A canyon separated the right flank from the center. It was deemed difficult to attack and easy to defend, but if the enemy gained access to the cliffs above the canyon, they could attack the right flank and the center simultaneously. This is why the Blasted Forest was so important, as it was the only way for the enemy to approach the cliffs. The Blasted Forest itself was enclosed by cliffs and it was relatively easy to defend with a small force. Of course, if it was lost, regaining it was equally as difficult.

Ae made haste towards the right flank as the sun became obscured by the canyon walls around him. There were fewer Templars here and most of them were wounded or dying. The canyon itself was a casualty collection point for the Templars. Ae spent some of his last few hours in this place, dying from injuries, on several occasions. Back then, he didn’t have many skills or perks. Upgrading [Enlightened Sword] to Platinum tier changed that however as it unlocked two new skills: [Deadly Finesse] and [Devastating Blows]; the former improved his accuracy and the latter made sure he could easily kill with a single strike.

Still, sometimes, Ae came across enemies who were by far his superior in swordsmanship. A week ago, Ae engaged an Echo confidently, only to find that, to his surprise, he could not land a single strike on them. The Echo couldn’t defeat Ae either, but Ae eventually lost the battle when a Shadow snuck up on him. A majority of Ae’s deaths were due to Shadows, but not all of them.

As he reached the end of the Canyon, Ae realized that they completely lost the Blasted Forest. Only a dozen or so Templars were still alive, surrounded by hundreds of Distortions.

I am too late. How did this happen?

Ae sighed as he slowed down. There was no need to rush anymore. This battle would be lost. Ae was powerful, but there was no way he could hold the Blasted Forest on his own—or recapture it, for that matter. He could kill every Distortion standing before him, without a doubt, but those behind him would cut him to pieces once he was surrounded.

Ae looked around himself, trying to find a place where he could avoid being surrounded. Staying in the Canyon was an option—the entrance to the canyon itself was narrow, barely enough to fit a few people in, standing side by side. But there is no guarantee that the enemy wants to go into the canyon. For all Ae knew, they were only interested in the winding path that leads to the cliffs above.

Ae glanced at the path. It was narrow and just barely met the criteria for Ae’s needs. The path hugged the cliffs on one side, but it’s winding nature exposed Ae’s flanks in a dangerous manner. It was steep as well, meaning that his opponents would be at various elevations and Ae didn’t have the experience of fighting opponents in such a situation.

[Sword of the Emperor] came to his mind, at that moment. He suddenly understood the importance of that Principle and the absolute certainty of its short description. It was perfectly self-explanatory, Ae realized. An Emperor’s sword would not fall in this situation—it would conquer the enemy, no matter the odds. A Sword Emperor would not look for places that would improve his chances of victory, he would meet the enemy head on and crush them.

I guess that’s why it is called a Principle. A true conqueror never hesitates and never falters before a superior force. His sword parts the veil of uncertainty and sneers at the concept of tactical advantage.

You have learned the perk [Lonely Blade] through your Enlightenment.

The perk [Paradox Blade] has become unavailable.

Ae blinked. Enlightenment? Learning perks without spending internal energy? On one hand, Ae was excited to have learned a new perk for free, but on the other hand, it wasn’t entirely free—it came at the cost of a Principle.

Show information on perk [Lonely Blade]

The blade standing on the summit of achievement has no peers and is shrouded in loneliness.

Show skills related to perk [Lonely Blade]

Name Effect Skill Level Death In All Directions The ability to effortlessly defend and attack in all directions. Bronze (0%) Serenity Suppress the psychological impacts of battle. Bronze (0%) Death-Seeking Sword The ability to retaliate against unseen or surprising attacks. Bronze (0%) Sword of Absolute Retaliation The ability to retaliate against all forms of attack, including spoken or written words. Bronze (0%)

Ae nearly burst out laughing at the specifics of the final skill, but then he realized that beyond its ability to end an argument quickly, it implied that there exists a possibility that he could be harmed through something as trivial as words. He had yet to meet an enemy that could do that. Although, he realized that he may be simply overthinking it.

However, he was glad that the perk that replaced [Paradox Blade] seemed to solve his immediate problems. [Death in All Directions] and [Death-Seeking Sword] were exceptionally useful to him.

Perhaps the [Lonely Blade] was a Principle and not a simple perk?

Show Principles.

Category Name Mastery Annihilation Lonely Blade Bronze (0%)

That explains why it is so powerful. Zia was right. Principles are a game changer.

With a renewed confidence, Ae looked towards the enemy only a few hundred meters away from him. He was not yet a Conqueror with a peerless sword, but he did not fear this enemy. Even alone, he felt like he had a companion at his side—the sword in his very hands. It felt alive somehow, as if it suddenly possessed a will of its own. It thirsted to meet the enemy, to truly complete the journey of becoming a blade shrouded in loneliness due to an absence of worthy enemies. The will in the blade sought to slaughter all under the heavens; truly, a principle of Annihilation.

Suddenly, the sword came alive, and Ae was not sure who it was that reacted first—the sword or he himself. He turned and the sword slashed through the empty air. Bones cracked and then black mist exploded into the air, the corpse of a Shadow fell to the ground.

Ae attacked again, an empty spot next to his first victim, and although the Shadow was invisible to his eyes, his sword knew there was someone there.

A moment later, two streams of brilliant, silver mist flowed into Ae’s mask, as the blood of the two Shadows evaporated off his gleaming sword.

I can hold the right flank.