The third arena. It was shaped more like a dojo than a coliseum.
　Ten stamps for the right to challenge seemed to take a long time there, and there was still no sign of what looked like another challenger.

　As I entered the silent arena with Anima, I looked at the one sitting upright in the center of the arena.
　I couldn't see him clearly as he was sitting, but he was about two meters tall. A blue-haired woman dressed in a kimono-like outfit.

''........Well done, Miyama-dono.

　A quiet voice that is cold and quiet, the opposite of Kong's in the arena before.
　The woman slowly stands up and turns to face me and Anima.

'My name is Epsilon I am called Epsilon of 'The Destructive Ice'. Henceforth, you shall be known to me.
Hi, this is Kaito Miyama. This is Anima on my behalf.
Hm, I understand. I'm not very good at rambling on about things, but I'll get right to the point. I'll get right to the point. Anima-dono, come touch me.

　Mr. Epsilon announces and takes out the same crystal ball I saw at Mr. Bacchus' place.
　Anima takes a step in front of me and touches the crystal ball.



　Oh, Anima strong!　Well, because I was a 'three' I'm 200,000 times more powerful than me, Anima... Well, there are unreasonable masses of people in the world that can break your crystal ball.... ....

Then we will establish a rule. If you can hit me with even a single blow, I will clear the game. And as a handicap, I will not use one arm and one leg, nor will I use magic to attack. I will use magic to defend myself, so please be careful. Also, there will be a restriction on movement, but since I don't intend to move from this place to begin with, there will be no problem.
....

　Anima listens quietly to Epsilon-san's words. It seems to get quite a handicap, but she doesn't seem to have any complaints about it.
　After Anima finishes listening to Epsilon-san's explanation, she comes to me once before muttering.

''........I'm not an idiot either. I understand that in this world, even if it's the small forest I once lived in, there are a lot of people stronger than me that are rumbling around. She, too, is far superior to me.......I hate my own weakness.
No need to feel small. You're just as fast as anyone else in the world.

　In many ways, he is the opposite of Kong-san. Epsilon-san doesn't seem to make fun of Anima, who is of a lower rank, and holds up a naginata taken out of nowhere with one hand.

''Master, I'm going to go. I will definitely give you victory....
'Anima, good luck but don't take it easy...'
Ha!

　With words of determination, Anima faced Epsilon-san and held her hands in place. Then, making sure I moved out of the way to a position where I wouldn't get in the way.......the fight began.







　Honestly, I might have underestimated the five warlords somewhere in my mind.
　The two battles up to this point ended in a form of a crushing victory because Pandora, the strongest of the count class, fought against Eden-san, the pinnacle of one world. I thought I understood that in my head...............The scene in front of me was astonishing.


....

　In front of Anima, who was breathing roughly and kneeling on one knee, was Epsilon-san, who hadn't moved an inch from his starting position. The difference in actual strength was so........overwhelming that I could see it from my eyes.
　No matter how many attacks Anima made, Epsilon-san was able to deal with it with a single naginata held in one hand.

　He had said he would use defensive magic, but Epsilon-san had never used any magic up to this point. Their skills and magic power were too different, or maybe the anima was flung off every time they rushed in and rolled on the ground many times.
　

''Anima!　No more....
That's all right!　I'm still not....

　Epsilon-san did not attack Anima. Still, it was good to say that Anima was already a wreck.
　She was popped and knocked to the ground.......................and now blood was flowing from her mouth.
　To be honest, it's not about winning or losing anymore, I couldn't stand to see Anima get injured, I was going to tell her to stop because it's okay to lose, but that was interrupted by Anima's strong voice.
　To such Anima, Epsilon-san tells her with an icy cold expression.

''........It would be useless to go any further. I fully understand your abilities.
Ggh.....
It's added and subtracted. The damage has been done, though, hasn't it?　In fact, it would have been difficult to stand...
....

　At Epsilon-san's words, Anima hung her head in frustration. Epsilon-san quietly lowered his cleaver, as if he recognized the movement as an acceptance of defeat.
　However, immediately afterwards, a quiet, yet strong-willed voice could be heard.


....

　Epsilon, who was about to turn away, stopped moving at those words and turned his gaze to Anima.

''........At one point, I fought against 'one person'. A body that was extremely vulnerable compared to me. There was a human being who challenged me with no claws, no fangs, and a weak and fragile body alone.
...Anima.

　I don't even have to think about who that word is referring to. My encounter with Anima was indeed that battle.

"That human being who carried the one to protect and challenged a far higher rank had a strong light in his eyes I thought he was strong. I thought I couldn't win ... in those eyes ... in my heart ... I longed for it!
....
'I am weak. If you serve that person you admire, all that stands out is your unworthiness. There are plenty of people who are stronger than you, and plenty of people who are wiser than you. And yet!　Master told me he needed me!

　With those words, Anima stood up with all the strength in her body and held her hands up again.

'To serve my master, to pave the way for him to go... that's what I'm proud of!　There's no way I'm giving up!
Oh.
No, I won't be able to fight a smart battle if I can't get to it now!　I just have to challenge you until you get there!

　With an indomitable will, Anima takes a strong step forward. Epsilon-san looked at Solee and made a sound of admiration, but......she didn't take a stance.
　And after a bit, Epsilon-san erased the cleaver from his hand.

'Brilliant ... you win. I'll give you a stamp.
...What?

　At Epsilon-san's words, which she tells Assari, Anima scowls as if she had been shrugged off.
　That's probably true, it should have been in the air right now, even from now on... what do you think you're doing?

What are you talking about?　I'm not yet....
I am convinced that your next attack will be directed at me. I'm sure of it.
What?
I have no doubt that your next attack will be a blow to me. But it will be an 'unprovoked blow' and Miyama-dono would not want you to be seriously injured. I have no confidence in my ability to deal with that blow in a way that will not damage you. That's exactly what I lack the ability to do, that's all.

　Anyway, does that mean the fight is over?　Then......

Anima!

　I run over to the stunned Anima and take out as much of the World Tree Fruit as I have from the magic box.

'Anima, we need to treat your injuries!
'What?　Master!　Jeez, I'm only slightly injured...
Just eat!
Yes?

　Anima, pushed by my swordsmanship, hurriedly ate one of the fruits of the World Tree. I let out a breath of relief as I saw the small wounds that were all over the place heal with it.

　Then, as I was checking again and again to see if Anima had any other injuries, Epsilon-san smiled slightly.

''Your Lord appears to be even more important to you ... a lucky man.
...Ugh, uh....
Well, Mr. Miyama. Your stamp card, please.
Oh, yes.

　Epsilon-san prompted me to take out a card and have it stamped on it.
　Once that was done, Epsilon-san turned to Anima, who was lying on her face with a bright red face, and told her in a quiet voice.

''........If you are not satisfied with this settlement, then let's have a 'rematch in a thousand years'. You are young and full of talent. In a thousand years, we will be able to fight evenly without any handicap.
Well all right. Lord Epsilon, I will try again in a thousand years.
I'm looking forward to it, my future mightiest.

　With that much said, Epsilon bowed his head to me once and then made his way to the center of the arena, sitting upright and closing his eyes as he did the first time.
　What a cool guy. Yeah, he's not like Mr. Kong at all.

　Dear Mom, Dad - I've been bummed out while Anima was fighting, and she's been helping me all this way. Mr. Eden, Ms. Pandora, and Anima - are you sure you want to leave it up to your deputy all the way to get to Megiddo and get to him now?　Even though Anima was torn to pieces, she worked so hard for that. Then maybe I should be the master...........................at least for once.