Chapter 272

Chapter 272: Terrible Acting

"Oh? Is this your human race’s strongest champion?"

After Army Lady and Stealth One exited the city gates, Magic Rainbow’s Psychic Call resonated through the minds of all humans once more.

"Is there an issue?"

Philid responded through the same psychic medium.

"Nothing substantial. I merely didn’t anticipate such exquisite beauties. It’s rather a pity to harm them."

"You pledged this would be a contest of skill without lethal consequences!"

Philid’s heart tightened with apprehension.

"Worry not. I’ll instruct my daughters Red Pupil and Weak Sound to restrain themselves. Marring such delicate loveliness would indeed be criminal."

The voice deliberately paused.

"Though your human race plays dirtier. Should these two fall, I presume your barrier will remain sealed?"

"Preposterous. This precaution merely prevents your ant tribe’s covert infiltration."

"Hehe. Then let us continue our observation."

Magic Rainbow’s tone revealed neither agreement nor dissent.

"Red Pupil! Weak Sound! My beloved daughters! Vanquish these foes and claim this human settlement for your mother!"

…

Hearing Magic Rainbow’s command laced with subtle arrogance, Red Pupil remained silent. The dark-haired girl dismounted from Little Tear’s transformed Iron Armored Ant form.

Her gaze shifted to Weak Sound, who appeared distracted atop another Iron Armored Ant.

"Little Sound."

"Ah! Y-yes, elder sister!"

The younger girl startled awake, hastily sliding from her mount. Her clumsy descent nearly caused a fall until Red Pupil’s steadying grasp intervened.

"Stay calm. Our sisters will compensate for any excessive force. Precision isn’t crucial."

"But… why must we fight? Other sisters could…"

"No alternatives. It must be us."

Red Pupil gently tousled Weak Sound’s hair.

"Little Liquor lacks combat aptitude. Purple Cloud and Purple Mist handle different duties. As for Darkling Stalker… she hasn’t attained humanoid form."

"But… Mother observes us. What if… if we disappoint…"

Mother?

Red Pupil’s movement stilled. Her eyes swept across the ant-mounted sister battalion before settling on an Acid Ant perched upon an Iron Armored Ant’s carapace.

After locking eyes, the Acid Ant averted its ant head as if unnoticed.

Found it.

"Then I’ll initiate first. Little Sound should take this opportunity to compose herself."

"Uh… Alright, understood."

Red Pupil proceeded toward Army Lady and Stealth One, halting approximately twenty meters from the pair.

Meanwhile, the human race members at the city gates emerged, pressing against the protective barrier to witness the confrontation.

"So it’s single combat after all?"

"What protocol applies if both sides secure one victory each?"

"We’ll address that contingency when it arises. However… Earlier distances obscured our view – is this truly the appearance of those humanoid ant tribes?"

"Resembling young maidens… Damn, they’re adorable. Could these truly be the formidable Class B ant tribes Master Philid described?"

"At least the dark-haired lass with crimson eyes stepped forward. The other… Wait, is she trembling? She appears rather feeble."

"The other belongs to the Weak Ant Tribe. Perhaps fragility defines their nature?"

Before long, the humans ceased their murmuring.

The Iron Armored Ant designated as Red Pupil began speaking – signaling the duel’s commencement?

…

"Well then, human adventurers. Which among you shall face me?"

The mellifluous voice retained its childlike timbre.

Army Lady and Stealth One shared a knowing glance.

"I shall engage first."

Army Lady withdrew a broadsword from her Magic Backpack.

Given their disguised status panels – her displayed level being LV.22 versus Stealth One’s LV.20 – confronting the higher-level Red Pupil fell logically to her.

"Acknowledged."

Stealth One nodded, masking internal discomfort with feigned concern. His facial muscles tensed into an unconvincing grimace.

"Don’t… overextend. Survival supersedes victory."

The strained words emerged through clenched teeth, his expression contorting unnaturally.

"Understood… Withdraw to safety."

Your theatrics need refinement – the true struggler here is you…

Army Lady’s mental retort accompanied her tightening grip on the sword hilt. Her countenance hardened into martial focus, eyes kindling with combative fire.

Though performing for observers, she resolved to commit fully – within the constraints of her manifested attributes and skills.

"En garde!"

"Engage!"

As both voices fell silent, the golden-haired girl vanished with a "whoosh," transforming into a golden blur that charged toward the little girl.

"Incredible speed!"

"Truly worthy of being the Army Lady of Moat Blade! To unleash such velocity from the very first move—she’s holding nothing back!"

"My eyes can’t even track her shadow!"

An adventurer gasped in awe.

The next instant, the golden-haired materialized before the child, her longsword slashing downward with the full momentum of her charge!

*Clang—*

The blade shrieked as though striking solid steel.

When the crowd focused, they saw the little girl’s tiny hand gripping the sword’s tip—no one had noticed her move.

"Wh-what?!"

The blonde’s eyes widened, disbelief contorting her features.

"That was my full-powered strike! How?!"

"Is this what you call ‘full power’?"

Red Pupil’s crimson eyes flickered with exasperation. With a slight tug, she yanked both sword and wielder closer.

"Your acting’s too theatrical, little sister," she murmured, lips brushing the girl’s ear.

"S-sorry…"

So my performance is awful too…

This show’s meant for Mother—I mustn’t ruin it with my incompetence.

Steeling herself, Army Lady kicked the approaching child away, wrenching her blade free from the tiny grasp.

"You dare mock me, wretched monster?"

Though anger flashed in her gaze, she quickly schooled her expression. Drawing a deep breath, she refocused, her stance firming as she lunged again.

The sword now gleamed faintly, its light distinct from the shimmer enveloping her hands. Closing the distance, she thrust upward at the child’s abdomen with intensified force.

*Ding—*

The impact felt even more unyielding than before.

"This attack at least merits recognition," Red Pupil conceded, examining her raised palm. "To force my ‘Ironcladization’… But now—"

Her hand blurred. Army Lady barely registered the movement before the tiny fist struck her chest.

Horror flashed across the warrior’s face—too late to evade.

*Thud!*

The blonde hurtled backward like a severed kite-string, crashing against the city gate’s protective barrier before crumpling to the ground. Gasping raggedly, she struggled to rise.

"Guh—!"

Blood sprayed from her lips.

Behind the shimmering shield, the human race collectively recoiled.

A single strike to grievously wound Moat Blade’s champion… Could even the Army Lady stand no chance against the Ant Tribe?