The Grand Duke's Son Is A Heretic

"I swear… I checked it just before," Pranjan replied. "The flow was fine… But now, it's like the core has been erased. Something's wrong…"

"Stop standing in daze and do something.You might have made a mistake…"

Prajan looked at James and decided to see the spell again.

James turned back toward Kael. He looked at Kael wondering if he did something and turned to Pranjal.

Kael wasn't breathing heavily. His eyes were calm, almost too calm. The red hue around him was growing thicker, and a strange hum echoed faintly with every breath he took. The ground beneath his feet cracked slowly.

Kael tilted his neck, and a sharp crack echoed.

Then he raised his sword slowly.

The shadows around him grew deeper.

"You said you wanted revenge?" Kael spoke, his voice barely above a whisper. "You think you deserved her?"

James froze. His grip on his sword tightened.

"I'll show you why I never looked back at garbage like you," Kael added, stepping forward.

James roared and rushed in again. His blade lifted high, glowing with power. He poured everything into that one strike.

Kael raised his sword and braced himself. James charged like a beast let loose, his heavy blade coming down with wild force. Kael tilted his sword and met the strike just before it hit, redirecting a part of the momentum with a sharp twist. A loud metallic clang echoed as shockwaves burst out, slamming into the trees and sending dust flying.

The force of the clash split the ground around them, a deep scar cutting through the earth. Leaves scattered in all directions, and the grass was torn apart by the blast of pressure. Kael stumbled a step back, his hands numb from the impact. His grip trembled, but he clenched his teeth and held firm, refusing to let go.

James didn't stop. He moved fast, raising his sword again and swinging with raw rage. His strikes were wild but powerful, slashing through the air like a storm. Kael barely kept up, each movement precise and desperate. He dodged one, blocked another, then twisted his body to avoid a downward blow.

BOOM.

The blade struck the ground where Kael had just stood. A loud crack rang out as the earth broke apart under the pressure, creating a wide gash in the soil. The sheer power shook the surroundings and caused nearby rocks to shatter. Trees creaked and leaned from the force.

Kael leapt back, pouring mana into his foot and stamping hard, launching himself out of the way. His eyes stayed locked on James. There was no time to relax.

Kael moved.

In a blink, he reappeared behind James. The wind cried from the sudden movement. A faint trail of red light flickered behind him.

James barely turned in time, swinging wildly to cover himself, but once again his blade hit nothing.

His heart pounded harder.

His instinct screamed.

Then from the left, Kael emerged again, swinging his sword at James' side.

CLANG!

James blocked it just in time, but the force pushed him back. His feet dragged against the dirt, tearing lines through the ground. Stones cracked beneath his boots.

Kael didn't let up.

He swung again. And again.

Each strike carried a strange rhythm. It wasn't just brute force—there was a cold, clinical pattern to it. His attacks slipped past James' guard again and again, barely missing vital points.

Kael wasn't breathing heavily. His eyes were calm, almost too calm. The red hue around him was growing thicker, and a strange hum echoed faintly with every breath he took. The ground beneath his feet cracked slowly.

Kael tilted his neck, and a sharp crack echoed.

The tension snapped like a string pulled too tight. The battlefield went dead silent. Everyone could feel it.

That same feeling returned—that unnatural pressure. It wasn't just aura. It was something else. Something darker. Like a shadow that lingered even in daylight.

As Kael stepped forward again, the sky above seemed to dim for a moment.

Everyone watching held their breath.

Even the Black Knights, who had pulled back earlier to guard the others, didn't speak.

The only sound was the low hum of Kael's crimson aura.

Then he smiled again.It wasn't a grin of joy.It was a smile soaked in bloodlust.

Kael took a step back, gripping his main sword tightly, then slowly reached behind him. His hand wrapped around another sword, its handle cold and pulsing with power.

As he pulled it free, the silver and crimson blade shimmered under the moonlight. The moment the sword left its sheath, a faint hum echoed in the air.

Vic, Barret, Gare, and Chris all straightened up. Their eyes locked onto the blade Kael now held. It wasn't just any sword. It was the one they had all waited to see in action. The blade he never used unless it was absolutely necessary. Even from afar, they could feel the dense power it carried.

Kael looked at James with a twisted grin. "You might be wondering why it wasn't working. Why the power of sacrifice you built up remains useless."

James' eyes twitched. A moment of hesitation appeared in his expression as he took a slow step forward.

Kael continued, his voice rising slightly. "It's because the core of the formation was destroyed."

"IMPOSSIBLE!" Prajan roared. The priest's voice shook the ground and echoed across the battlefield. Everyone turned to look at him as if looking at a madman.

Prajan roared at the top of his lungs and grabbed his head which he started to hit on the ground slamming it badly while screaming.

"HOWWWWW!"

"HOWWW!"

"THIS ISNT WORKING…MY YEARS OF HARDWORK AND STRUGGLE!"

He shrieked like a wild animal who had been hurt badly.His grievous scream erupted like a nightmare on a dark night.

Even James was too stunned to speak seeing the violent reaction.

Vic raised an eyebrow. "Why would that be impossible?" he muttered quietly, more confused than alarmed.

But Prajan wasn't listening. He kept screaming at the top of his lungs. "The central object was guarded by the Lord himself! There's no way it could be destroyed! This is all wrong!"