84 Final Duty (1/2)

That Iris Midgar had fallen to a single stroke of the sword.

Before that reality, Doem merely stands in dumbfounded shock.

Being a resident of the Hidden World, Doem knows powerhouses stronger than Iris Midgar. However, does the strongest one that he knows possess the strength to fell Iris Midgar in one stroke?

No.

Without catching her off guard, without any coincidences, such a thing would be impossible.

In other words, this is something that cannot happen.

Being able to defeat Iris Midgar in one stroke makes Jimina the strongest magic swordsman that Doem knows.

Such a... youngster!

Having been surpassed by someone so much younger than himself wounds his pride that much more.

The shock in Doem's heart had, before he knew it, turned into burning jealousy.

His head is rejecting and denying Jimina.

There must be a reason to explain Iris' defeat. Even if it was not a coincidence, there's the idea of compatibility in fighting. It just so happens that Iris is the kind of fighter that Jimina finds easy to fight against. Maybe.

Besides that, Iris' strange movements is also suspicious. Suddenly stopping as if on guard against something, meaninglessly circling around Jimina. Perhaps Iris was in bad shape, or Jimina had taken advantage of some weakness of hers.

There are a million reasons for Doem's head to deny Jimina's strength.

But, despite that.

Doem's instincts have already bowed to Jimina's sword.

He's understood that there is a vast difference between the world that he sees, and the world that Jimina sees.

Their theories and ways of thinking in regards to fighting are fundamentally different. Even if he trains for several hundred more years, he still would not be able to catch up to this young man. That is how polished Jimina's sword is. His sword, which seems like a convergence of the best points of every kind of sword, is refined to the point of being a priceless form of art.

All while denying Jimina's strength, he also admires Jimina's sword, like a little boy.

Just as he had admired his master in his youth. Jimina's sword possessessomething that draws all swordsmen.

Doem gnashes his teeth.

No way he will acknowledge this young man.

It's not yet confirmed that this young man is the strongest.

Doem knows many powerhouses. However, he's yet to meet the Order's highest echelons.

That's why the title of 'the strongest' is not Jimina's to take.

”Beatrix-sama, what did you think of this match?”

So asks Doem, desperately wanting words that would deny Jimina.

Beatrix's green eyes are gazing at Jimina from the depths of her robe. In her eyes are unmistakable... appreciation.

”... I want to fight him.”

”Hah?”

But just as Doem is about to ask her to explain her words, the venue buzzes loudly.

Doem looks towards the arena, and sees...

”Rose Oriana...”

Doem's face warps into a sneer.

So she has come.

As thought, she is a foolish woman. It is already too late for both Oriana Kingdom and the Orianan king. The puppet king is already no more than a mere husk. Thanks to that, Doem has the entire country in his grasp. To be incapable of understanding that and just nonchalantly strolling in, Rose is too soft-hearted to be a princess.

Doem covers his mouth to hide his twisted smile, then steps forward together with the Orianan king.

”My beloved Princess Rose. Finally you have returned to me.”

There is a staircase that leads directly from the special seats rom to the arena. Doem and the Orianan king make their way down.

”Oh my Rose, you have returned. Come, come to me.”

The Orianan king speaks according to Doem's instructions. His words have no heart, they are but the words of a mere puppet.

While walking down the stairs, Doem sends instructions to his subordinates with his eyes, so that they can apprehend Rose at a moment's notice.