NOVEL NEXT Chapter 87
Chapter 87
The Grand Stadium, one of the landmarks symbolizing Atlas, was flooded with a crowd of thousands. They had gathered to witness the finals of the Draker Martial Tournament.
This year's finals attracted immense attention across the continent as it featured a duel between Draker's pureblood awakeners and the newly promoted Blue Knights.
Amidst the throngs of spectators, Arthur Draker, the head of the Draker family, made his appearance in the stadium.
He addressed the audience with a booming voice, "The finals of the Draker Martial Tournament will commence shortly!"
A tremendous cheer erupted, and dazzling lights illuminated the arena.
Simultaneously, Sieg Draker and Helen Draker ascended to the arena. Sieg donned light armor, while Helen appeared in notably heavier armor.
What stood out was Helen's sword. Strapped behind her armor was a long and massive sword.
Observing Helen's equipment, the audience murmured among themselves.
"Is that the famous Dragon Buster of the Knight of Steel?"
When Helen was promoted to Blue Knight, her promotion gift from the family head was the Dragon Buster. Created from the bones of a dragon, it resembled a dao more than a conventional sword.
A substantial sword paired with the heavy armor; her moniker as the Knight of Steel was well-deserved.
After Arthur Draker descended from the arena, Sieg and Helen faced each other. Sieg unsheathed Bahamut, while Helen wielded the Dragon Buster.
The tension between them was almost tangible, even reaching the audience.
Soon, the sound marking the start of the match reverberated through the air.
Ziiing!
Simultaneously, Sieg and Helen swung their swords.
BANG!
The noise that followed resembled an explosion rather than the clash of swords.
Sieg and Helen gritted their teeth, aiming sharply at one another as their swords collided.
Crack!
The strength with which they stood their ground was so immense that the arena's floor cracked beneath them.
Snap!
After some intense moments, the two flung their swords apart and retreated.
Sieg firmly grasped Bahamut and assumed the Dragonslaying Art stance.
Dragonslaying Art - True Dragon Sword Art
3rd Chapter, 2nd Verse
Half-Moon Strike
An energy-formed half-moon emanated from Sieg's sword. Helen raised the blade of her Dragon Buster, meeting the half-moon head-on.
BANG!
Sieg's half-moon was neutralized in such a manner. The sword seemed not only a weapon but also served as a shield.
'Her defense is indeed solid.'
Sieg adjusted his stance and executed a Swift Wind Technique.
Dragonslaying Art Application
Swift Wind Technique
Wind Grasping
Sieg rapidly circled around Helen. With his phantom steps, it appeared as if numerous Zekes surrounded her.
Helen, gripping the Dragon Buster, closed her eyes, then holding the sword horizontally, shouted a battle cry.
"Haaaah!"
It wasn't an elaborate technique; she merely swung the Dragon Buster, slicing through Sieg's afterimages.
BANG!
The surroundings were instantly laid to waste.
Whoosh!
At that moment, Sieg leaped onto the Dragon Buster and charged directly at Helen.
Swipe!
Sieg swung his sword at Helen, who let go of the Dragon Buster and drew an arming sword hanging from her waist to block the attack.
Snap!
Helen crouched, picked up the Dragon Buster, and swung it again.
Whoooosh!
The sheer force of the Dragon Buster tore through the air with a bizarre sound.
Ziiiing!
Sieg leaped into the air, evading the Dragon Buster's attack. As they once again faced each other at a distance, the audience, having been holding their breath, erupted into cheers.
"Sieg! Sieg!"
"Helen! Helen!"
In the Agamemnon household, Rufus Agamemnon, elders of the family, and even the head maid came to support Sieg.
"The true Successor of Agamemnon! Sieg Draker!"
Sieg pointed Bahamut at Helen.
'Her defenses are tough. I need to rattle her a bit.'
Switching his stance, Sieg adopted Agamemnon's Golden Swordsmanship instead of the Dragonslaying Art.
Rallying behind him, the Agamemnon family waved their banners even more vigorously in recognition.
Sieg charged at Helen with his sword.
Whoooosh!
Helen attempted to parry Sieg's spear-like thrust with the Dragon Buster, but Sieg abruptly changed direction at the last moment.
Then, he shifted his stance and delivered a high kick aimed at Helen's head.
Thud!
Helen narrowly managed to dodge the kick, but her shoulder guard was knocked off.
With his physique enhanced by aura, a knight's body could be as deadly as any weapon. Even a kick could inflict significant harm.
Helen, shaken by Sieg's unconventional attacks, steadied her breathing.
'Sieg, you are truly formidable.'
She hadn't expected her youngest brother, years her junior, to overwhelm her like this.
Collecting herself, she gripped the Dragon Buster tightly and gathered her energy.
Wooooong!
Helen's body radiated with a vivid aura. The aura enveloped the Dragon Buster, forming an aura blade.
Witnessing this, Sieg also conjured an aura blade with Bahamut.
Both wielded distinct azure aura blades, and simultaneously they leaped into the air.
Flash!
Blue light adorned the stadium's sky.
Wooooong!
Snap!
Bam!
The clash of the aura blades resulted in powerful reverberations and shockwaves.
The two, who had been battling mid-air, landed back on the stadium floor.
No sooner had they landed, they rushed at each other, clashing swords once again.
Wooooong!
BANG!
The intense vibrations shattered the stadium floor as waves passed through it.
BANG!
Thanks to an installed protective barrier in the spectator area, the waves were neutralized and dispersed, yet the audience could still feel the impact of their clash.
Standing amidst the devastated arena, Sieg and Helen brandished their swords, facing each other.
Unlike Sieg, however, Helen was showing signs of heavy breathing.
"Huff. Huff."
Acknowledging the futility of a protracted battle against Sieg, who lacked physical limitations, Helen realized his stamina far surpassed her own.
'Unbelievable.'
However challenging, this was her reality.
Understanding it was time to play her last card, Helen drew upon her energy, clutching the Dragon Buster.
Wooooong!
The Dragon Buster vibrated furiously.
Sieg perceived Helen's intent on making a decisive move.
He returned to the Dragonslaying Art stance.
Wooooong!
An intense tension enveloped the space between them.
Then, Helen raised the Dragon Buster high and swung it towards Sieg.
Dragonslaying Art Application
Steel Technique
Wall Cleaving
It is said that Terakan Draker, the ancestor of Draker, cleaved giant walls with one slash.
Just like the legendary Terakan Draker of old, a powerful energy surged towards Sieg as if to cleave a wall.
In response to Helen's Wall Cleaving, Sieg repositioned and swung his sword horizontally.
True Dragon Sword Art Secret Technique
3rd Technique (三結式)
Great Peng Emerges from Water (大鵬出水)
Whooosh!
A vast bird-shaped energy surged from Sieg's sword, slicing through Helen's tidal wave-like Steel Technique.
Even after cleaving through, the energy persisted, reaching towards the sword-wielding Helen.
Crack!
"Ugh!"
Helen attempted to block Sieg's True Dragon Sword Art with the Dragon Buster.
But already weakened by the Wall Cleaving, Helen couldn't withstand any longer.
Just then.
Wooooong!
Sieg dashed towards Helen, holding Bahamut.
He leaped into the air, executing the Dragonslaying Art.
Dragonslaying Art - True Dragon Sword Art
8th Chapter, 2nd Verse
Dragonscale Thrust
The technique that had once pierced through ten steel plates unfurled towards Helen.
BANG!
As the arena was laid to waste, a cloud of dust rose.
Spectators sprang to their feet in shock.
"What, what happened?"
Soon, as the dust settled, the scene in the arena became clear.
He stood, aiming his sword at the fallen Helen.
Victory belonged to Sieg Draker.
Ziiing!
The sound signaling the end of the match rang loud.
A roar erupted from the stands.
Rufus Agamemnon and the elders welled up with tears of joy.
Sieg extended a hand towards Helen, who lay on the ground.
Helen took his hand and stood up.
"I've lost."
"It was just luck on my side."
Helen knew all too well that it wasn't just luck.
She spoke to Sieg.
"Kali Draker wishes to speak with you. She will likely summon you soon."
Leaving those words, Helen offered a brief salute to the crowd and exited the arena.
Despite her loss, Helen's remarkable prowess earned her the audience's applause.
She had proven her skills in line with her title as the Knight of Steel, and the cheers were well-deserved.
Shortly after, Arthur Draker ascended the arena's stage.
Standing beside Sieg, he addressed the audience.
"The winner of this year's Draker Martial Tournament is Sieg Draker!"
The stadium roared with cheers and excitement.
Arthur personally draped the winner's medal around Sieg's neck.
He placed a hand on Sieg's shoulder and said, "You have accomplished your mission commendably."
"I merely followed the orders of the head."
Arthur chuckled softly at Sieg's response.
Though he ruled as the head of the continent-shaking Draker family, his youngest son seemed undaunted, always serene and unreadable.
Arthur spoke to Sieg.
"There are several privileges for the winner of the Draker Martial Tournament. These will come over time, but as a father, I wish to offer my illustrious son a gift. Is there anything you desire?"
Without hesitation, Sieg looked at Arthur and responded.
"I wish to hear about my mother."
Arthur's expression shifted subtly in response to Sieg's request.
"About your mother. Did you hear something from the Agamemnon family?"
"There is more I haven't heard than I have. That's why I wish to hear from you, family head."
"I wonder why among many gifts, you desire that."
Sieg, looking at Arthur, answered.
"I want to know about my mother's prophecy, who was an Irregular."
Arthur's expression briefly tightened at Sieg's words.
After a moment's silence, Arthur nodded and said to Sieg.
"Laura often surprised me much like you do. In my life, hardly anything didn't go as I wished, but only Laura was never as I intended."
He continued while looking at Sieg.
"Come to the Four Seasons Castle. There is something I wish to show you."
Acknowledging Arthur's words, Sieg nodded.
Arthur smiled at Sieg and said.
"Hold the medal and smile. Only then will the meaning of spending thousands of gold on this event be realized."
Following Arthur's words, Sieg held the medal aloft and waved to the crowd.
The audience chanted Sieg's name, cheering joyously.
It was a warmth and response he had never felt in his previous life.
* * *
"So Sieg ended up winning after all."
Abel commented to William while sipping tea.
William replied with a dissatisfied expression.
"That dim-witted Edward only disgraced the family."
William was quite displeased that Edward had been easily knocked out by Sieg.
In response, Abel set his teacup down, smiling as he remarked.
"He will grow stronger after the blessing anyway, so why such discontent?"
William shook his head.
"Edward, that kid is a lost cause. The youngest is better. At least he knows how to use his head."
Abel chuckled lightly and asked, "By the way, how is the Guardian Knight matter progressing, William?"
William's expression shifted as he slowly replied.
"It seems Kali Draker is persistently persuading the elders. She's making a desperate attempt to prevent you from receiving the Guardian Knight title."
"Can't it be proposed now?"
"We're short by two votes. With many neutral elders, two more votes need to be secured to safely bring you forward."
Abel tapped the table with his fingers.
"Two votes, huh. William, I'm tired of waiting. You know how long I've anticipated this moment, don't you?"
Nodding, William answered Abel's words.
"If the Guardian Knight matter and the Carus matter are resolved properly, you will have your way. Just hold on a little longer."
Abel rose slowly from his seat.
With eyes tinged with madness, he looked at William and said.
"I'm expecting much. But keep in mind, if the wait grows longer, you too must be prepared."
With those words, Abel entered the torture chamber.
Soon, horrific screams emanated from the chamber.
It wasn't to acquire information but simply for his own amusement.
Hearing the screams filtering out from the chamber, William broke into a cold sweat.
The Knight of Carnage was turning into an unimaginable monster.