Chapter 103 : Jehar
Jehar
By the time Walter and the Dawn knight order members subdued the two 7-star knights and took them away, it was clear that no matter how many strong knights were among the allies, the structure of the enemies required considerable effort to be eliminated. As a result, the Dawn knight order members looked quite exhausted. Nevertheless, they eventually succeeded in dealing with the suddenly appearing enemy forces.
However, contrary to what they thought was a perfect operation, a series of explosions began to echo nearby. The explosions started to be heard not long after Gregory had left—and they came from the direction he'd gone in. The fact that the deafening noise still existed suggested that the situation had not been easily resolved. Kylas quickly spoke up, leading his companions.
"Everyone, follow me! Gregory seems to be in danger."
Everyone, panting for breath, scrambled to their feet. If Gregory was fighting an enemy for this long, it was certainly another formidable foe this time as well. With Kylas's words, everyone became vigilant as they turned toward the forest. Where Gregory was, there stood a small forest. It might be difficult to find him in the dead of night, but they judged that as long as they followed the direction of that intense sound, they'd be able to locate him.
***
After some time, Kylas and the Dawn knight order noticed that the sound was much closer, and realized it was almost time to confront the foe. They hushed their steps as much as possible, advancing slowly. Other than their footsteps, all they could hear were the chirping of birds and the buzzing of insects.
'But it's certain. This presence—this is definitely Gregory. When I looked from afar, I saw red mana of various hues soaring up into the sky.'
Kylas quickly signaled with his eyes. The others seemed to understand as well. Then, Gregory came into view. Opposite him was someone they had never seen before. It seemed like Gregory was engaged in a duel, but no matter how closely they tracked the combat with their eyes, they couldn't follow the enemy's movements.
"Everyone, follow slowly. I'll go ahead and use a trick!"
Kylas whispered quietly, just loud enough for his companions to hear.
Alessandro made a worried face at those words. They had moved so carefully to keep quiet, but now he was concerned about the idea of going ahead and using a trick while alone.
Noticing this concern, Kylas explained preemptively, even before Alessandro could say anything.
"Don't worry. If we've gotten this close and still haven't been noticed, it means he's so focused on the fight that he isn't even worried about anyone interfering. Follow along slowly."
Leaving those words behind, he dashed forward. It looked as though he was walking normally, but somehow Kylas was unbelievably fast. His companions followed behind him, carefully and quietly, obsessed with not making a sound.
After that, Kylas readied his bow. He figured that once the duel reached an impasse, there'd be an opening. In addition, he believed Gregory and the enemy hadn't detected his presence.
'This one is strong...!'
Kylas thought as he watched Gregory and Jehar fight. Their group had just taken down two 7-star knights decisively. If even they struggled to follow this foe's movements with their eyes, but Gregory was still holding him at bay... It made Kylas question Gregory all the more.
'Just who are you really...?'
Then, Gregory's Durandal gleamed. The moment his sword flashed, blood spattered from the enemy's body. Kylas, witnessing the sight, was left speechless. The two seemed to be muttering to themselves mid-combat, but once again the enemy blasted up into the sky.
"Now...! Now is my chance to snipe him!"
Kylas quickly drew his bowstring and fired at the enemy. At that moment, jehar seemed flustered. He twisted his body in mid-air, and Gregory, thinking another foe might have appeared, keenly watched in the direction of Kylas.
"Are you alright, Gregory?"
The swirling red mana illuminated Kylas's side, and his voice carried over, allowing Gregory to identify that the Dawn knight order had come to support him.
"Who are you people...?"
Jehar muttered as he looked in Kylas's direction. The others lined up behind Kylas. Alessandro shouted with conviction in his voice.
"We are the Dawn knight order!"
The fundamental objective of this operation: if that mysterious enemy was tying Gregory down, then they wouldn't be able to stop the supply convoy heading deeper in. If those supplies went unchallenged, the mission would be a failure. So, they chose to have Gregory pursue after them.
"Gregory! Leave this place to us—chase after them quickly!"
"Understood!"
Kylas belatedly realized that Gregory had been wounded. There were clear trails of blood in the direction he'd gone.
'No, judging by the disparity in skill, the mere fact that he didn't die is impressive.'
But that was not the most urgent matter now. He did not appear to be so injured as to be unable to recover. In fact, it was a good opportunity for the group to grasp that the enemy they faced now was an even stronger opponent, keeping them on their toes.
***
'Urgh...'
If only he had been able to win, if only he'd been able to spill that blood with his own hand and not with Durandal's power—would it have been even a little different?
Gregory felt a burning sense of regret. To defeat Jehar directly would require an unbelievable exceeding of his own limits—it was simply impossible.
Still, it was true that the mission was getting increasingly complicated because of him, and though he was already weary from fighting the previous knights, he felt guilty for the fellow knights who had to continue battling on his behalf.
'Whew... Still, it's alright. With them, surely they can defeat Jehar.'
While he'd been the cause of their trouble, now was not the time for self-reproach, he decided.
If he hurried and closed in on the enemies in front, and blocked the movement of the supplies, this operation would be a great success.
"Alright... Let's go."
***
Kylas, now completely focused,
Garneth and Seria showed expressions that had never crossed their faces before.
"Is everyone alright?"
"Of course!"
Everyone could sense that the enemy's presence was extraordinary. As Kylas parried the enemy's swordsmanship, he spoke with caution.
"You... Are you really an 8-star knight?"
Jehar smirked and replied.
"You figured it out quick. From what I see...you have two 6-stars and three 7-stars, is that it?"
He didn't even consider the other knights as worth counting. Garneth and Seria were both 7-star knights, and so was Kylas. The 6-star knights he was referring to were Leonics and Amelia.
Alessandro, visibly offended, raised his voice.
"We're 4-star knights too!"
Ernest quickly covered Alessandro's mouth. Right now was not the time to stir their opponent's wrath. No, knowing the tremendous gap in skill, provoking him would be of no help at all. Better to keep quiet and not get in the way of his comrades' swordplay.
"Mmph mmph mmph"
As if Ernest understood even Alessandro's muffled protest, he whispered to him,
"Stay quiet a little longer. That 8-star knight isn't ordinary. If we're not careful, we could all be wiped out here."
Typically, in combat, Amelia and Leonics would be the first to charge in, but for that moment, they were intently tracking the enemy's every move. Brea and Elisabeth were startled by Jehar's terrifying speed.
Jehar smirked and said,
"Four-star knights are a dime a dozen... Yet to be at your age and already a 4-star, that's impressive..."
He paused mid-speech. Normally, people of Alessandro's age might join a knight order and serve missions, but most, seduced by honor and money, would be led astray by greed. Jehar assumed Alessandro too would become such a failed knight.
"Enough talk—face my sword in silence!"
After pausing to steady his breath, Kylas readied his sword and brought it down. Immediately, Amelia and Leonics joined in. The two together, when employing their sword techniques, could fight at a 7-star level, preparing simultaneous swordstrikes. Garneth and Seria were similarly ready, the couple planning to support at the crucial final moment.
As Kylas, Amelia, and Leonics surged at Jehar, mana bursting from their blades, the others met each other's eyes and nodded firmly. Soon, fierce, blue mana began to erupt from their swords as well.
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