"How... how is this possible?!"
"It... it broke!"
"Arthur's Judgment of Light was actually cut down!!!"
"What in the world is going on here?!!"
The commentator was stunned at this moment, stuttering his words, unable to comprehend the situation.
Arthur's Judgment of Light was his ultimate move, always successful, and its power, while not world-destroying, was terrifyingly immense. He had never seen anyone able to withstand this attack until now.
"This... what exactly happened?"
Erza was also unsure what was going on. As someone who had personally faced this attack, she had a lot to say.
She had tried her best but couldn't withstand it. It's offensive power was simply too terrifying. Even with her strongest defensive armor, she couldn't block that attack.
Yet, this man named Tsugikuni Yoriichi actually blocked it with just a sword, and even cut it down. This was beyond her comprehension.
"This monster..."
Clay stared at Takeshi in the arena. To outsiders, he appeared to have been instantly defeated, but little did they know how many times he had probed him.
This guy was a complete, genuine, super monster. How could such a monster not withstand Arthur's attack?
But his effortless cutting down of Arthur's strongest move startled him.
At this moment, Takeshi slowly regained consciousness. Although only an instant had passed, he felt as if he had experienced an hour.
'This must be enlightenment, right?'
At this point, magic flowed incredibly smoothly when Takeshi used it, reaching a very high level.
Only a talent as monstrous as Tsugikuni Yoriichi's could allow him to achieve enlightenment and quickly master this power the moment he first touched magic.
Now, it seemed that his previous way of using magic was like child's play, not even truly utilizing it.
Just now, by rearranging the magic power and concentrating it on the blade, he hd achieved astonishing destructive power.
Takeshi looked at Arthur, raised his sword with one hand, and then casually swung it downwards.
Swish!
A slash erupted from Takeshi's blade. The slash streaked past Arthur, who had no time to react.
Crack!
The massive arena was cut with a perfectly even incision, as if it had been sliced through like tofu.
"!!!"
Everyone who witnessed this scene was terrified. The commentator's microphone even fell from his hand.
They all stared in horror at the giant cut, and the entire venue fell silent.
"What... what is this?"
Takeshi's attack seemed silent, but the destruction it caused was real.
Many people present could damage the arena walls. But to cut the arena wall so evenly, like tofu, without causing much damage to the surroundings, that was beyond explanation.
Arthur stared blankly at the even cut, his expression a mix of shock and bewilderment.
He had originally thought his swordsmanship was only slightly inferior to his opponent's, but now he realized it wasn't just a little, but a world of difference.
Takeshi sheathed his sword and stood, saying faintly, "You do not know swordsmanship. Your vision is too low."
Everyone was shaken by Takeshi's overbearing words.
They were too domineering, yet among the top swordsmen of the entire Sobelia Kingdom gathered there, not a single person spoke to refute him.
No refutation meant acceptance.
Arthur's pupils constricted, and then he sank to his knees weakly on the ground.
"I lost."
"The victor has been decided!!!"
"Winner: Tsugikuni Yoriichi!!!"
"The World's Strongest Swordsman Tournament, the winner is: Tsugikuni Yoriichi!!!"
"The strongest swordsman on Ishgar Continent!!! Tsugikuni Yoriichi, truly deserving of the title!!!"
"Sword God! Sword God! Sword God!"
The audience in the stands cheered.
Most people might not have understood how profound Takeshi's swordsmanship was. They only knew that he was incredibly strong, so much so that even the strongest Nine-Star Swordsman seemed like a child just learning to wield a sword in front of him.
But Seven-Star, Eight-Star, and Nine-Star Swordsmen could see some things. The swordsmanship Takeshi displayed was out of this world.
These people listened to the crowd in the stands cheering Takeshi's title and a thought couldn't help but pop into their minds.
Is this man truly a Sword God?
They couldn't imagine who else, besides a Sword God, could possess such terrifying swordsmanship.
—
In the royal palace.
Bang!
Reno excitedly slammed his hand on the table in front of him, shattering it.
As the strongest Nine-Star Swordsman of the previous generation, he knew what Takeshi's sword strike represented. He remained in shock for a long time, unable to recover.
Regarding Takeshi's final words, many might have thought they were exaggerated, but he felt no exaggeration at all. Between him and Arthur, there was an insurmountable chasm.
This was a level he could never reach, no matter how long he diligently trained.
If he were a bit younger, no matter the cost, he would definitely take this man as his master. It was a pity that he was now old, and his physical functions were declining, it was truly regrettable.
But to be able to witness such swordsmanship in his lifetime was incredibly fortunate.
As long as he could invite this person to join the expedition against the dragon, then success was guaranteed.
Suddenly—
A voice rang out.
"Report!!! Urgent matter!!!"
A soldier rushed in, his face full of panic.
Reno asked, "What's the matter, why are you so flustered?!"
"Reporting, Your Majesty! According to scout reports, there's unusual activity in the Forest of Magical Creatures! At least 100,000 magical creatures are surging towards the city!"
"What?! At this very moment?!"
Reno's face instantly changed upon hearing this. He hadn't expected such a thing to happen at this time.
100,000 magical creatures was a lot. If not handled carefully, the entire city was in danger of being destroyed.
He quickly calmed down and assigned tasks. "Minister! Immediately summon all soldiers to Level One alert!"
"Arrange for the city's populace to take refuge in the arena, and at the same time, recruit all swordsmen in the city to participate in the battle!"
"Yes, Your Majesty!"