Episode 504
Whoosh! Swish!
The senior knight brandished the shield and sword his subordinate had brought him, moving with a menacing grace before coming to a stop in front of Rick.
The knights of the Solma family were renowned across the central continent for their pride. While most knights from the deeply traditional Thebea shared this trait, the Solma knights were particularly proud of their skills. They believed themselves to be a cut above the rest, having endured grueling training and passed tests that pushed the limits of human endurance just to be knighted.
To become a senior knight, one had to complete numerous missions and achieve outstanding results even after being knighted, resulting in a wealth of combat experience.
Rick, just as before, steadied his breath and faced the senior knight, sword in hand. After a brief exchange of greetings, the senior knight charged at Rick, shield first.
“Haaah!”
The swordsmanship of the Thebea Kingdom was similar to the paladin techniques of the Holy Kingdom. It involved pressing the opponent with a heavy shield and exploiting the openings with a sword. One of the continent’s strongest, King Picold Sabrang of Thebea, famously said that eighty percent of Thebea swordsmanship lay in the shield.
Thud!
The senior knight swung his heavy shield at Rick, producing a dull thud.
‘Got him.’
The senior knight prepared to strike Rick, expecting him to stagger from the impact. But the shield wouldn’t budge.
‘What the…?’
Rick was pressing down on the senior knight’s shield with his shoulder, unmoved. Rick, who had been training his strength alongside Farrell, was no longer the man he used to be. Even within the Black Sword Knights, he was known for his exceptional stamina and strength. He had shown a monstrous ability to fight multiple knights using aura without tiring, even without using aura himself.
Aslan, watching from behind, looked at Rick in surprise.
‘This brings back memories. Thirty years ago, we focused more on physical training than on refined aura exercises like today.’
No matter how diligently one trained in aura, without a strong physical foundation, it was all for naught. In real battle situations, endurance was often more crucial than aura proficiency. In this regard, Rick had mastered the most fundamental aspect of being a knight.
Rick planted his feet firmly and pushed against the shield with his shoulder.
“Haaah!”
The senior knight, unable to withstand Rick’s strength, was forced to retreat.
“Ugh!”
He tried to hold his ground, but it was futile. Eventually, his legs gave out, and he lost his balance, falling to the ground.
Thud!
The heavy shield fell over the senior knight like a blanket. Just as before, Rick climbed onto the fallen knight’s chest, pressing down with his knee and pointing his sword at the knight’s throat.
“The shield seems too heavy for your strength. Ill-fitting equipment can hinder you in battle. It’s best to use gear that suits your body.”
Rick offered advice based on his experiences with the Black Sword Knights. However, the senior knight took Rick’s words as an insult. He summoned his aura and pushed Rick off him.
Thud!
As the senior knight staggered to his feet, other knights rushed to support him. He glared at Rick and shouted, “Using tricks in an honorable duel! Have you no shame?”
Rick furrowed his brow and replied, “I used no tricks.”
“Ha! So you’re saying you cut through a steel sword and pushed a shield with your bare strength without using aura? Not even the legendary knights of valor could do that!”
The senior knight had mistaken Rick’s strength for aura. His accusation made the other knights’ expressions darken. Using tricks to tarnish a knight’s honor was an unforgivable offense.
Rick addressed them in a calm voice, “I did not use aura.”
“Did the Black Sword Knights teach you only to lie?”
At that moment, a voice interrupted.
“What’s all this commotion?”
Jonathan Solma, acting head of the family, appeared at the training grounds. He glanced at Rick and the Solma knights, raising his voice.
“Joren.”
At Jonathan’s call, the senior knight stepped forward.
“Explain what happened.”
Joren spoke cautiously to Jonathan, “The Black Sword Knights formally requested a duel. Refusing would have tarnished our knights’ honor, so we proceeded. But there was an unfortunate incident.”
Jonathan’s eyebrow twitched at his words.
“What do you mean by ‘unfortunate’?”
Joren pointed at Rick and said, “He used tricks in an honorable duel. He broke the rule against using aura during the duel and mocked us.”
Jonathan turned to Rick.
“Is this true?”
Rick shook his head.
“It’s not true. I didn’t use aura.”
Jonathan looked between Rick and Joren. He had been watching the duel from afar and didn’t think Rick had used aura deceitfully. In fact, he was impressed by Rick’s growth.
‘No need to escalate this further.’
Just as he was about to smooth things over, a voice cut in.
“An unfortunate incident, you say.”
Zeke appeared with Arin at the training grounds. Standing beside Rick, Zeke addressed Aslan.
“Sir Aslan, do you believe Jeffrick used aura secretly during the duel?”
Aslan scoffed and replied, “Aura? Jeffrick fought purely with his strength. It was a rare display of true knighthood.”
Joren’s expression twisted at Aslan’s words. Zeke nodded at Aslan’s statement.
“If Sir Aslan says so, then Jeffrick didn’t use tricks.”
Suddenly, Zeke’s eyes sharpened, and an intense aura emanated from him, pressing down on the entire training ground. Joren and the Solma knights turned pale.
Zeke addressed them, “Do the Solma knights think little of the Draker knights? Claiming a fair victory as a trick and refusing to accept defeat?”
Jonathan Solma, feeling the pressure, stepped forward and spoke.
“Sir Zeke, I apologize for the rudeness of our knights.”
As Jonathan apologized, the oppressive atmosphere in the training ground vanished. Zeke looked at Jonathan and said, “There’s no need for you to apologize, but I cannot tolerate the dishonor to Jeffrick and the Black Sword Knights.”
He glanced at the Solma knights and continued, “How about selecting a knight who can properly assess Jeffrick’s skills for a duel? With both of us observing, there will be no misunderstandings.”
Jonathan couldn’t refuse Zeke’s proposal, which appealed to the knights’ honor.
“Very well. I will follow Sir Zeke’s suggestion.”
“Which knight will you choose?”
Jonathan shook his head.
“There’s no need to choose another knight. I will face him myself.”
Rick, who had been silent, looked surprised and spoke up.
“You, brother?”
Jonathan replied with a calm expression, “Is there a problem with me stepping forward?”
Rick quickly shook his head.
“No, I just didn’t expect to cross swords with you again… It’s an honor.”
Jonathan looked at Rick before turning to his guards.
“Bring me my sword and shield.”
As the situation unfolded, Zeke suggested to Jonathan, “Why not don your armor as well? It is a formal duel, after all.”
Jonathan hesitated for a moment, then nodded, regaining his composure.
“I will do so.”
Soon, a guard brought Jonathan’s sword, shield, and armor. Jonathan donned the heavy armor and activated the Hershion with aura.
Clang!
The armor wrapped around Jonathan with a heavy sound. It was a Hershion, a rare piece of equipment reserved for key figures in the Solma family. Though an older model, it was valuable enough to buy a small castle.
Fully equipped, Jonathan stood before Rick. He looked at Rick, who held only a sword, and asked, “Are you planning to face me without armor?”
Rick shook his head.
“No.”
With that, Rick activated the Hershion of the Black Spirit Knights.
Clang!
In an instant, the armor enveloped him, forming a full plate armor. Jonathan’s eyes gleamed with interest. Maintaining a Hershion required at least the level of a violet knight. Seeing Rick activate it effortlessly, Jonathan realized Rick had surpassed the level of a violet knight.
‘So the earlier duel wasn’t just luck.’
Rick, clad in the Black Spirit Knights’ Hershion, and Jonathan, in the Solma family’s Hershion, faced each other. Zeke stood between them and gave the signal to start.
“Begin the duel!”
At the same moment, Jonathan advanced, brandishing his heavy shield with determination.
His charge was clean and powerful, a textbook maneuver that even the senior knight, Joren, would find hard to match.
Whoosh!
The combined weight of his armor and shield lent immense force to his attack, crashing down on Rick.
Swish—
Rick swiftly sidestepped, evading the shield’s path.
But Jonathan was ready, as if he had anticipated Rick’s move. He skillfully pivoted, swinging his hefty sword toward Rick, who had moved into his blind spot.
Whoosh!
The blade sliced through the air, aiming for Rick’s midsection.
Clang!
Yet Rick was no easy target. He parried Jonathan’s sword with his own, the impact so strong that Jonathan’s sword was knocked back, sending a jolt through his wrist.
“Ugh!”
Jonathan stepped back, regaining his stance.
Thud!
He charged forward again, shifting his weight onto his shield.
Rumble—
Jonathan’s attack was a perfect demonstration of the Thebea knight’s shield technique, a seamless blend of balance and aggression.
Rick met the charge head-on, bracing his shoulder against Jonathan’s shield.
Crash!
The collision echoed with a thunderous sound, dust rising in its wake.
“Wow…!”
Aslan, watching from the sidelines, couldn’t help but gasp.
As the dust settled, it revealed Rick and Jonathan locked in a tense standoff, neither giving an inch.
Rumble—
Jonathan was taken aback by the solid force he felt through his shield.
‘Is this really just raw strength without aura?’
It felt like trying to push a deeply rooted tree or a massive boulder.
Creak—
Jonathan adjusted his stance, shouting over his shield at Rick.
“You fool. In a knight’s duel, relying solely on brute strength is not the way!”
Old habits from when he used to train Rick resurfaced.
In a swift motion, Jonathan angled his shield and spun to the side, disrupting Rick’s balance with a deft shake of his shield.
Unlike Joren, Jonathan wielded his heavy shield as if it were an extension of his own body, showcasing his skill.
Jonathan expected Rick to lose his balance and tumble to the ground.
But he was sorely mistaken.
Swish!
Rick quickly shifted his momentum, maneuvering around Jonathan’s side with his shield.
Then, he swung his leg with force toward Jonathan’s thigh.
Crash!
Caught off guard by the unexpected low kick, Jonathan stumbled, losing his balance.
He dropped his shield and retreated swiftly.
“Huff. Huff.”
Jonathan caught his breath, gripping his sword tightly as he glared at Rick.
The knights from the Solma faction raised their voices in protest.
“Using martial arts in an honorable knight’s duel?”
“Such cowardice!”
Ignoring the jeers, Jonathan focused on Rick standing before him. He had to admit, Rick had changed.
‘Alright, show me everything you’ve got.’
Jonathan adjusted his grip on his sword with both hands, preparing himself.
It was the opening stance of the Solma family’s secret technique, the Five Light Sword Art.