What?!
Not only the crowd, but even Old Jaque was stunned.
This wasn't what they had agreed on at all!
Old Jaque had expected John to launch the first strike—use that move and humiliate Tairon on the spot, maybe even make him soil himself in front of everyone. But what was this now?
If Tairon were to strike with full force, forget John—even he himself would be seriously injured if he didn't dodge.
Others might not know the truth, but Old Jaque did. Regardless of how mysterious John might seem, he was, at best, a silver-rank swordsman.
The only reason John had earned the title "Sword Saint" was because his sword technique specifically countered his previous opponent.
But now, letting Tairon strike first? That was basically suicide.
Everyone in the audience began whispering amongst themselves.
Was the Sword Saint just arrogant? Or had he gone completely mad?
Even the usually lethargic Emperor Arnaud IV widened his eyes, unwilling to miss a single detail of what came next.
