## **Chapter 1060: The Seeker of the Martial Peak**
"The top two finishers naturally advance to the next round anyway. Is there really a need to fight that hard?"
Driana looked on with a puzzled expression as she watched Wareden and Borman clashing in the arena. Since the Coliseum season attracts those with burning wild blood, many low-tier fighters participate as well. Preliminary rounds are held specifically to weed them out—and that was the stage currently underway.
Even though their advancement to the next round was already guaranteed, Borman was fighting Wareden with genuine, fiery intent.
"Exactly. Even if they settle the score here, they both move up regardless. It seems inefficient," Chelsea added, leaning against the railing and shaking her head.
Seeing their confusion, Ar shrugged her shoulders. "Look at the crowd. They're going wild."
She was right. Driven by Borman's fighting spirit, the spectators filling the Coliseum had been whipped into a literal frenzy of excitement.
"Is it just to leave a strong impression on the audience?" Chelsea asked.
Dion answered this time. "That's part of it. But it's not just about seeking strength for its own sake. For us, there is a reason we must prove our power."
"Dion is right," Ar added, her eyes sparkling. "As those who carry on Lord Arion's legacy... we have a duty to provide peace of mind to the people by proving our strength. We're letting the world know that we are here."
While Chelsea and Driana looked on in admiration at the sentiment, Leo chimed in bluntly.
"Still, most people don't go that far."
"Yeah, true. That's why he's a muscle-head," Ar agreed, shrugging.
"Well, he is the son of the current champion, so he has a strong sense of showmanship," Dion added with a wry smile. He understood Borman's competitive streak, even if he wouldn't choose to act the same way.
Leo, who had been watching the matches, suddenly stood up. "I'm heading out."
"Huh? Already? You're not going to watch more, Leo?"
"I'm not participating in the Coliseum. I need to find Syleton."
"Fair point."
"I shall assist you," Driana offered. "I am not participating in the games either."
Leo nodded. "Good luck," he said to those staying behind.
"Do your best!" Driana added.
Leaving the cheers of the Coliseum behind, Leo walked down the corridor and suddenly came to a halt. Driana also sensed a presence further down the hall and tilted her head.
"Impressive," she whispered.
Standing at the end of the corridor was a lone wolf-beastman. He possessed a perfectly balanced, tempered physique and radiated an aura of profound stillness. His face wasn't conventionally handsome; instead, it was covered in numerous scars. However, combined with his quiet dignity, it created a unique and striking atmosphere.
In this man, Leo caught a glimpse of a life defined by endless struggle. Driana, on the other hand, found him aesthetically "beautiful." Thinking that Dueno would have judged the man similarly, Driana strode forward.
"If it wouldn't be too much trouble, may I ask a favor?"
"Speak, Lady," the man replied. Despite his rugged appearance, his tone was remarkably polite.
"Would you consider being a nude model for me?"
"The Indomitable Blacksmith is as eccentric as the rumors suggest," the man chuckled. "I am honored, but I fear my body is too scarred and unsightly to be a proper model."
"Nonsense! In my eyes, you are plenty beauti—Ow, ow, ow!"
Leo grabbed the ear of the star-eyed Driana and pulled her back. "Stop making people uncomfortable."
Driana looked at Leo with an aggrieved expression as he stepped forward to face the man.
"It is an honor to meet you. I am Meram, the Champion of the Water Country."
"I am Leo Flove of the Arhi Kingdom."
As Meram introduced himself formally, Leo returned the courtesy. Even though Leo was currently disguised as a rabbit-beastman, Meram saw through it instantly.
*'He's certainly something,'* Leo thought.
Meram lived up to his reputation as the strongest among the current Beastman heroes. Excluding Melina—who was an outlier as a Guide and Lisinas's successor—the strongest hero Leo had met since reincarnating was Cillian, the former principal of Lumern. Meram was just a step below Cillian's level.
*'It looks like it will be difficult for Ar to handle him as she is now.'*
As Leo was gauging the gap between Ar and Meram, the Champion spoke with a gentle smile.
"I have been aware of your presence since the moment the King of the Beginning set foot in this city."
Leo looked at him curiously. "High Sensitivity?"
"Yes. I learned it after watching some of the Azonia students use it. It is a truly magnificent technique."
"It was Arion's technique, after all."
"Indeed. It allowed me to feel the greatness of the Brave One once again."
*'He mastered High Sensitivity on his own? Impressive,'* Leo thought.
"I expected the King of the Beginning to participate in the Coliseum," Meram continued.
"If I had, even if I beat you, you wouldn't feel like you held the title of Champion anymore, would you?"
"Precisely. But regardless of titles, I would have acknowledged you as the true Champion and followed you."
Meram was a warrior who strictly followed the rules of the Coliseum. Leo felt a flicker of doubt as to why such a man would break his own principles.
"Meeting you in person confirms it, Leo Flove. You are human, yet you are closer to a 'Perfect Beastman' than anyone else."
"A perfect beastman?"
"Yes. I believe you resemble Lord Arion more than anyone else."
In Meram's deeply serious eyes, Leo read something familiar. It was similar to the gaze of the Elves who worshipped Luna. However, it was different from the Elves' obsession. Many of those Elves had become twisted, inventing "Pure-bloodism" and using Luna as a tool for their own bigotry. Their eyes had been clouded by obsession and stubbornness.
Meram's eyes, however, were as still as a calm lake. To Leo, Meram didn't look like a fanatic, but a *seeker*. A seeker who purely desired to resemble Arion—someone who possessed the unwavering will to reach for Arion's level even while knowing it might be impossible.
*'There were people like this in the old days, too,'* Leo mused.
Those who sought enlightenment through martial arts. To them, Arion, who had reached the ultimate peak of combat, would have looked like a god. Meram had never met Arion, but he had understood the fragments of the Brave One's legacy and realized just how high that peak was. And Leo, too, was a martial artist at a level Meram had never witnessed. That was what he meant by "resembling Arion."
"Only you can truly take his place. I wish to serve you."
"I'm sorry to disappoint, but I am not the type of person who leads others."
"It's strange to hear that from a man who is the King of a nation and the Leader of the Hero Alliance."
"Those are merely tools," Leo replied.
Tools to ensure the blade of the world was pointed solely at Erebus and Tartarus.
"I have no intention of reigning over others or being served. I don't have the temperament for it."
Leo knew exactly what he could and couldn't do. He knew his role in this pivotal moment of history.
*'My role is to deliver the world to the next generation.'*
To point the way forward. A ruler does not fit that role.
"Besides, isn't there someone else you should be serving?"
"What do you mean?"
"I'm saying that it will be Arion's successor who defeats you."
Meram looked genuinely surprised. "Does the King of the Beginning truly believe that the one following the Brave One can defeat me?"
"Yes."
Leo's answer made Meram look intrigued. Even Meram, who had spent his entire life in combat, could sense it—the fact that Ar would eventually surpass him.
"But even so... she is not ready yet."
"True. But the fact that she is Arion's successor doesn't change. If it were Arion in the same situation, he would have found a way to defeat you. There's no reason Ar can't do the same."
"I see... your faith in her is remarkable." Meram nodded. "Very well. Then I shall defeat Ar Tune and challenge you next."
"You sound as if Ar isn't even a factor."
"I am not dismissing her. On the contrary, I respect her. One who chases their aspirations is a beautiful, shining existence. But in my view, one who chases an aspiration can never *become* the aspiration itself."
Meram looked directly at Leo. "I have been waiting for someone who, like Lord Arion, reached the peak of martial arts through their own sheer will. Someone like you."
The stillness in Meram's eyes flared into a burning fighting spirit. "If I defeat Ar Tune, please, fight me in earnest."
Leo nodded. "Understood. But you'd better not underestimate our 'kitten' too much."
"Since the King of the Beginning says so, I shall look forward to it. I will be waiting for our duel."
Meram bowed and departed. Driana crossed her arms as she watched him go.
"He really talked as if Ar has no chance."
"To him, she doesn't."
In Meram's eyes, Ar was merely a kitten with infinite potential. In contrast, Leo was a martial artist whose level Meram couldn't even fathom. Having seen Leo's true depth, his fighting spirit was lit—Ar couldn't possibly occupy his mind right now.
"Not that he'll go easy on her, though."
"Leo. You seem absolutely certain that Ar will win."
"I told you." Leo shrugged. "There's nothing Ar can't do."
Showing his unshakable faith, Leo began to leave the Coliseum. Following behind him, Driana spoke up suggestively.
"Leo. In that case, how about a bet?"
"What kind of bet?"
"I'll bet that Meram wins." Driana's eyes burned with determination. "If I win, you have to be my nude model!"
"No."
"Why? Are you not confident? You're scared, aren't you? See! You only said you believed in her with words!"
Driana, dropping the "Dueno" persona she usually imitated, began to taunt Leo playfully.
"Come on, let's bet! If I lose, I'll grant you any wish you want! Think about it—if you lose, you just have to model once. But if you win, you get a wish! Isn't this basically a free win for you?"
Leo let out a quiet click of his tongue as Driana continued to pester him relentlessly.
Google translation👇🏻
"The last two will naturally advance to the next round anyway, so is there really a need to fight like that?"
Driana, who was watching Wareden and Borman, made a puzzled expression.
The Colosseum season is a time when many wild and wild-blooded people gather, and many random people also participate.
A preliminary round is held to filter out such people.
The current match is that preliminary round.
Even though his qualification for the next round was already confirmed, Bormann was still fighting hard against Warreden.
"That's right. Even if we decide the match here, we'll still advance to the next round anyway."
Chelsea, leaning against the railing, shook her head, saying it was inefficient.
Arga shrugged his shoulders as he watched the two react with incomprehension.
"The crowd is going wild."
It was literal.
The crowd that filled the Colosseum was literally thrown into a frenzy of excitement by Bormann's fighting spirit.
"Is it to leave a strong impression on the audience?"
Dion answered Chelsea's question.
"That's true. But it's not just about pursuing strength. We have a reason to prove our strength."
"It's as Dion said. As successors to Lord Aron... we have a duty to reassure the people by proving our strength."
That's why the Colosseum exists.
Arga's eyes sparkled.
"It's about letting the world know that we exist."
When Chelsea and Driana were amazed at those words.
"But don't you usually go that far?"
"Yeah, that's right. That's why he's a muscle idiot."
Arga shrugged at Leo's words.
"Well, since he's the son of the current champion, he does have a strong sense of showmanship."
Dion also smiled bitterly.
It's not that I don't understand Borman fighting Warden in a fit of pride, but they wouldn't do that.
Leo, who was visiting the Colosseum at that time, said:
"I'll go."
"Huh? Already? Aren't you going to see Leo anymore?"
"I'm not going to the Colosseum. I have to find Sileton."
"That's true too."
"I will help you."
Then Driana said.
"I'm not going to the Colosseum either."
Leo nodded at those words.
"cheer up."
"Cheer up."
Leo and Driana left, leaving messages of support.
Leo, walking down the hallway, leaving the cheering of the Colosseum behind, stopped walking.
Driana also tilted her head as she sensed someone's presence across the hallway.
"That's amazing."
Driana burst into exclamations.
Standing across the hallway was a single wolf-man.
A perfectly balanced, solid body.
And a quiet atmosphere.
The face was not very handsome.
Instead, countless scars took place on his face.
But it combined with the calmness he possessed to create a unique atmosphere.
Leo saw the man's endless struggle.
Driana felt that the man was beautiful.
Driana walked briskly towards the man, thinking that even if Dwenno had seen him, he would have judged him similarly.
"If you don't mind, can I ask you a favor?"
"Please speak, Lady."
Despite his rough appearance, the man's attitude was polite.
"Have you ever thought about becoming a nude model?"
"The indomitable blacksmith is as eccentric as I've heard."
The man burst out laughing.
"I'm sorry, but I don't think my body is suitable for modeling because it's ugly."
"Hmm! You look beautiful enough in my opinion... Ayaayaya!"
Leo pulled on Driana's ear, her eyes sparkling.
"Don't make things difficult for people."
Driana, who was stopped by Leo, looked at him with a look of injustice on her face.
Leaving Driana behind, Leo stood in front of the man.
"Nice to meet you. I am Meram, the champion of the Land of Water."
"This is Leo Plov of the Kingdom of Archi."
When Meram introduced himself politely, Leo also became polite.
Although he still had the appearance of a rabbit, Meram saw right through Leo.
'It's certainly impressive.'
He was a man who was called the strongest among the current heroes.
The strongest hero Leo met after being reincarnated was Melina.
But she is a leader who is also the successor of Lisinas and the selector of heroes.
With the exception of Melina, the strongest hero was the former headmaster of Lumern, Sword Saint Kallian.
Meram was just a little bit short of that level of Kalyan.
'It certainly seems a bit difficult for Arga to handle at this point.'
It was when Leo was assessing the difference in skill between Arwa and Meram.
"I have known of your existence ever since the King of Beginnings set foot in the City of Water."
Meram smiled gently.
Leo asked with a puzzled look as he looked at Meram.
"Extrasensory?"
"Yes. I learned it after seeing some of the students at Azonia use it. It's truly an amazing technique."
"Because it's Arone's technology."
"Yes. I could once again feel the greatness of the brave."
'You learned extrasensory perception on your own, that's amazing!'
It was a time when Leo was inwardly amazed.
"I knew the King of Beginnings would be participating in the Colosseum."
"If I had known you were participating, even if I had beaten you, I wouldn't have been eligible to be the champion."
"Yes. But regardless, I would have recognized you as a champion and followed you."
Meram was a fighter who strictly followed the rules of the Colosseum.
It was at this point that Leo began to question why Meram had broken his own rule.
"Now that we've met, I understand, Leo Plov. You're human, but you're closer to being a perfect mermaid than anyone else."
"Perfect Suin?"
"Yes. I think you most resemble the brave Aron."
Leo read something in Meram's eyes as he spoke with infinite seriousness.
It resembles the eyes of the elves who praise Luna.
But it's a little different from the elves who were close to fanaticism.
Many of the elves who praised Luna eventually became twisted and created something called purebloodism.
And Luna was used only as a tool for pure-bloodism.
Their eyes were clouded with obsession and stubbornness.
But Meram's eyes were as calm as a calm lake.
In Leo's eyes, Meram was a seeker, not a fanatic.
A seeker who purely wants to resemble Aron.
Even though he knew he could never reach her, he had an unwavering will to approach Aron.
'There were people like this in the old days too.'
A person who seeks enlightenment in martial arts.
To those people, Aron, who has reached the pinnacle of nothingness, will look like a god.
Meram has never met Aron.
However, it must have been because he understood the fragments of the bravery that Azonia had passed down to later generations and realized how high a level he had reached.
And Leo, too, was a man who had reached a higher level than Meram had ever seen.
That's probably what it means to resemble Aron.
"Only you can replace Him. I want to serve you."
"I'm sorry to disappoint you, but I'm not the type of person to lead anyone."
"It's strange that someone who is the king of a country and the leader of the League of Heroes would say something like that."
"Because it's just a means."
A means to ensure that the sword of the world points solely towards Erebos and Tartarus.
"I have no intention of being served by anyone and ruling over them. I am not fit for that."
Leo knows what he can and cannot do.
And what is your role in this moment, which can be called a turning point for the world?
'My role is to pass the world on to future generations.'
And to suggest a direction to go forward.
A person who dominates such a role is not fit for it.
"Besides, isn't there someone else you serve?"
"What does that mean?"
"The story is that Aron's successor will take your place."
Meram looked surprised at those words.
"Does the King of Beginnings think that the successor to the Brave One can defeat me?"
"yes."
Meram looked surprised at Leo's answer.
Meram, who had lived a life of struggle all his life, also felt it.
That Arga will soon surpass himself.
'But even so... ... .'
"She's not ready yet."
"Yes. But the fact remains that you're Aron's successor. Aron would have defeated you in the same situation. There's nothing Ar can't do."
"Indeed… you have great faith."
Meram nodded.
"Then I will defeat Artune and challenge you."
"It sounds like Arn isn't even in your sights."
"I don't disrespect her at all. On the contrary, I respect her. Those who pursue their dreams are beautiful. They are shining beings. However, I believe that they are only chasing their dreams. They can never become like them."
Meram looked straight at Leo.
"I've been waiting for someone like Aron, someone who has reached the pinnacle of nothingness through their own will. Someone like you."
A fighting spirit appeared in Meram's calm eyes.
"If you defeat Artune, fight me with all your heart."
Leo nodded at those words.
"Okay, but I guess you shouldn't underestimate our cat too much."
"I'm excited to hear the King of Beginnings speak so highly of me. Then I look forward to our duel."
After saying hello, Meram left the place.
Drianna crossed her arms as she looked at his back.
"You speak as if Ar doesn't even care about you until the very end."
"It won't be on your radar."
In Meram's eyes, Ar is a kitten with infinite potential.
On the contrary, the Leo that Meram saw in person was an unmanned being of a level so remote that he could not even fathom his realm.
Leo's fighting spirit was ignited by seeing his level, but there was no way Arga would notice.
"That doesn't mean I'll fight Ar lightly though."
"Leo. You seem confident that Arga will win."
"I told you."
Leo shrugged.
"There is nothing Ardo can't do."
Leo, who showed unwavering faith, left the Colosseum.
Following Leo, Driana spoke meaningfully.
"Leo. Then, would you like to make a bet with me?"
"What a bet."
"I bet Meram wins."
Driana's eyes burned brightly.
"If I win the bet, you'll be my nude model!"
"no."
"Why? You're not confident? You're not confident, are you? Right? So you're saying you only believe in words!"
Driana, who had stopped using the usual Dwenno tone of voice, provoked Leo as if she was trying to take advantage of him.
"Huh? Let's make a bet? Huh? Huh? But if I lose, I'll grant you one wish! Huh? Wow! Even if I lose, you just have to be a nude model once! And if I win, you can make one wish! Isn't that completely free?"
Leo clicked his tongue softly as he watched Driana persistently nagging him.