""Ehh??!"" ［Grey and Yuna］

  A pair of loud excims echoed throughout the crowd, two figures filled with shod surprise, their eyes locked at the Azure Sword Emperor, mouths wide open in agape. The tter who was still smiling ever shtly.

  Well, it wasn't just them, everyone else, even the members of the Imperial Family were also quite surprised by his proposition. They have always known their aor was the reserved type. They didn't think he would be the oo extend the invitation.

  "Your Majesty, you must be joking, right?" ［Grey］

  "Hahaha, is that how it seems? I'm not as reserved as people think I am. Have you fotten? Though it was already in the past, I was also an adventurer. It is a part of me to seek out and fight strong oppos." ［Richter］

  Reasoned Richter, everyo ihought soon after. It wasn't like no one could uand what he meant. Them, as knights and advehemselves, they knew full well the feeling of wanting to challerong oppos.

  The problem here was the gap in power betweewo parties. By bat power alone, Richter was more than a dozen times strohan Grey and over 70 times strohan Yuna. It was simply too overwhelming.

  Even if Grey and Yuo team up and sidering the Divine-Grade equipment on them, winning would still be quite difficult, ces close to impossible. Even with the familiars, their ces would only improve slightly.

  "So, what do you think Lordー No, Adventurers Grey and Yuna?" ［Richter］

  Yet despite how unfavorable the fight was towards them, Grey and Yuna couldn't just dee Richter's offer. Instead, the adventurer blood ihem started to boil with excitement, smiles soon blooming on their faces.

  "What do you think, Yuna?" ［Grey］

  "Fufufu! Is there even a o ask? Let's do it!" ［Yuna］

  "Alright... t the challenge, Your Majesty." ［Grey］

  "Hahaha. I'm looking forward to our duel, Lrey, Lady Yuna." ［Richter］

  There was o think too much, both parties agreeing on the duel. Before long, their request for duel was haowards the facilitators, the tter's eyes popping out of their sockets as soon as they saould be dueling.

  Though they tried to tain it to themselves, the rumors still spread like wildfire after an actal slip of the tongue. People soon gathered from all over the pce, faces full of curiosity aement as soon as they heard the news.

  "Oh, dear... It seems that we've caused quite the otion..." ［Richter］

  Or so he says, but such words were but a mere uatement. Even theher of the three really paid much attention to it. They'll only be staying in Erdea for a short while. They wao go all out at least once.

  Time passed some more, and after a couple more duels, it was finally time for their match. They the up the stage, all eyes on them as they went to their respective sides, itg to engage in battle as soon as possible.

  "Ladies alemen! The ued moment we've been waiting for!... On the left side we have the Azure Sword Emperor, His Imperial Majesty, Emperor Richter!!"

  The Azure Sword Emperor's name rang in the air and a loud uproar followed soon after, people exg in disbelief aement as they witnessed a legendary figure stand before them.

  "And on the opposing side, we have the superstar adventurers! The Heroes of Alfrioheir Venerable Highnesses, Archduke Grey and Archduchess Yuna!!"

  The announcer cried out once more, a much louder cheer following suit. They weren't as popur as the former, but their names have spread all throughout the ti as heroes of three tries. Everyone was excited to see the fabled heroes perform.

  "Without further ado...! Let the duel begin...!!"

  ?? ?? ??Barrier!!?? ?? ??

  The annouarted the match, but rather than trading blows, three resonating voices rang out in the air, aremely high level, multiyer barrier erected throughout the whole stage, extending towards the blue sky above them.

  As soon as the barriers were erected, a fierce storm of mana brewed all over the pce, Yuna disappearing from everyone's view before they even noticed it, only leaving a mirage of where she used to be.

  G

  The first csh rang in the air, a pair of daggers appearing all of the sudden, g against Richter's trusty sword. And as light sparks flew towards all dires, Grey followed suit after Yuna, charging towards the oppo before them.

  Though, Richter didn't just let them do as they please. He brandished his longsword, creating a rge wave of mana rushing trey's dire. At the same time, he also struck Yuna, shockwaves rupturing the air as his punch bolted towards her.

  "Hm?" ［Richter］

  Yet despite how fast he was, his punch simply passed through towards Yuna, her figure vanishing soon after. Meanwhile, Grey faced Richter's attack head on, blog it with his shield as she tio rush towards the tter.

  He took quite a bit of damage, but if he wanted his pn to work, he o e least that much. His body trembled from the impact, but there was not a speck of hesitation in his eyes, a smile soon appearing on his face.

  ??Lashing Gale!?? ［Grey］

  There was n. As soon as he was in range, Grey suddenly unched a rush of deathly s, bolting towards Richter at breakneck speeds. s which broke oer another as the tter crushed them with his sword.

  Yuna didn't simply let the ce slip by. As Richter reoccupied with Grey's barrage of s, she once again creeped out towards him. A teique worthy of her niame as the "Phantom".

  ??Death's Grasp!?? ［Yuna］

  Yuna's daggers came from the depths of hell, rushing towards Richter once again. Unfortunately for her, it was a futile effort. With how wide the gap between them was, Richter easily evaded her attack, tering her with a bolt of lightning from above.

  The lightning was fast, however, it wasn't fast enough. Before it could even reach the young dy, its target had already vanished once again, soon appearing oher side, daggers pointing towards him once more.

  "Quite the persistent one, aren't you, Lady Yuna?" ［Richter］

  "Fufufu! That's just how I am, Your Majesty... Though, please five me in advahis is going to hurt quite a bit." ［Yuna］

  "Hahaha, how fidー !!!" ［Richter］

  Richter tried to strike Yuna once again, but before he could reach out his hands, an ill premonition loomed over him. He then pletely ignored her, and looked up, soon moving away from his spot for the first time sihe match started.

  As soon as he did, bdes of mana came raining down, carving rge scars oiles oage, the figure of a young dy appearing soon after. The very same figure which also appeared behind him, once again pointing her daggers as Grey's s dated towards his dire.

  ??Sword Dance?? ［Richter］

  There was o panic. As soon as Richter realized the predit he was ihen started brandishing his sword in all dires, dang with grad beauty as he basked uhe sunlight. Not a siack passed through his bded wall.

  "I didn't think you'd be profit in illusion magic as well." ［Richter］

  "The more cards we have, the better, after all." ［Grey］

  It was no exaggeration. All of the Yunas which rushed towards him were but mere illusions, the young elf hiding in the shadows. Every time she unched an attack, she would thee an illusion of herself and vanish from thin air,

  And that's not all. They have also been using illusion magic to share Grey's vision, using both "Heaven's Eye" and "Eyes of Destiny" at the same time, using the abilities to know when to attad when to flee.

  Their teamwork erfect. So perfect, in fact, that before Richter even noticed it, Yuna had already used "Phaseless" and passed through his wall of bdes, ptinum daggers pointing towards him like the fangs of a starving tiger.

  Yuna couldn't hit things when she's using "Phaseless", but it was enough to make Richter wary, once again moving away from his spot towards where Grey was already lying in wait. A pair of sinister smiles soon appeared on both their faces.

  ??Hell's Invitation!?? ［Grey］

  The stage quake and darkness swallowed the unsuspeg emperor. Darkness which g onto him like damned leeches, seeping away his strength with the passing of time. The pn was a success.

  "What a potent curse, however, this would also quickly drain your mana, Lrey. You're ag reckless once again." ［Richter］

  "Worry not, Your Majesty. I just happen to have the solution for that." ［Grey］

  Said Grey, a dark smile painted on his face. It was a smile which let Richter know he had messed up, and big time at that. He only had his carelesso bme for not going all out at the very start.

  "I see... Then, I shall get serious then..." ［Richter］

  The atmosphere throughout the stage suddenly ged in an instant. As Richter's words drifted along the wind, two simir-looking figures suddenly appeared out of thin air. However, unlike Yuna's illusion, they were es which packed the same power as the inal.

  At the same time, dozens of swords also appeared all over the pce, floating midair and ready to strike at Richter's and. Swords which were covered with dragon-shaped lightning whose roars could even rock the heavens.

  "E-Eh?! What just happened?!" ［Violet］

  "I 't believe it... To think I would witness it again after so many years... Great Great Grandfather is getting serious..." ［Reinhardt］

  "Triple" which creates two es of himself, "Coiling Dragons" which turns his azure

  lightning into fierce, living dragons, and "Phantom Swords" which allows him to create and trol dozens of swords.

  He may have been weakened by Grey's powerful curse, but the battle only got more dangerous for the two of them. They could only smile bitterly as they watched the Azure Sword Emperor unleash his full power.

  "I apologize for the wait. Shall we proceed?" ［Richter］

  It was all too sudden. As soon as his words echoed in the air, he suddenly bolted towards three different dires, wielding an array of swords and dragons with him. It wasn't even a fight anymore. It was already bullying.

  Towards his merciless assault, Yuna could only remain in her "Phaseless" mode, not wanting to get hit as it would spell her doom. She tried to find an opening, but it was futile. All angles were covered by the swords and dragons.

  Meanwhile, on Grey's side, it was even more difficult. Not just one, but two were attag him at the same time, not letting him rest. He could only defend with his shield, relying on its ability to boost his defeo shelter himself from the assault.

  Still, even with all the boosts, he could barely withstand Richter's barrage of attacks. Each heavy strike which ected to him dealt internal damage towards him, a little bit of blood spilling from his lips.

  "Oh? You still withstand this, Lrey?" ［Richter］

  "Hahaha. I've had it worse, Your Majesty." ［Grey］

  Fortunately, it wasn't just Richter who possessed such broken abilities. As he was driven into a er, Grey activated his "Bellowing Heavens", letting the surroundings scream as tless little shockwaves ran rampant all over the pce.

  It could barely damage Richter, but it was more than enough to deflect the swords and dragons ing his way. At the same time, it also created an opening from the initial surprise it gave to Richter.

  In that little time window he bought himself, Grey abruptly activated both Authorities, tripling his strength at the cost of rapid mana exhaustiohen ched his fist, readying for an attack at point-bnk range.

  ??Judgement: Excalibur!?? ［Grey］

  Putting his all into it, Grey bsted a punch towards Richter and rushed at breakneck speeds towards his chest. It unch which could easily destroy mountains as if they were but brittle gss, ear-deafening roars reverberating in the air.

  "You o try harder thanー !!!" ［Richter］

  BOOM BOOM BOOM

  Albeit sloppily, Grey's punch still ected towards Richter, heavy eching soon after. Though Richter mao defend against ohe proceeding attacks caught him off guard and cracked open his defense.

  It wasn't just a ce. It was Grey's "Spectral Echoes" which have improved ever sinow, not just once, but it repeats Grey's successful hits twice, making it seem he hree attacks at the same time.

  Yuna, now! ［Grey］

  Un! ［Yuna］

  There was no time to waste. As Richter was bsted towards the air, Yuna used the opportunity to charge towards him. One of the es tried to chase after her, but he was quickly halted by Grey, keeping both es preoccupied.

  ??Thousand Bleeding Streams!?? ［Yuna］

  ??Guard!?? ［Richter］

  Still in a state of shock, Richter could only ce his body with a barrier as he tried to endure Yuna's attack. tless bdes of mana rushed towards him, pain c through his body, only a few tiny wounds appearing as soon as the attacks finished.

  But such tiny wounds were all she needed. With the Divine Dagger's "Bleeding Edge", each wound she infliot only would be aggravated, but her strength would also be increased temporarily. The more she sshed, the stronger she became.

  Now, the tide of the battle has started to waver. With Yuna ung attacks left and right, creating small yet effective wounds, she gathered more and more strength, slowly closing the massive gap between her and Richter, vanishing just as the tter was about to terattack.

  "Not so fast! ??Northern Wind: Boreas??!" ［Grey］

  Some swords and dragons tried to head towards Yuna, but they were all held back by Grey's torrent of spears, not letting even a single one pass through. He o hold them back as long as he could to make sure Yus powerful enough.

  "Don't get distracted now, Lrey." ［Richter］

  "Kugh...!" ［Grey］

  Of course, he also o do so whilst keeping the es at bay. Thankfully, he had his "Multitask" with him, casting recovery spells at the most crucial moments without fail. An endless cycle of pain and recovery.

  ??Winter Gale's Parade!?? ［Yuna］

  ??Blue Judge!?? ［Richter］

  Richter increased their distance, and so, Yuna shot out several ice spears towards his dire. But they couldn't eve near him, when suddenly, a massive bolt of lightning fell from the sky, eliminating all of them in an instant.

  Even when Yuna already activated her Authorities, her strength was still far below from Richter's, only able to chip away at him slowly but surely, all while keeping in mind that each attack from him could put her in grave danger.

  Still, Yuna didn't lose hope. As soon as the lightning bolt vanished, she then covered the distaween them, rushing in with her daggers ready to strike. She was now about as powerful as Grey, not needing to hesitate as much as before.

  She sshed, she stabbed, she dodged, and she casted spells oer another. As frost devoured the stage whole, Richter's lightning dragons also id waste to all there was to see, painting the whole pce blue.

  ??Pinpoint Tempest: Deathpierce!?? ［Grey］

  Meanwhile, Grey also fought with his life on the lihough his body was already ag with so much paiill tio wave his fists, also using both s and the shield to expand his choices. An odd bination which made it hard for Richter to predict his move.

  ?? ??Deathly Chariot!?? ?? ［Richter］

  And just whehought things couldn't get any worse, two azure bdes of mana were released from the Azure Sword Emperor's bdes, bolting towards his dire. It was then that Grey saw the worst future there was, one he couldn't ge.

  Though one of the bdes was really rushing towards him, the other was actually aiming for Yuna. She also foresaw the same future. The very moment she uses "Phaseless", it would be the end of the match.

  Oher hand, she couldn't also just take oack. Though her strength had increased, her defenses remaihe same. To top it all off, she doesn't have the same defensive buff Grey had because of the Divine Shield. Such a dilemma.

  Yuna, just do it! ［Grey］

  Relut as she was, Yuna quickly activated "Phaseless", ahe attack pass through her. However, the moment she did, Richter then headed towards where Grey was and aided the es in taking him down.

  Yuna tried to help, but she was blocked off by the swords and dragons. She tried using "Phaseless" to pass through them but even if she did, she couldn't find an opening to assist Grey. Instead, she'll just bee a burden.

  Even if she did use "Physical cealment" and "Presence cealment", Grey still wouldn't be able to escape Richter's tight grasp. The tide of the duel has pletely turned once again.

  ??Western Wind: Zephyrus!?? ［Grey］

  ?? ?? ??Blood Rain!?? ?? ?? ［Richter］

  Grey tried to fight back, but with three people ganging up on him, there was barely anytime to breathe. Even with "Eyes of Destiny", he only mao dodge by a hair's breadth, narrowly esg defeat.

  ??Winter Gale's Parade!?? ［Yuna］

  Yuna also tried to help from the outside but before her attacks could even reach, they were quickly intercepted by the swords and dragons. There was nothing she could do but watch her beloved struggle under immense pressure.

  It ointless struggle. The more time passed, the more damage Grey incurred, his guard breaking down even when he used the stage to create walls for him. They still have yet to surrender, but the oute of the match was already decided.

  In the first pce, they only got so far because Richter let his guard down in the beginning and that there were a couple of restris. If they were in a real battle and Richter used his Authorities as well, things would have already been over long ago. Such was the bitter reality.

  "Grey!!" ［Yuna］

  Before long, Grey's guard was finally broken, the Divine Shield deflected away from him. He tried to cross his arms and defend but Richter's all out assault was simply too much for him to ha his current state.

  "This is the end... ?? ?? ??Blue Judgeー !!!" ［Richter］

  RING RING DING DING

  Richter was about to nd his final strike, but before he could even do so, the timer already beat him to the punch, stopping him midway as bitter smiles appeared on Grey and Yuna's faces.

  "Whoooh! That was an amazing match!!"

  "As expected of the Azure Sword Emperor! He really is the stro!"

  "Hey, the Heroes are also amazing! They could even stand up to the Emperor!"

  Loud cheers followed soon after the bell rang. Though the people's eyes didn't quite catch how the battle unfolded, they could see glimpses of it, all the while experieng the fierce atmosphere which brooded all over them.

  They were all filled with excitement and admiration as they cheered and sang praises for everyone oage. Now, their reputation soared even higher than the clouds, people uo stop talking about them.

  "So it's a draw, huh... How unfortunate... Should we tinue for a couple more minutes, Lrey?" ［Richter］

  "Hahaha. Sorry, Your Majesty, but I don't think I fight any longer..." ［Grey］

  "Grey...!" ［Yuna］

  The pressure now over and tension leaving his body, Grey could finally release all the abilities he was using and feel all the pain c throughout his whole body, it was so painful, he couldn't even begin to describe it.

  Thankfully, Richter was there to catch him when he was just about to fall. Soon, Yuna rushed towards his side and casted recovery spells as quickly as he could with aremely worried expression painted on her beautiful face,

  "That was a good match, Lrey, Lady Yuna." ［Richter］

  "Hahaha. Thank you, Your Majesty." ［Grey］

  It was a tough battle, tless difficulties within just ten minutes. However, despite all the hardships they had to ehere were only smiles of satisfa on Grey and Yuna's faces. The duel was a lot of fun.

  "Should we have another matetime?" ［Richter］

  "That... I don't think we yet, Your Majesty..." ［Grey］

  "Un... Our bodies are still hurting..." ［Yuna］

  Well, no matter how fun it was, there were still limits ohings they could do. If they were to simply tinue like mindless idiots, their bodies would be the oo suffer from their recklessness. It was best to take things in moderation.

  And so, with the color of the sky slowly turning amber and the crowd dissipating oer another, it tio unfold and everyone tinued expl around after a bit of rest. Before long, night finally came and the first day of the festival was over. A day unlike any other.

  CHAPTER 288 END