While Arshay and Misty fought for their lives within what remained of the city’s walls, the men standing outside the main gates were doing the same. Again and again, clangs of steel rang in the air as Ramza and Marco crossed blades, but neither budged an inch. Ramza continued to have the advantage in this duel, but he still was unable to clinch a definitive victory.
He sliced through Marco repeatedly, but the Living Armor’s copious cuts and wounds healed almost instantaneously. The glimmering particles that fell from the tree melted into Marco’s body, restoring his metallic visage to peak form. Ramza’s countless slashes proved futile.
For the umpteenth time, Ramza saw the Living Armor’s wounds heal and muttered, “Looks like you’re not gonna run outta mana.”
“Oh? The same could be said for you as well, Captain,” Marco replied.
“Unfortunately, that’s not the case for me and Misty. As for Arshay, she’s been reincarnated.”
“Hmm... I expected this outcome.”
Without a face to look at, it was quite difficult to surmise Marco’s current expression, but his tone of voice made it clear that he was rather satisfied.
“If I wanted to end this, I’d need to attack you with an ultimate something-or-other that I don’t have enough mana to use,” Ramza said. “Not to mention that it probably still wouldn’t be enough to beat you in prime form.”
“That’s because you’re going easy on me, Captain,” Marco replied.
“No need to be humble. If I’m gone, you’ll be second to none with a sword.”
“It’s truly an honor to hear that from you. Goodness me, I do feel a touch of guilt when it comes to Sir Ein. He’s not only summoned me while using a colossal amount of magical energy, but he’s seen fit to protect me from your countless strikes.”
As Marco prattled on, Ramza scratched his head.
“You’ve got a really roundabout way of expressing your loyalty, eh, Marco?” he said.
“I’ve done no such thing. I told you from the start, didn’t I?” Marco replied. His body began to glow as he gripped his sword and rushed ahead. “I wish nothing more than to ensure the happiness of my master, Sir Ein!”
He unleashed an almighty swing that he would’ve never been able to use before. It was all thanks to the enormous amount of magical energy that he’d received from Ein.
“What an unreasonable power!” Ramza said. “You’ve surpassed your limits long ago, and yet, you don’t seem to be negatively affected by it at all!”
“What a curious thing to say, Captain,” Marco replied. “I find that your power is far more unreasonable!”
As the terrifying battle continued, the barren wasteland surrounding the pair was continuously gouged into by the swinging of their blades. And still, the two men didn’t let up. Under normal circumstances, they would’ve used all of their magical energy long ago, but Marco used every ounce of power he had in his body to continue fighting. Ramza, on the other hand, still seemed to be holding back. There was something of a power gap between the two men, and no amount of magical energy could change that.
“Huff... Huff...” Marco panted.
“You’re tough,” Ramza remarked.
Clouds of dust danced in the air, revealing that the ground and their pair’s surroundings had been utterly decimated. Neither party could launch the deciding strike in this duel, causing the deadlock to linger. While Marco’s wounds healed up quickly, his fatigue continued to mount. This wasn’t a matter of mana, but of pure stamina.
“I find myself overwhelmed by an indescribable emotion,” Ramza said. “My opponent stands before me in shambles, but I can’t land the final blow. I’ve never felt anything like this before.”
Only Marco showed signs of fatigue—Ramza was still going strong.
“I can only say that I’m impressed, Captain,” Marco said. “I’ve become painfully aware of the gulf in power between us.”
“What a coincidence. I’m also painfully aware of my lack of power,” Ramza replied.
Gradually, ever so slightly, Marco received less and less magical energy. His mana well had started to dry up, and his stance had changed from the one he had several minutes ago. As the fearsome duel waged on, the difference became clearer still. No longer did Marco’s wounds heal instantly, and the cuts on his armor began to slowly increase.
“Haven’t you done enough?” Ramza called, noticing this change. The Living Armor remained silent as the Dullahan continued, “I know what you’re planning.”
“I wondered what you were planning to say, but do you really expect me to retreat?” Marco replied. “Unfortunately...” He plunged his sword into the ground, in a sign of surrender. “Perhaps I simply was not enough. I’ve received far too much power from Sir Ein. When one looks at the battle behind us, it’s easy to see that he’s been giving me more than my fair share of magical energy.”
Ramza sighed. “I thought that that was the case.”
“I’ve played my role. I leave the rest to the three of you.”
“I had a feeling you were up to something, but I never thought you’d actually use our clash to drain Ein’s power as much as possible.”
“I believe I’ve clearly stated my intentions to prevent any misunderstandings. I only wish for Sir Ein’s happiness, and nothing more.”
“I hear this a lot myself, but you don’t explain yourself enough.”
“You have my deepest apologies. I shall commit that to memory.”
Neither had the will to fight. Ramza walked into the city as a clump of roots started shooting their way out of Roundheart and through the wasteland.
“I shall join you later,” Marco said. He turned his back to the Dullahan and raised his sword once more.
“It sees you as an enemy as well now,” Ramza remarked.
“But I was able to drain it of far more mana than I expected.”
Ein—the World Tree of Gluttony—was a mass of power. And so, Marco had chosen his preferred plan of attack. Before the tree saw him as an enemy, Marco had done everything he could to sap away Ein’s mana.
“I’ll be waiting for you inside,” Ramza said. “Clear up this area in a flash and join me.”
“Yes, sir!” Marco replied. “Your order has been received!”
They only had a bit farther to go. Ramza stepped into the royal capital as he slapped his cheeks and steeled his resolve.