Demon King and Demon Queen

Translation: Word (Microsoft).

Chapter 4

Freya Claes raised her "Frostbite" spear with an elegant motion. The silver-colored spear radiated an icy light that lowered the temperature around it. Her steady and determined gaze reflected the confidence of a warrior who had trained for this moment.

On the opposite side, Camille Lauret drew the strings of her "Arachne" bow, which glowed with a faint purple glow. Every detail of the weapon seemed woven with fine cobwebs, and a spiritual arrow, dark and poisonous, began to take shape between his fingers.

"Get ready, Freya. I won't make it easy for you," Camille said, her voice calm but full of intention.

Freya swung her spear nimbly and responded with a confident smile. "I hope so. I didn't come here to make it easy."

"Get started!"

Instantly, Camille acted first. With impeccable precision, he unleashed arrow after arrow, his purple projectiles streaking through the air like swift shadows.

Freya reacted quickly, deflecting the arrows with fluid movements of her spear. The impacts emitted a slight poisonous buzz that was suspended in the air. Soon, small purple spots began to cover the sand floor.

"If this accumulates, it will be a problem," Freya thought, frowning.

He leapt forward, closing the distance with Camille, but she quickly backed away, firing a new arrow that hit near Freya's feet.

"What is this...?" murmured Freya as she felt the ground beneath her cover in a thin purple net.

"Shadow web," Camille said with a smile. "You won't be able to move so easily."

The net began to spread, seeking to trap Freya in its center. However, the warrior of Galia was not intimidated.

"Glacial fog!"

Freya nailed Frostbite into the ground forcefully, releasing a blast of icy energy that spread like a frigid white wave. The cold broke part of the spiritual web, freezing the ground and making it difficult for Camille to move.

"Cold? Really?" muttered Camille, feeling the ice numbing her feet slightly.

Camille tried to keep her distance, firing poison-laden arrows from different angles, while Freya moved forward, slowly but steadily, using her spear to block the attacks. Freya's every move was calculated, seeking to close the distance as the cold continued to spread across the battlefield.

"I can't let him get close," Camille thought, drawing her bow tightly. A larger, more luminous arrow was formed on his spirit weapon.

"Ultimate Poison Arrow!"

The arrow shot out with a bang, breaking through the layer of ice left in the air and heading straight for Freya.

Freya didn't hesitate. With a quick leap to the side, she avoided impact by a hair's breadth, though the shockwave destabilized her slightly. The explosion left a purple cloud that buzzed dangerously.

"It's now or never," Freya thought, regaining her balance.

Freya held her Frostbite spear with both hands, and a bright blue light began to run through the weapon. The spear vibrated with spiritual energy, emitting an icy wave more intense than before.

"Winter's Spear!"

With a swift and ferocious movement, Freya threw her spear at Camille. The spear streaked through the air like a silver bolt of lightning, leaving a trail of ice in its wake.

Camille tried to react, tensing her bow to shoot, but the cold build-up in her legs and the mental fatigue caused by the constant use of her poison delayed her for a split second.

The spear struck close to her, releasing an icy blast that froze the ground beneath her feet. Camille fell to her knees, exhausted, as the Arachne bow slowly disappeared in a shower of spiritual light.

The crowd erupted in applause and cheers.

"The combat is over!" exclaimed the commentator. "The winner is Freya Claes from the Empire of Gaul. An awesome showdown to open the Blade Dance!"

Freya retrieved her spear, taking a deep breath as the ice slowly began to dissipate. He turned to Camille and nodded respectfully.

"You were a difficult opponent. You made me work for this victory."

Camille, still on her knees, but with a faint smile, looked up. "Don't be overconfident... This battle was only the beginning."

With the help of tournament attendees, Camille was removed from the field as Freya raised her spear in triumph.

The stands vibrated with excitement, and the other competitors watched attentively from their positions. Among them, Ren Ashbell, with his arms folded, looked at Freya with a slight smile.

"It's not bad. But there is still much to be seen."

For her part, Rimuru Tempest, with a calm expression, muttered to herself:

"The real challenge is just beginning."

The commentator took the floor again:

"This was only the first match of the Blade Dance! Stay with us, because more battles full of excitement and surprises await us!"

The roar of the crowd grew even louder, as the name of Freya Claes echoed throughout the coliseum.

The crowd was still roaring after the end of the first match when the commentator announced the following matchup:

"And now, the second fight of the first round! Representing the Empire of Valdor, Selene Noir. And his opponent, representing the Ignis Region, Aria Solenne. Let the competitors advance to the arena!"

From opposite ends of the coliseum, both competitors made their entrance.

Selene Noir stepped forward with silent, measured steps, the sword "Yueying" resting in her right hand. The black blade, with its purple glow, reflected an aura of calm and danger.

Aria Solenne, in contrast, moved forward with energy and a confident smile. In each hand he carried one of the "Twin Flames" dao swords, the blades of which burned with a crimson glow. As he walked, he left small sparks in his wake, as if the fire itself was following his movements.

"I hope you're quick, Selene," Aria said, swinging one of her blades deftly. "If not, I'll reduce you to ashes."

Selene barely glanced at her, adopting a defensive posture with Yueying. "Only the weak depend on fire to hide their movements."

"Get started!"

Aria was the first to attack, closing the distance with impressive speed. With the Twin Flames swirling in his hands, he unleashed a flurry of fiery cuts, their swords leaving trails of fire in the air.

Selene moved nimbly, dodging each attack by inches. Each missed blow hit the ground, creating explosions of embers that burned for seconds.

"Crimson dance!" shouted Aria.

It spun around in itself, creating a circle of fire with the movement of their swords. The temperature in the arena rose dramatically, and Selene was forced to back off to avoid the radius of the flames.

"Keeping your distance won't work. I need to get closer."

Selene channeled her spiritual energy into Yueying, and with quick movements, she activated "Shadows of the Moon". Immediately, several illusory images of herself appeared around Aria.

"It's not the first time someone has used this trick," Aria muttered, squinting.

Spinning one of the Twin Flames, it launched a horizontal slash that generated a shockwave of fire, dispelling some of the illusions. However, Selene took advantage of the distraction and slipped in from the actual shadow, attacking with a direct slash.

The leaves collided with a metallic sound. Yueying's coldness faced the scorching heat of the Twin Flames, creating a brief burst of spiritual energy that pushed both competitors back.

Aria, taking a deep breath, raised both swords and whispered, "Phoenix storm."

With fluid and rapid movements, he began to launch waves of fire in the form of incandescent feathers that flew towards Selene from all directions. The arena lit up with the crimson glow, and the air vibrated with the heat.

Selene moved with speed and precision, dodging the flames as she tried to approach Aria. But the constant explosions and the increase in temperature were beginning to wear her down.

"I can't keep up with this pace..." Selene thought, watching the flames blocking her path.

Then, he gritted his teeth and activated his latest technique: "Silent Darkness".

Selene's figure faded into a long shadow, hidden among the burning embers and dancing lights of the fire.

"Where are you?!" exclaimed Aria, turning in search of her opponent.

The sound of a subtle footstep behind her caused Aria to turn sharply, but it was too late. Selene emerged from the shadows, her Yueying sword shrouded in a deep purple glow.

"Waning Moon!"

With a precise cut, Selene released a crescent-shaped spirit wave that slammed headlong into Aria, disarming her. The Twin Flames fell to the ground, slowly extinguishing.

Aria took a few steps back, her breathing heavy, until she fell to her knees.

"The fight is over! The winner is Selene Noir from the Empire of Valdor!"

The crowd erupted in applause as Selene straightened up, putting her sword away in a graceful motion.

Aria, still kneeling, let out a soft laugh. "I didn't think you could put out my fire... But next time will be different."

Selene looked at her for a moment before calmly replying, "There won't be a next time if you don't get better."

From the stands, Rimuru Tempest and Ren Ashbell watched intently.

"Interesting...," Rimuru muttered, analyzing each finishing move.

Ren smiled slightly.

The commentator, full of energy, shouted to the audience:

"Two fights and two spectacular victories! Don't go, because the Blade Dance has only just begun!"

The excitement in the coliseum continued to build as the stage was set for the next matchup.

❅────✧✦✧────❅•

The roar of the crowd reverberated through the coliseum as two contrasting figures faced off in the center of the arena. On the one hand, Velsaria Eva Fahrengart, belonging to one of the most powerful noble houses of the Ordesia Empire. His giant armor, the fearsome Dreadnought, shone with reddish and gold hues. A mechanical monster, motionless as an iron fortress, with huge cannons protruding from its shoulders.

On the other side, Giselle Moretti, a warrior of the Dragon Empire of Dracunia. His slender figure contrasted with the colossal sword that rested in his right hand. A blade that seemed to be made for giants, but that Giselle moved naturally, as if it were an extension of her arm.

The commentator raised his voice, full of energy.

"Get started!"

Velsaria was the first to move. A slight wave of his hand and the Dreadnought roared alive. The plates of his armor were adjusted with a metallic hum as the twin cannons emerged from his shoulders.

"Shoot!" ordered Velsaria in a firm voice.

Two bursts of energy were released, streaking through the air like fiery meteors. The ground shook under its impact, tearing off fragments of stone and kicking up a cloud of dust and debris.

But Giselle was not there.

A silver flash crossed space and appeared on the side of the Dreadnought. Giselle's great sword descended with a roar, seeking to penetrate the impenetrable armor.

"Take this!" shouted Giselle.

The impact was deafening. The blade collided with the metal in layers, shaking the structure of the Dreadnought. A tiny crack appeared on the surface, but nothing more.

Velsaria smiled from the safety of his fortress.

"Is that all you have?" she asked.

The twin guns spun rapidly, pointing towards Giselle, who had not yet regained her stance. A burst of energy at point-blank range was released, hitting the swordswoman squarely.

"Giselle!" someone in the audience shouted.

The warrior was thrown backwards like a ragdoll, rolling across the ground until it came to a stop with a thud. The earth around it was scarred by explosions, and the dust had not yet settled.

But then, an unexpected sound resounded.

Clang.

Giselle got up. His muscles tightened under his torn garment and his right hand still held his sword tightly.

"Tsk... That really hurt," she muttered, spitting dust.

With a defiant smile, Giselle tilted her sword toward the ground and then raised it with both hands, aiming directly at the Dreadnought.

"I don't intend to fall so easily, walking fortress."

Velsaria, annoyed at her opponent's resistance, caused the Dreadnought's cannons to begin charging again. A crimson light emerged from the slots of the fortress as energy power built up in the cannons.

Giselle didn't waste a second. His greatsword flashed brightly as he advanced towards the mechanical fortress with astonishing speed, barely dodging the projectiles.

One last cry escaped his lips as he launched himself into the attack. The giant sword sliced through the air with deadly precision, aiming at the very heart of the Dreadnought.

The impact of the sword on the armor made the sand tremble, but this time, the damage was real. The Dreadnought's plates creaked, and an internal explosion caused the battleship to take a step back.

However, the Dreadnought did not fall.

With one last burst, the Dreadnought fired a massive attack towards Giselle, skidding backwards while dodging the explosions.

Velsaria had won, but not without effort.

❅────✧✦✧────❅•

The Colosseum roared loudly as the commentator, in a voice full of emotion, announced the next fight.

"The next fight is about to begin! Siena Blanche of the Ignis Region vs. Iris Vermillion of Alpha Theocracy! Let the confrontation begin!"

Siena Blanche advanced to the center of the arena with a solid stance, the weight of her hammer "Pyroclasm" resting in her hands. With his gaze fixed on his opponent, his eyes flashed with determination. He knew that this would be a crucial fight, not only because of his skill, but because of the pride of his region.

Iris Vermillion, on the other hand, was serene, her katana "Shizumi" resting in her hands, the water flowing down the blade reflecting the sunlight. Iris showed no signs of nervousness. In his eyes, there was calm, but also a clear intention: to demonstrate his prowess in this fight.

Siena, with a fierce cry, raised "Pyroclasm" and, with a swift movement, unleashed a fiery blow of fire. The wave of heat that erupted from his hammer swept through the air, crashing into the ground with such force that the sand vibrated beneath his feet. The flames danced towards Iris, seeking to engulf her in a whirlwind of fire.

Iris didn't flinch. With the agility of an expert, she swerved to the side, the speed with which she moved her body almost imperceptible. With pinpoint accuracy, he lifted "Shizumi" and, in one fluid motion, released a "Water Cut". The water broke off the leaf in a torrent that cut through the air quickly, dissipating the flames that came towards it. The air temperature changed dramatically as the water crashed into the fire, creating steam in a burst of energy.

Siena did not allow a second of respite. He slammed into the ground with "Pyroclasm" once more, creating a wave of fire that tore through the battlefield like a river of burning lava. The sand creaked under the power of his attack. Iris, maintaining her composure, raised her katana deftly and redirected the water into the flames. The stream of water dissipated the fire, but the ground was still warm beneath his feet.

Siena, seeing how his attack was contained, summoned his "Mantle of Fire". An aura of blazing fire surrounded her, enveloping her body in a glowing cloak that not only protected her, but increased her aggressiveness. With a defiant shout, he raised "Pyroclasm" for the third time, and this time the force of the blow was huge, illuminating the arena like a scorching sun.

Iris watched the attack calmly. With a slight twist of his wrist, he slid to the side. "Shizumi" rose into the air, and from its blade emerged the "Water Dragon Whirlwind", an uncontrolled current that swirled with the force of a hurricane. The powerful stream of water crashed into the flames, dissipating them with unexpected violence. The impact was so great that the air filled with steam, making visibility difficult.

Siena, surprised by Iris's speed, took a step back, but she didn't let her insecurity get the better of her. "Pyroclasm" rose again, and with renewed strength, Siena launched a direct fire strike towards Iris. The hammer shone in the distance, like a ball of fire ready to wipe out everything in its path.

Iris, without wasting a second, anticipated the movement. With incredible accuracy, he moved "Shizumi" in a fluid sweep, creating a wall of water that crashed into the flames, splitting Siena's offensive. The steam began to rise, forming a dense cloud that covered the sand and reduced visibility.

Siena, feeling the heat of her own energy evaporate, watched her "Mantle of Fire" slowly fade. But his determination did not waver. With a defiant smile, he attacked again with "Pyroclasm", creating an explosion of flames towards Iris. The flames rose, seeking to envelop Iris in a blanket of heat and destruction.

Iris didn't hesitate. With "Shizumi" elevated, he slid to the side, his agile figure moving almost like a shadow. With a final move of his katana, he released a precise and lethal "Water Cut". The wave of water pierced the flames of Siena and, with an accurate impact, hit Siena in the side. The icy water cut through the air and reached Siena, overflowing her fire defense and pushing her to the ground.

Siena fell to her knees, reeling under the weight of battle. The sand vibrated, and the heat of her own fire faded as Iris's victory was imminent. Siena, breathing heavily, raised her head, looking at Iris with a look of respect.

Iris, with "Shizumi" glowing in her hands, approached her opponent. Siena looked at her, a defiant smile still on her face, acknowledging her opponent's victory.

"A great battle," Siena said in a broken voice. "Next time, I'll make sure I'm better prepared."

Iris nodded, raising her katana in respect, as the crowd erupted in cheers.

"The fight is over! The winner is Iris Vermillion from Alpha Theocracy!" the commentator shouted.

Rimuru Tempest, watching the end of the fight carefully, thought with admiration: "She is incredible, I must be careful if I come to face her." Iris's control over the water was impeccable, and her ability to adapt to Siena's attacks left a clear impression on her. "It won't be easy if I have to fight her in the next round." Rimuru reflected on the importance of being strategic, not just trusting your strength, but every move. "This tournament is going to be more challenging than I thought."

Ren Ashbell watched Iris's victory in silence, his gaze fixed and thoughtful. Not bad," Ren thought, a faint smile on his face. "But, if I get to confront her, I'll have to get serious. The control he has over the water is impressive, but it's his agility that really surprised me. That ability to anticipate attacks... I definitely have to prepare myself if I get to fight her." Ren adjusted his posture, recognizing Iris's skill and determination. "It's going to be interesting, for sure."

Velsaria Eva Fahrengart, observing Iris's victory, reflected deeply as the crowd continued to celebrate.

"Awesome... It's not just about skill, but how she directs each attack with absolute calmness." Velsaria thought as she watched Iris put away her katana. "It has a precision and control that is not easily found. That ability to handle water is not something you see every day."

Velsaria, with a slight smile, thought of his own approach to the battle. "If I come up against her, I can't afford to rely on brute force alone. I'll need to adapt as much as she does." Velsaria closed his eyes for a moment, already imagining what it would be like to face Iris. "This will be interesting. If I really want to win, I'll have to play to my own strengths. She won't make it easy for me."