Elise never imagined that Fan Xinglou would pull such an outrageous stunt.
But thinking back to the original tale, she realized Xinglou was exactly the kind of chaos-bringer to do anything for amusement. Nothing should surprise her.
"What do we do, Ely?"
Sylvia's voice was anxious. Even with Orphelia's help, the two of them were struggling badly against the giant.
"Wait for Ernest's side. We need to strike by surprise!"
Her eyes met Ernest's, and in that instant, their plan was silently agreed upon.
Against the black giant, Heihu, Ernest and Laetitia engaged in close combat, combining swordsmanship and Lightwings to pressure it.
Laetitia's radiant wings spun around Heihu's body, denying it a single moment to breathe.
Meanwhile, against the white giant, Baiqin, Elise's group used long-range attacks to harass it—Sylvia's enchanting songs, Orphelia's deathly miasma, and Elise's ever-shifting techniques forced it to keep moving, limiting its swordplay.
Not yet…
Not yet…
The clashes on both sides grew fiercer, the audience roaring in excitement. None noticed that Elise and Ernest were constantly exchanging subtle glances.
As Saint Galahadworth's number one, Ernest had excellent rapport with others. Despite Elise's unique position, he treated her normally. Because of that, Elise held a different kind of respect for him.
Ernest was a true swordsman.
And so, Elise trusted him enough to share in an exchange of coded signals they had once practiced when she needed discreet help. She never thought she would be using them here.
"Now! Move!"
When the distance between the two battlefields aligned, Ernest's signal finally came.
In an instant, Ernest and Laetitia shifted their assault—his greatsword cleaved sideways toward Baiqin's abdomen.
At the same time, Elise, Sylvia, and Orphelia unleashed a powerful combined barrage against Heihu.
Boom!—
The strikes landed simultaneously.
Heihu staggered, its neck splitting with a massive crack from the combined blast. The fracture spread across its upper body until—
Crack, crack!—
Fragments rained down, and with a thunderous crash, Heihu's entire upper half collapsed, leaving only its ruined lower body.
"Hah—!"
Ernest strained with all his might, his Magic Sword digging into the faint line across Baiqin's abdomen. At first, it was only a shallow cut.
But Ernest was not fighting alone.
"Go!"
Laetitia's Lightblades swarmed to his side, fusing into his greatsword, transforming it into a blade large enough to rival Baiqin's own weapon—its glow spanning nearly a third of the arena.
"Thanks, Laetitia!"
With one mighty swing, Ernest widened the cut—and the sword cleaved through completely!
Baiqin's body split clean in half, crashing heavily to the ground.
"Ohhh! Incredible! Both battlefields shifted their targets at the exact same moment!"
The host cried out, astonished. "Perfect coordination—first controlling their distances, then using the dust clouds as cover to swap opponents, and finally finishing with fatal blows!"
"Whew! That was close!"
Laetitia wiped the sweat from her brow, relief flooding her face.
But… was it really over?
"Behind you!"
"Eh?"
Laetitia slowly turned her head—only to see white looming right in front of her… what was this?
Boom!
A violent crash echoed across the stage. Laetitia finally saw what had happened.
Baiqin?
The giant that Ernest had cleaved in half—was still moving?!
Not only its upper half, but even its lower half was capable of independent action.
And its target—was Orphelia!
The realization hit everyone instantly. Ernest reacted first, leaping in front of Laetitia with his Magic Sword raised to block.
But Baiqin wielded twin blades. One was stopped—but what about the other?
"Tch… I'll leave the rest to you all!"
Ernest exhaled sharply. Just as the second blade was about to strike, he abandoned all defense, shifting fully to offense.
The Magic Sword of the White Filter shone brilliantly—
Ability on!
The pure-white blade pierced straight through Baiqin's greatsword, driving directly toward its head.
Meanwhile, Baiqin's massive foot stomped down on Orphelia. Though her toxic miasma shielded her, Baiqin's sheer force pressed down with crushing superiority. No matter how much Orphelia amplified her Prana, it was useless.
Even with only half a body, its power only grew more oppressive. Sylvia's singing attack tried to intervene, but a single stomp shattered her prana shield and sent her flying.
Elise stared in silence. Through her perception, she saw it clearly—Fan Xinglou was perched atop Baiqin's lower half, laughing gleefully…
And she still claimed she wasn't cheating?
Sensing Elise's gaze, Xinglou flashed a wicked grin—then raised her thumb and pressed down.
"Move, now!" Elise shouted in alarm, but it was already too late.
Baiqin's upper and lower halves detonated simultaneously, unleashing a devastating shockwave!
Everyone present was struck by the blast. Ernest, Laetitia, and Orphelia, standing closest, were engulfed entirely.
Crack!—
The sound of emblems shattering.
"Contestants Ernest, Laetitia, and Orphelia's emblems have been broken!"
The host's voice confirmed Elise's fears.
Yet, in the instant before elimination, Ernest's final strike had pierced Baiqin's head, completely ending its movement and bringing the second round to a close.
"Hmhm, you all did quite well."
Fan Xinglou slipped back into view, watching Ernest with amusement.
"You've earned my attention. But…"
In the next moment, her smile twisted into displeasure—her eyes fixed squarely on Elise.
"You still haven't gotten serious, have you?"
"The final round—I'll be your opponent!"
"And don't expect me to show mercy!"