After Quillon was announced the winner, there was no applause from the crowd like normal, they all just sat there in disbelief.
General Augustus could be considered a hero for the kingdom with how he had defended the southern border and kept the citizens safe.
Yet now he was laying on his back unconscious with blood gushing out of a horrible wound, and very few people even understood how it had happened.
Even Marcus had barely seen the single slash that had ended the fight, and all he could think was that this man Quillon was by far the strongest fighter he had seen so far in this tournament.
'Can I beat him?'
Marcus wondered if he could win even if he gave it everything he had.
With his base abilities, impossible, but maybe with his supreme skill and unique skills active he could win, but he was still not certain.
This was the first opponent Marcus truly was not confident that he could beat even if he pulled out all the stops, and it was certain that they would fight in the near future.
"He must have cheated somehow."
"Yeah, there is no way that the southern wall could fall unless that guy used some illegal trick."
Soon the people began to be enraged by what had happened, not believing it possible, for someone so strong to be beaten in an instant.
The referee tried to calm the people down, but they started to call him incompetent and that he should be replaced.
In fact, the crowd was beginning to get so riled up that there was fear of a riot happening when over everything else a loud shout blast throughout the arena.
"SILENCE."
It was such a commanding voice that everyone became quiet even the most upset audience members that were causing the uproar.
Everyone then turned their heads towards the sound of the voice, and knight commander Darius could be seen standing on the platform the king had given the opening ceremony on.
"All of you need to calm down. I can say with a fact that no foul play happened. In this fight General Augustus was simply overpowered. It is Quillon's win and anyone who wishes to continue to complain can come and do so to me personally."
After that no one had any discontent anymore, since not a single person was willing to actually go up to the kingdom's strongest and complain.
The days matches then continued to go by and while Marcus did identify some other strong competition, no one even came close to level of power and speed that Quillon demonstrated.
Then when the last match had completed Mrazivy who had been waiting patently turned towards Marcus and said, "Now that everything is wrapped up, would you mind coming to talk to me in private."
Nodding his head Marcus followed Mrazivy out of the sands and to her private box where she would normally watch the matches.
Not surprisingly she told her two protectors to wait outside since what she wanted to discuss with Marcus was personal.
Walking inside Marcus could see that her viewing box was quite nice with a luxurious couch as well as a table full of high-quality refreshments.
However, once they were inside Mrazivy became serious, and turning a picture frame in the room Marcus felt a strange magical aura surround them.
"There now no one should be able to hear us. Marcus, I have something very important to ask you, would you lose against me in our upcoming match.?"
Hearing this Marcus just stood there stunned for a minute trying to wrap his head around what Mrazivy was asking when she came right up to Marcus and with a desperate look said, "Please I have to win, and I know I cannot beat you. I need you to give the match to me or my life will be over."
Now Marcus was certain that something was up, and he could only imagine that it was probably the same thing that had been upsetting her in Lethallan.
"Why are you asking me this now. We both still have our next match before we go head-to-head, I could easily lose to Gurrom."
Shaking her head Mrazivy said, "We both know that is not true. Your fellow apprentice and friend may be strong, but you are much more powerful. I know that we are both going to win and then face off."
Marcus could not argue with Mrazivy's logic there. As much as he did not want to discount how strong Gurrom is, he was certain that he was stronger.
Thinking about it though, Marcus could not afford to just give up because his friend asked him to. He had a lot riding on winning this tournament and obtaining adamantine was his current main goal.
"Mrazivy, I am sure you know that I was offered extraordinary rewards should I win this tournament. I cannot just give up because you asked me to."
After giving his answer, Marcus began moving towards the door to leave when Mrazivy grabbed onto his arm and said, "Marcus I am begging you. If I do not win this tournament, I will have to marry someone that I hate."
This made Marcus stop as he turned around and saw the distress in Mrazivy's face.
Seeing this Marcus actually felt his chest hurt a little bit for some reason.
"Okay I will hear you out. I know you probably did not want to explain what is going on to me, but tell me properly and I might consider throwing the match for you."
Hearing this a small smile of hope appeared on Mrazivy's face.
She then took a deep breath and exhaled slowly before saying, "After the incident with the demon, I reported what I had discovered to my father since I have a duty to keep this kingdom safe. However, he got upset that I had taken such a dangerous matter into my own hands and called me home. This had happened in the past before, but this time he told me I was going to be forced into an arranged marriage with the first son of Marquis Krenston. My father told me that it was time to settle down and stop endangering myself, and that if I married Krenston's son I could solidify the royal family's power in Loursend."
Marcus could see the look of disgust as Mrazivy talked about marrying the son of Marquis Krenston, and Marcus could not blame her.
He remembered how the viceroy of Loursend had continuously delayed the rescue effort for Mrazivy when she got sent to the third layer's boss room via a teleport trap.
"I thought the guy hated you why would he want you to marry his son. And could the king not just have one of his other daughters marry the guy's son, why does it have to be you?"
Scowling Mrazivy said, "It is about control. Krenston specifically requested me, since he wants me to be miserable. Just like him, his son is a vile person, and I would rather, marry a goblin than him."
Mrazivy basically spat out Krenston's name this time and it was evident how much she really hated the idea of marrying his son.
"So how does the tournament come into play. I am guessing that it must be a way out."
Nodding her head Mrazivy said, "My father gave me a condition. If I won, the tournament he would break off the engagement. As the tournament's winner I would have even more value and would not have to marry anyone if I did not want to."
With the whole picture now, Marcus understood why Mrazivy wanted him to throw the match for her, but even if he did there was still a problem.
"Even if you get past me, how are you planning to win. Do you have a way to beat Quillon, or any of the other strongest competitors for that matter?"
Frowning Mrazivy responded saying, "I will get there when the time comes. I need to think one step at a time."
Of course, Marcus could see the worry on Mrazivy's face, and it was clear that she herself did not believe she could win even if he did lose their match on purpose.
Now Marcus had to decide what he was going to do.
Mrazivy was one of his closest friends in this world and thinking that she would end up miserable for the rest of her life married to some scumbag was hard to stomach.
"Very well, I will let you win."
When she heard this Mrazivy's expression turned into a big smile as she gave Marcus a hug and thanked him profusely.
"Wait you did not let me finish. If I am going to throw the match for you, I am making sure you go all the way. So, I am going to help you win."
Confusion all over her face Mrazivy had no idea how Marcus would help her win.
"What do you mean help me win. I know you are a ghost but obviously even you would not go unnoticed tampering in the tournament."
"Yes, you are right, if I was only a ghost. Remember you took a thorough look at my status. I am also a great spirit of light and darkness. I know that you cannot bring any sort of beast companion or the like into the ring with you, but anything conjured with summoning magic is perfectly legal.. So, for the rest of this tournament I am your contracted spirit, and I look forward to working with you."
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