Chapter 170: It’s Been Quite a While (2)
Chapter 170: It’s Been Quite a While (2)
Patrick and his party moved rapidly toward the north.
They rode their horses until the beasts were spent, and once the animals reached their limit, they continued on foot.
Patrick, once known as the Radiant Dragon Hero in his past life, was a given, but the other three had also learned Lightness Skills from him. Thanks to that, their pace didn't slacken at all. If anything, by traversing rugged terrain instead of established roads, they made it difficult for their pursuers to keep up.
"Baron, the hoofprints end here."
"Are there no other tracks?"
"There’s nothing along the main road. Given the lack of reports from the scouting units, it seems they intend to cut through the forest."
"It’s not like they’re Elves..."
The commander in charge of the pursuit thought for a moment before speaking.
"First, use the magical tool to report our current position to the kingdom. Then, send messengers to all neighboring territories to mobilize their forces."
"Yes, Baron."
By royal decree of the King of Caesar, an arrest warrant had already been issued for Patrick Schneider. Therefore, the lords of the surrounding regions would have no choice but to cooperate. If they cast a wide net and surrounded the area, not even Patrick Schneider would be able to escape.
"You won't get away, Double Dragon."
* * *
"Ho... look at these guys."
The corners of Patrick’s mouth curled up slightly.
"What is it?"
"Nothing, things have just gotten a bit interesting."
"What’s so interesting?"
Patrick spoke to Matthew, whose forehead was beaded with sweat from the continuous running.
"The Caesar Kingdom folks seem more competent than I thought."
"Huh?"
"We’re surrounded."
"..."
At that, Matthew trudged over to a nearby tree, grabbed it with both hands, and began thumping his forehead against the trunk, muttering, "Why did I become friends with this guy? Why?"
"So timid..."
Patrick chuckled.
Still, they’re quite something. I moved as fast as possible, but I still ended up caught in their net.
Since leaving Andmion, Patrick had moved with maximum speed. He knew that once his location was pinned down, the enemy would deploy an encirclement, so he had tried to prevent them from doing so entirely. Reaching the destination like this would have been ideal. In fact, the destination wasn't far now. But...
"To get caught here."
Finding a detour looked difficult. The enemy's formation, tightening around them without a single gap within the range of his Energy Sense, was remarkably meticulous. There were likely far more enemies beyond that range. The Caesar Kingdom had organized a precise encirclement much faster than Patrick had anticipated.
And Patrick thought he knew the reason why.
It must be magic.
The Pangemonia Continent lagged behind the Central Plains of his past life in some aspects, but it was ahead in many others. The existence of magic was the primary example. It made things possible that were unthinkable through martial arts alone. Communication magic, for instance.
Tsk, I underestimated them.
Communication magic was superior to any means of contact used in the Martial World. It allowed for unimaginably fast and reliable information transfer while being several times more secure.
Tsk, if they were using a network of carrier pigeons, we could have escaped safely.
Expanding his Energy Sense to its limit once more, he felt the enemies closing in. He didn't know what method they were using, but they seemed to know his exact location. Moreover, the most troublesome part was...
They’ve read my destination. The north is completely blocked.
Well, having come this far, they must have realized where he was trying to go. So, what was the best move? Should he revise the original plan now that the enemy had grasped his intentions? Or should he keep pushing through?
Either choice would be difficult. And there wasn't much time to deliberate. In that case, he might as well...
"Alright. Shall we give it a try?"
"Do what? How?"
"Do you have a good plan?"
At Isabella and Matthew’s questions, Patrick stroked his non-existent beard and spoke.
"Listen carefully."
"..."
With a solemn expression, Patrick spoke with the dignity of a seasoned advisor.
"From this moment on, we will employ the strategy of 'Feint East, Attack West.'"
"What’s that?"
"Where are you talking about?"
Ah, right. You guys don't know that.
Patrick scratched his head and clarified.
"I’m talking about a diversionary tactic."
"Then just say that from the start."
"Why use such weird terms?"
"Ah, shut up and listen. First..."
Patrick explained the plan. As they listened, the expressions of the other two grew increasingly pale.
"Are you really going to do that?"
"Yeah. I really am."
"Think about it again. You might die."
"Hey, people don't die that easily. I know from experience."
"..."
"..."
Matthew and Isabella looked utterly despairing. Once Patrick started being stubborn, he wouldn't listen to reason. And they hated themselves for knowing that so well.
* * *
The regular soldiers of the Caesar Kingdom were divided into squads, slowly searching the forest as they advanced. Each squad consisted of twenty men. Within each were at least two knights, and over a hundred such squads had been deployed for this operation.
"Damn it, all this trouble because of some brat from a minor kingdom."
One of the knights in the search party grumbled as he pushed through the thick forest brush. Another knight beside him spoke up.
"Don't let your guard down. If our opponent is the Double Dragon, he’s not someone to be taken lightly."
"He’s just a kid who hasn't even graduated from the Academy. Honestly, I don't even believe he’s reached the Supreme Realm."
"Two 7-Stars from the Decatur Kingdom were defeated by him."
"That’s just..."
"And Count Spike is dead, too."
"..."
The grumbling knight fell silent. In truth, how could he not know that Patrick Schneider was a formidable individual? He was simply trying to belittle him by focusing on his young age and the fact that he was an ungraduated student. It was a common occurrence—venting jealousy by badmouthing a great figure one would likely never even meet. To this knight, Patrick Schneider was exactly that kind of target.
"He’s still just a brat. A kid from a tiny kingdom having the nerve to run wild in our country? Fearless little bastard."
"You’re taking it a bit too far."
"What’s too far about it? That kid’s days are numbered."
"I doubt it. He won't die."
"How would you know that?"
"I just know."
"That’s... huh?"
Only then did the knight realize. The person he was talking to was someone unfamiliar. And before he knew it, the sounds of the others who had been around him had vanished. He turned his head to see a young man looking at him, holding two swords dripping with blood.
It was his first time seeing him. His first time, and yet...
"Dou... Double Dragon."
He recognized him instantly.
"Yeah. That’s me."
"..."
"Farewell."
A flash from two blades was the last thing he saw while alive.
* * *
"It’s the Double Dragon!"
"To the west! The target has appeared!"
Patrick charged straight into the encirclement. Naturally, the Caesar Kingdom forces, alerted to his presence, rushed toward him like a swarm of hornets. Now that his exact location was known, they began deploying their troops in earnest.
"Found him. Over there!"
"Everyone, attack!"
"Waaaaaaah!"
Patrick licked his lips as he watched the enemies swarming toward him.
"It’s been quite a while."
Familiar memories of the past resurfaced. As the blood in his body turned cold, his mind became crystal clear.
"This feeling."
A battlefield where life and death intersected. This was a place more familiar to Patrick Schneider than anywhere else. Patrick walked slowly toward the enemies charging from the front. His pace quickened, and then...
"Come."
Turning into a streak of light, Patrick slammed into the front lines of the enemy.
* * *
The moment Patrick clashed loudly with the enemy head-on, April was moving toward the opposite side with Matthew and Isabella. The three moved stealthily, suppressing their presence. However, the dense encirclement did not miss them entirely.
"Enemy spotted!"
"There are enemies here!"
The moment they were discovered by a search party, Matthew and Isabella drew their swords. But before they could act, April lunged forward ahead of them.
Swish!
She was fast. But she was different from Patrick. If Patrick’s movements evoked a flashing bolt of lightning, April’s evoked the wind. Moving like a gentle breeze, she surged forward and was suddenly in the midst of the enemies.
"Ki... Kill her!"
"Thrust!"
Seeing April approach right before their eyes, the enemies thrust their spears. Just before the sharp spearheads could reach her...
Twin Dragons Eight Sword Styles
Fourth Form
Twin Dragons’ Chaotic Dance
She became a small storm.
Hundreds of slashes swept away every enemy within a five-meter radius of April. After the storm subsided, the area was filled with nothing but the falling blood and flesh of the collapsed enemies.
"..."
"..."
Matthew and Isabella were speechless at the overwhelming sight. April, having neutralized the enemies, spoke indifferently.
"Let’s keep going."
"Uh... yeah..."
"Got it."
Matthew and Isabella sheathed the swords they had half-drawn. They knew April was strong. Since they couldn't even gauge her realm, she was clearly stronger than them. But...
She might be even stronger than I imagined...
Could that Ace guy be like this too?
The thought lingered in their minds and wouldn't leave. Just then...
Boom!
A roar echoed from afar, followed by the sounds of battle. The group stopped, and April glanced toward the source of the noise. But she quickly resumed her pace, promising herself:
He’ll be fine.
He was stronger than anyone, so he would be fine. But...
If the one-in-a-million chance happens, I will destroy the entire Caesar Kingdom.
She would certainly do it. Even if she had to spend the rest of her life and burn her very soul to make it happen.
* * *
"Blo... Block him!"
"Aaaaaagh!"
"Damn it, I told you to block... Aaaagh!"
An anomaly. There was no other way to describe him.
The Caesar Kingdom had mobilized its entire regular force to catch one man, Patrick. No matter how talented a 7-Star knight was, he was still just one individual. Once he made the military power of a nation his enemy, death should have been unavoidable. Everyone certainly thought so. But...
"You bastards..."
Patrick, drenched in blood, spoke with a cruel smile.
"What are you doing?"
"..."
"Come at me."
No one dared to charge at Patrick’s taunt as he beckoned with his hand. They simply stared at him with eyes full of terror, as if looking at a monster. How could they not?
Though it had been a short time, hundreds of soldiers forming the encirclement had fallen to Patrick’s blade. Whenever a flash of light appeared, a corner of the formation was invariably shattered. Famous knights had bravely charged at him, but none could withstand a single blow.
Only then did they realize how dangerous it was to make an enemy of a superhuman who had pioneered the Supreme Realm. However, the situation wasn't entirely in Patrick’s favor. As reinforcements continued to arrive, the enemy’s encirclement was growing firmer. These were not Murim warriors. Their individual martial prowess was weak compared to those of the Martial World, but instead, they were a collective forming an army. An increase in the army's numbers meant a diversification of their means of attack.
"Aim your arrows!"
Just like now. A group of archers who had arrived in the rear drew their bows in unison. The commander ordered again.
"Fire!"
Twang-twang-twang-twang!
With a sound like plucking string instruments, countless arrows flew through the sky, threatening Patrick. Hundreds of arrows were concentrated on him, but Patrick’s form blurred and vanished.
Thud-thud! Thud-thud-thud!
The arrows struck the ground uselessly, while Patrick had already charged toward other soldiers.
K-boom!
"Oh? Look at these guys."
But the sensation was different. The soldiers who blocked Patrick’s charge should have been sent flying like straw hit by a wagon, but these men were different. A few in the front row were crushed and killed, but the overall formation did not break. And for good reason...
"Hold your ground!"
"Don't let the wall break! Trust your comrades!"
These were heavy infantry. Clad in thick iron plate and carrying steel shields larger than their own bodies, they overlapped to create a wall—the iron fortress of the battlefield. That wall, forged from steel and unity, had withstood Patrick’s attack.
"You lot..."
An Aura Blade coated Patrick’s sword. A strong wall could simply be broken with a stronger attack. But...
"Thrust!"
This time, massive spears, at least five meters long, lunged out from behind the shields all at once. Patrick, who had been preparing to attack, had to retreat quickly. And once again, a rain of arrows poured down from above.
Patrick deflected the arrows with his sword while scanning his surroundings. The encirclement was beginning to take proper shape.
"Tsk, you’re making this troublesome."
This is why armies are terrifying. Individually they are nothing, but when they combine and complement each other, they become incredibly difficult to handle. Furthermore...
"Fire Arrow!"
"Fireball!"
"Fire Explosion!"
The regular army of this world also possessed means of attack that Patrick couldn't ignore. Mages, protected behind the wall of heavy infantry, cast spells at him.
This might be a bit dangerous.
Patrick took a sword stance as he watched the magical attacks flying toward him.
Twin Dragons Eight Sword Styles
Fifth Form
Dragon Scale Whirlwind
Instantly, a whirlwind of aura enveloped Patrick’s body, protecting him.
Bang! Boom! Pop!
The fire magic attacks exploded, unable to pierce that defense. And the moment the whirlwind of aura vanished and Patrick revealed himself...
"Now!"
"All units, attack!"
Another rain of arrows and throwing weapons poured down. And among the knights, experts who appeared to be of a significant level charged all at once. Seeing that Patrick had used a major technique, they seemed intent on exploiting the opening immediately following it to claim the glory. Among them were those who appeared to be 5-Star or higher.
"Double Dragon!"
"Die!"
Seeing the greed in their eyes, Patrick grit his teeth.
"Don't look down on me!"
In that instant, the two swords in Patrick’s hands scattered light in all directions.
Twin Dragons’ Chaotic Dance: Modified Form
Galaxy Annihilation
Those who had lunged for Patrick’s throat saw it then. A countless cluster of stars heading toward them. A dazzling starlight of a galaxy that was almost beautiful. But every single one of them was a lethal strike.
"Urgh..."
"Aaaaagh!?"
Most of the knights who had lunged for the opening fell before they could even comprehend the attack.
Clang! Clang!
However, some renowned knights hurriedly raised their swords and deflected the strikes. They tried to charge forward again. But...
"Gah..."
"Wh... When..."
They didn't even know when they had been hit. They hadn't seen the much faster, more subtle attacks hidden between the light-speed flashes.
"K-krrrk..."
"Guh..."
And so, they collapsed, not even knowing what had struck them.
"Whew..."
Patrick, who had cleared the surrounding area with his dazzling attack, took a long, thin breath to steady himself. He then raised his sword, pointed it in a certain direction, and spoke.
"How long are you going to just watch?"
Patrick was staring precisely at one spot. Behind the mages who were part of the encirclement. Even further back. The veil created by the dark night forest hid their bodies, but it couldn't hide their presence.
Patrick bared his teeth and said, "If you care about your dignity, it’s about time you came out. Don't you think?"
At Patrick’s provocation, several figures emerged from that direction. Their very presence was on a different dimension from ordinary knights.