Chapter 548: Irunian vs Irunian

Soon the stone arena was filled with two Irunian units, mirror images of one another in body and uniform. There were differences in their souls, and those differences were the key to the whole competition, but Kai saw Pourila walk out between the sides and focused his attention on her.

"We have only months until the incursion," she began, "and Irun still needs to prepare. With limited resources, we have sought help from our allies. From their generosity we have been offered two different plans forward, plans that may be mutually exclusive. We gather today to choose our path into the future, for this incursion and the next."

All the Irunians on both sides stamped one foot on the ground in unison, like highly abbreviated applause. Kai had to admit, it was a striking effect. Pourila nodded to them and began returning to her position, but before she finished, Yuinafal leapt out onto the grounds.

"As the elder said, you are being offered two paths." Whatever technique he was using, it made his voice ring clearly to everyone without sounding like shouting. "The other side has generously offered to give Irun many resources, but those resources are limited, and based on the expertise of one individual. I offer you a new art based on chakra, understandable by anyone, that can continue to be refined by Irun even if I fall in battle. Choose wisely."

It sounded like he could go on for a lot longer, but Yuinafal jumped back to the other side. That was probably smart, since Irunians didn't generally like flowery speeches. He got another stomp, in any case.

Now, unfortunately, there was the expectation that Kai's side would say something. He had been trying to think of a good speech, but that wasn't his strong suit. When he glanced at Omilaena, she shook her head slightly, indicating that she hadn't been aware. His gaze shifted on to Tusquo, who winced.

"I was not told of his plans," he said grimly. "This will not be decided by words, but they may influence the elders watching. It would be better if you could say something."

All Kai could do was look to Omilaena, and he saw her eyes tighten slightly, perhaps in understanding.

While she walked to the center, Kai noted that Quinta was staring again, though he had no idea what she was thinking. Hopefully whatever had inspired her animosity wouldn't also turn the other Irunians against them. Kai noticed that Omilaena had pulled an Irunian shawl around her shoulders at some point, and when she reached the center she stood with a stiff posture, not exuding any of her usual sexuality.

"You've seen what we offer," she said flatly. "Let Irun decide."

Then she leapt away.

There was actually a moment of silence, then both sides performed another approving stomp. Yuinafal smirked from his seat on the opposite side, but most of the elders seemed to approve, so apparently Omilaena had chosen the right tactic. Even Quinta gave her a slight approving nod when she landed beside them.

"Clever," Tusquo said, "to remind them of your previous work so subtly."

"I tried to give an Irunian speech," Omilaena said as she relaxed down in between them.

"Good job, Omi." Zae Zin Nim reached over to pat her arm, though her attention was now focused on the battlefield.

Kai's went in the same direction, because now the two Irunian companies were stepping forward to attack one another. He wasn't sure if he had been expecting duels, but they fought as a squadron, just the way Irunians did on the battlefield. Irunian against Irunian wasn't a very good parallel to the incursion, but it definitely contrasted their souls.

At first the clash had no clear winner, so Kai began to analyze their abilities with his spiritual senses. Omilaena's side had been working hard over the past month, making gains that were quite significant for their level. There was variation, but Kai settled on an average warrior.

<

Name: ???

Total Power: 139

Physique Level: E-3 (89)

Enhanced Physique (+25)

Soul Level: 3 (9)

Path of Steel: Iron 4 (20)

Ironbody Physique (+10)

>

This one had 139 Power, largely from Physique but boosted by Omilaena's two special additions, which she had apparently figured out how to make work together. The result wasn't flashy, but neither were Irunian methods, and these boosts helped them work more efficiently.

By contrast, the other side had changed more than Kai had expected. They still wielded Irunian steel weapons, but they formed chakra around them, and some of the more skilled could use those to extend their melee range or throw chakra attacks from a distance. Fortunately, the new abilities weren't devastating because Omilaena's side had durable armor, plus their archers were skilled as well.

After analyzing the group, Kai again tried to discern the average opponent.

<

Name: ???

Total Power: 131

Physique Level: E-0 (80)

Irunian Chakra: Opal Rank (32)

Soul Level: 3 (9)

Path of Steel: Iron 2 (10)

>

Only 131 Power on average, so the total seemed to go in Omilaena's favor, but their new "Irunian Chakra" ability offered a greater boost than Omilaena's Enhanced Physique, and in fact it was well above the average for her Ironpath Physique boost. Would that matter to the watching elders? Would Yuinafal's argument about his path being more communal win the day?

Kai didn't think that his argument was actually legitimate, since Omilaena had left Tusquo and the others with an ability they could easily train, even without more chakra. He had to admit, though, that their progress was heavily reliant on Omilaena's genius.

Worse, he had argued that their side would receive a handicap in return for full use of resources. That had seemed very reasonable and fair a month ago, but now he found himself worrying. Presuming that Yuinafal wouldn't let such a thing be forgotten, that would likely mean a multiplier added to the other side, which could well make them look more superior to the Irunians.

The squads below continued fighting, and the Irunians lay still when they received an injury, as if they had been felled. What remained of both sides were the strongest, though, so they ground against one another, steel weapons and armor clashing.

"How does it look to you?" Omilaena asked Tusquo. Her voice was tense, which didn't put Kai at ease at all.

"Closer than expected," he answered without taking his eyes away. "If his chakra abilities had transformed the battle, it would be his victory, but this way... the ultimate value of his chakra is still unknown."

"It isn't Irunian chakra." Quinta folded her arms and scowled at the battlefield. "That is mere propaganda."

"You're right for now," Tusquo said gently, "but if we use it for generations, it will become Irunian."

She didn't seem to like that idea, but at least Quinta's anger was directed toward someone else for once. Meanwhile, Kai watched the fight on the edge of his seat.

In the end, with both sides so equal in skill and discipline, Omilaena's superior strength won out. The last fighters on the other side surrendered... but that left only about 10% of their own side. Kai had been hoping for a rout that would prove Yuinafal wrong and make the elites accept him completely. A close victory just left everything up in the air, so Kai frowned.

When he looked across the arena, he saw that Yuinafal was smiling.

"Why's he happy about losing?" Zae Zin Nim asked.

"I think it's because he could match my boost." Omilaena sank lower in her chair, fingers steepled as if calculating something. "He can't just replicate my immortality elixir, and he definitely can't copy the Ironpath Physique, but the elites are good at hybrid powers. If he can really do it... shit."

Kai nodded as he understood. "So he thinks that he can give his fighters an easy boost in the next month, which you can't match."

"And he's not entirely wrong. I can't win this one easily... I need to think carefully about our next steps."

"Nonsense." Zae Zin Nim folded her arms in her sleeves. "This chakra technique is a simple power boost, nothing complex. If they follow this path, they will soon be blocked again."

"But how far will it take them?" Tusquo received Zae Zin Nim's glare, but only shrugged and continued. "Even if they become limited by your standards, if such techniques can take them to 200 Power, that would be revolutionary for Irun. Many elders will approve of what they saw here."

There was no more time for discussion, because several elders walked down to the field. Instead of announcing any results, they began congratulating both sides and distributing recovery potions. Only after the fighters were all being healed or bandaged did more of the elders began to gather together to discuss. It seemed there would be no grand results, as without a clear victory, this was just another step toward the final decision in one month.

Across the arena, Yuinafal rose to his feet, stretched, then grinned and disappeared.

Not wanting to leave things like that, Kai jumped down to the arena himself and began helping up Omilaena's side. Even though he wasn't sure it would have made a difference, he cursed himself for not putting the soldiers through his own training. He'd been so focused on his own power and students that he hadn't spent much time with the soldiers.

The Irunians he helped didn't seem unhappy, but they also weren't exactly celebrating. It seemed clear they were proud of their progress, which meant a little... but how much did it mean to the elders who were making the decisions? Once he had helped enough, Kai managed to draw Pourila aside to speak to her.

"What's the consensus?" he asked.

"We won't decide until the end," she said, "but there are two conclusions. First, your side won today, barely. But second, many believe that Yuinafal's path offers more opportunity for Irun. Given that the elites agree he started from a lower position, you need to aim for a more decisive victory."

Exactly what he had been afraid of. Kai glanced back at Omilaena, but judging from her expression, she already knew.