Chapter 74: Light and Dark Flame Arts

Rudolf Azregon

Hack, slash, and sidestep thrust. I and my best friend’s movements are perfectly in sync as we storm our common enemy with our swords. The rainbow-eyed terrorist just continued to be on the defensive side, just using his buster sword as shield against our blinding swordplay.

When we realized that we’re not inflicting enough damage, I made a dash backward and pointed my mechanical arm at the enemy. My palm revealed a cannon-like barrel and launched mana beams to the enemy, which was immediately blocked again by that damn giant sword.

Amphere did the same, and whispered “Highteneded Clearance.” Instead of dynamos, four golden swords of light started hovering from his back. The four sword dynamos now unleashed twenty-centimeter lasers that made a clean shot to the enemy’s left chest, right arm, and right leg! These projectiles burned a tiny portion of Nox’s leather armor.

The enemy is now stunned thanks to Amphere. Now it’s my time to move! I readied my left arm and focused all my dark aura to it; making a gigantic arm of blazing darkness! Amphere didn’t stand around, instead, he imitated me. He materialized one Deus Ex Machina arm which was covered with golden flames.

We didn’t have time to be surprised with his new power. He’s temporarily using Exceria’s potential magic after all. The light and dark arms we projected made a disruptive punch to the enemy’s body! There is a weak shockwave that made this particular airship platform shake for a couple of seconds. Meanwhile, Nox went flying, penetrating each and every wall his body went into, like a bullet.

The multiple impacts made the rainbow-eyed enemy several fractures. Some of his joints twisted, and his chest looks like it has been burnt up to the third degree.

“That was awesome!” I cried in excitement.

“Yeah!” Amphere cheered up. After then he made a melancholic sigh. “Well, we overdid it. We killed him. I wanted to ask him something.”

Then there was a chill down on our spines.

“What would you want to know, Amphere Harrison?”

There were cold silent steps from the holes that Nox’s body made. It was Nox himself, completely alive. Even he has broken five ribs, has a burnt hole on his chest, and his ligaments torn, he was still able to stand up. No, he is completely fine!

His wounds started to heal by itself. His foot, which was already twisted, rotated back to its original place. The burnt marks started fading away. Don’t tell me this guy has a massive regeneration prowess!? Opening portals, creating zombies, speedy healing factor. Just how many abilities does he have?

“Stand back.” I advised my friend. “I’ll use Voice of the Emperor!”

“It won’t have any effect on me.” Nox laughed hysterically. He walked slowly and never minded to pick his sword, which was right in front of him. Instead, he continued to approach us. “Playtime’s over. I have seen your potentials. Now I’m just here to give you a hint about Dragunov’s real objective.”

“The heck are you talking about?” I yelled. “Isn’t this about money? Dragunov trades blood for cash, it’s obvious!”

Nox clicked his tongue repeatedly and waved his index finger unto our face. “Wrong. I’ll just give you a riddle for you to understand what the dragonoid wars are for.”

“We’re listening.” Amphere calmly replied.

“When the number of a million demons has been fulfilled, the blood of the poor souls will be sacrificed to remove the wicked back to the mortal world. And hell shall fall from the heavens.”

There was a long silence. Almost a minute. Amphere and I were awestruck by this terribly-created riddle. We can’t decipher any meaning to it, because it’s too damn full of symbolisms!

“Amphere, Rudolf.” It was General Holster speaking through our earpiece. “We have successfully recovered Cleru Neos safe and sound, but the zombie Black Phantom and his dragonoid got away. They vanished like a real phantom, get it? Anyway, Richard will be opening a portal in a second. Stay frosty, guys. Don’t let those zombie and terrorist give you a cold feet!. Hahahaha! Over!”

“Looks like the party’s over.” Nox said with a grim smile. “Well, I shall let you go for this once.”

Then Nox started marching away from us. We could attack him from behind, but there are too many things this guy knows. We won’t be able to capture him also, because it will be very hard to incapacitate a man who can regenerate and summon a horde of zombies, knights and dragons. Doing so would mean digging our own graves. Our only objective here is to rescue Cleru Neos. That’s all.

“Tell me…” I posed a question to our calm opponent. “Why kidnap Cleru Neos?”

“It doesn’t matter now. We already got what we needed from his bloodline magic.” Nox stopped talking and then pointed a dimensional rift behind us.

When a portal opened, all of us Chevalier Unit members immediately went out of the scene.

Problems keep stacking up. What the hell does that “riddle” mean? What did they do to Cleru Neos?

Five hours later after that bloody fight, we found ourselves in the hospital, as the doctors and nurses treated our wounds. Thanks to the shield plates we’re wearing, no one suffered from a tremendous energy. We just suffered from scratches and mild bruises.

After being treated, Duchess Corasell, Amphere, Airi, Kyrie and I decided to go to Cleru Neos’ room. Even if Cleru is so salty on Amphere, he still decided to visit him. Amphere has a forgiving golden heart after all. Me? I don’t have any grudge on Cleru. As a Chevalier Unit member, I have the duty to check on the hostage’s situation after the taking.

When we open the door, we witnessed a romantic sight. Cleru was still asleep, stuck on a dextrose and has his heart monitored. Sitting beside him is Princess Serenity Elkyria, who is currently holding his precious guard’s hand. The princess is certainly crying, worried of what would’ve happened to her childhood friend.

“Every time you fight, it always ends like this.” The Princess was crying to her unconscious knight. “But at last, you’ll never suffer from deadly wounds again. Because…we’re now together… Forever.”

It took a while until the Princess was all out of tears.

When her drama is finally finished, he turned to us and bowed once again. “Thank you, Sir Amphere Harrison and Sir Rudolf Azregon for saving Cleru. I have the greatest gratitude for all of you. I can’t thank you enough.” Then the princess turned to Amphere. “Especially you, Sir Harrison. Thank you for holding your side of the bargain.”

“N-No, it’s nothing.” Amphere embarrassingly scratched his head. Surely he didn’t just give way to Cleru. He fought with all his might. Cleru’s Martyrdom of the Plebeian is the thing to be noted actually. That ability is a cheat in the tournament.

“With this, I shall grant your wish.” The princess genuflected politely and gracefully. “I shall have the Dragonoid Rights Bill passed.”

Everybody’s eyes widened in surprise. Duchess Corasell started crying, and then she immediately grabbed Amphere’s arms and squeezed it tight. It was her gesture of utter happiness.

“My parent’s wishes will be finally fulfilled!” Duchess Corasell had her eyes watery. “Amphere! Estoff did not die in vain! It’s all thanks to you! You’re the real hero!”

“Y-Yeah!” Amphere gave out the most handsome and brightest smile he can project. “This is the fruits that we have been working on!”

Everybody cheered up and celebrated. Cleru’s room has been filled with noise barrages. This is the ultimate victory we all have been yearning for!

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Or so we thought.