When Zakriel's axe collided against Barney Junior's shield, the reactions of the prisoners were beyond Thales' expectations.
Barney Junior took the lead. He used his sword and shield to block Zakriel's angle of attack without any fancy moves, preventing Zakriel from attacking Beldin and Bruley.
But the others …
"Move back, Samel!"
Amidst the swift gust of wind from the axe and the flash of the sword, Barney Junior blocked one of Zakriel's slashes and pushed away the handle of the axe that came at him. He shouted at Samel, who wanted to get closer to the battlefield.
"I'm in the first round!
Naer, cover me! "
As Barney Junior roared, Naer leaped out of the crowd and joined the battle.
But the other Royal Guards did not rush forward. They also stayed away from the battlefield, which was out of character.
Nalgi and Bruley did not say anything. They forcefully dragged Thales to the left and leaned against the wall.
Barney Junior and Naer were the only two people on the battlefield. To be precise, Barney Junior was the only one on the frontlines. He faced Zakriel's sometimes agile, sometimes swift, and sometimes stormy attacks. He seemed a little clumsy.
Naer, who was supposed to support him, stood in the distance. He held a small knife and a dart in his hands while he watched the two people fighting fiercely. He did not move an inch.
'What?'
Thales did not understand.
* Whoosh! *
The calm Zakriel suddenly swung his arm horizontally. He used the advantage of his body to push Barney Junior's shield away, and the blade of his axe went for the latter's neck!
* Clang! *
Barney Junior grunted and spun around to collide with Zakriel.
The two of them separated right after they came into contact with each other. They each avoided their opponent's next attack, but it seemed that Barney Junior was at a disadvantage. A wound appeared on his right arm.
As he watched their fight, Thales, who was puzzled, finally gave up struggling. He turned his head and asked the people beside him anxiously.
"What's going on?"
But before anyone could answer, Samel, who was on the other side, found an opportunity to squeeze his way over.
The moment he entered his old colleagues' formation, he pointed at Barney Junior, who was in the middle of a fierce fight, and asked in exasperation,
He asked in exasperation, "What's his plan? Is he trying to get himself killed? "
* Whoosh! *
Another gust of wind from the axe was neutralized by Barney Junior's perfect counter stance. However, he was immediately caught up in Zakriel's subsequent attacks. He seemed to be in a difficult situation.
Faced with Samir's impolite interrogation, the others' expressions turned ugly.
But Beldin did not care. He looked worriedly at the two people who were engaged in an intense battle. He paid attention to the entrance of the stairs that Zakriel had blocked behind him.
"Barney said that the first round is a test. We'll act according to the situation and try to break through to the ladder."
Samel frowned and seemed to be a little hesitant.
Thales could no longer hold back the questions in his heart. He cast a glance at Quick Rope and asked resolutely,
"Why didn't you help him?"
The prince looked at Barney Junior, who was surrounded by danger, and he was very anxious.
"There are eight of you …"
But before he could finish, he was interrupted by Beldin's hoarse and intermittent voice.
"I can't."
Thales was stunned.
Can't do it?
He turned his head and glanced at the others, only to find that they all had the same expression on their faces: solemn and helpless.
Why?
On the other side, the duel between Zakriel and Barney Junior was reaching its climax.
Both of them seemed to be truly enraged. Their faces were ferocious, and their movements were fierce.
Zakriel had just roared and pulled back an axe strike that nearly split his skull open when Barney Junior used his life to force him to launch an equally fierce and risky attack.
A strong gust of wind blew, and steel clanged.
"We can't help him …"
Nalgi sighed softly. He stared at the battle between the two people and said softly,
"Zakriel is not an ordinary person, and he's definitely not a normal supreme class warrior."
'Not an ordinary person?'
Thales and Quick Rope were both stunned.
Nalgi stroked the weapon in his hand and stared at the two people who were fighting to the death. There was a gloomy look between his brows.
"His Power of Eradication is called 'Chaos of Armies'. It's a rare variant of 'Pegasus' Music '. The key lies in his unparalleled perception."
When they heard Nalgi say this, the Royal Guards were a little dazed.
'Pegasus' Music … 'Thales found it a little familiar.
'Wait, I heard Wya — the real Wya — say that it's Miranda's Power of Eradication.'
When he thought of this, Thales became serious.
"Chaos of Armies? Perception? What do you mean? "
This time, the one who answered him was Beldin.
"Focus."
Beldin's voice was hoarse and incoherent, as if it had been washed by sand.
But this did not affect Thales from hearing the anxiety in his voice. He also saw the hesitation in Beldin's eyes.
"A person's energy and attention are limited. He cannot multitask. Even when he is fully focused, he can only pay attention to one or two things at the same time. If there are more things, we will lose enough attention to our targets. We will be unable to pay attention to the things in front of us, behind us, and to the left."
'Focus …'
Thales chewed on this word.
On the other side, Barney Junior, who was at a disadvantage, finally made a somewhat successful counterattack.
At the cost of a knee strike from Barney Junior, he sliced open Zakriel's shoulder. It was only a few millimeters away from Zakriel's vital spot.
Thales thought that it was a pity.
"But Zakriel is different."
Beldin's words became even more solemn. At the same time, there was pride in his honor, and the pain of his old friend's betrayal.
"'Chaos of Armies' takes the perception, observation, and rhythm emphasized by Pegasus' Music and pushes it to the limit. Zakriel can effectively distribute his attention within a certain area without distracting himself. He can multitask and grasp all the variables in a battle. His upper limit is unknown."
'Multitask?'
Thales looked at Zakriel, who swung his axe skillfully, and then at Barney Junior, who attacked with all his might.
Puzzled, he asked, "What do you mean?"
Samel snorted coldly and interrupted.
"It means that the Knight of Judgment has countless eyes, and he can observe countless targets at the same time.
He is no longer afraid of being surrounded, and he is no longer afraid of group battles. His attention when he faces ten people is no less than when he faces only one person. He will never lose sight of others because he is outnumbered. "
Samel held the sword in his hand tightly. His gaze never left the battlefield, as if he was ready to attack at the next moment.
His words made the prisoners look even more worried.
Bruley even snorted and pointed at Naer, who was still holding the dart tightly in his hand.
"No, Bruley." Tardin shook his head, as if he understood Naer's indecipherable groan.
"Naer cannot easily attack unless he is in a life-threatening situation.
That might be disadvantageous to Barney. "
'He will never lose sight of others because he is outnumbered …'
Thales carefully understood this sentence, and his expression changed drastically.
'What is this?
'The knight will not die when he is alone? 'There are no openings in his back?'
He remembered the scene just now when Zakriel faced five or more Shadow Shield assassins.
The unparalleled Knight of Judgment who attacked consecutively within a few seconds and killed five people at just the right time.
Another muffled thud rose.
This time, Barney Junior used a charge that was almost suicidal to force Zakriel, who seemed to be apprehensive, to retreat.
The prince turned his head to look at the battlefield and asked anxiously,
"So, whether it is one against one or against many, it makes no difference to him?"
This time, Tardin's voice was desolate and resigned. It was as if he had seen through the world.
"It is worse than that."
Tardin shook his head. He seemed to be sentimental as well as bitter.
"Zakriel is a genius rarely seen in the world. He has developed the advantage of the Chaos of Armies to the extreme. He is multitasking, and it is not just when he is fighting against his enemies.
"Regardless of whether it is our enemies' bodies, weapons, intentions, movements, the positions of our surroundings, the environment, the situation, the state of our bodies, the increase and decrease of force during a duel, the sand and stone obstacles under our feet, and even sudden accidents, everything on the battlefield is within Zakriel's grasp. He has even taken it a step further and perfectly transformed it into his strategy to fight against his enemies.
"In addition, he has trained himself through thousands of duels, and his skills are not at all inferior to his judgment …"
Tardin's expression was tense. He stared at Zakriel, who used the terrain, the length of his axe hilt, and the weight of his opponent's shield to force Barney Junior into a pathetic state again.
"Those who fight against him are always at the greatest disadvantage. All the factors and variables on the battlefield are within Zakriel's attention and observation. Those who stand on his side will be able to control the situation with ease. It is as if they are assisted by God, and their teamwork is seamless.
"It is usually hard to tell, but those who have fought against him have the feeling that he is flawless and unstoppable."
A thought appeared in Thales' mind.
Everything is within his grasp, and he transforms it into a strategy to fight against his enemies …
All the factors and variables on the battlefield are within his attention and observation. He can control the situation with ease, and he can control the situation with ease.
'Flawless, unstoppable …'
He could not help but shudder.
That nightmarish night from six years ago where flesh and blood were spilled all over the place reappeared in his memory.
What followed was another person's low murmur.
"'Only those who have everything in their hands, the world in their hearts, and the entire situation under their eyes … are qualified to be called …
"'True elites.'"
Thales watched the duel in a daze. He stared at Zakriel, who became more and more courageous as he fought. He seemed to have understood something.
He could tell.
Barney Junior's attacks might seem fierce, but it was difficult for his normal attacks to be effective. Zakriel could always easily neutralize his attacks with the most energy-conserving, concise, and effective method.
Only those desperate attacks, which involved exchanging injuries for injuries and paying a heavy price, could leave some marks on the Knight of Judgment. Unfortunately, every time he launched a slightly effective killing move, he seemed to miss his target by a hair's breadth.
But Thales understood that it was not as simple as a hair's breadth.
Tardin sighed and said,
"In this situation, it's not just the encirclement of many people that no longer works on him …
"On the contrary, the more enemies there are in a chaotic battle, the more variables there are, and the more chaotic the situation is, the more Zakriel can find the most suitable position for himself. He can use openings and gaps that ordinary people can't imagine to seize the chance to survive and win.
"The more he fights, the stronger he becomes."
The expressions of the Royal Guards became increasingly unpleasant.
Thales clenched his fists. Beside him, Quick Rope had a look of disbelief.
Thales turned his head around in disbelief.
"So, when the Knight of Judgment fights against many people in a chaotic battle while he is outnumbered, compared to Zakriel in a one-on-one fight …"
Nalgi nodded. He continued the conversation with a worried look on his face.
"… It's countless times stronger."
If we rashly join the battle, we will only increase Zakriel's leverage. "
Thales was shocked when he heard this. Beside him, Quick Rope even opened his mouth in the shape of an 'O'.
'So …
'So, for Zakriel, fighting against eight people alone is more advantageous?
He's practically the human version of the Blood Mystic? '
"He gave me pointers on my sword style," Samel said coldly by the side.
"So, I know that when you face him, you won't just be facing Zakriel, but the entire battlefield known as Zakriel, which truly belongs to him —
"The Chaos of Armies."
His words were sonorous and forceful, but they made people feel heavy-hearted.
Thales frowned hard.
"Just like an army?"
Samel stared at him. He was silent for a second before he nodded.
"Just like an army."
In the distance, Barney Junior moved in a flash. He roared and crashed into Zakriel's body with a Duel Stance that he did not hold back at all!
* Thud! *
Both of them fell to the ground at the same time, then jumped up at the same time. Both of them panted.
"Let go, Barney. This is not the ending you want," Zakriel said softly.
Barney Junior snorted coldly.
"Why didn't you let go in the past?"
In the next second, both of them moved, and their weapons clashed against each other again!
By the side, Quick Rope could no longer hold back.
"Isn't this a little too much?"
The rookie mercenary rubbed his face and widened his eyes. He pointed at Zakriel, who was fighting the enemy in silence.
"Can he fight against a hundred people alone? Can he fight against an entire army alone?"
In the face of Quick Rope's rather doubtful words, the prisoners stared at him with hostile expressions.
Quick Rope could not help but tremble. He remembered the grudge he had formed with them, and he took a step back in embarrassment.
Thales looked at the group and felt that they had something to say.
As expected, the corners of Nalgi's lips curled up.
"Do you know the battle that made Zakriel famous?"
'The battle that made him famous.'
The prisoners shuddered at the same time.
Quick Rope blinked, and he immediately put on a wary look that said, "I'm not going to take the bait."
Nalgi stared at the Knight of Judgment, whose expression did not change even in the midst of the fierce battle. A fascinated look appeared in his eyes.
"When Zakriel was young, he went to Dragon Clouds City with Prince Midier. His Highness was too eloquent, and he made the Northlanders unhappy, so they used force to make things difficult for them."
'Midier …
'Dragon Clouds City …'
Thales recalled the relevant scenes in his mind.
"Barney Senior told me that at that time, Zakriel, who was only seventeen years old, faced the enemy alone."
Nalgi clicked his tongue and shook his head. He spoke in a tone that was half proud and half despondent.
"He used more than ten minutes."
"Alone."
"He took down forty White Blade Guards."
Quick Rope was stunned for a moment.
Thales' thoughts also stopped for a moment.
In the next second …
"What?!"
His mouth, which had no place to put it, opened and closed, as if he wanted to scream but could not make a sound.
Thales snapped out of his reverie, and endless shock and fear rose in his heart.
'Forty … Forty?
'White Blade Guards?'
He remembered the group of masked warriors with swords six years ago.
They were the elite soldiers who swore not to retreat under Black Sand Region's fierce attack, fought to the end, and even counterattacked, causing Lampard's men to be battered and injured.
They were the brave guards who did not hesitate to use their bodies to block arrows for him and Little Rascal.
'The White Blade Guards.
Nicholas, Mirk, Monty, and Justin.
'One person took down forty of them?'
Thales' face stiffened.
'How is that possible?'
It was obvious that Quick Rope suffered a greater blow.
He looked at Zakriel in the distance in disbelief, then at the prisoners with gloomy expressions. His face contorted, and he spoke incoherently. He seemed to be smiling, but he could not smile.
"Are you kidding me? Forty … White Blade Guards? They were all veterans … "
Quick Rope waved his hands blindly in the air, as if he could throw his question further away.
"Impossible, this is such a big thing …"
Quick Rope opened his mouth in a daze, as if his outlook on life had been greatly impacted.
"Why, Nico … Why didn't anyone tell me?"
He stared at everyone in a daze. He could not accept this shocking news.
No one answered him.
Thales sighed in his heart.
"Get ready, Tardin," Beldin said coldly at that moment.
"Barney is retreating."
Everyone's expressions froze. In the distance, Barney Junior's attacks slowed down.
"So, he has no problem fighting against a hundred people alone?" Thales frowned.
When they faced the prince, the prisoners' attitude was clearly much better than when they faced "Wya Caso". Samel said softly,
"You must know that no matter how big the battlefield is, there is still a limit to how many people can benefit from it."
"Other than the special battle formations, even if a thousand people attack one person at the same time, only six or seven people at the innermost part of the circle can attack the enemy with all their strength at the same time.
He looked at Barney Junior from afar and said sternly,
"As long as he has enough stamina and energy, there is no reason for Zakriel to lose."
Thales' heart sank.
No.
Since that was the case, the Royal Guards present were not enough …
There was no hope.
Barney, what are they doing?
"You know, there was once someone in the Royal Guards who was bored and made up a rhyme." Nalgi shook his head.
Behind him, Bree raised a finger and pointed at Nalgi with a blank expression.
"The last sentence is …"
Nalgi cleared his throat and said with a serious expression, "Nothing can hurt Tony …"
"There are no regrets in punishment …"
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