As the referee announced the start of the duel, the most anticipated battle of the tournant finally began.
The opponents, at Mountain Ireya and Earth Bear Galgon, were already at loggerheads due to past grievances even before the battle started, and this fight was not just about their own lives and honor.
It was also a contest between the gods they represented.
In many myths on the Bratis Continent, it was recorded that gods would argue over disagreents and even prepare to physically fight.
However, considering the catastrophic consequences a battle of gods might cause, the disputing parties ultimately accepted diation by the Divine King Diogenes and chose to select champions from the continent to fight on their behalf.
They agreed that the losing side would also have to accept all terms set by the other, which was known as a "God-Chosen Battle."
Strictly speaking, the battle between Ireya and Earth Bear was not the legendary God-Chosen Battle, but it was quite similar in nature.
Even the blessing ceremony before the battle was marked by both sides demonstrating miracles against each other.
Edward II, surprised, turned to Cornelia who had just sat beside him, "I didn’t know you could summon flas."
"I can’t," the Female Priest said, "The Life Goddess prevents us from being greedy by granting each person only one gift. I have received mine and am thankful for it."
Edward II was stunned but quickly understood, "The maid beside you... controlling flas is her bloodline ability."
Cornelia nodded her head.
"Yet Ireya has received several abilities from Saturday, thunder, flas, smoke bombs, not to ntion that tube in her hand that makes a loud noise and can injure people invisibly."
"Dueling isn’t about who has more abilities but who wins," the Female Priest said indifferently before noting that Prince Gars was not in the stands today and asked, "How is the investigation going about soone trying to get Ireya to withdraw from the tournant?"
"I had Duren investigate Clyde and found out about ten days ago he placed a huge bet at the casino, virtually wagering his entire fortune, about sixty or seventy thousand gold lions, and he even borrowed money."
"So, this was entirely Clyde’s own idea, and Gars has nothing to do with it?" Cornelia frowned.
"Although Gars has his minor issues, he is generally a good kid," Edward II said, "He knows I appreciate Ireya and would not do sothing foolish at this ti."
The Female Priest fell silent.
"What are you thinking about?" Edward II asked curiously.
"I want to et Clyde."
"Why are you so interested in this matter? Even if there are others behind Clyde, they are targeting Ireya, not your church."
"I have t Clyde before; he indeed loves money, but he’s not insane enough to bet everything he owns on one person, no matter how high Earth Bear’s odds are.
"Besides, most people are not optimistic about Ireya winning; he didn’t need to take that risk."
"I forgot to tell you one thing," Edward II’s face looked sowhat strange, "Clyde didn’t bet on Earth Bear."
"Hmm?"
"He spent all his money on a bet that a Foreign warrior called Cal would ultimately win, but that guy did make it to the quarterfinals. He turned out to be the biggest dark horse of this tournant."
"Investigate that Cal," Cornelia added. "I’m not focused on this because of Ireya, but because I suspect there’s a larger plot brewing behind the scenes."
Edward II responded with so skepticism, "After the Weiting family’s palace coup, I seized the opportunity to purge the Imperial Army, reducing the influence of the other eleven families in it.
"The command of the guard was also handed over to Essos, a smart man who has lost the nerve of his youth. He will remain loyal to those in power, and I don’t think there’s any danger left in the Royal Capital now.
"Once we begin our plan, I will also send the Royal Knight Order to the front lines and bring in a group of young people to properly train. By then, this city will be as secure as a fortress.
"Stop overthinking it, Cornelia. The tournant has already started, let’s both enjoy the duel between these two great warriors."
Just as Edward II spoke, the Earth Bear had already charged towards Ireya.
Miss Rabbit repeated an old trick, quickly taking a dueling pistol from her belt and aiming it at her opponent.
However, they were still quite far apart; it was difficult for Ireya to hit the gaps in Earth Bear’s armor.
So, the young girl waited for a mont until the Earth Bear had closed so distance, then she raised her gun and aid. Miss Rabbit could hear her own heart pounding.
She tried to clear her mind of all distractions, held her breath, and kept her arm steady as she pulled the trigger.
The next mont, the flint and fire scythe struck, igniting a spark that propelled the lead bullet out of the gun barrel!
Almost at the sa ti, the Earth Bear had also suddenly stopped and positioned his giant shield in front of himself.
Was this...a defensive stance triggered by the gunshot? No, that would be too late; it must an soone from the Life Church had ticulously analyzed her previous seven matches and figured out her shooting range.
Or even further, the Earth Bear might have directly read her intention to shoot and anticipated it in advance. If that was the case, it was quite terrifying.
However, Ireya didn’t have ti to think further and quickly drew her second gun, aiming once more at Earth Bear.
Without hesitation, she then ignited a smoke bomb and threw it behind the Earth Bear, but sothing unexpected happened just as the can was about to fly over Earth Bear’s head.
A great sword was raised high, slicing through the air, and imdiately the smoke bomb was split in two, with ping pong ball-sized pieces scattering everywhere.
Only a small part ignited, barely creating any smoke.
Ireya was stunned, but the Earth Bear took the opportunity to advance two more steps, his strides so large that one of his steps equaled one and a half of an ordinary man’s.
Realizing her situation, Ireya hastily ignited a second smoke bomb and, with no ti to throw it far, hurriedly dropped it right in front of her.
But the Earth Bear moved faster than she had anticipated, and his sword reached her before the smoke could spread.
The Lady’s body hair stood on end, and without worrying about how awkward it looked, she hurriedly rolled on the ground. The sword nearly grazed her body as it chopped past, and Ireya even heard the whistling of the blade by her ear!
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