Chapter 163: Chapter 117: The Outcome is Decided?

"Nine!"

Zhan Jiale looked at the organizer-provided Alchemy Long Saber in Baron’s hand, then at the hand gripping it.

"Why aren’t you using those strange Alchemy Circuits of yours? Are you looking down on me?"

"Eight!"

Baron: "You haven’t used Assimilation, so I see no need to use my Alchemy Circuits. That’s what’s fair." 𝑓𝑟ℯ𝘦𝓌𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝑐ℴ𝓂

"Seven!"

"Fair?" Zhan Jiale shook his head and sighed. "There’s no such thing as absolute fairness in this world."

’You’re totally the type of guy from my past life who would post emo nonsense on his feed in the middle of the night while listening to sad indie music and crying quietly,’ Baron complained internally.

"Six!"

"I will defeat you. The one I love, those who love me, and all my friends are behind me, supporting me." Zhan Jiale glanced at Remedios in the stands and gave a faint smile.

’Bro, the way you’re talking, you’re making me sound like the Demon King about to get smited by a Hero yelling about the power of love and friendship,’ Baron thought.

"Five!"

Maguire shouted from the stands, "Screw you! As if you’re the only one with friends!"

"Four!"

"Are you sure you won’t activate your Alchemy Circuits? Regret is often born from one’s own arrogance," Zhan Jiale said.

’Can you just shut the fuck up?’ Baron had never been so irritated with someone. ’Is he really trying to pull this melodramatic act in front of *me*? I’m the guy who, after tripping while jogging, would mutter to myself, "Still not used to this body, huh?" He’s a rank amateur at this stuff.’

"Three!"

Baron sighed. "I hope you’ll understand roosters in a moment."

"Understand roosters?" Brother Sorrowful Zhan Jiale frowned.

"Two!"

Baron’s lips curled into a smirk. "Get ready to scream."

There was no response.

The joke probably fell a little flat.

At the same time, the countdown, carried by the deafening roar of the crowd, reached—"One!"

The moment the countdown ended, the two fighters on the field transformed into streaks of light.

Those at the edge of the arena only heard a loud BOOM as the long spear and the Long Saber clashed, the resulting shockwave reaching them even before the wind.

Maguire’s eyes were wide, trying to catch every detail, but both fighters moved so fast that all he could see were blurred afterimages created by their sheer speed.

Even with [Hunter’s Eye] activated, he could barely keep up. And though their sword and spear had crossed dozens of times, there were only a few crisp, overlapping chimes, a testament to how terrifying the battle between the two was.

Why had L suddenly gotten so strong? Maguire was stunned.

Back in Mundra, when the three of them had fought Savi, Zod had said while healing that Baron’s fighting style relied entirely on his combat instincts.

But since they had parted ways in Mundra, seeing him again was more than just looking at him in a new light—it was enough to make Maguire’s eyes pop out of his head.

Zod took a sip of his drink. "Maybe he was just hiding his true strength before."

BANG!

The spear was pinned to the ground by the saber.

Baron seized the opportunity, lunging forward and driving his elbow toward Brother Sorrowful Zhan Jiale’s chest.

Brother Sorrowful quickly recovered, pulling his spear back to block the elbow strike with the shaft, while simultaneously driving his knee toward Baron’s stomach.

However, he was forced to pull back when Baron lifted his saber and turned the blade to face the incoming knee.

Baron pressed his advantage, sweeping his saber upward. Unable to dodge in time, Brother Sorrowful could only parry with his spear.

The saber and spear vibrated from the impact, and Brother Sorrowful staggered back several steps from the force.

"An extremely brilliant response!"

Having witnessed this from the stands, Stephen exclaimed in admiration as he looked at Viscount Yarilan.

"Viscount Yarilan, I’m looking forward more and more to having L join the Steel City Hunter Association to assist Chairman Liuxia."

Viscount Yarilan pursed her lips and said, "I’m sure that for L, being able to assist Chairman Liuxia would be the best possible outcome."

Stephen smiled, his words holding a deeper meaning. "Viscount Yarilan, there is no need to worry. As long as the Rose Commerce Association is willing to provide the funds for the sea voyage and corresponding support after Chairman Liuxia becomes an Elector, I guarantee Chairman Liuxia will honor their promise."

Viscount Yarilan nodded. "Thank you for your consideration, Mr. Stephen."

Her cold and elegant expression remained unchanged, but inwardly, she breathed a sigh of relief as she looked up at Baron on the stage.

’Even if this feels a bit like I’m using L, for the survival of the Rose Commerce Association and for my lady... it can’t be helped.’

’After all, only Liuxia of Gillian could stop the Knight King, who controls the entire Amel Duchy and has already initiated the Amel Imperial Selection Ceremony to become a Candidate for Emperor.’

On the stage, Brother Sorrowful had been knocked back several steps by Baron’s heavy blow. He finally steadied himself, holding his spear horizontally and dragging the tip across the ground to create a long scar, bleeding off the momentum.

Brother Sorrowful: "Very good. I must admit, you truly have the strength to contend with Gawain."

’Are you guys from the Glorious Knight Order the United Nations or something? Always "admitting" this and "recognizing" that.’

Baron felt like he was turning into a permanent straight man whenever he faced Brother Sorrowful Zhan Jiale.

"Since this is the final match of the final day, then at this moment—when flowers are fated to wither, dreams to shatter, and tears to fall—going all out is the only way to show you true respect."

These words, amplified by the announcer’s microphone, echoed throughout the entire Hunting Competition arena.

The crowd who heard this: "..."

Lewis and Victor: "..."

Stephen and Viscount Yarilan: "..."

Remedios facepalmed under the stare of her friend, Miss Triss. "That’s just Tristan for you."

’Bro, you’re so edgy you could be a character from "Dream of Weeping Wounds,"’ Baron thought.

But he didn’t let his guard down. As Brother Sorrowful spoke, a thick white steam began to rise from his entire body, and his exposed skin started turning crimson.

THUMP!

A powerful impact resounded from within his chest!

Then, like the beat of a drum, it was broadcast through the announcer’s microphone to the entire arena.

THUMP! THUMP! THUMP...

Baron tightened his grip on his saber. ’That sounds like... a heartbeat...’