Rus's opponent was an Ogre.
Annan took snacks from his Magic Ring and shared them with Beludona, expecting an evenly matched fight. The Ogre roared and charged Rus, but as it closed in, she simply leaped straight up and swung her longsword.
The Ogre made no attempt to dodge. It ran its own neck onto the blade and fell, sending an uproar through the stands.
What happened? Had the Ogre underestimated her, or was Rus really that strong?
"This Incubus is a genius at fighting," Beludona said beside him.
Annan asked, "Didn't she control the Ogre and make it run into her sword?"
Beludona shook her head. "It's not that simple. She read the Ogre's muscles, stride, and speed to predict its movements. That's why it looked as though the Ogre deliberately rammed its neck into the sword's point."
Annan was astonished. Rus hadn't been lying. She really was good at fighting!
On the other side of the arena, the easy victory swept away the gloom Rus had carried since her encounter with the High Priest. Feeling hot Demon Blood surging through her veins, she looked toward Olmedo Just Right again, full of confidence, only to see him chatting and laughing with a Brownfur Rat while eating something.
Popcorn?
Damn it, do you think I'm putting on a show?
Then she saw Olmedo Just Right set down the popcorn, stand, and raise his hands to cheer.
Hmph, fine. Maybe you're eating popcorn because the fight's exciting, like when you watch a Magic Film.
Rus flicked the blood from her sword and left the arena, ignoring the commotion in the stands.
Smack—
Annan suddenly slapped his forehead.
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing..."
Annan sat back down on the stone steps. He'd forgotten to ask for the figurine.
It was a collectible Jack figurine.