I got back to my seat just as the announcer was introducing Carmine and her opponent. Her opponent this time was a burly man with wild hair and a pair of wicked hand axes. He had an almost psychotic look to him, and I had a feeling that if I ever faced him, I’d definitely feel fear. His teeth were crooked and yellow, and it was hard to tell if he was smiling or snarling at everyone. He also looked antsy, as if he couldn’t wait to leap out and take Carmine’s head.
“On the left, we have the Shiny Knight, Carmine! Her beautiful armor has turned the blades of a hundred men, sending them scampering away with embarrassment. Let’s see if her extreme defense is enough to win today’s battle.
“On our right, is Frick, The Slaughtering Berserker! His savage style of fighting and lack of fear has made him a vicious opponent in the ring. On one side, we have the ultimate defense! On the other, we have the ultimate offense! Let’s see which one will win!”
As they gave their talks, I looked around the stage. Lord Reign wasn’t there watching the event. He seemed to have a lower lord sitting in as his proxy. As for Bernard, the winner of the last match, he was sitting down and watching this match. I admired him a bit at that moment. Despite being heralded the Champion for his lossless streak, he still felt he could learn something from these matches. Since he was an opponent though, it still left me a little worried. He wasn’t just strong, he was bright.
“Begin” The announcer declared.
Carmine slammed down her shield. “Master is watching me today, so I apologize if I don’t act politely.”
“Hehe… I’m never polite.”
He let out a bellow which caused me to jump, but the cheering that exploded in the crowds suggested this was his usual chant right before he attacked. He slammed his axes against her shield and then spun to the side, slamming them against her side. Unfortunately, with the smallest amount of movement, she had twisted, keeping herself behind the shield.
“You- how dare you block me! Ahhhhh!’ He screamed, seeming to grow enraged that she blocked him as if she shouldn’t.
As the attacks went on, I could hear the people in the stands starting to mutter to themselves.
“Damn… not even he can get through that armor.”
“Leave it to the Shiny Knight. All looks, no glamour.”
“I was hoping with a Berserker, we’d see a different outcome.”
Bernard watched intently, but everyone else’s excitement seemed to drop quickly. The match went on, but there was nothing but shouting as he slammed his axes against her over and over again. He even used a skill or two, but as soon as he did it, she’d use a defensive skill that nullified it. She was like a towering giant, standing there unmoving, no matter how much the Berserker raged. The crowds grew more and more annoyed as a five-minute match turned into fifteen.
“Just fight me!” Frick looked like he was about to cry, his face red and ugly.
With her helmet hiding her face, she was like an unmoving obelisk looking down on him.
“Just give up!” One guy from the audience screamed out.
“She’s never gonna move.”
I scratched my head. “What’s… um… what’s going on?”
“Well, it’s not like Carmine has that many offensive abilities.” Salicia laughed.
Drake spoke up with an embarrassed cough. “I mean, she’s tried, but she lacks speed, coordination, or strength. She almost lost a match when she fought a different way. So, we decided the best way is for her to rely completely on her strengths and just let the opponent tire themselves out.”
“Doesn’t that take a really long time?”
“Her longest battle took six hours.”
My gladiator champion was a joke!