Chapter 132: Chapter 20
In the tavern——
"Maria, you seem to be a little absent-minded these two days. What happened?"
The old craftsman put down the things in his hands and finally asked the question that puzzled him for a few days.
After listening to the old craftsman's words, Maria was stunned for a while before reacting, and then replied, "Ah? Ah, sorry, Master Kowal, I have indeed been a little careless these past two days because I am a little worried about my friend."
"It's a small matter. After all, it's normal for young people to be impatient. What's wrong with your friend?" After listening to Maria's explanation, the old craftsman waved his hand and said indifferently.
"A friend who can make a little girl like you, Maria, worry... can't be someone you like, hahaha." At this moment, the old knight who was drinking beside him also came over and teased.
"No! Bianka is also a girl." Hearing this, Maria immediately refuted, and then looked at the old craftsman again and continued, "Well, I will be serious next time. As for my friend, she will soon participate in the Major, the time is tomorrow. Although she is quite strong, I am still a little worried..."
"Wow, you can't be too old to be friends with Maria. You are so young to participate in the Major?" The old craftsman raised his eyebrows and said with a surprised expression.
"Tomorrow... I remember there seems to be only one mixed match tomorrow. Your friend has not debuted yet and is participating in this kind of event?" Marcin, who was wiping the glass on the side, came over with a strange expression.
"Well, that's why I'm worried."
When speaking, a trace of helplessness and worry flashed quickly in Maria's golden eyes.
In fact, after seeing Bianka's strength before, Maria didn't have so many concerns and worries.
However, as the time of the competition was getting closer, and she had studied the situation, competition system, details, and so on in the past two days.
It would have been fine if she hadn't studied it. Once she studied it, Maria, who only knew half of the competition, began to worry and panic again.
If Maria's half-knowledge of the competition was easier to resolve when she first met Bianka, now she is completely aware of the rest of the Major, and it is not so easy for her to calm down.
After all, although Maria knew the cruelty of the Major before, her understanding of it was only superficial. But now it is different. She already knows all the details and twists and turns.
"I just heard you say that your friend is quite strong. Has she ever fought in front of you?" The old knight put down the wine glass in his hand, and then looked at Maria with curiosity and asked with a worried look.
"Yes, it has happened. Bianka had a spar with Sister Zofia a few days ago and won." Facing the curiosity of the old knight, Maria did not hide it and answered truthfully.
Hearing this, the old knight suddenly opened his eyes wide and said with a surprised expression: "Hey, your friend can actually beat Zofia, so she is indeed quite powerful."
"If she can beat Zofia, you don't need to worry too much, Maria. That girl has at least entered the top 16. Your friend can beat her, even if she is not in her prime, which is enough to show her strength."
After listening to Maria's words, the old craftsman on the side raised his eyebrows and comforted her.
"Well, I know."
After listening to the words of comfort from the old craftsman and the old knight, although Maria was still worried and flustered, she was more relaxed than before.
"I didn't expect that there would be such a new star this year. I wonder how she compares to... Never mind, let's watch the game on TV tomorrow."
After putting the cleaned wine glass back to its original place, Marcin couldn't help but sigh.
...
Flameblade Arena——
The bright afternoon sun shone into the crowded and noisy third-largest artificial arena in Kazimierz, bringing a little warmth.
[Welcome to Flameblade Arena—Shi—! ]
Soon, a...huge, high-pitched commentary voice cut through the sky of the arena and fell into everyone's ears, opening the prelude to this competition.
[Fifteen Knights! Fifteen Knights! ]
[Today's competition is only this one! Plunder, melee, escape, chase! In this artificial arena with a total area of Kazimierz's third-largest, the knights' fighting nature will be brought into play! ]
[Let's wait for the knights to enter the arena!! ]
...
"The game is about to start. I remember that Maria's friend is called Bianka." The old knight, one of the three people sitting in front of the TV in the tavern, said.
"Yes, that's the name. Old Vogelweide, you are not so old that you can't even remember this, right?" After hearing Vogelweide's words, Kowal couldn't help but tease.
After Vogelweide took a sip of wine, he replied without hesitation: "How is it possible? You're the one old and confused. I'm still young."
"Okay, stop arguing, you two, and watch the game quietly." Looking at the two people who were about to get excited, Marcin couldn't help but start to admonish.
"Who is arguing with him?"
"I should be the one saying this."
...
Audience seats in the arena——
"There's no need to be so nervous Maria. Although there are several powerful knights in this match, Bianka shouldn't have any problems dealing with them with her strength."
Zofia looked at Maria, who was sitting next to her and was extremely nervous, and couldn't help but pat her shoulder to comfort her.
"Well, I know Sister Zofia, but I'm still a little nervous." Hearing this, Maria scratched her head and answered in a low voice.
In fact, she knew everything Zofia said, but no matter how clear she was, she couldn't help but feel a little worried and nervous when facing her good friend on the stage.
"Relax. But, you've been so close to that girl in just a few days? Are you so worried about her?" As she said that, a trace of helplessness flashed in Zofia's eyes, and then she reached out and gently tapped Maria's forehead.
"Ah... it hurts. Humph, that's because Bianka and I get along well."
"You."
...
Unlike the other people in the arena who were worried, nervous, and excited, Bianka, who was still in the preparation area outside the arena, had a chip stuck on her armor with other knights with a blank expression.
For this game that was like child's play, Durandal's heart was not moved at all at the moment.
Her only thought now was to start and end this match quickly!