Faust’s current situation was nothing if not classic: a power-up mode triggered to protect his beloved.
Generally speaking, this would involve breaking some sort of seal, but unfortunately, His Highness the Prince had always made the best use of everything available, and there was nothing on his body that could be called a seal.
But that did not matter. For the 【wheel of destiny】, if the conditions existed, one would go for it; if the conditions did not exist, one would create them and still go for it.
Even though Faust had no deep attainment in the 【martial saint】 path, it did not prevent him from activating it.
"What happened to you?"
Alexander also sensed the change in Faust. He shook the frustration from his mind and gripped the 【Blade of Praising Gods】 tightly.
His response was the sword-spear that Faust thrusted toward him.
Alexander blocked it casually, only to feel that something was wrong. Why had Faust’s strength suddenly become so powerful?
And as for himself... why was the frequency of the 【Heroic Hymn】 showing signs of turbulence? Could it be that I have grown fearful?
How could that be!
Alexander felt as if the momentum of offense and defense had reversed in an instant. Yet, not understanding what had happened, he could only engage Faust with a sense of inexplicable trepidation.
"This is the bond between my lover and me! Do not underestimate it!"
Faust laughed heartily. The battle with Alexander made his blood boil, to the point where he had almost forgotten his original purpose.
Taking advantage of the brief moment of Ultimate Intent Arrival, all he wanted now was to fight, fight, fight, and fight until the world was turned upside down!
Faust could no longer remember how many attacks he had launched or how many rounds he had fought with Alexander.
He would not count them anyway, because while immersed in this intensely heated battle, all thoughts had to be cast aside. There was no time to plan, no leisure to reminisce, only the instinct to fight crazily.
Slash! Block! Parry! Dodge! Thrust!
The momentum of his sword grew fiercer with every strike.
Dazzling movements intersected between the two; any minor mistake would result in a terrifying wound.
"Clang—"
Colliding with the broadsword once more, Faust leaped backward nimbly, opening up sufficient distance.
He then absorbed a portion of the endlessly surging magic power and held his spear horizontally, gathering strength.
"Zzz... Sss—"
In an instant.
Roaring thunder swept across the lawn. Because it did not merge with the sword-spear, a brilliant golden halo enveloped everything in the vicinity.
Dust and gravel were stripped of gravity’s restraint amidst the electric arcs, and even larger boulders and tree roots were pinned within the domain of thunder.
Faust himself erupted with embers, as if a roaring furnace were blowing its bellows.
However, Alexander, under the state of the 【Heroic Hymn】, did not care at all about Faust’s charging attack. Or perhaps it could be said that the 【Heroic Hymn】 did not allow its holder to be timid or retreat. He charged straight ahead, his broadsword emitting a shrill sound as it tore through the air, the crimson blade even leaving behind a scarlet afterimage.
Just as the broadsword was about to touch Faust’s throat, the charged sword-spear smashed down heavily.
"Boom—"
The sound of thunder was deafening, and time and space seemed to stagnate.
In that split second, the strike accumulated to its limit was something even Alexander could not block. He instinctively raised his broadsword to defend, but the thunder had already propagated, directly blasting Alexander away like a ragdoll.
"Bang, bang, bang—"
The Brave One candidate crashed through several gazebos and mansions before finally coming to a stop in the distance. After a long while, Alexander crawled out from the ruins.
Although he still had the strength to fight, falling out of the arena meant the duel had been decided.
With a livid expression, Alexander returned to the square, looking around with his heart in a chaotic mess.
But he was not someone who could not afford to lose. Since it was a duel he had agreed to, and he had indeed been defeated, there was nothing wrong with admitting it.
Alexander took a deep breath and said bitterly:
"I... have lost."
"!!!"
The crowd looked on in silence. Theoretically, thunderous applause should have rung out at this moment for the winner of the duel.
But in reality, everyone was not very familiar with Faust. Conversely, Alexander had become well-acquainted with the occult noble circles related to the Sanctuary over the past few years, and many families had invested in him. It was truly difficult for anyone to be the first to step forward.
"Clap, clap, clap, clap—"
The silence was finally broken by a crisp sound of applause, accompanied by a pleasant, cold voice of praise:
"What a truly refreshing duel to witness. It seems hosting this banquet was the right decision."
The crowd immediately parted to form a path, expressing their respect to the noble personage who had arrived.
Faust looked over and discovered that the person applauding him was a slender young woman.
She wore a moon-white windbreaker over a pitch-black lining and a light-colored skirt, looking fashionable and suave.
Her supple, beige hair hung straight down, covering one eye. The only indigo eye revealed was filled with a subtle smile, staring straight at him. But her smile... how should one describe it?
Elegant? Manic? Appreciative? Covetous? It was as if a gentle breeze was brushing against one's face, yet it also felt like a venomous snake staring at its prey. Two completely different feelings could actually coexist in her gaze.
His Highness the Prince raised an eyebrow as he met her gaze.
"Princess Artedinis!"
Someone excitedly called out the newcomer’s name.
Oh, so this was the Sanctuary’s partner, that imperial princess.
Faust had guessed it, because Artedinis’s striking beauty was very similar to Charlotte’s. Even though there were no identical features on their faces, the trait belonging to the 【Radiant King】 path meant that as long as she appeared, she would naturally become the focus of everyone’s attention.
Artedinis walked all the way to the dueling ground, her hands behind her back, tilting her head like a playful, cute young girl. She smiled at Faust and Alexander:
"You two, your unbridled abandon has given this otherwise dull banquet a stunning moment worthy of being etched in memory. To have witnessed this dance that did not fail life itself, I am infinitely grateful."
"I have seen everything that happened previously. I think this is just a misunderstanding. Since the duel has ended, I hope this matter will end here."
This person... she arrived and immediately tried to mediate with the natural posture of a host. She was indeed an imperial princess from the same family as Charlotte.
That arrogance was already deep in her marrow. No matter how appropriate her etiquette or how feigned her elegance, it could not hide the flavor of the imperial royalty.
Yet, miraculously, compared to Charlotte, Faust did not feel much resistance toward Artedinis.
Even if the other party had a vaguely condescending attitude, the style of a leader was just that harmonious and natural on a princess.
【Oh, Faust, I have discovered something interesting. Do you want to hear it?】
At this moment, Mephistopheles suddenly spoke:
【This princess actually has two fate-stars.】
Faust seemed to have a guess and asked with a frown, "Which two?"
【"Brave One" and "Overlord".】
Good grief. No wonder it felt like they were on the same wavelength, yet also not. So, we are fellow travelers.
Fellows are all benefactors!
Rate on N.U.
