Arknights : Final Rebirth - Gladius Belii

[E] Chapter 26 - Major, Immature but Satisfying Tomfoolery

"Mono/Dialogue"

'Inner thoughts'

Narration

[Message/communication apparatus]

Date: 15th July 1082

Location: Kazimierz National Stadium, Kawalerielki, Kazimierz

POV: Narrator

A blonde-haired Caprinae was seen entering the preparation room for the upcoming battle royal, one of the qualification phases for the main tournament. It's not unusual to see non-kurta participating, the Major was always renowned for its inclusivity... as long as you're not infected.

She's wearing a trouser and jacket complemented by light armor and nothing else aside from her great sword and a pair of sword breakers. She has no one who seems to be supporting her, the surrounding contestants are intrigued, uncaring, or outright dismissing her as some random tourist wanting to make it big.

The Caprinae, conversely, didn't care to. She is finally here, the place lauded as a land of chivalry and honor, wealth, fame, and all those worldly matters she can grasp. But what is her objective?

Maybe for honor, because honor despite being perceived as false, decrepit, and insipid against the true nature of this world, still managed to form a line on the side.

Maybe for glory, all that bling and praises are but poison for the mind. She can't afford to be so gullible in a dog-eat-dog reality, but no one said anything about experiencing it firsthand and reaffirmed her objectives.

Maybe for chivalry, chivalry worked well as a good motivation to reach greater heights. Some say that it is a perfect idea when someone is volunteering as fertilizer or applying as a clown.

Maybe for wealth, because despite being one of the primary sources of conflict is also one of the best driving forces. Wealth can purchase a lot of things, but what is wealth when it is dysfunctional?

Maybe for connection, since networking is one of the most important things in life. With connection, she might never need to do things herself every single time, but it is also a costly endeavor and the payment for it might be a piece of herself too.

Maybe she fights only for herself and to prove nothing else than that, or perhaps she is wanting and looking for respect? The answer is still buried deep within her heart.

But those don't matter for now... Now she must fight and prove her worth, and then her future will soon follow...

Her eyes scanned her surroundings... and she was disappointed... But perhaps that's just how it is, qualifications phase might be worth nothing more than an appetizer and venue of flaunting.

'Aside from a dozen or so people from hundreds around here... they're all useless and weak... I could snap each one of them like a twig.'

Looking down on her scheduled qualification, she sees that her place was on the first match soon... a battle royale, but with these foes? To say that she is starting to feel like trampling over clueless idiots is not an understatement, but a fact.

"I expected better, but can't blame the fact that leftovers are more than sufficient for something of this level..."

She remembered when she crossed the border, she met several real knights... their bearings, positioning, and stance showed no opening. Of course, some of them are still far below her, but she can feel that there are more than a few who can hold a candle to her. If she gives her 50%...

Then she went past a man, resting beneath a tree... and his power was overwhelming, so much so that her first instinct when he locked his eyes with hers was to put a single hand on her great sword... so her dismay is justified if this is all the participants are amounted to...