Emperor of Steel [EN]: Chapter 53

The first day of the Gigantic Duel concluded as the sun set.

The results were 7 wins, 2 draws, and 8 losses.

The punitive force was slightly on the losing side, but only three riders, including Jukeval, had been killed. The other losses were due to Gigants being heavily damaged, but not completely destroyed.

“The first day’s duel was just a warm-up. Tomorrow, I’ll send out the real experts and crush them,” Bishop Maxim declared loudly in front of Marquis Valentino, the commander-in-chief of the punitive force.

True to his word, the real experts appeared on the second day.

However, the results were completely different from what Maxim had expected or what the punitive force had hoped for.

KWA-BANG! THUD!

Another Gigant was sent flying through the air and crashed headfirst into the ground. The upper body was completely shattered, indicating that the rider had died instantly.

“Oh, they lost again!”

“Damn it, where did that monster come from…”

When the Gigantic Duel began on the second day, a Gigant wielding a halberd appeared from the rebel camp.

At first, they thought it was just another knight. The Gigant they rode was a Centurion-class Gigant, commonly used in the Holy Empire.

However, after engaging in combat, it became clear that the enemy Gigant was far beyond what a Centurion should be capable of. Its performance was astonishing.

Moreover, the rebel rider was incredibly strong.

The punitive force’s riders were being defeated one after another. Even the Holy Knight Alfred, who had secured the first victory for the punitive force yesterday, was sent flying through the air with his Paladin, crashing to the ground in a sorry state.

“What? No one else wants to try? I’m bored, so hurry up and come out!”

The taunting voice of the opposing rider shocked the knights of the punitive force once again.

It was a woman, and judging by her voice, she seemed to be a young girl.

“Eight consecutive losses to a single girl… Does anyone know who that rider is?”

On a large watchtower erected in the punitive force’s camp,

an elderly man, who was observing the Gigantic Duel through a telescopic device enchanted with Hawk Eye magic, clicked his tongue and asked.

He was Marquis Valentino, the commander-in-chief of this punitive force.

Although not as skilled as Grand Duke Gregory, he was a well-known general in the military. Archbishop Constantine had appointed him as commander-in-chief to quell the military’s discontent.

In fact, the Marquis’s wife was a follower of the Marius faction, so he wasn’t entirely without connections.

“I apologize, but I have never heard of her…”

When all the leaders of the punitive force on the watchtower shook their heads, Marquis Valentino tilted his head.

‘I’ve never heard of such a knight in our empire. Who could she be?’

He knew almost all the skilled individuals in the Holy Empire. He had even received data from the intelligence department before the expedition.

There was no mention of a female knight, especially one so young, who used a halberd.

“Commander-in-Chief, it seems we need to send out a Sword Master.”

At his adjutant’s words, he looked puzzled.

“Already?”

“If we continue to boost the enemy’s morale like this, our siege will become very difficult.”

“Hmm, that won’t do.”

Having made that judgment, Marquis Valentino looked at the three men who had Sword Masters or Sword Master-level Holy Knights under their command.

The commander of the 1st Army was a Sword Master himself, and the 2nd and 3rd Armies each had a Sword Master-level Holy Knight.

However, he couldn’t simply order them to go out.

Sword Masters were like the ultimate weapons held by each noble family or great temple, so he had to get their consent.

“Who will step forward?”

“Ahem, ahem!”

“Suddenly, my back hurts…”

“Did something get in my eye?”

At Marquis Valentino’s question, the three commanders pretended not to hear, making excuses.

In fact, they knew they would have to send out a Sword Master eventually.

However, they wanted to make a grand entrance at the end and finish things off, not go out first and waste their strength.

Moreover, the rebel female rider’s skills were extraordinary. Even if they won, it would be nothing special, and if they lost, it would be a disgrace.

When the three commanders made excuses, the Marquis, infuriated, raised his voice.

“Is this how you’ll act! If so, I might just have to designate someone myself and issue an order…”

Just as Valentino was about to raise his hand, a Gigant suddenly moved forward from the punitive force’s camp.

“Huh? Who is that?”

Since the Gigant was of a shape rarely seen in the Holy Empire, the Marquis looked at the leaders of the punitive force.

“It doesn’t seem to be a regular army Gigant… Is it from a territorial army?”

At the Marquis’s question, the commanders of the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Armies all shook their heads, indicating they didn’t know.

Then, Count Marquez of the 4th Army raised his hand with a reluctant expression.

“That Gigant belongs to the Red Wolf Mercenary Corps under my command.”

“What? A mercenary has gone out?”

“Ha! He must be desperate to die.”

“Who does he think he is, a mere mercenary daring to interfere here!”

The commanders all made absurd expressions.

The enemy Gigant’s rider was estimated to be at the highest level of Expert. Yet, a mere mercenary, who at best would be an Expert, was challenging them!

“I, I don’t know him either. I didn’t give any orders.”

When everyone glared at him, Count Marquez, flustered, quickly waved his hands in denial.

On one hand, he was annoyed with the Red Wolf Mercenary Corps.

In fact, he had been planning to send out the riders of his 4th Army from the second day.

However, he wanted to show them winning, not being miserably defeated by a monster.

Yet, they had gone out without his orders!

‘Lef, what on earth are you thinking…’

If things went wrong, he would definitely hold them accountable.

Having made that decision, Count Marquez decided to appease Marquis Valentino, who was frowning.

2

“Captain, do you think that guy’s skill is at the highest level of Expert?”

Philip, who seemed restless, asked Luke, who was watching the front with his arms crossed.

So far, the enemy Gigant had faced opponents who were at least upper-middle level Experts.

Considering they had easily defeated even upper-level Expert riders, it seemed they were at least at the highest level of Expert, but Philip couldn’t gauge the opponent’s level.

“No.”

“Not the highest level? Then is he upper-level?”

Among the knights, there were those who were exceptionally skilled at piloting Gigants.

Such anomalies often performed better than their actual skills when piloting a Gigant, sometimes even defeating opponents one or two levels stronger than themselves.

“I’m not saying he’s upper-level, but that he’s someone who has stepped into the realm of a Master.”

“Eek! Then are you saying he’s a Spear Master?”

“Yes. Do you still want to fight?”

It is often said that a swordsman with a sword is three times stronger than a fighter who has learned martial arts, and a spearman with a spear is three times stronger than a swordsman.

This is just a general assessment based on the length and reach of weapons, and it is not absolute.

However, it is true that it has some influence on combat.

That’s why Luke asked, but Philip, instead of backing down, grinned, hitting his fist into his palm.

“Hehehe, of course, I want to fight. When else would I get to have a Gigant battle with a Master?”

“You might die if you lose. Even if you come back alive, you’ll be disgraced for losing to a girl, forever.”

“That’s my problem. Anyway, please let me go out.”

When Philip was in the territory and during his military service, he often sparred with Luke or Baron Rogers while riding Gigants.

However, that could not be the same as a real battle where lives were at stake.

At Philip’s spirited words, Luke nodded.

“Alright, I’ll allow it. But if you lose, I’ll put you through hell training for a month, so you better squeeze out every last bit of strength you have.”

“Heh, just you watch.”

As soon as Luke’s permission was given, Philip quickly boarded his Gigant.

When Luke joined the punitive force, he had taken out five of the Gigants he had stored in his bracelet.

Among these five Gigants, which he pretended to have brought from a hidden location in the forest, was Marina, Philip’s favorite.

Marina, originally a Stinger II from the Hallis Magic Tower, had been continuously improved by Luke and the Iron Mages of the Katarina Magic Tower over the past two years.

Thanks to that, it had been upgraded to Knight-class specifications, except for the armor and some devices.

“Let’s go, Marina. Let’s crush that Spear Master!”

“Ugh, why are there only boring old men?”

Shirley, who was riding Hector, disguised as a Centurion, yawned out of boredom.

“And I’m hungry too…”

She had thought it would be a fierce battle, so she had eaten a light breakfast, but the punitive force’s riders were no match for her.

Five of them had been crushed for underestimating her because she was a woman and young, and the other three were too nervous and cautious to show their true skills.

“Are all the Sword Masters of the punitive force dead of old age?”

Shirley grumbled and took out a pouch from her pocket, munching on the snacks inside.

While she was appeasing her empty stomach with snacks, another Gigant appeared from the punitive force’s camp.

“What Gigant is that? I haven’t seen it before?”

THUD THUD THUD!

As Marina, piloted by Philip, approached, Shirley immediately raised her halberd.

Philip quickly waved his hand, seeing that she was about to start a fight without warning.

“Wait! Even if we’re going to fight, shouldn’t we introduce ourselves first?”

At Philip’s suggestion, Shirley stopped moving and opened her mouth.

“You’re a good-natured old man.”

“And you’re a very energetic young lady.”

Philip had already figured out that the enemy Gigant rider was a woman, and a young girl at that, from her voice.

The problem was her skill and personality.

If he could understand her personality, he could roughly grasp her fighting style, and even gauge her skill.

That’s why Philip tried to have as much conversation with his opponent as possible.

“I can’t introduce myself. The higher-ups told me not to give my name to suspicious people.”

“Hahaha, do I look suspicious?”

“You’re asking all sorts of questions, so you seem shady. The way you talk is like a kidnapper saying, ‘I’ll give you candy, come with me.'”

“No, what do you think of me…”

“As an enemy.”

WHOOSH!

No sooner had she finished speaking than Shirley swung her halberd.

However, Marina, piloted by Philip, quickly retreated and avoided it, leaving it to slash through the air.

“Not bad…”

Shirley, who was about to praise her opponent, stopped mid-sentence.

Philip had thrown the shield he was holding as he retreated.

For a moment, Shirley’s vision was completely blocked.

“A gap!”

While Hector, piloted by Shirley, hesitated, Philip closed the distance and thrust his greatsword fiercely.

CLANG!

The greatsword, imbued with Gigantic Aura [a magical energy that enhances the power of Gigants], pierced through the shield and touched Hector’s armor.

However, just before the greatsword pierced, Shirley moved her Gigant backward, so the attack only grazed it.

“Tch, a pity!”

Unlike Philip, who was disappointed, Shirley was jumping up and down.

“That’s unfair! You can’t use a shield like that!”

“Then, should I use it to grill meat?”

SWISH.

In front of the sneering Philip, Hector’s figure disappeared.

Startled, Philip quickly twisted his Gigant to the side.

At that moment, a halberd aimed at Marina’s head barely grazed it and slammed into the ground.

CRASH!

‘Damn it, I thought I was going to die!’

Although she was a Spear Master, he judged that she was still young and didn’t have much combat experience.

So, he tried to make up for the difference in skill with experience and skilled Gigant piloting, but his opponent’s skill was beyond his expectations.

‘She just instantly moved into my blind spot. That kind of high-speed maneuver is impossible if you lack combat experience.’

While Philip’s face was distorted with a sense of despair, Shirley charged again, swinging her halberd.

“Goodbye, you loud-mouthed old man.”

‘Fas, fast!’

The halberd flew like lightning.

With such a fast movement, Philip barely managed to raise his greatsword to deflect the attack.

CLANG!

Marina was pushed back. He had clearly deflected it, but he felt immense power and impact.

‘Ugh! What kind of monstrous thing is that!’

‘Oh, not bad, are you?’

While Philip was flustered, Shirley stared at him with her vibrant eyes. The attack from just now seemed fast, but it contained tremendous power. The riders who had gone ahead were blown away with their Gigants by that power, but the opponent in front of her had deflected more than half of the impact with his greatsword.

“Seriously, why is this girl so strong? Can’t you go a little easy on me?”

“It’s the first time I’ve heard someone ask for mercy in a life-or-death duel.”

“It’s because I have many maidens waiting for me back home. So, please go easy on me.”

“Hmph, no way.”

The two exchanged blows while verbally sparring. Shirley, who had stepped into the realm of a Master [a highly skilled warrior], was clearly stronger than Philip, who was at the highest level of Expert, but Philip was not to be underestimated. He had learned how to deal with Masters through his duels with Luke and Rogers, and he also had a wealth of practical experience. Due to Philip’s surprise attacks and appropriate improvisation, Shirley was unable to show the one-sided victory she had displayed earlier and was engaged in an equal fight.

“Oh! To think there was such a skilled person among the mercenaries!”

The leaders of the punitive force, who were watching the fight between the two Gigants, repeatedly exclaimed in admiration. Occasionally, there were skilled individuals among the mercenaries, but it was generally believed that they were still no match for regular knights. Compared to knights who were systematically trained from a young age, mercenaries relied more on their instincts than on the basics, and the swordsmanship and mental techniques they learned were inferior to the secret techniques of knight families. However, the mercenary fighting now was using a very high-level swordsmanship.

‘If he does well, he might be able to win?’

Marquis Marquez couldn’t close his gaping mouth. At first, he was dissatisfied with Lef for sending out a mercenary without permission. But now that he saw that he was a skilled fighter, he had sent him out.

‘Win! Win and save my face and merit…’

“Adjutant, recruit that mercenary when the fight is over.”

Marquis Marquez was startled and objected to Marquis Valentino’s words.

“N-No, Your Excellency! That mercenary is someone I recruited.”

“What? Didn’t you say you didn’t know him a moment ago?”

“W-Well, that’s because I don’t know him personally… He’s a mercenary from the mercenary group I hired, so he’s definitely my subordinate!”

Marquis Valentino looked indifferent at Marquez’s stubbornness.

“Since I’ve set my eyes on him, you should yield.”

Marquez’s face contorted at those words.

‘Damn it, if I had known this would happen, I should have made it clear that he was someone I recruited earlier.’ He never imagined that a subordinate who wasn’t even the leader of the mercenary group would fight so well. If he had known this would happen, he should have made sure to recruit the leader of the Red Wolf Mercenary Group under his command, he thought, regretting his mistake.

While Marquez was regretting inwardly, Philip and Shirley, who had exchanged a round of attacks, retreated to their respective sides.

“Ugh, annoying! Annoying! You’re an old man tougher than an ogre’s sinew!”

“Shut up, you monster brat! I’m still at the age where you should call me ‘oppa’ [an affectionate term for older brother or male friend]!”

Shirley, whose forehead had bulged with a thick vein at the words ‘monster brat,’ decided to end this tedious duel.

“Then, I’ll end it beautifully before you grow old and ugly.”

Koo-koong!

With a low roar, Hector’s core engine roared fiercely. At the same time, the Gigantic Aura that had formed on the halberd began to pulsate as if it would explode, emitting a hot light.

“That, that’s Impact Aura!”

“So, she was a Spear Master after all!”

Impact Aura was a high-level technique that only Masters could use, and it was a symbol of a Master. Exclamations burst out from the mouths of those who were watching the Gigantic Duel. From the time she blew away the eight high-ranking riders, they had cautiously speculated that the enemy rider might be a Master, and that had become a reality.

“Hehehe, old man! If you block this, I’ll call you ‘oppa’.”

‘Ugh, this brat is really trying to kill me!’ Philip gritted his teeth at Shirley, who was holding up a halberd imbued with Impact Aura and giving him a sinister smile. ‘If I could use the Gold Sword to my heart’s content, I might be able to block it.’ Although he didn’t like the bratty, monstrously strong rider, he acknowledged that she was a Master, someone who had surpassed his own skills. However, he had the Gold Sword that the hero Rakan had created and developed. But what good was it if he knew the Gold Sword? Luke had warned the Rakan Knights not to use the Gold Sword and Silver Sword because their identities could be revealed.

‘Damn it, am I going to die like this?’ As a knight, he was always prepared for death. However, it was too unfair to die without being able to fully demonstrate his abilities. While Philip was frustrated, Shirley rushed towards him and swung her halberd greatly.

Whooong! Kwaang!

Philip did not block Shirley’s attack and dodged it. He knew very well that if he faced the Impact Aura head-on, his greatsword or shield would be shattered.

“Oh? So you dodged it?”

Shirley, who was enraged that her attack had been in vain, chased after Philip and continued to swing her halberd imbued with Impact Aura.

Kwaaang! Kwang! Pu-pu-pung!

The rocks that were hit by the Impact Aura were shattered, the ground was overturned, and a cloud of dust rose. Everyone believed that Philip’s Gigant would be destroyed by that terrifying attack.

“Oh!”

Philip’s Marina, who had been narrowly dodging the attacks, suddenly lost its balance and tilted. Its foot had fallen into a hole in the ground that had been created by the Impact Aura.

“Hehehe! Old man, bye-bye~.”

“Damn it, no!”

The shadows of the two Gigants overlapped, and the halberd fell with an eerie sound.

Puh-pung!

The moment the final blow landed, the two Gigants were thrown back with a powerful explosion.

“What, what was that?”

“What happened?”

As the thick dust that obscured their vision settled, the leaders and soldiers of both armies could not hide their bewildered expressions. Clearly, the rebel Gigant had been unilaterally attacking and had landed the final blow, but both Gigants were lying on the ground with damaged armor. What exactly had happened in the final clash that had turned a one-sided fight into a draw? In any case, the impact was so great that neither Gigant could get up, so Gigants from both sides rushed out. They were wary of each other, but they supported their own Gigants and hurriedly returned to their camps.

“Are you okay?”

Luke, who had forcibly torn open the crushed cockpit hatch, asked Philip, who was crawling out.

“I’m not okay. My whole body aches like I’m going to die.”

“Hah, you seem fine since your mouth is still working.”

Luke got up and looked at the opposing camp. It was quite far away, but Luke could see it quite clearly. There, the hatch of the Gigant that Philip had fought against was also opening, and a small girl rider was coming out. Except for being slightly pale, she looked almost fine. As if she was very upset about the draw, she kicked her fallen Gigant and jumped up and down. Luke, who couldn’t help but chuckle at the sight, teased the pale Philip.

“Tsk tsk, you couldn’t even beat a little kid.”

“Don’t say that! She was a complete monster brat! If I hadn’t landed that last blow, I would have been crossing the rainbow bridge [a euphemism for dying]!”

“Yes, that last blow. That was the Gold Sword, wasn’t it?”

“Huh!”

Philip’s face went pale. He never imagined that Luke would be able to see through the dust and recognize the swordsmanship he had used at the end. He had used it briefly when the enemy Gigant approached to avoid being detected as much as possible, but it seemed that he could not escape Luke’s gaze.

“Well, it seems like no one else saw it, so I’ll let it slide. But if you disobey my orders one more time, I’ll send you back to the territory, so be warned.”

“I-I’m sorry.”

Luke turned away from Philip, who had his head bowed.

“Well, anyway… should I go on a rampage too?”

“Rampage?”

“Seeing you fight made the blood in my body boil.”

Since being reborn, Luke had sometimes been unable to overcome his competitive spirit. So, he climbed onto his Gigant that was parked nearby. This Gigant, which was covered in rusty red armor, was Kratos. He thought that it would be strange for a mercenary to carry a Hero-class Gigant, let alone a Knight-class one, so he deliberately peeled off the paint and oxidized the armor surface. Thanks to that, Kratos had completely transformed into a junk Gigant. Luke had also delicately controlled the core engine’s output, so no one knew that it was a Hero-class Gigant with a 3000-fight output.

Thump thump thump!

As Kratos went out, Marquis Valentino had a dumbfounded expression.

“Whose is that crumbling piece of junk?”

“Yes! It’s my subordinate Lef’s Gigant.”

Marquis Marquez, who had been delighted with Philip’s draw, quickly answered the Marquis’s question. He did not hesitate to lie, thinking that he should make a clear appeal this time.

“He’s from a fallen noble family, but he’s a very talented friend. He’s probably at the highest level of Expert, or even higher.”

“Marquis Marquez.”

“Yes, Commander-in-Chief, Your Excellency.”

Marquez was sweating nervously, feeling uneasy as Marquis Valentino cut him off. It would be a disaster if he was told to hand over Lef as well. However, an unexpected scolding came down.

“If he’s your subordinate, you should have taken better care of him! What is that beggar-like Gigant! Do you only use your money to womanize!”

“W-Well, he said he was used to it and liked it this way…”

Around the time Marquez was sweating profusely in front of the Commander-in-Chief, Luke, who had come out of the camp, swung his greatsword while waiting for his opponent to appear. Soon, a Knight-class Gigant from the enemy camp came out.

“I am Clarks, a high-ranking holy knight of the Maron Temple. Reveal your name.”

“I am Lef, the leader of the Red Wolf Mercenary Group.”

The two, who had briefly revealed their identities, immediately engaged in battle. Without rushing, the two Gigants slowly circled around each other, exploring each other’s skills and power.

“Isn’t Clarks a fairly famous holy knight from the Maron faction?”

“That’s right, they say he has outstanding swordsmanship comparable to the former leaders of the Undying Corps.”

“Tsk tsk, the rider of that junk Gigant has met the wrong opponent.”

“He’ll probably be cut down in an instant.”

Most of the punitive force and the rebel force predicted Clarks’ victory. As expected, the battle ended in the blink of an eye.

Swish!

The two Gigants, having finished their reconnaissance, crossed paths, and an eerie sound rang out. The soldiers of both armies, who had flinched at the sound of a greatsword cutting through metal, soon widened their eyes. Clarks’ Gigant, which they thought would win, was collapsing as if it were crumbling. Moreover, the upper body of the Gigant was diagonally severed. The cut had pierced through the breastplate and the cockpit. Because of that, Clarks met his end without even screaming.

“M-My goodness!”

“Clarks died in just one move!”

A new strongman had appeared. And he was a mercenary from an unknown background. As the shock subsided, cheers that seemed to shake the sky erupted from the punitive force’s camp. In contrast, the Konrad Kingdom army on the Eisenberg Wall fell into heavy silence.

“That’s no ordinary mercenary.”

“Could he be a knight from another country like us?”

At Shirley’s words, Sancho, or rather Count Ferrero, nodded. Not only was the rider unusual, but the Gigant was as well. Although it was quite well disguised, it seemed to be a Hero-class at least.

“It seems I’ll have to step up.”

“Don’t do that, wait a little. It looks like some trash is about to step up.”

“Trash?”

While Ferrero and Shirley were whispering, another Gigant came out from the Konrad Kingdom camp. The rider was a close friend of Clarks and attacked Luke without hesitation. He was more skilled than Clarks, but he was also cut in half by Cassel’s attack in less than five moves.

“Wow! He’s good!”

“Win! Keep winning!”

The morale of the punitive force’s soldiers rose with two consecutive victories. The morale that had hit rock bottom when they had suffered eight consecutive defeats earlier began to blaze like wildfire.

To break the tense atmosphere, a large, cloaked Gigant emerged from the Konrad camp.

The rider calmly approached Kratos, where Luke was mounted, and spoke in a somber voice.

“I am Count Schmidt, commander of the Konrad Kingdom’s Royal Knights.”

A commotion rippled through the punitive force’s leaders on the watchtower upon hearing his name. They never expected to hear such a name here.

“Sch-Schmidt?”

“Could it be *that* Schmidt, the former first squad leader of the Undying Legion?”

Ten years ago, a series of murders had shaken the imperial capital, Bless.

For several months, dozens of female devotees on their way to dawn prayers were brutally murdered, many of whom were daughters of high-ranking noble families.

What was even more appalling was that the perpetrator left phrases at the crime scenes justifying his atrocities.

‘The world is rotten. The only way for vile humans to reach the Lord is to purify their souls and discard their filthy bodies. Only I, chosen by God, can do that.’

Naturally, the temple set out to capture this mad killer, and even the former Pope, upon receiving the report, raged and ordered the culprit’s capture.

But then, an astonishing fact was revealed. The perpetrator was identified as the first squad leader of the Undying Legion.

Count Schmidt, the first squad leader of the Undying Legion, outwardly lived as a sincere holy knight, but inside, he was a cruel and heinous individual.

Schmidt, whose last crime was exposed, cut down the holy knights who came to arrest him and then disappeared.

There were many rumors that he had fled to a neighboring country or had been captured and killed by Grand Duke Gregory, but one thing was clear.

No one in the Holy Empire had seen him since.

And now, Schmidt was appearing here!

“Heh heh heh! I’m glad there are spectators who recognize me. You little brat, if you want to die cleanly, you’d better just offer your neck.”

Ten years ago, Count Schmidt was a mid-level Sword Master [a high-ranking swordsman].

Even if his skills hadn’t improved, he was not someone a mere mercenary captain could handle.

However, Luke’s attitude was calm.

“I can offer my neck, but I doubt your filthy sword can cut it.”

“You arrogant bastard! You’re puffed up just because you beat the previous two guys. Fine, I’ll cut off your arms first, then your legs. And after gouging out your eyes, I’ll cut open your belly and check your intestines one by one. Finally, I’ll see how swollen your liver is…”

Count Schmidt described in detail, with a cruel smile, how he would deal with Luke.

“Annoying. Did you become a Sword Master with your mouth?”

“Looks like you’re more puffed up than I thought. Fine, I’ll show you my ‘Stinger Sword’ especially for you.”

Count Schmidt’s specialty was a powerful charge attack using his beloved Gigant, which had over 3,000 fight power [a measure of a Gigant’s combat strength].

When hit by that charge, most opponents would be dismantled along with their Gigants.

It wasn’t something you could avoid by dodging. His charge attack was so fast that it could change direction forward, backward, left, and right.

When he was in the Undying Legion, Grand Duke Gregory had praised his swordsmanship.

*Whoosh!*

Count Schmidt lowered his upper body and took a stance.

At the tip of the deformed greatsword, which was specialized for forward thrusts, a red Gigantic Aura [a powerful energy field generated by Gigants] began to form.

The Gigantic Aura grew larger and larger, stopping its expansion when it became a sphere with a diameter of 1 meter. Instead, its density increased.

‘Heh heh heh, even if you’re a Sword Master, you won’t be able to stop my charge attack.’

Schmidt often sparred with his fellow masters when he was in the Undying Legion.

They were excellent swordsmen, but they could never stop the Stinger Sword.

Feeling an ominous aura from Count Schmidt, Luke maximized Kratos’s output.

5

“Kuaaaah!”

Count Schmidt roared and charged like a shooting star.

The rush was so fast and powerful that the air seemed to split and the world seemed to crack.

Luke narrowly dodged the attack by leaping away.

However, Count Schmidt’s attack, which changed direction at a right angle, targeted him again, and Luke had to leap away several times.

Eventually, realizing that he couldn’t keep dodging, he struck Count Schmidt’s deformed greatsword with his own greatsword.

*Clang!*

“Kuh!”

With an explosion that assaulted his ears, Kratos, where Luke was riding, was pushed back.

‘No way! It’s fine!’

Schmidt was surprised that there was no damage to Kratos.

He had thought that the greatsword and the Gigant’s right arm that had blocked his attack would be shattered, but they weren’t. At the moment of impact, a blue barrier had formed from the opponent’s greatsword.

“Magic? Were you a Rune Knight [a knight who uses magic]?”

Luke shrugged his shoulders and answered Schmidt’s question with a frown.

“That’s right.”

“Damn it, a half-baked mage who couldn’t become a knight learned some useless magic. Don’t think that kind of magic will keep working on me, a high-ranking holy knight!”

Unlike magic that can be used in various ways, such as fire, ice, and lightning, divine power has limitations in its application.

However, it is so pure that it is more powerful, absolute, and transcendent.

Therefore, unless it was a very powerful magic, it could not break through the aura of divine power.

“Magic is just a trivial human skill! It can’t stand against the divine power bestowed by God!”

At Schmidt’s sneer, Luke charged forward, simultaneously generating magic and Gigantic Aura in both hands.

“Whether it can stand against it or not, why don’t you try it first and then judge!”

*Clang! Bang! Boom!*

A full-scale battle broke out between the two.

Luke attacked Count Schmidt with his sword and magic, while Count Schmidt tried to crush Luke’s Gigant with his Stinger Sword and charge attacks.

However, contrary to expectations that the battle would end in a one-sided victory for Count Schmidt, the battle was progressing favorably for Luke.

Unexpectedly, he was very skilled in both swordsmanship and magic.

Count Schmidt wore an incredulous expression at the magical attacks that broke through his divine power barrier.

“This is impossible! Are you a 6th Circle mage [a mage of a very high rank]?”

For his Hero-class Gigant’s amplified divine power to be broken, it would have to be magic manifested by at least a 6th Circle mage.

But as far as Count Schmidt knew, there was no Rune Knight who had reached that level.

“6th Circle? Too bad, I’m beyond that.”

“Kuh, where did this mongrel come from… !”

Schmidt had to admit that he had met a difficult opponent today.

He was like a powerful Rune Knight that could only be seen in legends or myths.

Swordsmanship at the level of a Sword Master and magic beyond the 6th Circle.

At this level, he could become one of the strongest in the Holy Empire, as well as on the continent.

Where did such a monster appear without a sound?

“Reveal your identity! You are definitely not a mere mercenary!”

“What does it matter if I’m a mercenary or not? You should be worried about your own life right now, shouldn’t you?”

“Kuh! You little brat!”

Count Schmidt’s eyes turned red.

He decided to show off a secret technique that he had kept hidden to face the Sword Masters of the punitive force.

“Stinger Storm!”

*Whoosh!*

The sphere formed on Count Schmidt’s greatsword began to spin with an eerie light.

As the rotation speed increased, it looked like a storm made of red light was rising around the sphere.

No, a real storm was raging. The surrounding ground was overturned, and stones and weeds were all uprooted and flying away.

“Heh heh heh! It’s a bit too much to use on you, but die!”

Count Schmidt swung his greatsword at Luke.

*Boom!*

The Stinger Storm, which leaped through space with a tremendous roar, reached Luke’s Gigant.

“Aegis!”

Luke used all his 7th Circle magic power in his left hand to activate defensive magic repeatedly.

Several layers of thick blue barriers were created, blocking the Stinger Storm.

For a moment, they seemed to be in a tense standoff, but the blue barriers began to tear apart, and the Aegis magic began to break down.

“Heh heh heh, you can’t stop the Stinger Storm with that kind of magic!”

Count Schmidt had no doubt about his victory.

But at that moment, the greatsword in Luke’s right hand changed.

*Crack!*

A bright light rose and cut Count Schmidt’s greatsword in half.

“Gah! No way!”

Count Schmidt screamed and staggered backward from the recoil caused by the disappearance of the Stinger Storm.

Luke wasn’t going to let him get away with that.

He quickly followed up and pierced the core engine area with an Impact Aura that surpassed Gigantic Aura.

“Th, this is… !”

It wasn’t just a simple Impact Aura.

Count Schmidt looked surprised, as if he had noticed something.

Although it was hidden by the light and heat emanating from the Impact Aura, this powerful and clear strike was definitely the secret swordsmanship of a legendary figure.

“Y, you are… !”

“Heh heh heh, be honored to die by the Gold Sword of the hero Rakan.”

Luke whispered softly so that only Count Schmidt could hear, then kicked him away.

“N, no! This can’t be! I, chosen by God, can’t die here… !”

Schmidt tried to escape by opening the hatch of his breastplate.

However, the core engine exploded faster than he could escape.

*Boom!*

The Hero-class Gigant with an output of 3,000 fight power exploded. The Gigant shattered, and flames and debris spread in all directions.

Ten years ago, the villain Schmidt, who had invoked God to rape and kill dozens of women, died without even leaving a corpse.

“…”

Shock and surprise filled the area.

The people who had been watching the duel between the two Gigants stared with wide eyes, regardless of whether they were friend or foe.

But this silence was only temporary.

Soon, a roar that shook the heavens erupted from the punitive force’s camp.

“Woooaaah! Our side won again!”

“Long live the Lef mercenary captain!!”

On the other hand, the Konrad camp was like a funeral home.

“This can’t be! Count Schmidt, whom we trusted, was defeated!”

Marquis Parker, who had been watching the duel from the ramparts, turned pale.

He never imagined that Count Schmidt, whom he had prepared as a trump card, would die.

If the one who had faced Schmidt had been a famous master from the Holy Empire, he could have understood.

But the opponent was a mercenary nobody he had never heard of.

He turned to Sancho, or rather Count Ferrero, who was standing behind him, and said.

“Now, the only one we can trust is Captain Sancho. Please avenge Count Schmidt.”

If they stopped the Gigantic Duel here, the morale of their troops would plummet.

Even if they had to stop, they had to kill at least one of the Sword Masters on the other side.

The only good thing was that Count Ferrero was more skilled than Count Schmidt.

“But where did Lord Lazuli go?”

Marquis Parker looked around and asked.

“Well, he said he had something to report and went down from the ramparts a while ago, but it seems he hasn’t come back yet.”

“Is that so? Anyway, I’m asking you again.”

Marquis Parker had no idea what Lazuli had gone to report.

If he had known what Lazuli was doing, he would never have just begged Ferrero.

“Huh? Schmidt is dead?”

Lazuli looked surprised at his subordinate’s report.

“Yes, sir. It seems there is a rather strong knight in the punitive force’s camp.”

He was slightly worried that Count Ferrero might lose as well, but he shook his head.

He didn’t think that a hardcore duelist who loved fighting more than eating would lose easily.

And even if he lost again, so what?

He was not part of their faction anyway.

In other words, he was just a pawn to be moved around according to the Emperor’s will.

“Well, he’ll do well enough. More importantly, how far has the work progressed?”

Lazuli had not only brought war supplies and knights disguised as mercenaries when he came to the Holy Empire.

He had secretly brought dozens of 6th and 7th Circle mages from the Baroque Imperial Magic Tower.

They were currently working on something in a certain place in Eisenberg City, and his subordinate immediately answered his question.

“They have completed the magic formula calculation and are drawing the magic circle. Once the magic circle is completed and the magic stones charged with magic power are combined, they can use the magic immediately.”

“Hmm, it might be tight on time, so tell them to hurry.”

“Yes, sir, I understand.”

As his subordinate disappeared to convey his orders, Lazuli came out of a house located in a secluded alley and smiled meaningfully.

“Whether you’re rebels or a punitive force, you guys can bite and fight each other to your heart’s content. I’ll decorate the end of the battle in a splendid way, kehahahah!”

As if he was amused just by thinking about what was going to happen, he looked up at the sky and burst into maniacal laughter.