Starting With an SSS-Rank Swordsmanship Talent

Since when did this guy become this powerful?

Rudner couldn’t believe it.

When they last saw each other decades ago, Ignatius was significantly weaker than him. His flames weren’t that much of a threat to him and there was also a gap in their physical attributes.

However, the person in front of him was no longer the same man. He had grown into a much more formidable expert, one who could threaten his life.

Rudner had been fighting at his full strength, but he had never held the upper hand.

“What’s wrong? Do you realize it now?” Ignatius chuckled disdainfully when he saw the changes in his opponent’s expression.

Rudner snorted. “You may have grown a bit more powerful, but this strength is far from enough if you want to defeat me.”

“You still won’t admit it, huh? Stubborn old fart!”

“In that case, I won’t hold back anymore!”

Ignatius released more mana from his energy core to summon a humongous ball of flame.

The heat from this huge fireball was so strong that it burned the grass around him.

Even Rudner who was a few meters away from him could feel the searing heat.

With his face covered in sweat, Ignatius stared deeply at his opponent and muttered. “You’d better use everything you have if you don’t want to turn into ashes!”

After saying those words, he released the humongous ball of fire.

Rudner knew that blocking this thing would be dangerous so he imbued mana to his legs to temporarily boost his movement speed.

He rushed to the side to evade the giant fireball.

BOOM!!!

Rudner had already retreated quite a distance from the intended target, but the shockwave still sent him flying and the heat also melted his armor.

Hiss!

He quickly took off his armor and tossed it away.

Looking down, he noticed some burn marks on his skin.

Luckily, I wasn’t directly hit. Otherwise, I would have been in serious danger.

He was terrified by the power behind that giant fireball.

He lifted his head and looked at Ignatius.

Rudner noticed that his opponent’s complexion was slightly pale and a thought flashed in his mind.

That attack must have expended a significant chunk of his mana.

“What happened? That was stupid of you. Do you think I can’t evade something that slow?” He taunted.

Facing his insulting remarks, Ignatius smiled faintly. “Really? Look behind you.”

Hearing this, Rudner felt goosebumps all over his body.

He turned his head and saw something that made his face turn pale with fright.

Above him were thousands of scorching arrows suspended in the air. There were so many of them that they blotted the sky.

“Shit!” He cursed under his breath.

Ignatius made a hand gesture, controlling the scorching arrows to fall simultaneously.

Suu! Suu! Suu! Suu!

In the next moment, thousands upon thousands of scorching arrows fell upon Rudner.

The man was flustered and he quickly stimulated his energy core to cover his entire body with mana.

“Damn you, Ignatius!” He roared furiously.

…

Meanwhile, Alaric and the Astanian army had already joined forces with the Gryphon Knights Order for a final clash with Midgard’s troops.

“Loras is mine!” A cold voice resonated across the battlefield.

Everyone turned their heads and saw a middle-aged warrior charging towards the enemy formation on his horse.

“Lord Marco, don’t be reckless!” Someone exclaimed.

Seeing this, Alaric frowned, but he didn’t stop the man.

Marco had requested this opportunity and he had already given his approval. Although it was quite risky, Alaric decided not to interfere.

He raised a sword and shouted to the troops. “Cover Lord Marco! Don’t let anyone get in his way for revenge!”

“Yes, Your Highness!” The Astanian troops immediately circled Marco, defending him from enemy attacks.

Marco sent the distant Alaric a grateful look before he turned his attention to the enemies.

Where is he?! Show yourself, Loras!

After he was discharged from the clinic, the first thing he did was train himself. He also did physical therapy to recover to his peak.

He had received ample rewards from the last war in Aklan Pass and he used all the resources he got to support his training.

In the past month, he could sense his energy core throbbing unusually. It was as if he were about to step into a special realm. He didn’t know if it was the fabled Mythical realm, but the feeling was getting stronger as the days passed.

Defeating Loras might give me an answer!

Suddenly, his eyes stopped on one person.

He saw a familiar figure within the enemy formation. He stood proudly, overlooking the battlefield with a cold gaze.

“LORAS!!” Marco roared upon seeing him.

He squeezed his legs and urged his horse to move faster.

“Lord Marco! Slow down!”

“Quick! Follow Lord Marco!”

“Protect Lord Marco!”

The Astanian troops gritted their teeth and followed him.

…

“LORAS!!”

Loras narrowed his eyes. He could sense someone looking at him.

He turned his head and saw a familiar face approaching his location.

That man…

Suddenly, he recalled the person he had fought in Aklan Pass.

It’s him!

He took a deep breath as he pulled the reins.

“So you came for me? Let’s see how much you improved!” He squeezed his legs, urging his horse to move forward.

Hiya!

“Warriors of Midgard, follow me! Show them the strength of Harune!”

“CHARGE!!!”

He roared as he raised his warhammer.

The soldiers of Midgard, including the Savage Tiger Battalion, raised their weapons and followed him.

“For Harune! Kill them all!”

“Defend our lands!”

Soon, the two sides clashed violently.

The ones in the forefront were torn apart, their bodies exploding into a red mist. Even their mounts weren’t spared. The poor horses flew into the air, their bodies cut into pieces.

At this moment, Marco and Loras finally found each other. It was like a fated encounter between two nemesis.

They glared at each other as they collided with great force.

CLANG!!

“We finally meet again!” Marco stared deeply at the other.