But in any case, the slight edge Edwin had in combat technique was nowhere near enough to change the all‑around gap in absolute strength.
And the longer the fight went on, the more the Gold-Burning Hammer adapted to his fighting style, and that edge kept shrinking. You could say the longer they fought, the lower Edwin's chances of victory became.
So when the referee announced the end of the match, Edwin's expression didn't change in the slightest. Perhaps he was indeed dejected inside—no one could stay indifferent after losing the title of Champion—but as a Knight of the Sun Goddess, he could calmly analyze the situation and make the most rational choice.
He stood openly in front of everyone, and toward those gamblers who were still roaring overbearingly and demanding a rematch, he asked, "We can fight again, that's fine—but you will bear all the costs of this irrational decision, including all Potion losses, ransom payments, and every bit of stamina recovery consumption."
