Artoria Pendragon sneered after hearing Scáthach's remarks.
"You really have the nerve to say that?"
"As Heroic Spirits, aren't we all basically the same?"
"Why are you acting all innocent?"
"Don't think nobody knows what you and your sister get up to sometimes."
"It's just that your side has fewer people involved…"
The atmosphere instantly became awkward.
Scáthach immediately decided she did not want to continue this conversation any further.
That attack had landed far too accurately.
Although she herself was also one of Izumi's women, some things were simply too embarrassing to say aloud in public.
In the end, both of them wisely chose to stop talking about the matter.
Instead, they turned their attention back toward the arena below.
After all registrations had been completed, the tournament finally began.
Since the world's laws forcibly equalized everyone's power level, the competition attracted an astonishing number of participants.
And because victory depended entirely on pure swordsmanship…
Nobody was willing to admit inferiority.
From the moment the first match started, the audience watched with absolute focus.
Many were not merely spectating—
They were learning.
At this point, the tournament had essentially become a sacred ground for sword practitioners.
A gathering where countless styles and schools clashed against one another.
Who wouldn't love such an event?
Naturally, many people who could not afford the registration fee simply sat near the arena to observe and study.
For them, this place was an invaluable opportunity.
As the battles unfolded, countless spectators found their horizons broadened.
One exquisite sword technique after another appeared across the stage.
The audience absorbed those techniques like a thirsty ocean consuming rivers.
Meanwhile, contestants also began falling one after another.
And soon, people discovered an interesting pattern.
Those who specialized in large-scale destructive combat were usually eliminated very quickly.
Once everyone's raw power had been equalized, the difference in pure skill immediately became obvious.
Many fighters who relied heavily on overwhelming strength suddenly realized—
They could not defeat true masters of the sword.
For example, Dracule Mihawk.
In the world of pirates, he stood at the peak of swordsmen.
Yet here, under equal conditions, he was completely overwhelmed by Gai Nie.
Against that legendary swordsman, Mihawk found himself unable to resist at all.
Gai Nie's mastery was simply on another level.
Mihawk's elimination greatly shocked the people from the pirate world who were watching nearby.
Even members of the Whitebeard Pirates—who were currently making a living selling Sea Kings within Izumi's world—could not help feeling astonished.
Sure enough…
One should never underestimate the people of other worlds.
Perhaps Mihawk's swordsmanship was unrivaled in his own world.
But compared to masters from countless dimensions?
It was no longer enough.
And Mihawk was not the only casualty.
Several members of the Whitebeard Pirates who joined the competition were also eliminated one after another.
Even numerous Heroic Spirits lost their matches surprisingly early.
The results shocked countless spectators.
However, after carefully observing the remaining fighters, everyone gradually understood why.
Those still standing in the arena were all genuine swordsmanship monsters.
And mixed among them…
Were several extremely suspicious individuals.
For example—
A group of sword-wielding little girls.
As well as Asuna Yuuki and her companions.
Seeing this lineup, many spectators were stunned.
"So many female swordsmen?!"
"They're ridiculously strong…"
"Are women naturally stronger than men when it comes to swordsmanship?"
The crowd immediately burst into discussion.
Female swordsmasters of this level were incredibly rare in most worlds.
What they did not realize, however…
Was that Asuna and the others were effectively cheating.
With Izumi backing them, they never lacked points or resources.
They entered purely for fun.
More importantly—
Many of them possessed combat techniques specifically designed for swordsmanship battles.
Fighting against them was practically asking to be humiliated.
They were simply too experienced.
And this was only because certain terrifying individuals had chosen not to participate.
If the rest of Izumi's household joined the tournament as well…
Most of the current contestants would likely be wiped out instantly.
In fact, there might not even be any male participants left standing by the end.
After all, Izumi's household contained an absurd number of sword users.
Even among the younger girls alone, there were countless terrifying masters.
Not to mention people like Mei and the others had not even entered the competition.
Only Asuna's group had shown real interest in participating.
If everyone else joined too, the tournament would become meaningless.
At that point, it would basically devolve into an internal competition within Izumi's family.
Precisely because of this, many chose not to participate.
Only people like Asuna—who genuinely loved swordsmanship—entered for enjoyment.
Naturally, Izumi himself was fully aware of everything happening within the arena.
After all, anything occurring within this world could instantly be perceived by him.
Still, he did not particularly care about the tournament.
The only thing that truly left him speechless…
Was the performance of Youmu Konpaku.
The little half-phantom swordswoman had nearly been eliminated.
Seeing that, Izumi immediately turned toward Yuyuko Saigyouji with a strange expression.
"Yuyuko…"
"Did you cut Youmu's salary or something?"
"Why does it feel like her strength hasn't improved at all?"
"She almost got eliminated in a swordsmanship tournament!"
Hearing that accusation, Yuyuko blinked in confusion.
"Huh?"
"No?"
"I give all my spell cards to Youmu whenever she wants them."
"I've never reduced her salary."
As she spoke, even Yuyuko herself began looking puzzled.
Could it be…
That Youmu was actually that weak?