The Tournament Begins (Part One)

After announcing the start of the martial arts demonstration, Sordil automatically retreated to the inner side of the platform. At this moment, Kurelle slowly ascended the platform, unfurled the parchment scroll in his hand, and then loudly read its contents to the audience.

"The first Grand Martial Arts Tournament of the Western Border Army will include the following events: First, the position challenge. All soldiers of the Western Border Army may challenge for the position they desire, but each person has only three challenge opportunities. Please act according to your abilities!"

"The second item is the talent showcase. All soldiers of the Western Border Army can demonstrate their talents in the training ground. The main talents are horsemanship, swordsmanship, and archery. Those who pass the talent showcase can leave their original units and be transferred to units of a suitable rank."

"The third item is a strategy quiz. All officers and soldiers in the western border region can participate in the examination organized by the General Staff. Those who perform well can be transferred to the General Staff or return to their original units."

"The fourth item is cross-country marching training. All officers and soldiers of the four standing combat divisions, Reconnaissance Brigade, Communications Brigade, Medical Brigade, logistics Logistics Brigade, and Guard Brigade must participate and conduct combat exercises in brigade-level units. Those who achieve outstanding results will receive a banner and a bonus of 10 million J."

"Fifth, live-fire exercises. All officers and soldiers of the Western Border Army will be divided into four camps according to the four standing combat divisions. Members of the other five brigades will be evenly distributed among the four camps. The four camps can form alliances or fight independently, but there can only be one winner. The winner will be awarded the title of main force division and will have priority in selecting personnel and military supplies."

Following the duel between Lek and Hannibal, Sordil had established his authority within the Western Border Army, so when Kurelle announced the competition events, the crowd erupted in cheers. The division and Brigade Commander Division Commander standing at the front of each formation looked defiantly at their comrades in the other ranks. If their initial participation in the exercises was to protect their own positions, they were now fighting for the collective honor. After all, no commander wanted to admit that their troops were inferior, or that their command abilities were inferior.

Just as the relationships between the various brigades below the stage were becoming increasingly delicate, and the soldiers' enthusiasm was rising, Kurelle loudly announced to the audience, "Now I declare that the first event of the martial arts tournament, the position challenge, has officially begun!"

As soon as Kurelle finished his announcement, nearly a hundred arenas rose from the high platform, surrounded by tiered seating. Soldiers from various brigades, led by their officers, entered their designated viewing areas to rest. Those wishing to challenge for a position had to register at the General Staff and then proceed to their assigned arenas according to the number issued by the General Staff. When the challengers arrived at their designated arenas, the referees, already waiting, began explaining the rules of the competition. The specific rules were those established by Sordil during the fight between Lek and Hannibal.

Thanks to the efficient work of the General Staff, the competition was quickly able to proceed. Just then, a voice that stunned everyone rang out from the arena.

"Anna, Brigade Commander the Medical Brigade, challenges Kurelle, Division Commander of the First Division!"

"Puff"

Upon hearing the voice, Sordil spat out his tea, and the teacup fell to the ground with a clatter. Kurelle himself stood frozen, unable to believe his ears. The Brigade Commander of the First Division behind him exchanged glances, trying to confirm the news. While most of those on the platform were in a state of confusion, a piercing laugh rang out from one side, accompanied by a merciless taunt.

"Haha! Kurelle dumbfounded, isn't he? Serves you right for offending Miss Anna back then, let's see what you do now! Haha!"

"Call out"

A purple boot swept across the air above the platform and landed squarely on Heradi's head, knocking Heradi to the ground as he was laughing maniacally.

"Can't we just watch the game quietly? Why do you have to make such a racket and disrupt the match? Alright! Kurelle, stop sitting there and get down there to meet the challenge. And while you're at it, teach that Anna a lesson!"

Heradi had just gotten up, ready to find the bastard who threw his boot at him and teach him a lesson, obediently (somewhat cowardly) sat back down in his seat after hearing the sound. Kurelle, also awakened by the sound, looked at Sordil with a bitter expression, his meaning clear: General, are you kidding me? I can't even beat her, how can I teach her a lesson for you? However, Sordil didn't care about that; he kept urging Kurelle down for the match. Finally, Sordil, annoyed by Kurelle's reluctance to leave the platform and fight, pointed at Kurelle and said, "Since you think Anna isn't worthy of being your opponent, then I, as your teacher, will spar with you!"

"Plop"

Upon hearing Sordil's words, Kurelle immediately knelt down, tears streaming down his face, and said, "No! Please don't! General, please sit here and watch the game. I'll go down now!"

Seeing this, Heradi, who had just sat down, burst into laughter again. Just as he was laughing the loudest, a light, airy voice from not far away startled him so much that he tumbled off his stool.

"Heradi, the fact that you're laughing so happily means you must be very free and have nothing to do right now. How about we have a spar later?"

The officers on the platform suppressed their laughter as they watched Heradi lying on the ground not far away, repeatedly slapping himself in the face. Heradi's best friend Elkley, silently mourned for his friend, while also eager to see if his general's strength was as terrifying as the legends suggested!

Just as Heradi on the high platform was about to face the darkest moment of his life, the highly anticipated competition below the platform also began.

Anna and Kurelle entered the ring from opposite directions, then bowed to each other, preparing for their match. After the bows, Anna playfully said to Kurelle, "Brother Kurelle, you'd better go easy on me later! Don't hit me too hard! Otherwise, I'll get hurt, and scars won't look good, right?"

Faced with Anna's reaction, Kurelle said with a wry smile, "Sister Anna, please don't make things difficult for me! The general specifically instructed me to teach you a lesson on his behalf, so let's settle this contest based on our own abilities!"

"Alright! In that case... open it! Gate of Taurus, Taurus!"

"Moo!"

A golden light flashed, and then a humanoid cow appeared on the arena carrying a double-edged axe. The cow pulled the axe from its back and swung it down towards Kurelle's head. Caught off guard, Kurelle hurriedly dodged behind him, but the cow unexpectedly changed the direction of the axe in mid-air, slashing towards Kurelle's waist.