Chapter 167

(167) Martial arts competition for Haru and the others 9

Translator: Tseirp

The first match of the tournament faced a complete change from the initial street performance showdown as the match turned into a fierce battle .

The three Flaming Lions created by Pierre assaulted Marina from three directions .

If Marina was not strengthened by her second job, Hunter, she would have been wrapped in flames like Milky yesterday and suffered from severe burns .

However, there was a limit regardless of how much her status was enhanced .

The arrows shot from the Wind Bow had no effect on the Flaming Lions .

The Wind Arrow she just shot at the Flaming Lion blew away a part of it but it didn’t suffer from any damage at all .

“You’re quiteee good~! However, you should realize by nowww that my lions can’t be defeateddd~? Why don’t you considerrrr~ surrenderingg?” (TL: Don’t really know how to show the way he speaks, he pretty much just stretches the pronunciation for certain random words in the sentence . )

“Stop babbling with that strange way of talking . It’s certainly true that these Flaming Lions are my natural enemies ― but Pierre . Aren’t you at your limit too? I’m sure you can’t bring out more lions because that is the case . In other words, it is my victory once I defeat these three lions . ”

“That’s right~ But, are you capable of defeatinggg them? When you can’t even see through the trick behind myyyyy Flaming Lions?”

“Hmph, I’ve already seen through it a long time ago . You used incombustible paper to create your Shikigami ― that’s all there is to it . ”

” …… !?”

Pierre’s expression distorted slightly .

Incombustible paper ― just like the word implied, it was a type of paper that can’t be burnt . By soaking paper in special chemicals, it would gain resistance towards heat .

By doing so, he was able to wrap the paper in ultra-high temperature flames and protect the Shikigami from its weakness ― flames . The remaining weakness would be water but,

“Your poker face has crumbled you know? Isn’t that a disqualification as a clown? You ought to be applauding how I splendidly saw through it instead . ”

“I guessss a person talented in the art of magic tricks won’t serveeee as a good audience to it . Well then, have youuuu thought of a strategy? I’ll let you know beforehanddd that it is pointless to wait for the chemical effect to wearrr off! Sinceeee my Shikigami can burn for more than an hour . ”

“I suppose ― ”

Marina laughed but in actual fact, she was honestly waiting for its effect to expire .

There’s the possibility that Pierre was lying but her intuition was telling her that he was speaking the truth .

However, on the contrary, she had a sudden insight because of that .

The problem was if it was possible .

(I have reached the edge ― )

Marina had been chased to the edge of the arena .

From that position, it would be impossible to evade all the attacks from the three Flaming Lions . She should only have been left with the option of repelling the Flaming Lions with her Wind Arrows .

However, she lowered her bow .

Everyone accepted that Marina had lost from that action .

“Marina, that’s it, surrender! We will work it out somehow!”

Kanon shouted . As the tournament does not permit surrender on behalf of the participant, she urged Marina to surrender voluntarily .

But Marina quietly laughed and said .

“Pierre . What’s wrong? I’m right here ― are you not going to attack?”

Her statement made Pierre suddenly show a serious expression .

“True, it is an embarrassment as an entertainer to pause in the middle of a show ― I admire your spirit so I shall send you off with a fanciful last finale . ”

He declared seriously as opposed to his usual fancy tone .

“Go, my Flaming Lions!”

The three Flaming Lions attacked Marina the same time he gave the command .

At that same moment, she also charged forward . Towards Pierre .

She grabbed the neck of her mantle and tossed it .

“You can’t prevent my attack with something like that!”

Pierre shouted as the three Flaming Lions tore through that mantle .

However ―

“As I had expected, the Flaming Lions have no will of their own . They can’t judge on their own ― That’s why I can evade the attacks from such lions even when I have been driven to a corner as they are just enormous flames in the shape of lions . ”

Marina said and pointed her Wind Bow at Pierre .

“It’s my win . ”

Pierre believed that those Wind Arrows would be targeted at him .

He was always behind the Flaming Lions so he wasn’t in a position where Marina could attack him .

However ― it was different now .

I’ll be shot ― he thought .

However, Marina turned her back to Pierre and shot two Wind Arrows at the Flaming Lions to her left and right .

Pierre only gave one command to them against that attack ― to evade .

And he immediately regretted giving that command .

The Wind Arrows were intentionally aimed slightly off . Since a command to evade that attack was given, the two Flaming Lions naturally dodged inward . And since the three Flaming Lions had already closed in on Marina for the attack, the three Flaming Lions ended up colliding against one another .

At that moment, the flames from the Flaming Lions swallowed the other lions .

“Your prided Flaming Lions that can endure an hour of regular flames ― you commanded them to always attack from three directions not because you wanted to corner me but it was to prevent the Flaming Lions from affecting one another . I could immediately tell after noticing the minor movements they make . All that was left was to create the perfect timing . That was careless of you at the end Pierre, allowing them to self-destruct due to your error in command . But then again, even if you didn’t give the command, my Wind Arrow would have pushed the lions from the side and forced them inward as well . Now then, Pierre . I suggest you surrender . This match is my victory . ”

” … True, I no longer hold any means to defeat you . However, Marina-san . My lord does not permit surrender . Please use your Wind Arrow to ― ”

Just as Pierre said that, Marina collapsed on the spot .

Pierre didn’t do anything at all . There was no way somebody else attacked her either .

” … Magical power depletion huh?”

Pierre muttered quietly .

Then, Pierre lowered his head towards her .

Why she didn’t target him with those Wind Arrows ― was because the power of those Wind Arrows was too strong . He would have been killed if anything went wrong . Pierre was able to notice that .

That’s why it was mortifying for Pierre .

Actually, he wanted to admit his loss . He realized that he was inferior to that lady in terms of being an entertainer as well as a fighter .

However, he was not allowed to do so .

“I am sorry ― Marina-san . ”

He took off his hat and bowed deeply .

Then, the judges announced Pierre as the victor .

Marina was held by Kanon who went up the stage and was brought to the medical office .

“Good job, Marina . You were splendid . ”

Kanon said as she shed tears .

However, nobody considered that Marina had lost .

Nevertheless, Stella’s camp started with a defeat for the first match .