Closing the distance, she prepared to strike from a low stance, gathering energy to deliver an upward slash.

Svioha tried to gather her energy for a last-ditch effort, but it was too late.

A hastily erected barrier was shattered by Erka’s slash, and the tip of her tachi pointed at Svioha’s neck.

“I surrender.”

No wonder she’s considered the top fighter of the sword tribe. 

Svioha looked thoroughly surprised.

Svioha had always considered herself more of a support role than a frontline fighter. 

She had openly admitted that she expected to lose early in the duels, but she hadn’t anticipated being completely overwhelmed. 

It was a display of sheer combat prowess.

“That’s enough. The winner is Erka. Please sheathe your weapons and return to your seats.”

‘It doesn’t matter anyway.’

Svioha was just relieved that she didn’t have to face Frennila. 

Lately, Frennila had been glaring at her with a look that said, “Just you wait.” 

If they had been matched up, Svioha might have ended up in a world of hurt.

So, she had already decided that if she were to face Frennila, she would surrender immediately, even if it made her look bad. 

This outcome was acceptable.

Svioha ran her hand through her hair and slowly made her way back to the spectator seats.

*

Thanks to Erka’s demonstration, the controversy in my mind about long-range attacks being overpowered had subsided. 

It was just that Frennila’s strength was on a whole different level.

Now, only the final match to determine the champion remained.

Frennila and Erka.

These two were not just representatives of their respective tribes but warriors who could represent the entire “foreign tribes” without any doubt.

Before the match began, the two engaged in some light banter.

“As expected, if I can withstand the first arrow, the victory is mine, right?”

“If you can withstand it, that is.”

Once both were in position, I announced, “I will count to three, and then the match will begin.”

One, two, three!

The match commenced.

Frennila’s hands and Erka’s feet moved swiftly.

Having observed Frennila’s previous match, Erka knew that Frennila’s arrows were not to be taken lightly. 

She had to approach this as if she were facing a siege weapon bare-handed.

Yet, Erka remained calm because of the blessing of Hexie, the wind wolf, the sacred beast of the sword tribe. 

Its ability, the blessing of the wind, reduced the damage Erka would take from projectiles. 

It was a perfect counter to Pipi, the sacred beast of the bow tribe.

Thus, Erka was confident of her victory.

Whoosh, thud!

Even Frennila, with veins bulging in her arms, drew her massive steel composite bow to its maximum tension and fired.

Twang!

“Youth is indeed a virtue. Such strength is remarkable.”

I wondered if Erka’s tachi could withstand Frennila’s arrow, but seeing Erka’s calm expression, it seemed she was unfazed.

“But! Not everything in the world can be solved with strength alone. What fills the gaps is skill and experience.”

Whoosh! Clang!

The tip of the arrow met the path of Erka’s sword.

Indeed, skill and experience seemed to play a role. 

Unlike Werhe, who had faced Frennila head-on, Erka deflected the arrows smoothly, neutralizing the attacks.

Clang! 

The spent projectile fell to the ground.

“Truly, the power of time is unbeatable! Erka effortlessly deflects Frennila’s full-powered strike!”

“Why do you keep treating me like an old woman? Don’t you know that women are like fine wine? I’m at a well-aged prime.”

Erka, having just deflected Frennila’s prepared strike, still had the composure to retort at the commentator. 

Even Frennila seemed a bit surprised by this.

Unlike Werhe, Erka didn’t make the mistake of being pushed back in close quarters.

At this distance, Erka’s blade would reach Frennila before she could knock another arrow.

‘Is the match decided?’

Everyone seemed to think so.

*

‘…What monstrous strength!’

I knew she was strong, but not to this extent.

At this rate, she might even surpass Jabi, who was once considered the greatest archer of all time. 

Erka forced herself to maintain her composure, though her hands trembled.

If this were a battlefield and not a duel, and if Frennila had hidden herself in the chaos to take Erka out, Erka might have been incapacitated without a proper response.

But this was just a duel. 

Having blocked Frennila’s arrow, it was now Erka’s turn.

Even though the archery had failed, there was no sign of defeat in Frennila’s expression.

‘She’s not giving up. Good mindset. But the match is already decided. I’ll take this victory.’

At this close range, there was no way Erka could lose.

“Got you!”

Dashing forward, Erka unleashed the energy she had gathered from her toes into a single slash.

Frennila would probably try to retreat and fire one last arrow as a final resistance, but it was too late. 

Erka’s blade would reach her first.

“What?”

But contrary to Erka’s expectations, Frennila stepped forward, not back.

A bow is meant to shoot arrows, but Frennila swung it like a club, attempting to block Erka’s slash.

Unlike Erka’s refined technique, Frennila’s strike was crude and straightforward.

But the sheer force behind Frennila’s swing created a massive impact, putting a significant strain on Erka’s body.

‘What kind of monster is this?!’

Normally, one would avoid using a bow as a melee weapon to prevent damaging it. 

A bow is a delicate weapon designed to shoot arrows, not to clash directly.

But up close, Erka was shocked by the sight of Frennila’s weapon.

The massive steel composite bow, made of thick steel and wire, looked impossible for an ordinary person to draw without the help of pulleys.

In fact, Erka was more worried about her own weapon’s durability in a direct clash.

“Huuaaah!”

Frennila’s powerful strike lifted Erka off her feet. 

She was sent flying!

Whoosh!

Frennila, having thrown Erka into the air with her immense strength, knocked another arrow and took aim.

“It’s over.”

Twang!

The arrow was loose.

Erka tried to assume a mid-guard stance to defend, but she couldn’t utilize her skill and experience while airborne.

Whoosh!

The arrow whizzed past Erka’s head.

If it had hit, it might have been fatal. 

It seemed Frennila had deliberately missed.

The match was decided.

Erka landed heavily on the ground.

“…Truly impressive. I admit my defeat.”

“The final winner of the duel is Frennila. Frennila is the champion.”

With Erka’s concession, Frennila ascended to the position of the supreme warrior of the foreign tribes, the champion of the Thousand Fox Festival.