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Hah. I wonder if they have enough forces in their reserves.

––What an explosion! The Arts wrapped around our two competitors came into contact, causing a huge blast!

The first to appear from the smoke–– is the Blood Knight! The Blood Knight's been repelled! He's holding his axe in his other hand now–– not his dominant hand! Did his arm go numb from the impact?!

On the other side–– Margaret's supporting herself using her strange swordspear! Without a doubt, the Blood Knight came out on top in this last exchange––

Kuh...!

––The Blood Knight is charging again! Does the Radiant Knight have time to react?!

What...?!

Too bad, but I'm one step ahead of you.

Your movements... There's no way skills like that could've been tempered in this playground.

Who did you fight for during your time in exile? When facing an attack, your first instinct is not to evade and counterattack, but to withstand the blow.

A knight's duty is to defend, even if it means giving her life.

Is it now?

You are not the type to speak lightly of life and death. Show me then, just what life and death mean to you!

What a dazzling display of close-quarters combat––! After the Radiant Knight repelled the onslaught, the two seem to locked in a never-ending melee–– Wait, it's not that simple!

––A huge pool of blood is appearing beneath the two combatants' feet! It's the Blood Knight's trap!

(Minoan) Ashes to ashes, dust to dust. Exsanguination, to me.

The pool of blood seems to congeal into sticky silk strands, tangling themselves around Margaret's limbs.

The blood flowing through the pegasus's body resonates with its compatriot, causing a tingling pain.

––As if I'd let you!

What?! You severed the resonance with your Arts...?

–––Hraagh!

What a turn of events!! The Blood Knight was trying to control the Radiant Knight using his Arts, but was unexpectedly rebuked! With a hack and smash of the Radiant Knight's swordspear, her opponent has fallen to the ground!

This is the first time in the Major that the Blood Knight has been forced to his knees! I'm sure everyone heard that thunderous impact! Just how much damage did our defending champion take?!

You should have been able to easily take a blow like that.

The Blood Knight rises to his feet wordlessly and once again brandishes his massive axe, swinging it straight at his opponent's head.

(It's a sweeping strike–– but his swing is too erratic!)

A jolt of pain wracks his entire body, forcing the Blood Knight's axe to shift downward slightly.

Urgh—

What... incredible strength...

To him, this pain is both foreign and familiar.

It is unlike being burnt, cut, or frostburned. It is unlike any pain he has ever felt in the arena.

This pain comes from the depths of his body.

His disease.

A tipping point.

That last blow of yours... hit me hard.

How do you like this then?

Blood glistens and condenses into an amorphous ball of light.

Margaret has no time to weigh her options. She has to interrupt his Arts.

A glowing aura emerges from behind her.

This light, given form, is strong enough to melt all suffering.

Go get 'er, Blood Knight!

Stay away from him! Finish him off with your Arts, Margaret!

Knights really are popular, aren't they?

Everyone is in position.

My dear Monique, would you imagine how nice it would've been if we never formed the Armorless Union, but instead became knights?

How are things for Platinum?

I almost feel bad for her.

...Hmm.

The Armorless Union... is just you bunch?

Laugh all you want. Not like I can see your expression under that helmet anyway.

'Silverlance Pegasus,' huh. Are a few Armorless not good enough for you to sink your teeth into?

The leaders of the Union, and thirty of our members. And you only sent seven.

Are you saying that we don't stand a chance against just seven of you?

No...

Three of us will suffice.

It's a spear of light! Wait, no, that's the Blood Knight's axe–– it's covered with an aura of blood! But, the Radiant Knight dodged–– Wait, it's a feint! The Radiant Knight's swordspear–– Whew...

I... I have no words to describe what's going on right now! I've never seen such fierce fighting! I'm afraid even an instant replay wouldn't clear it up for us––

Jealous, Tytus?

The Blood Knight... is very powerful.

I thought... there weren't any Infected who could have such a commanding presence...

I never thought this city could cultivate an iron will like that.

Nearl always told me Kazimierz had forgotten the meaning of glory.

This city always gave me that impression. Grandstanding, superficial. Mired in an unfathomable depth of consumerism and commercialism.

But...

But the people living in this city, every person still fighting to survive... They are all driven on by the conviction in their hearts.

Nearl was right. That glory, those virtues... will never be forgotten.

Margaret––!

Huh? Isn't that...

Margaret––! You can do it!!

This is no ordinary match. Don't you think our cheering is a bit too ordinary?

It's the thought that counts. Not like Margaret can hear us with how big the crowd is.

Why don't we keep our eyes peeled for the Armorless Union instead? Even if the old bigwigs of the Adeptus Sprawiedliwi let us come, who knows if the Union is still hiding out there?

Margaret––!! Take him down!

Margaret––!

The audience's cheers were always only meant for their own ears.

Even if Margaret can't hear them, as long as she remembers that people are supporting her, she will not fall.

Does that mean she's...

A Nearl... Margaret's little sister, Maria.

Just as Margaret said, everyone eventually came together, right?

The aura of light grows stronger while the sheen of blood revels in chaos.

The two continue to clash without a single word.

...Uhh...

(Is the referee still keeping score? No? O-Okay then...)

Radiant Knight!

Hraaagh––!!

Splendid! You're the only one who could withstand this attack head-on!

Likewise... What kind of power is this...

The Blood Knight stands firm and lifts his axe.

Once the Blood Arts enveloping his weapon fades, the once-adamantine Minoan axe crumbles like dust.

Only half of the Radiant Knight's swordspear remains. Its shattered blade punctured the Blood Knight's helmet, revealing his determination-filled eyes.

Margaret's swordspear broke?! I went through so much effort to reinforce it!

The Blood Knight's strength is beyond doubt... but he's also lost his weapon!

Now both of them... are unarmed...

...Marvelous...

This is the first time... I've ever felt that the knight competitions... could bring real joy.

Oh?

I recall my hometown. Those white buildings surrounding that pristine, blue lake.

At the end of the road was a row of blue fences, with a pot of jasmine flowers placed there.

The rusty smell of blood.

The flowing heat of blood.