Nidol muttered so with a slackened smile. An open field can leverage mobility potential to its fullest. It's easier to move on the open field than between the audience seats where you'll find uneven footing and various obstacles.
Nidol focused his entire strength into his sword and slammed it towards the ground. With the impact point as the start, black fire started spreading and caused an explosion.
Rio retreated with dance-like back steps in the very same moment and looked at the black flames, with a doubtful face.
Nidol hummed in admiration and then sweapt his sword to the side. His sword fired an arrow-like black flame which cleared out the field.
Right after saying his line, a compressed wind cannon shell shot out from inside the fire. The ball of compressed air blew the black flames and headed towards Nidol in a straight line while clad in black flame.
Nidol swung his sword at once. Upon contact the wind cannonball created a shockwave in the atmosphere that overpowered Nidol.
It took a while for Nidol to brush off the wind cannonball, so before he could realize it Rio was only an inch away from his chest.
Nidol showed a trance-like smile and took up a counter stance by reflex but Rio had allready gained the initiative with his surprise attack.
He slipped to the chest of Nidol, who gripped his heavy sword, killing his chance for a counter and started to overpower Nidol by slashing at him using both his daggers with hard to follow movements.
Rather than using slashing attacks, Rio used the force of his attacks to inflict blunt damage. Nidol's clothes may repel his dagger blades but the impact damage should be accumulating below those clothes. It seems Nidol was wary of an attack aiming for his vitals, but it might be just a matter of time before he succumbed due to the accumulating damage.
Thanks for the chapter, the fights of Rio are always wonderful to be read. Eager for him to hit Takahisa.