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As the crowd’s shouts subsided, the host thought it was a good time to speak up.
“It was such a short match, I didn’t get to see the reactions of the Master judges! Now that the round has ended, we have to check it out!”
The audience’s attention turned towards the top of the front row. It had exactly six seats, and exactly six occupants. Each one was a long-recognized Master, and their steely gazes watched the Master Battle intently.
“I can’t believe it. I heard rumors about the Avalon Empire’s greatest talent of all time, but…”
There were three great powers, seven medium countries, and two weak countries.
A hundred years back, the Master of the Allied Powers of Palentine had merged numerous small territories together.
“Well… I didn’t think there’d be such a difference between the imperial and non-imperial knights…” Hasegi was an eccentric Master who fused swordsmanship with the alchemy that his homeland, the kingdom of Fordran in the south of the continent, was famous for into a new form of science. He wore a serene expression that was at odds with his typical demeanor.
Hasegi did not take Babylon, the Knight of Steel, lightly. He was only a few ranks lower than Hasegi, after all. Non-imperial knights were prone to underperforming, but Babylon was one of those who could contend with any of the three great powers.
“Hahahahaha!” A low-pitched laugh came from the far left seat. An energetic young man, clearly less than forty and with a truly insufferable face: Count Arie bron Sten, with his gray hair and snake-like eyes. “You’ve really exceeded my expectations, Joshua Sanders. I… I can’t take it anymore! I’m telling you… Hehe!”
Arie wrapped his arms around himself with a flushed expression. Before was a fruit that ripened as soon as it matured, and its beauty was something to behold.
I want to shove it down my throat right now.
Arie bron Sten was faithful to his desires.
“Five years… I waited five years. Just a little longer now…” The Count licked his lips.
“First, the representative of the Heart Kingdom. If you think that Babylon, the Iron Knight, deserves the glory of ‘Master,’ raise your hand.”
The host’s voice was loud and clear thanks to amplification magic, but none of the Masters responded.
It wouldn’t be fair to judge until we’ve seen it, they thought. Babylon didn’t even manage a proper attack, so what was there to judge?
“Um…” The host looked bewildered. In the uncomfortable silence, Babylon’s expression began to crumble.
How could he have prepared himself for this? Babylon was forced to his knees before the entire continent in the opening round.
“Keep your head up.”
Babylon shivered.
“Are you ashamed of losing?”
“I…” Babylon bit his lips. Am I ashamed? It was just so fast. I was so angry and ashamed that I felt like I was going crazy. When had he, the red heart of the Kingdom of Hearts, ever felt this way?
Joshua gazed down at Babylon. “To be honest, I have no idea what you’re feeling right now, because I have never experienced defeat.” 1
Babylon’s eyes went bloodshot. He trembled with rage for a moment, then seemed to give up.
“Hah. What is this, a joke?”
He couldn’t blame anyone for this. If it was provocation, Babylon had started it. Either way, Joshua was the victor here.
“I guess that’s the winner’s right,” he mumbled weakly. A sense of helplessness swept through his heart.
“There are two kinds of people.”
Babylon stiffened. “Two?”
“First, a person who, like you right now, stops moving forward because they feel helpless.”
Babylon shuddered.
“And second, a person who builds on that defeat to keep moving. This isn’t a war, where defeat is unacceptable,” Joshua whispered. “You have a choice. Whatever you choose is your decision alone, but there’s one thing I can say for sure: if you overcome this, you will become far stronger than you are now. Maybe I’ll be the first person who needs to worry about losing to you. That’d be a new feeling. I hope you’ll teach me next time.”
“Hahahahaha.” A laugh leaked out of Babylon’s stiff lips. “You’re a funny guy. If you’ve never lost, how am I supposed to teach you how to lose? Me? A total stranger? Hah. Typical idiotic imperial arrogance.” Babylon stretched his arms out and finally raised his eyes. He met Joshua’s deep blue orbs, but he didn’t feel too bad about it.
No, on the contrary, I’m feeling a bit better. What a unique guy.
Babylon shook his head. “Why are you doing this to me?”
“Because I can feel it, too. The eyes of the people of the Heart Kingdom.”
Babylon’s eyes widened.
“You’re not the only one who’s lost. A lot of people in the Kingdom of Hearts are watching you right now. After their body and mind have been rotted by the long civil war, you are a beacon of hope. Are you going to disappoint them?”
Joshua’s voice seemed to weigh down on Babylon’s heart. Nearly ten years of civil war had left deep scars in the Heart Kingdom—the arrival of Ulabis was their only reprieve. Now more than ever, the people of the Kingdom of Hearts wanted the world to know that their homeland was not yet dead.
That was the hope resting on Babylon’s shoulders.
Damn it…! Babylon’s hand covered his pained expression.
“Stand up.” Joshua slowly stretched out his hand. “Rise up, and show your people that the Red Heart still beats.”
Babylon bit his lips.
Defeated, from skills to mentality. No matter how few years he had lived, his opponent was a man worthy of respect. Who else would stop to think about someone else in the middle of the Master Battle?
“I… admit defeat, Joshua Sanders.” He reached out and clasped Joshua’s hand.
The crowd broke into wild cheers and a faint smile danced on the people of the Heart Kingdom.
“Now! All that remains is to judge the representative of the Avalon Empire, Joshua Sanders—”
Immediately, six hands were lifted into the sky. Even Arie’s hand was raised, although he wore a bitter smile.
“Unanimous—!”
The first Master of the year was born.
“Wow, ahhhhhhhh!”
“Awesome, Joshua Sanders!”
“I love you! Please marry me!”
“I’m your fan now! Please become our lord of Reinhardt!”
Joshua’s impossible talent and his inhuman looks captured the hearts and minds of the continent. Master Joshua Sanders had left his indelible mark in the history of the continent. The only question left was if he’d be satisfied with “just” Master.
A true professional, the host quickly reigned in his astonishment.
“Now, the winner of the Master Battle has a unique right: whether or not to continue the challenge.” The host glanced at Joshua. “Since you have been recognized as a Master, you may withdraw from the Battle if that’s all you want. But if you have other desires…” Despite his professionalism, the host’s voice seemed eager for Joshua to press on. Joshua Sanders seemed to have a magical attraction that left the host hungry for more.
Joshua was silent for a moment as he pondered.
“I—”
what… stfu Joshua ↩️