Chapter 17: Promise for a Free World

Estoff Wraith

I never slept this night. I was worried on Amphere and Airelina, who are risking their lives in the elimination round. Even a Pentagram Knight like me would have a hard time surviving the Ancient Forest for a day, mainly because it is a messy free for all fight.

I stayed the royal hall in the castle together with some nobles who are concerned about their bet. Yes, the Dragon Knight’s Tournament is also the source of a massive gambling. There is a board which have the lists of the participants and the money betted on them. And there are several screens on the other side of the hall, which presents the surveillance camera in a bird’s eye’s view via satellite.

I noticed that Amphere Harrison’s pot money had risen drastically. I was intrigued, and searched his location on the gigantic monitor. Where…is…Amphere? There he is.

“How can he…” My eyes widened in shock.

He is riding the center head of a three headed dragon. Its body is shimmering mainly because of the energy stored in its body. I can hardly distinguish its skin. It looks like colorless metal, yet shiny as silver. Aside from that, its body is about fifteen meters! It also has gigantic silver-colored wings, razor claws and extensive spiky tail.

The camera zoomed in. Amphere…no. It’s not him. It’s him, in a physical sense but…his eyes, are crimson-like dragonoid’s. The sclera of his eyes is completely dark. This terrifying being… It’s not Amphere anymore…

The three headed dragon roared deafeningly that made a colossal sonic boom! Trees surrounding the area flew off, which converted a wide are of the forest into a wasteland. All flying dragons that surrounded the three-headed entity were expelled out of the area immediately. Several dragons that got injured by its voice immediately reverted back to their humanoid form, unable to continue the battle anymore.

The pot money on Amphere’s name increased for one hundred units per second. The counter started ticking rapidly. Because of the tension, I started betting my money on him. Hahaha! Nice work, Amphere, you’ll win me a lot of money!

Amphere noticed the three-headed dragon’s power. He was completely stunned and amazed. After concluding that it is too much for this tournament, he reached his chest and whispered.

“Canceling Vesryn Pulse.”

The three-headed entity’s body was veiled with white light as it reaches the skies. Then, three light rays crashed to the ground, containing the exhausted dragonoid bodies. It was Airi and their fellow comrades. Good thing is that those dragonoids are not injured nor exhausted. Instead, they look like their energies have been replenished! Just what the heck did Amphere do?

“W-What was that?” Rudolf approached Amphere. The president also wordlessly walked closer to them. “That was so cool!”

“I-I don’t know…” Amphere stared at his hands, which is trembling. He may not know it, but his eyes are still glowing red, not giving any signs that it will return to normal. “I think that creature’s power is too overwhelming so I canceled my Vesryn Pulse.”

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Several standing knights stood up from the rubble the divine creature created. They all look exhausted, but all of them possessed the blazing heart to survive till the very end. They all gritted their teeth and glared at Amphere with intent to kill.

Airelina and the other two dragonoids regrouped with their knights, ready to defend. Rudolf and Reina readied their swords. But then, Amphere tapped their shoulders.

“I’ll handle this. I want to test something…”

“Will you be okay?” Airelina worriedly asked. “There are ten of them, and you’re outnumbered! Totally!”

“…If one managed to hit me, rescue me. Okay?” Amphere smiled. Then he dropped his two photon swords.

“You totally…” Airelina pouted as Amphere straightened his body and started to walk to the enemy knights. Seriously, is this idiot trying to fight all ten knights unarmed?

The ten knights slowly backed down while pointing their sword to the composed Amphere, who is arrogantly advancing with his slow footsteps. Amphere’s crimson eyes produced pressure to the one facing him. They are trembling in fear, but they chose to fight. Their honor as a knight will be stained if they run away from a lone person.

“Hrrraaaaaah!” One of the knight started charging. Because of this, the other knights surged as well. Ten of them versus the crimson-eyed knight.

The first one came in with a thrust. Amphere made a sidestep to evade the blade and then grabbed the enemy’s wrist, then smacked him to the ground, leaving the knight’s Shield Plate to 0%. There was another hack from a sharp sword, but he evaded it by bending backwards and then kicking the man’s face.

Other three enemy knights decided to attack him from left, right and back. Amphere’s crimson  pupils moved left right, up and down, as though the time is so slow for him that he can detect the attacks from every directions. He jumped, evading the enemy’s sword attacks, and then dipped the three enemy’s heads to the ground using his hands and feet. The impact was so strong that it left a small crater.

This is a one-sided battle.  He dealt his enemies using his expertise in unarmed combat, with an addition of a mysterious power boost. 20%...12%...3%...0%. All ten of them depleted their Shield Plates.

There was a loud buzzer from the skies as soon as the sun peek the surface. Then there was a loud announcement from the speakers of their Shield Plates.

“Good morning fellow knights. As for the moment, there are only sixty-four knights standing with their Shield Plates. The Elimination Phase of the Tournament is now over. Congratulations on advancing to the next round!”

Then there was a loud ring! That is the signal! I immediately rushed to the counter to get my prized money! Yay! I’ll surely treat Amphere a drink once he returns! Hahaha! Though I’m quite terrified in his weird mysterious power. I should ask Airelina about that later.

“You’re still the same, Estoff…” It was the voice of a man I absolutely hated…

“General Kyle.” I turned and gave him a serious glare. I became more irritated when I saw the smirk on his face. And what’s more, he is with his ‘precious’ dragonoid Elumina.

“I see that you’ve trained that kid to do a lot of things for yourself.” He crossed his arms and raised his chin. This guy is grinding my gears. “Are you going to ruin his life? The same as what you did to Zac?”

“He will bring freedom to the dragonoids. You’ll see.” I scowled at him wrathfully.

I switched stare to Elumina, who is bowing down to hide her frown. She is still avoiding direct contact with me, the same as always. There was a burnt mark on her left shoulder, and I also noticed several scratches on the nape of his neck. This enraged me more. I bit my lip until it’s in the verge of bleeding just to suppress my feelings.

I turned my back and started to walk away. Seeing that smug on that devil makes me want to kill him. No, torture him…I will never forgive him!

I swear to free all dragonoids from their misery. No matter what it takes? I can burn a thousand more innocent humans if I can, just to free them. I will kill the princess and bring this empire down just to gain liberty for all of you dragonoids. If the price for your independence is to kill all my friends…I would gladly do it. I would pay every price for your freedom.

I swear Elumina. I swear that I will create a free world for you.

Just as we promised when we were a child.

[Dragon Knight’s Tournament Participants = 64]