Chapter 325: You’re in the Way (4)
Chapter 325: You’re in the Way (4)
‘This is it. I can win.’
Leading the counterattack with valiant fervor, Count Tyrone could hardly contain his excitement.
When the enemy had first launched their massive night raid, he had charged into the fray with nothing but white-hot rage surging to the top of his head. But once the counterattack began, the enemy proved far more helpless than he had anticipated.
As he seized the advantage and pressed the momentum, the Yuzef Kingdom’s forces were crumbling helplessly before him.
‘I’ve won. If I crush the enemy like this and take the Overlord’s head, I can end this war with my own hands.’
Count Daniel Tyrone was a 7-star knight, but among his peers, he was someone who lacked a significant presence. Since the Magellan Kingdom was such a peaceful nation, he had no notable achievements to his name, and he hadn't performed any particularly eye-catching feats in this war either—until now.
But at this very moment, he was at the absolute forefront of a victory in a war that had drawn the attention of the entire continent.
If he could just lead this battle to a successful conclusion, unimaginable glory and honor would be waiting for him.
‘At least a Marquis. No, a Dukedom… Perhaps I could even become independent as the Grand Duke of my own principality.’
The mere thought sent a thrill through his spine.
Grand Duke Daniel Tyrone, the first sovereign of the Tyrone Grand Duchy.
He was already agonizing over what his middle name should be once he joined the ranks of royalty. He was that blinded by the prospect of glory.
However, he failed to realize one thing: the reverse side of the coin of glory is always engraved with defeat and ruin.
Kwakwakwakwa!
A terrifying surge of aura slammed into Count Tyrone, who had been swinging his sword in a trance-at the head of the formation.
“Ugh…!”
He hurriedly pushed his Aura Blade to its limit to block the strike.
It was a destructive attack that even he, a 7-star knight, could only just barely parry. This meant his opponent was an enemy on par with himself.
“Who goes there?!”
The figure who appeared before his gallant shout was a woman with white hair tied back, recognizable even in the darkness. Despite her snow-white hair, she still maintained her youth. Her identity was…
“The Sword Queen.”
It was the Sword Queen, Riona Mayvers. With a single blow, she had ground Count Tyrone’s advance to a halt.
Count Tyrone tightened his grip on his sword, thinking to himself.
‘The Sword Queen… This is going to be tough.’
He had already fought her once during this war. Though he had managed to endure about a hundred exchanges, there was a clear disparity in skill—enough that he honestly had to admit she was the superior combatant.
She truly lived up to her reputation as the strongest female knight on the continent. He had somehow managed to escape back then, but she was a burdensome opponent to face one-on-one.
Furthermore…
‘What is that? That black Aura Blade?’
Even in the dark of night, her Aura Blade possessed a pitch-black presence that stood out. It was identical to the Aura Blade of the Black Knight, the Overlord’s right-hand man who was currently missing.
Considering the Sword Queen’s aura had previously been pure white, this was a bizarre development.
‘No, it doesn't matter.’
Count Tyrone pointed his sword at her and spoke.
“Step aside, Sword Queen. If you do not retreat, I, Daniel Tyrone, shall strike you down!”
“…….”
Normally, given the Sword Queen’s personality, she would have responded to such words with a sneer and a retort like, “With those skills?”
However, the current Sword Queen remained silent, her expression an empty mask. Showing no emotion whatsoever, she wordlessly raised her sword toward Count Tyrone and…
Shiiiiiik!
“Kh…!”
She brought down a powerful strike.
A violent, black Aura Blade reminiscent of a torrential flood descended upon Count Tyrone. He pushed his own Aura Blade to its maximum to meet the blow, but…
“Uuugh… Argh…!”
‘I’m… I’m being pushed back.’
It was impossible. Her Aura Blade was far more powerful. Why?
When they had fought before, he had been defeated because he was outclassed in swordsmanship, but he hadn't felt overwhelmed in terms of raw power. Now, however, he was losing in a pure contest of strength.
He was pouring everything he had into his Aura Blade just to survive, but her power was too overwhelming. And then…
“Wh-what? You people?!”
Other 7-star knights began to emerge from behind the Sword Queen.
Adolf Raines, Davis Kaikara, Klavin Taerion, Vector Bridges, and even Marius Shuleiman…
Every 7-star knight of the Yuzef Kingdom, save for the captured Dustin Lobsky, had appeared before his eyes.
And then…
Woooooooong!
The moment pitch-black Aura Blades ignited simultaneously from all their weapons, despair washed over Count Tyrone’s face.
“Wa-Wait! Just a moment! Wait a—”
Before he could finish, terrifyingly powerful black Aura Blades rained down upon him. Faced with the combined might of six 7-star knights unleashing their aura at once, Count Tyrone fell into total despair.
However…
“Oliver!”
“Yes, brother!”
It seemed it wasn't his time to die just yet.
Sanson and Oliver leaped out from behind him simultaneously. Both had their Aura Blades pushed to the limit as they collided with the violent, pitch-black aura.
Twin Dragons Eight Sword Styles.
Third Form.
Flash Dragon Strike.
Kwakwakwakwakwakwakwakwa-boom!
It was a horrific collision. Two 7-star level knights already locked in a struggle were suddenly joined by seven more, all clashing with their full power.
In the wake of that monstrous impact, those without the strength to endure—friend and foe alike—were torn to shreds.
“Aaaaaagh!”
“Kuaark!”
After the massive explosion subsided.
“Cough… Oliver? Count Tyrone!”
Sanson quickly checked the status of his allies. Even as blood poured from his own body, his first priority was the lives of his comrades.
Oliver, who was catching his breath slightly behind Sanson’s right, replied.
“I’m still alive, brother.”
Oliver’s voice was audible. Though one of his arms hung limply as if broken, his life didn't seem to be in immediate danger.
“Thank goodness. And the Count?”
“He’s… out cold.”
Following Oliver’s words, Sanson shifted his gaze to see Daniel Tyrone lying bloodied and motionless on the ground.
“He’s not dead, is he?”
“Unfortunately not,” Oliver grumbled, gritting his teeth.
Sanson wanted to say something in response, but he didn't have the luxury. Before his eyes…
Hum… Humhumhum…
Six superhumans were slowly approaching, their weapons radiating pitch-black Aura Blades.
“This is insane. They’re all using the Black Knight’s Aura Blade now?”
Oliver stepped up to stand beside the lamenting Sanson.
“Maybe it’s the latest fashion in the Yuzef Kingdom.”
“Is this really the time for jokes?”
“Ahem!”
“…….”
Sanson couldn't help but think that the Young Master had corrupted quite a few people. No, perhaps this kid was always like this…
Exhaling a short sigh, Sanson spoke.
“I’ll buy us some time…”
“I’ll do that. You run, brother.”
“…What?”
“Hurry. Take that guy and get out of here.”
At Oliver’s words, sparks flew in Sanson’s eyes. He spoke with a stern, anger-filled voice.
“That’s an order, Sir Oliver Ay. Follow your instructions.”
“I refuse!”
Shouting his defiance, Oliver lunged forward before anyone could stop him.
Boom!
He began to fiercely attack the enemies.
“That idiot…!”
Sanson bit his lip and joined Oliver. Anyone could see that retreating was the wise choice, but…
Boom!
In the end, Sanson dived into the hopeless battle alongside Oliver. They both knew that if they didn't hold these people back here, the casualties among their allies would become uncontrollable.
Six 7-star knights deployed to a single battlefield? It was no different from releasing six wolves into a flock of sheep. Strategy would become meaningless; their allies would simply be slaughtered.
‘I have to at least buy enough time for the troops to retreat…’
“Guh!”
Kwaaaaang!
Sanson raised his sword and barely managed to parry an incoming attack. The black Aura Blade was as heavy as its color suggested.
In a battle where victory seemed impossible, Oliver and Sanson dragged out the fight by focusing entirely on defense, but eventually, they reached their limit.
“Puh-ha!”
“Brother!”
Seeing Sanson get sent flying while coughing up blood from a strike by Marquis Marius Shuleiman, Oliver cried out in desperation.
The strongest warrior of the former Flame Kingdom. A powerhouse known as the ‘Giant Killer’ who had spent decades fighting the monsters of the Great Forest. That was Marquis Shuleiman.
With an emotionless face, the Marquis raised his sword to deliver the final blow to the fallen Sanson.
Oliver tried to charge in to block the blade, but Count Bridges and Count Raines stood firmly in his way.
“Move!”
Oliver, bordering on a frenzy, unleashed his Aura Blade from his single remaining sword and swung. But for a dual-wielder to go on the offensive with only one sword was practically inviting an opening.
The opponents easily blocked Oliver’s fierce assault and landed strikes wherever a gap appeared.
“Aaaaaagh!”
Still, Oliver pushed forward like a mad dog with nothing to lose. But no matter how much he struggled, the enemy’s sword descending toward Sanson was faster.
The moment the black Aura Blade was about to fall upon the grounded Sanson…
“Noooooo!”
Along with Oliver’s scream, a golden flash streaked across the battlefield.
The flash accurately struck the side of Marquis Shuleiman’s blade just as he was about to finish Sanson.
Kwaaaaang!
A massive explosion ensued. Not missing the moment Shuleiman staggered back a step, the owner of the golden flash accelerated forward.
Twin Dragons Eight Sword Styles.
Third Form.
Apex Flash Dragon Strike.
A lightning-fast strike that surged forward the moment the opponent showed an opening. At this distance, there was no way to dodge.
Kwaaaaaaaaang!
“Gah…!”
For the first time, a cry of pain escaped Marquis Shuleiman’s lips. It wasn't an emotional outburst, but a physiological reaction triggered by the physical trauma to his body.
In other words, the previous blow had dealt him significant damage. However…
“I couldn't finish him.”
The one who had achieved that feat furrowed her brows in dissatisfaction.
April Schneider.
She was the only person on this battlefield capable of neutralizing Marquis Shuleiman in a single blow.
Having saved Sanson’s life, she quickly swung her sword again. The Aura Blade emitted from the tip of her sword struck out at the surrounding enemies, allowing Oliver to catch his breath and survive.
“Vice-Captain… No, Your Grace. Are you alright?”
“I believe that is my line,” April sighed.
Both Sanson and Oliver were in terrible condition.
“Ha… haha…”
“I have no excuse… cough… none at all.”
Looking at the two of them, April’s brow furrowed.
‘If I knew it would come to this, I shouldn't have hesitated.’
Back when the night raid began and their allies started their reckless counterattack, April had been spreading her energy sense to its limit, feeling for the enemy’s presence.
The moment the enemy’s main force appeared and began attacking Oliver, Sanson, and Count Tyrone, she had sprinted away.
Where to? To the enemy’s rear.
If this night raid was a prepared trap, and the 7-star knights of the Yuzef Kingdom were concentrated here, it meant…
‘The Overlord is defenseless.’
She knew exactly what needed to be done to end this war. She was worried about Sanson and Oliver, but she didn't know when another chance to take the Overlord’s head would come if not now.
Hoping the two of them would hold out until she killed the Overlord, she had sprinted through the battlefield.
Passing both friend and foe, she reached the Yuzef Kingdom’s rear, and finally, her senses caught a presence that was likely the Overlord. And in that moment…
“……?!”
She stopped in her tracks. After standing dazed for a moment, she whispered.
“Impossible.”
Her face was filled with shock. For someone like her, who rarely showed emotion unless it involved Patrick, this was an unusual occurrence.
But she couldn't help it.
“This is the Overlord? That’s a lie.”
The power of the Overlord caught in her energy sense far exceeded her own. If she had never seen the Overlord before, she might not have been this surprised.
But she had seen him.
She had been there during Arcana’s days as a greenhorn, and she had been present when he touched the threshold of the 8-star realm during his duel with Patrick.
The Overlord’s strength as she knew it was absolutely not at this level.
In the first place, she had infiltrated the enemy camp alone because she had calculated that taking his head was possible with her current skills.
But now, the presence of the Overlord caught in her expanded energy sense was incomparably more massive than before, and above all…
‘It feels disgusting.’
It was unsettling. This didn't feel like the Overlord she knew.
Could she win? She didn't know. Victory in a real fight wasn't decided solely by the disparity in power. She would probably have to try it to find out.
But the important thing was her original plan. Taking the Overlord’s head in a short time to win the war was absolutely impossible.
“…Whew.”
She had no choice. April let out a small sigh and immediately turned back. Running as fast as she could, she managed to join her allies before they were killed.