F-ranker Sword Saint: My Soulbound Sword is Secretly SSS-tier!-Chapter 313: Only Fair

Caladbolg’s voice boomed across the meeting hall like thunder in the still night, rousing dissent and daring any brave enough to give it voice.

Hands of disagreement rose the next moment — a proof of the challenge’s effectiveness.

Like so began the heated selection. Not through swords...yet, but through sound arguments.

Six representatives had something better in mind.

Caladbolg’s face was a sleeping lake, unbothered by the chaos. This was already expected.

Still, the resolution must be orderly, and so he called the Ashen Crown Representative first. The woman did not wait long to speak her mind:

"I can agree to Gram, Chi Xiao, Sigrun, and Durandal. But not Onimaru Kunitsuna."

This, too, was easily within expectations.

The reason? The Four Starblades were SSS-rankers, and Onimaru Kunitsuna was not. It was a simple but sound argument anchored in a long-proven sword-tier hierarchy.

Beneath the Ashen Crown representative’s measured tone lay a simple truth: an S-ranker could hardly claim qualification in the presence of SS-rankers.

"And why is that?" Caladbolg sternly challenged. "From what I’ve learned, this young man is extremely competent despite his rank. I, too, am an SS-ranker once, dismissed in favor of supposedly ’better’ talents, yet here I am, the strongest of humanity...or will you deny my claim, too?"

The Ashen Crown Representative only smiled calmly.

"Lord Caladbolg, no one will ever have the right to deny your might again. What I’m saying is, Onimaru Kunitsuna is not you, and even if he somehow has hidden talent on par with yours, didn’t you have to prove yourself in the past, too?"

The exalted elder fell silent, as if pondering things.

Meanwhile, a shorty was moving from chair to chair somewhere at the back.

Leaning close to Daru’s ear, Cindy whispered, "S-Sir Daru, Sir Walker said that some of these guys are probably going to challenge you soon. He’s asking if you’re confident."

Daru’s brows rose at the question, a hint of excitement creeping into his heart.

"They’re...going to challenge me?" he asked.

"Y-Yes, Sir Daru. I do think so, too, as they had everything to gain and not much to lose. And yes, that’s also what Sir Walker said..."

Daru shot a glance at Walker, the Iron Lotus Representative, and their eyes met.

Without averting his gaze, he whispered to Cindy: "Then tell him I’m up for it. I can fight them all if needed, although I can’t guarantee my victory if I have to fight more than one at a time."

The short handler froze, unable to process what her talent just said.

"Ah?"

Daru’s brows furrowed, thinking whether he had worded his intentions wrong, but no, he didn’t...

What he said should’ve been clear as day.

Noticing what seemed to be displeasure on his face, a jolt ran through Cindy, snapping her awake.

She was not making a good impression right now...

"N-No worries, Sir Daru! I understand. I really do!" she whispered shriekingly in compensation. "I-I’ll relay your words to Sir Walker!"

Like a scurrying mouse, Cindy left, heading over to the other person she must butter up to.

She leaned closer.

A dozen heartbeats later, Daru’s brows furrowed again, noticing the momentary bewilderment on Walker’s face before the stern representative concealed it under a mask of indifference.

Cindy returned.

"He said he’ll try to secure the most favorable conditions for you. If you can’t keep your slot, then he will push for one of the other three to his left."

Daru nodded. "Understood."

Meanwhile, Caladbolg and the other representatives are reaching a consensus.

"Those who want to challenge Gram, Chi Xiao, Durandal, and Sigrun for their spots, raise your hands," the exalted saint demanded.

To the Ashen Crown Representative’s glee, no one did.

It was clear that none dared challenge the Four Starblade’s qualifications.

"So...indeed, as you said, only Onimaru Kunitsuna’s slot is questionable, correct?" Caladbolg sighed. "How do you propose we handle this?"

"Simple," the Ashen Crown representative grinned. "Let the youngsters decide with their swords."

The exalted saint sneered inwardly.

There was someone who dared do it openly, though...

"How stupid..." Elara scoffed. "What, should Daru fight everyone who would challenge him for his spot?" 𝐟𝗿𝐞𝚎𝚠𝐞𝚋𝕟𝐨𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝕔𝕠𝚖

The Ashen Crown Representative’s face twitched, but she quickly hid her displeasure with a smiling facade.

"Isn’t that natural? If he wants to represent our race in a high-stakes event, then he must prove he is worthy."

"Hahaha!" Elara laughed in derision. "How shameless could one be? Even if Daru can regenerate his stamina and health through potions that you guys would probably offer to provide, what about his Sword Skills? Surely, everyone would know his cards by the fifth or sixth match. As for him, he would know nothing about his opponents every time. Even with a face as thick as yours, this princess is quite certain you’ll find it difficult to deny that this is a massive advantage for the challengers."

The female representative frowned.

"Then please enlighten this fool of a method that would satisfy everyone."

Elara smiled.

"Isn’t it easy? Choose among yourselves which one you think is worthy of being a representative, then have that person challenge the questionable spot. As for what method is fair, you can decide for yourselves."

Walker was astounded.

He was ready to go to war against the other Guild Representatives, and he certainly did not expect that he would receive help.

Did Onimaru Kunitsuna’s friendship — or whatever their relationship was — with Sigrun truly run that deep?

If so, then why?

How?

Many questions borne of sheer curiosity flooded the Iron Lotus Representative’s mind.

The Ashen Crown Representative, meanwhile, was left gritting her teeth as Caladbolg approved of Elara’s brilliant idea.

The woman from Ashen Crown couldn’t deny that it was a fair suggestion, too.

Elara glanced at Daru. He noticed, meeting her gaze. She winked at him. Daru bowed in response.

It was a short, subtle interaction with no words, but it didn’t escape half the eyes in the hall, youngsters seething due to whatever mix of emotions swirled in their hearts.

Infuriatingly, they would have to earn the right before they could even solve said knots.