"Your Grace, are you sure you don't need to rest … I mean, maybe you can get a new shield …"
Procca said hesitantly.
In front of him stood Thales, who had just stood up in a disheveled manner. He was covered in dust, his face was covered in sand, and his clothes were torn and dirty.
"No. But thank you, logistics officer Procca."
Thales took a deep breath, turned his wrist, and felt the balance and center of gravity of the practice sword.
"Your attitude is much better than the instructors of Eckstedt. Of course, it's also much better than some Constellatiates."
Procca forced a smile.
Around the training field, the Royal Guards who had gathered again were a little impatient, but Mallos' silence made them all quiet, and they did not have any objections.
The pressure was on the training field again.
Thales clenched his left fist.
Abandoning the shield made his left arm much more relaxed, but the numbness and pain from the previous heavy blow was so real and unforgettable.
'That round just now …
'What happened?'
Thales' expression darkened.
He remembered that his attacks were as fast as lightning. His strength and speed were not weak.
However …
Thales took a step forward and moved around Procca.
The Sin of Hell's River roared in his body again. It rose and fell, connecting into one, yearning for a second attack.
But this time …
The setback gave Thales an illusion that it was becoming more and more intense …
Like a frenzied beast. No matter how badly it was injured, it wanted to tear the enemy's throat.
But Thales suppressed them with all his might.
Like a beast tamer tightening a chain.
As he moved, Procca also changed his steps and turned around in an orderly manner, always facing the enemy.
Thales was not in a hurry to attack.
He was thinking.
Just now, his sword met his opponent's sword.
The two swords intersected in the air.
But Procca did not guard against him.
If he moved forward a little more, Thales would have hit his opponent.
Then …
Thales thought carefully.
Then, in that split second when the outcome of the battle was about to be decided …
Procca's sword began to turn.
It was filled with his opponent's condensed, sturdy, and thick Power of Eradication.
And then …
Thales' expression tensed.
He slowed down and recalled the scene just now in the Sin of Hell's River, which was burning hotter and hotter.
Their swords twisted.
In that one second, his and Procca's swords clashed together.
They twisted in the air.
He remembered that when the two of them got close to each other, Procca's wrist drew a strange arc. It was smooth and long.
Thales' sword went off course.
And Procca's sword …
Thales gritted his teeth.
After that, the young man who was charging too quickly could not pull back in time. He could only abandon his sword pathetically, block, and then …
His left arm, where he had just been hit, began to ache.
Thales stopped reminiscing.
This time, he didn't pace around.
In the eyes of the Royal Guards, the prince stepped forward!
As the Sin of Hell's River surged into his right arm, he thrust his sword again!
Dang!
As the sound of metal clashing rose, Procca calmly blocked Thales' sword!
Then …
Thales' pupils quivered.
He saw, and felt in his hand, that Procca's sword began to move again.
At the same time, Kieran's Power of Eradication also came.
The teenager did not hesitate.
Thales stopped in his tracks. He withdrew the sword, which did not have much strength to begin with, and quickly retreated!
Dang!
There was another crisp sound.
With the agility he gained after he abandoned his shield, he managed to block Procca's counterattack, and he took two steps back in a slightly disheveled manner.
Thales panted violently. He stared in disbelief at Procca, who was still unscathed.
The Sin of Hell's River roared indignantly in his body when it failed to attack.
After the round ended, the Royal Guards began to discuss among themselves again.
"Oh, another futile attack." Doyle looked gloomy and could not bear to watch the scene unfold. He clicked his tongue and said,
"If you ask me, no matter how much Mallos dislikes him, it's still a little too much. In front of so many people —"
But Glover interrupted him.
"No, that's not it."
Doyle was puzzled.
"Not what?"
At that moment, a familiar voice rose in the crowd, and it made the guards quiet down again.
"Over the past six hundred years, unique fighting skills have been passed down in the Eastern Sea and the South Coast. They are the descendants of the southern knights from the Empire and the church's knights."
The voice was calm and indifferent.
They were very familiar with it.
Thales calmed his breathing and turned his head in surprise.
The culprit who caused him to fall into such a predicament, Watchman Tormond Mallos, was standing leisurely with his arms crossed over his chest.
"Many families are still used to nurturing new people with the legacy of 'Cavalier Squires'. It has strong local and even personal characteristics.
"Compared to the other martial arts in Constellation, this style is more classical and elegant. The sword styles are unique, and the techniques are exquisite and meticulous."
Procca pursed his lips and turned to the commanding officer as well.
Mallos said nonchalantly,
"So, in the kingdom, the people who are represented by the southeastern knights are also known as the 'martial arts faction'."
'Martial arts faction?'
Questions filled Thales' mind.
Mallos paused for a moment and sighed slowly.
Of course, due to many reasons, the once famous martial arts faction …
It had gradually declined and was not as good as before.
Perhaps it would eventually disappear and return to nothingness.
It was just like the countless factions that flashed through the long river of history.
Mallos looked up.
"Why, why are you daydreaming?"
Mallos reminded the two of them in a nonchalant manner, as though he was just talking in his sleep.
"Continue fighting."
Thales took a deep breath. As he pondered over Mallos' words, he looked at his opponent again.
Then, Procca, the orderly officer, stood with his sword in hand and flashed him a bitter smile.
Thales did not think about it anymore.
In the next second, he first moved to the left, then to the right, took a feint, and swung his sword again!
* Clang! *
This time, Procca also moved his feet, changed the distance between them, and blocked Thales' attack.
He hit his target.
Thales' expression darkened slightly.
But he still did not manage to hit his target.
The Sin of Hell's River surged in his body, and he could only roar madly in vain.
He was like an orc facing a cavalry.
There was no place for him to use his skills.
Thales, who was at a disadvantage in his attacks, blocked his opponent, gritted his teeth, and persevered.
But Mallos' words traveled into his ears at this moment, and he could not help but be distracted.
"Procca's ancestors came from a respectable traditional knight family in Eastern Sea Hill. They can be said to have been deeply influenced by the martial arts faction."
In an instant, the contest of strength between him and Procca ended. The force on Procca's sword changed!
Thales was shocked.
* Clang! *
Procca's sword clashed with Thales' weapon for the second time!
The two swords separated the moment they clashed, and only the sound of metal trembling could be heard.
"You can see that he has a knack for choosing his position and movement before he attacks, as well as how he chooses the strength of his sword when they clash against each other."
Mallos' voice rang in the air, just like the voice of a live television broadcast in Thales' previous life.
"He made you very uncomfortable."
'Choosing his position and movement …
'Choosing the strength of his sword …'
Thales shuddered slightly, but the situation before him did not allow him to think too much. He could only go with the flow and slash horizontally.
* Clang! *
Their weapons clashed for the third time.
Mallos' voice followed him like a shadow.
"And when they are locked in a stalemate, Procca is best at listening and prediction …"
They clashed, and they were locked in a stalemate.
'Listening and … prediction.'
When he heard this, Thales instantly felt that something was wrong!
Just as he expected, in the next second, Procca's sword appeared at the spot where Thales had no time to pay attention to!
"… He's an expert in defense and counterattack."
At that moment, Thales' hair stood on end, and he activated all the Sin of Hell's River in his body without caring about anything else!
* Clang! *
He parried Procca's sword that went straight for his neck by a hair's breadth. His right shoulder landed on the ground, and he rolled away in an incredibly pathetic manner.
Outside the field, Mallos smiled faintly.
"Just like this."
After this round of exchange, the Royal Guards started discussing among themselves again.
Thales wiped away the sweat that had appeared on his forehead without him noticing. He sensed the numbness that came from his body due to the overload.
He stood up laboriously, and he was covered in dust.
But this time, he did not rush towards the apologetic Procca. Instead, he looked at Mallos by the side in puzzlement.
"If you think that you can use the Northland barbarians' brute force tactics against him, it will be effective against him." Mallos met Thales' gaze with a piercing gaze.
"Then you better think twice."
"Your Highness."
Thales panted and sank into deep thought.
Leo Procca swung his longsword and said in resignation, "Commanding officer, we all know that you have traveled extensively and have seen many things. But it's about time.
I still rely on this to make a living. "
Mallos smiled, but he did not say anything else.
But Thales understood something.
'Choosing his position, listening, prediction.
'It sounds like …'
A thought appeared in Thales' mind.
A name appeared before his eyes.
'Miranda Arunde.
'What Wya said about her Power of Eradication …
'Her … Pegasus' Music. '
As he looked at his slightly awkward opponent, Thales understood.
He fell into an absolute disadvantage in the first round. It was not because Procca was too strong.
It was …
Thales clenched his fists.
It was because he did not choose the right strategy.
He fell into Procca's area of expertise.
Defense and counterattack.
"Think of a way, Your Highness." Mallos scratched his chin, looking bored.
"Any way.
The enemy is right in front of you. "
'Alright.'
Thales soothed his numb body and adjusted his condition.
He looked at Procca again.
Thales' expression became serious.
The prince's attack came in the next moment.
* Clang! *
Procca parried Thales' sword slash again, but when he was about to counterattack, he was a little puzzled.
This time, the Duke of Star Lake's strength …
It was very small.
* Swoosh! *
The wind from the sword blew past. Thales took a step back and avoided his opponent's counterattack.
The two of them separated again.
'Leo Procca.'
Thales thought calmly.
His ancestor was a knight from Eastern Sea Hill. He was skilled in martial arts, and he specialized in defense and counterattack.
His brain started to work, thinking about his opponent's advantages and his own strategy.
Procca could listen and predict the opponent's strength in an instant through contact with his opponent.
This was not only good for defense, but also for finding the most suitable time to attack.
The fiercer the opponent's attack, the greater the force, and the more exposed …
The more incisive his counterattack.
'In that case …
'The sword I used all my strength to attack just now was all useful …'
'His opponent's counterattack.'
Thales felt indignant.
'Wait a minute.
'Listen and predict?'
Nicholas' face suddenly flashed in his mind.
It flashed in the trajectory and strength of the Star Killer's blade that changed in an instant.
Thales understood now.
If he were to fight against the dead face, Procca would not stand a chance.
Because it was impossible for him to predict the Star Killer's strange skill of changing three times in one move just through the contact between their weapons.
'So …'
Thales gripped the hilt of his sword tightly.
'Twist of fate, right?'
With a single thought, the Sin of Hell's River surged as if it had a life of its own. It wanted to turn into the silver power that resembled thousands of needles, just like it had done countless times in the past.
It allowed its master to make an incredible change in an instant.
Thales sucked in a deep breath.
'At most, I'll find an excuse to tell them that I inherited the dead face's Power of Termination …
'But …
'"The Sin of Hell's River … There are so many ways … but you chose the stupidest, the least effective, the most troublesome, and the most boring one …
'"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, going with the flow, and even …
'"Without a sense of self."
Thales was in a daze.
He raised his head and looked at Procca, who was smiling shyly and waiting for the prince to attack.
'"More importantly, when you rely on imitation and ignore these things, it means that you lack the most basic things about the Power of Eradication that other people condensed with their lives, to every person you imitate, to every opponent you compete with, and even to yourself …"' More importantly, when you rely on imitation and ignore these things, it means that you lack the most basic things about the Power of Eradication that other people condensed with their lives.
'"Respect."
'Ricky.
'That damned demon.'
Thales frowned fiercely.
In the next moment, the Sin of Hell's River receded like the tide, leaving behind only a bit of power with waning interest, as if it still carried a bit of nostalgia.
It was like a lover who came in high spirits but left disappointed.
'No.'
'This is not a martial arts lesson.'
'This is not a simple test of the Power of Eradication.'
'It is more thorough and purer …
'Battle.'
Sensing the gazes of the people around him, Thales bit his lip and closed his eyes.
'No.'
'If I still need to rely on Nicholas' power to survive … '
'If I can't even get past this stage …'
'"Remember, the important thing is how you are, not how strong your opponent is.
'"How much you gain, not how much you imitate."'
'No.'
'If I really want to get past this stage, if I really want to get rid of this paranoid situation …'
Thales lowered his head. He sighed slowly in his heart.
'Damn it, Ricky.
'F * ck you.'
In the distance, Mallos, who had been observing Thales, had his pupils move slightly.
A few seconds later, Thales raised his head.
'But, yes.
'If I don't dare to try now …
'How much longer do I have to wait?
'The next time I'm in danger?'
At that moment, Thales threw all unnecessary worries to the back of his mind: hiding his strength, hiding the Sin of Hell's River, Renaissance Palace, the Royal Guards' judgment …
At least, for now, he wanted to try to be a pure warrior.
He wanted to be clear of all distracting thoughts.
'"The advantage of the Sin of Hell's River's endless transformations is not that you can disguise yourself as all your opponents.
'"But it allows you to calmly and fearlessly …
'"Face all your opponents."'
The Sin of Hell's River burned again, but it was much more docile than before.
He did not know whether it was because it had used up too much energy, or because it had failed too many times.
It was as if that crazy beast had turned into a calm hound, licking its wounds in the corner. It only glanced at him coldly from time to time.
It bared its sharp teeth at the enemies outside the cage, harboring malicious intentions.
'"This is the real …
'"The omnipotent Power of Eradication."'
Thales opened his eyes slowly.
The Sin of Hell's River did not surge through his entire body like before. Instead, it focused on his eyes and ears, filling his senses.
At that moment, the teenager entered a state he was familiar with.
'Hell's senses.'
Thales' eyes started to become unfocused, as if he had lost his focus.
But only he knew.
At that moment, the world before his eyes became colorful.
He could see it. The Power of Eradication in Procca's body was thick and solid. It surrounded his arms and center of gravity as it circulated slowly.
Thales suddenly realized that the countless times he used Hell's senses and the way he did it …
All of them were somewhat … useless.
He either imitated the power, used his night vision to scout ahead, or eavesdropped through the walls, or … hell with it.
'But …
'The time when I should really use Hell's senses …'
Mallos' expression froze as he watched the battle from outside the field.
Time seemed to have slowed down, and Thales inhaled slowly.
He attacked abruptly!
At that moment, it was as if someone had struck a war drum. The still scene moved along with the sound of an explosion!
The Sin of Hell's River surged again.
The wind from the sword whistled and sliced through the air.
* Clang! *
Thales held the sword with both hands and swung it down with great force. It hit the longsword that Procca had placed horizontally in front of him!
The experienced Procca's expression did not change because of the sudden force from the sword.
He did not panic. He faced the attack calmly and used his footwork and movement to block the attack perfectly.
Then …
* Thud! *
Thales' heart skipped a beat!
With Hell's senses, the color of Procca's figure changed back and forth.
It gathered into a clear line.
A shiver erupted from Thales' neck and spread to his entire body.
'"The meaning of imitating is understanding.
'"Understanding your opponent."'
In a fraction of a second, the Sin of Hell's River surged up in an orderly manner!
Arm.
Right leg.
Thales, whose eyes looked as if they had lost focus, smoothly lifted his sword and retreated!
* Clang! *
At that moment, he barely parried Procca's attack.
The Royal Guards who were watching the battle gasped.
"Strange." Doyle was very puzzled. "His movements … seem to be faster, but also slower?"
"No, it's not his movements …" Glover said coldly.
Doyle was a little displeased.
"Why do you especially like to refute me today …"
In the crowd, Mallos was still silent.
Thales took two steps back and saw that the color of Procca's body had returned to normal.
The Sin of Hell's River surged back like a receding tide.
The sword hilt in his hand was still trembling slightly.
The effects of Hell's senses were still amazing.
They gave him new information at the same time.
Thales took a deep breath. 'Yes.'
He could clearly feel the thick Power of Eradication in Procca's body, as well as its direction, shape, and habits.
It seemed quiet and harmless.
But once it was stimulated … it would immediately pour into Procca's hands and automatically surge towards the enemy's weakest point.
He delivered a fatal strike.
'How amazing.'
At that moment, the Sin of Hell's River exploded in Thales' body.
It sounded like dissatisfaction, but also like a sneer.
They began to strengthen Thales' body again to support the consumption of Hell's senses.
Thales did not care, but he understood something in his heart.
'Procca's power is … the Thawing of Glaciers?
No, it's more than that.
It seems to be a little like … the Pegasus' Music that Wya mentioned?
Or something in between.
There were even some traces of the Chaotic Army.
Thales began to understand what more than one person had told him before.
In different people, even if they had the same Power of Eradication, they would have different characteristics.
That was because …
Because the Power of Eradication was the warrior himself.
The battle was not over yet. Thales raised his sword again as he thought of Ricky's words.
A swordsman who was inclined towards defense and counterattack had a Power of Eradication that was good at listening and predicting.
'And then?
'Observe. Thales, observe.
Think again.
* Clang! *
Another round. Another exchange of blows.
Thales made a light slash to the side, and in exchange, Procca turned his sword around and thrust it at the prince's backhand.
The teenager dodged agilely.
But this time, Thales sensed it.
Some hazy, but crucial clues.
'Technique.'
With Hell's senses, Thales thought expressionlessly with a dazed look in his eyes.
'Technique.
Procca. '
His opponent was too passive, too reliant on defense, and too reliant on these techniques for counterattacks.
He was too reliant on … and too concerned about his enemy's actions.
Thales' eyes were dazed, but his heart was clear. He asked himself, 'Am I like my old self? I only focused on my enemy's moves, and only knew how to imitate my enemy's strengths?'
'So.'
Thales closed his eyes gently.
Hell's senses slowly faded away.
When Thales opened his eyes again, they were clear.
The Power of Eradication was the warrior himself.
He remembered Mallos' words, though he did not quite understand it.
But the battle itself …
… was far more than just the Power of Eradication.
Thales swung his sword in a daze, and it went straight for his opponent's waist.
Procca swung his sword in an ingenious manner. The swords touched and separated again.
He launched another ingenious counterattack, and it was aimed at Thales' face, which he did not have time to deal with.
But Thales was prepared. He left some leeway when he attacked.
Hence, the Sin of Hell's River flowed into Thales' waist with ease, supporting him to lean backwards and dodge the sword.
Procca furrowed his eyebrows.
After two to three rounds, he suddenly realized that the prince's attacks were mostly probing attacks, and his own counterattacks were no longer effective.
At the moment he dodged, Thales' mind became clear.
It was as if the fog had dispersed, and his blurry vision became clear.
'So, Procca.'
He gave up the initiative in the battle and gave up control.
In exchange for a chance for his enemy to reveal an opening.
And in a battle where life and death hung by a thread, giving up control meant …
Thales returned to his original position. He held his sword with both hands and lowered his center of gravity.
The Sin of Hell's River climbed up his arms and waist excitedly.
It started to roar fiercely!
Like a lone wolf that had climbed to the top of a mountain, it howled at the boundless mountains and the cold moon.
In the next second, Thales no longer held back. He charged forward!
* Clang! *
Their swords clashed again!
Procca's gaze focused.
This time, he finally received the prince's unreserved attack.
This was … a chance to decide the victor.
He wanted to end this battle that made him feel incredibly awkward.
Procca's Power of Eradication solidified. His wrist and arm moved at the same time!
The two swords intertwined with each other, and they let out a metallic groan.
He twisted his sword.
Procca calmly turned the tip of his sword. In a fraction of a second, he determined his opponent's strength.
Then …
Sensing the direction of his opponent's force, Procca's Power of Eradication was triggered at any moment, as if he had heard the order!
Just like the countless times he fought against his enemies when he was young.
Parry.
Judgment.
'The final blow.'
Procca thought calmly.
He did not stop moving his hands. The tip of his sword was thrust forward smoothly, and he attacked the spot where the prince could not defend against because his attack was too strong.
* Thud. *
A muffled sound rose.
At that moment, Thales only felt pain in his leg!
At that moment, he could no longer hold on. His left leg went limp.
* Thud! *
Another muffled sound rose, and it was much louder than the previous one.
Finally, Thales' left knee landed on the ground, and he knelt down in pain.
He panted violently, enduring the soreness and numbness.
The round ended.
The training field quietened down.
Looking at the prince kneeling before him, Procca's lips curled up.
It was as expected.
His sword hit the prince's left leg.
At that moment, the logistics officer thought in a relaxed manner.
'Right, I can't go overboard. I have to leave some leeway so that the prince doesn't lose too badly, and also make the commander feel that I'm not being perfunctory …'
Because he offended too many people when he was young, after he was injured, his future became extremely difficult.
Unfortunately, the boy in his family had reached the age of marriage.
But he had no other choice.
He was almost fifty years old, and he had to force a smile and respond humbly. He had to lower his head and fawn over these nobles who were in their twenties or even teens, but whose status was much higher than his.
'For …
'Hmm?'
Procca's expression changed.
He sensed something.
'How …'
The logistics officer took a deep breath.
He lowered his head slowly.
When he saw what was before him clearly, Procca's pupils suddenly trembled!
At some point in time, Thales' sword had moved from bottom to top.
He blocked it firmly …
Procca's chest.
And the hilt of the sword was in Thales' hand, who was kneeling on one knee.
But … he did not use any force.
Procca was stunned.
The victor had been decided.
"Wow …"
At that moment, like waves crashing against the shore, the Royal Guards' cries of surprise instantly rose and invaded this part of the world!
"I …" Doyle looked at this scene in surprise.
He wanted to say something, but he did not know what was going on. He could only open and close his mouth repeatedly.
Glover's eyebrows slowly relaxed.
In the field, Thales, who was kneeling on the ground, lowered his head. He was still panting violently, and his arms were trembling.
Shock, excitement, curiosity, doubt, confusion, and countless other emotions rose in everyone's hearts.
Among the many pairs of eyes, Mallos' gaze was the sharpest and the most complicated.
He stared at Thales' sword without moving.
It was as if the deepest secret was hidden there.
Thales trembled.
No one knew that at that moment, he was trying his best to suppress the inexplicably excited and raging Sin of Hell's River in his body.
He was suppressing the thought of continuing to thrust his sword.
Procca calmed his emotions and put away his incredulous expression.
With a complicated expression, he stared at the prince who was trembling under him.
'This is …
'He attacked intentionally, but predicted my … counterattack?
'And sacrificed his left leg …
'In exchange …'
Procca looked at the longsword in his chest with a gloomy expression.
A few seconds later, the logistics officer sighed.
"You won, Your Grace."
"You were full of tricks, and your response was appropriate." Procca flashed a bitter smile. He threw down the practice sword and admitted defeat.
"I was not his opponent."
The discussions among the Royal Guards became even louder.
"Old Procca went easy on him, right? Against that child," Doyle whispered to the person beside him in puzzlement.
"He casually defeated him just a moment ago, and in the next moment, he casually defeated him again. Even a knight would not dare to write such a thing …"
"Shut up." Glover finally seemed to be unable to hold it in any longer.
He said coldly, "Do you think that fighting is like doing arithmetic and comparing who is stronger or weaker? That you only need to know how to add and subtract? "
Doyle was rendered speechless, and he cast Glover a resentful gaze.
There were many more conversations like this.
But Mallos only looked at the two people in the field without saying a word.
Thales panted a few more times, and he managed to stabilize his body.
He put away his longsword shakily and stood up.
Procca bowed resentfully, turned around, and prepared to leave the field.
But Thales called out to him.
"No, Logistics Officer Leo Procca." The prince looked a little disheveled. His sweaty face had a smile on it.
"I know. You went easy on me."
Thales also threw down his longsword and extended his right hand gently.
"You have taught me a lot."
"Thank you."
Procca was stunned for a second, and then he smiled in a reserved manner.
He hesitated for a while, but in the end, he still held the prince's hand gently.
Thales nodded.
"I am honored to have you in my guards."
The logistics officer was expressionless, but he took two steps back, pressed his hand on his left chest, and bowed.
But compared to the first bow …
He was much more respectful.
"I knew I went easy on him." Doyle showed an envious expression by the side of the field.
"Tsk, tsk, tsk, this veteran.
That flatterer … really knows how to behave. "
Glover glanced at him and did not say anything.
The guards were still discussing among themselves, but the way they looked at the prince gradually changed.
Thales picked up his waterskin and started to drink to replenish himself. But as he drank, he raised his head and looked at Mallos.
He threw him an unfriendly gaze.
Mallos also looked back at him faintly. The emotions in his eyes were unclear.
"Procca?"
Mallos did not turn his head. There was a questioning tone in his voice.
"Please forgive me, commanding officer." Procca's tone was a little tired and resigned.
"I'm old, and the duke …"
The logistics officer glanced at Thales with a complicated gaze.
"Not bad."
Mallos was silent for a few seconds.
But his expression was no longer as calm and indifferent as before.
"Enough."
A few seconds later, Mallos' slightly gloomy voice rose, and he silenced the Royal Guards' increasingly loud discussions.
The watchman walked forward and looked at the disheveled prince, who looked like an oil painting made of sweat, dust, and wounds. He was cleaning up his mess.
"Are you ready to fight against your next opponent?"
'What?'
Thales paused in the act of drinking water.
The Duke of Star Lake put down his waterskin and asked in surprise.
"Again?
Isn't one fight enough? "
The twenty or so Royal Guards around them looked at each other at a loss.
Mallos smiled faintly.
"We have not completed our assessment.
"And it's still early. The martial arts lesson just … Did you fight for two minutes?"
Thales' words came to a halt.
'How many minutes … was it?'
Mallos' smile grew brighter, but in Thales' eyes, it was incredibly detestable.
"Of course, we can understand that you might have had a hard time. After all, everyone's endurance is different …
"So, you can choose to give up, Your Highness."
Mallos' voice became deep, and his eyes shone with an unfathomable light.
"As your humble servant, I do not dare, nor do I have the right to stop you from giving up. That is your right."
Mallos shrugged.
"Then, we can be considered to have understood you …"
"A prince for two minutes?"
Thales was stunned again.
'What …
'What prince?'
Mallos smiled and did not answer.
A few seconds later, Thales sucked in a deep breath and exhaled slowly.
"If you want to offend me, Tormond Mallos," the Duke of Star Lake said with a hint of anger in his voice,
"You did it."
'But …'
"I am honored, Your Highness." Mallos was not bothered at all. "It means that I have done my duty.
"Then, have you decided to rest?"
"I believe that everyone, including His Majesty, will understand."
He glanced at the Royal Guards around him with a mocking expression.
"After all, you experienced the exciting, difficult, adversity, survival in adversity, and turning the tables in your martial arts class for two whole minutes …
"It's a world-class epic duel."
At that moment, Thales, who had been staring at Mallos with a hostile gaze, twitched a little.
'Two minutes …
'Two minutes of what … what duel?'
Thales' expression was stiff.
Mallos smiled as usual.
At that moment, the training field was silent.
The Royal Guards were silent. They did not speak a word.
Everyone stared at Thales and Mallos in fear.
They did not even dare to breathe loudly.
A few seconds later …
"Come."
Thales suppressed his displeasure and closed his eyes.
Mallos raised his eyebrows.
Thales opened his eyes swiftly, and his tone was hostile.
"Why are you daydreaming? Come!"
He clenched his teeth and urged.
'It's just …
'It's just getting beaten up!
'I'm already used to it!'
Thales roared in his heart while crying.
Mallos showed a happy smile again.
He did not turn around. Instead, he shouted a name.
"Gian.
"Yes, it's you, Gian Kommodore."
The Royal Guards spread out and made way for a short and strong man in the crowd.
The man was stunned. He blinked in bafflement. It was clear that he was not prepared for this.
His colleagues around him looked at him sympathetically.
It was as if Kommodore had just won the lottery to clean the toilet.
"Listen, Gian, you might as well be bolder and more intense in your actions."
The watchman continued to speak.
Thales was stunned.
'Bolder and more intense?
'What … What does that mean?'
Kommodore, who was assigned to him, also looked confused.
Mallos looked at Thales again, and his expression became stern.
"It's different from Procca's test.
"This time, we're going to find out what's so interesting about Your Highness …"
A cold glint suddenly flashed in his eyes.
"Power of Eradication."
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