Chapter 305: Ambush?

The battle between the two kings erupted instantly!

At first, people could still see their movements.

The clash of spear against spear rang like thunder, sparks scattering in the twilight.

Arthur's spear technique was fierce and swift, carrying an unstoppable momentum like a violent storm; Perinor's spear technique was steady and seasoned, each strike heavy and powerful like a collapsing mountain, always able to neutralize Arthur's attack in the most effective way and counter.

Warhorses crossed, spear crisscrossed. They fought from the bridgehead to the bridge's end, then from the bridge to the open field by the riverbank.

They fought from daytime until night fell, and the stars appeared.

Then they fought from deep night until dawn broke, and the sun rose in the east.

They seemed tireless, as if their bodies held endless power.

The spear wind tore the earth, plowing deep gullies; the bursting shock shattered rocks, rolling up clouds of dust!

As the battle intensified, their fighting range widened; the scattered energy surged like a storm, ravaging everything. Even the watching soldiers who retreated far felt terrified, as if they might be torn apart by that fearsome power at any moment.

Merlin frowned slightly, wanting to keep innocents out of danger.

He raised his staff and began chanting a spell.

A soft yet irresistible WhiteLight enveloped all the spectators; in the next moment, they were collectively transported to a high ground several miles away.

At the same time, a huge, semi-transparent Magic protective shield like an inverted giant bowl covered the entire area where Arthur and Perinor fought; the Frenzy energy impacts rebounded inside the shield, but no longer reached the outside.

On the high ground, people could only see two blurry figures inside the shield clashing at a speed too fast for the eye to follow, hearing a continuous impact like muffled thunder.

The battle lasted an unknown length of time.

Until another dusk fell, the setting sun dyed the horizon a grim blood-red.

Boom——

Inside the shield, after an especially heavy boom, the fierce clash suddenly stopped.

Dust slowly settled.

All that could be seen was the once-flat plain now riddled with craters and cracks.

Arthur knelt on one knee, leaning on his spear now covered in cracks, gasping violently as sweat mixed with blood trickled from his forehead.

His armor was damaged in many places, his body covered with wounds large and small, his golden hair stained with dirt, looking wretched.

Not far opposite him, Perinor remained standing.

His breathing was also somewhat ragged, his chest rising and falling, but his breath was far steadier than Arthur's; his armor was similarly severely damaged, his body bore wounds, some deep enough to show bone, blood staining his battle robe.

Yet his mountain-like aura had not faded, his eyes still sharp.

Victory and defeat were decided.

Perinor looked at the young king before him, who, despite being much younger, had already shown astonishing strength and indomitable will; his face held no triumphant smugness, but a complex, hard-to-describe expression—admiration, reflection, and a hint of regret.

He spoke in a low voice, hoarse from fatigue yet candid:

«Arthur King……if you were my age, I would be no match for you. »

He acknowledged the opponent's terrifying potential.

«But…»

His tone turned resolute,

«Now, I have won. »

«I won't kill you; withdraw your troops. »

Having said that, Perinor gave Arthur no more glance, dragging his wounded yet still upright body, he turned slowly, stepped heavily over the pits and gouges like a plowed field, and walked toward the stone bridge that still stood.

The bitterness of defeat, like the coldest river water, instantly engulfed Arthur.

The pain all over his body was nothing compared to the fierce feeling of defeat inside.

He, who had never known defeat, was now shrouded in an unprecedented sense of loss and self-doubt.

Glory, confidence, and the stride forward seemed to collapse in a heap against Perinor's turning back.

«I have lost……»

He bowed his head, nearly exhaling his last breath, collapsed to the ground, and fell into endless darkness!

At the moment his will was most depleted and his heart violently shaken, a phantom of Merlin seemed to appear before his eyes.

A seductive voice sounded in his ear, like a serpent's whisper: «Arthur! Lift your head! The kingdom's future lies in your hands! »

«Look at him! He's utterly exhausted! This is the only chance! »

«What's at your waist? It's the Stone Sword! It's the symbol of Destiny's mandate! »

«Draw it! Now! Seize the moment! For Camelot's future, for Britain's unification, what's this little trick? »

«Do you really want this defeat to become your eternal shame, to halt the kingdom's grand endeavor here?! Attack! »

«A defeat unknown to anyone is no defeat! »

This voice madly tempted, striking Arthur's wavering reason and spirit, trying to lure him into making the unfair, dishonorable decision—to draw the Stone Sword and ambush Perinor, who had his back turned and was defenseless!

Arthur's hand reached for the hilt of the Stone Sword at his waist.

In the throes of utter defeat and temptation, he drew with a clang the holy sword symbolizing Destiny and royal authority!

The golden blade reflected a blinding light in the sunset, yet seemed to carry a hint of hostility it shouldn't have.

A flash of resolute madness crossed his eyes; dragging his wounded body, he unleashed his final strength, wielding the Stone Sword and stabbing like a ghost at Perinor's unguarded back!

This strike was swift as lightning, ruthless and merciless—nothing like his usual noble bearing!

The keen blade tore the air; the shadow of death instantly shrouded Perinor's back!

But just as the tip of the Stone Sword was about to touch Perinor's robe——

A calm, familiar voice suddenly exploded deep within his soul!

«Arthur, what will you become from now on? A… king? »

«In my homeland……Inner Sage Outer King……»

Inner Sage……Outer King……

What is Inner Sage? It is cultivating oneself, it is virtue without flaw, it is having a clear conscience! It is even if no one knows, one can still hold true to one's original heart!

And what is he doing now? A sneak attack from behind, violating oaths, disregarding fairness!

This sudden interrogation, like the clearest cold spring water, instantly extinguished the evil fire in his heart, washing away that seductive whisper!

The forward lunge motion suddenly stalled, and the Stone Sword in his hand, only a finger's breadth from Perinor's back, came to an abrupt halt!

The madness on his face faded, replaced by a bewildered astonishment and deep self-loathing after awakening.

But this momentary stall, for the battle-hardened Perinor, was already enough!

At the very moment Arthur's sword momentum stalled, Perinor's heart alarm blared wildly!

He didn't even have time to think; purely the battle-honed instinct honed through countless hammerings drove him—he violently turned, the sword at his waist already drawn in the motion, gathering all his remaining strength and the fury from the sneak attack.

Transforming into a plain yet extremely sharp arc of light, he backhanded it toward the Stone Sword that emitted Golden Light but was stalled!

Clang—Crack!!!

A piercing, heart-pounding shattering sound rang out!

Under Perinor's furious full-force strike, the legendary indestructible Stone Sword, symbolizing the Destiny's mandate, shattered like ordinary iron, suddenly cracking and breaking at the point of contact with Perinor's sword!

Golden fragments scattered like falling stars.

And the even more mighty Sword Aura, after shattering the Stone Sword, undiminished, fiercely struck Arthur's chest, now completely defenseless due to his weapon breaking!

"Pfft—!"

Arthur, as if struck hard, flew backward like a broken puppet, spurting blood that traced a miserable arc in the air, heavily crashing onto the cracked ground far away, rolling several times before stopping, lying prone, alive or dead unknown.

The shattered Stone Sword fragments clattered around him, that once brilliant light now dimmed as his glory fallen into dust!

Just as Perinor raised his hand again, intending to Eternal Elimination of Future Trouble.

A light appeared, directly enveloping him, causing him to lose his recent memory.

When he came to, Arthur lying on the ground had vanished.

He looked at the long sword he had somehow drawn, and whispered:

"Arthur King, has it come to the point where I must duel you with swords?"

"Remarkable young man."