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Side Story Chapter 316

“Is everyone here?” Sersiarin asked, acting as temporary ruler of Avalon.

Iceline, Icarus, and Charles stood by her side to lend her their support.

They weren’t alone. Cain, Valmont, Viper, Cazes… Countless nobles and the Imperial Knights filled the arena. The stands, while big, were rather cramped on this important day in Avalon’s history.

“…Then, would the candidates for the throne please come forward?”.

Two people approached.

“Selim Sanders, the First Prince of Avalon, is present to receive the imperial decision.”

“Kireua Sanders, the Second Prince of Avalon, is present to receive the imperial decision.”

With a nod, Sersiarin solemnly declared, “Following the decision made in the previous imperial meeting and respecting the candidates’ wishes, the heir to the throne shall be decided through trial by combat between the two candidates today. If anyone has any objections, speak now.”

“There are none!”

As if they had been waiting for Sersiarin’s question, shouts arose from all over the arena.

“…Very well. Both candidates have proven how essential they are to Avalon, so now it is time to prove which one of you is more suited to take the throne. Show us your skills.”

Selim and Kireua unleashed their energy on each other.

‘Can I do it?’ Kireua could feel his grip on his sword getting sweaty.

He didn’t have Coju or the power of Wrath, leaving him with only his own skills to go up against his incredibly strong opponent. However, he felt confident for some reason. It would have been unimaginable before.

“…I feel like I can win,” Kireua muttered to himself. A faint smile tugged at his lips. He no longer had his ebon flames or the two Evil Sins, but he still had his experience from the war. He was no longer the boy who had run away from the palace.

“Are you ready?” Selim asked.

Kireua nodded. “Ready when you are.”

Selim leveled his spear at him. “Keep in mind that I don’t plan on going easy on you.”

“You’d better not—otherwise, you’re going to get embarrassed again in front of so many people.”

“What?” Selim frowned.

“Did you already forget that you were unconscious during our entire fight against that fucker Bel?”

It was rare for Selim to let his emotions get the best of him, much less for veins to bulge on forehead like they were right now, but bringing up what had happened that day was taboo to Selim. It remained his greatest regret that he didn’t get to say goodbye to his father.

Selim decided to express his anger in a different way.

“…I’ll put everything into this fight like Lady Sersiarin told us to.”

In a fraction of a second, Selim enveloped his spear in a massive amount of aura and launched a barrage of attacks aimed at Kireua’s head.

‘Fuck!’ Kireua quickly raised his sword. It felt like Selim’s plan was to stab Kireua’s head and ruin his handsome looks. Kireua whipped his head to the side and Selim’s spear grazed his cheek. He could feel the sparks flying from the spear stinging his skin.

Kireua didn’t just sit on his hands. He struck right in the center of Selim’s spear, knocking it downward and creating an opening.

Selim’s eyes narrowed. ‘It’s undeniable that a sword is much quicker than a spear, but he’s…’,

Although he didn’t express it out loud, Selim was quite surprised. This single incident taught Selim several things: most swords couldn’t have budged Selim’s spear, but Kireua had struck far harder than most people could; in addition, he had the skill to find the spear’s center of balance so that he could deliver his attack as effectively as possible; on top of that, Kireua used the opening to his advantage as soon as it was created!

‘…Good.’ Selim smiled eagerly.

Yes, Kireua had to be able to do at least this much if he wanted to compete with Selim!

Instead of meeting Kireua’s attack head-on, Selim followed his spear’s momentum, spinning in the air.

Selim and Kireua exchanged five hundred attacks in a blink. They fought with everything they had.

“My goodness…”

“Aren’t both of them in their early twenties? They already fight like experienced Masters…”

“If they wanted, they would easily be able to command a battalion of the Imperial Knights.”

The spectators’ excitement grew as the fight went on. No one could predict who would be the winner.

The tips of Kireua’s sword and Selim’s spear clashed one more time before they distanced themselves from each other.

“It’ll never end at this rate,” Kireua grumbled.

Selim agreed with Kireua. They knew each other too well because their sword and spear arts came from the same foundation.

“We’ve seen enough of each other’s skill, so let’s end this fight with the strongest techniques we can use.”

“…Alright.” Selim nodded. The energy he unleashed began to move differently. Before, it had been like a placid ocean, but now its movement resembled a tsunami.

“…You freak of nature.” Kireua infused as much of his mana into his sword as he could manage. His mana turned into burning aura that lashed out at Selim like a flaming snake’s tongue. Kireua met Selim’s eyes. “I’ll start.”

Selim nodded. “Come.”

As soon as they were ready, Selim and Kireua charged. They closed the distance between them in no time.

Just then, the fire of aura enveloping Kireua’s sword turned black.

‘Dark flame!?’

Those flames were known to be capable of burning anything in the world.

Selim inhaled sharply and drew deeply from his mana hall.

When the voltage of lightning exceeded a certain level, even its color changed. The blue lightning that decorated Selim’s spear turned white, blinding Kireua.

The collision between their aura created a thunderous boom of apocalyptic proportions. The collision of fire and lightning forced everyone in the arena to close their eyes and cover their ears.

When the air finally cleared, the spectators were eager to see the aftermath.

“Wh-Who won?”

“Oh… He’s a monster.”

It was undeniably Selim’s victory. In contrast to Kireua, whose legs had given out, Selim still stood tall, his spear pointed at Kireua.

“I surrender.”

“…You…” For some reason, Selim’s face was crumpled up even though he was the victor. “…Why in the world did you do that?”

“What do you mean?”

-Do you think I’m an idiot? Why did you withdraw your aura at the last moment?

-What about you? The technique you used just now isn’t your strongest, is it?

-…You never planned to win this fight. Why…?

-Well, I just think the throne isn’t meant for me.

Kireua met Selim’s stare for a moment before shrugging.

“Are you kidding me?” Selim asked out loud, unable to contain his frustration.

“I lost,” Kireua insisted. “Even if that wasn’t for this duel, I’m a prince who can’t control his power properly. I’m inept in too many ways to lead a country.”

The arena was utterly silent except for his voice.

“I also have the history of almost ruining Avalon after losing myself to the power I acquire.” Kireua slowly stood up. He looked somehow liberated. “That’s why I believe the First Prince over here is more suited to be the next emperor.”

Everyone was silent. Perhaps it was out of surprise, but it could be that they had interpreted Kireua’s choice in a negative fashion.

Which meant that Sersiarin and the three Queen Consorts had to come to a decision.

After a period of contemplation, Sersiarin broke the silence.

“…Kireua—”

“Yes, which is why you need someone who can help you control your power,” a voice declared from the entrance of the arena. It was followed by a belated announcement from the bewildered Imperial Knights guarding the palace.

“A-Announcing the arrival of Her Majesty Anna bel Grace, the fifty-third empress of the Swallow Empire!”

“Is my visit too sudden?” Anna beamed at the three Queen Consorts, who gaped blankly at her.

“I seem to have arrived at the perfect timing, though…” Anna tilted her head.

Charles managed to gather her wits first.

“M-May I ask why you’re here…?” she asked.

Anna’s smile grew. “My, my, there’s no need to be so formal. You’re my mother-in-law, after all.”

“M-Mother-in-law?”

“It’s a bit late, but I came here to pick up my hubby.”