Chapter 298: Weapon Master

Mika Wright immediately felt the counter-shock force transmitted through the collision.

His blade was deflected by the immense force; fortunately, he had anticipated this and twisted his arm with all his might to control the sword's edge.

In this first exchange, Wright confirmed his previous judgment: to defeat Thierry, he must rely on technique.

Wright held his sword behind his back, swept the blade, and delivered a backhanded "Tanvira Style," forcing Thierry to retreat.

The "Weapon Master"'s eyes flashed; Wright's attack was somewhat similar to the 2nd clause of "Ausberch-Waya," yet different.

He became increasingly curious about the "Ervira" sword style and launched a series of stabs at Wright using the 16th clause of "Ausberch-Waya."

Wright held his blade horizontally and parried the swift incoming stab with the "Feather-Weight Style."

Then, using the immense force applied by Thierry, he twisted his blade and parried two consecutive stabs in diagonal directions, left and right.

The blades crossed, and the energy field hissed.

The "Weapon Master" failed to land three consecutive attacks; he discovered that the three defensive sword techniques Wright used skillfully harnessed force, and by utilizing the potential energy and angles of the sword forms, he neutralized the power of his own attacks during the clash, maximizing the compensation for his disadvantage in strength.

While Thierry was deep in thought, Wright launched a counterattack, pouring all his strength into a diagonal downward slash from left to right.

The full-force "Vilabei Style" saw the sword body flickering with psychic electric arcs.

The power contained within the sword form made the "Warriors" watching from the side widen their eyes; the strength of the Kase Chief Sword Master exceeded their expectations.

The "Warriors" were not worried for their Knight Lord, merely anticipating how he would defeat his opponent.

The "Weapon Master" twisted his arm, raised his sword, and used the 6th clause of the Way of "Ausberch-Waya" to catch the blade with his sword tip.

Wright was pushed back a step, then immediately lunged at Thierry, aiming straight for Thierry's throat.

"Erka Style!"

The Kasei below the Great Arena gasped aloud when they saw Master Wright unleash the death strike of the "Ervira" sword style.

In the nick of time, the "Weapon Master" shifted his raised arm downward, his sword tip precisely tapping Wright's tip—a clever application derived from the philosophy of the 6th clause of the Way of "Ausberch-Waya."

The Kasei watched in shock as Master Wright's death strike was crushed.

Wright realized that Thierry's sword technique was exquisite; even setting aside his relative advantage in strength and speed, he would still find it difficult to win.

While Wright was thinking, the "Weapon Master," with his superior agility, erupted into astonishing speed; he lunged forward and launched a fierce strike using the 7th clause of the Way of "Ausberch-Waya," the way of the slash.

Wright discovered that Thierry's fatal strike was unavoidable, but he did not panic.

In such a situation, the only valuable reaction was to weaken the controller's strike.

There are many forms of sword techniques for dealing with this situation, collectively known as "Cliff-Reining Style," which means "reining in at the cliff's edge."

He imagined Thierry as an unmanageable mount; no matter how one tried to stop it, the wild horse would recklessly charge off the cliff.

The Ian Sword in Wright's hand transformed into a long "rein," and he could control its actions with ease.

Thierry wanted to use a lunge to power his slash, so he should restrict the space for that lunge.

He assumed a defensive stance, holding the sword with both hands, the hilt above his shoulder, the blade pointing downward at a thirty-five-degree angle to the horizontal.

The "Weapon Master" could see from Wright's blade that if he stepped sideways or moved closer, the enemy's side-blade would take the opportunity to launch a charged strike.

The "Weapon Master" further discerned the purpose of this strike from Wright; he forced himself to focus his attention on his lower body, believing that he, a giant, was not accustomed to attacking areas below the waist.

【He thinks that my performing such an attack implies a low center of gravity and a loss of balance.】

The "Weapon Master"'s eyes flashed; he decided to let Wright believe he held the advantage.

He therefore deliberately exposed a weakness, swinging his Charged Blade toward Wright's lower body.

Wright side-stepped to avoid it, his "rein" influencing the height and direction of the opponent's attack.

As he slid, he swung his sword toward Thierry's arm.

The "Weapon Master"'s eyes flashed; following the 23rd clause of the Way of "Ausberch-Waya," he aimed at the opportunity he had captured and unleashed a slash.

The Charged Blade struck the body of the sword in Wright's hand, twisting and flicking.

Wright felt an irresistible force on his sword; his sword immediately flew out of his hand, traveling several meters.

"Master Wright... has been defeated..."

The Kasei all widened their eyes, unable to believe the scene they had just witnessed.

"I am defeated, defeated by your sword technique," Wright said bitterly, knowing that if Thierry had utilized his advantages in strength and agility, he might have defeated him long ago.

"Your sword technique is also admirable, rarely equaled," the "Weapon Master" said with praise.

"The 'Ervira' sword style of the Kasei is indeed superb."

After this exchange, the "Weapon Master" understood why the Black Emperor had chosen this place as a recruitment world for the Eighth Legion.

The quality of the Kasei soldiers and their sword techniques proved they were excellent Warriors.

The "Weapon Master" looked at the blade on the ground and asked curiously:

"Your blades are infused with psychic energy, allowing you to further unleash the power of your sword techniques."

"Yes," Wright said, "The Kase master swordsmiths possess special sword-forging techniques."

"The master swordsmiths forge swords with rune stones for the nobility; by wearing them for a long time, the nobility are influenced by the rune arrays and gain psychic energy."

"But the psychic energy we gain cannot be used freely; it can only be injected into the sword to unleash its power."

The "Weapon Master" frowned; he had never heard of such a method for inducing psychic energy in people.

But if every noble could generate psychic energy, it would be too much of a coincidence, and Wright had not used any psychic energy throughout the entire battle, only injecting it into the blade.

Thierry asked the Librarian: "Is this possible?"

"My Lord, it is indeed possible."

"Beyond the mainstream psychic factions, there are special techno-factions that can forge unique psychic items."

"The Chief Librarian has studied the Heart-Forged Staff discovered on Medusa; only rare techno-psykers who are proficient in both technology and psychic mysteries can activate the Heart-Forged Staff."

The Librarian looked at the Kase blade Wright had retrieved and continued.

"The Kase master swordsmiths must have mastered some of the psychic techniques of the techno-factions."

"Kase nobles who carry blades forged with rune stones for a long time will acquire a special Aier'ota-level psychic energy, which is the lowest level of psychic energy that can be consciously utilized."

"The Kasei nobility cannot wield psychic powers or use other spells; they can only strengthen the power of their blades."

Thierry had not expected that a Kasei master swordsmith could also craft such blades.

【What an unexpected joy.】

When the Knight Lord subjugated the Kasei, selected children of appropriate age as Candidate recruits, and formed the Kasei Auxilia, Ninglu was also meeting with Warriors.

"My lord, thank you for your support. Shield-guard Laurent and I have selected two hundred and forty-eight people from among the Necromundans, which, together with the two of us, forms a complete company."

Xio of the Lucifer Blacks said gratefully: "Now, it is time for us to repay you."

"Please accept our service."

Ninglu tapped his fingers lightly against the back of his chair, pondered for a moment, and then said: "In that case, you shall first board the Shadow of Sovereignty and set out on the expedition with me."

He decided to first lead the Lucifer Blacks to Osiris to confront the Mind-Control Seed, and depending on their performance, he would then decide whether to use them as high-value bodyguards or as a regular combat unit.

"As you command, my lord," Xio said excitedly, and Laurent also showed a look of joy.

Although they had guarded Patton Drake and participated in several campaigns, that was different from serving as an independent combat force.

After the two left, Arsena Dunn said to Ninglu.

"My master, the Emperor has sent a summons, requesting that you accompany him to Nocturne to welcome back the discovered Primarch."

Upon hearing this, Ninglu thought to himself: 【Nocturne and Osiris are both in the Ultima Segmentum, and since the rebellion has not yet occurred, there is no harm in taking a trip with the old man Huang Laohan.

Besides, the Salamanders are very likely Potion Material.】

Thinking of this, he said: "Order the Navigator leader Eden Vischer to plot the course and prepare to set sail."

Two days later, the fleet, centered around the Shadow of Sovereignty and the Gloriana-class Battleship named the Judgment by Howard Fender, set sail.

(End of this chapter)