As the moon cast its faint glow over the streets of Bailey, Hikaru stealthily trailed Sarya, the female High Elf, and her pursuers through the night sky. Keeping a safe distance, he remained unseen, taking advantage of the darkness to conceal his presence.

“STOP RUNNING!! RESISTANCE IS POINTLESS. SURRENDER NOW!!!” The leader of the pursuers, a male Dark Elf, shouted.

As Hikaru followed them, he noticed that Sarya’s pursuers wore robes adorned with the Deva symbol on top of their armor, indicating their close association with the Deva religion. ‘What’s with their attire? Are they from the Deva’s temple?’ Hikaru pondered silently.

After running for a while, Sarya reached a dead end as she entered a random alley.

“Now, now, I told you it’s pointless! There’s nowhere left to run! Surrender now!” the leader of the pursuers said as he slowly approached her, while his subordinates surrounded her.

Meanwhile, Hikaru looked around and landed on a nearby building’s roof to eavesdrop on their conversation.

“I DIDN'T DO ANYTHING WRONG!! WHY ARE YOU GUYS SET ON CAPTURING ME? I just wanted to repent for my mistake and help Goun heal his wound, so he doesn’t become a cripple!” Sarya said while unsheathing her rapier.

“Don’t play dumb with me! You’re trying to lure Goun, a Deva inquisitor, to become an Asura worshipper! You injured him on purpose, knowing only Asura’s celestials can heal a regular human like him!” the leader accused.

“We know how you guys operate. During the Aran war, many of our followers turned to become Asura worshippers because of your promises of complete healing! You know how celestials are addicted to being worshipped, and with the decline in the number of worshippers, if we don’t capture you, we’ll face severe punishment from our celestials! While for you, it was only a matter of achievement. So please, let’s not make this any harder than it needs to be!” the leader elaborated.

Hearing the leader’s explanation, Hikaru thought to himself: ‘So there is another religion besides the three mentioned by Lydia. But what a messed-up situation to think that Goun's friends are the ones preventing him from getting treatment!’

In the Orb Universe, there are four widely accepted religions: Deva, Titan, Olympian, and Asura religion. The first three religious factions are part of the same alliance known as the Heaven Alliance, while the Asura faction used to be a member of this alliance as well, but due to a certain event, it ultimately decided to part ways. Since the event, many things have happened, which led to the antagonistic relationship between the Heaven Alliance and the Asura faction. Asura religion used to be the most popular religion, but after parting ways with the Heaven Alliance, their influence was drastically waning.

Bailey’s predecessors were aware of the risks associated with entangling the kingdom in religious matters. Consequently, they implemented a non-interference policy regarding religions, which means that while Bailey officially recognizes only three religions, it refrains from prosecuting citizens for adhering to other faiths. Furthermore, the kingdom also avoids involvement in any conflicts arising from religious beliefs.

“No, your assumption is completely wrong! I sincerely wanted to treat him. I even announced that I would share my winnings with him to show my sincerity! Is that not enough?” Sarya exclaimed while assuming her battle stance.

“Do you think we’re all idiots that are so easily fooled? Even if my little brother ends up crippled for life, I won’t let him seek treatment from fallen angels!” One of the pursuers, claiming to be Goun’s older brother, said.

“If you’re sincere, then come with us to the Deva temple peacefully,” the leader said, unsheathing his broadsword in case Sarya suddenly attacked.

“Nonsense! Your order relentlessly pursued and killed many Asura followers. Furthermore, among all the orbies, your order targeted elves the most. If our ancestors were aware of this, they would be weeping in their graves!” Sarya retorted.

“Don’t lump our ancestors together,” the leader exclaimed. “Unlike you forest dwellers with your exclusive little club inside the forest, who promote peace while worshipping Asura, the creator of monsters, we Dark Elves truly live peacefully with other races. We targeted High Elves the most because most of your kind are Asura worshippers,” the leader clarified.

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In the Orb Universe, elves are renowned for their slender build and distinctive pointy ears. Originally part of a human race, their ancestors chose to retreat into the forest seeking peace amidst a prolonged ancient war.

Elves are further divided into two sub-races based on their lineages. The first sub-race, known as High Elves, possesses fairy lineages. They dwell in harmony with the forest, celebrated for their expertise in hunting and archery. High Elves typically have fair skin adorned with delicate leaf-like markings on their face, reflecting their natural affinity with the forest. Renowned for their exceptional tracking abilities, they embody the spirit of the wilderness.

The second sub-race is the Dark Elves, who share the same physical features as other elves, except for their distinctively greyish skin color. Originally descendants of High Elves, they made a pivotal choice during the Champion Crowning Event, forsaking their nature fairy lineage. As a consequence, they were granted superior bodies at the cost of forfeiting their innate longevity. Over many generations, their descendants gradually distanced themselves from the forests, embracing the vibrant life of cities and forging new paths beyond the confines of tradition.

“Just give up, we’ve already surrounded you! You’re outnumbered and outmatched! You have no chance of escaping!” The leader’s voice rang out as he assumed his battle stance.

Sarya chuckled in response. “Outmatched? Ha..ha..ha.. How ridiculous. It seems you Dark Elves have grown duller since living among warmongering humans! Even if you gang up on me, I will struggle until my last dying breath and take at least half of you down with me, making your mission fail miserably. But since you’re so confident in your abilities, how about we minimize our losses with a one-on-one duel according to elven tradition? If you win, I will willingly come along with you, but if I win, you will let me go.”

“Fine by me!” the leader scoffed, a smirk playing on his lips as he waved a dismissive hand, signaling his subordinates not to interfere.

“Good. Let’s see if you Dark Elves still hold true to the ancient ways of our people,” Sarya said with a steely gaze, her voice carrying an air of determination.

With a swift motion, she reached into the folds of her cloak and produced a coin. Holding it aloft, she continued, her tone unwavering. “I will toss this coin, and when it touches the ground, our duel shall commence!”

With a curt nod, the leader shifted his weight, settling into a poised stance, his eyes fixed intently on Sarya. Anticipation crackled in the air as Sarya’s fingers deftly flicked the coin into the air, sending it spinning in a glittering arc.

As the coin touched the ground, Sarya dashed toward the leader and initiate a close quarter combat with her rapier.

*Cling –Clang –Cling –Clang –Cling –Clang* Sarya’s rapier clashed with the leader broad sword dozens of time, but they seemed to be evenly matched.

The stalemate continued for another five minutes before Sarya backed away and decided to use energy attacks.

[Flying Thurst] x3 (L2 Weapon Arts Skill)

*Clang* the leader blocked one of the attacks with his chi-covered sword and avoided the other two with a swift movement. He then retaliated with his own energy attacks.

[Flying Slash] x3 (L2 Weapon Arts Skill)

*Clang –Clang* Sarya avoided the first attack and blocked the other two with her chi-covered rapier. Unlike Sarya’s [Flying Thrust], which is a concentrated attack, the leader's [Flying Slash] creates an arc, giving it a wider range albeit a bit weaker.

They engaged in this back-and-forth exchange for two more intense rounds, the rhythm of their strikes echoing in the air. As their breath grew labored, they paused momentarily, each assessing the other’s next move.

In that moment Sarya noticed her rapier becoming increasingly dented, while the leader's broadsword seemed to be in a better condition. She then realized that if the fight persisted, not only would she risk losing her weapon, but she might also lose the duel.

Sarya thought to herself: ‘Looks like I need to resort to trickery, or else I will lose this match. This isn’t really my style, but I see no other option!’

Sarya began to charge her rapier with chi, intending to launch another energy attack.

[Flying Thurst] x3 (L2 Weapon Arts Skill)

As she unleashed another round of energy attacks, the leader deftly evaded the first and second strikes. However, he realized that the last attack was directed at one of his unprepared subordinates. Reacting swiftly, he lunged toward the impending strike, intending to intercept it. *Clang* fortunately, he managed to block it with his chi-covered sword. Unfortunately, in accordance with elven duel tradition, his decisive action meant conceding the match, as he was the first to fall.

“You cheated in our Elven duel, that doesn’t count!” The leader voice thundered with accusation, echoed by the menacing clinks of his subordinates’ weapons as they braced for action.

“No, you’re mistaken. In our elven duel tradition, there’s no regulation that forbids accidentally harming spectators.” Sarya responded with a calm but firm voice cutting through the tension like a blade through silk.

“Fine, consider yourself lucky this time. Next time we meet, I will end you!” the leader said, his words dripped with venom, each syllable a promise of vengeance. He then made a dismissive gesture, signalling his subordinates to let her leave.

As Sarya walked away, the leader suddenly warned her with an ominous tone, “You’d better pack quickly. I might have a change of heart and decide to resume the chase!”

Sarya didn’t look back as she made her way out of the alley.

As Hikaru observed how the event unfolded, a smile spread across his face as he silently thought to himself: ‘Looks like Masaki will automatically win in the semifinals tomorrow!’

After ensuring that Sarya’s pursuers had left the scene, Hikaru flew back to the Purple Walnut with a peace of mind thinking Masaki would be safe in tomorrow semifinal. He then retired to his room and drifted into a peaceful slumber, his thoughts filled with all the events that happened during the day.