Undefeated VII

"Withdraw?" Thesel froze.

He looked at Gilan in disbelief.

Perhaps in his mind, the attendant who had grown up alongside him had always been someone competitive and deeply concerned with honor. Yet at this moment, Thesel found him somewhat unfamiliar.

"The strong contenders qualified to fight for the championship are either dead or gone... In the third round, you're the only Tier 5. I don't consider myself a match for you."

Gilan looked utterly serious, though his tone carried a sense of relief.

"I don't want to fight you to the death, Thesel. Besides, we're both Klein's warriors. What does it matter who wins the championship?"

Thesel fell silent for a moment.

"You've changed, Gilan," he suddenly said in a low voice. Then he shook his head and smiled. "I'd originally been a little worried about facing you... but it seems I was overthinking it."

"You've learned to adapt."

As he spoke, Thesel raised an arm levelly and clenched his fist.

Seeing this, Gilan wordlessly raised his own hand and lightly bumped fists with him.

Thesel burst into laughter, then turned and left with his spear held upside down in one hand. Without looking back, he said:

"Then watch me claim the highest honor of this grand festival!"

"I'll be watching, Thesel," Gilan said with a smile as he watched his back.

After a moment, Gilan withdrew his gaze and strode across the field littered with corpses, entering through the open gate.

Not long after he left, the gate crashed shut and locked tight.

Prince Ivan, surrounded by ministers and priests, once again stepped onto the raised platform in the stands and loudly announced the start of the third round.

There were not many contestants left for this final stage. Thesel won three consecutive matches with ease, killing every opponent