Chapter 258: Master of Swordsmanship (6)

The sound of someone swallowing echoed. It was a faint sound that would normally go unnoticed, but in the current training ground, where even the drop of a pin would have sounded like thunder, it was different.

Th-that’s impossible.

Of course, I thought he’d have some skill since the Ironblood Commander recruited him for the Royal Knights...

But this pressure, this trembling that prickles my skin!

He’s a powerhouse on par with the Commander.

While the Guardian Knights felt anxious, Paval’s mind grew tangled like a mess of threads.

W-what the hell is this...?

Though the Guardian Knights behind him might not have realized, Paval surely felt it. After all, he was the one facing Kai directly.

He’s strong, incredibly strong.

Peering over Kai’s shoulder, he caught sight of Bach proudly smiling.

That cunning bastard! Did he set this trap from the very beginning, just for this moment?!

Of course, that was a huge misunderstanding, but Paval had no way of knowing that.

Kai’s entire body radiated golden particles from the effects of the Solar Field and Descent skills.There was no trace of the adventurer Paval had previously looked down on.

I may not know much about holy power or the Church, but...

With such a dense concentration of holy power, he would have to be at least an archbishop.

Paval quickly realized the situation wasn’t great and his thoughts began racing.

This is a situation where there is nothing to gain.

What had been a test moments ago to gauge Kai’s abilities had turned into something else entirely. A stage where, according to the rules, the examiner was supposed to win without question.

In truth, Paval had never doubted his own victory. He had merely pondered how to torment Kai and deliver the final blow. However, that fundamental premise was overturned in less than three minutes after the duel began.

Paval swallowed hard. This duel no longer felt like a stage to test the adventurer named Kai. Instead, it felt as though the opponent was the one testing him.

If I win, it’s just breaking even. If it ends in a draw, my reputation will take a significant hit. Though there’s no chance, if I were to lose...

It was as if someone had detonated a spirit of light in his mind, making it impossible for his thoughts to connect properly. In the end, what he chose was avoidance.

“

Ahem, ahem

.” Lightly clearing his throat, Paval subtly lowered his weapons and shield. “Judging by your energy, it seems you’re far beyond the level of being tested. I’ll award you a perfect score of a hundred out of a hundred. Let’s end this pointless duel here.”

Even his tone toward Kai had become slightly more polite.

Fully aware of this shift, the Ironblood Knights struggled to suppress their laughter.

I can’t believe the Guardian Commander would show such weakness...

He’s actually kind of cute.

Hehe, look at how his whole head is as red as a well-cooked octopus.

Kai’s feelings weren’t much different from theirs. If there was one difference, it was that he wasn’t entirely satisfied with the duel ending like this.

You’re planning to walk away?

But he had already invested 20 Benevolence stats in preparation for this duel.

There’s no way I’ll let you off that easily.

Kai shook his head. “If a man draws his sword, he should at least cut something. I’m fine, so let’s continue.”

“

Ahem

. You’re quite a stubborn one, aren’t you? Do you think I’m saying this for my own sake?” Paval glanced around, dragging the surrounding knights into it. “When individuals of our strength clash, the damage to the surroundings is immense. This is the royal palace. This is no place to rampage freely. Not only could the knights get hurt, but significant damage could be inflicted upon the palace itself.”

Logically speaking, Paval was right. It was also the reason why the hierarchy between Bach and Paval had never been definitively established.

“

Oh

, you don’t have to worry about that.”

If the opponent had been Bach, those words could have persuaded him and defused the situation. However, the opponent was none other than Kai. Unless left alone from the start, he was a persistent beast who never let go of his prey once he had bitten down.

“Poor Paval,” muttered Bach, letting out a faint sigh and shaking his head.

The next moment, Kai said, “Absolute Sanctuary Declaration.”

Whoooom!

At the same time, a tremendous resonance filled the air, and a powerful divine force swirled around the training ground. The holy power instantly rose into rectangular walls, enveloping the entire area.

“Th-this is...?”

“It’s Absolute Sanctuary. Unless the God of Candy and Sweets up there in the sky decides to deliver divine punishment, it won’t break. So, rest assured and give it your all.”

“What absurd nonsense!”

Unable to believe Kai’s words, Paval gathered his mana.

Claaang!

The powerful aura emanating from his sword and shield struck the Absolute Sanctuary repeatedly. Yet the holy barrier didn’t break, not even forming a single crack.

It was then that thick beads of sweat began streaming down from Paval's forehead.

Th-this is unbelievable...

He was the proud Commander of the Royal Guardian Knights of the Kingdom of Rashion. Of course, even he could construct barriers using mana.

But a barrier that doesn’t even crack after being struck dozens of times with force... An Absolute Sanctuary?

This was comparable to the legendary barrier created by the first high priest of the Solarian Church, Shimizu of Guardianship.

“

Oh

, I almost forgot about this.” Kai lightly tapped his forehead a few times, then pointed at Paval with his finger. “Disarm.”

Click, clank.

A pleasant sound rang out. Just like it had been with Lucifer before, the armor Paval was wearing retained its appearance. However, from this moment on, that armor would perform worse than leather armor.

[You have used the skill Disarm on the Guardian Knight Commander Paval.]

[All of Paval’s defense has been reduced to 0.]

[All of your attacks will now deal critical damage to Paval.]

“

Hm

...

!

”

Paval instantly realized what had just happened to his body.

It feels like I’ve been stripped bare.

𝐟𝕣𝕖𝐞𝐰𝕖𝚋𝐧𝗼𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝗰𝐨𝐦

Although he was clad in steel armor, he felt as defenseless as if he were wearing nothing at all. For the first time in his life, Paval experienced a crushing sense of helplessness and looked at Kai with trembling eyes.

“I’ve only been dodging until now, so this time, I’ll come to you,” Kai said.

Kai flexibly bent his knees. However, he didn’t bend them more than necessary. His knees bent just enough to generate maximum momentum. By the time they extended, Kai’s figure was already right in front of Pavale’s nose.

H-he’s fast!

It was overwhelming speed. However, Paval, an experienced knight of master rank, swung his shield and sword.

“Barrier!”

Vwoooom!

The powerful mana that erupted from Paval’s body enveloped his shield. At the same time, his sword, swinging from the opposite side, aimed for Kai’s neck.

However, Kai ignored everything, silently bringing down his sword. A single, straightforward slash, coming down from above.

Slash!

The barrier that Paval had been so proud of was sliced through by Kai's downward slash.

“Th-that’s impossible!”

“The Commander’s shield was pierced?”

“No, it wasn’t pierced.”

“W-what in the world?”

The shield and aura Paval had relied on were useless. They were easily cut apart as if they were paper. Though they appeared solid, they were no more than a mirage.

Because this is a game.

Due to the effects of the Disarm skill, all of Paval’s defenses were fixed at 0. Additionally, every one of Kai’s attacks registered as critical hits. And that wasn’t all.

Shimizu’s passive skill is quite unique.

Shimizu’s conviction increased the defense of all allies by 200%, while reducing the defense of all nearby enemies by 80%. In other words, Paval’s current defense was...

“Negative.”

Moreover, Shimizu’s terrifying aspect wasn’t limited to reducing the enemy’s defense.

“

Hm

. Would Bach’s attack have dealt this little damage as well?”

“W-what...”

The sword Paval had swung struck Kai directly in the neck. However, the damage it dealt was a mere 4% of Kai’s health. For a critical hit, the attack was significantly weak.

Summoning Shimizu’s soul definitely ensures safe hunting.

The defense boost effect was far better than he had imagined. Realizing this, Kai swung his sword without hesitation. The longsword shined as it tore into Paval.

“

Kugh!

”

Kai’s sword was incomparably sharper and more precise than it had been twelve days ago. This time, he wasn't simply targeting vital spots like the heart or head.

I’ve severed three tendons in his right arm. He shouldn’t even be able to lift his sword properly now.

Even if Paval mustered miraculous mental strength to swing his sword, his speed and attack power would be pitiful.

Step by step, Kai casually walked forward. It was a simple act of moving ahead. Yet, faced with it, Paval involuntarily stepped back.

Seeing this, Kai stopped in his tracks and gave a faint smile. “You’re afraid.”

“Th-that’s absurd...” Paval reflexively shook his head but trailed off mid-sentence.

Me? Afraid? Of this young adventurer standing before me?

At first, the thought seemed ridiculous. However...

“Be honest with yourself.” Kai pointed to his own heart. “Can you pierce this spot right now?”

Paval’s sword tip wavered as he stared at Kai’s heart. For someone of his skill level to fail at fully controlling his sword meant his mind was deeply shaken. Even with Kai’s exposed heart right in front of him, Paval couldn’t muster even the thought of thrusting his sword into it.

But in any case, my attacks...

...wouldn’t work.

He knew that. Meanwhile, every strike from his opponent ignored his defense and inflicted critical damage. Faced with such an overwhelmingly unfair situation, Paval, for the first time in his life, confronted the fear of death. His body shook like a leaf.

Kai, who had been watching him with narrowed eyes, suddenly waved his hand.

Swoosh.

The Solar Field and the Absolute Sanctuary dissipated as if they were never there. The golden glow that had surrounded the area returned to an ordinary scene under a blue sky.

“

Huh? Huh...?

” Paval stared blankly, his eyes filled with confusion.

Kai lightly patted Paval’s shoulder and gently said, “Don’t look down on people so easily. Everyone knows that you are strong and powerful, but using that as an excuse to trample others—that’s something only bullies do. Remember this. Strength breaks when it meets a greater strength.”

“

Oh...?

”

This much should suffice.

After all, killing him would only risk getting on the wrong side of King Beoruk.

Kai decided that crushing Paval’s spirit to this extent was enough.

Is he... saying that to me?

Paval mulled over Kai’s sudden and unexpected advice. It was a principle that anyone who learned swordsmanship would hear at least once. However, to Paval, who was emotionally shaken, those words carried a much deeper meaning.

Strength breaks before a greater strength...

Suddenly, memories of his past flashed through his mind like a vivid painting. Born into a proud family of knights, he had idolized his father, who dedicated his life to protecting the weak. Wanting to be just like him, Paval dreamed of becoming a great knight himself. He trained relentlessly every single day and was knighted at the age of fourteen. The turning point for him, however, came when he was twenty-three.

Father! Why didn’t you become the Commander? Being reassigned to the Falcon Knights—this is nothing short of a demotion!

Paval’s father had been competing for the position of Commander of the Royal Knights. His swordsmanship far surpassed that of his rival, so Paval was certain his father would earn the role. But in the end, his father was reassigned to lead a rural knightly order, while his rival was named Commander of the Royal Knights.

To this day, Paval couldn’t forget that scene. The rival shaking hands with the nobles of the capital, smiling.

A knight only needs to wield his sword well and have unwavering loyalty. That’s what you taught me, Father.

Yes, and I still stand by that belief.

How can you say that? Look at yourself now! You’re like a dog that’s been cast aside!

Paval. I have no regrets about the path I chose. I believe it was the right one.

No, in this world, results are everything. History is written by the victors. In the end, you were wrong, Father.

From that day, Paval changed. He spent less time honing his swordsmanship and more time attending social events, building connections. At twenty-eight, five years later, he orchestrated a scandal that disgraced the Commander of the Royal Knights, ultimately taking the position for himself.

My father was furious back then.

Since that day, his father had refused to meet him even once. Paval hadn’t made the effort to see him either. After all, hadn’t he avenged his father? And yet, his father hadn’t offered so much as a word of gratitude, and Paval resented him for it.

Three years later, even after attaining the prestigious position of Guardian Knight Commander of the Royal Knights, his father didn’t send so much as a single congratulatory letter.

Paval closed his heavy eyelids. From beneath them, hot tears of regret, reflecting on his past self, began to fall.

I should visit Father in the countryside sometime soon.

He never imagined that he would come to understand that his father was right all along through a young adventurer like this.

When Paval reopened his eyes moments later, they were clearer than ever before.

“Kai.”

As Kai looked at Paval with a bored expression, Paval suddenly made an unexpected move.

“C-Commander!”

“Oh my!”

Thud.

Paval sank down onto the cold floor of the training ground. “Forgive me, for I can only kneel to His Majesty the King. This is the most respect I can show you.”

Lowering his head, Paval addressed Kai with sincere gratitude. “They say that if you walk with three people, you will find something to learn from one of them. You are young, but the lessons I learned from you today will remain in my heart forever. Thank you for awakening my decayed spirit, my teacher.”

“W-what... Why are you like this all of a sudden?”

As Kai stood there greatly taken aback, unexpected message windows began to appear before him.