In the eyes of the Lake Fairy gleamed a cunning and joy of her plan's success. Her figure floated toward Laine, extending a slender and fair hand: "I accept your allegiance, Laine. I have always been watching your battles—you are brave, decisive, and full of wisdom. Most importantly, the precious knightly virtues have been revived and developed in you. Continue the fight, brave knight. Expel the evil from this continent. I will always be watching over you. May the mighty knightly virtues illuminate your path forward…"
At this, the Lake Fairy suddenly pursed her lips into a smile as all colors in the world faded away: "If the little tricks you used in your duel weren't so despicable, I might have admired you more. But still… go, eliminate the evil. I will grant you power!"
The goddess's jade fingers reached slowly toward Laine. Instinctively, Laine raised his right hand to meet them.
Amidst the radiant light and shadow, their fingertips touched.
The Lake Fairy and the beautiful scenery faded away, and Laine's mind returned to the battlefield of clashing gold and iron. It seemed like only a moment had passed, and standing before Laine was still the ferocious Barbarian Chief, once again swinging the War Axe with immense force toward Laine.
No… it wasn't. A burning pain spread through his chest. The Holy Emblem of the Lake Fairy was imprinted on his body through the goddess's divine power, with the Holy Grail insignia gleaming brightly on Laine's chest.
The blessing of the goddess descended, the blazing Holy Emblem unleashing unprecedented energy that surged into Laine's limbs. The pain throughout his body vanished, strength returned to him, and an unparalleled fighting spirit ignited in his chest.
A pillar of white light pierced the sky, its power so immense that even Bireg had to temporarily retreat: "What is this?"
"He advanced! He advanced in battle?!" exclaimed Amelia incredulously from the city wall: "The last person to advance in battle was in the Great Holy War one hundred and fifty years ago…"
Having said that, the female mercenary immediately realized she had said something she shouldn't have, and promptly closed her mouth.
However, Teresa did not notice, her silver eyes filled with joy and pride.
"Why am I unafraid of the Demon Creatures? They hold no power over me." Laine, his entire body engulfed in white flame and dazzling white light, walked out from the pillar of light, once again standing before Bireg: "You degenerate scum, meet your end."
"You think your trickery can defeat me??!!" Bireg, even more enraged, continuously empowered by the Blood God's strength, once again launched an assault. Find the newest release on novel~fire~net
"I was born in darkness." The Warhammer in Laine's hand blazed with white flame, and its scorching heat alone caused Bireg unease.
"In light, I descended." The terrifying weight of the Warhammer threw Bireg's massive form off balance, and the Barbarian Chief was surprised to find he no longer had the upper hand in strength.
"Babbling nonsense, incoherent, the lowly humans of the south are always so nauseating. I'm going to smash your mouth now!" Bireg found the white light on the knight not only hurting his eyes but was also searing his soul. The Barbarian Chief launched frantic attacks to interrupt Laine's murmurs, but he couldn't break through Laine's defenses.
On the contrary, the Warhammer, carrying immense power, shattered Bireg's shield. The Barbarian Chief's wooden round shield splintered under the Warhammer's might, forcing Bireg to step back repeatedly. Laine took this chance to stretch out his right hand toward the Barbarian Chief.
White lightning tore through the fabric of reality, destructively ravaging Bireg from both physical and spiritual realms. The Barbarian Chief's whole body was charred black, his soul seared by Laine's sacred power in the Subspace. He recoiled in pain, and Laine quickly advanced, hammerhead colliding with Bireg's chest, the cracking of ribs audibly crisp in the silent battlefield.
More terrifyingly, Bireg wavered.
A flicker of fear arose, and the Barbarian Chief lost all confidence in victory. He suddenly felt his body overwhelmed by fatigue, his hands weak and powerless, his waist rigidly unstraightened, the wounds on his calf excruciating, his chest pain rendering him nearly breathless. He suddenly thought perhaps he should avoid the sharp edge.
Behind this young man, a golden phantom appeared in Bireg's vision, filled with supreme majesty. The Barbarian Chief's body instinctively trembled, and he suddenly recalled the fabled decisive battle on the Fasha Plain one hundred and fifty years ago. At that time, the leader of the Human Alliance Army was similar, his furious shouts resonating across the plain and sky, echoing through the mountains. His sharp sword could cut through anyone's chest, the Chaos Army continuously retreated, the Barbarians among the defeated fleeing for survival, endlessly pursued by the Order Alliance Army, until finally hiding back in the north, burrowing deep underground, struggling to survive.
A trace of hesitation appeared on Bireg's face. He didn't know whether to continue the duel which he lost hold of, or retreat for the moment.
It was precisely this hesitation that ended this epic duel.
With the Warhammer ablaze in platinum flame, it struck the Barbarian Chief's wrist, the massive War Axe soaring high into the sky, all the Barbarian soldiers watched as their Chief repeatedly retreated, their expressions filled with panic and incredulity.