Chapter 26: Let Me Take Them All Down

Clang.

The drawn sword parried the thrusting spear, the girls’ figures briefly clashed and parted.

That sound paused the arena, silencing all chatter. Countless eyes fixed on the two girls at the center, holding their breath for the next clash.

Though fleeting, those with skill saw the extraordinary in that simple exchange.

Momoka, the one struck, felt it most directly.

She’d underestimated Rita.

But underestimating wasn’t why Rita blocked her strike.

Rita blocked it because she could.

Her movement proved that, even without the past days’ incidents, she belonged here.

What if… Rita hadn’t just blocked but launched a fierce counterattack while Momoka was overconfident?

Momoka knew Rita could. It wouldn’t have defeated her outright, but it’d have hurt.

Yet Rita didn’t.

Maybe she didn’t think of it. Or… maybe she didn’t bother.

Despite Rita’s plummeting reputation, today, in the arena, she fought fair and square.

Momoka lowered her stance, gripping her spear tighter.

“Sorry.”

“For what?”

“For what I said earlier. I apologize.”

“No worries, I’m used to it. I did win without fighting, so misunderstandings are normal.”

Momoka exhaled sharply, her gaze sharpening. “Here I come.”

“Please, go ahead~”

The venomous spearhead struck again, only to be deflected in a flash.

In Momoka’s hands, the fiery spear bloomed into multiple afterimages—upward flicks, sweeps, downward slashes, thrusts—like a blooming lycoris flower.

The deadly spear dazzled, sparks flying with metallic clangs around the girls, yet never touching Rita.

No mistake.

Rita’s movements were a mess. No one trained in swordsmanship would move like that.

But she always placed her sword at the right spot at the right time, blocking every attack.

And she had strength to spare.

As Momoka’s assault grew fiercer, her spear tip like a sudden storm, the raindrops aimed not at the ground but at Rita’s vitals.

The umbrella-less girl danced with her sword in the steel rain, untouched by a single drop.

“What… what is she? Has Blazing Spear ever struggled like this?”

“No way! That’s Rita? Is someone fighting for her?”

“But… has anyone seen Rita’s true strength? Could this be…”

Some had seen it—in the city lord’s mansion, in that courtyard, a glimpse of power beyond their reach.

With each clash, Rita’s sword wore down. Once a ten-gold-coin treasure displayed proudly in a shop, it was now riddled with damage.

Rita’s weapon wouldn’t last. Victory was Momoka’s.

The thought shamed her.

Momoka wanted a fair fight. Winning by weapon quality wasn’t fair.

Was Rita really the Fourth Princess’s person?

Would her person fight with such equipment?

Clang.

Rita’s sword finally snapped.

“Pity,” Alber sighed. “If their weapons were equal, she wouldn’t lose so trivially. Call it backlash for her earlier luck.”

Losing a weapon in battle was death. Even in an exam, Rita’s defeat seemed certain.

Momoka shook her spear, stepping back, clearly done.

The match was decided, but no joy crossed Momoka’s face—only regret for Rita.

“Rita, it’s over.”

Rita eyed her broken sword, then tossed it aside.

Looks like I’m really cornered.

Last Night, Cecilia’s Room

“Rita, your opponent tomorrow will be strong.”

Cecilia hadn’t summoned Rita in days, but her first words upon her entry were these.

“Uh, what if, just what if, my opponent gets attacked by a succubus again?” Rita scratched her hair, realizing her question and gesture were rude.

After two days, she’d nearly forgotten Cecilia’s invisible pressure.

But Cecilia’s calm, slightly annoyed glance jolted her memory, making her stand ramrod straight.

“I-I didn’t mean it like that…”

“She won’t.” Cecilia sounded exasperated. “Your opponent’s no ordinary person. Succubi aren’t stupid. Would you do something that dumb?”

Really? I’ve done dumber things, like attacking a Princess.

“Then… Cecilia…”

“Hm?”

Rita caught herself. “No, Cecilia, you’re not asking if I did it?”

“Did you?” Cecilia’s tone was like coaxing a child.

“No.”

Rita answered honestly, earning a look from Cecilia as if saying, “See? That settles it.”

Cecilia rolled her eyes, continuing. “Rumors are spreading that I orchestrated this. Rita, I need you to do something.”

Rita’s mind clicked, her face lighting up. “Got it! You want me to take them all down! But, uh, I’ve never killed anyone!”

“Don’t be foolish. Killing would only trap you—and me.” Cecilia seemed genuinely worried Rita might grab her sword and go.

Killing the rumormongers? With the current situation, Rita might have to slaughter half the city.

After a long silence, Cecilia couldn’t help asking, “Rita, have you ever been to school?”

“I have! I graduated from Jiuxiang River University!”

“What river…?” Cecilia blinked, confused.

“Nothing, nothing!” Rita waved her hands, suddenly serious, like a kid back from military camp. “Cecilia, what do you mean?”

Cecilia cleared her throat, no more games. “One thing: win tomorrow’s match, and win beautifully. Let your actions silence the rumors.”

“But you said… my opponent’s strong.”

“You’re here for the exam. If you can’t do this, how’ll you pass the trials?”

“Can you at least tell me who my opponent is?”

“No chance.”

Now, it seemed Cecilia had given her a real challenge.