380 - Regressor of the Fallen Family

Chapter 380 "Sir Rope, I will be counting on you." Two days after being stationed at the southern ramparts, Ronyan heard a voice for the first time since the initial introduction, and he bowed back in acknowledgment. "Of course." Astro Heizen, a small, sturdy-looking middle-aged man who was one of the three vice-captains of the Holy Knights, turned away after giving his brief reply. Yet Ronyan’s eyes continued to trail after him—or rather, fixate on a particular figure amongst the approaching imperial army. A slender knight astride a dazzling white horse, brandishing a strange, blue-glinting spear. 'Commander of the Empire's Western Third Corps, the Lightning Spear, Malton Heights.' Ronyan felt his blood heat up as he recalled the legend of the man who had nearly breached the southern wall ten days ago. ‘They said his forte is in delivering rapid, lightning-strike like assaults.’ Even Astro Heizen, with his impressive defense and remarkable recovery abilities, the traits that allowed him to dominate similar-level foes, had been overwhelmed by this master of swift attacks. But Ronyan was not worried; he had a reason for his calm demeanor. Even now, simply recognizing the distant threat made him remember his brother’s voice vividly. – Malton Heights’ speed is not due to a particular trait. That phenomenal speed is merely a characteristic of his martial art. However, that martial art… Among the superhumans of the Macline, Ronyan and Victor had practically been forced to memorize details about the Empire's commanders. ‘Where on earth did he get all that intel…?’ Though the analyses mostly focused on the Eastern Commanders, they had also simulated practice sessions considering the specialties and characteristics of the Western leaders, should the need arise. Ronyan had been repeatedly humbled in simulated duels with speed specialists like Blake Evenor, the Eastern Third Corps' Commander. ‘Especially that wretched afterimage.’ After enduring relentless torment, Ronyan had no choice but to become adept at handling foes faster than himself. – With this preparation, you should be ready for any speed duel. Now, leverage your strengths. And above all, he was confident due to the information disparity. ‘Does he even know I’m here?’ The only superhuman in the Third Corps was Malton Heights. Ronyan's mere presence should be enough to tip the scales Astro couldn't balance before. Moreover, if he could defeat Malton Heights, the disparity in forces against the Third Corps could become manageable. Although there might be unforeseen factors, no complacency could be allowed. Firstly, there were the human bombs warned by Shin-geum. Fortuitously, he also mentioned countermeasures. – I don’t know how such a thing is possible, but if you see them, just evade. They won’t last long and will self-destruct. Given that Shin-geum reached this conclusion while facing a life-threatening situation, there was bound to be truth to it. The second concern was his sister-in-law. ‘Sister-in-law…’ Left at the eastern wall with Burdel, where the Sword Spirit and the First Corps' Commander awaited. No amount of recovery from Sword Spirit's injury could ease his concern. Burdel's unparalleled long-range sniping was impressive, but in close quarters, even two top-tier knights couldn’t guarantee safety—a critical flaw. Furthermore, the elite of the Fifth Corps were supporting the surrounding corps instead of staying with their commander, who was guarding a magic circle crafted by the Archmage of Winter Gale. In the worst scenario, his sister-in-law might have to face the First Corps' Commander, the Fifth Corps' Commander, and Sword Spirit alone. Despite the fact that her resilience wouldn’t let her crumble easily, he couldn’t completely dismiss his worries. ‘I’ll finish off the Lightning Spear as quickly as possible and head to the eastern wall.’ Ronyan sharpened his mind with this single thought. He and Victoria on the southern and western sides would assist the vice-captains by swiftly dealing with the enemy commanders and then move to aid the eastern wall. That was their core strategy. "Come forth!" As the Imperial knights surged atop the walls, Ronyan led the defense, taking on the enemy head-on. "Uwaaagh!" "Die!" "Perish!" The imperial forces spilled over the walls unrelentingly. Amid the cacophony of madness, Ronyan slashed through the Imperial knights with ferocity, searching for Malton Heights. Soon, he faced the blue lightning harrowing Vice-Captain Astro. Boom! In the devastating clash of superhumans, the sounds of clashing weapons and explosions were all that echoed. Devoid of even the simplest cries or shouts, all one could hear was a deafening roar. Just like the unusually silent Vice-Captain Astro these past days, perhaps the enemy was similar in style. Amid such idle thoughts, Ronyan entered the realm of these superhumans, their exclusive world. Thud. He swatted aside a fallen helmet of a casualty as he approached, clearly seeing the strengths and weaknesses of the two. Vice-Captain Astro, wielding a radiant shield, blocked the incoming blue strikes with composure. Behind the broad kite shield, his watchful eyes were ready for any potential gaps. Yet his mace rarely found its mark against the opponent, due to the wild movements of the spearman who darted back and forth, attacking relentlessly like lightning. Incredibly flamboyant maneuvers that seemed as though the man had four bodies and eight arms. The martial art wielded by the spear truly lived up to the name Lightning Spear. It was equally impressive how Vice-Captain Astro managed to block every strike. Nonetheless, the entire scene only reinforced Ronyan’s certainty. 'Everything is within expected parameters.' If the opponent has four bodies. 'Then I'll obliterate all four.' At that moment, Ronyan's sword replicated into seven, which then multiplied into 49 blades, carving through every space Malton Heights occupied. Whirl! "Ugh!" Caught unawares by the sudden storm of blades, Malton Heights was flung out, bloodied. Malton's sharp eyes, befitting his intense expression, widened in astonishment. Even Astro Heizen, who was supposed to be cooperating in the attack, stared blankly at Ronyan. "Vice-Captain!" Ronyan, having unleashed the full extent of his Cosmic Sword, dashed towards Malton a beat too late, shouting as he ran. Astro, snapping back to his senses, swung his mace towards Malton. Swish. But it seemed the opportunity had been missed; the mace only sliced through the empty space where Malton had been. Malton, who had vanished, reappeared some ten meters away, positioning himself in a line with both Astro and Ronyan. "Who are you, exactly?!" Though he was covered in blood, his fierce energy hadn’t diminished at all. Most of Ronyan's attacks had missed his vital points, leaving him with a nagging sense of regret. It seemed a surprise attack wouldn’t be enough to finish him off. But there was no more time to delay. Ronyan’s eyes suddenly locked onto the ‘Red Arrow’, which appeared out of nowhere, felling knights beyond their engagement area. An arrow targeting knights. Though it felled the enemy, it caused Ronyan’s red eyebrows to twitch slightly. That wasn’t supposed to appear here. "Vice-Captain, you're good with holy magic, right?" “Well, yes, but…” Leaving the dazed Astro behind, Ronyan boldly approached the enemy. "You wouldn’t flee, would you? Empire's Commander?" Ronyan stepped forward, mingling taunts that didn’t quite match his demeanor, to which Malton Heights, his teeth gritting, responded by advancing a step. “Do you think you’re invincible just because you landed a lucky blow?!” "Indeed. So let's get this started." Ronyan carelessly flicked his sword, nonchalant. Seeing this, Malton Heights’ eyes sparked with anger. In that instant, as if appearing suddenly, his body emerged right beside Ronyan. Faster than when he faced Astro, his speed had increased. It was as though his earlier display of fury had been all an act. Now his gaze was not just calm but razor-sharp. Ronyan, who had been casually flicking his sword, now swung it a half-beat too late, seemingly caught by surprise. ‘Child.’ A sinister grin formed on Malton's lips, and the blue lightning spear shot out, aimed directly at Ronyan's side. Thud. Dozens of orange-hued swords erupted from Ronyan's body, intersecting with the blue lightning. Boom! The ensuing shockwave briefly obscured Astro's vision with the bodies of knights and soldiers caught in its wake. When he could see again, the unbelievable scene before him left the Vice-Captain of the Holy Knights gaping. "Ugh." “Ugh…” Ronyan, gripping the spear piercing his left side with both hands, seemed to be seriously injured, but Malton Heights was gasping his last breath, a sword embedded in his throat. "Haa… take this!" Swoosh. Ronyan, face twisted in pain, drew out the spear stuck in his side and turned with a face almost ghostly. "Argh, Sir Astro!" "Y-yes!?" "Please heal me, now!" His commanding shout snapped the stunned Astro into action. "Oh, yes! Yes, right away." The usually taciturn Vice-Captain hastily summoned his divine power, his face almost vacant with shock. Vuuumm. The divine light enveloped Ronyan, whose face had grown pale. Though the injury caused by aura couldn't be completely healed even with high-level holy magic, at least the visible wounds closed up, and bleeding was staunched. “Phew.” Ronyan allocated one of the "Seven Souls" to suppress the remnant aura left by Malton and another to hold his wound from worsening. It was a temporary measure and blocked more than thirty percent of his power, but it was the best he could manage for now. Ronyan then turned his gaze to the arrow lodged in Malton Heights’ back. A single arrow with a hint of red aura dispersing from it. It had intervened at a perfect moment during the clash. Thanks to that arrow, Ronyan had managed to subdue Malton Heights more easily, yet it was also the reason he had to resort to such a reckless strategy, exchanging injury for victory. If Burdel aimed that arrow this way, it likely meant that either the eastern wall was secured early in the best-case scenario, or the opposite in the worst. And common sense strongly inclined towards the latter. 'My sister-in-law is in danger. At times like this, I'm envious of Victor.' The wound from Malton’s strike, along with his lingering aura, caused intense pain. A moment of distraction could make the world spin. “Yaaaah!” With a shout that made little sense to others, Ronyan tried to forget the pain. Astro, diligently treating his wounds, looked at him astonished. “Guard this place. Take care of it.” Barely able to spare time for an explanation, Ronyan said this and dashed eastward without hesitation. Was that even a wound you could run with? Dumbfounded by the incomprehensible sight, Astro only managed to choke out a belated response after Ronyan had completely disappeared from view. "O-of course, Sir Rope." Realizing he had instinctively saluted his superior, he was startled and quickly lowered his hand, which would surely become an embarrassing memory. That is, only if they won this war.