episode_0270

Thump- thump-

The back of the man, who had already made up his mind, was wider and more reassuring than expected. At the same time, it was pitiful and pathetic.

Evan’s back was like that. His stride, gripping the large black sword, was quite bold at first glance. However, for some reason, it also felt like a desperate struggle, as if he had given up everything.

I never thought I would feel this way about the prince of Naphlantz. Even my father only recently understood his true feelings. How much less could I, who suffered direct harm at the hands of the princes, understand them? That’s utterly absurd.

Thinking about it, Evan was more of a bystander than an instigator. He didn’t directly insult or attack me, but he didn’t actively stop his other brothers either.

He already regarded me as something other than human. That’s where I fail. Until the moment he came out of his room, the only one who treated me as a person was Yuri.

“Just to confirm… you’ve become stronger since then, right?”

“Hee hee, of course. Feel free to look forward to it. You too, brother, right?”

“Of course.”

Evan walked in front of me, asking without looking back. I couldn’t tell exactly what he was thinking, since I couldn’t see his expression.

We continued walking. We were heading towards a familiar place, passing through the royal palace corridor.

It was the swordsmanship hall. This training ground, also known as the Royal Knights’ training area, was always crowded. For knights, constant training is an essential virtue… but also, everyone just gathers here if they have nothing else to do.

Today, it was literally packed. It was because even the nobles in the hall had followed. It wasn’t just a casual intention to watch; Evan himself had ordered them to come.

“…Are you really alright with this?”

“I have to show them. No matter how much I talk, doubters will still appear. Haven’t you experienced that already?”

“That’s true… but doesn’t my brother have any dignity?”

“A king who only has dignity is as good as nothing. Don’t make excuses and do what you have to. Or are you afraid of losing?”

Which of us harbors the fear of defeat? Of course, I’m not sure of victory either, but beyond Evan’s faint smile, a shadow hung faintly.

We are about to clash swords in front of countless nobles. Although no one spoke clearly, the thrill of battle surged within each of us.

The observers could also sense the atmosphere thanks to our mingling auras. Everyone held their breath, watching me and Evan.

“Magic, swordsmanship, martial arts. Use everything, don’t hold back. It doesn’t seem like you only mastered one path.”

“You too, brother?”

“Yes. My specialties are Naphlantz-style swordsmanship and light magic in general. You are…”

“Well, I use everything I have.”

I literally use my whole body to fight, so I don’t have a specialty. If I had to say… well, a dogfight?

Anyway, we quickly adjusted the rules. If one side admits defeat, the match ends immediately. Anything is allowed except fatal wounds, but we should try not to incapacitate each other.

After agreeing on all the conditions, we walked to the center of the training ground. The referee was to be the second commander of the Karmoer Knights, who happened to be resting.

“Somehow… I have a feeling this isn’t the first time.”

“It’s just your feeling.”

“Hoo… Both sides, take your positions.”

We kept a decent distance. We stood between the thirds of the training ground. Too close for a surprise attack, but if we distance ourselves more, long-range magic is expected.

Hup-

I took a short breath. Fresh air filled my lungs and spread throughout my body through my blood vessels.

Following that subtle flow, I used the ether and began to gather it in my dantian, accumulating it little by little.

“Ready…”

It seemed I wasn’t the only one whose blood was boiling. Evan, gripping his sword and assuming his stance, exuded a ferocious aura.

Just as I unconsciously tensed up, Yuri and his group were visible over Evan’s shoulder. Each of them clasped their hands together, gazing in our direction.

Strength welled up within me.

“Begin!”

The moment the knight commander gave the signal, I exploded with power from my legs, pushing off the ground. I shot out like an arrow, my body much lighter.

* * *

In the blink of an eye, Narita had approached right in front of me. If I had been slightly more careless, I would have been defeated.

Fortunately, Evan had already deployed a spell on the floor of the training ground. Before the duel begins, only movement and attacks are restricted. Spellcasting is allowed.

‘She won’t go down easily…!’

Ordinary tactics won’t work. Compared to Evan, Narita is superior in every aspect. Strength, speed, durability. Naturally, I will be outmatched in all aspects of offense and defense.

So, I have to predict. I instinctively activate the barrier magic spell laid down to prepare for a sudden rush.

[Grand Fortress].

A golden light burst from the floor of the training ground like landmines. The mana flowing into the spell became a sturdy wall, rising towards Narita.

Having charged recklessly without any defense, she could only be bounced off the barrier. But Evan sensed that wasn’t the end. He remained vigilant, thinking of his next move.

“Hrut-”

A bare body without armor or barrier. But Narita showed no weakness.

Even before the magic could be activated, she had already read the flow of mana. She also noticed that the barrier would rise. Narita twisted her body in midair at the right moment, then used rotational force to deliver a kick to the ground.

Floral Fighting Style, Heaven’s Peak.

Heaven’s Peak, which falls from the sky, causes a secondary explosion on the ground. Meeting the recoil of the rising barrier magic, an intense shockwave occurred.

Kuuwa kwaang—!!

Evan struggled to maintain his stance. It was partly because of the shockwave, but he was also stunned by Narita’s picture-like movements.

The sequence of recognition, judgment, and reaction flowed naturally like water. It was so fast that it looked like a single action. Her combat sense surpassed the human realm, Evan thought.

Narita rode the shockwave and charged again. Her tightly clenched fist flew swiftly towards Evan.

Floral Fighting Style, Unwavering Current.

The concentrated power distorted space, creating ripples around it. Evan couldn’t even follow that ray-like attack with his eyes.

Tu kwaang—

“Kgh!”

But he had already raised his sword into a defensive posture. He slightly twisted his body to deflect the attack and quickly widened the distance.

Tat- taat-

Narita wouldn’t let go. Once again, she instantly caught up to the retreating Evan. He raised his sword again to defend, but she grabbed the blade with his left hand and brushed it aside.

An empty torso. Gathering strength in her right hand, she strikes.

Floral Fighting Style, Cold Spirit Mirror.

Puhuk- puheoong—!

A secondary explosion of ether surged across the physical attack entirely engulfing that area.

“Kheugh…”

“Kyaaaak—!!”

The blast’s aftereffects reached the spectators. If the knights hadn’t surrounded the outside of the training ground, it would have been impossible to leave without a single scratch.

Such an intense wave occurred that most people sensed Evan’s defeat. Narita’s attack seemed to have struck him directly.

But Narita herself knew. The impact was insufficient.

The cloudy dust settled, revealing Evan gasping for breath. His body was surrounded by a golden curtain.

Chut- jeojeok-

The curtain slowly cracked and shattered with a clang.

“So, it couldn’t completely block this…”

“You managed to hold out.”

“Keep in mind that you’re not the only one blessed by the goddess.”

A blessing? Narita tilted her head at that empty words. She had never received such a thing.

However, she could sense an immense amount of light mana emanating from Evan. Judging by the static flow of the mana, she thought he was diverting most of it to defensive magic spells.

If the defense is sturdy, she only needs to attack until it breaks. Narita once again pushed off the ground, leaping towards Evan to narrow the distance.

And it was within Evan’s expectations. Narita’s tremendous destructive power. When that’s supported by speed, there’s no need to attack from afar. Closing the distance is enough.

‘I thought she’d go for a rush again.’

When facing a strong opponent, Evan had to carefully consider every move. But Narita was different. Strong power and ample combat experience gave her actions legitimacy.

Since he read her move, the countermeasure naturally existed. Evan raised his sword, pointing its tip at Narita.

The light mana swirling around Evan emitted a fierce aura.

[Holy Ray].

A violent beam of light burst from the tip of Evan’s sword, rushing towards Narita. There was nowhere for her to escape as it pierced the air.