Chapter 492 - 1 vs 100

The captain gestured, and ten guards stepped forward first, forming a loose circle around Brandon with training swords and shields.

Freya, on the other hand, had a teasing smile playing on her lips, ’Well, he surely won’t beat 100 guards... but let’s see how strong he is.’

Brandon moved in a blur.

The man’s fingers spasmed, and the training sword dropped from his grip.

THUD! THUD!

"Ugh-"

The remaining seven charged at once with their shields up, trying to overwhelm him with coordinated pressure.

The man doubled over with a wheeze.

CLANG- THUD!

"Grahh-" The guard landed hard on his back with a loud grunt.

Brandon twisted, blocked with his sword, and delivered a sharp kick to the inside of the man’s knee.

The remaining guards hesitated for a second, long enough for Brandon to close the distance.

The last guard standing tried a desperate overhead swing.

THUD.

Silence fell over the training yard.

The captain’s jaw dropped.

Amelia stood frozen with her mouth slightly open.

He looked toward Freya "Ten down. Should I keep going?"

He waved for the next group "All of you. Carefully this time."

Brandon didn’t wait for them to surround him completely.

He ducked under the first swinging sword as the blade whistled harmlessly over his head. In the same fluid motion, he twisted between two guards, using the narrow gap in their shield wall to his advantage.

Brandon sidestepped at the last instant and grabbed the edge of the man’s shield with his left hand and used the guard’s own forward momentum to launch himself into the air.

THUD! THUD!

The guards reacted instantly, trying to tighten the circle again.

He caught the falling weapon mid-air, spun it smoothly, and used the flat of the blade to lightly bash two more guards across their armored shoulders, just hard enough to stagger them without causing real injury.

"Watch your left-!"

The captain watched from the side with his mouth slightly open in disbelief.

Within four minutes, the entire group of one hundred guards was sitting or lying on the grass, breathing hard with their weapons scattered around them.

Brandon turned toward Freya and smiled faintly "So?"

Amelia walked over to him slowly "I a-am... impressed. You are a lot stronger than you look."

Brandon gave a faint nod "Mhm."

Whispers spread quickly among them...

"He took all of us down without even breaking a sweat..."

Freya linked her arm with Amelia’s and gave Brandon one last teasing smile "You’ve certainly made an impression today. I look forward to seeing what else you can do."

Brandon stood alone in the yard for a moment, shaking his head with a wry smile.

---

Emperor Valerian Bleaufort stood near a stone bench beside a bubbling fountain, "What are you saying? Letting Amelia go with him?" he muttered as he looked at his younger sister.

She gave a small nod "Yeah... how long do you think you are going to keep her locked in this castle?"

Valerian’s gaze lowered as he sat on the chair opposite to her "I lost my wife because I was careless, Freya. I can’t lose my daughter too."

Both Valerian and Freya noticed him immediately and rose to their feet.

Brandon raised a hand casually, offering a relaxed smile "Please sit down."

Brandon quietly sat beside Freya on the bench "I overheard part of your conversation. About Amelia wanting to see the city."

"But keeping her locked away forever... it might protect her body, but it will slowly break her spirit. She trains every morning not just to prove she’s strong, but because she wants to live."

Valerian stayed silent for a moment and a deep sigh escaped his lips "After what you showed my men today... I cannot deny your strength."

Freya smiled softly, setting her teacup down "I will accompany them as well, brother. Just to be safe."

Seeing this, Brandon smiled dryly in his heart ’Why is he making a big deal out of this... it’s just visiting the city.’

’Maybe it’s a sensitive matter in this era.’

’It’s because of Rheanne that they trust me to this extent.’

He thought of Florence again... thinking how she would laugh if she knew her distant ancestor was about to be taken on a night out by her future partner.