Chapter 156: Chapter 225 – The Mobilization

Shortly after Miria jumped into Ast’s arms, an explosion of cheers rolled through the entire arena. They looked around at the rows of audience members who kept shouting and applauding their battle. The number of winged ladies present in the coliseum was much greater than Asterios remembered from before the fight. It looked like more spectators had trickled in during the battle.

He expected a slightly more silent and perhaps uncomfortable celebration considering that complete outsiders dominated the tournament but it didn’t look like everyone shared the same beliefs as the plotters who had attempted to sabotage them. Just as Bryn had assured them many times, valkyrjas of Tyr truly valued strength and knew how to enjoy a good struggle. What they had shown must have been enough to satisfy their craving for action.

Slowly coming to a stop, halting the spins Miria had thrown them into, Asterios caressed her ears as she lovingly rubbed her face into his cheek. He could feel how excited and thrilled she was by the last bit of his performance. Chuckling softly, he brought her face in front of his.

“I’m afraid that flying on top of that thing might prove difficult.” He smirked at her, bringing a cute pout to Miria’s lips. “That form is purely spiritual, or perhaps it’s more accurate to say that it’s a flaming shape made of my fire. You would at least get badly burned if you didn't fall through it.”

“Boooooo… I thought I would finally get to ride a Dragon…” She dropped her gaze alongside her rounded ears.

Asterios brought her face back up and left a peck on her forehead. “I’m sure we will figure that out soon. Just be patient a little longer.”

She smiled at him sweetly and nodded. “Don’t worry, Master. I will wait as long as it takes. Please, don’t push yourself too hard, okay?”

“I promise.” He nodded back at her and turned to Silvia. “Were you not afraid that this last attack would literally turn me into dust?”

The princess showed a tiny smile. “I had confidence in your resistance to fire and heat. Though, it seems like I underestimated you again. It barely did anything to you.”

“It certainly hurt like hell.” Asterios chuckled wryly. “My scales might have absorbed most of the scorching energy but it still felt like my insides were to boil. I’d rather not stand in front of it ever again, especially if you manage to condense it even more.”

“I might need a durable sparring partner to test that out, though. I don’t think there’s anyone better suited for that role than you, a True Dragon.” 

He shook his head with a sigh. “Tina.”

“Y-Yeah?” Being suddenly addressed out of nowhere surprised the blue-haired girl greatly.

“You are incredible.”

And the unexpected compliment forced a deep blush on her noble cheeks as she fidgeted under Ast’s gaze. He stared right at her as she could feel the sincerity in both his words and his thoughts, which made her even more embarrassed.

“Where did that even come from…?” She tried her best to look up at him a little shyly.

“From how amazingly you lead everyone. Your tactics and quick thinking were just something else.” He stepped closer to her after Miria set him free.

“Did you listen…?” Tina’s cheeks grew even rosier as he arrived before her.

“Of course not. I’m not that kind of a person, am I?” They smiled at each other. “I might not know you as well as you know me but it was easy to figure out who would take the lead of the team with me absent. I’m really glad that you got everyone to participate without a problem. You girls truly felt like a veteran party with years of experience fighting together. You didn’t give me a moment to breathe and countered almost everything I did, picking the most suitable strategies and techniques against me. I was amazed.”

“Master is right! Your instructions were super clear and felt almost like Master’s!” Miria beamed at her from behind Asterios.

“I agree.” Silvia nodded respectfully. “I wasn’t sure if I would have been of much use considering that Asterios easily counters my fire but I was happy to listen to your brilliant ideas.”

“The mist formation was impressive. I’m sure that I wouldn’t be able to predict my Lord’s actions this accurately ever.” Selene smirked behind her slender hand.

“Speaking of which, how did you pinpoint my location inside that sea of steam, Miria?” Asterios glanced at the panthergirl.

“At first it was mostly thanks to your sword but then I just sharpened my hearing with your scorching hot mana to the level allowing me to listen to your heartbeat.” She grinned at him.

“And how did you get that silent?”

"I just took off my boots.” She giggled and gestured down with her eyes, revealing to Asterios that she truly was barefooted at the moment.

“Seriously…” He shook his head with a wry smile. “What kind of a monster will you become after fully mastering your bloodline…”

“That’s gonna be the question we should be asking you instead.” Grea’s voice reached their ears as their demon friend arrived on the battlefield. “You’ve almost ruined this entire structure right now. I fail to imagine your power a year from now. No, a month even. But… If you are always going to end up like this after letting it out… I think I’m going to enjoy it very much.”

She licked her lips while running her gaze over Ast’s slightly singed body, still at full display. Realizing his state, he withdrew his draconic features and resummoned his spiritual apparel, much to Grea’s dissatisfaction. He returned his eyes to Tina and pulled the blue-haired lady into a delicate kiss after their gazes met.

“I’ll take this as a reward for doing well.” She giggled quietly. “It wasn’t easy coming up with ways to take you down when you fought back this hard. By the way, why did your clothes disappear?”

“I will feel bad if you don’t ask for anything else so let me know if there’s something you’d like later.” He smiled at her warmly. “As for the clothes, it looks like whatever I have pulled right there at the end is a little over what I can comfortably handle. My hold on the Spiritual Materialization was released halfway at first, and then almost fully when I tried to block Silvia’s attack. I hope I didn’t show you anything unsightly.”

“Not at all.” She shook her head with a bashful smile. “It was… nice. Your scales, that is.”

Asterios chuckled after seeing her blush even more and let go of Tina not to embarrass her too much. She stayed by his side as everyone exchanged smiles. They felt good about their performance and both he and the girls were proud of themselves and each other.

The flapping of someone’s wings in their close vicinity caught their attention and they turned their faces toward the source. Bryn landed next to them with grace and dignity. Holding herself high, she nodded at them politely but they could see how hard she held herself back from showing a dazzling smile on her lips.

“Congratulations. I’m at a loss for words to describe the battle. I knew it would be something breathtaking but I didn’t expect the crowd to be ensnared by it so much. The audience still hasn’t quietened down since the moment the fight ended.”

“Thank you.” Asterios made a small bow and the girls followed. “I hope it was enough to help your plans.”

“We shall see about that in a moment.” Bryn finally surrendered her lips to a faint smile. “For now, please join me on the dais as I announce the results… and something else.”

Right as she finished speaking, the ground shook and the arena’s floor started shuffling. It released much louder metallic noises during the movements due to the half-melted state of many tiles and entire sectors of the geometrical mesh. 

A wide, circular platform appeared next to them and Bryn gestured at everyone to join her on top of it. As it began extending further up, two more winged women flew towards it and landed by her side. Asterios and the girls quickly recognized Skodul and Krev, the manager of the arena and its most feared challenger. Until now, at least.

They watched in awe as the raised pillar rose up high enough to match the highest rows in the audience and stopped. A small compartment opened on the floor and a metal bar extended out of it, reaching Bryn’s face. A rectangular device was attached to its top end and Asterios was pretty sure that it was another voice-enhancing artifact, just like the one they had seen during Tina’s graduation.

Bryn took a deep breath and grabbed the metal pole.

“People of Tyr and guests from the other ARKs!” she began with a mighty tone. “As you have just witnessed during the last, grand match, the Power Division tournament of the War Games has finally concluded!”

A loud cheer answered her introduction and Bryn waited a short moment for her sisters-in-arms to calm down.

“It might be something unprecedented and never before seen in the history of our race, but a group of highly-skilled outsiders has dominated the contest right from the very first round. As you can remember, Krev the Bloodrain fell to the person who lasted to this very moment and is standing next to me right now.”

The brawny Valkyrie showed a proud smirk, shooting a glance at Asterios. It didn’t look like she took anything but pride in the fact that he had managed to best her. And the people were clearly equally thrilled.

You are reading story Rise of the Weakest Summoner at novel35.com

“Even though he and his friends are considered outsiders by many, Asterios is also the one known as our savior. In case we have some unaware guests here today, I’ll remind everyone that he is the person who reached out to our realm and to me through his powerful Summoning Magic, generously offering whatever aid he could provide to our ARK. It’s thanks to him and his companions that we could host this instance of the War Games without it being a huge strain on our economy and supplies. If not for their help, even the annual War Games might have been delayed if not canceled.”

Most of the valkyrjas in the audience nodded at each other while a smaller part showed a great deal of surprise and even shock at the last statement of their leader. Or, perhaps something else too.

“That’s right! Asterios, a Summoner, has just fought against four brave warriors and came out victorious, earning himself the rightful title of the Grand Champion! If that is not a display of his overwhelming might, power, skills, and techniques, then I do not know what could be! I think you are all aware of his draconic ties just from the last move he pulled off!”

Loud clapping filled the coliseum as the spectators applauded Asterios. Bryn let them continue the cheers for a while before silencing the crowd with her hand.

“Now, as tradition dictates, I will hand over the Champion’s Insignia to the new holder of the honorable title alongside the arena’s manager and its strongest warrior!”

Skodul hit the platform with the butt of her spear and a square space opened beneath her feet. A smaller pedestal rose from the dark pit with a shiny, golden item laid down on top of it, resting on a beautiful white cushion. It was a full-face helmet with intricate carvings on all sides and an exquisite white mohawk on top of it. The helmet resembled those they had seen in the Demon Continent, with some minor differences, like the addition of winged patterns and literal wings at around the ear’s height.

Bryn gestured at Asterios with her eyes and he gracefully walked to stand in front of her. Skodul and Krev both lifted the decorative helmet and brought it above his head. Bryn placed her palm on the forehead section and they all lowered it onto Asterios. 

After it was fully seated on his head, they took their hands away and he turned around to face the crowd, which exploded in cheers again. The golden helmet didn’t exactly go well with his black and red armor but no one paid any mind to that. It was just a symbolic piece of equipment, like a trophy or something, most likely never brought to battle.

Asterios waved at the audience for a little while and smiled openly, though it was impossible for anyone to notice that detail behind the front of the helmet. Miria’s eyes sparkled like stars as she applauded them the strongest out of his companions, causing him to chuckle. Everyone had a proud expression on their faces.

“But, this is not the end.” Bryn’s unexpected continuation quickly silenced everyone once more. “We might have finished the tournament and selected the new Champion, yet there is still something of extreme importance that I have to announce. I ask everyone here to listen closely to what I have to say.”

Some hushed murmurs traveled through the rows in the audience but the spectators quickly focused on the raised platform.

“The War Games have not been held right now without a reason. Naturally, one of them was our favorable situation and improved living conditions, but that’s not all. Besides helping us with food and other necessities, Asterios offered to lend us a hand in one more matter. He wishes to fulfill something that has been nothing more than a dream to us since the great cataclysm.”

Everyone waited with bated breaths at the revelation as Bryn made a long, silent pause to raise the tension even more.

“Soon, we are going to launch a counter-offensive on the Descending Spire and reclaim it from the hands of the vile Scourge once and for all!”

Gasps of shock and disbelief filled the air, possibly even louder than some of the cheers earlier. It wasn’t that unexpected. It was quite a sensitive and important topic amongst the valkyrjas, especially those living in Tyr and being part of the armed forces.

“Asterios offered to lend us his power to clear out the monsters occupying our sacred site and return it to us, its proper owners,” Bryn continued and the crowd went silent again. “This tournament was also for him to fare against our best warriors and gauge the strength of our army so that he can have an accurate grasp on our might.”

She paused once more and ran her gaze over the audience.

“You have seen what he can do with your own eyes. He clearly doesn’t need normal fighters like us to succeed. He is a legendary True Dragon, capable of annihilating thousands on his own. Yet, he understands our desires and gives us a chance to fight for what is ours alongside him. He doesn’t want to use us as meat shields either, taking the front alone, supported only by his trusted allies. In his plan, we have only one role, which is to secure the Descending Spire right after his squad clears it out for long enough for them to activate the Tyr’s Aegis and turn the Spire into a safe land for us and all the coming generations!”

The foundations of the arena shook heavily as hundreds if not thousands of riled-up women roared in unison. Many Valkyrs and Valkyries stood up and cheered at the top of their lungs, with their wings flapping fiercely behind their backs. Someone must have started to slam their feet on the ground as a deep, even thudding filled the arena after literally everyone joined in on it. The intensity of it was deafening. If the coliseum was made of anything else than metal, it could have crumbled to pieces under such an insane assault.

“Now, what are you going to do?!” Bryn raised her voice and channeled more mana into the artifact to speak over the thunderous noise. “Are you going to waste this chance for easy revenge? Are you going to sit at home while knowing that an outsider is fighting for our cause? Are you going to send out our hero alone to do all the dirty work for us? Are we that kind of people? Who is going with me?!”

“I am!” Skodul shouted loud enough for the artifact to pick it up, joining on the thudding with her own feet and weapon.

“And so am I!” Krev did the same.

An unintelligible mess of words shook the air as the valkyrjas below them shouted their answers too in complete disarray. Even though nobody could understand a word, it was clear that they were agreeing. At least the vast majority was, drowning out those who still opposed the idea.

“Then go now and spread the news to everyone you meet! Travel back to your ARKs and let them know that Tyr is going to fight for our freedom and reclaim what is rightfully ours! Let them know about our hero and Grand Champion who will be leading the assault! Let them know that we will be passing through all the ARKs on the way to Odin and accepting anyone willing to be part of this historic event with us! Let them know that the time of liberation is now!”

“Uraaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!”

The audience roared in complete unison once more and numerous valkyrjas set off from their seats. The arena drowned in the noise of flapping wings as the women launched themselves into the sky. Many of them circled the pillar and the platform where Asterios and the others stood before heading further up and disappearing to the sides. To him and the girls it looked like they were in the eyes of a feathery cyclone for a good two minutes.

As the noise gradually calmed down, Miria sneezed loudly from a feather landing on top of her nose. Everyone chuckled at her as she blushed shyly, giggling alongside them. Bryn showed a wide smile as she looked up into the sky, following the last people leaving through the open roof.

“I don’t think I remember witnessing a mobilization like this ever before.” Krev laughed openly as she stepped closer to her.

“It’s said that only a true Sky Queen can move the hearts of so many people.” Skodul smiled proudly.

Bryn’s eyes widened as a faint trace of rosiness showed up on her cheeks. “I’m not someone worthy of such an honorable and respectful position… Especially with how many things have been left unsaid… It was nothing more than shady manipulation…”

The two other valkyrjas grinned at each other and laughed together.

“We have no idea what kind of a person the first Sky Queen really was. The only thing that we can be sure about is the fact that you have always possessed the necessary qualifications of a good leader. We would have been in deep shit if there was no one to oppose Hilda’s regime or the other narrow-minded Councilors,” Skodul said.

“They are right,” Asterios joined in, taking off the decorative helmet. “You certainly care for your people.”

“Sometimes, it’s better to keep a thing or two to yourself until the other side is ready to hear it.” Grea grinned as she stopped by Ast’s side and shot him a glance.

“Thank you.” Bryn showed a beautiful smile, nodding her head politely. “I honestly expected this to go much worse. We will have to deal with the nagging of the other Councilors after pulling off something like this but we should have secured the most important thing, which is the cooperation of those who will be most involved. And, if we are lucky, the rumors will spread to all the ARKs in no time.”

“There is only one problem.” Selene chuckled softly, capturing everyone’s attention. “I don’t think the other divisions will now have that many spectators or even contestants after everyone rushed out of the arena like that.”

“Ah.” Bryn’s mouth hung open for a good moment until she sighed wryly. “This might get really troublesome. I should have waited for the closing ceremony before calling everyone to action.”

Tina giggled quietly. “I don’t think it would have even half as massive viewership as the finals of the Power Divisions managed to gather.”

“Don’t worry, Bryn. We will stand by your side no matter what.” Silvia showed a soft smile. “Right, Ast?”

“Without a doubt.” Asterios nodded. “And the earlier we confront the Council the better. Let’s not give them any time to collect their thoughts and come up with some shrewd accusations.”

“Alright. I’m going to have to count on you, Master, everyone. Let us depart.” Their Valkyrie friend flashed them a smile and the platform began descending toward the ground.

 

You can find story with these keywords: Rise of the Weakest Summoner, Read Rise of the Weakest Summoner, Rise of the Weakest Summoner novel, Rise of the Weakest Summoner book, Rise of the Weakest Summoner story, Rise of the Weakest Summoner full, Rise of the Weakest Summoner Latest Chapter