Hearing Kujou Sara's voice, the Raiden Shogun turned slightly. She saw the expression on Kujou Sara's face—anger, defiance, and a trace of concern. But who was she concerned for? The Shogun? Herself?
Neither seemed likely. Kujou Sara was always confident and strong. Among the Shogunate forces, she was second to none. She had never lost in any mission or battle. So why would she fear defeat now?
The Raiden Shogun thought for a moment. She had not intended to let Kujou Sara fight. In her view, anything that could be settled with one strike should not be made so complicated. But seeing Kujou Sara, usually so composed, showing signs of tension, she relented.
"Since you are interested in him, you may fight. But remember, his Vision must be taken."
Kujou Sara quickly bowed. "Thank you, Your Excellency. I will defeat him and take his Vision."
With the Shogun's permission, she bowed again, then turned to look at the swordsman standing before the great hall. Gripping her bow tightly, she walked slowly down the steps.
Under the watchful eyes of thousands of Shogunate soldiers and the countless citizens gathered at Tenshukaku's gate, she approached him.
"My name is Kujou Sara. To challenge Her Excellency, you must first defeat me. But I will not lose to you again. Before we begin, state your name."
Her gaze was sharp as she studied the swordsman. She knew that if she defeated him, he would only lose his Vision or take a beating. He would not die. But if the Shogun struck, that blade would separate his head from his body. He would not survive.
The swordsman, unaware of her thoughts, had studied the rules of the duel before coming. He said seriously, "My name? From the moment I decided to challenge Her Excellency, I abandoned my former name. If you need a title, call me Swordsman."
He looked at Kujou Sara with mild surprise but showed no fear. A swordsman had a natural advantage over an archer. Especially in a one-on-one duel, without her soldiers to protect her, he was confident he could defeat her.
Kujou Sara grew even more irritated at his confidence. She had been subdued once. She would not be subdued again. Not in front of the Shogun. Not in front of thousands of Inazuman citizens. She would defeat him and take his Vision.
As the two faced off, at the gates of Tenshukaku, the citizens were not allowed inside, but they could watch through the entrance. When they saw Kujou Sara, representing the Shogunate, facing the challenger in the courtyard, their hearts raced.
"I knew it. Some nobody challenging the Raiden Shogun? Why would she bother? One Kujou Sara is enough to crush him."
"As the enforcer of the Vision Hunt Decree, Kujou Sara is the strongest in all of Inazuma."
"Aside from Her Excellency, very few can match Lady Kujou."
"A swordsman has an advantage over an archer, but Lady Kujou cannot lose."
"Swordsman, just give up. Even if you defeat Lady Kujou Sara, how could you possibly fight Her Excellency?"
The duel had not even begun, and the people were already despairing. The outcome seemed obvious. This foolish swordsman would not leave Tenshukaku alive.
Inside the courtyard, Kujou Sara gripped her bow tightly and stepped back, putting distance between herself and the swordsman.
"I'll give you one last chance," she said seriously. "Surrender your Vision and admit defeat."
She knew it was futile, but she could not help trying to persuade him.
The swordsman was unconcerned. His lifelong wish had been to challenge the Raiden Shogun. Now that he had entered Tenshukaku, he would not abandon that wish.
"Thank you for the chance, but I refuse. Begin. You wanted a fair fight. Now you have it."
He spoke calmly, his hand resting on his sword hilt.
Kujou Sara murmured, "You're determined to die."
The next moment, a drum sounded. The duel had begun.
At the sound, Kujou Sara raised her bow without hesitation. Draw. Shoot. A fluid motion.
Against an ordinary opponent, this single arrow would have ended the fight. But the swordsman before her was no ordinary opponent.
He did not dodge. He raised his sword and charged straight at her.
The spectators gasped. What was he doing? A suicide charge? Blocking an arrow with his body?
But the next moment, his blade fell. With a sharp sound, the arrow collided perfectly with his sword and was split in two.
Everyone was stunned. Deflecting an arrow with a sword? That strong?
Before they could recover, the swordsman closed the distance in a single stride, bearing down on Kujou Sara.
She had not expected him to neutralize her arrow so easily. She immediately used her ability, leaping back a dozen meters, then raised her bow again.
Draw. Shoot.
She was fast. But he was faster. Without her soldiers to protect her, fighting a speed-oriented swordsman alone, she had no advantage.
She released the arrow. It was cut in half again.