“What was that?!” “He looks like he’s healing himself!
He’s restoring all the stamina he used up!” “My god, that’s ridiculous!
“Clorinde was already on the verge of exhaustion, and he can just restore himself to full strength.
“How is anyone supposed to fight against that?!” Shocked cries erupted from the spectators one after another.
Furina was stunned as well, but a delighted smile soon appeared on her face.
She had been so worried that she had completely forgotten Toki could use Bolstering Bubblebalm.
Whether it was an injury or simple exhaustion…
Bolstering Bubblebalm could restore him.
Toki had absolutely nothing to fear from a prolonged battle!
Clorinde stopped attacking and stared at Toki, who now looked completely refreshed.
Her face instantly turned deathly pale.
Her eyes were filled with disbelief and unwillingness to accept what she was seeing.
“You…
You actually have an ability like that?” “What?
Am I not allowed to?” Toki smiled and spread his hands, speaking casually.
“I already told you that I’d break your undefeated record today!
“Come on, keep attacking!
“I can fight you like this all day!!!” Clorinde: “…” Seeing Clorinde hesitate, Toki took the initiative and attacked.
This time, he no longer remained on the defensive.
With his stamina completely restored, he pushed the power of his enhanced Flowing Martial Art to its limit!
His Hydro-wreathed palms carried tremendous force as he actively closed in on Clorinde.
Sweeping Redirect to disperse her force, Single-Arm Sweep to counterattack, Circling Palms to bind her momentum!
Every technique precisely targeted one of Clorinde’s openings, forcing her backward again and again.
Clorinde’s stamina continued to deteriorate, while the pain in her arms grew increasingly intense.
Even the Electro she released became weaker and weaker.
She was reaching the point where she could barely keep hold of her sword.
As Clorinde watched Toki remain perfectly composed, a sense of powerlessness appeared in her heart for the first time.
She had never imagined that a prisoner would be able to push her this far.
Toki continued attacking while carefully observing Clorinde’s condition.
The smile on his face grew wider and wider.
“Clorinde, surrender.” Toki stopped attacking and looked at Clorinde, who was panting heavily, her chest rising and falling violently.
“You can’t keep this up anymore.
If you continue fighting, you’ll only suffer more serious injuries.
You might even put your life at risk.” Clorinde gritted her teeth, stubbornness still burning in her eyes.
She tightened her grip on her sword and tried to attack again.
But the instant she raised her arm, her entire body trembled.
Clang!
Her sword fell to the floor!
Her arm no longer had enough strength to lift it.
Clorinde’s legs gave way, and she staggered backward several steps.
In the end, she could no longer support herself and dropped to one knee.
The Fontaine Court of Justice immediately fell dead silent!
Everyone held their breath, their gazes fixed on Clorinde as she knelt on the floor.
The formidable fighter who had never once lost an official duel as a Champion Duelist…
Had actually lost today!
Toki remained standing where he was as the Hydro wrapped around his fists gradually dispersed.
His expression remained perfectly calm.
Everything had finally gone according to plan.
Neuvillette sat at the judge’s bench in silence for a moment.
At last, he slowly spoke.
His voice was cold yet clear as it echoed throughout the entire courtroom.
“The victor of this judicial duel is Toki!” Neuvillette’s voice was cold and powerful.
It thundered through the Fontaine Court of Justice.
In an instant, it shattered the dead silence that had filled the room.
After a brief pause, the courtroom erupted into a thunderous wave of discussion.
Amazement, shock, disbelief— Countless emotions intertwined.
Everyone’s gaze was focused on Toki.
The former prisoner who had broken Clorinde’s undefeated record had now become the center of everyone’s attention.
“He won!
He really won!” “Clorinde actually lost!
This has to be one of the greatest miracles in the history of Fontaine’s judicial duels!” “That guy is ridiculously strong!
Not only is his martial art bizarre, but he can heal himself too.
It’s no wonder Clorinde lost!” Voices echoed throughout the courtroom.
Those who had looked down on Toki earlier now regarded him with awe.
Even the members of the Marechaussee Phantom cast approving looks in his direction.
Someone capable of defeating Clorinde through sheer strength possessed enough combat power to earn everyone’s recognition.
Neuvillette raised a hand, signaling for the courtroom to become quiet.
His tone remained cold, but it carried unquestionable authority.
“Under the laws of Fontaine, the victor of a judicial duel shall be acquitted and released immediately.
“All charges shall be dismissed, their reputation restored, and they shall bear no criminal liability.
“I hereby rule that all charges against Toki concerning the attempted assassination of Lady Furina, the Hydro Archon, are dismissed.
“He is to be released immediately!
He may not be detained or prosecuted again for this matter under any circumstances!” The moment he finished speaking, two guards quickly stepped forward.
They gave Toki a slight bow and spoke respectfully.
“Toki, please come with us to complete the release procedures.” Toki gave a slight nod.
There was no unnecessary emotion on his face as his calm gaze swept across the courtroom.
Phew…
Finally, he didn’t have to stay in prison anymore.
At that moment, Furina could no longer contain her joy.
She abruptly stood up and hurried toward Toki.
A radiant smile covered Furina’s face, her eyes shining with excitement.
Even her steps seemed lighter.
All the worries she had carried until now had completely vanished.
“Toki!
You won!
You really won!” Furina ran up to him, her voice overflowing with delight.
Without even realizing it, she grabbed Toki’s arm with both hands.
“I knew you could do it!
You were incredible!” Toki felt the pressure of her hands around his arm.
Looking at Furina’s excited expression, the corner of his mouth rose slightly.
He casually waved his hand, his tone completely unconcerned.
“It was only Clorinde.
Beating her was pretty easy.
“She’s not really that impressive.” He wasn’t deliberately showing off.
He was simply telling the truth.
From the very beginning, Toki had never regarded Clorinde as an unbeatable opponent.
After all, the force-redirection techniques of his enhanced Flowing Martial Art perfectly countered her relentless offense.
Combined with the endless endurance provided by Bolstering Bubblebalm…
Exhausting her had been part of the plan from the start.
But to everyone else, his words sounded more than a little arrogant.
And for Clorinde, who had only just been defeated and was already exhausted both physically and mentally, those words only made matters even worse.
The instant Toki finished speaking— Thud!
A dull impact rang clearly through the still-noisy courtroom.
Everyone instinctively turned toward the sound.
Clorinde, who had previously been kneeling on one knee, could no longer hold herself upright.
Her body went limp.
She fell backward and crashed heavily onto the cold floor.
Clorinde’s eyes were tightly shut, her face as pale as paper.
Even her breathing had become faint.
Her sword had long since rolled off to the side.
Her hair was disheveled, her clothes damaged, and she looked utterly battered.
The discussions throughout the Fontaine Court of Justice instantly stopped.
Everyone froze.
Every gaze in the room turned toward the unconscious Clorinde.
The spectators who had just been marveling at Toki’s strength now wore expressions of surprise.
Even the members of the Marechaussee Phantom rose from their seats, their expressions turning grave as they looked toward her.
(End of Chapter)