Chapter 277: This Is Impossible (1)
Chapter 277: This Is Impossible (1)
“Tsk, useless fools…”
Lust clicked her tongue as she watched her disciples fall.
She had put quite a bit of effort into raising them, yet they had been defeated.
It was unavoidable, in a way.
Even to her eyes, the military strength of the Schneider Duchy was beyond imagination. Their numbers might be small, but in terms of quality alone, they likely surpassed the Empire or the Holy Kingdom.
It was too much for her disciples to handle. However…
“It doesn’t matter.”
“…”
“In the end, all that matters is that I win.”
“…”
“Hm, you’ve suddenly gone quiet. Have you finally realized the difference in our power?”
“…”
Despite Lust’s repeated provocations, Patrick said nothing.
Rather, how should one describe Patrick’s expression right now?
Disbelief? Confusion? Shock?
This might be the first time the great Patrick Schneider had been this visibly shaken during a battle.
“You…”
“What is it?”
“Where did you learn that?”
“That? What are you talking about…”
Lust clamped her mouth shut mid-sentence.
The Double Dragon, who had been standing before her, vanished again. Reading the direction of his movement through the flickering afterimages…
‘Left!’
In an instant, Lust swiftly extended her left hand, saturating it with mana.
With a powerful impact, Patrick blocked her strike with his sword and was pushed back, his boots skidding across the ground.
“Hmph… I suppose this is what you were curious about.”
Lust pointed to her hand, which was billowing with mana.
“Once you reach a realm like mine, you can exert destructive power just by emitting mana, without even processing it into a spell. Much like how you people use Aura.”
“That is not what I asked.”
“Then what are you so curious about?”
“I am asking where you learned that specific way of wielding power.”
Whether it was mana or Aura, the act of manifesting and wielding power itself wasn't particularly surprising. After all, discharging accumulated energy isn't that difficult once one gains enough proficiency.
To put it bluntly, if Ava practiced for another ten years, she would be able to fire off a simple palm blast. But that wasn't the issue.
It was the footwork and the way she used her body, which triggered reflexively every time Patrick closed the distance.
There were distinct traces of martial arts engraved in those movements.
Was it just innate talent?
Absolutely not.
Martial arts movements are inherently unnatural to the human body; they are optimized sequences designed to respond logically to an enemy's actions. The essence of martial arts lies in training to use these awkward movements fluidly in the necessary situations.
Therefore, the difference between one who has learned and one who is merely gifted is always apparent, even if they are in the same realm.
And those were undoubtedly the martial arts of someone who had been taught.
“Where did you learn it?”
“Hmm, I wonder why you’re so curious?”
“…”
“And even if you are, why should I tell you? Hmm? Double Dragon?”
Lust spoke with a seductive smile, licking her lips, her mockery evident.
At that, a chilling killing intent flickered in Patrick’s eyes.
“Is that so? You need a reason?”
“That’s only fair, isn't it?”
“I see. In that case…”
“In that case?”
“I shall give you a reason right now.”
With that, Patrick sheathed both of his swords. And then…
“What are you—ghk?”
Patrick vanished again before Lust could finish her sentence.
He came from the same direction as before.
Lust once again thrust out her left palm, brimming with mana.
‘I’ll crush your head.’
Though it was a woman’s small palm, her strike possessed enough power to blow the head off a massive Cyclops in a single blow.
Yes—provided it hit.
Ssssh.
Patrick’s hands moved fluidly.
His movements were slower than Lust’s, but the trajectory of his hands exquisitely obstructed the path of her strike. As a result…
BOOM!
Lust’s strike was parried upward, exploding harmlessly in the air above Patrick’s head.
But that wasn't the end.
The moment her left-hand strike missed, her right palm flew toward Patrick’s heart.
Yet again, Patrick moved with that same fluid motion. This was…
Taiji.
Stillness Overcomes Motion.
It was Taiji.
Originally, the martial arts of the Twin Dragon Sect, which focused on dual-wielding swords, did not include palm techniques.
However, there was one palm style Patrick could use.
Taiji.
The most basic of basics in the martial arts of the Central Plains.
It was a martial art so common that even those who weren't part of the Jianghu knew of it.
In truth, there are two types of Taiji in the Martial World.
One is the practical martial art used by the Wudang Sect. It is a Taiji that exerts immense power when operated alongside Qi.
The other is the Taiji created and spread by the great martial artist Zhang Sanfeng for the health and mental cultivation of the masses.
The latter is generally considered to have no practical combat application.
If the former is a sharp steel sword, the latter is a wooden sword—no, a bamboo sword. In fact, at best, it’s merely a switch a village schoolteacher might use.
But even a switch can be used in actual combat depending on who is wielding it.
Patrick was using that decorative Taiji to parry all of Lust’s attacks.
“Grrr…”
Boom! Bang, bang! BOOM!
Lust’s violent attacks could not pierce the strange, slow-moving arcs drawn by Patrick’s hands, repeatedly exploding against nothing but air.
Patrick dealt with her with a profound, steady gaze.
“What kind of sorcery is this?!”
Even though her opponent was right in front of her, it felt as if she were striking the air alone.
The opponent wasn't even moving particularly fast—he was moving slowly—yet her attacks wouldn't fly straight.
Lust bit her lip at this bizarre experience.
As if she no longer wished to entertain this nonsense…
“Blink.”
She chanted the spell briefly and put distance between herself and Patrick. Then…
“Curse Fire!”
Dark red flames of a curse erupted from her hands toward Patrick.
Just before the flames could reach him…
Flash!
A single, sharp line of light drew a stroke through the air.
The cursed flames could not advance past that line; they split in half and exploded.
KABOOM!
As the explosion cleared, Patrick stood there, having already drawn his swords again, glaring at Lust.
He took a step forward and spoke.
“You did learn it, but…”
“What are you talking about?”
“You didn't learn it properly.”
“What is it you’re trying to say?”
“If you don't even know how to counter the most basic opening forms of Taiji…”
“Speak in a language I can understand, Double Dragon!”
“…Forget it. Let’s end this.”
Patrick shook his head.
Having cleared the confusion from his mind, Patrick’s eyes returned to their usual state.
“Regardless, you are my enemy.”
“Hah?”
“Enemies are meant to be killed. That is enough.”
“Hmph. Try it if you can—”
Patrick vanished mid-sentence again.
‘The same trick over and over…’
Even the direction was the same.
Lust extended her left hand again, intending to blow Patrick away. However…
Slice!
This time was different.
Her attack, which had pushed Patrick back several times before, didn't even land. Instead, a flash of light sharply severed something as it passed.
And then, something fell to the ground with a thud.
“AAAAAAAH!”
It was Lust’s left hand.
Patrick spoke coldly to the screaming woman.
“Quiet.”
Patrick’s sword swung again.
It severed Lust’s left leg.
“Agh!”
Lust collapsed to the ground as her leg was cut away. Yet, even then…
“Die!”
She showed her tenacity, thrusting her right hand toward Patrick’s abdomen with a venomous scream.
Slice!
“AAAAAAAAAAAGH!”
Though her results didn't quite match her tenacity.
Her arm was severed without fail.
Even though she had lost both arms and a leg, she was still a mage.
She began to chant rapidly with her mouth…
Crunch!
“Shut your filthy mouth.”
It was overwhelming.
Patrick crushed Lust’s mouth under his boot as she lay there, then pointed his sword at her.
“I have many questions, but…”
“Haa… Haa…”
Even with her mouth crushed, Lust glared at Patrick with venomous eyes.
Meeting that gaze, Patrick said, “You won't do. You’re the typical type of person who’ll do God knows what if left alive.”
Patrick raised his sword.
“Die.”
But at the very moment Patrick’s sword was about to fall…
“Young Master! Wait a moment!”
Someone urgently intervened to stop him.
Patrick turned his gaze toward the person.
“What is it?”
“That… well, it’s…”
The person who stopped Patrick couldn't find the words once Patrick actually questioned him.
He simply looked at Patrick with a helpless gaze, as if pleading for something.
Oliver A.
He was a man Patrick had personally bestowed a surname upon, someone he had raised for a long time—practically a disciple.
Patrick stared at Oliver for a moment before speaking.
“Are you asking me to spare her?”
“…”
Oliver could not bring himself to answer.
However, his silence was effectively an affirmation. Patrick spoke to him.
“Sir Oliver A.”
“…Yes.”
“I will speak considering the merits you have earned while serving the territory.”
“…”
“If you ask me to spare this woman right here and now, I will.”
Oliver’s eyes widened at Patrick’s words.
“Is that true?”
“Yes. However…”
“…”
“Look around you.”
Oliver flinched at Patrick’s words.
He didn't even need to look. He already knew all too well what the situation was.
He had been deceived.
And as a result of his deception, he had nearly brought irreversible damage to the territory.
This miserable fact made Oliver squeeze his eyes shut.
Patrick said to him, “Even so, if you ask me to spare her, I will. I will take all the responsibility and handle the aftermath.”
“Young Master…”
“However, you must be the one to make the choice.”
At Patrick’s words, Oliver let out a deep sigh.
He had been blind.
He didn't know if that was just the nature of love, but he had been blind and foolish.
Shouldn't he open his eyes now?
Everyone lives by seeing what they want to see and hearing what they want to hear. Even when the truth is right before them, they try to turn away and continue believing what they want to believe.
Without realizing that such a thing is what traps a person in the pit of complacency.
To grow, one must step out of that place.
That is the beginning.
“Please execute her.”
Oliver properly acknowledged reality.
He admitted he had been deceived, and he admitted he had been foolish.
The sorrow and misery that would arise from this decision were the prices he had brought upon himself.
Patrick nodded toward Oliver.
“You have made the right decision.”
“…”
“Well done.”
It was the first time Patrick had ever complimented Oliver so plainly. And then…
“Ke… Ke-ke…”
Beneath Patrick’s foot, Lust forced her mouth open to speak.
“You… You’ll regret this…”
“…”
“Just you wait…”
Lust glared at Patrick with wide eyes.
“The taboo will be triggered.”
“Ah… that?”
Patrick knew what Lust was trying to say. He raised his sword.
“I know. It’s not the first time I’ve killed a Dark Mage.”
“…”
“And if I have to say it…”
“…”
“I don't care. I’m not such a coward that I’d avoid making stew just because I’m afraid of maggots.”
“Ha… Hah!”
Patrick’s sword fell without mercy.
Dozens of sword flashes shredded Lust relentlessly. Just in case, he didn't intend to leave the corpse in any recognizable form.
Lust.
One of the seven disciples directly under Jonsa met her end in such a manner.
* * *
“Kh-argh…”
Greed clutched his heart in agony.
Amidst the excruciating pain, as if a red-hot iron were searing his heart, Greed’s surprise was greater than his pain.
“Lust is dead? That witch?”
She was a comrade and a rival who had worked in the shadows of the world for hundreds of years as a disciple of Jonsa, waiting for Salvation’s Sunset.
And now, she was dead.
Although she had the weakest direct combat ability among the seven, he never imagined she would die before the Sunset even arrived.
Her death left a stronger impact on Greed than he expected.
Likely, the others who felt Lust’s death at this moment felt the same.
After all, they were all subordinates bound under the name of Jonsa.
“Double Dragon… Khhh… I knew he was more than ordinary, but to think he actually killed Lust.”
Greed clutched his heart and staggered to his feet.
A twisted smile formed on his lips.
“But you have made a mistake. We seven disciples are directly under Jonsa. The backlash from our deaths will surely bring about your ruin.”
In the case of Dark Mages, they summon a monster from hell at the moment of their death. It was a final arrangement typical of Dark Mages, ensuring they wouldn't die alone.
And for these seven disciples, it wasn't themselves who had made that arrangement, but their master, Jonsa.
He didn't know what the taboo he had placed was. He didn't know, but he was certain.
“You’re finished, Double Dragon.”
It would surely bring death to the opponent.
* * *
The moment Lust died.
Black demonic energy surged from her corpse, and a pitch-black gate began to form in the air.
“So it’s starting.”
Patrick rested his twin swords on his shoulders and watched the space calmly.
When he had killed a Dark Mage before, a Dullahan had appeared to attack him.
That person had been a mere small fry compared to this woman, yet a heavyweight like a Dullahan had shown up.
Then, what would be summoned as the price for this woman’s death?
‘An Archlich? A Death Knight? An Undead Dragon?’
Whatever it was, it didn't matter.
He would face them all.
As Patrick steeled his resolve, the figure that emerged from beyond the gate was…
Thump!
A single knight.
A knight clad in black armor, wielding a black sword, but without a shield.
His face wasn't visible behind the full-face helmet, but the red, ominous light gleaming from his eyes told Patrick everything.
“A Death Knight? It’s within expectations, so it’s not very exciting.”
Since it was a Death Knight, it certainly looked stronger than the Dullahan he had fought before…
‘Huh?’
It was strange.
As far as Patrick knew, a Death Knight was a high-risk monster far above a Dullahan.
But why didn't that Death Knight look dangerous at all?
Far from dangerous…
‘What is this?’
He couldn't even feel the ferocity typical of the undead, nor the killing intent and madness directed toward the living.
Seeing Patrick in confusion, the Death Knight raised his sword and pointed it at him.
Patrick habitually raised his swords in response.
‘Let’s stop thinking for a moment.’
Whatever the opponent was, if it was an enemy, he just had to fight and win.
The more complicated the thoughts, the duller the sword becomes.
‘First, focus—’
“Gah?!”
Patrick’s eyes widened in horror.
He couldn't help it.
The moment the Death Knight swung his sword…
“This is impossible.”
Plum blossom petals began to flutter from the tip of that blade.