章節 324: Chapter 483
[Support me here:- https://bmc.link/punisher87 ]
The viper of Mary was already striking forward.
The target point had been determined, and only a single point of blade and lightning energy touched, but the blue field of vision first became clear.
'Darn it!'
She could not see Jin because he was covered by the lightning energy.
Her youngest brother, who could not bring himself to kill her and thus dropped his sword, was nowhere to be seen.
'Where are you!'
Like those who realize their mistakes often do, she also gnashed her teeth. A difficult-to-describe chill seemed to pass through her body.
She would die if she didn't withdraw her sword.
Her instincts were telling her that. The experience she had gained from thousands of battles warned her of the same danger.
She must reabsorb her aura, although it would cause backflow. She had to locate the position of the youngest.
The light-speed thrust, a sword that pierced the sky. So there will be backlash if she forcefully withdraws this powerful sword move.
Kraaaah!
Mary let out a scream as she changed her movements. She felt the muscles and bones of her waist and lower body, as well as her grip on the sword, arms, and shoulders, were shaking as if they were breaking.
She withdraw her sword.
The progress of the light-speed thrust that was tearing through the lightning energy stopped as if it were a lie. Waves of lightning energy surged again, and the flashing lights disrupted her vision.
Mary turned her body around, in a fleeting moment, and she could sense that the energy surrounding her was not only from the lightning energy but also from the black curtains.
What the lightning energy hemisphere was covering was the shadow force. From the beginning, Jin had released the lightning energy with the sole purpose of concealing the shadow force's curtains, in order to perform the Shadow Assault.
She swung the retrieved viper in all directions to secure her line of sight. Each time the lightning energy lifted, black curtains were instantly visible.
'Four, no. Seven!'
She thought something like a black sword energy would be shot at her at any moment.
However, the curtains remained still, and there was no sign of them moving yet. Instead, Mary turned her body to the side.
'He was there!'
Jin was rushing forward. With each flash of the lightning energy, with each blink of an eye, the distance between them was getting closer. Along with Bradamante, which was dyed black.
Ssshhh-!
Finally, Bradamante and the viper clashed.
It appeared as if they collided. Mary displayed an overwhelming response to Jin's sudden attack despite her internal injuries.
However, the viper swung through thin air. The large sword energy that spread like a fan pierced through the lightning energy and shot towards the sky, disappearing.
Mary couldn't help but be perplexed once again.
'He was right in front of me...!'
As if he were a ghost or had teleported somehow.
The blade of her youngest brother was rushing from front just a moment ago, but for some reason, the blade was now rushing in from her rear once again.
The shadows spread around the two were a kind of "gate." Only Jin, who used Shadow Assault, could come and go through it.
This was why Jin was able to seize Mary's rear once again. Just before the clash, Jin had passed through the curtain.
'Even my elder sister is a monster.'
Blood splattered.
It was Mary's blood. Bradamante, who had been aiming for her throat, barely brushed her shoulder.
'I thought I could at least take out his shoulder.'
The blade of the viper also grazed Jin's cheek. The fight was no longer visible from the outside due to the lightning energy and the curtains of the shadow force.
However, everyone could hear the sound of the two swords clashing, the siblings' battle cries.
And everyone had an intuitive sense that when the shadow force and the lightning energy subsided, the person left standing would be the winner.
Kaaah-!
Every time Mary roared, the hemisphere of lightning energy seemed to tremble as if it were about to tear apart. Jin poured out a shower of attacks to prevent his sister from gathering her strength again.
'If I give her even a moment, she might come up with another technique.'
Just before Mary was about to execute the fourth Light-Speed Thrust, Jin felt an inexplicable unease.
The sword move she originally intended to use was not the secret technique, but the unfinished 'ultimate technique'. Jin didn't know that fact, but his instinct warned him of the danger just like Mary's.
Jin had to press on without respite, so Mary couldn't even think of using anything else.
Hoo, hoo!
Mary wasn't the only one breathing heavily. Jin was also losing stamina.
Jin hadn't executed the Plutonian Reign sword, but he couldn't help but get tired since he was rapidly consuming a comparable level of lightning energy. Surprisingly, Mary was in a slightly better physical condition.
Jin roars and grits his teeth.
'It's about time, but how is she still holding up like this?'
What he was waiting for was clear.
Backflow.
'No matter how powerful my sister is, she can't just use Light-Speed Thrust like that without a scratch.'
Kooh-!
The moment his thought ended, Mary bent forward and threw up blood.
The moment to end the battle had come.
Jin went in front of Mary and threw down Bradamante. Mary focused her last ounce of concentration to read his attack trajectory.
Bradamante, which was raised at an angle, was aiming for Mary's neck.
Mary almost missed the trajectory, but she raised her sword and managed to block it.
That much was within Jin's expectations. He had anticipated that a superhuman like Mary would naturally be able to handle it up to this point.
'But in the meantime, she's counterattacking...!'
However, blocking wasn't all there was to it. She was even counterattacking.
To be precise, Mary didn't exactly "block" Jin's final strike.
Shadow Sword 2nd technique: Scissors.
Jin's last trick. The black blade of the scissors was forming on the other side of the trajectory drawn by Bradamante.
In the end, Mary couldn't block the final blade of the scissors.
Shak...!
The shadow force blade grazed Mary's face.
What the blade cut was the pirate eyepatch she was wearing. If it had aimed for her neck instead, it could have easily severed it.
'It's over, elder sister.'
From the beginning, Jin had foreseen his victory the moment Mary used the Light-Speed Thrust. He hadn't let his guard down even in the final moment.
His opponent was Mary Runcandel, after all.
But the fact that Mary counterattacked at the last moment would remain a haunting experience for Jin in the future.
Mary Runcandel, the 7th flagbearer of the Runcandel clan. Regardless of her level of battle prowess, she was regarded as the most formidable opponent by all her siblings when they fought for their lives.
As the mist dispersed, both the lightning energy and shadow force on the battlefield disappeared in an instant.
Suaaaa-!
Suddenly, a stream of water poured from the sky. It was a stream of water falling from a huge wall of water formed when part of the sea split behind Jin.
This was the aftermath of Mary's final counterattack.
"What just happened?"
"Did you see it?"
Cosmos, the pirates, the crowd, and most of Jin's companions had no idea why the wall of water had formed.
Only those who had reached the ranks of superhumans were aware of the fact that Mary had "swung her sword."
"Heh, how did she swing her sword at the last moment?"
"I... I couldn't see it clearly, Lord Murakan."
"I don't know what it is, but if she had swung at the kid properly, the outcome could have been different."
Murakan and Valkas spoke, and Jin was trying to swallow his dry saliva.
'I thought it was just a simple counterattack, but it was faster than the Light-Speed Thrust... No, even if I had known in advance, I could never have dodged it. It was a slash close to divine power.'
Runcandel ultimate technique.
Jin was immediately convinced that the last horizontal slash that had passed by his side was one of the three ultimate techniques of the clan's swordsmanship. It was definitely not complete. If it had been a completed ultimate technique, he would have never remained standing.
Suuuuu— The wall of water crumbled like a sandcastle and returned to the sea.
"Both... both of them seem to be standing perfectly fine! But the fight is over...! Neither Dame Mary nor Sir Jin are moving!"
Cosmos raised his voice, with his pupils trembling.
The siblings made eye contact as they pointed their swords at each other.
Bang!
Mary kneeled on one knee, and sighs of relief were heard from all around.
"Argh! Damn it, I lost. I had no idea you could toy with me like this with your tricks...!"
Mary spat out blood and wiped her forehead. Then, Cosmos announced the result of the battle with fireworks bursting from all around.
"The winner is... Jiiiin, Runcandel! Congratulations! A blazing and unforgettable match, a big match you won't see twice in a lifetime! Everyone, show your appreciation with applause!"
Amidst thunderous applause, Jin approached Mary and extended his hand.
"Why did you try to end the fight with the Light-Speed Thrust when you can use an ultimate technique? If you had executed your ultimate technique at that moment, I think I would have been the one defeated."
"I thought you dropped your sword because you didn't want to kill me, so it was a waste to show this sword move to you, but I forgot for a moment that there was no way you would have backed down like that. Damn. I never thought I would fall for something like this."
"I have used this sword technique against the guardian modeled after one of the Ten Great Knights, Sarah Runcandel. She wasn't in her prime and couldn't fend it off. However, if we assume that you had the ultimate technique, I'm not sure it would have worked against you."
"Hmph, are you comparing me to the clan's old heroine out of fear that your sister will be upset?"
"Aren't you feeling a little upset?"
"Tsk, turns out I'm the one who backed down."
Mary took Jin's hand and rose to her feet. Despite her tone, she had a refreshing smile on her face.
"...Jin, my youngest brother."
"Yes, elder sister."
"Today, you officially defeated the clan's 7th flagbearer."
"Can we really call it an official match? We had too many restrictions on each other."
"That's right. I fought with an eyepatch the whole time, and you restricted the use of magic. But what does it matter? You didn't let your guard down until the very end, and I made mistakes that led to my own defeat. That proves right there that you are stronger than me."
When Jin didn't respond, Mary burst into laughter.
"So, starting today, you're ranked 5th in the family's flagbearer hierarchy. Hold the position well and I can regain it after thorough training. And for that purpose... Hey! Cosmos!"
"Yes!"
"Bring that here."
At Mary's command, Cosmos hurriedly retrieved something from his pouch. What he politely handed over was a book.
Jin couldn't help but widen his eyes and even open his mouth like an idiot as he looked at the author of the book.
The 5th Secret Technique, Light-speed Thrust - Chiron Runcandel.
It was none other than a training manual on Light-Speed Thrust technique that Chiron had written for Mary.
"It's unreasonable for the 5th flagbearer to not know even a single secret technique of his clan, right?"
Jin received the training manual, but he couldn't hide his astonishment.
章節 325: Chapter 484
[Support me here:- https://bmc.link/punisher87 ]
"Hmm! So, did you think Lord Jin would win from the beginning and yet told me to bet on Dame Mary, Sir Valkas? You even lied, saying that if I had seen Dame Mary's sword in person, I would have thought the same…"
Tak! Kashmir set down his glass and said. Murakan and Valkas were patting his back with a chuckle.
"I recently joined Tikan, so shouldn't I make a good impression on Lord Murakan? Huhuhu, please understand."
"Anyway, you are quietly foolish, aren't you? Hey, and even if we think the kid will lose, we must bet on the kid no matter what. Can you just bet two thousand gold recklessly if it seems like the other side will win or not?"
Kashmir's forehead wrinkled when he saw the two people laughing.
"No, didn't you instruct me and Sir Valkas to bet on Dame Mary, Lord Murakan!?"
"Oh, now you are yelling at me. Are you out of your mind? Huh? Are you acting like this because you lost the bet and don't want to give up the money? You, the second richest man in Tikan?"
"When did I yell, again! And it's not about the money!"
"You yell again just now. No, I can't stand it, you little creature. Oh, did you avoid it? Here, come here! Hey!"
As if playing a game of catch, Murakan and Kashmir started running comically, and laughter erupted from all around.
"It's a peaceful sight."
Mary said while watching all of this.
After the duel and the award ceremony in the style of Cosmos, Jin and his companions, as well as Mary and the pirates, were having a light post-celebration. They were congratulating Jin's victory.
Jin was sitting next to her, fiddling with the book that Chiron had written himself. He still looked as dazed as when he first received it.
'It seems my father is really interested in elder sister Mary.'
He couldn't imagine the sight of his ruthless father writing a training manual for someone. Even if he forcibly tried to imagine it, he could only vaguely see the back of the man.
"Is Tikan always like this?"
"Most of the time."
"It is really different from the gloomy atmosphere of the Garden of Swords. By the way, you can't take your eyes off it. Do you really like it that much?"
When Jin turned his head and smiled, Mary burst into laughter as if she couldn't stand it.
"Even my cold-blooded younger brother can make such a foolish expression. I thought the only thing you were interested in was fighting like a maniac, but this is also quite nice."
Jin adjusted his expression and gently put the book in his pocket.
"If you wish, I can make you laugh more. What kind of expression should I make?"
"Suddenly, speaking so dryly makes it boring. You have to be a little embarrassed to make it fun."
Clang! The two of them clinked their glasses.
"The youngest."
"Yes, elder sister."
"All the major factions that haven't gone to the Gaifa Archipelago are gathered in the desert named Sota. Have you heard of it?"
Mary was talking about the information she promised to tell Jin.
[Miya!]
Before Jin could respond, Shuri, who had been lying between Mary and Jin (she had been summoned because Mary missed her), let out a cry.
Shuri raised her body and used her front paw claws to draw the location of the Sota Desert on the floor, indicating that she knew where it was, and Mary let out an exclamation.
"Wow, I always feel this whenever I see you, but you're really a clever one. Yes, Shuri. It's there. The desert is located near the center of the Lutero Magic Federation."
In the center of the Lutero Magic Federation, there is not only the Sota Desert but also the capital and the headquarters of the Zipfel, "Drakka."
The first divisions of the three major factions are gathered near that area.
"What is happening in that desert?"
"They are producing new Kozecs."
From the moment Mary first mentioned the word 'Zipfel,' Jin had a certain expectation.
'This is the battleship that Midor summoned with Myuron from that cube.'
The point to note here is not the new 'Kozec,' but the use of the term 'Kozecs' in plural.
"...So they are building and mass-producing giant battleships like Kozecs in the facility located in the Sota Desert."
"Yeah, who would have thought they could mass-produce that?"
"So we need to go and destroy that production facility."
"That's right."
It was a top-secret mission, unlike any other.
In enemy territory. Near the headquarters. It was an attack on a secret facility, and only a very small number of people could be sent back. Jin immediately began to calculate various strategies for the mission.
The solutions were so bad that he had no choice but to grit his teeth.
"When did the clan find out that Zipfel was operating a flying battleship shipyard?"
"The clan seems to have known about the shipyard operation for a while. They only found out the exact location shortly after you destroyed the Black King Mountain Hideout."
"Elder sister, you just now said that not only our clan but also Kinzelo and the Imperial family are on standby in the Sota Desert. So, is it possible that our clan obtained information after them?"
"That's not true. They also got similar information around the same time and rushed to send their top executives to the Sota Desert instead of the Gaifa Archipelago. I am sure about Kinzelo, but the Imperial family may not have sent people to Sota."
"Runcandel and Kinzelo, and the Imperial family got similar information at the same time. This is... clearly a trap."
Jin was convinced.
Zipfels deliberately leaked the information about the shipyard in the Sota Desert. If not, it would be impossible for Runcandel, Kinzelo, and the Imperial family to send people at the same time.
"Diphus Orabeoni said the same thing.
"He probably also said that it was a trap we couldn't avoid."
Mary nodded her head.
It was indeed a trap that they couldn't avoid.
'Attacking the shipyard in the desert right next to Drakka is, in fact, a crazy idea. Even if we succeed and return by pouring in our best manpower, the benefits that the clan and other factions gain are minimal, mainly just consuming Zipfel's resources and slightly delaying Kozec's mass production.'
Of course, since it is a project to build a battleship, so an astronomical amount of resources and manpower may be invested, but it was not worth the effort that the top personnel of each faction, excluding Zipfel, would risk their lives.
As long as the technology was preserved, they could rebuild the shipyard if it was destroyed.
But they couldn't afford to let the Kozecs continue to be manufactured. In this operation, Zipfel was effectively starting from scratch, trying to defeat other factions from the beginning.
If they had already lost.
Jin needed to find a way to win as best as possible, and only then could he avoid being defeated next time.
Or even if the clan lost, Jin had to create a situation where he could gain as much benefit as possible. So he could use those benefits when the clan eventually became his.
'What does Zipfel want? Why did they suddenly leak information about the shipyard at this time? To lure the top personnel from each faction to the center of the Lutero Magic Federation and eliminate them one by one? No, that violates the main premise that there would be no full-scale war as long as my father is around.'
If the top flagbearers died in the shipyard, it could lead to a full-scale war.
'If they intended to fight properly, they would have built all the battleships first and launched a preemptive attack at an unexpected time instead of revealing the location of the shipyard.'
In that case, what was their intention...?
A word suddenly flashed through Jin's mind.
Check.
'Are Zipfels trying to check the strength of the representatives from each faction who attacked the shipyard or whether they possess any special abilities?'
The Sota Desert was near the capital city, Drakka, and Drakka was located at the center of the Federation.
Drakka hadn't been exposed to any attacks from outside forces in the past thousand years. Even Runcandel would find it nearly impossible to create an infiltration team that could infiltrate all the border networks up to Drakka.
'Attacking the secret shipyard next door wouldn't be much different. If Runcandel, Kinzelo, or the Imperial family succeed in infiltrating the shipyard, it's as if Zipfel is checking the abilities of outside forces.'
Kinzelo had the leader, Plutonian-type golems and Bubare, the Imperial family had Majins, and Runcandel had Jin, Murakan, and Joshua, the Prophet.
Of these, the only one that Zipfel might not know exists is the Prophet.
A sharp intuition struck his mind.
'Zipfel found out that Joshua has a special ability and wants to know about his power...!'
That's why they laid down the sweet poison, the trap that they couldn't help but step into.
Of course, it could have been an overkill.
But if that wasn't the case, he couldn't think of any other reason why Zipfel would reveal the location of the secret shipyard.
'Also, there's a high probability that Zipfels didn't include me in their calculations. I chose to go for the Gaifa Archipelago instead of infiltrating the secret shipyard in the Sota Desert. Furthermore, they would have concluded that Joshua and I could not carry out a mission together considering our hostile relationship.'
A faint smile finally appeared on Jin's lips, which had been dark all along.
Once again, he had the role of a variable.
"But, elder sister."
"Yes?"
"Why are you entrusting this mission to me instead of going to the Sota Desert yourself? Is it because of the training you mentioned earlier?"
"That's one reason, but if I had won the duel earlier, I had intended to go myself. Sending the stronger one increases the chances that Diphus Orabeoni won't get hurt."
Joshua and Diphus were the two flagbearers currently stationed in the Sota Desert, waiting for infiltration.
Mary stood up, emptied her glass, and said, "It's time for the losers to leave. This is a letter from Diphus Orabeoni. The infiltration route is marked on it, so just follow it. In case something happens to him, I'm counting on you to make sure he doesn't die."
"Elder sister, hold on."
"Hmm? What is it? Are you trying to thank me for the training manual? Heh, try it five times."
"No, it's not that. Well, of course, I'm incredibly grateful. Please take a look at this."
What caught the eye of Mary as she tilted her head was a knitted green rose.
"Actually, elder sister Yona was here before you came. She even confirmed that the boat was yours, but she was too busy to meet you in person, so she asked me to pass this on to you."
Mary's eyes sparkled as she heard a story that contained somewhat well-intentioned lies.
"Oh, really? Yona, that girl?"
"Yes."
"Haha! Yona had such a cute and adorable side! Isn't she just embarrassed rather than busy? Alright, I like it. To show appreciation for her kindness, my next challenge will be in Samil!"
"Elder sister Mary?"
"Cosmos!"
Mary rushed to the railing and shouted the pirate's name.
"Yes, Captain!"
"Raise the anchor. We've just decided our next destination!"
Immediately, the pirates, scattered across the deck, raised the anchor and prepared for the voyage.
Mary once again covered her eyes with the black eyepatch and before she ran off, she turned around and shouted.
"Come back with Diphus Orabeoni without getting hurt. Got it!?"
Jin smiled and nodded.
每周推薦票狀態
200+ 推薦票
榜單 
51 推薦票 
段落評論