[Welcome everyone! To the annual sword fight tournament! For this year we have a very special guest that is joining as a candidate, one who is feared and respected by all swordsman. That said, let the first round of the tournament begin!]
A voice sounded upon high. Will, Al, Amethia and Auoun were seated at the each of the seats they have bought the day before the tournament. Will look up to see a small floating platform made out of rock with bars fenced around it. There stood a man wearing a formal attire while holding a wand near to his mouth that acts as a mic.
[First up, we got the hero from the Everlight party, the party that took down a warlock of calamity and did many deeds in our neighbouring kingdom, you heard me right, that is---Raye Winston!]
The man's right hand swayed to his right as Raye exited from the arch bridge where metal gates were raised so Raye could pass through.
[On the other hand, we have a swordsman who is also a veteran. He insisted on joining the tournament despite his age of 73 due to the lack of contestant, he is our kingdom beloved---Reynold Gubarachaffe!]
An old man walked out from the opposite side. He was shirtless, reminding of Kolt when Raye trained with him. The old man gave a sort of familiarities. Someone that they had met not too long ago. That old man is...the receptionist that they met yesterday!
Raye blinked a few times, affirming that he is not seeing things wrong.
"What's wrong? Can't an old man come out to play? Now then, let me see how powerful are you,"
They both drew out their sword and took a few steps forward until they meet each other face to face. They had their swords raised at an angle just in front of their face before the battle begins.
[Beeeegin!]
Raye decides to dash head on which clashes both swords of the two swordsman. The old man, Reynold Gubarachaffe swings his sword down and then swings it back up at Raye. he block it easily, showing that his training with Kolt pays off and then dashed to the side and swings his sword from down to up. A slash emerged that rushed to Reynold but he blocked it with his sword. Seizing this chance, Raye leaped up high in the air and swings his sword down with all his might. Reynold barely parried Raye's attack as Raye leaps back and sent multiple air slashes at Reynold. Reynold blocked all of the attacks as sweats started dripping onto the ground.
"You're quite the hot one aren't ya...well, do not underestimate this old man-!"
Reynold then gipped his sword tightly and raised it up high. Light beam formed around his sword as a fierce expression appeared on his face. He then swings down his sword at Raye. A large slash then broke the ground came rushing towards Raye. Instead of trying to parry it rashly. He simply held his sword in an angle, the blade next to his head on the left and swings it down quickly before it reaches to him. The attack made by Reynold was nullified by Raye's. Both attacks shook the ground and the whole stadium. Will watches the battle from up above and nodded softly. Seems his training for the past few months has paid off.
[What a shocking event!? Hero Raye Winston just nullified one of Reynold's strongest attack!?]
"What...?"
Reynold look in disbelief as Raye continues to pressure him. Swinging his sword at him while Reynold could only parry it. The old man is sweating heavily. Panting as the battle drags on. He look at the timer made out of fire magic and realised that it has only been three minutes.
Am I...really worn out...? Those were Reynold's thought before Raye swings his sword down with all his might, sending the sword on Reynold's hand away. The old man dropped onto the ground as Raye was victorious of this round battle.
[We have our winner! Raye Winston is the winner of this first round! Only lasting for 4 minutes 3 seconds!? That said, Raye Winston will proceed to the next round and Reynold Gubarachaffe is disqualified from continuing the match!]
Raye wiped off the sweat off his face. He did not sweat much unlike the old man. Those harsh trainings did paid off indeed. Raye bowed before returning back behind the gate. As he enters, a female voice congratulates him. Again, it was a familiar voice he had not heard in nearly a month. He raises his head and saw a woman with a light-dark skin tone, dark cherry coloured hair and a pony tail tied behind. It was the vampire hunter, Cynthia Lorez.
"Miss Cynthia, it's been a while,"
"It's been a while too, I've watched your battle, you improved since the last time we met,"
"I guess you could say that...why are you here?"
Raye shrugs and asked Cynthia a question. He was indeed curious why she was here.
"The vampire sighting has decreased a lot and with their ruler gone, they wouldn't dare to terrorise our city. Now that we have got a lot of leisure time, might as well do something we can't do once in a while, such as joining this tournament,"
Raye look at Cynthia. She is wearing a black attire with an armour vest on her chest. She wore a long pair of dark blue jeans. Her left hand rest on her sword that she has since the beginning.
[The second-first round is beginning soon! Stay tune folks!]
The announcement sounded outside as Cynthia smirked and walked next to Raye.
"That's my cue. See you,"
Cynthia then proceeds to walk past Raye and to the gate. Raye then exit the stadium where the rest of the Everlight party members gathered around.
"Congrats on your battle Raye!"
Amethia congrats Raye as Al just pat his back lightly while smoking. Will walked up to Raye and nodded, which Raye nods back. There is a total of ten matches in the first round. The day after that would be the second round which there would only be three matches for the second round. The first two match where one will be victorious and the loser will battle with the third winner. The one that is victorious will proceed to the final and so on. The tournament would approximately take one week to complete.
"Well then, shall we explore the city at the moment?"
The Everlight party members all agreed and they went forth with their stroll.
In the middle of the city, there stood a statue of a woman with her sword facing downward. She wore a collar shirt and an overcoat. She has short hair and a beautiful face though unfortunately there was no painting of the woman so they would not know her features. Below the statue written the name of the woman.
[Marleen Sharron]
[Founder of the Sharron County]
Before this part became part of the Kingdom of Verkiz, it used to be few county, viscounty and barony scattered all around. One of the most famous among them is the Sharron County. it all started with a woman named Marleen Sharron who said to have the wisdom and brilliance beyond her era. Using her knowledge, she grew from what used to be a barony to a county. Creating a place where people could come and live. Making deals that benefits her county to grow even stronger. It was said that the Sharron County was the one of the feared among that area before falling on the hands of a man who united all territories of counts, viscount and baron into now known as the Kingdom of Verkiz in the present day during the sixth generation of the Sharron County. Even so, Countess Sharron is still feared and respected till this day in the Kingdom of Verkiz.
The Everlight party stared at the statue not for long until they continued exploring the city. It is said that this city was far advanced for the era she lived in. As they stroll around the city, they came to a river that leads straight down to a lake. There stood a sign beside the river written the name of Marleen Sharron.
During the great drought, Lord Sharron builded a waterway that lead from a river all on her own, turning a single stream river splitting into two that one flow past her city. This contribution gained the trust of the people in that city and earning support from them.
Raye read it out loud while Will read it silently. The stream leads to a lake, storing water in it for the great drought where the water stream dried up. The water stored were used for farming and their domestic use when they were passing the great drought. The function of it still remains and people frequently use it for the same reason.
The Everlight party continues walking and came to another contribution of Marleen Sharron. There is a huge piece of land where a large barn stood. The Everlight party decides to take a visit since it is also a tourist spot. The animals were all organised thoroughly based on their species. Outside stood a sign, similar to the one where they encounter at the river.
Once again, Raye read it out loud and Will read it silently.
This barn was build by Lord Sharron and a few people that supports her, believing that she would improve this land economy and others. After the great drought came the great famine. It was ruthless misfortune events coming up in a row but Lord Sharron somehow predicted the future and builded this barn. She placed a few animals according to its species. Making sure there are mix genders so they could breed and create offspring, which means more food to pass the famine. With this, the Sharron county successfully passed the great famine without meeting any casualties all thanks to Lord Marleen Sharron.
Before sun sets, the Everlight party took a stroll around the perimeter of the city and came across an arch bridge just leading to outside of the city at the back. The Sharron County territory started from the borderline between the Kingdom of Ferria and the Kingdom of Verkiz to a ravine. Everything besides are all considered the Sharron County, making it powerful and feared by others during that era. During their stroll, Will noticed a few group of cloaked people in dark green passing by. This gave Will deja vu but he quickly ignored it. Below the bridge was a large ravine parting the city from the next. Once again, a sign stood before the bridge. And again, Raye read it out loud and Will read it silently.
Lord Sharron knowing that the county's fame is increasing and decided to improve its economy by making deals and trades with willing neighbouring barony or viscounty. Behind the Sharron County was the Rozwig Viscounty. That viscounty was known to have high resources and good trades of seasoning and goods back then. The only thing that is bordering the Sharron County and the Rozwig Viscounty is a large dried up ravine. Lord Sharron who wanted to secure a road that ensure a trading route between the two territories, she came up with the idea of the first arch bridge which many took on the inspiration of hers and it is now used in the modern area. The architecture of the arch bridge is sturdy and it won't be easy to collapse, using a thing she invented called concrete to maintain the structure of it. Because of this bridge, the trades with the Rozwig Viscounty is secured and the fame of the Sharron County grew stronger and larger. This is said to be Lord Sharron most favourable creation of all time by the folks of her county!
"Wow, this Lord Sharron sure is a powerful person, being able to maintain the power and fame of her county, lasting her county while also caring for her people, too bad it all fall during the sixth generation…"
Raye exclaimed and sighed after finishing his sentence.
"Such an admirable person,"
Amethia muttered to herself as the golden lining descends into the horizon, letting the night take over. With that, the exploration in the city has come to an end. The only thing that is stopping them from continuing to travel is the tournament.