Defying the Fate of Beheading

...

The story splits into two parts.

On the other side, the battle involving Louis and the others had come to a stalemate.

Clang!

Accompanied by a burst of roaring sound, a filthy flying dagger collided with Louis' longsword.

The glow of the Sin Dragon Armor flickering on Louis' skin became even deeper.

With the power of the dragon, Louis forcibly blocked this strike.

"Move, don't fight him on open ground, head to the forest."

If it were just the most ordinary exemplar level, there might still be a chance to fight head-on.

But Louis, at the moment of collision with the opponent, realized that this person's martial skills were honed to perfection.

To put it bluntly, although he was currently limited in the martial skills he used, the level of skill almost approached Instructor Jino.

On the side, the glimmering Merlin clicked his tongue in amazement:

"This War Ghost has quite a remarkable talent! Already carved out their own path with the Nine Swords."

Clang!

Another explosive sound echoed.

Louis and Alice together blocked Rogen, who was attempting to break through to Olivia.

The little swan's spiritual power instantly extended to the two frontline melee fighters.

A voice sounded in both of their minds:

"Louis, Alice, the super magic specialty has restored."

The two exerted force simultaneously, pushing Rogen aside.

Although not perfectly synchronized, the two had already fought together numerous times as adventurers in the past.

In an instant, they realized that the little swan's freshly restored super magic specialty could catch the opponent completely off guard.

So they shouted in unison:

"Go!"

The next moment, Louis dashed to the little swan's side, and Alice to Grace's side, scooping them up and rushing into the forest.

As Louis grabbed the little swan by the waist, she had already communicated to him:

"Ready to fire, spell silent casting chosen, my magic power can support a big Fireball Technique."

Super Magic Specialty: Spell Silent Casting.

By paying the cost of casting a spell at two levels higher, one can instantly cast magic.

The Fireball Technique is a 3rd circle spell of evocation.

This means the little swan has to pay the equivalent cost of a 5th circle spell, without incantations or any visible signs, allowing her to fire the magic as soon as it's ready.

Though weaker than spell instant cast.

The super magic specialty of spell instant cast requires a cost of a +4 spell level.

This means a 3rd circle Fireball Technique requires the cost of a 7th circle spell.

The little swan currently cannot unlock a 7th circle spell level,

so Spell Silent Casting is the optimal choice for now.

"Prepare Grace, let her act after you, Alice and I will coordinate with you."

He only felt that the approaching Rogen from behind was giving him goosebumps.

Although he didn't know why the Emperor overhead wasn't stopping all this, one fortunate thing was that the configuration of Louis's party was far superior to a party of the same level.

If it were anyone else, things might collapse.

Alice at LV10 was a Celestial Punishment Sword favoring the agile warrior style, with a body refined enough to withstand Rogen's attacks two or three times and even have an opportunity to counterattack.

A mage at LV8 would typically be shattered at the mere touch of Rogen; the exemplar level's suppression of an LV8 is too high. Normally, the mage would be decapitated in one strike.

—Except for the little swan.

Having lifted the curse, she could inject more magic power to force the spell to exert beyond-limit strength, equivalent to having a [Spell Strengthen] super magic specialty.

This allowed her, using the super magic specialty of Spell Silent Casting, to truly have the potential to harm Rogen.

Her exclusive magic, [Existence Weakening], made it possible for Grace, who appeared as an LV1 journeyman but possessed the ability of true damage divine art, to launch an attack.

Most importantly, she somehow interrupted Rogen's martial skill [Time Stop].

This means they had the potential to not be instantly killed by time-stopping abilities.

Coupled with the Sin Dragon Armor and his succubus physique, it was as if he possessed a panel of a professional, a dragon-type panel, and a succubus panel.

Though each hard clash made him feel like his muscles were wailing.

But... the succubus physique barely allowed this body to endure beyond-limit combat.

Even Merlin, flying beside him, couldn't help but remark:

"Your companions have exceptional qualities."

"Not a single one experiences a freeze response, not even the smallest girl (referring to Grace) does."

Most people or animals exhibit a freeze response.

For instance, a deer suddenly charging down from the mountains at night gets stunned in the glaring headlights of an approaching vehicle.

Even when aware of the car's approach, they can't evade, frozen in place.

This is the freeze response.

Upon receiving a large amount of information feedback in a short time, a person's brain enters standby mode, let alone animals.

Yet none of the four present were in such a condition.

But right now, Louis was so frantic he almost wanted to curse.

"Emperor Lao Deng, help help help help help..."

He started to wonder if calling his father-in-law Lao Deng directly had angered him, and now he was putting him through a trial.

But if Old Deng doesn't lend a hand soon, they might really be in trouble.

Clang!

Another sound of clashing iron.

Louis used his sword like a blade, slashing fiercely, and Rogen's body trembled slightly.

He then used the recoil to roll into the bushes with the little swan.

"Olivia, what did you do? Why is he so fixated on you?"

The little swan retorted indignantly:

"How would I know? And how do you know he's after me and not you?"

The next second, Rogen's zombie rushed forward straight into a massive, ghostly green fireball.

With a boom!

He was blown away by the explosion of the fireball.

The little swan snorted and said:

"Knew you wanted to attack us while we were talking."

Indeed.

Louis and the little swan were bad seeds.

They even faked a conversation to lure Rogen into attacking them.

This fireball technique, prepared in silence for a long time, made Rogen cry out in pain.

"Ru~del~son~"

Amidst the raging flames, a mournful voice echoed.

"What are you yelling about?!"

Louis cursed angrily.

Then, his heart suddenly skipped a beat.

Just then, he and the little swan had moved apart.

At this moment, Rogen happened to lift his head, and his bloodshot eyes eerily fixed on Louis, with murderous intent seemingly sharp enough to become a blade.

Merlin said strangely:

"Are you sure this guy is after that little girl (Olivia)?"

"I've been meaning to say, this War Ghost's killing intent seems directed at you?"

Louis's mouth twitched slightly.

Instinctively, he wanted to deny it.

He and Rogen didn't know each other at all, let alone had any grudges.

Even if it was related to the Rudelson Organization, he was using Caesar's identity.

To make it easier to kill the Fallen Shadow Beauty Snake, he had already taken off his armor.

Caesar's grudge with the Rudelson Organization, what's that got to do with me, Louis?

But he had no time to argue.

Because he realized Rogen was charging in his direction again.

"Damn, could he really be coming for me?"

Without hesitation, he thrust his sword forward.

Suddenly.

A distinct clinking sound rang out.

His constantly maintained hunting senses suddenly went into overdrive.

The next moment, in his shock, the treasured sword from the amputee adventurer Tiqi Laoxin emitted a pathetic sound.

Under Louis's bewildered gaze.

With a crack, it shattered.

"We're gonna die we're gonna die we're gonna die!"

"Tiqi's sword is indeed an excellent weapon, but that's for below exemplar level."

"In a battle of this level, it's already at its limit holding on this far."

"William, help help help help help..."

Suddenly.

With a boom.

The approaching Rogen was instantly stomped into the ground by William, who descended from above.

William's somewhat simple voice came through.

"I think I heard His Highness calling my name."

"I did! William, I'm giving you a hundred points for today's battle!"

As he was saying this, William raised his gigantic shield, gathering azure energy upon it.

Minotauros-style charge!

With a boom.

William, like a roaring bull, used his shield to carry Rogen, charging fiercely across the ground.

Where they passed, dirt and debris flew.

"Your Highness, could this wave be the hero's arrival?"