Chapter 25

Chapter 25 Keuk! The recoil from clashing with the greatsword sent agonizing pain tearing through Lonnians grip. Yet without a moment to tend to his throbbing hand, he rolled forward to dodge the next attack. Whoosh. The owner of the greatsword, who had just missed slashing the space where Lonnian had been standing, growled impatiently. You dodge quite well for a little brat! The knight who wielded a greatswordhalf the size of an ordinary person yet resembling a longsword in his massive handsglared with narrowed eyes, readying his weapon once more. Grill! No time for complacency! The tide of battle is strange! At that moment, Teslon Knight, who had been driving back a Maclaine knight through coordinated attacks with an ally, shouted a warning. What? You think Im playing around? This kids no joke! Im not kidding! Look behind you! What are you talking about? Whiff. Whiff. Whats that noise? Though Lonnian could not fully comprehend the enemys words, he took the brief pause in combat to catch his ragged breath. The sheer realization that he had been ducking and fleeing from the gigantic knight, remembering that hes not a prodigy knight but a mere fledgling whod only recently awakened, sunk in deeply. I still cant lose! I mustnt falter here! You must also take up the role meant for your brother.The source of this content nov(el)bi((n)) The voice of Lonnians father, heard just before war broke out, resurfaced in his mind. Even without that reminder, facing the already disadvantageous battlefield, he knew he must perform the role of at least one knight to hold onto any semblance of hope. Forcibly ignoring the stinging pain in his hand, Lonnian kept a close watch on Grill. What? An enemy turned, exposing his back, and swung his greatsword unexpectedly behind him. This lapse revealed the biggest vulnerability since their battle began. Had Lonnian not been pushed on the defensive this entire time, he might have suspected a trap, but seizing the rare opportunity that had come his way, he moved instinctively. Swoosh! Without giving Grill a chance to scream his last, his neck was severed cleanly. As the swordsman who had swung stood dumbfounded, something flew swiftly and embedded itself into the neckless body of Grill, now rolling on the ground with an indignant expression. Thwack, thwack, thwack. Arrows? Just as Lonnian noticed the unusually short arrows and turned his head, similar projectiles began pelting the knights around him. Argh! What is this?! Everyone, watch your back! But they targeted only Teslons knights. Although none achieved as dramatic a turnabout as Lonnian, the Maclaine knights relieved sighs as the tide shifted. The maudlin atmosphere of the Maclaine ranks was unexpectedly overturned. Lonnian could quickly discern that this sudden shift was thanks to a cavalry unit, dimly visible in the distance. And leading that unit was the unmistakable figure of someone familiar. Bro, Brother?! His gaze lingered in stunned joy and bewilderment before an urgent cry brought Lonnian back to reality. Young master! Snap out of it! Lets join forces! Behind him, clashes with the enemy continued without respite. The ring of sharp metal and fierce shouts reminded him he was at the very heart of the battlefield. Yes, Sir! Gripping his sword anew, Lonnian felt a fresh pang from the wounds on his hand. Strangely, it no longer seemed so painful. * * * Sigh. Seems this is my limit after all. Logan exhaled, tinged with disappointment as he examined his crossbow. His Force had evolved to become even more potent with a 2-star core, amplifying the weapons elasticity beyond its previous capabilities. Hoping it might even be effective against knights, his expectations were soon tempered by reality. Initially dismayed, enemy knights quickly knocked aside bolts with ease, reaffirming the notion that without overwhelming numbers, ranged projectile weapons couldnt trouble them. At least I could aid Lonnian. Logan sighed in relief, watching knights protectively encircle Lonnian. Yet satisfaction eluded him; protecting Lonnian alone wasnt the sole concern. I have to go myself. With a flash in his eye, Logan peered towards the heart of the battlefield and shouted over his shoulder. Kai! Take command! What?! The battle still raged when Kai questioned, but Logan was already sprinting towards the front lines without waiting for an answer. Charge! Lord Logan! Kai exclaimed in alarm at Logans impetuous act. The scene Logan created stunned not just the enemy knights. Lord, Lord Logan? How could Even experienced mid-rank knights could not exhibit such overpowering strength and movement. They stood wide-eyed and gapingan unseemly posture for a battlefield. Logans explosive roar jolted them into action. Wake up and fight!! His energy spurred the knights back into battle-readiness. Once again wielding their swords, the knights surveyed their surroundings to join their embattled comradesjust as Logan resumed his headlong dash through the battlefield. Urgh! Argh! Watch your back.! Logan didnt need to ensure each strike was lethal. The 2-star Force core proved more potent than the average mid-rank knight. Now fully adaptive to his own strength, he focused less on killing and more on injuring enough to impair enemy movements, sufficiently aiding Maclaines knights in gaining the upper hand. Lord Logan? The knights unanimous shock wearied Logan. Ignoring their astonishment, he kept rushing in one direction. At the heart of the battlefield, six knights clashedhaving been the first to engage in combat, they continued a relentless exchange without respite. The space around them was sacred, untouched by any other. And as Logan drew closer, his golden form accelerated, shortening the space with great speed. * * * Lonnian saw Logans arrival but couldnt spare attention for the rear. Facing a high-ranking knight and four mid-ranking knights alone was challenging enough for Padric. At the sudden intensification of enemy attacks, appearing rushed and reckless, Padric found the shift puzzling. Hurry! Along with the anxious cry from the Teslon high-ranking knight, the enemys assault grew bolder. Previously cautious, the Teslon knights had switched from attempting to overpower Padric with minimal loss to a brutal onslaught, seemingly willing to endure losses for his defeat. Damn! Padrics actions grew more frantic. Clang! His sword flicked to the left and right, deflecting a pike and greatsword with minimal effort, bouncing off one to parry another. It was a masterful display of a high-ranking knight, but evasion had its limits. Slash! A passing longsword nicked his forearm, leaving a slender yet lengthy wound. As Padric flinched, the enemy closed in, prompting him to release a forceful sword strike. Crash! Ugh! The Teslon knights recoiled from his powered blow, but the effort had bought Padric precious timeor so he believed. Ugh!? One soldier, blood trickling from his mouth, forced his way to close quarters. Teslons high-ranking knightthe very one who had troubled Padric from the startwas faltering, his face paling noticeably with each forced breath. Attack! Ha! Two simultaneous cries, two swords stabbing in tandem. Thump. You madman! Heh, heh. The blades ran through each others left side. One knight grimaced in pain, the other smirked with victory. Why take it this far?! Beside Padric, the greatsword and pike descended. Ah! Spurt! Clash! Retreating after pulling out the sword from his side, he watched the high-ranking Teslon knight too making a move. Squeal. Argh! As Padric staggered, clutching at his freshly opened wound, pike and longsword aimed for him anew. Gasp! The situation was dire; the worst since the battle began. Securing the rear with his swing, another knight leaped above, hoisting his greatsword high, while one dove forward, pike ready to thrust. Behind them, despite spilling his own blood, the high-ranking knight charged. Open, life-threatening blowsseemingly reckless, not mindful of dangers behind. The display of such reckless bravado amidst advantageous odds baffled Padric. Damned! Gritting his teeth, Padric swung his swordand into the fray of intertwined knights flashed a golden blaze. Boom! The loudest explosion since the wars onset resonated across the battlefield.