Chapter 51: Wind, Poison, Sunlight, Water

A little before the battle between Toma and Lyra truly began, two figures hidden within the forest waited for their prey to arrive at the designated spot. Julia Deuce and Reyla Trey both understood each other’s abilities well. They had fought countless mock battles together, and more importantly, both served as monitors assigned to Shion.

For Reyla in particular, she felt closer to Julia than to her own twin sister, Lyra. Despite being identical twins, their personalities, abilities, and even the way they thought were completely different. Honestly, Reyla would have preferred to avoid dealing with Lyra altogether.

Even so, whenever Lyra caused trouble, Reyla still had to lecture her. If she did not, the blame would fall on her as family as well. They were not exactly on bad terms, but they certainly were not close either.

(Compared to that, Julia’s easy to understand. And she’s capable too.)

Because of work, the two had spent a long time together. That naturally led to casual conversations, and when they learned the truth behind the "Spear King," they had even locked themselves in a room together and screamed in rage.

They understood each other’s strengths, personalities, talents, and weaknesses completely. Within the Kingdom of Yaranli, Julia and Reyla were considered the duo capable of drawing out the greatest power when fighting together.

That was why this was not arrogance, but genuine confidence. As they watched Shion Ace and Swordria’s third fighter walking through the forest below them, they believed that a pair who had only spent two months together posed no threat.

"So, Julia? They still haven’t noticed us."

"The moment they enter range, shoot one of them. Preferably the leg."

"So we cripple one, forcing the other to defend them?"

"Exactly. A ridiculous order like this should be handled with as little exhaustion as possible. Though your sister doesn’t seem to understand that."

"If the tremors are reaching all the way here, then that battle should end soon enough. I can’t imagine anyone beating that monster."

They had no complaints about their current lives. Sure, they had to obey the orders of the insane "Spear King," but aside from that, they lived at the very top.

Almost everyone brought there had once lived at rock bottom. Nobody wanted to give up the peace and privileges they had finally obtained. More than anything, the thought of returning to that miserable life was unbearable. If protecting their place meant trampling others beneath them, then so be it.

That was why Shion needed to return.

If he did not fulfill his role as the sacrifice meant to become the next vessel for the "Spear King," then Julia or Reyla might be next.

From between the forest trees, Reyla Trey aimed the tip of her spear toward Hikari, confirming that the target still had not noticed them. Then she muttered quietly.

A small whisper — the mandatory trigger phrase for her magic.

"『Water Spear』."

The instant she spoke, compressed water burst from the spear tip with enough force to pierce straight through a human body. Her target was the leg. She intended to rob Hikari of mobility, force Shion into a defensive position, and turn Hikari into dead weight.

"Water Spear."

It was both her title and her absolute finishing technique. A magic spell that fired compressed water capable of piercing even metal from the tip of her spear. She could also sweep it across an area, but maintaining it continuously consumed magical energy, so Reyla usually used it for sniping instead. Against a human body, it would pierce effortlessly. And with a spear designed specifically to enhance water magic, both its speed and destructive force increased even further.

Their strategy itself was flawless. A sniper intentionally wounding rather than killing the enemy, then shooting the ally who moved to rescue them — it was an extremely effective tactic.

So the miscalculation was this—

"——There."

The target they aimed at, Hikari, was a monster overflowing with talent great enough to surpass even Toma, the "Sword King," in battle.

The instant the water magic was about to hit, she simply lifted her leg and dodged it.

Then she burst forward.

Using the forest trees as shields, she hid herself from sight and focused solely on closing the distance in a single rush.

"!! She dodged it!? And now she’s charging right at us!!! I can’t line up another shot in time!!!"

"Then fall back for now. Retreat to secured Point Two and intercept her there."

If one plan failed, they had contingencies prepared. The two knew better than to cling stubbornly to a single strategy, so they accepted the failure immediately and moved to execute the next-best option.

Their response was excellent. Even if imperfect, refusing to dwell on failure and instantly making calm decisions was proof of their talent as warriors.

"Yo. Come play with me."

"!?"

"Impossible—she’s too fast!?"

That is…

…if their opponent had been anyone else.

Weaving through the trees along the shortest possible route, Hikari burst forward and swung her sword at Reyla. Reyla barely managed to block the strike with her spear in time, yet several cuts were still carved across her body.

Grinding her teeth through the pain, Reyla forced Hikari back and created distance. Somehow, the offense and defense had already reversed. Worse, the one who had accomplished it was the same carefree-looking girl who had seemed completely defenseless moments earlier.

Shaken, yet no longer carrying even the slightest trace of carelessness, Reyla raised her spear again. Her stance resembled a sniper aiming down a rifle, holding the spear at eye level — a unique posture developed specifically to make using her magic easier.

While confirming that her partner was fully prepared, Julia swept her gaze across the surroundings. It looked empty, but when you never knew what might appear or from where, remaining ready for anything was essential.

Though honestly, she would have preferred if nothing happened at all.

Irregularities were annoying.

Yet the complete absence of anything only irritated Julia further, grinding on her nerves and souring her mood. She was unsettled enough that she ended up speaking to the enemy despite having no reason to.

"So where’s the other idiot?"

"Who exactly are you calling an idiot? As far as I know, the only idiot around here is our king."

"Even his own retainers make fun of him…? That man really is hopeless…"

"Hah?"

The reason people called Toma hopeless was admittedly his own fault, but even so, hearing some woman who barely knew him insult him caused Hikari’s voice to drop dangerously low.

But her voice had been too quiet. Julia failed to notice the reaction and continued scanning the surroundings.

Given the situation, her caution was natural. Considering the most effective tactic available to Shion’s side, vigilance was only obvious.

Still, that vigilance proved pointless when Shion himself appeared, having followed after Hikari.

Julia clicked her tongue softly.

No matter what happened, the Ace ranked first always refused to behave as expected. And as Deuce ranked second, Julia absolutely hated that. She hated that someone foolish enough to leave emotions unresolved — leaving openings because of it — still stood above her.

Even if it was Shion’s own choice, made to avoid being possessed by the mad "Spear King," Julia could not tolerate someone she considered inferior standing above her.

Was that simply her nature? Or the result of her upbringing and life experiences?

Even she likely did not know.

All that remained was pure resentment.

"It’s been a while, Julia. And it seems you took quite a painful counterattack, Reyla."

"Mind not casually saying my name after running away, idiot? We only had to do this pointless 'King’s War' because of you."

"If I lost, then I must bear the consequences. This 'King’s War' began so Saint Alicia could heal the weakened 'Spear King.' Considering her value, wagering both land and myself was only natural to balance the scales."

"You still don’t get it at all. I don’t care about your damn scales. Stop dragging me into your problems, you complete moron."

As Julia spat those words with open contempt, Shion sensed a faint discomfort while raising his spear.

His stance was textbook-perfect.

Combined with the deadly poison carried by her "Poison Spear," Julia was an extremely dangerous opponent. Even a single scratch could become fatal.

The only reason Toma had managed to win during the previous "King’s War" was because Carol had practically force-fed him a full-course meal of poisons every day, gradually building his resistance. The fact that such a miserable experience had ultimately become the best possible preparation had nearly made Toma bury his face in his hands.

"The ones truly inconvenienced are Swordria’s people. They were forced into an unnecessary battle. They’re the real victims."

"I said I don’t care. I only think about myself. I don’t have the luxury to worry about anyone else. Logic, justice, who’s right or wrong — none of that matters. I refuse to ever become the oppressed side again."

Muttering that, Julia suddenly produced a second spear from nowhere, holding one in each hand.

Unlike Lyra’s careless style.

Unlike Reyla’s stance specialized around her magic.

Julia’s fighting style embodied one simple belief:

More attacks meant greater strength.

(She brought out the hidden second spear immediately… so she’s serious from the start. No… she understands that hiding it gives no advantage against me.)

They had grown up in the same country and sharpened each other as rivals. They both knew each other’s magic and abilities intimately. Even knowing the truth about the "Spear King" and the truth about his mother, Shion still believed either of them could have surpassed him.

He knew they intended to sacrifice him.

And part of him understood why.

If he had stood in their position, perhaps he would have done the same.

Even so—

He refused to disappear before finding his own answers.

Before even understanding himself.

"Julia. I will defeat you. That is the role I have assigned myself."

"If you can, then try. I’ll break all four of your limbs and drag you back. I need that for me to remain myself."

At this point, words were meaningless.

Neither side intended to persuade the other.

Once the spear was drawn, the only thing left was piercing the enemy.

That way of life had been hammered deep into their very bones.

The air tightened with tension.

Like a balloon ready to burst from the slightest touch, the moment someone moved, all conversation would end and a deadly battle would begin.

Neither side could afford restraint.

Because both knew they could not win otherwise.

"Just a little longer… Hurry… kill the fake… my…"

Completely unaware that someone unseen was watching them all—

The curtain finally rose on the battle.