Chapter 29: Osberh-Waya

Luoersiliefu swung a slash, blocking the thrust.

Thierry was startled; the opponent had actually blocked his fierce strike.

Luoersiliefu frowned; he sensed a tiny scorch mark on the chainsword, and although it was only the size of a grain of rice, it indicated that the weapon he had scavenged from an officer was inferior to his opponent's heirloom power sword.

A flash of brilliance crossed Thierry's eyes as he flicked his wrist.

The 2nd technique of the Way of "Osberh-Waya," a backhand thrust, saw the power sword turn like a nimble snake, grazing the chainsword and aiming straight for Luoersiliefu's arm.

Luoersiliefu did not dodge; with his weapon inferior to his opponent's, he had to end the fight as quickly as possible.

He stepped forward and pulled back to avoid the thrust, simultaneously unleashing a sword strike from the 23rd technique of "Osberh-Waya," which he had practiced ten thousand times.

Although he did not even know which technique of the Way of "Osberh-Waya" this belonged to, he had fully mastered its art of overcoming the strong with the weak.

The chainsword roared as it slashed toward Thierry's shoulder; a dazzling light bloomed in Thierry's eyes, for this was the first time he had encountered an opponent who had mastered the 23rd technique to such a degree, even without being constrained by the original tenets.

This slash from his opponent not only struck his weakness directly but also anticipated his own attack beforehand.

When Thierry realized this, flames burned in his eyes; Luoersiliefu had transformed from a warm-up opponent into a formidable rival who required his full effort to defeat.

Using the 6th technique of "Osberh-Waya," he swung his power sword, forcibly twisting his arm to raise the blade and parry the chainsword.

Wearing ballistic armor and standing behind Ninglu and the Company Captain, Szczesny watched the brilliant duel ahead with his bright blue eyes fixed intently.

Leader Luoersiliefu's every strike hit the vital points, ruthless and concise.

【So this is the Leader's true strength; when I challenged him before, he didn't use his full power.

If he had used his full power back then, I wouldn't have lasted a minute.】

What surprised Szczesny even more was that Luoersiliefu's fierce offensive did not gain the upper hand; his opponent's sword seemed alive, and the nimble attacks felt like a great net, always forcing the Leader to change his moves.

Realizing this, he could not help but worry for the Leader.

Ninglu, however, had already deduced the outcome of the battle, and he had gained a clearer understanding of the strength of Sequence 9.

【A Sequence 9 Beyonder can push an ordinary person to their limit, but there are already too many transcendent figures among humans; they are not mere mortals.

Perhaps if Luoersiliefu fully digested the Potion and became a true "Warrior," he would have a chance at victory, but as he is now, he is no match for Thierry.

Moreover, his weapon is also lacking; that one accumulated strike failed, and now there is no chance left.】

Ninglu's superhuman brain simultaneously took in every movement and every attack of Thierry.

Within ten minutes, he had completely absorbed the crystallization of Vostonian swordsmanship—"Osberh-Waya"—and further extrapolated it to a height no one else could reach.

【Luoersiliefu has lost.】

Ninglu caught the mournful cry of the chainsword; as he sighed in his heart, Thierry seized the opportunity and used the killing move of the 33rd technique of "Osberh-Waya," with the power sword acting like a heavy hammer to deliver continuous battering attacks.

Luoersiliefu used the 6th technique he had grasped from his opponent's attacks to struggle to block the strikes.

However, Thierry's violent attacks were like the legendary tide, battering the chainsword wave after wave.

With an explosive sound, this fine weapon was shattered.

Roaring fragments scattered everywhere, and Luoersiliefu revealed a bitter smile.

"I have lost."

He walked back silently, the warriors of the Vostonia First Regiment looking pale, for their Leader had been defeated.

Thierry opened his mouth, taking several deep breaths before he recovered.

Although it had only been ten minutes, the physical and mental energy he had consumed exceeded that of a major battle; had the opponent's weapon not shattered, this fight would have continued.

A few seconds later, he silently picked up his laser pistol, and a majestic voice rang in his ears.

"I will give you half an hour to rest."

"Very well."

Thierry replied; had this been before the duel, he would not have accepted, but now he could not help but feel a trace of doubt about himself.

【One of Ninglu's nameless subordinates is actually this powerful, and he himself seems to excel at combat as well; can I really defeat him?】

Ten minutes later, Thierry walked toward the giant, his gaze firm, having regained his conviction of victory.

As he took his fourth step, he suddenly lunged forward with great speed.

Ninglu did not move; he saw it clearly—just before Thierry reached the attack range of the heavy halberd, he suddenly changed direction, circling around him with rapid leaps.

He understood in his heart that Thierry anticipated he would use his strength advantage to launch a violent attack the moment he entered range, and he wanted to seize the opening exposed during his turn to launch an attack while leaping.

Ninglu moved, and the heavy halberd swung out; to Thierry's surprise, the giant's attack was not violent, as he launched a precise thrust with the tip of the halberd.

Thierry's expression changed; he felt that this attack contained the swift thrust of the 1st technique of the Way of "Osberh-Waya," as well as the direct strike to the weakness of the 23rd technique.

He could not even parry it and could only roll on the ground in a sorry state to avoid the attack.

Just as Thierry rolled to his feet, the heavy halberd swept toward his face; he gritted his teeth, exerted force through his arms, and met it head-on.

The collision he expected did not happen; Ninglu flicked his wrist, and the heavy halberd spun like a windmill, the resulting force of the wind already disrupting his sword stance, and the tip of the halberd thrust straight at his chest.

Thierry leaped backward with all his might, feeling a chill in his chest as his armor had already been sliced open.

【He used the 2nd technique.

No! It also fused the 23rd technique.

How did he do that?】

As Thierry flew backward, he was deeply shocked; the giant did not use his strength advantage, but instead fused the "Osberh-Waya" techniques together and used them ingeniously.

He used the Vostonian sword techniques, yet he went beyond them.

After Thierry landed, ignoring the blood dripping from his chest, he lunged forward with his sword, the silver light of the power sword like a storm.

After thirty-three consecutive attacks, Thierry was thrown away like a kite with a broken string.

He knelt on one knee: "I concede."

Thierry revealed a self-deprecating smile; he already knew that Ninglu could have defeated him with a single strike, but he had used technique to break every profound mystery of his Way of "Osberh-Waya."

【He wants to break every profound mystery I have mastered! He wants to force me to realize that the gap between him and me is not just strength, but technique!】

This was a complete and utter defeat, he said with sincere conviction.

"King Ninglu, I swear by the honor of the Weila Family and my own soul, as long as you can slay Puhachi, I will serve you for all eternity!"

"I accept your allegiance."

Ninglu said in a deep voice, "Tend to your wounds, then lead the way."

"Yes."

As Thierry walked toward his subordinates, the Warriors of the Vostonia First Regiment finally came to their senses.

Their morale soared, especially among the new recruits; having witnessed Ninglu's divine might with their own eyes, they believed this battle would surely be won.

Szczesny looked up at Ninglu's back, his eyes filled with adoration.

Five minutes later, after Thierry had applied medical gel to his wounds and changed into a set of armor in the military tent, he walked before Ninglu.

"My lord, please follow me."

(End of this chapter)