The cold light suddenly disappeared in mid-air, and the black-robed figure landed lightly four or five meters away.
"Let go of Princess Sylvia immediately!" The slightly hoarse voice was filled with anxiety and anger.
Loriste was calm and unruffled. He smiled lightly. "I believe that the two knights, Henned and Tabeck, should be free now, right?"
The black-robed figure did not hesitate. He turned to the guards, who were at a loss of what to do, and ordered, "You guys, bring the two Golden Knights out. Tell them that they can leave."
"Yes, master …" The guards came to their senses. They looked at Princess Sylvia, who was being held hostage by Loriste, unwillingly, and ran into the Grand Duke's Mansion.
Loriste sheathed his sword, and with a shake of his body, he let go of Princess Sylvia and retreated about three meters.
Princess Sylvia was suddenly freed. She was stunned, and turned to look at Loriste strangely …
When the black-robed figure saw that Loriste had let go of Princess Sylvia, he hurriedly floated to the princess' side. Loriste, on the other hand, retreated more than four meters, maintaining a distance of nearly seven meters from the black-robed figure.
"You're very perceptive. But aren't you afraid that I'll go back on my word if you let go of the princess just like that?" The black-robed figure's tone was filled with admiration.
Loriste shrugged nonchalantly. "I can't help it. Senior, you're a great swordsman, and the pressure you put on me is too great. Only by maintaining this distance can I have the confidence to block your sudden attack. If you think that you can go back on your word just because you're a great swordsman, then there's nothing I can do. I can only blame it on my bad luck. "
"Very well …" The black-robed figure held Princess Sylvia in his arms. "I can let go of the two Golden Knights, but you won't be able to leave."
"It doesn't matter," Loriste replied. "I also want to try out your swordsmanship …"
Princess Sylvia had already recovered. She revealed her face from the black-robed figure's arms. "Um, Count Norton, what's your name?"
This was a little rude, but Loriste still replied, "Norton Loriste. Your Highness, my name is Norton Loriste. "
Princess Sylvia nodded with a straight face. "Putting aside our noble identities, as a swordsman, Loriste, I will definitely wash away the humiliation of being captured. I will definitely defeat you …"
Laurist laughed involuntarily. She really had the temper of a little girl. She was already an adult, yet she was still so headstrong and unwilling to admit defeat.
"Princess," he said with a smile. "I don't believe that you're an Iron-rank. You're an adult, yet you're still stubborn and unwilling to admit defeat.
"I don't believe that you're an Iron-rank. You must be hiding your true strength …" Princess Sylvia pouted.
"In reality, I only used techniques to deal with your guards and capture you. I didn't use any fighting energy." Lollister said.
Princess Sylvia thought about it carefully and was stunned. Loriste was right. He did not use any combat energy.
"Hehe …" The black-robed figure laughed. "Sylvia, he is misleading you. Indeed, he did not use combat aura. However, what he used was another type of power that we do not know about. This type of power is more subtle and explosive than combat aura. It is hidden within his body. That is why his reactions and actions are faster and more powerful than yours. His senses are also sharper. Because of this, he discovered that I was hiding nearby. You're not his match yet. I'll test him out later. "
Loriste was sweating profusely. A master swordsman was indeed a master swordsman. He was able to detect the abnormality in my fight with the guards and Princess Sylvia so quickly. He could even detect the internal energy in my body. His senses were amazing.
At this time, Knight Henned and Knight Tabic walked out of the Grand Duke's Mansion. Henned was overjoyed when he saw Loriste. However, he quickly noticed the black-robed figure and Princess Sylvia. His face immediately turned serious.
"Are you confident?" Knight Henned asked.
"It's hard to say. At most, it's fifty-fifty. You guys leave first. That way, I won't have anything to worry about, and I can take a gamble. "Loriste said in a low voice.
"Do you want us to hold the line for you?"
"No need. You guys leave. The opponent is a woman. Women are the easiest to regret. If you guys leave, I'll have a way to escape even if I lose. If you guys don't leave, I won't be able to leave if I lose. This trip would be a waste … "Loriste quickly said in a low voice.
"Alright, we'll leave first. You be careful …" Knight Henned nodded. Without hesitation, he led Knight Tabic out of the gate.
"Hmph, women will go back on their words? It seems like you have a prejudice against us women. Earl, to be honest, I want to regret right now. But since you're so confident, I'll catch you first … "
Even though Loriste and Knight Henned spoke in a low voice, it still could not escape the black-robed figure's ears.
While Loriste was on full alert, he smiled and said, "Your reaction just proves what I said …"
"Ugh …" The black-robed figure did not expect Loriste to be waiting for her. She was at a loss for words.
"Sylvia, step back and watch carefully. Watch how I teach this arrogant bastard a lesson!" The hoarse voice was filled with anger.
"Yes, Godmother. Be careful …" Princess Sylvia obediently retreated to the side.
A piercingly cold light suddenly filled the entire world. The dusky sky seemed to be torn apart by the blades of light. Loriste's heart skipped a beat. Is this the power of a Great Swordsman's sword? Indeed, it made people feel an inescapable sense of despair and powerlessness.
Loriste bit the tip of his tongue. The pain woke him up from the dazzling light of the sword. Facing the countless blades of light, Loriste shouted, "Good …"
Instead of retreating, his body and sword became one, and he charged towards the center of the storm of blades …
"Clang clang clang clang clang …"
A series of explosive sounds rang out like a storm. Sparks could be faintly seen at the point of impact. The figure split into two. The black-robed figure gracefully floated to the ground, while Loriste took four or five steps back before he could stabilize himself …
"No wonder you are so arrogant. With such swordsmanship, no wonder you are so arrogant …" The black-robed figure's tone was very calm this time, no longer as angry as before.
"Same here. I've finally seen the power of a Great Swordsman." Loriste's forehead was full of sweat, and there were a few sword marks on his clothes. Although his body was not injured, the torn clothes showed the thrill and danger of the exchange just now. However, Loriste's expression was very relaxed. He knew that the exchange just now made him understand that while it would be difficult to defeat this black-robed Great Swordsman, it would be very easy to escape unscathed.
Speaking of which, this was Loriste's first official exchange with a Great Swordsman. Two Great Swordsmen had already died by Loriste's hand. Not to mention the Great Swordsman from Loinster, this old man was purely unlucky and had brought about his own destruction. Even further away was the slave-hunting group that Laurist had encountered in the Duchy of Lulm when he had just started his journey north. They had the backing of a great swordsman and ran amok, clashing with Laurist's northbound convoy. In the end, they were all captured by Laurist and the others.
That Great Swordsman, whose name Loriste had long forgotten, had just disembarked from the ship when Loriste and his four hundred strong crossbowmen shot from afar. In addition, Loriste had seventy-two javelins infused with inner force. He did not even have the chance to use his swordsmanship before he died sullenly under the javelins.
Loriste had always remembered the advice given to him by Instructor Kelud, who had just become a Great Swordsman from Dawn Academy. A Great Swordsman was like a large plate. This was where he could sense it. As long as he was within this range, his control would be very strong. When fighting against a Great Swordsman, you would be like a silver cup placed on a plate. You would not be able to escape from being suppressed. So, when fighting against a Great Swordsman, it was best to jump out of the plate and defeat him with long-range power.
This was what Loriste had done in the past. However, this was his first time fighting against a Great Swordsman in close combat, and he finally understood the strength of a Great Swordsman. Compared to a Golden Swordsman, a Great Swordsman was obviously a level higher. Loriste could easily win against a Golden Swordsman and a Golden Knight. It could be said that he had the initiative from the start of the competition. However, when fighting against the black-robed figure, Loriste felt like a mouse trying to pull a tortoise. He did not know where to start.
Perhaps it was because the black-robed figure was a female, so the swordsmanship she practiced was light and fast. Her sword was as fast as lightning, and the swords were connected, giving people the illusion that it was unstoppable. However, in terms of power, Loriste felt that it was not much different from a Golden Swordsman's sword. It did not pose a threat to Loriste.
However, the black-robed figure's sword speed was too fast. If it was not for Loriste's Dynamic Vision, he would not have been able to withstand the overwhelming Bladestorm. The control of a Great Swordsman's sensing range was not just for show. After the first sword was blocked, the second sword had already changed direction, coming from an unexpected angle. It forced Loriste to the point where he could only block it bitterly without being able to effectively counterattack.
If it was not for the black-robed figure's lack of stamina and the fact that the two swords clashed, Loriste could not guarantee that he would not have been able to hold on without losing. At this moment, he was sweating profusely. He believed that the black-robed figure was not feeling well either. It was just that the black robe was covering him and he could not see it.
Loriste's legs spread out, and he took a horse stance. He gripped his sword with both hands and raised it above his head. His expression was stern and unmoving. "Senior, please …"
"Hey, watch my sword!" The black-robed figure shouted and pounced forward again. This time, he changed his attack. His figure was like a black butterfly, dancing around Loriste. From time to time, a cold glint flashed across his eyes.
On the other hand, Loriste's hands seemed to be holding a heavy sword. It seemed slow, but it was extremely accurate as it clashed with the incoming cold glint. He was still defending with all his might, and would not attack rashly.
"Clang clang clang clang clang …"
The sound of the sword clashing rang out again, but this time, it was no longer clear. Instead, it sounded a little hoarse …
This time, it was even shorter than the first time. The black-robed figure somersaulted back to his original position, but when he landed, he staggered, as if he could not stand properly.
"Good kid, you …" The black-robed figure was both shocked and angry.
"Senior, it is impolite not to reciprocate. Watch my sword!" Loriste laughed heartily. With a slide of his feet, his figure appeared in front of the black-robed figure, and his longsword slashed downwards …
At this moment, Loriste had turned into a fierce general on the battlefield. His moves were wide and wide, and all of them were attacks that would cause both sides to suffer. His figure was as agile as a leopard, extremely slippery and unpredictable. This time, he circled around the black-robed figure and slashed horizontally, forcing the black-robed figure to defend with all his might …
"Open for me!" Loriste suddenly shouted and slashed downwards. The two swords clashed, but he did not slash horizontally. Instead, he unexpectedly stuck close to the black-robed figure's sword. With a flick of his wrist, his longsword flipped along the other party's blade, and with a burst of inner force, he flicked upwards. The black-robed figure's arm trembled, and he could no longer hold onto his longsword. With a clang, the longsword fell to the ground, and the tip of Loriste's sword was already pressed against the black-robed figure's chest.
Silence. No one had expected Loriste to defeat a Great Swordmaster. Even the black-robed figure could not believe this result. He stared at the blade in front of his chest, and his entire body trembled.
"Thank you for letting me win, senior." Loriste sheathed his sword and turned to leave.
"Wait … Can you tell me what this power in your body is called?" The hoarse voice came from behind him again.
Loriste stopped in his tracks, "I dare not say that. This is a method of training different from fighting aura. I call it inner force."
"Inner force? The power in my body? That's simple. This power seems to be very similar to the legendary monk training method … "The black-robed figure muttered to himself again, as if he did not mind being defeated by Loriste.
"My lord, my lord …"
Only then did Loriste realize that Aire, Reddy, Padt, and Josk had already entered the Grand Duke's Mansion. They were standing at the entrance to watch the match between him and the black-robed figure. Josk was still drawing his bow, on guard.
"Don't talk. Let's go out first. We'll talk when we get back …" Loriste ordered in a low voice.
Everyone obeyed and filed out. Padt even diligently closed the mansion's doors.
Just a few meters away from the Grand Duke's Mansion, Loriste's body slanted and he collapsed on top of Aire, giving everyone a fright.
"Don't worry, I'm not injured. I'm just tired. I don't have the strength to walk anymore. Bring me back. Reddy, get me some hot water and let me rest. I'll recover after a good night's sleep. Don't worry …" Loriste said with the last of his strength.
"Listen to my lord, bring him back first. Look …" Josk said.
Everyone looked down. Josk was pointing at Loriste's footprints on the ground. They were all wet and sweaty …
Loriste was like a lamp that had run out of oil. The inner force in his dantian had been completely used up. The hour-long duel with the great swordmaster was the most dangerous one Loriste had ever experienced. If he hadn't had the sudden inspiration to hide his inner force in his longsword the second time they clashed, and used it to invade the black-robed figure's body when the two swords clashed to disperse his fighting aura, causing him to suffer a huge loss. Then, he took the opportunity to launch a strong attack, forcing the black-robed figure to defend with all his strength. Otherwise, he might have lost.
The main reason he could win was because he used his inner force to suppress the black-robed figure's fighting aura. Just like the last burst of one-inch punch, the black-robed figure couldn't hold his longsword and lost. Right now, Loriste didn't have a single strand of inner force that he could use, so he stopped while he was ahead. He didn't even say a few words before turning to leave. Loriste was truly exhausted and couldn't hold on much longer. If he stayed any longer, he might collapse first. When he saw Josk and the others coming to greet him, he relaxed and collapsed on Aire's back …
… …
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