After shouting, Clay turned his gaze toward Kaien.
He knew he couldn't keep going like this—otherwise, the title of Nine-Star Swordsman "Lightning Blade" Clay would be completely ruined.
He could already imagine the ridicule: "The Runaway King Clay."
Just the thought of hearing that made him want to die.
"You neck-slashing freak! Let's settle this once and for all!!"
Boom——!!
A surge of powerful magic burst from Clay's body.
Crackle! Zap!
Blue-white lightning coiled around him, scorching and shattering the ground beneath his feet.
He drew his sword and took a stance.
"Haahhhhh!!!"
Clay roared, his magic overflowing.
He knew that trying to outmatch that monster in swordsmanship was pure suicide.
If he wanted to win, there was only one way—to strike with the fastest speed and his strongest technique, ending it in a single blow.
He had just one chance.
If he failed to finish it in one strike, then he would be the one finished.
He would stake everything on this.
"Whoooaahhhh!!"
"There it is! Clay's ultimate technique!!"
"That same move that once killed a Nine-Star Beast in a single slash—is he using it again?!"
"Thunderclap · Instant Flash!!!"
BOOM——!!
Lightning exploded beneath Clay's feet as he shot forward like a bolt toward Kaien.
"Sun Breathing: Eleventh Form: Fake Rainbow!"
Clay reached Kaien in a flash. Seeing that Kaien still hadn't moved, he felt a surge of excitement.
"I've got him!!"
Slash—!
His blade cut through Kaien's body… but there was no resistance.
Clay's heart skipped a beat.
"Damn it! A mirage!!"
He was no stranger to illusions, so he instantly realized it—he hadn't hit the real Kaien.
"Where?! Where is he?!"
He spun around, searching frantically, but Kaien was nowhere in sight.
Then—
from directly above him came a cold, emotionless voice.
"Sun Breathing: Seventh Form: Beneficent Radiance!"
Kaien descended like a blazing vortex, spinning at incredible speed—his fiery slash spiraling downward.
BOOM——!!
The ground exploded violently.
"Uaaaaaahhhh!!!"
Clay screamed in agony as his clothes were shredded to tatters. His body was flung across the arena and crashed heavily to the ground, unmoving.
"The match is decided!!!"
"Winner: Yoriichi!!!"
"Incredible! Absolutely incredible! One blow—he defeated the Nine-Star Swordsman Clay! As expected of the Sword God—Yoriichi!!!"
"Sword God! Sword God! Sword God!"
The crowd roared his name in frenzy.
The title of Nine-Star Swordsman had long represented the pinnacle of swordsmanship.
Everyone believed that the Nine-Star level was the limit of mastery.
But Yoriichi's appearance had shattered that belief.
So this was what lay beyond perfection—an entirely different realm of swordsmanship.
"So strong!"
Erza's eyes sparkled as she watched Yoriichi.
She had never imagined a person's swordsmanship could reach such heights.
Even just watching from afar, she felt as though she had learned something.
If she could fight him once, how much stronger could she become?
At that moment, she yearned deeply to test herself against him.
Arthur clenched his fists silently.
His heart burned with excitement. He needed to center himself—to be ready for his battle against this man.
He could feel it—if he could win against Yoriichi, his swordsmanship and strength would ascend to a new realm entirely.
"And next—we move to the Grand Final! The match will begin in one hour!
In the meantime, let our lovely sword maidens bring you a dazzling performance!!"
A group of beautiful girls in slightly revealing outfits took the stage, dancing energetically to the crowd's delight.
Kaien returned to the lounge, dispelling his transformation and resting quietly.
"Phew~! Making money really isn't easy!"
Thankfully, the matches weren't back-to-back. Otherwise, his disguise would've been blown for sure.
When Yoriichi wasn't fighting, his magic consumption stayed low—but once he started, it drained rapidly.
Kaien's Magic Power reserves were still too small.
His opponent's burst of power earlier had been terrifying, even stronger than Erza's.
It was lucky Yoriichi was so overwhelmingly strong, or Kaien might not have been able to take him down.
This world was full of hidden monsters—he'd need to keep pulling cards to keep up.
An hour passed quickly, and Kaien's magic had nearly recovered.
"Ladies and gentlemen! The moment you've been waiting for—the Grand Final—is about to begin!!"
"Let's welcome our two finalists to the stage!!!"
Kaien stepped forward. From the opposite side, Arthur emerged.
"Our finalists are Arthur and Yoriichi!
Arthur needs no introduction—the strongest swordsman of the Kingdom of Sobea!
And Yoriichi, who effortlessly defeated two Nine-Star Swordsmen, showing us the true meaning of 'there's always someone stronger.'
Who will claim the title of the World's Strongest Swordsman?
What kind of breathtaking duel awaits us? Let's all find out together!!!"
"Whoooaahhh!!!"
"Sword God!! Sword God!! Sword God!!"
"Arthur!! Arthur!! Arthur!!"
The spectators screamed both names passionately.
The higher-ranked swordsmen, however, watched in total focus.
A clash between top-tier swordmasters was a once-in-a-lifetime chance to learn.
Even observing a single move could grant them enlightenment—maybe even help them break through to become Nine-Star Swordsmen themselves.
This was an opportunity beyond measure.
"The Grand Final!!!"
"Nine-Star Swordsman 'Radiant Swordsman' Arthur vs. 'Sword God' Yoriichi!"
"And now~~!"
"Begin———!!!"
CLANG———!
The gong sounded, marking the start of the Grand Final.
"Radiance of Light!!!"
At the very instant of the gong, Arthur unleashed a massive attack—countless blades of light shot toward Kaien.
He said nothing.
In a battle of this level, words only weakened your resolve.
Only absolute conviction could draw out his full strength.
"Sun Breathing: Fourth Form: Burning Bones, Summer Sun!!"
Kaien swung his sword, releasing a spiraling flame slash.
The vortex of fire shredded every blade of light into ash.
"Flash Blade – Cross Slash!!!"
Arthur swung again, releasing a brilliant X-shaped light slash.
"Sun Breathing: Twelfth Form: Flame Dance!!"
Kaien responded instantly with two interwoven crescent slashes that crossed in an X-shape—meeting Arthur's attack head-on.
BOOM——!!