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"Fang Li?!" Kazuma, Aqua, Megumin, and Darkness all exclaimed in unison.
"Fang Li San..."
Even Iris softly called his name, her youthful face clouded with worry.
"This is..."
Claire and Rain both frowned. As for the surrounding nobles, they were already getting visibly excited.
"A duel between the Adventurer who defeated a Demon King's army leader and a renowned Hero Candidate from the Royal Capital?"
"Sounds interesting."
"Perfect chance to see whether that Classless guy actually has any real skill."
Such chatter spread from all directions, making it clear that this situation was now beyond salvaging.
The other Adventurers folded their arms, ready to enjoy the show.
In the hearts of these Hero Candidates, each with cheat abilities, coasting easily through this world, self-centered and thinking of themselves as protagonists, Fang Li probably looked like nothing more than a glory-hounding fraud.
Naturally, Mitsurugi Kyouya was no exception.
That's why he said: "Don't worry. I'll go easy on you."
He wasn't trying to provoke Fang Li. He genuinely meant it.
From Mitsurugi's point of view, Fang Li was just pretending to be tough, so he didn't feel the need to take it seriously. Honestly, the guy wasn't malicious, just extremely chuunibyou and self-absorbed.
In fact, Mitsurugi didn't even draw his sword. He simply called out to Fang Li:
"Alright. Draw your sword."
His so-called "going easy" probably meant he wouldn't even use his Artifact and would try to beat Fang Li barehanded.
At this point, Fang Li couldn't help but chuckle.
He looked around. All around him were nobles scrutinizing him with critical eyes, and Adventurers watching disinterestedly.
Only Kazuma, Aqua, Megumin, and Darkness came to stand beside him, as if they couldn't tolerate it any longer.
"Hey," Kazuma said bluntly, "Show him what you've got."
Even though Kazuma didn't know exactly how strong Fang Li was, he'd seen Fang Li's Ability stats with his own eyes. He had zero doubt that Fang Li could win.
"Even I am starting to get pissed off," Aqua added, completely direct. "So? Want me to support you with magic?"
Clearly, this goddess didn't think for a second that it would break any rules.
"I believe you won't lose to someone like him," Megumin said, gazing at Fang Li. Her crimson eyes were unusually clear and wise. "After all, you are my idol."
It was obvious that Megumin had already figured out Fang Li's true identity based on everything he had done so far.
"It's fine," Darkness added, uncharacteristically serious. "If anything happens, the Dustiness family will take full responsibility. So just go all out."
She was even willing to use her family's noble privileges, showing she, too, was now truly serious.
Faced with this, Fang Li smiled.
Even if it was these people who caused the trouble, he couldn't bring himself to resent them. These unreliable companions, he still couldn't hate them.
So...
Might as well show off for once. At that moment, Fang Li lifted his gaze, turning toward the anxious-looking Iris.
"Princess Iris." Fang Li spoke calmly. "I have a request. May I ask for your permission?"
"A request?" Iris blinked, then quickly replied, "Please, go ahead. I'll absolutely agree to it."
Fang Li nodded and said, "Would you be willing to lend me your Holy Sword for a moment?"
As soon as Fang Li said this, not just Iris, nearly everyone present froze in disbelief.
Especially Mitsurugi Kyouya, who furrowed his brows and spoke up:
"Please don't do something so pointless. Her Highness's Holy Sword is an Artifact that only those recognized as Heroes can wield. It's not something just anyone can--"
Before Mitsurugi could even finish speaking, Fang Li stepped forward, as if growing impatient, brushed past the stunned Mitsurugi, and stopped in front of Iris.
"M-Fang Li San?" Iris looked at him, slightly hesitant. "As Sir Mitsurugi said, the Holy Sword is an Artifact that can only be used by someone recognized as a Hero. Others simply can't wield it."
And she was right.
Not only the Holy Sword, but most Artifacts have strict user restrictions. They're not something just anyone can pick up and use.
And Fang Li, by all appearances, was certainly not a Hero.
What's more, the Holy Sword was also called the Sword of the King, an artifact that likely required the natural qualities of a ruler to be accepted.
But Fang Li… was neither Hero nor King.
He had said so himself many times: "I only know how to kill. I live to kill."
Fang Li was nothing more than a slaughterer. Neither a Hero, nor a King.
And yet, it was this very Fang Li who possessed the power to be acknowledged by the Holy Sword.
Yes. Power.
Back when he first arrived in this world, during the incident where he briefly abducted Iris and took the Holy Sword from her, Fang Li had already noticed something:
--The Sacred Mark carved deep into his soul had reacted to the Holy Sword.
So, while he may not be a Hero, or a King, the power he held was clearly something that the Holy Sword could recognize.
That power was called…
Stigma.
"Let's find out..."
Fang Li briefly brushed the pure white marking on the back of his hand, the mark of Stigma.
"Let's see if even the King's sword will kneel to me."
With those words, and under the gaze of everyone present, including Iris herself, Fang Li extended the hand marked by Stigma and grasped the Holy Sword standing beside her.
"Qiang!"
With a clear and resounding ring, Fang Li pulled the Holy Sword free, and raised it high into the air.
"Humm…"
The Stigma glowing on the back of his hand trembled, releasing a soft white phosphorescence, like flames dancing in the wind.
And in that moment,
"Zheng-----!"
A brilliant, radiant light burst forth from the Holy Sword, as dazzling as the sun, flooding the entire surroundings with blinding brightness.
"W-What?!" Everyone's expressions instantly changed.
"This is..."
Even Mitsurugi Kyouya, the first to react, and all the other Hero Candidates present, were completely stunned.
"N-No way..."
Kazuma, Aqua, Megumin, Darkness, and even Claire and Rain widened their eyes in shock.
As for Iris, she clasped her hands tightly before her chest, as if in prayer, watching Fang Li, who stood before her, lifting the Holy Sword that now shone with endless brilliance, with an expression filled with awe and joy.
No one failed to understand what this scene meant.
It could only mean one thing: Fang Li had been acknowledged by the Holy Sword.
This Classless man had been recognized by even the Sword of the King.
"Now this should be enough, right?" Fang Li lowered the raised Holy Sword, tilting it diagonally toward the ground.
Then, with a look full of mocking amusement, he turned his eyes toward the thoroughly stunned Mitsurugi Kyouya.
"Then let's begin. And please, be sure to go easy on me."
(End Of This Chapter)