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Chapter: 36
I’m Not the Cult Leader, I’m the Baby Head
Ellen watched Ariel, who stood calmly with a hardened expression.
Those with special abilities were not extremely rare.
Even within the Ludovico Knight Order, there were a few.
However, healing-type abilities were exceedingly rare.
Not only within the Ludovico Knight Order, but even across the entire Empire, they could be counted on one hand.
And to think such a healing-type ability was on the Batius side.
This is troublesome.
As if sharing the same thought as Ellen, Alberto and Jack—who were facing Denian and Ariel—also stiffened.
“Damn it, a healing-type ability user…”
As Alberto cursed, Jack, who had been quiet until now, frowned and spoke.
“Take out the healer first.”
“I know that much.”
Denian, who had recovered instantly thanks to Ariel’s ability, took his stance again, looking just like he had at the start of the match.
“What kind of healing speed is that?”
No matter how strong a healer was, healing normally took some time.
Usually, opponents attacked during that opening—but this had ended in the blink of an eye.
At Alberto’s shocked reaction, Karina snorted.
This was not just a simple ability. It was inner energy being used, so the effect was naturally multiplied.
On top of that, Ariel’s control of inner energy was high-level.
In that short time, she had accumulated an amount of inner energy close to Karina’s—a true anomaly among anomalies.
She was a monster when it came to inner energy control, even if not combat power.
That was why Ariel’s healing speed was so abnormal.
If Ariel reached peak-level inner energy one day, she would become someone enemies would not even dare to attack.
While Karina was thinking this, Alberto and Jack, sensing danger, charged toward Ariel.
But Denian did not stay still.
Unlike with Bernard, Denian did not hide his physical enhancement ability.
From the start, he drew out all his power, knocked Alberto away, and stabbed Jack with his dagger.
Attacked through the opening they left while focusing only on Ariel, Alberto and Jack were forced to retreat.
“Damn it! I’ll handle that brat, you go for the woman!”
At Alberto’s signal, Jack nodded.
As Alberto rushed Denian, Jack charged toward Ariel.
Denian blocked Alberto’s attack and tried to rush toward Ariel, but Alberto moved again and blocked his path.
At that moment, Jack’s dagger flew toward Ariel.
This is it. At this rate—!
Swoosh—!
The dagger aimed straight for Ariel’s vital point.
But the dagger only pierced a faint afterimage.
Jack’s eyes widened, and his gaze shifted to the side.
There stood Ariel, still in the same tense posture as before.
What was that?
I didn’t even sense her move… when did she get there?
Watching Jack’s confused face, Karina curled her lips into a grin.
That’s what footwork is, kid.
It was the Zhuge family’s footwork, known as Heavenly Mechanism Divine Movement.
The Zhuge family’s martial arts were not known for overwhelming strength.
Because the family focused more on strategy and intellect, their martial arts developed mainly in techniques like finger arts and footwork.
But there was a saying in the Central Plains:
“Beside the strongest person in the world, there is always a Zhuge.”
They may not become the strongest, but their unique abilities always placed them next to the strongest.
Because of that, the Zhuge family’s footwork and techniques were considered among the best in the martial world.
Of course, what Ariel used now was far from perfect.
No matter how good her inner energy control was, she had learned this footwork less than two weeks ago—barely more than imitation.
Still, to people who knew nothing of martial arts, it would look unbelievable.
Even so, this was only a temporary trick.
With incomplete footwork, one could not dodge attacks forever.
Breaking free from Alberto’s attacks, Denian stomped down toward Jack, who was targeting Ariel.
Boom—!
A thunderous sound erupted, unbelievable for such a small body.
Because Denian was using his physical enhancement ability to the limit, the ground where his foot landed caved in deeply.
Jack barely avoided it, sweat forming on his forehead.
As soon as Denian’s stamina dropped, Ariel immediately reached out and restored him.
Seeing this, Alberto ground his teeth.
“This will never end like this!”
At Alberto’s words, Jack hardened his expression and lowered his stance.
“We use that method.”
Alberto looked shocked.
“That method? You don’t mean—”
“Is there another choice?”
At Jack’s reply, Alberto erased his hesitation and smirked.
“Better than losing to these bastards.”
With that, Alberto charged Denian again.
This time, Jack also ran toward Denian, not Ariel.
It seemed they planned to take Denian down first.
With attacks pouring in from both sides, Denian clenched his teeth and endured.
Ariel already knew that stepping in would only get in the way, so she could only stand far away, pacing anxiously.
Her role was not combat, but recovery and support.
Bang! Bang! Clang! Boom!
The sounds of blades, fists, and bodies colliding echoed nonstop.
As Denian struggled to block both attacks—
“Denian! One of them is gone!”
Ariel shouted.
In the chaos, Jack had disappeared.
An ambush?
Denian stayed alert while blocking Alberto’s attacks.
Then—
Jack began crawling out from Ariel’s shadow.
A shadow-hiding ability.
Seeing that, Karina clicked her tongue.
Damn it. So they had another ability user too.
Denian hurriedly turned, but Jack burst out of the shadow and grabbed both of Ariel’s arms.
At that exact moment, Alberto gathered all his strength and charged, swinging his sword toward Ariel.
It was a killing attack.
Even with a blunt sword, striking a vital point at that speed could kill.
Seeing the merciless attack, Karina clenched her fist.
Screee—! Thud—!
A violent sound tore through the air.
Everyone squeezed their eyes shut.
Everyone except Karina.
She saw Denian standing in front of Ariel.
“Denian!”
Ariel screamed.
Denian’s shoulder was pierced, and he collapsed forward like a broken doll.
Unable to hold back, the training instructor Eric shouted from the platform.
“That was an attack meant to kill! How can you do that in a friendly match?!”
At Eric’s furious roar, the Ludovico Knight Commander merely crossed his arms indifferently.
As long as he didn’t die, it was fine—that was his attitude.
Seeing this, Callahan’s expression hardened.
At that moment, the referee Largo raised his hand and stopped the match.
With anger on his face, Largo stepped into the arena, glared at Jack and Alberto, then checked Denian.
There was heavy bleeding, but he was alive.
Still, he could no longer fight.
“He is not dead, but he cannot continue the duel.”
Incapacity meant defeat.
At Largo’s judgment, servants carried the unconscious Denian away on a stretcher.
Until then, Ariel was nearly in a panic. She had never seen Denian bleed this much.
Coming back to her senses, Ariel tried to follow him off the arena.
“I—I have to heal him…”
Karina shouted through the communicator.
“Get a grip, Ariel! If you step down now, you’re disqualified!”
“But Denian needs treatment—”
“His vital point was missed. Leave him to the doctors. We fight on. That’s what Denian wants.”
“……”
Unlike Bernard’s match, this time the enemy had attacked with the intent to kill.
Realizing that, killing intent filled Karina’s eyes.
“We have to take revenge for Denian.”
She spat the words out, then added,
“Stick to the plan.”
Ariel steadied herself and nodded.
The moment the match resumed, she raised her hand.
It was the signal to call an ally.
In the next instant, Karina flew into the arena at terrifying speed and struck Alberto’s chest with her palm.
Boom—!
“Keugh—!”
With an explosive sound that defied belief for a palm strike, Alberto was blasted straight out of the arena.
Crash—! Boom!
He flew across the ground and slammed into the wall.
Alberto coughed up blood and collapsed, embedded in the wall.
Everyone stared at Karina in disbelief.
Out in one hit.
With unimaginable power.
Staring coldly at the unconscious Alberto, Karina turned her furious gaze to Jack.
“Call the next one.”
Her face twisted with rage as she ground her teeth.
“Or you die first.”
