Embracing Magic - E.M Chapter 166 (Part 2)

Karis and Hurst. Both were exceptional fighters who had reached Master level.

Even with the eyes of a sixth-class swordsman, the Marquis of Richmond could not fully follow their offense and defense.

“I… see.”

Clang!

The battle, which had seemed even, slowly began tipping toward one side.

Hurst, who had relied on powerful offensive strikes, began losing even in strength. Once he fell into a defensive posture, there was no way to recover.

‘It’s over.’

Whether to kill the opponent or simply render him incapable of fighting— it was up to Karis’s choice.

Karis glanced at Rodin. It was a sign asking for orders.

Rodin, arms crossed, did not move. He had decided to leave it to Karis’s judgment.

‘It’s practically a counter-matchup.’

The flaws of Karis and Jena lay in weapon techniques.

Perhaps it was because Princess Ellanerien was unfamiliar with weapon techniques, or perhaps it was simply the limitation of a combat doll.

The level of spear technique and swordsmanship the two possessed was difficult to call high, even as an empty compliment. At best, they were at an advanced level; looking at it a bit more coldly, they were only about intermediate.

Rather, purely in terms of swordsmanship, the swordsmanship that Larry had learned was far superior. The gap was quite significant as well.

By the standard of Larry’s swordsmanship, the spear technique Karis had learned and the swordsmanship Jena had learned were no different from trash.

‘But the opponent’s greatsword technique is also lacking.’

Hurst, the Platinum Badge mercenary, had risen to the rank of Master purely through his talents in aura and physical prowess—just those two things. His skill in greatsword techniques was poor.

But Karis was the same. Her technique was lacking, but her physical abilities were overwhelming.

Though an Aura Blade was superior in cutting power compared to a Mana Blade, ultimately, neither could cut the other.

Instead, the Mana Blade had greater endurance than the Aura Blade.

Their strengths and weaknesses overlapped, but in all those strengths and weaknesses, Karis was superior. Therefore, it was natural that Karis would win.

Puk!

Karis’ spear pierced through Hurst’s abdomen.

Hurst looked at Karis with a dumbfounded expression.

Although he had received a large sum of money to participate in this territorial war, Hurst had never once considered the possibility of defeat. To him, victory was a given.

The only thing he had worried about was whether to kill them all or spare a few.

He had come here with only that dilemma in mind. Even right before the battle, he had steeled his heart.

‘I’ll kill them all and re-engrave the name Hurst into the minds of the people of the Central Continent.’

With that mindset, he had cut down the knights of Marquis Richmond. After that, he thought he would continue cutting down his enemies without any problem.

“You… who are you?”

“Karis.”

“Ka…ris. I’ve… never heard… that name before.”

Hurst repeated the name “Karis” several times. Even as his consciousness slowly faded, he desperately racked his brain, but it was a name he could not recall.

“I’m the guard of Young master Rodin. Know that, and fall. I won’t kill you.”

“Gu…ard. With your skill… why would you… settle for being a… guard…”

Thud!

Before Hurst could finish his words, he collapsed.

Although he was still breathing, his injury was severe. If left unattended for a long time, he could die from excessive bleeding.

Both sides, shocked, fell into silence. After a moment, one mercenary from Marquis Rotten’s camp rushed out to retrieve the fallen mercenary Hurst.

Karis did not even spare a glance at the Rotten camp; she simply turned her body, mounted the horse that had been standing to one side, and returned to her original position.

“You did well.”

“No, I apologize for taking too much time.”

“I understand what you were thinking. You did well.”

Unlike Jena, Karis was not the type to spare enemies. Once she recognized someone as an “enemy,” it meant they were someone she had to kill.

However, Karis had been unsure whether Rodin truly wished for the death of Hurst, the Platinum Badge mercenary. So she had prolonged the fight while continually glancing at Rodin.

In the end, Karis decided to spare mercenary Hurst.

She did not know Rodin’s true wishes, but sparing someone like Hurst would not be a loss. He was practically countered by her, so if she wished, she could kill him at any time.

“Karis, you did well.”

“He wasn’t a difficult opponent. If it were you, you could have dealt with him even more easily.”

“Regardless.”

The fifth duel ended. So far, the score was 4 to 1. Now, it was time for the sixth participant to step forward.

After a short while, the battlefield where the duel had taken place was cleared. Mercenary Hurst was carried back to Marquis Rotten’s camp.

“I will step forward next.”

“Sir Bolton, already?”

“If I win, it will be our fifth victory.”

If they won one more time, they would win the territorial war regardless of the results of the remaining duels.

Thus, Romain Bolton, the commander of the knights, volunteered for the next duel.

“No. This time, I will go myself.”

“Marquis, you personally?”

“If I win this time, it will be our victory in this territorial war. I will seize the victory with my own hands.”

“We believe in you, Marquis.”

Aside from Rodin’s group, the strongest weapon of the Richmond territory was, without dispute, Marquis Richmond himself.

Although there were three 6th-level swordsmen in the Richmond marquisate, excluding the marquis himself, the other two had remained at the lord’s castle.

Barclay Richmond was under house arrest for the crime of studying black magic, and Marquis Richmond’s younger brother, Wyler Richmond, was bedridden and could not come here.

“Hyah!”

Marquis Richmond personally rode into the battlefield for the duel. In response, an elderly knight from the Rotten marquisate also appeared, riding a horse.

“Something’s strange.”

“Young master, what’s wrong?”

“Basically, the victory has already been decided.”

“That’s true. Even if they manage to defeat Marquis Richmond, Karis can always step in again.”

Although Jena’s abilities had not yet been revealed, Karis had already defeated the Platinum Badge mercenary Hurst, showing her true strength. In other words, there was at least one Master swordsman within the Richmond marquisate.

“But… they show no signs of giving up. Karis, Jena. Watch them closely. Do they look like they’re giving up?”

“I don’t think so. Rather, it seems they are ready to charge in at any moment.”

The fighting spirit turned into killing intent and filled the Kantros Plains.

Hundreds gathered under the Rotten marquisate were all focused solely on Marquis Richmond, as if they had resolved to die.

“Hmm, Jena. If something happens, protect Larry and Bianca.”

“Yes, young master.”

Marquis Richmond and the elderly knight from the Rotten marquisate clashed.

Cha-chang!

The moment they exchanged the first blow, the outcome was visible.

Even Rodin, who was not well-versed in swordsmanship, could see the vast difference in their skills.

The elderly knight’s sword wavered greatly. He couldn’t even properly block the first strike and kept retreating backward.

In contrast, Marquis Richmond’s sword was solid and composed. Without a hint of haste, he slowly and steadily pressed forward—an impressive sight.

Dudududududu!

At that moment, a faint vibration rose from the ground. Karis and Jena sensed it, and Rodin also immediately realized something was wrong.

Hyung_Otaku2

•