"Miss Emily, you'd better be careful!"
After issuing a warning, Tartaglia launched his assault.
Charging toward the girl, he drew his bowstring and unleashed a barrage of powerful water arrows.
With a swift flick of his wrist as he fired, Tartaglia imparted horizontal momentum to each arrow. The projectiles, originally launched in a single direction, now arced gracefully along diverging trajectories, converging on the girl from multiple angles almost simultaneously.
Seeing Tartaglia's attack, the girl showed no intention of moving. She remained rooted to the spot, a serene smile playing on her lips. Yet, everyone present could feel a sudden gust of wind stirring around them.
All the water arrows were simultaneously distorted by an invisible force, their trajectories twisted until they swirled around the girl, their speed steadily increasing.
Soon, the rapidly moving water arrows could no longer maintain their individual forms, merging into a single, slender azure thread.
Emily lightly pointed a finger at Tartaglia, who was rapidly closing the distance. The blue thread swirling around her instantly shifted direction, hurtling toward Tartaglia and appearing before him in the blink of an eye.
Anticipating the girl's move, Tartaglia had already prepared. His Hydro Bow had transformed into twin Hydro Blades. Gripping the blades in both hands, he slashed the incoming water thread into countless fragments with blinding speed.
Having realized he had no advantage in ranged combat against the girl, Tartaglia had forced a breakthrough, attempting to close the distance.
Though his hands stung numbly from deflecting the attack, Tartaglia grinned excitedly and accelerated his charge toward the girl.
The audience erupted in gasps as they witnessed Tartaglia's arms blurring into afterimages. This level of combat was unlike anything they usually saw at the Pankration Ring—they had truly come to the right place today!
Many were equally astonished by the young woman's formidable strength. Such beauty combined with such power—she's irresistible!
In an instant, the young woman gained countless fans. Her status as a guardian of the Hydro Archon Furina only deepened the admiration in many hearts.
Returning to the battle, the young woman surprisingly advanced rather than retreated as Tartaglia closed in. Simultaneously, she began to rapidly gather Anemo Energy in her hand, swiftly conjuring a cyan one-handed sword.
The Hydro Blade clashed against the Anemo Sword, sending a pale blue wave of water energy rippling through the air, imbuing both combatants with Hydro Element.
"Miss Emily, I never expected you to be so skilled in close combat as well," Tartaglia remarked, already sensing her prowess in melee after just one exchange.
"Monsieur Tartaglia, you flatter me. Aren't you equally adept with various weapons and combat styles?" the young woman replied with a smile.
"May I interpret that as a compliment to yourself as well, Monsieur Tartaglia?"
"Hahahaha, you may! I do have some confidence in my abilities, after all!"
With those words, Tartaglia abruptly exerted force through his arm, shattering the girl's Anemo Sword's guard. He lunged forward, his Hydro Blades rising in alternating strikes, aimed at her vital points.
To Tartaglia's surprise, the girl didn't evade. Instead, she pushed her body's flexibility to its absolute limit, arching her upper body backward in an impossible contortion that barely avoided his attacks. Then, with a swift, powerful kick, she slammed her foot into Tartaglia's abdomen.
Tartaglia barely managed to block with his arm, but the tremendous force surged through his arm and into his entire body, launching him into the air.
In that instant, Tartaglia switched his Hydro Blades back to a Hydro Bow and fired a water arrow crackling with ominous energy at the girl.
"Water-Stopping Arrow!"
Facing the rapidly approaching water arrow, the girl calmly leveled her Anemo Sword horizontally before her, bracing her other hand against the blade's opposite end. With a sharp cry, an incredibly intense cyan light erupted from the sword's surface.
"Anemo Extremity!"
In that instant, Tartaglia sensed an overwhelming danger. Without hesitation, he activated the Delusion's power, shrouding his body in an ominous aura.
At that very moment, an unparalleled force shattered the water arrow hurtling toward the girl's head, pushing it back along its original trajectory. The arrow struck the ominous energy enveloping Tartaglia, instantly blasting both higher into the air.
The black energy shield flickered violently but ultimately withstood the impact. The ceiling, however, was not so fortunate.
The Fortress of Meropide, built as a prison, was constructed primarily of alloy, and the ceiling of the Pankration Ring was no exception. Yet even this high-strength alloy, moments after the deafening roar subsided, now bore a massive, dripping dent.
A figure broke free from the black barrier and plummeted toward the ground.
Tartaglia twirled his Electro Element spear, a mask of Abyss Energy materializing on his face, his aura growing even more terrifying.
"Round two!"
With those words, Tartaglia vanished from his position, instantly reappearing before the girl.
Her reaction was equally swift. Wielding her Anemo Sword, she parried all of Tartaglia's attacks while a cyan glow enveloped her legs, granting her a burst of speed.
At their current speed, the clash between the two was already blurring into a dizzying spectacle for ordinary eyes. This called for a professional commentator, and Charlotte stepped up to fill that role.
"The instant the battle began, Miss Emily launched a fierce assault on Monsieur Tartaglia!"
"Good heavens! Miss Emily's power is simply overwhelming! Even the reinforced Pankration Ring can barely withstand her attacks!"
"Of course, Monsieur Tartaglia's response is equally impressive. He not only evaded Miss Emily's initial assault but also found the opening to counterattack!"
-
"Monsieur Tartaglia seems to have activated the power of his Delusion. His entire demeanor has undergone a complete transformation."
"Good heavens, what speed!"
"Both of them are incredibly strong! Monsieur Tartaglia's attacks are ferocious and overwhelmingly oppressive, yet Miss Emily has managed to defend against every single one."
"However, the situation remains unfavorable for Miss Emily. Merely defending passively will eventually expose a weakness. Let's see if she has a plan to turn the tide!"
Charlotte frantically snapped photos of the duel while providing breathless commentary for the audience. The spectators, never expecting such a spectacular display, were completely drawn into the fight, cheering wildly for both combatants as if their lives depended on it.
Due to the young woman's excellent reputation and formidable skills within the Fortress of Meropide, she enjoyed the overwhelming support of the crowd.
Currently, Tartaglia, the Fatui Harbinger, held the advantage, and his supporters were numerous.
However, this situation didn't last long. The girls' side quickly gained overwhelming momentum.
Suddenly, several young women appeared on the scene, holding banners, dressed in revealing outfits, and performing energetic dances while shouting loudly:
"Go, President! Go, President!"
Many spectators couldn't tear their eyes away from these vibrant young women, and even those who had originally supported Tartaglia defected to the enemy camp.
What choice did they have? After all, this side treated everyone like brothers!
Seeing the girls' overwhelming support and the dwindling cheers for Tartaglia, the Fatui soldiers grew anxious.
"This is bad! Their support team's momentum is overwhelming!"
"The cheers for Lord Childe are fading! If this continues, he might lose his composure and perform poorly, leading to his defeat!"
"No, we can't just stand by and watch! We'll protect Childe's back!"
One Fatui soldier declared to the others. He was also the mastermind who had come up with the idea of writing on everyone's bellies.
"But Childe told us to just watch the fight quietly and not interfere," a soldier protested.
"That was then, this is now!" the first soldier retorted. "We couldn't have predicted the enemy would resort to such underhanded tactics. Now that Childe's in grave danger, we need to adapt!"
"Trust me on this! I'll take full responsibility if anything goes wrong!"
Hearing him willing to shoulder the blame eased the Fatui soldiers' worries.
If their plan succeeded, they would all be rewarded handsomely. And if they messed up, someone else would take the fall—a win-win situation!
"Gather around, everyone. I'll explain the plan in detail..."
-
On the battlefield, the situation wasn't actually as unfavorable for the girl as Charlotte had claimed.
Tartaglia knew this perfectly well, because throughout their clash, the girl facing him wore an unwavering, serene smile.
Of course, he also knew his own face was probably split into a wide grin. He was growing more exhilarated with each moment, his movements becoming increasingly fluid and agile.
Speed—I can push it further!
Power—I can make it even stronger!
Tartaglia's strength surged continuously as he fought at full force, a sensation that filled both his mind and body with unparalleled joy.
This is what a real battle feels like!
The encounter with Neuvillette earlier couldn't even be called a fight—it was pure self-inflicted humiliation!
Thank the heavens that this girl had taken Hydro Archon Furina's place in the duel. Otherwise, today's battle would have been as utterly dull as his encounter with Neuvillette.
Once he defeated her and further honed his skills, he looked forward to facing Furina again. That clash would surely be a true test of strength, a battle to remember!
And Neuvillette—he would definitely seek another duel with him!
Just as Tartaglia was savoring the joy of his growth, his peripheral vision caught sight of his subordinates, and he froze in shock.
The Fatui soldiers had inexplicably changed into new outfits. They wore black stockings, tight-fitting black leather suits, and rabbit ears perched on their heads. Standing there, they looked like a walking pollution source.
"Are you sure wearing this is okay?" one soldier asked hesitantly.
"Relax," the Fatui soldier who had proposed the idea reassured them. "Can't you see everyone's already captivated by our charm? They're completely mesmerized!"
"Alright, it's time we showed the Fatui's true might!"
"Lord Childe will surely triumph!"
"Lord Childe is the greatest in the world!"
"Lord Childe reigns supreme for eternity!"
-
Tartaglia was completely numb. Suddenly, he sensed a wave of danger beside him, barely managing to block before a powerful force sent him flying.
Pfft—
Tartaglia spat out a mouthful of blood in mid-air, unsure if it was from the blow or from sheer shock.
Ugh!
The audience couldn't take it any longer and began vomiting, filling the arena with a nauseating stench.
"Shit! Lord Childe is injured!"
"Keep going! We're not trying hard enough!"
"Use our ultimate technique!"
"Right!"
As the Fatui soldiers tore open their black leather uniforms to reveal words tattooed on their stomachs, Tartaglia seemed to bleed even more profusely.
Who the hell sent these idiots to me?!
Wait... didn't he choose them himself? Never mind, then...
Tartaglia couldn't help but miss that guy the other Fatui soldiers called a traitor. He seemed like the smartest one among them.
Arlecchino, send over some more spies, I can't take this anymore!
In just a few moments, Tartaglia's emotions had swung wildly, ending with his body crashing heavily to the ground.
Fortunately, the girl didn't press her advantage. Otherwise, Tartaglia might have suffered far worse injuries.
Though his physical wounds were relatively minor, his heart was already riddled with holes.
"Do the Fatui really play this twisted?"
"I thought I was twisted enough, but the Fatui take it to a whole new level!"
"I often feel out of place with you guys for not being twisted enough."
-
Hearing the surrounding crowd's taunts, Tartaglia was so enraged he nearly coughed up blood.
"Shut up! Shut up, all of you!" he roared at the Fatui soldiers. However, they were now quite far from the arena, and the commotion from the crowd further muffled his words.
"What? Lord Childe wants us to shout louder!"
"Everyone, join me in a mighty roar!"
"At the pinnacle of martial prowess, unmatched in this world! With Lord Childe, the heavens themselves shall tremble!"
As the Fatui soldiers rose to their feet, shouting in unison, they revealed the corresponding words emblazoned on their uniforms and arranged themselves in precise formation.
Tartaglia was completely dumbfounded. While he secretly loved the sentiment, the spectacle made his head spin.
He didn't even dare imagine what expression The Jester Pierro would wear when he saw today's broadcast...
Suddenly, Tartaglia sensed danger again. This time, the girl had launched an attack.
However, Tartaglia had no intention of engaging her. Instead, he charged directly toward the spectator stands.
Since the rule restricting them to the arena had been lifted, this maneuver didn't violate any regulations.
Tartaglia swiftly delivered a brutal backhanded slap to each Fatui soldier, knocking them unconscious and sending them sprawling to the ground. The arena instantly fell silent and clean.
I'll deal with you lot later!
After venting his frustration, Tartaglia's mood finally improved. He met Emily's next attack, and the two resumed their furious exchange of blows.
This battle was just as spectacular as the last. What truly surprised Tartaglia was witnessing Emily's continued growth in strength.
Such a formidable opponent! I must show her my Foul Legacy!
Moreover, with his current strength, he couldn't even suppress her. In fact, Tartaglia sensed she was still holding back, her expression remaining calm and unperturbed.
Parrying Emily's next strike, Tartaglia leaped back to a slightly greater distance, then twirled his Electro Spear and plunged it into the ground.
Sensing Tartaglia's preparations for another move, Emily temporarily paused her assault.
"Hahahaha! It's been ages since I've enjoyed a fight this much!"
"From now on, I'll be fighting Miss Emily with all my strength. Miss Emily, you'd better be careful!"
With that, Tartaglia prepared to activate his Foul Legacy transformation.
But just then, the memory of his two consecutive failed transformations weighed heavily on his mind, causing him to hesitate.
"Miss Emily, I believe you, like myself, relish the thrill of battle, don't you?" Tartaglia asked tentatively.
The young woman smiled and nodded in response.
Seeing this, Tartaglia felt his anxiety subside. He continued, "Then please wait just a moment, Miss Emily. I'll soon show you my ultimate form!"
Seeing Tartaglia's uncharacteristically cautious demeanor, the audience burst into laughter. It seemed he was still haunted by his previous humiliating defeat against Neuvillette, perhaps even psychologically scarred.
Charlotte chuckled and resumed her commentary.
"My apologies, everyone! I was briefly delayed clearing some "impurities" from my camera. But fear not, Charlotte is back to bring you the action!"
"It appears Miss Emily has put immense pressure on Monsieur Tartaglia. He seems ready to unleash his final trump card!"
"For some reason, Tartaglia is now engaging in friendly negotiations with Miss Emily. I wonder how Miss Emily will respond?"
"Everyone, let's shout out our thoughts loudly so Miss Emily can hear us!"
"Make him transform! Make him transform!"
The audience roared in unison. Though the vast majority supported the young woman, that didn't stop them from wanting to see a spectacle.
"Please proceed, Monsieur Tartaglia," the young woman said softly, her smile unwavering.
Hearing her words, Tartaglia felt completely at ease.
"Then feast your eyes on my ultimate form: Foul Legacy!"
With that, Tartaglia began his transformation without hesitation, while the audience watched his position with breathless anticipation.
But just then, the unexpected occurred.
A cyan magic circle suddenly appeared beneath Tartaglia's feet. The moment he saw it, a sense of foreboding washed over him.
But it was already too late. The cyan circle erupted with a terrifying surge of power, instantly dispersing the Abyss energy coiling around Tartaglia and sending him hurtling backward.
Tartaglia's body slammed into the high walls surrounding the Pankration Ring like a speeding train, embedding him in the metal surface. The violent Anemo currents pinned him in place, rendering him unable to move.
The audience erupted in gasps of shock, but a radiant amber barrier swiftly rose, shielding them from the impact. This protective measure had been prearranged by Wriothesley, who utilized Ousia Energy to create a protective barrier, ensuring the audience's safety.
Before long, the azure array gradually faded, and the tempest finally subsided. Tartaglia's body broke free from its high-altitude prison and plummeted toward the ground.
At the last moment, Tartaglia manipulated his Hydro Elemental Power to create a cushioning layer beneath him, softening his landing.
But after the events of the previous night, Tartaglia had exhausted every last ounce of his strength. This wasn't just from the force of the final blow; the failed transformation had also inflicted a severe backlash.
Now, Tartaglia's entire body felt numb.
Why? he wondered. Does Fontaine have some kind of curse that automatically disrupts transformations?
Why can't I ever successfully activate my Foul Legacy transformation here?
Tartaglia felt deeply targeted!
Neuvillette was one thing, but the girl who had fought him had promised not to interfere—yet she still ambushed him! It was utterly dishonorable!
Smiling, the girl slowly approached Tartaglia.
Seeing the resentful look on his face, she knew exactly what he was thinking and took the initiative to explain.
"I really didn't attack you directly. Those were traps I set up beforehand, when you weren't paying attention."
"If you don't believe me, just look."
With a wave of her hand across the arena, two cyan-colored formations materialized from the ground, leaving Tartaglia dumbfounded.
When Tartaglia finally snapped out of his daze, realizing the girl hadn't resorted to a sneak attack, he felt a sense of closure.
"You win this time! But next time, we'll settle this!"
With such a formidable opponent, Tartaglia no longer cared as much about his battle with Furina.
After tossing out that parting remark, he immediately collapsed into unconsciousness.
"The ultimate victor has emerged!"
"It's our beautiful and captivating Miss Emily!"
"As Lady Furina's personal guard, Miss Emily's strength is truly extraordinary!"
As Charlotte announced the final result, the audience finally snapped out of their daze and erupted into thunderous applause and congratulations for the young woman.
"I never expected the battle to end like this! It was so dramatic!"
"Is Tartaglia really a Fatui Harbinger? How could he be so unlucky? We should just call him 'Old Unlucky' from now on!"
"Hahahaha! He actually stepped right into the trap he had set earlier at the very end!"
"With a battlefield this huge and only three traps, landing on one could almost be considered luck in a twisted way!"
"Hahahaha..."
The atmosphere in the arena instantly became joyous.
Meanwhile, Tartaglia and all his half-naked subordinates were bundled up and sent to the infirmary. Since he was unconscious, he couldn't hear any of the comments about him—truly fortunate, indeed...