Chapter 97
Chapter 97
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 97
Chapter Title: The End of the Bad Blood (5)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Matteus von Gustin advanced by stepping through empty air.
His speed was so blinding that he appeared as a streak of red.
Not to be outdone, Martin manipulated space with Distortion of All Things to anchor his body firmly in place.
At the same time, he swung the holy sword Kaizen with all his might, clashing head-on with Matteus's blade.
BOOM!
Golden and crimson fragments intertwined, weaving patterns through the air.
"Urk!"
The impact shook his entire body, drawing an involuntary groan from Martin.
His space-anchored form was shoved back forcefully.
Martin clicked his tongue in amazement.
'A dying man with this much power!'
He was certain of it.
Matteus, even in that state, was far stronger than the Crimson Reaper.
"Is that the pitiful skill you were bragging about, Martin Adalbert?!"
Matteus's roar alone became a powerful shockwave, sweeping away everything between him and Martin.
And that wasn't all.
Hummm.
The red aura blade enveloping his halved blade shone even brighter.
It was like flames roaring to life.
"If you think you've figured me out from seeing just a part, you're in for trouble!"
Whoosh!
To boost his lacking attack power, Martin added flames to his aura blade.
The heat was so intense that the ground began to melt slowly.
"You sure know how to run your mouth to the end! I'll start by slicing off that tongue!"
"Then I'll cut off your left arm to even things out! No need to thank me!"
As if on cue, the two charged at each other simultaneously.
BOOM!
No sooner had their swords collided than shockwaves and heat swirled like a vortex.
"Urk!"
Only Martin let out a groan.
And with good reason—Matteus had his space barrier and reflection.
He had wrapped his entire body in a space barrier to maximize defense, and reflection sent every bit of the attack's aftermath right back at him.
Even the impact from the blades clashing.
Martin could deflect attacks by warping space too, but he couldn't deploy it.
Matteus wasn't giving him the time.
'Vincent might handle it, but your weak physical abilities have limits.'
Even with rage boiling to the top of his head, Matteus kept his cool.
He coldly assessed the situation.
He swung down at the staggering Martin from the impact.
KABOOM!
But the blade only shattered the innocent ground.
The gap between them had suddenly widened.
Though unexpected, Matteus didn't panic and immediately used spatial movement.
"Petty tricks won't change a thing!"
Appearing behind Martin, Matteus swung his sword.
The blade wrapped in scarlet aura looked ready to cleave Martin in two in one stroke.
Martin countered by spinning like a top, his centrifugal strike blocking Matteus's sword.
Fragments of aura blade and flames sprayed everywhere, and Martin's body floated up, pushed back.
But Martin wasn't just taking it lying down.
He thrust out his left hand and gripped hard.
BOOM BOOM BOOM!
Enhanced gravity crushed down on Matteus's body.
But upon confirming the result, Martin gave a bitter smile.
'Even the barrier around his body applies reflection.'
The moment gravity touched Matteus, it rebounded upward.
Space Reflection.
A terrifying ability that sent chills down the spine.
On one hand, it was a shame.
Distortion of All Things at the 3rd Circle couldn't replicate it.
'Not the time to worry about that, though.'
Thanks to the reflection, he had taken internal injuries after just a few exchanges.
Not enough to stop fighting yet, but serious nonetheless.
'It's been a while. This feeling.'
The injuries weren't that bad, but it had been the first time since his regression that he felt his life truly threatened to this degree.
Of course, he knew he wouldn't actually die.
Vincent was watching from outside the fight.
If it got really dangerous, he'd step in on his own.
But one thing he was sure of:
If it came to that, it'd be mortally embarrassing.
'Can't let that happen after all my big talk.'
Heh.
Martin smiled.
Death's terror still pressed down on him, but he didn't mind.
Compared to real death, this was nothing.
He was just thrilled.
Thrilled at the fact that he could clash against such overwhelming power.
"You're smiling?"
GRRRRR!
Anyone could see he had the upper hand.
That casual attitude grated on him, turning his anger into pure killing intent.
Matteus kicked off the ground, becoming another red streak.
Fwoosh!
The flames and aura blade around Kaizen merged into an orange-gold hue.
At the same time, the aura blade extended over 1.5 times longer.
Gripping the hilt with both hands, Martin swung down with full power.
Right then, the two swords clashed.
As always, an explosion rang out, and shockwaves erupted.
The blades pressed against each other, trying to push the other away.
Up to here, it was the same.
But one thing had changed.
"What the hell is..."
Matteus's eyes twitched.
Sizzle!
The wound from Vincent now suffered severe burns on top.
Not content with that, the heat burrowed inside, trying to incinerate his mana circuits.
All because the space barrier covering his body had shattered.
Martin thrust his sword quickly, but Matteus dodged with spatial movement.
"What did you do?! How could a worm like you breach my unique ability?!"
"Why so surprised? You know no ability is truly invincible."
Even superior lineage abilities weren't absolute.
What mattered was how skillfully you wielded it.
'I owe you one later, Christian Haberz.'
A superheated blade that could even slice space.
He recalled Christian Haberz's technique, amplified it with Arellia swordsmanship's ultimate arts that poured all power into one strike.
He even adapted Lothar body techniques to strike internals.
The result: success in severing Matteus's prized ability.
Though possible only because the opponent was weakened.
"What can you do? Everything's relative."
He said it lightly.
But in that moment, Martin's body trembled.
Intense thrill and exhilaration swept through him.
In proportion, the aura emanating from his entire body grew stronger.
'Ah.'
At the same time, Martin realized.
He had finally begun entering the next 'stage.'
Crack!
A crack formed in his mana core in his head.
To make space for the 4th ring.
His body began strengthening simultaneously.
'My lifespan's getting longer.'
That pleased him most.
* * *
"No!"
Realizing Martin's change, Matteus panicked for real.
If the awakening completed like this, he had no chance of winning.
He wasn't afraid of dying, but he planned to take the enemy with him.
Hummm.
Using spatial movement, he thrust his sword.
But Martin, as if waiting, swung Kaizen to block.
Immediately after, the two swords clashed madly.
The collision speed was so fast that the continuous booms sounded as one.
'Annoying bastard, but his skill is insane.'
Martin smiled bitterly.
Matteus had spotted the weakness in his previous strike and ramped up his attack speed.
With more collisions, the shockwaves and aftereffects multiplied inevitably.
It burdened Martin's body.
So he had to acknowledge the opponent's judgment.
But only that much.
The enemy's moves meant nothing against him now.
'He's deflecting all of that?!'
Matteus's eyes widened in shock.
Swordsmanship and unique ability.
Martin displayed overwhelming mastery in both domains, nullifying or dissipating every threatening force.
'Fun. Even same 8th Circle has differences.'
Martin thought as he swung his sword.
He had reached 8th Circle pre-regression too.
Swordsmanship at 5th, unique ability at 3rd.
In raw power, they were practically equal.
But one difference: perspective.
'Now!'
Clang!
After defending the onslaught, Martin flicked Kaizen upward.
Pushed back by the strengthening Martin, Matteus's left arm and sword rose up.
Martin didn't miss the opening in his exposed upper body.
Slash!
His flame-wreathed left fist targeted Matteus's abdomen.
Matteus's eyes gleamed.
Swordsmanship, maybe—but he didn't think Martin's body techniques could pierce his unique ability.
That judgment proved a fatal mistake.
Crunch!
Martin reapplied Distortion of All Things amid the flames, breaching the space barrier once more.
His left fist plunged in, smashing into Matteus's wounded waist.
"ARRRGH!"
Overwhelming agony tore a scream from Matteus.
He had rampaged heedless of death, but he couldn't endure his waist being ripped open.
Clang!
His grip failed, and he dropped the sword—the symbol of the Gustin family head—rolling on the ground.
A state where death could come any second.
Yet Matteus clung to life.
Grab.
Proving it, his remaining left hand seized Martin's left wrist tightly.
A red barrier enclosed them both, massive mana gathering inside.
"Self-destruct? How cliché."
"I told you! I'm taking you with me no matter what!"
"Before you die, remember this: dreams always shatter."
Flash!
Brilliant golden radiance bloomed from Martin's body.
The gold split into dozens, hundreds of strands, eroding Matteus's red barrier.
Crackle!
Mana clashed with mana, sparks flying—but only briefly.
Soon the barrier glowed pure gold.
Control snatched from Matteus.
"Reflection's impossible at 4th Circle, but this much I can do."
No sooner had Martin spoken than the barrier shrank rapidly.
It trapped only Matteus, flames rising inside.
"ARRRGH!"
Engulfed in fire, Matteus wailed in torment.
His last hope gone.
Yet he still refused to yield, trying to tear off Martin's left arm.
Slice!
Despite his iron will, Matteus's arm severed first.
"Promised, didn't I? To balance it out. Job's done—now get lost."
"Martin Adalbert! I curse you..."
"Lame last words."
BOOM!
Flames roared, a massive explosion erupting inside the space barrier.
Space warped, swallowing everything.
Thus, Matteus von Gustin vanished without a trace, leaving only his severed arms.
'Second stage complete, huh.'
The second stage of northern unification: purging all family traitors.
He had braced for some losses, but far fewer than expected.
Worth remembering future intel properly.
"The traitor Matteus von Gustin is dead! Rebels, surrender!"
The soldiers, who had unwavering faith in their lord's victory, lost all hope.
No choices left, they all surrendered.
The war later called the Adalbert Civil War thus came to an end.