Absolute Counterattack Skill.
The only weapon that can bridge the gap between experience and skill. A technique realized with talent that surpasses even the sky. Helia instinctively caught on to it. The power of her teacher.
Yearning. I want to follow. I want to be strong like my teacher. A burning desire made the impossible possible. The terrifying aspect of time acceleration is its absolute attack power.
No one exists that can defeat time in speed. Let alone someone who can resist accelerated time. However, this is a power that originally can only be wielded by those chosen by time.
Yet, to some extent, Helia succeeded in realizing it. Naturally, it was maddening for the opponent. Their strength and skill were all far beneath hers.
Suddenly, in one moment, she outpaced herself, striking her own arm down at lightning speed. Any being would be flustered and allow the next blow to land.
But Raveka moved in such a situation thanks to the experience she had built over time. Her body suffered serious strain. There wouldn’t be a counter like before. But I, too, am the same.
Having made her judgment in a short time, Raveka chose to retreat. But that wasn’t easy either. Two elves were glued to her right behind.
“Are you going to let the opportunity Helia made slip away?!”
“Ugh…!!”
That young elf seemed insignificant when wielding a sword. But once she picked up a bow, the elf transformed in an instant. It seemed she predicted Raveka’s every move. Every shot pierced her body.
‘Among all the elves I’ve met… no, among all beings, she’s among the best archers.’
For Raveka, archers were merely insignificant underlings. No archer had managed to hit her with overwhelming speed until today.
Of course, her experience and skill were not fully ripe yet. Focused solely on hitting, she let distance slip away. Just as Raveka was about to swing her spear.
A murderous intent slammed into her back. She nearly lost her remaining arm. Raveka spun in the air to dodge the incoming attack.
“You move around way too much for a piece of trash.”
“Long time no see, Guardian of the Forest?”
“That title I’ve long put down.”
“True, it never suited you.”
To an outsider, it would sound like a friendly conversation, but entwined within were deadly intentions. The piercing noise of clashing weapons.
However, Raveka was gradually being pushed back. Even when her limbs were in perfect condition, she’d been on the defensive. Especially now, with one arm severed and receiving support.
Had Cluna been attacking proactively with the intent of abandoning her comrades instead of passively engaging to protect them, Raveka would have lost her head long ago.
Crack!!
Dozens of arrows pierced her body. Even though they were fighting close together, she kept getting hit with arrows. Thanks to that, her knees buckled, and she couldn’t dodge the attack.
It was already too late to dodge. Then she could only offset it with the same strike! A thrust from an unsteady posture met Cluna’s sword. Of course, Raveka was overpowered in strength.
Still, she managed to protect her neck. Taking a deep breath, Raveka sighed. She thought she had won against the monsters, but other monsters were growing strong in the shadows.
“I made a mistake. I should’ve brought more power, even if it meant mutual destruction.”
“It seems you suffered a lot in the battle against the Royal Knights, huh?”
“Yeah, that’s right. No need to hide it.”
Raveka honestly admitted that. She succeeded in annihilating the Royal Knights. But the demons, especially the Blood Demons, also suffered tremendously. Blood Demon also took significant damage to its main body.
As a result, she had no choice but to create and send out numerous clones. Indeed, there were even Blood Demons that died in battle against the Royal Knights. They had been too complacent about easily winning outside the barrier.
But even a rat cornered will bite the cat. Their desperate resistance, surpassing all imagination, and their fiery will to fight led to the Blood Demons suffering almost annihilation as well.
Originally, they intended to channel their energy towards the Blood Demons’ recovery while slowly preparing their schemes. But for some reason, they were all thwarted by the new Royal Knights.
[If it goes on like this, we won’t be able to exert any more influence.]
[It can’t be helped. Even if we suffer damage, we will exterminate them.]
[Though they are just remnants… We must not let our guard down.]
Thus, the Blood Demons made their decision after much consideration. Originally meant for the Holy Kingdom of Barekan, they decided to use their trump card to completely annihilate the Royal Knights. This is the current situation.
Shadow Veil.
A power that diminishes presence, applied by demons to create monsters. Thanks to this, monsters could act without being hindered by the barriers of the Holy Kingdom, unlike demons, especially Blood Demons.
However, applying the Shadow Veil to fellow demons was impossible. The power consumed increased based on the strength of the individual. To cast the veil on one Blood Demon, at least three or more would have to risk their lives. Naturally, with stronger Blood Demons, that number would increase.
Therefore, a boring war of attrition had continued until now.
But the demons aren’t idiots either. After numerous attempts and errors, they finally managed to apply the Shadow Veil to the ground. Of course, it could only be maintained for an hour.
They thought that was enough.
Until now, the new Royal Knights had dealt with low-level monsters and those hardly worthy of being called Blood Demons. So if the Blood Demons came out directly, they would handle it.
Yet, that was a miscalculation.
Raveka raised her head. Time was about to run out. The trump card hidden by the Blood Demon’s clone was neatly thwarted by that commander. Just who is that commander?
“It can’t be helped. There’s no choice but to withdraw here.”
“This bastard, who gave you the right…?!”
“Wait, Clara. Just let it go for now.”
“Mom?!”
“…A rat cornered will bite the cat.”
“You know well, as expected of Cluna.”
Cluna bit her lip. She understood that some method made it impossible to detect the presence of Blood Demons here. It wasn’t a normal approach. There must be significant restrictions involved.
Cluna had fought alongside many Blood Demons, including Raveka. Thanks to that, she was quick to catch on. Raveka fought with the premise of returning alive.
But what if she fought willingly to the death? Someone would likely die here. Regrettably, that’s not what Cluna wanted. And the commander likely wouldn’t either.
“If you withdraw on your own, that’s great.”
“Well done, the Royal Knights have gained a new strength.”
“Damn it, I can’t believe I have to let that bastard go…!!”
“Don’t be too upset, young elf. Soon it will be your era.”
“Could you just shut up and disappear quickly?”
With a smile, Raveka turned her head. At that moment, her body ignited with black flames and vanished. Cluna let out a sigh of relief. That settles things, for now.
“Mom! What are you doing?! We need to help quickly!”
“Oh, there’s no need to worry about Yuren.”
“Huh? Why?”
“Because we can never lose in a battle of strength against strength.”
Not only Commander Yuren but also Ruby and Bayard had grown strong enough to fight evenly against most Blood Demons. Thanks to the commander’s influence. No, we all had.
[Are the Royal Knights just wandering around? Training, more training.]
[There are no days off. Do we have the luxury for that?]
[War is not a game! Swing your sword with all your might!]
The discipline, which could have crumbled in a moment, was firmly maintained all the way here, thanks to the commander. Of course, there were times it was a bit harsh. If it weren’t for the wartime situation.
Now it’s wartime. Besides, hadn’t the Royal Knights been defeated by the demons once already? The morale of the defeated soldiers was bound to be shattered without them doing anything.
Perhaps the commander realized that too. Thus, they continued training without giving any breaks. The breaks they did offer were barely given, only as rewards. That way, we had been trained.
Through numerous events, we had reached this point. But now, when the commander said they had fulfilled their role and planned to resign, how could they…?
“Cluna.”
“Helia? What about that wound…?”
“This is fine. The plan comes first.”
“That’s true.”
Cluna nodded. Initially against it, she could only agree with that plan now… Helia was trying to realize it all, risking everything.
I will absolutely not let you go, teacher.
Helia’s gaze burned fiercely in red.
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