Chapter 401

Arriving at the third arena, It looked more like a dojo rather than a colosseum .

It seems like it takes quite a while to gather ten stamps for the challenge, and there were still no other challengers in sight yet .

Walking into the quiet arena with Anima, I looked at the person sitting on a seiza in the middle of the area .

She was sitting down, so I couldn’t see her clearly, but she looked to be about two meters tall . It was a blue-haired woman wearing clothes similar to a kimono .

[……I’m glad you’ve come, Miyama-dono . ]

Quietly speaking in a voice that held a hint of coldness, it felt like she was the exact opposite of King from the previous arena .

The woman slowly stood up and turned to me and Anima .

[My name is Epsilon…… I am known as Epsilon of the “Absolute Ice” . A pleasure to make your acquaintance . ]

[Ah, I’m Miyama Kaito . This is my proxy, Anima . ]

[Fumu, I understand . I’m not one for small talk . Let’s just go straight to the main point . Anima-dono, touch this . ]

Saying that, Epsilon-san took out the same crystal ball that I had seen at Bacchus-san’s arena .

Stepping in front of me, Anima touched the crystal ball .

[……Fumu, you have a power level of “800,000” huh…… That’s quite something . I’d say you’re around a viscount-level huh . ]

A- Anima’s strong! Errr, compared to the me whose power level is “3”…… Anima is 200,000 stronger…… Well, there are also those unreasonably strong people in the world that can break that crystal ball……

[Well then, let’s establish the rules . If you can hit me with even a single strike, you win . As a handicap, I will not use one of my arms and legs, not will I make use of magic in my attacks . I will be warning you though, that I will still make use of magic to defend myself . Also, my movements will be restricted but…… Since I have no intention of moving from this spot, that rule doesn’t really matter . ]

[……………… . . ]

Anima quietly listened to what Epsilon-san was saying . It seems that she will have a considerable handicap, but she doesn’t seem to have any complaints about it .

After Anima finished listening to Epsilon-san’s explanation, she came to me once and muttered .

[……I’m not a fool . Let alone the small forest I used to live in, I understand that there are a lot of people who are stronger than me in this world . She’s also far more superior to me…… I really hate myself for being so weak . ]

[You don’t have to be so down on yourself . You’re one of the paltry few who have reached such strength in the world . ]

In many ways, she is the opposite of Kong-san . Not making fun of Anima for being weaker than her, Epsilon-san took out a naginata from out of nowhere and held it in one hand .

[Master, I will be off . I’ll definitely bring you victory……]

[Anima, do your best…… However, don’t push yourself too much, okay……?]

[Hahh!]

Filled with determination, Anima faced Epsilon-san with both of her hands held up . Then, after making sure that I had moved out of the way…… The battle has begun .

To be honest, I may have underestimated the War King’s Five Generals in a corner of my mind .

The two battles so far have ended in overwhelming victories because one of them fought Pandora-san, the strongest of the Count ranks, and Eden-san, one of the strongest beings in the world . I thought I had clearly understood how strong the Generals are…… but seeing the sight in front of me astonished me .

[……Guhh…… Hahhh…… Hahhh……]

Epsilon-san, who hadn’t moved an inch from his starting point, stands in front of the heavily breathing Anima, who was down on one knee . The difference in ability between them is so obvious that I can see it with my own eyes…… And she was being overwhelmed .

No matter how many attacks Anima made, Epsilon was able to handle them all with the naginata she’s holding in just one hand .

She had said she could use magic to defend herself, but Epsilon-san had never used any magic so far . Perhaps, the difference in skill and magic power between them is just too great, as every time Anima lunges at her, she is flung away and tumbled on the ground .

Viscount and Count…… There seems to be just one level difference between them, but it seems like there’s so much difference between their strengths……

[Anima! Stop it already……]

[I- I’m alright! I can still……]

Epsilon-san did not attack Anima . Even so, it can be said that Anima was already in tatters .

She was flung away and sent crashing to the ground…… This was repeated over and over again, and blood is already flowing down her mouth .

Honestly, rather than winning or losing, I just couldn’t stand to see Anima get hurt anymore, so I tried to tell her to stop and that it’s fine to lose, but her strong voice interrupted me .

While Anima told me such, Epsilon-san spoke to her with an expression as cold as ice .

[……Going any further is futile . I am already fully aware of your abilities . You are too young, too inexperienced…… In which case, your blade won’t reach me at all . ]

[Guhh……]

[I’ve been holding back all this time . Even so, damage would still accumulate in your body, wouldn’t it? In fact, it may already be difficult for you to stand now……]

[………………… . . ]

At Epsilon-san’s words, Anima hung her head in frustration . Perhaps acknowledging her movement as acceptance of defeat, Epsilon-san quietly lowered her naginata .

But immediately after, a quiet, yet strong-willed voice was heard .

[……All my days have just been spent stealing, killing and eating……]

[………………]

Epsilon-san, who was about to turn her back away from her, stopped moving at her words and turned her gaze to Anima .

[……One day, I fought “a lone human” . Compared to myself, his body was extremely fragile . He had no claws nor fangs, and yet, he challenged me with his weak and fragile body alone . ]

[……Anima . ]

I don’t even have to think about who those words are referring to . She was talking about the time I encountered Anima and fought .

[Protecting someone on his back, there was a strong light in the eyes of this human, even though he was challenging someone much more powerful than him…… Seeing those eyes, I thought that they were strong . That I couldn’t defeat them…… And those eyes…… is something I yearn…… from the bottom of my heart!]

[…………………… . ]

[I am weak . Even when I serve the person I admire, all that stands out is my weakness . There are many people stronger than me, and many more people smarter than me . And yet! Master told me that I was needed!]

With those words, Anima put all of her strength on her body to stand up and raised her arms at ready again .

[To serve Master, to pave the way for Master’s path…… That’s something I’m proud of! That’s why, there’s no way I will ever give up!!!]

[……Houu . ]

[I hate to say it, but I’m not that smart of a fighter…… but if I can’t reach you now! I will just keep trying until I do!]

With an unyielding will, Anima took a step forward . Looking at her, Epsilon-san exclaimed in admiration…… but she didn’t raise her stance .

A few moments later, Epsilon-san made the naginata in her hand disappear .

[Well done…… You won . I’ll give you a stamp . ]

[……Huh?]

The words Epsilon-san suddenly said seems to have caught Anima off guard .

I guess that should be obvious . The atmosphere they had just now feels like this is just where the battle begins…… What the heck is going on?

[W- What are you talking about!? I can still……]

[……The next attack of yours will reach me . That is something I’m sure of . ]

[Wha!?]

[There’s no doubt that your next attack will hit me . But it will be an “attack at the risk of your life”…… I don’t think Miyama-dono would want you to be seriously injured . I am not confident that I can handle that blow without hurting you . This is just simply…… because I’m not capable enough . ]

A- Anyway, does that mean the battle is over? In that case……

[Anima!]

I immediately ran over to the stunned Anima and took out as much of Fruits of the World Tree as I could from my magic box .

[Anima, we need to treat your injuries!]

[Eh? M- Master!? I- I’m just slightly injured……]

[Just eat it!!!]

[Y- Yes!?]

Overwhelmed by my menacing look, Anima hurriedly ate one of the Fruits of the World Tree . seeing that the small wounds here and there were healing, I breathed out a sigh of relief .

Then, as I was checking Anima again and again to see if she still had any other injuries, a faint smile appeared on Epsilon-san’s lips .

It seems like your master cares about you very much…… What a lucky woman you are . ]

[……Uuuuu, aauuu……]

[Now then, Miyama-dono . Your stamp card . ]

[Ah, yes . ]

With Epsilon-san prompting, I took out my card and a stamp was placed on it .

When it was done, Epsilon-san turned to Anima, who was looking down with her face blushing red, and quietly spoke .

[……If you aren’t satisfied with the outcome of this battle, “let’s have a rematch in a thousand years” . You are young and full of talent . A thousand years from now, I think we should be able to fight each other evenly without me having to give you any handicap . ]

[……I understand . Epsilon-san, I will challenge you again in a thousand years . ]

[……I will be looking forward to it, future warrior . ]

Saying that, Epsilon-san bowed to me once and then went back to the center of the arena, where she sat on a seiza and closed her eyes, just as how she had been when we first entered this place .

How should I say this…… She’s a cool one . Unnn, totally different from Kong-san .

Dear Mom, Dad————- While Anima was fighting, I thought about how I’ve always been helped with all these battles . Eden-san, Pandora-san, Anima…… Leaving everything to the proxies, and then facing Megiddo-san like that…… Would something like that really be alright? Even though her body was in tatters, Anima still did her best . Then, I should also do the same…… Even if it’s at least once————- I think I should also fight .