If one strike does not kill, then another will.
'Soru!'
Rin muttered as his muscles tensed. In a blur, he vanished from sight, reappearing on Kelly's right side before the brute could react.
"Die."
Rin's voice was cold, devoid of hesitation.
'Iai: Draw and Slash!'
With lightning-fast precision, Rin unsheathed his sword, the steel singing as it cut through the air. A single crescent-shaped slash materialized—too fast for the untrained eye to follow.
'Shlck!'
A sickening sound echoed through the arena.
A fountain of blood erupted from Kelly's torso.
Rin smoothly returned his blade to its sheath.
Kelly's face remained frozen in shock. A line of crimson trailed from the corner of his mouth as his body split in two, collapsing lifelessly onto the bloodstained floor.
A heavy silence filled the ring.
The referee felt a shiver crawl down his spine.
"This boy… he's terrifying!"
From the very beginning of the "Strongest Knight Tournament," Rin had displayed overwhelming strength, cutting through the competition like a seasoned veteran. Now, with only two moves, he had eliminated one of the tournament's most formidable fighters.
"No doubt about it. The winner of this year's tournament… will be him."
Meanwhile, on the other side of the ring, another battle raged on.
The fighter Rin had taken interest in Casa—was still engaged in combat. His fists, coated in a crude but effective layer of Armament Haki, crackled with raw power. Though his mastery was still lacking, the sheer force behind each punch was undeniable.
His opponent, visibly exhausted, was struggling to hold his ground.
It didn't take long.
"Ugh!"
With a battle cry, Casa drove his fist into the man's skull, sending him crashing into the floor. The impact left a deep crater in the stone surface, and his opponent lay motionless.
The match was over.
---
With that, the fourth round concluded.
After a brief ten-minute break, the fifth and final match commenced.
Rin and Casa now stood alone in the ring, staring each other down.
"You're strong," Casa admitted, his expression unreadable.
"You're not weak either," Rin replied with a small grin.
"But I can't win against you."
Casa's words carried no hesitation. He understood his limits. Though he had potential, he was simply not at Rin's level not yet. His body, still battered from his previous fights, wouldn't hold up against an opponent of Rin's caliber.
Besides, Casa had already achieved what he came for. There was no need to push further.
Before Rin could fully process what was happening, Casa calmly raised his hand.
"Referee, I surrender."
A wave of murmurs spread through the audience.
Even Rin was caught off guard.
Still, the decision had been made.
The referee quickly collected himself before announcing, "Casa has surrendered! The final results of the 'Strongest Knight Tournament' the champion is Rin Pandora! Casa takes second place!"
Rin blinked, then turned toward Casa with a questioning gaze.
"Can we talk later?" he asked.
"Of course."
Casa nodded without hesitation.
Though Rin was curious about Casa's reasons for surrendering, he knew better than to pry immediately. They would talk later.
For now, the two of them followed the referee to claim their rewards.
As the tournament champion, Rin was personally escorted by a soldier to the royal palace of Arthur Island.
"Come. The King himself will present your reward," the soldier stated respectfully.
"Alright. Lead the way."
Rin smiled, following the armored knight through the grand corridors of the palace.
Eventually, they arrived at a large, ornate door. The soldier knocked firmly.
"Your Majesty, the champion has arrived," he announced.
A deep, authoritative voice responded from within.
"Enter."
The doors creaked open.
Rin stepped inside, his gaze sweeping the room. Seated atop a grand throne was an elderly man with white hair and a thick beard, clad in luxurious royal garments and a golden crown. Surrounding him were several elite guards, their hands resting on their weapons as they watched Rin carefully.
The soldier who had escorted Rin immediately dropped to one knee in reverence.
But Rin?
He remained standing.
He wasn't a citizen of this kingdom, and he certainly wasn't about to kneel before any so-called king.
After all, in this world, kings were nothing compared to those who truly ruled the seas.
....
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