Dressrosa, Bloodsand Arena.
With the first round of eliminations over, the brutal second round was about to begin.
"Well, dear spectators, the first round has already set your blood racing. Now, let's begin the second!"
Lieke laughed wildly as he signaled for the second match to start.
The iron gates around the arena opened, and a large crowd of contestants entered.
Chie walked slowly into the arena, Masamune in her arms.
Anyone who entered the Bloodsand Arena accepted that their life was at stake. Werther had no idea Chie had signed up without telling him.
When Lieke spotted Chie, he thought his eyes were playing tricks on him. He even rubbed them with theatrical exaggeration.
"What's going on? Why is Miss Chie competing? Once a match starts, no one can stop it. That's an iron rule. Who let Miss Chie enter? Was it Lord Werther's order?"
The beautiful referee beside him looked just as bewildered.
"I—I don't know either."
"Then go find out! If anything happens to Miss Chie, you know exactly what the consequences will be."
The scantily dressed referee was already at a loss. She stood there in a daze.
"Go! Do you want me to kill you?"
At Lieke's low growl, the referee fled in a panic.
But the match had already begun, and even Lieke could not stop it.
"Then I declare the s-second elimination match underway!"
After shouting the announcement, Lieke looked helplessly toward Chie in the distance. He sighed to himself. If Lord Werther learned he had started the match, Absolute would skin him alive.
But the Bloodsand Arena was Lieke's pride. For its honor, he would give his life.
Clang.
A brilliant Sword Glint flashed through the arena.
A slender figure and her long Famous Sword darted and flickered across the field.
Werther