g g Gashaak

  Sharp aallioise reverberated in the air, brig sparks flyi and right as two swords cshed against one ahe wind trembled and the ground quaked, shockwaves howling all over the training grounds, two men battling it out.

  The ones in battle were no ordinary people either. One of them was the Captain of the Royal Guards while the other was the Graystone Kingdom's very own King, each gritting their teeth as they bore the brunt of each other's strikes.

  All eyes were owo as the exged blows, sharp streaks of light gleaming every so often. The fiercer the winds blew, the more heated up the battle became, arriving to the point where blood started to trickle down the ground.

  ??Appraisal?? ［Grey］

  -----------------------------------

  [Salferine]

  [Name]Ar myr Lantre Graystone

  [Race]Human

  [Sex]Male

  [Age]48

  [Status]Healthy

  [Mana Capacity]1,265 [Mana Quality]C

  [bat Power]1,537 [Threat Level]B

  [Attribute]Earth    [Magic Proficy]High (50%)

  [Css]Swordsman   [on Proficy]High (55%)

  [Physical Enha]59%

  [Ability]Terrorize (3☆)

  -----------------------------------

  [Salferine]

  [Name]Eliazar myr Camelot

  [Race]Human

  [Sex]Male

  [Age]43

  [Status]Healthy

  [Mana Capacity]1,749 [Mana Quality]C

  [bat Power]2,340 [Threat Level]B

  [Attribute]Wind    [Magic Proficy]High (54%)

  [Css]Swordsman   [on Proficy]High (59%)

  [Physical Enha]62%

  [Ability]Raven's Eye (3☆)

  -----------------------------------

  They weren't just small fries either. Both of them were respectable High-Rankers whose csh could easily devastate the pce if it weren't for the tough and sturdy barrier c the training grounds.

  Of course, as there was a massive gap betweerengths between them, both parties decided to battle with their bat powers fixed at the bottom of B-rank. The one who breaks the rules will lose the match immediately.

  The King dashed forward and raised his sword high in the air, bzing sparks rushing out his bde as it ected with Eliazar's sword. Seeing it didn't gh, he then jumped bad increased the distaween them in just a couple moments.

  Unfortunately for the King, Eliazar didn't just let him be and chased him to a er. Their csh once again tinued, only that now, the situation has been reversed, the King down the one pressured by the Captain of the Royal Guards.

  ??How Impudent!?? ［Ar］

  However, such pressure was easily broken. Imbuing his "Terrorize" ability to his words, the King nded a stroal attack towards Eliazar. It was especially intimidating with his blood red hair and golden eyes, seeming like a predator.

  It was not enough to defeat him, but it was able to halt Eliazar's attacks. He was only able to buy a little time, but such was more than enough for him to ge his stance, gathering mana to his sword and he ched his fists.

  ??Fsh Rain!?? ［Ar］

  The King's hands moved fast like lightning, nding heavy strikes oer another. Eliazar had just regained his positio he o defend against such a merciless barrage of bdes. Now, he was the one being pushed into a er.

  ??Falling Rush!?? ［Ar］

  To clude his powerful of attacks, he raised his sword once mathering and verting mana into heavy rocks, clustering towards his sword. It grew bigger and bigger, heavier and heavier, casting a massive shadow to the ground.

  Heavy as one be, the sword came down like a rockslide, loud rumbling eg in the air as the earth shook. The very moment the attack ected, all Eliazar could do was defend ahe brunt of such oppressi.

  The ground cratered below Eliazar's feet and irked veins popped out in the King's face as he tried to push harder and harder. It was areme battle of attrition, and unfortunately for the King, he was the one who broke first.

  "Was that all you got, Your Majesty?" ［Eliazar］

  "You tough bastard..." ［Ar］

  There was nothing more to it. With the King's of attaow over, Eliazar then gripped his sword once more, lunging towards the King with all his might, a sharp and dangerous glint showing deep inside his eyes.

  The King mao dodge the first attack, but it took him all he got just to do so. E succeeding attacks became even more difficult, most of the following strikes lightly grazing him, letting blood spill even more.

  ??Blitz Symphony!?? ［Eliazar］

  A bination of wind magid swordsmanship. Eliazar struck from afar and the winds carried his bdes, striking from hard to dodge angles and from positions one wouldn't be able to normally strike. A rain of bdes from all dires.

  To make matters worse for the King, both his legs and arms were now riddled with wounds and injuries. Not only dodging, even striking was now an ordeal, needing to use all tricks he could just to get by.

  ??Halt!?? ［Ar］

  The King used "Terrorize" once more, once again catg Eliazar off-guard. His rain of attacks slowed down siderably, his blows missing the spots. The King thehe opportunity to run away and regain ground.

  Though, there was only so much the King could do. With Eliazar's "Raven's Eye", much like Grey's "Heaven's Eye" though much weaker, he has a full grasp otlefield, every se pying out in his eyes.

  The King tried to nd a strike from behind, but it was all futile in front of Eliazar's "Raven's Eye". He was able to evade the attack with retive ease by dog, the turning around to to nd a terattack

  Crack Crack Bang Thud Thud Thud

  Even then, it did not ect. Before the bde could even e in tact with the King, the tter had already erected a couple sturdy earthen walls which acted as buffer, letting the King to gain some distance.

  "You should give up now, Your Majesty." ［Eliazar］

  "What are you talking about? Don't tell me yetting delusional now, Eliazar? Looks like I o appoint a netain of the guards." ［Ar］

  "Well... Let's just see who's getting... delusional!" ［Eliazar］

  Shaking off the dust on his shoulders, Eliazar pouowards the King like a hungry tiger ready to bear his fangs. The King tried to make him lose bance by making the ground uneven, but it was all useless efforts.

  With the appearance of a smile on the King's face, the ground rumbled ever so lightly, massive spikes rising out of the ground and surrounding Eliazar, like a shark's jaw, ready to devour the tter whole.

  Sadly, the King had used such tricks ooo many times already. Eliazar had already seen it ing, letting the winds explode on his feet, ung him high up in the air, his swleaming as sunlight refracted from it.

  "Are you still not tired of using the same old tricks, Your Majesty?" ［Eliazar］

  "They may be old, but it still works wonders! ??Cleaving Crest?? !" ［Ar］

  Pain dev his arms away, the King still swung his sword heless. A massive bde of mana soared towards Eliazar's dire, and in response, Eliazar also shot one of his own, soon g with one another.

  BOOOOMMMMMM

  The bdes devoured one another, a loud explosion rupturing the air. As massive shockwaves rocked the barrier, both the King and Eliazar were now ba their feet. They raised their swords proudly, smiling with excitement.

  Clouds of dust swallowed the fields whole, the King and Eliazar leaving craters as they rushed towards one another. Sharp lights glimmered like stars as they swords exged blows once more, thrill welling up iheir hearts as they smiled.

  ?? ??Double Cross!!?? ?? ［Ar and Eliazar］

  As if their minds were ohe King and Eliazar poured their all into one final move. They brandished their swords, rushing surges of mana coiling around their swords, blinding light swallowed the training grounds.

  BOOOOMMMMMM Shwing Shwing Shick

  And as the clouds of dust cleared up, one of their swords flew high up in the air, soon nding stu the ground. As for the other o was now poiowards the neck of the King, a smile showing on Eliazar's face.

  "Looks like it's my victory once again, Your Majesty." ［Eliazar］

  "Kugh... You always get the st say, huh, you monstrous bastard." ［Ar］

  "Hahaha. What might you mean, Your Majesty?" ［Eliazar］

  It was Eliazar's victory. With such a clear result, loud cheers echoed all over the training grounds as the knights appuded their match. Both the King and Eliazar shook one another's hands before heading out of the field to get themselves healed.

  And just as they came back from their intense duel, a pair of familiar figures caught the King's eyes. They were Grey and Yuna who had been watg the fight sihey arrived, now bowing their heads slightly to greet the King.

  "Hahaha. Sorry to have shown you such a pathetic sight, Lrey, Lady Yuna. It must have been quite disappointing." ［Ar］

  "No, not at all, Your Majesty. It was a good fight. I don't think there's any other King out there who could have do better than you did." ［Grey］

  "Grey's right. I also think what Your Majesty had shown was an exceptional fight. I would love to see you fight again." ［Yuna］

  "Hahaha. Stop with the fttery. There's o be so stiff." ［Ar］

  He was already bleeding all over yet he still had the gall to ugh with such a bright face. With such a terrible dition, Grey and Yuna could oend their offer to heal their wounds and recover their energy while they're at it.

  As golden light melded into their bodies, the wounds in their bodies started to vanish oer another as if they were but passing lies. Their fatigue melted away and all the blood they lost was restored. They made a full recovery in just a couple seds.

  "Ohh! You are just as well-versed in Holy magic as King Ernes said. I don't think even our best healers could do su excellent job." ［Ar］

  "His Majesty is right. To think it would only take a sed to heal all our wounds... This is nothing short of amazing..." ［Eliazar］

  Such a thing was only natural. After all, Grey and Yuna are ones who possessed the gift of knowledge given to them by God. With their prowess, only the Cardinals, High Padins, and the Pope could be a match against them.

  "ht... Five the te introdus, I amー" ［Eliazar］

  "Captain Eliazar, am I right?" ［Yuna］

  "A-Ah, yes... How did..." ［Eliazar］

  "Sir Gahad had told us when you were fighting with His Majesty. Though, we didn't think we'd be weled by such a sight." ［Grey］

  "I see... That makes things easier then... It's a pleasure to finally meet the Great Heroes. I've heard so much about you from His Majesty." ［Eliazar］

  "The se is mutual." ［Grey］

  They exteheir hands and shook their hands soon after. It was still the first time they met, but for some reason, there was a bright glint in Eliazar's eyes as he shook their hands. One could only wonder what things the King had told him.

  Well, it wasn't just Eliazar, the other knights who were also part of the Royal Guards were also ied. Seeing such young figures act so casually with the King and the Captain of the guards, they couldn't help but wonder about their identities.

  And such curiosity was easily noticed by the King, nudging one of his elbows towards Eliazar's side, signaling the tter of something. It took him quite a while to figure out, but as soon as he did, he nodded in uanding.

  "Royal Guards! Atte～ntion!" ［Eliazar］

  Eliazar's voied throughout the fields and the Royal Guards rallied under his and. They quickly got into position and faced their captain. Eae of them stood firmly, hands tucked in tightly to their sides.

  "Greetings to Their Highnesses! Archduke Grey and Archduchess Yuna!" ［Eliazar］

  """Greetings, Yhnesses!!"""

  They were a little fused at first, but they quickly pulled themselves together and gave their salutations to Grey and Yuna. It was a quid simple way to aheir questions, eyes now sparkling with excitement as they learnt who the two youths standing before them were.

  After all, who hasn't heard of their names and the various tales they have made despite being so young. And just retly, their King has been singing praises for them. To their eyes, they were idols, through and through.

  As frey and Yuna who were on the receiving end, they couldn't be any more unfortable. First, it was Gahad, and now, the whole Royal Guards. Receiving such expet stares was simply too taxing to the mind.

  "It's alright, everyone. Please be at ease." ［Grey］

  "At ease!" ［Eliazar］

  Another and and another set of movements. The Royal Guards soohe tension in their shoulders loose and rexed themselves. The only thing which didn't ge was their stares trey and Yuna, b holes towards their heads.

  "Looks like you've got quite the admirers." ［Ar］

  "Your Majesty..." ［Grey］

  They couldn't even ugh nor cry even if they wao. It wasn't just the ones in front of them, the knights in Farsa and in Erdea were also too overzealous for their own good, admiring them like little fangirls.

  Of course, it wasn't a bad that they have admirers, it's just that every now and then there would always be those who would go too far, b that of obsession. They already had enough dealing with Garret, any more would be a headache.

  "Alright... Now that I've rested myself quite well enough, should we also go for a round, Lrey, Lady Yuna? I want to see just how far I fare against great heroes as yourselves." ［Ar］

  "I would also like to have a bout agaiher of you, Yhnesses. It would be a great honor to learn from you." ［Eliazar］

  "Oh! It would also be by greatest pleasure to fight against you, Yhnesses. I would be delighted if you accept this meager wish of mine." ［Gahad］

  It was just as they expected. After the King issued his request for a duel, Eliazar and Gahad followed suit and soon, all the Royal Guards wao have a try too. It was like a domino effect from the King all the way to the guards.

  Grey and Yuna tried to ask for help, looking at the healers and attendants with eyes filled with expectations, but such expectations were soon broken. They only shook their heads in silence, eyes smiling with pity.

  "Your Majesty, I don't think this is the right time or pce for that." ［Grey］

  "Hmm... I guess you're right..." ［Ar］

  It was a success! Grey and Yuna couldn't believe how easy it was to vihe Kingー or so they thought...

  "But well, I don't think we will ever have an opportunity like this again. I think it's best if we just settle this matter now. It's now or never, am I right? Hahaha!" ［Ar］

  The King tinued his words, leaving Grey and Yuna baffled. It was all useless. No matter what kind of excuse they spin, however they try to vince him, the King would surely not budge on his opinion, eager eyes glowing bright.

  Grey and Yuna already knew after months of dealing with a certain King that such brillian their eyes could only mean trouble. It was the eyes of someoubborn to a fault, it would only cause them more headaches if they try to refuse.

  The lohey dey the subject, the more the King would bother them, like a child who romised to be given dy,excitedly asking every minute or two. All they could do was give up, heavihy sighs deep iheir hearts.

  Haah... Why are Kings here so troublesome... ［Grey］

  Uuu... It's not even funny anymore... ［Yuna］

  Grey and Yuna could only grumble using telepathy, looking at the King and everyone else before heaving an exasperated sigh yet again. Fortunately enough, it wasn't like they haven't thought of such a situation before. They already made termeasures.

  "Haah... Fine... We'll have a duel with you." ［Grey］

  "Ohh! That greatー" ［Ar］

  "On one dition. We'll only fight against those who are worthy." ［Grey］

  The King couldn't even finish his gratitude, when Grey suddenly cut him off. If they would be bending to their request, they might as well demand something reasonable in exge. It was the termeasure they had set up.

  At the words "worthy", everyoilted their heads in fusion. They her knew nor uood what exactly such a vague word entails. They could only ponder silently, some scratg their s and cupping their s.

  "Pardon me, Yhnesses but... by 'worthy', you meant..." ［Gahad］

  "Yeah, that's right. Only those who bear the full force of our aura for a whole mihout falling to their knees could duel against us." ［Grey］

  Everyone shuddered at Grey's words. Though the very least requirement to be a Royal Guard was to be a ker, such a rank was still nothing pared to an S-raheir aura would surely be devastating.

  Yet despite knowing the difficulty before them, everyone didn't shake in fear nor ran away. Rather, they even got more excited, eager and stubborn smiles showing on their faces oer ahere was simply no stopping them.

  "Hahaha! Then... Please, do your worst!" ［Ar］

  There was only fiden the King's voice, a fierce fme of determination ahusiasm burning deep inside his eyes. Everyone behind was also the same, fully ready to take on the challenge.

  "Alright... Let's see how strong your resolves are..." ［Grey］

  "Do your best, everyone, okay?" ［Yuna］

  In just a split sed, the atmosphere iraining grounds turned a plete 180. As soon as Grey and Yuna released their auras simultaneously, areme force immediately weighed down on their shoulders, tension rising astronomically.

  It wasn't just heavy, it was extremely heavy, making the Royal Guards feel like they were carrying mountains on their backs. It hasn't even been five seds yet, yet people were already starting to kneel ground, some already on all fours.

  With such a massive gap between them and Grey and Yuna, it was already a surprise that they held on for more than a few seds. They were already having a hard time breathing, and were feeling dizzy yet their will has yet to be bent.

  'Kugh...! As expected of the ones who fought against the Azure Sword Emperor... What amazing and intense pressure...!' ［Ar］

  'His Majesty wasn't joking... So this is the power of the heroes...' ［Eliazar］

  'Is... Is this... How far I go..:?' ［Gahad］

  Even High-Rankers such as the King, Eliazar, and Gahad were no different from little puppies under Grey and Yuna's pressure. They could barely keep standing still, let alone move. It was just that intense.

  Thankfully, Grey and Yuna only directed their aura towards the King and his knights, otherwise, the healers and attendants would have already long fainted from sutense pressure. It would surely be a disaster.

  And speaking of fainting, some of the Royal Guards had already passed out, uo take the pressure, dropping like flies oer another. Before long, only the three High-Rankers remairying to hold their grounds.

  "Haha... Looks like this is as far as we go, huh..." ［Ar］

  "Five me, Your Majesty, I don't think I stand it any longer as well..." ［Eliazar］

  "The same here, Your Majesty..." ［Gahad］

  Though, even High-Rankers as themselves soon fell, their knees plunging towards the ground. With it, not a single person mao pass Grey and Yuna's little test. Everythi perfectly acc to pn.

  "Haha... It seems like we are still not worthy enough to fight against you... That was quite the bummer..." ［Ar］

  "Fufufu! Don't be like that, Your Majesty. You did well for holding out so long. A little more and you could have won." ［Yuna］

  "Hahaha. Then I guess that's something..." ［Ar］

  It was a shame but a dition was a dition. The King really wao have a bout against Grey and Yuna, but with his current status as it is, he would barely stand a ce. There was a o get even stronger.

  They have failed, but aronger fme of passion aermination started to light abze before them. Now, they are even more motivated to get stronger, ready to gh hell and back if that's what it takes.

  "Oi, you lot. That's enough rest. Let's get to training." ［Eliazar］

  At Eliazar's words, the knights, albeit still dizzy, started standing up oer aheir tenacity was amazing in ways more than one, even Grey and Yuna couldn't help but be moved. No wohey're the Kingdom's stro knights.

  "Then, since we're already done here, how about we headー" ［Ar］

  "Father!" ［???］

  The King was cut off once again, anure appearing oraining ground. She was a young dy, but rather than a dress, what she wore were a long-sleeved blouse, tight trousers, a belt, and high boots, a scabbard attached to her side.

  She was the typical tomboy princess Grey had seen many times in fial works ba Earth, now marg with heavy steps, heading towards the King with a feisty glint in her eyes.

  "Let me join the ival of Swords!" ［???］

  CHAPTER 302 END