Regressor Of The Fallen Family [EN]: Chapter 198

Logan accepted the Emperor’s proposal, and the stage was set.

The Emperor agreed, and suddenly, the courtyard was cleared for a duel with real swords.

“What is this, a duel in the middle of the Imperial Palace?” a noble whispered.

“Who would dare argue with His Majesty’s wishes?” another replied.

“Well, a fight between a superhuman and an ordinary knight won’t last long,” a third noble scoffed.

“That’s true, but…” a fourth voice murmured.

The nobles, who had been huddled together in nervous groups, began to move. Like colorful birds scattering, they spread out along the edges of the courtyard, leaving a wide space in the center. They positioned themselves in front of the lines of silent knights, their eyes fixed on the two figures who now stood ready to fight in the cleared space.

Logan retrieved his armor and weapons. Soon, he faced his enemy in the middle of the palace courtyard.

‘A duel in the Imperial Palace? This is even stranger than I imagined,’ Logan thought.

Jerome Decaide was known as a monster. He received the title of the greatest swordsman on the continent at the age of 50, which was considered young for a superhuman.

Around that time, people all over the world started to hear his name.

But for the refugees of Grandia, he meant something different.

About ten years before he became the greatest swordsman, in his 30s, he greatly helped Grandia’s conquest war.

He was the one who killed Hwan Douglas, the kingdom’s only wizard and most powerful figure, securing victory in the war.

Naturally, the Grandia Liberation Front wanted to assassinate him.

‘Of course, they couldn’t even try,’ Logan thought.

Twenty years after the conquest war, Jerome Decaide was a superhuman among superhumans, a true monster.

But now…

“You sure you want to do this? Once we start, I won’t be able to stop myself,” Jerome said with a sneer.

The face that sneered at him was nothing like that monster. He openly showed his emotions and confidence, but his skills were still…

‘A kid,’ Logan thought.

At best, he was a superhuman like Blake or Luther Kyle, or the former Wicken Carlia.

Of course, it might have been arrogant for Logan, who wasn’t even a superhuman yet, to look down on someone who had become a skilled Aura user at just thirty years old.

But for some reason, Logan didn’t think he would lose.

Back then, he had used all his artifacts to be equal to Wicken, and even killed Jordan by luck.

He was on a different level then and now.

Also, Logan knew about Jerome’s abilities, so he was confident.

“You don’t have to hold back. I don’t intend to either. I need to show His Imperial Majesty my true skills, don’t I?” Logan replied.

“Hmm. His Majesty knows talent when he sees it. I see you’ve been lucky enough to beat a superhuman before, but it’s just a strange case that caught His Majesty’s attention,” Jerome said.

“Excuse me?” Logan asked.

Was it possible that the Emperor had really called him in just for that reason?

Jerome’s expression was serious.

“So don’t be mistaken. You should forget about that luck. For your own good,” Jerome advised condescendingly.

His advice was laughable, even if it was common sense.

“Thank you for the advice. Shall we begin then?” Logan asked.

“Heh heh. You’re asking for death, aren’t you?” Jerome replied.

Then, an old knight with white hair and blue eyes, standing between Jerome and Logan, looked at them and asked, “Are you both ready?” His voice, though old, was strong and filled with power, making the air around him seem to vibrate.

The old knight had an intense aura. He was no ordinary person.

‘The current greatest swordsman on the continent, Tris Hornsby,’ Logan thought.

He was the superhuman who was causing the aura that had been pressing on Logan earlier, but the feeling was a little different up close.

Something felt slightly wrong about Tris, like a small crack in something perfect.

With that strange feeling, Logan could guess the condition of the famous swordsman.

‘Perhaps the reason why this person didn’t show up during the conquest war was also because of…’ Logan thought.

It was a comforting thought from the kingdom’s point of view, but it felt strange to feel that this powerful superhuman was also being weakened by time.

Of course, there was no time to waste on sentimentality.

“Yes, Master. I am ready,” Jerome said.

“I am ready as well,” Logan replied.

As Logan nodded, following Jerome’s voice, Tris slowly moved back as if an invisible hand had pulled him.

At the same time, a clear voice echoed through the wide space.

“His Majesty is watching. Both of you, show your greatest skills! However, you are not allowed to use artifacts because of the purpose and danger of this duel.”

The eyes of the two men lit up at the same time.

‘Jerome Decaide’s superhuman ability is quite unique among the rare superpowers: Absolute Sight,’ Logan thought.

The monster of the future crushed all attacks, broke through all defenses, and overwhelmed all enemies.

It was said that the only way to beat him was with a large number of troops, or absolute speed or magic that he couldn’t react to even if he knew it was coming.

It was always added that there was no speed or magic that could overwhelm him, who had the best skills as a superhuman.

But now…

Wham!

He was just a kid surprised by the ‘Rain’ Aura user who blocked his attack head-on.

“He blocked the Aura?!” Jerome exclaimed.

With just that one exchange, Logan could easily understand the situation.

‘He can’t even handle his own ability properly yet,’ Logan thought.

If it were the Jerome he knew, he would have anticipated the blocked attack and used another move.

Jerome’s flustered expression was an opportunity for Logan.

“Hap!” Logan shouted.

With a shout, Logan exploded forward, his boots hitting the stone with a sharp crack. His sword flashed, but even as Jerome dodged, a streak of golden light, like a bolt of lightning, shot from Logan’s blade, twisting and hissing towards Jerome’s neck.

“Huh?!” Jerome exclaimed.

Scritch.

‘Too bad…!’ Logan thought.

The attack aimed for Jerome’s eyes grazed his temple.

Blood trickled down next to his eye. Logan’s expression was not much better than Jerome’s distorted face.

‘This is going to be a problem…’ Logan thought.

As he thought, a loud shout burst out from the seat of honor.

“Jerome!!” Tris shouted, standing up as if he was about to jump out.

“Not yet! Not yet! I was careless! Please give me a chance!” Jerome shouted in a fit of pique.

Tris frowned and looked back, but…

“Interesting. Let it continue,” the Emperor said.

The Emperor looked interested. He even smiled and nodded.

“Thank you, Your Majesty.”

Jerome bowed to the Emperor again. Only then did the nobles gasp.

“What? Did the Saint get hurt?”

“No, no, he didn’t lose. Just a small injury, I think…”

“A small injury with so much blood?!”

“Maybe he was not careful enough.”

Jerome touched his head, and the bleeding stopped quickly.

‘It’s just a small cut,’ he thought. ‘Even if he is new, he is still superhuman.’

“Hmm,” Jerome said, looking at Logan closely. “I was wrong about you. You are stronger than you look. Not bad for someone who can’t use Aura. But don’t think it will be this easy next time. Watch yourself.”

“I look forward to it.”

Logan’s simple reply seemed to bother Jerome.

Jerome’s face became stiff, and his lips tightened. Suddenly, his eyes flashed silver instantly, like cold fire, and he shot towards Logan.

Logan also charged forward without hesitating. Jerome’s power seemed excessive.

‘How much can I block?’ Logan wondered.

The golden Force Blade came from Logan’s sword tip and twisted like a snake, aiming for Jerome’s side as he charged.

Logan attacked in two ways at once. This was very effective. It was even better than how Franz used to fight with his Moonlight Sword.

Jerome reacted simply. He leaned back while still moving forward and used a sliding tackle.

The silver Aura on his feet shot out, ready to crush Logan’s legs.

Logan jumped to avoid the attack. His sword and the golden Force Blade shot towards Jerome’s neck and lower body.

Jerome was still lying down, but he blocked both attacks with a single sweep of his sword.

Clang!

‘Kugh!’

Jerome’s Aura was stronger than Logan’s sword force.

Jerome bounced up and shot towards Logan, who was in the air.

The Aura erupted from Jerome’s sword, ready to pierce Logan’s chest.

Jerome’s eyes were silver, and he smiled, sure he would win.

‘He’s still immature,’ he thought.

But Logan did not defend himself. Instead, he thrust forward to meet the attack.

At the same time, a golden light shot towards Jerome’s face.

Jerome’s eyes widened, and his sword wavered. He was not used to this kind of fight.

But then, a silver glow reappeared in his eyes.

He slashed his sword sideways.

Clang!

‘Tch!’

The Aura exploded.

Logan could not even try his two attacks at once anymore. Jerome was too strong.

Logan landed hard, losing his balance. Suddenly, he saw Jerome’s cold, silver Aura coming right at him.

However, Logan was focused on Jerome’s eyes. His eyes looked like a pale moon in a dark night, like the eyes of death itself.

‘Ugh… This is absurd,’ he thought.

He knew it wouldn’t be easy.

But he never thought that his enemy would be evolving.

He could not retreat.

‘I’ll break him in this place!’

Fear turned into fierce resolve. Logan would not back down.

Logan disappeared like a ghost.

The silver Aura missed, hitting only Logan’s shadow.

Jerome’s eyes wavered again.

One way to beat Absolute Sight was to move very fast.

At least now, Logan was faster than Jerome.

Clang clang clang!

“Kuh!”

Jerome, a superhuman, was being pushed back by someone who was not superhuman. The crowd was silent, shocked by this.

“Good heavens?!”

“Is that even possible?”

The nobles were talking excitedly.

Logan was pushing Jerome hard, but he was not relaxed.

‘Even in this situation, he’s blocking all of this?’

Logan felt his chest burning. The Force Core was working too hard.

Jerome seemed to be getting used to Logan’s speed.

Click.

‘Even a young monster is still a monster, huh? If so…’

Now he had to risk everything.

He remembered the long scar on Jerome’s face from his previous life.

It was the monster’s only wound, and the reason for it was well-known.

– In my immature days, I had not yet learned to see the unseen.

Logan slammed his sword into the ground in front of Jerome with the same speed as before.

A lot of Force surged out.

Sixteen layers of Force exploded, overturning everything in front of them.

Kwaaaang!

Dust flew everywhere. Silver and gold light flashed in the dust. Everyone watched with wide eyes.