The Amber Sword

Chapter 70 – King of the Underworld (21)

Kodan looked at the youth with complicated feelings.

He entered the Gold-ranked status thirty years ago, yet the youth seemed to be blessed by the gods and had reached the same level of control over his Element Power as him.

Even if the person was blessed with talent, they would never attain such mastery at such a young age. A possibility was being favored by the Gods themselves, but they would be disabled in some form, so he thought of something else.

“Young man, who’s your Guardian Spirit?” Kodan called out to him.

“What?” Brendel turned around and said puzzledly.

“Stop pretending, you clearly know what I’m talking about!” The old man was angry enough to shout: “This is important, tell me quickly—”

“What are you talking about, what am I supposed to know?”

“Yes……? Yes.” Brendel’s chaotic thoughts were quickly shut down by a greater desire.

He had stolen someone else’s identity, resolved to live as him, and swore to save the kingdom. His past life had nothing to do with his current one any longer. He raised his head to look at the instructions again as he wiped the corners of his eyes furiously with the back of his hand.

It was not the time to be affected by emotions, perhaps when everything was over he could reflect on it.

He read the familiar words in the air:

1) Limitation in Strength. (The duelists are limited to 10 OZ in strength.)

2) Limitation in techniques. (All techniques unrelated to weapons will be disabled.)

3) The challenger shall be given worthy opponents.

Jana drew in a cold breath as she read in the ancient Kirrlutz language which was not too different from the modern version. Even though Brendel’s power astounded her, it was clearly different from training with a weapon for years.

No matter how talented one might be, even if they became a Gold-ranker at a young age, they required time to match someone who had talent and years to go along with it.

The people who were widely recognized were old white-haired duelists who had reached their eighties or nineties. (TL: The humans in this world live over a hundred easily.)

“There’s no need to worry, Jana,” Scarlett’s voice came from behind. She seemed to see through the worry in the mercenary commander’s heart and appeared confident, but in truth had placed her concern deeply into her heart: “Lord Brendel’s swordsmanship is excellent—”

“I know he’s very skilled, but if the previous challenge was a dragon, then this opponent of his would be even harder. Even if it’s just Aouine alone, there are many Sword Saints.”

Scarlett’s confident expression froze and she started to worry too.

Brendel’s thoughts were the same as Jana. He wondered what opponents he was going to face. Suddenly, a new power washed over the stage, and he felt something in him got severed.

Medissa, the Wind Spirit Spiders, and the Silver Colt under him disappeared, and he landed on the ground with both his feet.

[The Planeswalker’s energy has been cut off? Not only that, I feel like I’m being drained. It looks like my stats are going down.]

Brendel felt a numbing sensation on his scalp. He had originally hoped that this cheat-like ability was able to bypass the rules, but it seemed like the Planeswalker profession was still considered part of the Laws of this world.

But he did not rely too much on his Planeswalker identity, and was not truly affected inside. He took in a light breath and adjusted his thoughts before staring at his surroundings cautiously.

Darkness washed over the coliseum next, and a second later, he found that he was on a dueling stage made out of granite blocks cut to perfection.

His eyes searched the area, and discovered a familiar dark figure coming out from the shadows.

“Buga?”

“The Cross Sword, Buga.”

Kodan and Jana were able to recognize him. He had considerable fame with a unique stance and swordsmanship, easily allowing both of them to identify him.

Kodan frowned deeply. He had met Buga when he was younger and knew of his potential in the sword, but he was slightly relieved as Torbus’s lineage was surely as good as Buga if not better. The young man was of his blood after all.

Jana sighed with relief as well. She had seen Buga on her way to Lantonrand and heard rumors of his skill in the sword, but she believed that he was much easier to deal with when compared to famous grandmaster swordsmen.

Before the two people had the chance to gauge who the winner would be, another shadow came forward.

Brendel cursed loudly in his mind.

[Damn it, Tirste? There’s one more. Shit, this time it’s Ebdon…… Who’s this last person?]

There was a fourth shadow that came out, but his face was still shrouded in darkness.

Brendel’s body reacted on its own by trembling a little without its owner noticing.

“That’s!” Kodan’s expression completely turned to one of shock.

“T-t-the Dragon of H-H-Hararth…….” Jana’s expression had also changed, and she felt like her throat had been stuck with something when she saw the fourth person’s attire and longsword.

“Who’s that?” Scarlett’s brows furrowed together and asked in confusion.

Jana turned her head and looked back with an expression of defeat and panic, but words refused to come out.

But Brendel did not have the time to worry about who the fourth person was. He suddenly realized he was in deep trouble.

It was one against four.