After swearing the oath to the gods, an accessory resembling a Moai statue flew from the goddess statue, and I hung it around my neck.
Barbados did the sa, and with that, the preparations were complete.
We then moved to the center of the training grounds, facing each other from about ten ters apart.
No referee was needed.But a signal to start was.
The mont we silently confird each other's ready stances, the sound of a gong reverberated.
"WOOOOOOOOOH!!!!"
The one who took the initiative with a fierce war cry was Barbados.His feet were fast, and for a mont I thought he was challenging to hand-to-hand combat since he ca at empty-handed, but judging from his footwork and body movent, I concluded it wasn't an unard attack.
"Hahahaha!! You saw through it on the first encounter!!""A Weapons Golem. You use a rare weapon.""For I, who bears Lord Akam's blessing, it is the perfect weapon!!"
As expected, he stepped in at an awkward distance, farther than the effective range of a spear, and made a motion as if to swing down.It was too far a distance for karate, but suddenly, Barbados's bracer glowed. He gripped the handle of an iron ball that appeared there, swinging it down with a chain trailing behind.
I see. If it's a transforming-type Weapons Golem, it can attack from a greater distance than a spear.
He uses centrifugal force well, allowing for quick attacks.
"Next is a chain-linked sword, I see.""If I clashed directly with your spear, my weapon would break first!! I'll keep direct clashes to a minimum!!"
He's proficient with it.His movents aren't reliant on skills; they are well-honed through martial arts training. I see, because he fights constantly, he's found the optimal movents through practical experience. The mont I stepped in, trying to close into spear range, the iron ball in Barbados's hand glowed and changed weapon types.
A scraping sound, different from the chain, a change from a swinging motion to a flexible, whipping motion.
A whip-like weapon with sharp blades.While an unrealistic weapon, in this world, it falls within the category of practical weapons.He plans to buy ti for the Weapons Golem's transformation cooldown by controlling the distance, preventing from attacking.
But with this, I've seen two of his slots.
"That's the ideal way to handle it, isn't it?"
The iron ball and the chain-linked sword.Mid-to-long range, mid-range... and what's the other one?
Given his personality, I thought he'd attack boldly and courageously, but the strategy Barbados initially adopted was a pattern of deceptive attacks aid at pinning down at mid-range, an attempt to control my movents.
Originally, Weapons Golems have lower durability than normal weapons due to their gimmick chanisms. Golems, classified as magical creatures, cannot be granted skills like 'Proof of the Weak' or 'Indestructible.'
Moreover, because they utilize various weapons, they require multiple passive skills, and the activation conditions for skills change with each form, so the players who used them were all those who loved the 'romance' of the concept.
"As expected, you're fast!!""The level difference is too great."
Using his beloved equipnt like this, he's observing my movents, trying to gather information.He understands PvP theory.
It's easier to maneuver after gathering so information about an unfamiliar opponent rather than imdiately fighting them with full force.
While one could say it's textbook, Barbados also seems to have so specific aim.
"Indeed, my level is insufficient! But how about this!!""Well now, he's pulling out a chainsaw, of all the gimmick weapons."
The third transformation being a weapon with spinning blades made want to laugh, but in FBO, this chainsaw is a surprisingly formidable weapon.It boasts considerable performance among weapon-breaking types, and its weapon skills are influenced by both Sword Art and Greatsword Art, allowing for decent damage output.
"But if I protect it with Magic Edge, the weapon's durability won't decrease, you see.""Tch, you have a counter for this weapon too?"
However, that's only if they clash directly.My Orichalcum Sickle-Spear doesn't have 'Proof of the Weak'; instead, with the spirits' cooperation, it's been granted the 'Indestructible' skill, and skills have been applied to it to the limit.
"And on top of that, the blade is hard to see!!"
The number of skills, including Indestructible, is eight.The Orichalcum Sickle-Spear, a Class 8 weapon, not only increases attack power but also has eight effects: increased critical damage, increased parry success rate, phantom image effect, reduced MP cost for skills, increased attack speed, and skill activation disruption.
The reason Barbados lants that the attack is hard to see is due to the phantom image effect, which makes the tip of the blade appear to waver.It's effective not only in PvP but also when fighting monsters, as the weapon becos difficult to perceive properly.
The drawback is that the wielder is also affected, but one gets used to it.
"I think it's about ti you brought out your main weapon, don't you?""Very well, I shall!!"
Honestly, I think fighting with such a weapon is a bit unfair, but since he requested my full strength, I'll fight with all I have as well.He probably wants to parry the sickle-spear and create distance, but I surpass him in strength as well, and I'm faster too. Matching the movent of Barbados as he swung his arm to parry, I t him with the serpentine motion of my sickle-spear.
"Mm!?""Trying to parry with brute force is fine, but in tis like these, this technique is also effective."
Using the sickle blade of the spear, I guided it along his weapon as if coiling around it. Using the principle of leverage, just a slight application of force is enough to wrench the weapon away.
"What!?"
His weapon danced through the air as if parried, and for an instant, Barbados was left unard.That instant was enough; with a Heart Strike, I could end this match.
"This is the end."
Activating Heart Strike in my mind, the blade of the sickle-spear closed in on Barbados's exposed chest, aiming for his heart.And the blade easily reached his heart.
I felt a shattering impact at my hands, the sa kind I had felt once before, as if sothing was trying to forcibly stop my attack.
"GAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!! I, this I, lost so easily without even being able to lay a hand or foot on you!!"
Sitting flat on his rear, looking up at in a daze, Barbados laughed uproariously, seeming utterly delighted despite his loss.
I caught the chainsaw that had been sent flying into the air and watched Barbados, who was still laughing.
"What a fleeting 'strongest' I was!! In the Northern Continent, I almost never lose, and yet... no, how amusing, how amusing!"
Slapping the ground repeatedly, rolling with laughter, Barbados, after venting his emotions for a while...
"...And yet, it's frustrating. I could sowhat sense the difference in power. But I thought I could at least land one hit."
...laughed with a hint of loneliness. He loves to fight and can honestly accept victory or defeat.That pure spirit sohow reminded of us gars.
"What Barbados lacks is experience fighting superiors.""If you're as strong as you are, aren't you the sa as ? There were only a handful stronger than . Before I knew it, they had beco weaker than , and before I knew it, there was no one left who could fight ."
I extended a hand to help him up and shared my thoughts on the fight.His response was a gaze mixed with loneliness and envy.
He has the basics down and possesses ambition.He doesn't drown in power but strives to master it.
That is proof that he worked hard to increase his strength in an environnt different from the FBO ga environnt.And as a result, he reached a point where he could no longer find challenges.
"Here, that might disappear, no?""Hahahaha! Say that after you beat ! There are at least five others here stronger than you are now, besides . And judging from our fight, I think you'd have a pretty hard ti beating the Western Hero Clarice, or the soldiers of Duke Edelgard over there.""What!? Is that so!?"
It's like what you'd call burnout syndro after playing through all the endga content until there's nothing left to do.
I understand that feeling.I also understand the desire to jump at the chance when a new enemy appears.
"Ah, by the way, one of them is Ingrid, who serves as my attendant. Want to give it a try?""Without a doubt!!"
He wants to fight strong enemies.But there were no strong enemies around him.
Reaching just one step short of the maximum class on the Northern Continent... he must have fought like crazy.If he could acquire EXBP here, he could beco considerably stronger.I haven't fought Kon, but I have a feeling that in terms of pure combat talent, Barbados is a cut above, by about two heads.
"But before that!""Hm?"
I thought he might challenge Ingrid next, leading to consecutive matches, but Barbados straightened his posture, sat cross-legged on the spot, made fists with both hands placed on the ground, and bowed his head.
"Apostle of the Wisdom Goddess, Lord Liberta. No, Master! I am impressed by your power!! Please, I beg you, make your disciple!! For that, I am willing to offer anything!!"
That was a gesture showing the utmost respect in the Northern Continent.
"Sure. If you agree to my terms, I'll train the subordinates you brought with you as well.""Thank you! Master!!"
His purity made want to respond, and I readily agreed before even thinking about what to demand.I wondered what I'd do if what they could prepare was too little, but then I rembered, *that person* is in the North.
If he has connections, I'll arrange for an introduction.
"Then, do you have soone who can handle negotiations? I'd like to arrange a eting between that person and Duke Edelgard.""Grandpa is here! Grandpa, co here!!"
I knew full well that he wasn't the one for negotiations, so I was wondering if there was soone else. It seed there was a proper supervisor, as an elderly tanuki beastman jumped down from the spectator seats and ca running over.
"You called, Lord Barbados?""Umu! Grandpa! I am going to beco Master's disciple!! It seems various negotiations are needed for that!! I leave it to you, Grandpa!!""Understood. So, Lord Liberta, I take it I should negotiate with you?""Before negotiating with , please negotiate with Duke Edelgard over there. It will take the form of state-to-state negotiations and personal compensation negotiations with .""I see, understood. Lord Barbados, please await good news!""Umu! I leave it to you!!"
He was a man with the air of a kindly old man, but he was brimming with confidence, hinting at how many people he had negotiated with using that very deanor. As the old man called 'Grandpa' walked towards Duke Edelgard, I could also see the King's face, which looked troubled.
It seed like it might beco so kind of problem, but I'll leave that to Duke Edelgard.
"Now then, while Duke Edelgard and that grandpa are talking, we have so ti. Ingrid! Co here for a mont.""You called?""Ooh! Your movents are fast!!"
Well then, let's fulfill a promise in advance.
"Do you have a weapon?""Yes, right here.""Then, sorry, but could you fight him once? Don't hold back, use your full strength.""Understood. Lord Barbados, I, the unworthy Ingrid, shall be your opponent.""Umu! Ingrid also looks strong!!"
With acting as the referee, we moved to the center of the training grounds once more.
The spectator seats buzzed, wondering if it was a rematch. When they realized the opponent this ti was Ingrid, the buzz grew louder – a maid was fighting?
"I, Barbados Leon, swear to challenge you fair and square!!""I, Ingrid Grulere, swear upon my master's trust to fight fair and square."
And so, another duel began.
"I couldn't show it last ti, but I'll use it from the start this ti!!"
Unconcerned that Ingrid was holding a broom, what Barbados drew out was a *Fangtian Ji Halberd*.The weapon used by that famous general.
With both combatants assuming their stances, I judged they were ready.
"Begin!!"
I raised my hand and brought it down.
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