Chapter 26

Two weapons clashed, and after exchanging several blows, Taewoon and Iosis distanced themselves from the surrounding soldiers as if by prior agreement.

‘He’s faster and heavier than I thought! Is he showing his true skill right from the start this time?’

However, that was evidence that Iosis now perceived Taewoon as a threatening existence, and at the same time, it meant he was no longer in a state of composure.

A sharp Spear Strike grazed Taewoon’s left cheek as he twisted his head, and Iosis likewise chose a quick evasion in response to the following counterattack.

For some reason, Taewoon felt that he could now follow the man’s movements slightly better than before.

‘…As I thought.’

No matter how much nonsense they spouted about the Empire’s Seven Knights, Iosis was also a human made of flesh and blood.

Having spent several days scrapping with Theogenes, it was impossible for him to maintain peak condition as he had previously.

“Your attacks aren’t what they used to be. Could it be that a member of the great Seven Knights has grown tired and lost his strength?”

“Does it look that way? I haven’t even begun yet.”

Iosis calmly drove his spear into the ground and called out the name of Barata.

However, Taewoon had also spent a great deal of time deeply contemplating how to deal with this mysterious supernatural ability.

‘At a glance, it’s easy to be mistaken, but I mustn’t think of these as extensions of points or lines!’

The wooden vines shot out by Barata were strictly physical matter with mass; therefore, even if one evaded an attack once, it could interfere with subsequent actions.

Unless he expanded his vision three-dimensionally, he could not break through Barata’s attacks.

And the weapon for that had already been prepared for Taewoon.

【Condition 1: Must be wearing the Red Wax Mask】

【Condition 2: There must be at least a small amount of darkness within a space of 8 pyeong】

【Condition 3: An appropriate amount of sacrifice must be offered to the Red Wax Mask】

【Condition Fulfilled】

【Cinema Skill: The Red Man】

‘Now!’

As long as Barata’s vines were objects with mass, shadows would inevitably be cast where they passed.

And by using the power of The Red Man, Taewoon could ignore the constraints of that space and exhibit a higher-dimensional movement.

Evading several vines in an instant, Taewoon leaped upward, vanished as if soaking into the ground, and reappeared between the vines.

After repeating several movements—up, down, left, right, forward, and backward—a gap in the attacks finally came into view.

‘Ugh……’

Using power repeatedly like this certainly took a toll, but he couldn’t afford to lose focus.

Having finally broken through all of Barata’s attacks, Taewoon charged forward with an aura like thunder and unleashed a barrage of Spear Strikes toward Iosis.

After several exchanges of offense and defense, Iosis stepped back a few paces and spoke with a look of unexpected interest.

“…Impressive. I didn’t know such a skilled warrior still remained in the kingdom.”

“It’s too early to be impressed. I haven’t even started yet.”

Though he had utilized his ability with maximum concentration, it was impossible for Taewoon to perfectly break through Barata’s offensive with his current skill.

Because of that, his body was covered in wounds, but he couldn’t let a weak sound escape his lips.

As Taewoon regained his stance, the blade of his spear began to emit a bleak aura.

“Then, here I come.”

“…Fine. Two generals have met; no further conversation is necessary.”

And so, another flash of light sparkled.

“…Haa, haa. Ha.”

“A-Are you alright? Here, please drink some water.”

He was completely exhausted.

Supported by a soldier, Taewoon leaned his body against the Fortress Wall, barely catching his breath before gulping down the water.

‘Damn, that was close.’

Surprisingly, Taewoon had fought a duel with Iosis alone and successfully defended the Fortress Wall on the third day.

It was a truly remarkable achievement, but having faced the spear personally, Taewoon knew well. His skill was still far too lacking to take Iosis’s head.

‘…If I had made just one mistake, I would have surely lost the second Ticket.’

Taewoon had grown. Yet, he was still not enough.

Of course, it was undeniable that the gap between them had narrowed significantly compared to before.

‘First, I recover. Everything else comes after.’

Taewoon put on the Red Wax Mask and, aided by the mask’s efficacy, began to heal the damage to his body.

And the next day, the moment of the unavoidable final battle arrived once again.

“…Today, I shall certainly take your breath away.”

“That’s my line.”

Even in the fierce battle of the fourth day, Taewoon and Iosis ultimately failed to reach a conclusion.

The result was the same the next day, and the day after that.

‘I’m at my limit.’

Taewoon’s body was now a wreck.

No matter how much he recovered his body with the power of the Red Wax Mask, the Magical Power Taewoon used to maintain it was not infinite.

Rather, it was a miracle that he had held out this long without collapsing.

‘But……’

Even in such a situation, Taewoon felt something within him changing.

Iosis’s attacks no longer felt so heavy.

He could now instinctively react to techniques that had previously been difficult to even track with his eyes, and Iosis was increasingly being wounded by Taewoon’s counterattacks.

‘…….’

It felt as though it was almost within his grasp.

Finishing his reflections, Taewoon moved his heavy steps toward the place where everyone was gathered.

“…You’ve come. Sit down.”

“Yes.”

In truth, he wondered if this could even be called a military council anymore.

Generals who looked like they were on the verge of death gathered to report the current situation, harboring vague hopes for the future and repeating assurances that they themselves could hardly believe.

Yet, even in such a situation, Theogenes’s consistently upright demeanor was undoubtedly a source of great strength for everyone.

“…I am well aware that everyone has reached their limit.”

“…….”

“But it is two days. In just two more days, the end of this long hardship will surely come. Have you not defended the Fortress Wall splendidly for the past six days? Compared to that, the remaining two days are truly nothing.”

It was a hollow sentiment.

Over the past few days, more than seven knights of the kingdom had died at the hands of the Empire’s Seven Knight, Duon, and the number of empty seats in this room had increased noticeably.

But despite that, they had to endure.

Everyone forced their fists tight, staggered to their feet, and gripped their weapons.

Theogenes looked over them with a gaze full of pride.

“Let us go, everyone. We will surely be victorious.”

Whether he never tired or not, the sight of his back as he hurried the pace in the lead revealed the aspect of a sovereign who would one day lead everyone in this country.

However, Taewoon’s senses, sharpened by repeated fierce battles with Iosis, could detect a slight anomaly from Theogenes.

When Taewoon suddenly lunged forward and grabbed Theogenes’s shoulder, everyone was shocked and unable to hide their bewilderment.

“Lord Taewoon, what is the meaning of this sudden action?”

“…It is fine, Sir Jusef. It seems my friend has something he wishes to say.”

Theogenes met Taewoon’s gaze with serious eyes, and Taewoon, refusing to back down, put strength into the hand gripping the shoulder.

“Tell me honestly, Theogenes. Do you really have the strength left to hold out?”

“…Of course. I have no intention of evading responsibility for the words I have spoken.”

“I’m not talking about that. I’m asking about the simple facts before us.”

As Taewoon stepped forward with conviction, the vassals, who had been sending skeptical looks, also sensed something strange and focused their attention on Theogenes as if by agreement.

“Theogenes, are the soldiers of this fortress merely beings to be protected by you? Do you truly believe they cannot hold out for a day or two without you?”

“…….”

“Speak only the objective, accurate facts. Only then can your soldiers help you at the appropriate time.”

As if supporting Taewoon’s words, the nearby vassals nodded with gazes full of loyalty.

Then, Theogenes also let out a sigh and gave a bitter smile.

“You are right. I made a mistake. In truth, I haven’t been in good condition since the night before last. It would be a strain to deploy the barrier for as long as I did before.”

“Y-Your Highness, why did you keep that fact……”

“Because I judged the current situation to be that precarious.”

At Theogenes’s candid revelation of his inner thoughts, a resolve for a fight to the death, unlike anything before, began to dwell in the eyes of the knights.

“Do not worry. I, Jusef! I will never be broken by the Empire’s dog.”

“Please believe in us, Your Highness! We will surely seize the victory and prove everyone’s loyalty!”

Theogenes had been overextending himself considering the unfavorable tide of war.

The self-reproach and fighting spirit of the knights upon realizing this were beyond words.

Having thus strengthened their resolve, everyone took up their weapons and stood upon the Fortress Wall.

The seventh day of the Defensive Battle—the beginning of that utterly tedious combat.

“…Honestly, I never thought I would struggle this much.”

“…….”

“Do you realize how amazed I am? If this battle continues, your spearmanship will surely surpass the realm I possess before long.”

It was an unexpected word of recognition.

Looking directly into Taewoon’s eyes, which were fixed steadily on him, Iosis chuckled and drove his spear into the ground, signaling the start of the fierce battle.

“Unfortunately, all preparations are complete. I guarantee that today will be the end for you all.”

“…Bullshit.”

The dark green vines, which he was now sick of even looking at, filled his vision, and Taewoon evaded them with a familiar attitude.

He even cut down and blocked several vines head-on.

“…Excellent.”

Iosis now knew as well. That attacks of this level could do nothing to Taewoon.

Accordingly, the vines that had been ravaging the surroundings soared into the sky all at once, and Iosis, revealing himself through the cleared vision, charged toward Taewoon and unleashed a powerful strike.

“Ugh!”

The spearhead and shaft clashed, sending sparks flying, and dust swirled from the ground under the dizzying movements of the two men.

A new gash appeared on Taewoon’s forearm, and conversely, fresh blood flowed from Iosis’s waist.

“This is enjoyable.”

“…….”

Taewoon had already reached a skill level equal to that of the Empire’s Seven Knights. At least, that was what Iosis thought.

Therefore, it was not Iosis’s wish for this sublime duel to be interrupted.

“Reinforcements are coming soon.”

“What?”

“When that happens, the Fortress Wall will inevitably collapse. Today is the last day. Including your chance to take my head.”

If those words were true, there was no way out for the kingdom. The Fortress Wall would collapse before the support force of the Mayer Duchy arrived, and eventually, the front line would be pushed back, facing the worst-case scenario.

“…Why are you telling me this?”

“Because I do not want an ambiguous conclusion. Is it not the same for you? In the life of a general, where one never knows when the end will come, it is not easy to meet such a worthy rival.”

It was a reason as simple as could be, but Iosis’s words did not feel like lies.

Slightly shifting his stance, Taewoon moved his spear to his left arm, and soon took out the Red Wax Mask and pulled it over his face.