The Witch raised her hand once more. "All of you. Exit the stage. This night… belongs to history."
Nioh turned once, glancing at his opponents.
Then at his comrades.
Then at the crowd. Before departing the stage under the cheer of the crowd.
The embers had barely cooled when the crowd erupted.
It wasn't just cheers, it was an explosion of voices, arguments, and declarations. The arena trembled not from combat, but from the weight of opinion.
"He could've won if the Witch hadn't stopped it!"
"Nuggart was about to smash that boy's spine in!"
"Did you see that sound wave? What the hell is he?"
"Rupert and Althea were going to kill each other—thank the flame she stepped in."
"Yeah, but he held back… you saw that, right? Nioh wasn't serious."
"He's dangerous. Too dangerous."
Up in the noble balconies, even the heirs of great Houses leaned forward, lips pressed in tight lines, their courtiers whispering frantically beside them.
