The Wrong Hero

Chapter 23 - Timing Issue

Dante and Sadeena stood just outside the gardens. A pair of knights stood waiting at the doorway. They didn't really look at Dante and Sadeena, but they didn't look away either.

Dante was tapping his foot, waiting for things to be prepared. It hadn't been long, just a few minutes, but it was still annoying.

Then, the guards allowed them to enter. The gardens had braziers around the pathways near the walls, but it looked like they set up more in the center area. On those pathways, as well as on the walls, stood various nobles, waiting for the battle to start. Dante noticed a few adventurer-looking types as well.

They made their way to the center area, Motoyasu and Itsuki meeting them there. Looking at them again, Dante could see they had on good armor. Well, it was about what he remembered from the manga and anime. He had a lot of time to look over what adventurers and knights wore, and compared that to what he got from those mercenaries, not to mention some bandits that got in their way at one point.

All in all, they're about the same quality as the castle knights here. Unlike that cheap chainmail and breastplate from Idol's knights, these ones had on good quality stuff, and more plate pieces. Ren seemed to have the best armor of those three, but Dante also remembered he was the type to grind a lot.

Of course, it looked like Dante's was the best, as gaudy as it was.

"The battle of the Spear Hero and Bow Hero versus the Shield Hero and his companion will now take place!" The king announced. He stood atop one of the walls, a throne having been brought with him. "The battle will end when one side admits defeat or can no longer fight."

Dante gave his good—and only—arm a stretch as he shifted his shield to the Stout Shield. The defense bonus on it was pretty ridiculous, considering he unlocked it from his Savage Shield devouring people that increased defense. It also didn't hurt that it was one of the shields he powered up, like the Spellcobalt Shield.

Motoyasu and Itsuki likewise changed their weapons to their preferred forms. Dante didn't know if either one had attacks that ignored defense, but he was confident he could take at least one from each of them and be fine. His HP was pretty high, after all.

"I'll make sure you face justice for what you've done." Itsuki said, taking his stance.

"If you say so." Dante replied, rolling his shoulder.

Motoyasu didn't feel the need to say anything, given that he was still ogling Sadeena. It was strange, being annoyed by that. It wasn't as if Sadeena was going to jump into his pants, but Dante still didn't like it. Not that it really mattered. The fight likely wouldn't take long.

"Now...begin!" The king declared.

The moment Aultcray started the fight, Dante made a beeline for Itsuki.

He and Sadeena had already discussed who they'd fight. Since Itsuki could do less than Motoyasu in close quarters, he would be Dante's target. Even if Dante was somehow unable to pin him down, having arrow fire focused on him was better than having it focused on Sadeena.

"Bunker Shot!" Itsuki fired off a skill quickly. It struck against Dante's raised shield. Whatever it was supposed to do, it didn't seem to.

Dante was already next to him. He thrust out his arm and grasped Itsuki's bow hand. Dante smirked as he looked Itsuki in the eyes.

"You're done." He said.

"Done?" Itsuki sneered at him. "You haven't done anything. I can just..." He tried to free his hand, but Dante wouldn't budge. "Let go!"

"Yeah, that's what I'll do." Dante raised his arm up, forcing Itsuki's arm high above his head. He struggled in Dante's grasp, but there was little he could do. "Now, let's sit back and watch the others fight."