『Inter-Kingdom Mock Battle Part II』

Festive.

Everyone was lively and cheerful, who could blame them? In an arena where all the people they've looked up to are fighting, who wouldn't get excited? That was quite the same case for a particularly observant girl.

"Awesome! Kaori-chan can predict battles so precisely!" The princess jovially said.

"Mhm..." Minami nodded as though she agreed.

"It's not that hard, one can gauge a person's battle prowess just by observing them—although I do have to admit that cultivating my Soul Seeking abilities indeed helped me grow fast while also being able to observe souls." Kaori said pridely.

Anyone could learn Soul Seeking—but not everyone can reach a level where they can start repairing souls. This is why Soul Seekers that heal souls are few and far between—you need the corresponding aptitude for it. While that was the case, Soul Seeking was also used for other methods—mainly to gauge people's power and their souls.

"Hehe, it seems that the next match is starting... let's see..."

Kaori was still eager to show off—hiding the fact that she had successfully won a great number of Zeals by just betting. She was proud and chipper—

Or so that should have been the case...

Before she knew it, Kaori had started running—running as fast as she could.

"—!"

Naoki Ozawa

The mere mention of that name had triggered something inside her—as if her body was in a complete manic trance.

[...As a special match, this will determine which country had better cultivated our precious and lovely men that resist the goddess' will!]

<<----------->>

"I just hope this won't make things difficult in the future..." He couldn't help but sigh.

Now that he has been publicly announced in the world, He wondered if he can still live his carefree and spontaneous life after all of this. Little did he know that his fear would turn into reality.

"My opponent should be..."

*Rumble*

"...!?"

The ground shook.

Not because of Naoki's opponent—as even he had tumbled to the ground. As Naoki looked around, he could see twisted faces from everyone—both confused and scared.

"Isn't this a floating island...?"

<Soul Punishment!>

As if the heavens were shouting, these words resounded. As a ball of light rushes down to the ground, the arena trembled—it seems it was heading straight down to one man in particular.

"What is this...!?" Naoki panicked, the ball of light was fast approaching above him.

[Naoki...!]

As if to emphasize the worry of the voice inside his head, a similar bright crimson light erupted around him—creating a dome.

*Crack*

An extremely explosive sound resounded in the whole arena as cracks could be heard—both the crimson dome that protected Naoki had been greatly damaged, along with the arena's barrier.

"Why...?" Naoki thought all over again, why was this happening? he didn't know.

"...so, an ant had managed to crawl its way here." A voice echoed.

"That's...!"

"What did we do!?" The audience panicked.

"Ceana... I believe I've always paid my respects to Anize-sama." The matriarch said grimly.

That's right, a figure descended from the heavens—as if a scene from a movie had appeared. The figure could not be deciphered and had no form but everyone knew, this was the person they worshipped—the direct subordinate of the goddess, the Reincarnation Saint, Anize.

"...? I see, it seems this is also fate. Unfortunately, you can't be allowed to live."

As if hesitating, the figure took a moment to pause, before unleashing another attack towards Naoki, this time, more powerful than the last.

[Naoki... I can't... Head Anize is the strongest out of all the Saints...]

"You got to be kidding me... Carol... Dorothy...!" As if calling to the people that he cherished the most in this world, he shouted desperately.

"No..!"

*Shake*

Fragments cracked.

Crimson shards could be seen withering into mist, but somehow the ball of light did not hit him—he was unscathed. Opening his eyes, a girl stood unsteadily in front of him—her black long hair gave him a sense of nostalgia. That's right, this was the person that he saw back then, even before he came here in this world.

"Fujiyama... san?"

"I made it... in time..."

She fell to the ground, and all of her soul artifacts and armor shattered—which used to be Lizea's prized Soul Equipment. It seems she had used all means of protection on her.

"...!" As if by instinct, he rushed towards her aid.

How was she here? He thought. Naoki couldn't fathom the absurdity of the situation as tears flowed into his eyes—why did he deserve this injustice? He only wanted to live peacefully in this world, to revel in the joy of his new life and find meaning in it all.

"Hah... I originally grew fond of you, little creature. Who knew love would be so blind... in a sense, you two are alike." Decided, the figure waved its hands once more—it appears this was more powerful than the previous two.

[Naoki... only one way... didn't want to use this... sorry.]

"Ahaha, it—it's alright... it's—" Naoki's voice quivered.

How long has it been since he cried? Naoki thought to himself. He was naive—so naive. With his meager power, he couldn't even keep his carefree life.

Rain followed suit, as the two companions of Naoki rushed towards him—alongside Kaori's friends. They were using all of their soul's extent to rush to his aid—their face was full of despair, tears flowing from their devastated faces.

"Peasant...! Naoki...! you!"

"..."

Astria could only stand and kneel, he was too far. Astria's face was a mess—but this girl, Dorothy, had such an angry-looking face, that even Astria couldn't recognize her anymore. She was still going, even if it was futile.

"If you die... If you die...! I'll never forgive you! Not in this life or in the next!" Dorothy's voice raptured, the sound had resounded all over the arena.

*Boom*

Beautiful, everyone thought deep in their minds—this light was the most majestic explosion that they have ever seen. They would have marveled at the sight, if only it wasn't used to make someone disappear.

No cracks were heard, only the thunderous sound of the explosion and the shockwave that followed could be observed—as if the bright white light had etched in everyone's heart, they could only watch in despair.