Starting With an SSS-Rank Swordsmanship Talent

Chapter 167: Prince Giovanni Aurelius Astania, The Main Event

When Lucas stepped out of the resting area, the spectators immediately spotted him.

”Look! Itʼs the Shield of the North, Lord Lucas Silversword!”

”The Shield of the North!”

”The Shield of the North!”

The spectators went wild with excitement and they cheered loudly for him.

The noise and the bustle of the crowd fell into Lucasʼs ears.

It has been a while since I last stood in the middle of this crowd.

The stern-faced Lucas let out a rare smile as he thought of this.

Meanwhile, on the opposite side, the challenger, Roderick Lassiter finally appeared.

The spectators became even more excited and the noise inside the coliseum intensified.

Roderick Lassiter wore a cold look on his face as he waited for the preliminary round to end.

I have been waiting for this very moment, Lucas. Show me how much you have progressed while you were in the North!

…

In the spectatorsʼ seats, there was a section where only the most important guests were seated.

Among the people seated in this particular section was the second prince, Prince Giovanni Aurelius Astania!

He had short golden hair and a pair of ocean-blue eyes. His expression was one of boredom as if he wasnʼt impressed with the battle on the platform.

”How are the preparations?” The second prince lazily asked as he looked at the man seated next to him.

It was a middle-aged man who looked to be in his late forties. He was dressed in fashionable noble attire embellished with shiny accessories.

”We have already prepared everything, Your Highness. All that is left is for Lucas to accept our invitation.” The fashionably dressed gentleman replied with a respectful smile.

”Good. No matter the results of the match, we must get Lucas to join our side.” The second prince uttered with a serious tone.

The challenge this time was carefully orchestrated by him all for the sake of making Lucas come to the capital.

As long as I have Lucas, the entire North will be mine!

Prince Giovanniʼs eyes flashed with ambition.

He refused to acknowledge the emperorʼs decision to give the throne to his elder brother. He believed that only the strong should take that seat!

”Yes, Your Highness! I will make sure that everything will go according to your plans.” The middle-aged gentleman promised.

”I believe in your ability, Lord Thompson.” The second prince smiled faintly.

Suddenly, the crowd erupted into applause and their loud cheers echoed across the coliseum.

The most anticipated event was about to start and the protagonists of this event have been called onto the stage.

…

Under the heated gazes of the spectators, Lucas stepped onto the platform. His gait was neither fast nor slow. It was measured with great precision, showing his confidence and dignity with each step.

As he stood on the platform, a heavy pressure descended upon him.

Lucas narrowed his eyes as he looked at the person who caused this pressure.

Roderick Lassiter was also a tall man himself. He was over two meters tall with thick muscles under his steel armor.

He was holding a mace and a diamond-shaped shield. Both were relic-level equipment and Lucas could tell this at a glance.

While the referee was explaining the rules of the match, Lucas and Roderick locked gazes, causing sparks to fly in all directions.

The tension was evident and the referee almost collapsed from the intense pressure they exuded.

While wiping off his sweat, the referee announced the commencement of the battle.

After the referee left, Roderick opened his mouth and shouted.

”Lucas! Show me what you got!”

His booming voice reverberated through the coliseum.

As soon as his voice fell, he stomped his foot and took the initiative to attack.

His heavy footsteps caused the platform the tremble.

A tremendous force was unleashed as he swung his mace.

Whoosh!

A violent flame burst forth, threatening to burn everything in its path!

This was the unique ability of his mace, Flame Manipulation. It was engraved by a powerful beast soul warrior so its firepower was undeniably strong!

Facing these fearsome flames, Lucas snorted and waved his sword, letting loose his mana to release the swordʼs power.

In the next moment, a powerful gale erupted and clashed with the flames.

Bang!

A deafening explosion followed after their attacks collided.

Subsequently, the two Transcendents released a barrage of attacks, causing more explosions and shockwaves.

The spectators couldnʼt even follow their movements. They moved so fast that it looked like everything was a blur.

Only the warriors at the level of Knights and above could see what was happening, but even then, they could barely follow.

”Insane! So this is how the experts in the Astanian Dragon Leaderboard fight!”

”Who do you think will win?”

”I canʼt say for sure. Lord Roderick has decades more experience, but Lord Lucas isnʼt a simple character either.”

No one could guess how the battle would conclude, but this didnʼt stop them from enjoying the fight.

At this moment, Lucasʼs shield was already showing signs of cracks.

It wasnʼt a relic-level equipment so it couldnʼt withstand a series of beatings from a Transcendent. Not to mention that Roderick wasnʼt just an ordinary Transcendent, but an expert ranked 11th in the Astanian Dragon Leaderboard!

Tsk! He knows that my shield isnʼt a relic so he is purposely hitting it. I must end this battle before my shield breaks!

Lucas thought to himself as he adjusted his stance.

He wasnʼt just idling when he was in the North. When everyone was busy doing other things, he was secretly training by himself.

He released a burst of mana to fully tap into the power of his sword.

I must finish this in one move!

As he thought of this, his figure blurred as he lunged at Roderick.

The latter immediately sensed his attack and raised his shield to protect his body. He also imbued the shield with mana to increase its defensive abilities.

Do you think that flimsy shield can block my sword?!

Lucas stared coldly at his opponent as he unleashed a powerful blow!