Chapter 590: Dating (4)
The reason I sought out Garad's castle was not only to show Benedict the strength I now possessed, but also to objectively assess how far I had come and what I could accomplish.
After all, the way I had fought until now was always by gaining an advantage—whether it be through stats, information, or some other form of dominance—and then overwhelming my opponents.
If none of that worked, I resorted to provocation, shaking my enemies to make sure they couldn't fight properly.
But even now, it's hard for me to assess just how far I've truly gone in martial skill.
The fact that the God of Martial Arts recognized me with a single skill must mean I'm at a respectable level, but if I can't feel it myself, it means nothing.
In that sense, the knights guarding Garad's castle made for excellent test subjects.
These knights, trained by Garad himself with the help of his close friend Erginus, were the perfect measure for me to test how far I could go with my current strength, and determine what level I've reached.
The reason I didn’t use provocation or take the shortest route to conquer Garad’s castle was precisely because of this.
“Thank you. Hero of the future.”
My thoughts shifted when I heard the knight's final words as he crumbled into dust.
His words of gratitude, after having lived for centuries following the commands of his master, Garad, stirred something indescribable within me.
It reminded me of the time when I witnessed Garad’s legacy, embodied by an automaton, fade away.