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Chapter 255 Supreme Martial Arts Festival ⑦
Part 1
Only a few knew exactly what was going on.
The Supreme Martial Arts Festival was abuzz because it went from a spectacular match befitting of a martial arts tournament to an unexpected turn of events.
Every time there is a big turnout at the Supreme Martial Arts Festival, so it is not uncommon for criminal organizations with grudges to attack contestants, but there has never been a case in which a criminal organization has invaded the arena.
The contestants in the Supreme Martial Arts Festival are all Ikkitousen1 heroes, despite the diversity of their professions and races. How arrogant and insolent they are to appear in the midst of such a gathering.
At the perimeter of the audience seat. Radrick Atrum Zebrudia, who was watching the game from one of the seats farthest and highest from where the match was being unfolded, was one of those who knew exactly what was going on.
“”Fox (Kitsune)”………… So you appeared. I never expected you to appear in front of so many people――How fearless are you?” (Radrick)
“To think they would barge into a match like that……” (Franz)
Franz Argmann, the Commander of the Imperial Guard, who was standing next to him and looked a little happy when the 《Infinite Variety (Senpen Banka)》 was being pressed on, grunted with a serious expression.
The 『Nine-Tails Shadow Fox (Kyubi no Kage Kitsune)』 is a criminal organization with an extremely high level of secrecy. Although its true nature is becoming gradually known these days, there are still many who are unaware of its existence.
In that sense, Zebrudia is a fairly well-informed country. Although there were only two assailants, they were able to repel their attack and their investigation was also proceeding in secret.
When Radrick saw the mask the assailant was wearing, he muttered.
“That man’s fox mask――Is the same one we saw in that Treasure Shrine.” (Radrick)
“After all, there must be some truth to the rumor that they have some connection to that Treasure Shrine.” (Franz)
The 【Lost Inn】 we encountered on the way to our previous conference was a Treasure Shrine that was both mysterious and instinctively terrifying.
In all ages and all places, there has been no small number of organizations that have used God’s name for their purpose. One of the reasons why Zebrudia has become such a large country is because of the destruction of the Treasure Shrine, 【Star Temple】 that once existed in the place where the Imperial Capital is now currently located.
It was quite possible that the organization, which bears the name of a fox, had some connection to the Lost Inn.
Franz and other Knights who were on escort duty were getting tense.  Murina, who was also watching the battle next to the Emperor, looked with a pale expression.
“But to take on that much lightning and remain unharmed――He is pretty good.” (Radrick)
“There is probably a trick behind this.” (Franz)
Although the inside of the arena was covered with a thick cloud of dust and the visibility was poor, they could see some of the situations from the seats reserved for VIPs.
Kryhi Andrichhi’s lightning attack had indeed hit that fox mask man.
Lightning Magic is the magic of heroes. It is quite difficult to master, but its power does compensate for it. Kryhi Andrichhi has a name that sounds like a joke or something, but his power is certainly appropriate for the Supreme Martial Arts Festival.
And yet, under his attacks――That fox mask man was unperturbed. His costume was a bit scorched, but his appearance showed that he received no damage.
The fact that he can easily withstand an attack that blows away even 《Infinite Variety (Senpen Banka)》 which is said to boast an absolute defense, is proof that his ability exceeds that of even a Level 8 Hunter.
“How-However, 《Infinite Variety (Senpen Banka)》 seems to be intact――.” (Franz)
Franz objected. Franz’s voice was filled with a mixture of emotion toward 《Infinite Variety (Senpen Banka)》 who had teased him so much, and a feeling that he could not afford to fall short against someone from a criminal organization.
However, he indeed has a point.
《Infinite Variety (Senpen Banka)》 who had once fallen down after being hit by that golden spear, now stood before that fox mask man unharmed.
For a moment, I thought he lost against Kryhi Andrichhi, but what was that about? Moreover, I couldn’t even see the moment when he stood in front of that fox mask man.
Either way, right now, on the battlefield, two men with unknown abilities who are far from humans face each other.
Conceding the victory was probably part of his plan.
The fox mask man who had immediately launched an attack at Kryhi was now looking at Cry with alert.
“So it is going to be Absolute Defense VS Hyper Regeneration.” (Radrick)
The attack of the fox mask man was invisible. It was neither lightning nor fire. Thanks to the dust, the air currents gave a glimpse of his power, but if not for that, his attack would not have even been detected.
Kryhi was caught in the attack and fell behind Cry. His hand still held the staff and he was still conscious, but his limbs were bent in the wrong direction. It would be difficult for him to fight again.
――It is going to be a long fight.
At that time, Franz, who had received a report from one of the guards, said.
“Your Majesty, I have requested the dispatch of security guards. But, after all――They said that there aren’t that many men available.” (Franz)
“Damn, Cleat. So they were unwilling to send more.” (Radrick)
From the beginning, the management of the Supreme Martial Arts Festival was skeptical about the “Fox’s (Kitsune)” intervention. Partly because the tactics of the attackers were so sophisticated, and partly because the organization is not yet that publicly known. Even the Empire does not know all the details of the operation of this attack.
We also advised them in advance to increase security guards, but apparently, it was not accepted.
Originally, the Supreme Martial Arts Festival was a dangerous festival, and a certain amount of soldiers were mobilized.
No one has yet stepped into the battlefield because they have seen how fierce Kryhi’s battle was.
Those in the rank that are allowed to participate in the Supreme Martial Arts Festival are not simple opponents that can be defeated by just outnumbering them. In fact, if you try to subdue the Kryhi who can control lightning, a considerable number of soldiers would be killed or injured.
Moreover, if you know your opponent’s abilities, you could take countermeasures, but the fox mask man’s attack methods are a complete mystery.
If we were in Zebrudia, we could prepare enough soldiers with the intention of suffering losses, but as the Emperor of a great Empire, the number of soldiers I can take with me to other countries is limited.
“We have placed the soldiers we brought with us in various parts of the arena. We won’t let him get away.” (Franz)
“………… Good.” (Radrick)
Franz’s expression showed that he was a bit frustrated. If he fell from the sky, it means that man must be able to fly. It would be quite difficult to track him down.
The soldiers we brought with us are all elite, but they will not fare well against that fox mask man.
Footnotes
Ikkitousen: The literal translation is a mighty knight who matches a thousand but you can think of as One Man Army. Like Link in Zelda: Hyrule Warriors or Dynasty Warriors.