Uh, no? "
Puzzled, the teenager asked, "What's wrong?"
But this time, Ricky obviously did not want Thales to answer.
"Barney's Power of Eradication is the Thawing of Glaciers, which is known for taking advantage of the situation. But can you sense the existence of 'taking advantage of the situation' in his fight?"
'Thawing of Glaciers?
'Taking advantage of the situation?
'Wait a minute.'
Thales was stunned when he heard the familiar term.
'Thawing of Glaciers. Isn't this … the Power of Eradication of the Fortress Flower from six years ago, Sonia Sasere?
Is her Power of Eradication the same as Barney Junior's?
'But Barney Junior …'
The leader of the Disaster Swords turned his head around and looked at Barney Junior, who was under strict guard in the distance. He voiced out Thales' thoughts.
"He's a ruthless person, isn't he?"
Ricky looked at Barney Junior's indistinct figure with a little emotion.
"Even with that kind of body, he could still seize the opportunity to force me into that state."
Thales froze for a moment and remembered Barney's fight.
No matter how hard he tried, he could not connect the Fortress Flower, the valiant female warrior Sonia, who fought with ease under the siege of Giza's endless tentacles, with Barney Jr., who risked his life and fought fiercely while covered in blood.
Thales was very puzzled.
Ricky turned his head around and continued to ask, "Do you know Barney? What kind of person do you think he is?"
'What kind of person is Barney?'
Thales suddenly remembered how the man looked when he lost hope and wanted to end his own life.
The teenager was about to answer, but he suddenly realized that he could not give his opponent more information, so he could not help but shut his mouth.
But Ricky did not care. He lowered his head and answered his own question.
"Let me guess …"
He raised his right hand and slowly tapped his fingers.
"He should have had complete knight training when he was young. It can be seen from his footsteps and habits.
"But he has become like this. He dares to put his life on the line just so that he can strike an effective blow at the most dangerous moment."
Ricky's gaze froze.
"This is not a coincidence. He must have experienced something unforgettable when he was young, so he decisively and resolutely gave up the orthodox swordsmanship that he was used to. In the end, he took a risk and completely changed his fighting style, becoming what he is now — sacrificing everything for a single victory."
While Thales listened to his seemingly logical analysis, he recalled Barney Junior's unusual fighting style and tried hard to keep up with his rhythm.
Ricky raised his head again and looked at Barney Junior.
"Even his Thawing Glacier was greatly affected — I can barely recognize it now."
Thales raised his eyebrows.
"But you still recognized it."
Ricky shook his head and revealed a mysterious smile.
"You missed my point."
While Thales scratched his head in confusion, Ricky sighed, as if he was talking to himself.
"I think Quill Barney probably did not have a good life when he was young. He might even be antisocial, cold, and gloomy.
"And his tragic experiences over the past decade or so have shaped his extreme, ruthless, and ruthless fighting style. Not only to his enemies, but also to himself. I think he is probably tenacious, stubborn, and even a little stubborn. He is not easy to get along with, just like his Power of Eradication."
Thales recalled Barney Junior in prison, then remembered the Royal Guards' experiences over the past eighteen years. He did not speak.
Ricky retracted his sighing expression and smiled.
"Tell me, am I right?"
Thales looked at Barney in the distance, then looked at Ricky suspiciously.
"You heard it from Samel. They are old acquaintances."
Ricky laughed when he heard that.
But he only continued to turn his head and pointed at Zakriel, who walked beside Samel.
"Zakriel, the famous Knight of Judgment. What kind of person do you think he is?"
'Zakriel.'
Thales pictured him painfully trying to stop Barney from committing suicide.
Ricky must have recalled the scene when Zakriel charged at him. He said absentmindedly,
He said absentmindedly, "Samel told me about his Power of Eradication, and I have seen it for myself. That guy is basically a huge army with all kinds of soldiers. With just a wave of his hand, he can make everyone panic and throw them into chaos …
"What's rare is that he can move freely between movements and stillness without any sluggishness. At that critical moment, he still has the leisure to think about things other than fighting. God knows when he stuffed the tarp on me."
'Chaos of Armies.'
Thales whispered in his heart.
This time, he subconsciously thought, 'If I want to imitate that Power of Eradication …'
"To achieve that kind of result, he has to observe the complicated battlefield down to the smallest detail. He has to be extremely cautious, see everything, understand the enemy's situation in an instant, make accurate judgments, react immediately, and coordinate his body and mind. He has to take care of both the enemy and himself. He has to be a genius."
Ricky sighed.
"If he wasn't a warrior, he would definitely be the best chess player. He would multitask, have a quick mind, have great foresight, and see the overall situation.
"And our conversation proves this point."
Thales furrowed his eyebrows.
As he listened to Ricky's evaluation of Zakriel, he seemed to have slowly grasped some of the meaning behind Ricky's words.
Ricky picked up his waterskin and drank a mouthful. Then, he tossed it to Thales without a care.
"So, I guess that he is a cautious person in his daily life. He takes care of everything, has keen senses, and takes care of the overall situation. He is a person you can entrust your life to."
But Ricky immediately sighed.
"This is probably also unfortunate. Compared to Barney, who sacrificed everything for a single victory, Zakriel has too many things to worry about. The factors he cares about are too complicated. His omnipotence and genius have become his curse and burden.
"But he obviously doesn't like to complain and vent. He only acts quietly and bears all the burdens alone. Those who carry too many burdens will always falter. Given time, they will either become self-contained and unable to extricate themselves, or they will become crazy and violent, unpredictable."
As he listened to his narration, Thales was secretly shocked.
'Did Ricky … know Zakriel before?'
After Ricky finished speaking, he smiled and said,
"Look, through the Power of Eradication, I can learn a lot about them. But why?"
Thales frowned and shook his head.
"Samel must have told you this as well. You gathered information about your target beforehand."
Ricky snickered.
As Ricky laughed, Thales pursed his lips.
"Alright."
The teenager's thoughts turned, and he dug out a figure he had not seen for a long time from his mind.
"If … I mean if there is a powerful supreme class warrior who has a rare Power of Eradication …"
Ricky listened to Thales' words with interest.
"… can make him change his momentum and posture, pull back his sword, and stab the next. He can make many feints or feints. While he is caught off guard and is unpredictable, he can deceive his enemy and win. What can you learn from this?"
After Thales finished speaking, he remembered the person who defeated him countless times in the training field over the past six years.
He also remembered …
Dragon Clouds City.
"Feints? Oh, that's not common. "
Ricky was stunned after he finished listening to the narration. He began to ponder, which was rare.
"You have to know that almost every warrior is taught to be resolute when attacking, firm when defending, steady in their footsteps, and focused in their minds. Once they make a move, they must not have second thoughts. If they are on the battlefield and still expect to pull back after swinging their sword and find a better posture, these people are usually new soldiers, and they die the fastest. "
Ricky raised his eyebrows and said uncertainly, "But that friend of yours, he might be a rather special person.
"But that friend of yours, perhaps he is a rather special person. Perhaps he is a different kind of genius, able to turn his disadvantage into an advantage, giving him one more chance to regret his decision than his enemy."
Thales chased away his memories and looked at Ricky seriously.
"Then, what kind of person do you think he is?"
This time, Ricky pondered for a long time.
"If I had to guess, he is confused."
'Huh?'
Thales was stunned again.
'Confused?'
Ricky nodded and made a guess.
"To pull back his sword and stab the next … I guess this kind of person might always want to do things better. To a certain extent, he is a perfectionist.
"So this kind of person … I'm afraid he doesn't live a comfortable life. It's hard for me to imagine him not feeling confused and perplexed when he faces himself alone."
Thales blinked in disbelief.
'No way.
That dead face … Perplexed? '
Thales could not help but automatically imagine Nicholas standing in a big city, staring at the map in a daze while facing the traffic, scratching his head in confusion.
'Perplexed?'
Or perhaps, the Star Killer standing in front of the neon lights at night, looking up at the sky, smoking a cigarette in melancholy amidst the breeze and steam whistles.
Thales snorted and quickly covered it up with a cough.
"Impossible," he said subconsciously.
'No …
'The scene is too beautiful.
'The style is strange.
'I don't dare to look. I don't dare to look.'
Ricky also laughed when he saw Thales' expression.
But after a few seconds, he suddenly put away his expression.
"Do you think this is funny?"
Thales immediately froze.
Ricky's tone was rather formal. For a moment, Thales thought he was back in class, whether it was the class in his fragmented memories or the class in Asda in reality.
This made Thales subconsciously put away his smile, and he sat up straight.
"Everyone's Power of Eradication is unique. It is formed through the user's long-term life and battles, and it gradually becomes one with them. It is closely related to their personality, experiences, and habits, and is inseparable. Even if it is the same Power of Eradication, in different people's hands, the difference will be like heaven and earth.
'Unique.
'The same Power of Eradication will be very different …'
Thales listened attentively and immediately remembered Sonia and Barney's Thawing of Glaciers.
Ricky's tone became softer.
"Just like that, the style of the Power of Eradication matches the user's characteristics, echoes with each other, and reflects their understanding of battle, themselves, and their enemies. It is the unique emblem that is branded on every warrior."
'The unique emblem that is branded on every warrior …
'Unique emblem?'
Thales immediately remembered the topic of their conversation, and doubt rose from the bottom of his heart.
'But the Sin of Hell's River, the so-called omnipotent Power of Eradication …'
Ricky stared at him. His gaze was cold and sharp, and his tone was crisp and firm.
"You, on the other hand, want to perfectly display the great strength that countless experts have accumulated in every battle, every life-and-death experience, and every kind of experience through only a few minutes of observation and contact? Do you want to demonstrate the great strength that has been shaped by their personalities, experiences, bodies, and even their enemies and opponents?"
Thales was stunned.
'Personality, experience, body …
'Even enemies and opponents …'
Ricky narrowed his eyes.
"When you were obsessed with 'imitation', the biggest mistake you made, Thales, was to treat the Power of Eradication as a tool that was separated from the warrior himself. You imagined the Power of Eradication as a platter made up of a few lifeless parts. You thought that you could take away one part at any time and ignore the other. You thought that you could only choose their strengths and ignore their weaknesses.
"You thought that you could only imitate the warrior's strength and benefits at this moment, and easily throw away the sweat, sweat, and price they paid in the past few decades of their lives. You thought that you could only remember the state you want to imitate at this moment, and ignore how they became what they are now from the past."
Thales frowned heavily and began to think carefully about Ricky's words.
Ricky leaned forward and stared at Thales intently. His tone became even fiercer.
"Did you know that even the most despairing suicide squad needed the help of Chaka wine during their suicidal charge on the battlefield in Western Desert?
"But Quill Barney, a man of noble birth, managed to do it so easily. This meant that he had to brush past the tip of a blade countless times. He had to train his spirit between winning by a hair's breadth and losing everything at the last moment. He had to abandon his hesitation about the pros and cons, seize the opportunity at that moment, and turn it into his normal state, and become the man he is today.
"So, his Thawing of Glaciers, his strength, and his fighting style are things that I can imagine, but I can never learn. Because I can't feel the terror of a hair's breadth, I can't practice that kind of decisive fighting style, and I can't reproduce his fighting style, which is full of distinct characteristics."
Ricky's eyes flashed, and he spoke firmly.
"So, no, Thales, the Power of Eradication is not a kind of power, nor is it a weapon, much less a state.
It is the warrior himself. "
Thales trembled slightly.
From Eternal Star City to Dragon Clouds City, and then to Western Desert Hill, even though Thales himself had awakened to the Sin of Hell's River and practiced sword arts, in truth, he had always been indifferent towards the Power of Eradication in his heart.
It was very simple. Asda's words had affected his judgment. The Power of Eradication was just an accessory created by the wizards for the knights. In this world, forbidden magic represented the highest knowledge.
Moreover, after experiencing mystic energy, and even 'knocking on the Door', entering the 'thing' stage that Taurus mentioned …
But it was only now that Thales suddenly realized that he had forgotten again.
He had forgotten the Old Crow's teachings and his own understanding of magic.
'Humility.
Yes, magic might be all-encompassing and all-encompassing. It may seem vast, boundless, and enchanting.
But the Power of Eradication … '
According to Ricky, it was much more focused and simpler than magic.
'Because it is the warrior himself.'
Thales pondered.
Ricky's words continued, each sentence harsher than the last.
"In other words, Thales, your current Sin of Hell's River is a true reflection of yourself.
"You only know how to adapt to the situation and can't find your unshakable self."
However, Ricky's next sentence was like a longsword that pierced the bottom of his heart.
"This is your Power of Eradication, and it is the current you. You are forced to move forward, dragged forward, without a goal, without direction, swaying left and right, drifting along with the flow, and even …"
At that moment, Ricky's eyes widened in anger, as if he wanted to see through Thales' soul.
"Without a self."
Thales was stunned.
When he watched Ricky rely on his observations of the Power of Eradication to deduce the characteristics of Barney Junior, Zakriel, Nicholas, and the others, he found it rather interesting.
But when it was his turn …
Thales took a deep breath.
'If my Sin of Hell's River is me.'
The teenager lowered his head in a daze.
'Without a goal, without direction?
Swaying left and right, drifting along with the flow?
Without … a self. '
Ricky did not notice Thales' abnormality, but the teenager was in a daze. For a moment, he could only hear his own breathing.
'Has he always been like this?'
Then, Ricky spoke again. His stern tone brought Thales back to reality, as if he had been blown away by a cold wind.
"The omnipotent Power of Eradication? Imitation? No, it is not as beautiful as you imagine it to be.
"If you are not me, if you do not know my personality, if you do not know whether I am radical or cautious, if you do not know whether I like to stab or slash, if you do not know my habits when I fight, if you do not know the strength I use when I hold my sword, if you do not know which muscles I use when I attack, if you do not know the situations and history of my battles in the past, if you do not know the life I have experienced and the past, and how I came to form such a Power of Eradication …"
Ricky's gaze became more and more terrifying, as if he was looking at an unbearable humiliation, as if Thales had committed a heinous crime.
"Then, you will not be able to imitate the most important and essential part of my Power of Eradication, the things that make it and I 'the way I am'."
Thales, who had been thinking deeply about a certain sentence just now, could only listen quietly.
"If you have not experienced the Knight of Judgment's life, you will not be able to obtain Zakriel's multitasking and ignore the terrifying burden he has to bear at all times. If you have not seen Barney's world, you will not be able to only enjoy Barney's terrifying lethality and ignore the devastating price he has to pay when he cuts off all means of retreat."
Ricky snorted coldly, and his reprimand was merciless.
"No matter how exquisitely you imitate the Sin of Hell's River, the product of it can only be a substandard product, a nondescript dregs."
'Substandard …
'Nondescript …'
At that moment, as Thales stared into Ricky's eyes, he suddenly felt that the fixed impression he had towards the Power of Eradication, the complacency and pride he had towards the Sin of Hell's River had been completely crushed at that moment.
'No, perhaps it's not just the Power of Eradication.
'And …'
Thales subconsciously clenched his fists and gritted his teeth.
'Himself.'
Ricky stared at the slightly dejected Thales and shook his head gently.
"More importantly, when you rely on imitation and ignore these things, it means that you lack the most basic things towards the Power of Eradication that other people condensed with their lives, towards each of the people you imitate, towards each of your opponents, and even towards yourself …"
At that second, Ricky straightened his posture, and his gaze was incredibly serious.
"Respect."
'Lack … respect?'
Thales was shocked by his attitude.
But at the same time, the teenager could not help but start thinking, 'Black Sword, the imitation and duplication he taught me six years ago, the so-called "omnipotent Power of Eradication" …
'Could it be …
'Not a good thing?'
Ricky's tone could almost freeze the entire underground prison.
"You are not imitating at all, you are plagiarizing.
"For a plagiarist, the sword in his hand or in his heart will never be his own. The imitation you imitated is just superficial, and will forever lack the most important core.
"You will never become those great warriors who have internalized the Power of Eradication in their lives."
Ricky finished speaking and stared at Thales without moving.
He waited for his response.
Thales did not speak.
He did not know how to respond.
After a few seconds, the teenager exhaled laboriously and asked,
"So, the so-called 'omnipotent Power of Eradication' in the Sin of Hell's River is actually nonsense?"
Ricky snorted coldly.
"No." He leaned forward and gently raised his index finger at Thales. "This statement is correct.
"But you're on the wrong path."
Under Thales' confused gaze, Ricky spoke softly.
"The meaning of imitation is understanding.
Understanding your opponent. "
'Understanding?'
Thales blinked.
Ricky looked around, and the corners of his lips curled up slightly.
"I don't know Barney, I don't know Zakriel, and I don't know that confused friend of yours.
"But I can understand them on another level through my feelings for their Powers of Eradication."
'Another level?'
Thales thought hard.
The eyes of the leader of the Disaster Swords shone brightly.
"For example, through analysis and speculation, I can know …
"When I face Barney, I might not be able to withstand his life-risking attack head on. Instead, I must use other factors from the side to delay, disrupt, and frustrate his attacks until I finally defeat him.
"When I face Zakriel, I can't compete with him in terms of being able to think about the entire situation perfectly. I can't even hesitate or think too much. Instead, I have to focus all my attention on what I'm strongest at. I have to use that to break through his defenses. Only then will I have the power to fight.
As he spoke, Ricky suddenly froze.
Thales, who had been listening to him with an open mind, had a puzzled look on his face.
"I see. Ha." Ricky tapped his palm in realization. He looked in Barney Junior's and Zakriel's direction, and he seemed to have understood something.
"Barney going up against Zakriel will probably be a good duel."
Ricky's excitement faded away, and he turned around.
"And when I face that confused friend of yours, my best choice is not to fight him head-on, to fight him one after another, to drag out the fight, or to give him a chance to deceive me and launch feints to find my weakness. Instead, I should conceal myself, hide my motives, and before he can react, I will deliver a fatal blow from behind or even from the shadows. I will defeat him in an instant."
Thales frowned.
But Ricky immediately changed the topic.
"But do you know …"
He stared at Thales with a profound look.
"You can do all these better than me."
Thales thought of something.
Ricky sighed.
"My Power of Eradication has its own characteristics. My opponent's style has already become fixed, and this is how I can bring out my strongest points.
"But you, Thales, your Sin of Hell's River is constantly changing. You can do more, understand more, grasp more details, and understand your opponent faster, better, and more perfectly through this so-called imitation. You can understand your opponent faster, better, and more perfectly than I can."
'Understand … my opponent?'
Thales mulled over the meaning of this sentence as he compared it to Ricky's example.
"The Power of Eradication is one of the most amazing powers humans have. How many elites have gone through countless trials and tribulations to achieve such an achievement?"
Ricky seemed to be rather sentimental.
"And the Sin of Hell's River's imitation is not to simplify this process. On the contrary, it is to better understand this process of your opponent, and then better adjust and strengthen yourself, increase your advantage in battle, and give you options to deal with the situation."
Thales' eyes lit up.
"You mean … I don't want to copy my opponent's advantage, but to find my chance to win?"
Ricky smiled.
The surprised teenager recalled the elites he 'saw' through the Sin of Hell's River.
The volcanic eruption in Arracca Murkh's body.
The colorless but determined power that filled the Fortress Flower.
The silver needle-like glare that drifted about Nicholas' body.
The gray color on Raphael's body.
Thales suddenly understood.
He did not want to become them.
Instead, he wanted to …
He wanted to surpass them.
"Through the imitation ability of the Sin of Hell's River, you can deduce their experiences, characteristics, strengths, and weaknesses. You can grasp the most essential and purest parts of their martial arts and skills, and turn them into your advantage when you fight against your enemy. You should not lazily skip this step and dream of becoming them and copying their achievements."
Ricky used his finger to point at Thales, who seemed to have understood something.
"Remember, the important thing is how you are, and not how strong your opponent is.
"The important thing is how much you gain, not how much you can imitate.
"Once you master this, you will be able to find a way out in every situation, and find a way to deal with every powerful enemy."
Thales shuddered slightly.
It was as if a train of thought that had been blocked for a long time in his mind had been cleared.
Ricky narrowed his eyes and looked at Thales, whose eyes were becoming clearer. The stern look on his face slowly melted.
"The advantage of the Sin of Hell's River's endless changes is not to allow you to imitate the real and become all your opponents.
"Instead, it is to allow you to face all your opponents calmly and fearlessly."
Ricky took a deep breath and looked at Thales, whose expression had changed. He sighed softly.
"This is the true 'omnipotent Power of Eradication'."
Thales stared at him firmly and nodded slightly with a serious expression.
"I understand.
But … "
Thales hesitated for a while, but still asked,
"Why are you telling me this?"
Ricky stared at him and did not speak for a while.
But before Ricky could answer …
* Thud! *
A slight tremor came from under his feet.
Everyone's expressions changed.
Including Thales.
A few seconds later, the rumbling stopped, and everything returned to silence.
Thales looked at his feet in surprise.
'This is …'
Thales' expression darkened when he felt the sudden lightness under his feet.
The platform … stopped.
At that moment, everyone on the platform stood up, and it caused a small commotion.
"Ricky."
A few seconds later, Klein walked over slowly with a torch in his hand.
He said solemnly, "We've reached the ground."
Ricky nodded and waved his hand.
The Disaster Swords got into action and were ready to move out.
Thales subconsciously looked around, and to his dismay, he realized that he and his companions were still captives.
"Why did I tell you?"
Ricky turned his head around and stared at Thales. He said meaningfully,
He said with a seemingly profound tone, "I told you, my dear, you have a key …
That can open a door we have been looking forward to for a long time. "
'Key?'
Thales frowned.
"Has anyone ever told you that you look like a temple priest when you talk so mysteriously?"
Ricky was slightly taken aback.
But then he smiled.
"Yes, there has been."
While Thales was stunned, Ricky raised his head and looked at the ceiling, which had unknowingly gotten close to him. It was as if he could see the world outside.
He ordered loudly, "Everyone, get ready.
"Everyone, get ready. The day of release has arrived."
It is time for the Prison of Bones … "
Under the gazes of all the mercenaries, Ricky's eyes focused, and his gaze turned fierce.
"It's time to say goodbye."
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