Welcome, Everyone, to the Flameblade Arena! / A Complete Rout

Just as Maria Nearl turned around to introduce Bianca, I saw a helpless expression on her face, and asked with some confusion, "What's wrong?"

"... Maria Nearl, do you usually trust people this much?" Bianca looked at the room filled with weapons, remained silent for a while, and finally voiced her concerns.

"...?"

Upon hearing this, Maria Nearl blinked her golden eyes lightly, paused for a moment, and then casually explained, "How could that be? I don't usually bring friends home. It's just that Bianca... you're special."

"Special...?"

Bianca tilted her head slightly, immediately grasping the key point in Maria Nearl's words.

To be honest, the moment I heard Maria Nearl's words, I thought she had been found out... After all, there were some things she hadn't actively tried to hide, and if you were careful, you could still notice some clues.

After hearing Bianca's words, Maria Nearl coughed twice, a hint of guilt flashing in her golden eyes, and began to explain:

"Ahem, yes... I just feel like Bianca looks a bit like my older sister..."

At this point, Maria Nearl's eyes gleamed, but she didn't continue, silently adding in her mind: 'To be dazzling, yet convincing, inspiring a desire to witness it.'

"I see. However, this is not a reason for Maria Nearl to trust others so easily. You should still be careful in this regard." Upon hearing this, Bianca nodded slowly, then earnestly advised.

Although the goose accepted Maria Nearl's reasoning, it didn't mean she agreed with her friend's idea.

After all, you can't judge a person solely by their appearance. This time, I can only say I was lucky to be a good person. If it had been someone else... no, it doesn't even need to be someone else; if it were another version of myself, I might have...

As if she had thought of something, Bianca's gaze towards Maria Nearl suddenly became a little strange, along with a hint of apology and guilt.

"Yeah, I'll be careful, don't worry. I'm not that easy to fool... wait, Bianca, don't treat me like a child!"

Maria Nearl initially accepted Bianca's instructions humbly, but after realizing what she meant, she couldn't help but pout and complain.

"Pfft, no." Upon hearing this, Bianca couldn't help but curl the corners of her lips into a slight smile.

"You're still laughing!"

"Okay, okay, I won't laugh anymore."

Afterwards, Bianca selected a suitable lance from the Nearl Family's collection, and at Maria Nearl's enthusiastic invitation, she underwent some simple training that hardly even counted as a warm-up.

As for why it was just simple training, it's because Bianca was afraid of scaring her new friend. After all, any training Bianca did in Schicksal could probably frighten others.

Although there are many Terra Supermen in Terra, it's important to know that Bianca is also a true Honkai Superman!

Finally, after a brief "training" session, Bianca invited Maria Nearl to lunch before saying goodbye and parting ways.

After parting ways with her friends, Dai'e didn't choose to return to the hotel. Instead, she went alone to the remote, quiet countryside, far from the city.

The little warm-up at the Nearl Family is over; now it's time for Bianca's real training.

The day before, she hadn't trained because she had just been summoned and for various other reasons. Now that she's adapted and has the time, she'll naturally add training to her schedule.

P. S.: There will be another update later, but because I need to write about the competition, the update might be quite late. After all, it's a bit difficult to write. I accidentally mistyped the title number, and they actually made me add words before I could correct it... Annoying.

Give it a push.

Chapter 20: Welcome to the Flameblade Arena!

In the tavern--

"Maria Nearl, you've seemed a bit distracted these past few days. Has something happened?" The old craftsman put down what he was holding and finally asked the question that had been puzzling him for the past few days.

After listening to the old craftsman's words, Maria Nearl was stunned for a moment before she reacted, and then said:

"Ah? Ah, I'm sorry, Master Koval, I haven't been very focused these past few days. I was worried about my friend."

"It's nothing, young people are bound to be impulsive. What's wrong with your friend?" After hearing Maria Nearl's explanation, the old craftsman waved his hand and said nonchalantly.

"A friend who can make a little girl like you Maria Nearl... could it be someone you like, hahaha." At this moment, the old knight who was drinking nearby also came over and teased.

"No, that's not true! Bianca is a girl too." Maria Nearl immediately retorted, then looked back at the old craftsman and continued:

"Yeah, I'll be more serious next time. As for my friend, she's going to participate in the Knights' Tournament tomorrow. Although she's quite strong, I'm still a little worried..."

"Wow, someone who can be friends with Maria Nearl, can't be too old. You're participating in the knightly competition at such a young age?" The old craftsman raised an eyebrow and said with some surprise.

"Tomorrow... I think there's only one mixed team match tomorrow. Your friend hasn't even debuted yet and he's already participating in this kind of event?" Bald Martin, who was wiping glasses nearby, also came over with a strange expression.

"Yes, that's why I'm worried."

As she spoke, a fleeting hint of helplessness and worry flashed quickly in Maria Nearl's golden eyes.

Actually, after witnessing Bianca's strength before, Maria Nearl didn't have so many concerns or worries.

However, as the competition drew closer, and considering that she had diligently studied the competition details, format, and other aspects a couple of days prior, she decided to take action.

It would have been better if she hadn't studied it. Once she did, Maria Nearl, who only had a superficial understanding of the competition, started to worry and panic again.

If Maria Nearl's initial objections and concerns, stemming from a lack of understanding, were relatively easy to resolve when she first met Bianca...

Now that she fully understands knightly competition, her anxiety is not so easily calmed down.

After all, while Maria Nearl knew the cruelty of the knightly tournament before, her understanding of it was only superficial. But now it's different; she knows all the details and intricacies involved.

"I just heard you say your friend is quite strong. Has she ever made a move in front of you?" The old knight put down his wine glass and asked Maria Nearl, who looked worried.

"Yes, it happened. Bianca had a sparring match with Sister Zofia a few days ago and won." Maria Nearl didn't hide anything from the old knight's curiosity and answered truthfully.

Upon hearing this, the old knight's eyes widened suddenly, and he said with some surprise, "Hey, your friend was actually able to defeat Zofia, so he must have some skill."

"If you can beat Zofia, you don't need to worry too much about Maria Nearl. That girl has made it to the top 16 before. The fact that your friend could defeat her, even if she wasn't at her peak, is enough to prove her strength."

After hearing Maria Nearl's words, the old craftsman raised an eyebrow and offered words of comfort.

"Okay, I understand."

After listening to the old craftsman and the old knight's comforting words, Maria Nearl was still worried and anxious, but she felt somewhat relieved compared to before.

"I didn't expect such a rising star to emerge this year. I wonder how she compares to... never mind, I'll just watch the competition on TV tomorrow."

After putting the clean wine glass back in its place, bald Martin couldn't help but sigh.

Flameblade Arena

The still-bright afternoon sun shone into the bustling and noisy third artificial arena of Kazimierz, bringing a touch of warmth.

Welcome to the Flameblade Arena!

Soon, a loud and resonant voice pierced the air above the arena, reaching everyone's ears and marking the start of the competition.

[Fifteen teams! Fifteen knights!]

[This is the only match of the day! Plunder, melee, escape, chase! Unleash your knightly fighting spirit in this man-made arena, the third largest in Kazimierz!]

[Let's wait for the Knights to enter the arena!!]

"The match is about to begin. I remember Maria Nearl's friend's name is Bianca," said the old knight, one of the three people sitting in front of the television in the tavern.

"Yes, that's the name. Old Fu, you're not so old that you can't even remember this, are you?" The old craftsman couldn't help but tease after hearing the old knight's words.

The old knight picked up his wine glass, took a sip, and retorted without hesitation, "How could that be? You're getting senile. I'm not senile at all."

"Alright, you two, stop arguing and watch the game quietly." Seeing the two people beside him getting excited, bald Martin couldn't help but give them a word of advice.

"Who's arguing with him?"

"I should be the one saying that."

Arena stands--

"There's no need to be so nervous, Maria Nearl. Although there are a few strong knights in this match, Bianca should be able to handle them without much trouble."

Zofia looked at Maria Nearl, who was sitting next to her and looked extremely nervous, and couldn't help but pat her on the shoulder to comfort her.

"Um, I know, Zofia- neechan, but I'm still a little nervous." Maria Nearl scratched her head and answered softly.

In fact, she understood everything Zofia said, but no matter how well she understood, she still couldn't help feeling worried and nervous when her best friend was going on stage.

"Don't worry. But how come you and that girl are so close after only a few days? Are you so worried about her?" As she spoke, a hint of helplessness flashed in Zofia's eyes, and then she reached out and gently flicked Maria Nearl's forehead.

"Ouch... that hurts. Hmph, that's because Bianca and I get along so well."

"You."

Unlike the others in the arena who were worried, nervous, and excited, Bianca, who was still in the preparation area outside the arena, was expressionless as the chips were being attached to her armor along with the other knights.

The goose remained completely unmoved by this match, which seemed like child's play.

Her only thought right now is to get it started quickly and then finish it quickly!

P. S.: It's past nine o'clock, which is still morning! Okay, I just slept like a log yesterday. Even without this extra chapter, there would still be two more today.

Chapter 21 Crushing

[So, the fifteen knights are now ready at their respective positions! The competition will officially begin once the staff leaves!]

[Alright! All fifteen knights are now confirmed and ready!]

[The battle will last a full sixty minutes! Unless all the poor knights fall, the fight will continue until the very last moment!]

As the excited and high-spirited voice of commentator Big Mouth Mob rang out, the 15 knights entered this enormous artificial arena.

[I hereby declare!!! The Flameblade Melee- all has officially begun!]

As the match officially began, all the knights except Bianca sprang into action, employing their own combat methods to locate their targets.

As for why the silly goose was still standing there, the reason was very simple: she was still pondering a question that she hadn't been able to answer.

That is... how much strength would she need to avoid causing irreversible, or even fatal, damage to these competitive knights?

After all, Bianca was only here to accumulate points, not to kill these ordinary people. Although you could get away with committing crimes here by paying money, it was ultimately too much trouble.

Moreover, for Dai'e, being imprisoned for this reason would truly be a stain on her reputation.

However, just as Bianca was pondering...

[Oh my goodness, it looks like there's a young female knight in the arena who's frozen in fear! She didn't even bring a shield! Like a lamb entering a pack of wolves, I wonder what will become of her?!]

[Oh, it seems a wolf has already set its sights on this sweet lamb. It's the Rusty Copper Knight! He's made his move.]

Just as Big Mouth Mob commented, the notoriously brutal Rusty Copper Knight Olmer Ingla quietly set his sights on Bianca, who hadn't moved much in the arena, and charged straight at her.

"Ah!"

"That girl!"

"Oh, Rusty Copper Knight, charge!"

Upon witnessing this scene, a huge commotion erupted in the arena's massive stands; some were excited, some were terrified... even Maria Nearl couldn't help but scream.

But at this moment, no one could stop the situation from unfolding.

"..."

However, Bianca didn't even bother to glance at the Rusty Copper Knight when he launched his attack.

Of all the knights in this arena, this Rusty Copper Knight is arguably the only arena knight Bianca dislikes. His deliberate acts of crippling his opponents during matches disgust Bianca.

"This isn't a place for a little guy like you to be new to, but since you're here, use your blood to make me happy!"

As the Rusty Copper Knight's voice, filled with murderous intent and pleasure, rang out, he raised his giant axe high and swiftly cleaved it towards Bianca, as if to cleave her in two.

[Oh my god! Is this adorable knight, who hasn't even officially debuted yet, about to fall at the hands of the Rusty Copper Knight?!]

However--

"Well..."

Just when everyone thought Bianca's fate was sealed, she suddenly moved. With a speed that even a drone couldn't capture clearly, she maneuvered her lance with incredible speed, slashing upwards and sweeping horizontally.

With a single strike, the armor worn by the Rusty Copper Knight on his arms and forearms was easily shattered, and the giant axe in his hand flew outwards rapidly.

"If power is your excuse for reckless behavior, then you should retire from this arena forever."