UNKILLABLE IN ISEKAI

Yoshito, encircled by the three rebel guards, locked eyes with Ryujin, feeling the weight of the moment. The atmosphere crackled with tension as Ryujin snorted derisively. "What's wrong, my prince? Scared you might lose control?" His grin widened, and an intense, malevolent aura began to emanate from him, enveloping him like a dark shroud.

Sensing the unnatural power radiating from Ryujin, Yoshito realized it was borrowed from a powerful monster or supernatural being. Time was of the essence. He summoned his sword from thin air, its blade glimmering with anticipation, just as the guards launched their assault.

With lethal intent, the guards advanced, but Yoshito moved like a shadow, skillfully dodging their strikes and countering with swift precision. The battlefield transformed into a deadly dance, where every clash of swords echoed like thunder, sending sparks flying in all directions. Ryujin watched from the shadows, intrigued by the display of skill.

Each sword clash was a testament to Yoshito's training and determination. He maneuvered through their relentless attacks with grace, absorbing their magical onslaught and redirecting it back at them tenfold. His magic surged with unmatched intensity, overwhelming the guards and creating a whirlwind of energy that left them reeling.

Yoshito's senses heightened as he detected invisible, poisonous magical arrows whistling through the air toward him. With reflexes honed by countless battles, he evaded each projectile, his speed, strength, stamina, and agility outpacing the guards at every turn.

After an intense exchange of blows, the three rebel guards finally faltered, retreating momentarily to regroup. They exchanged wary glances, realizing they were up against a foe far beyond their expectations. Yoshito, however, was just getting started, his determination burning brighter than ever as he prepared for the next wave of their assault.

***

Neither Yoshito nor the three rebel guards showed any signs of exhaustion despite their intense battle. A brief glance exchanged between the three rebel guards hinted at a shared understanding, and then they charged their auras, boosting their physical prowess to new heights. However, Yoshito sensed something strange the moment he saw the guards begin to fuse into one formidable entity. Their combined aura surged, now rivaling his own.

Before he could fully process this new development, the fused rebel guard vanished in an instant, reappearing behind Yoshito mid-air, poised to deliver a deadly strike. It almost caught Yoshito by surprise, but his instincts kicked in just in time. He sensed the shift in energy and swung his sword to block the incoming attack. The clash was cataclysmic, sending shockwaves through the air and causing the ground beneath Yoshito to crack, nearly forcing him to his knees.

Refusing to be outmatched, Yoshito vanished at that moment, using his speed to disrupt the fused rebel guard’s balance. He reappeared at the left side of his opponent, delivering a devastating punch that connected with the fused rebel guard’s face. The force of the blow sent the fused rebel guards careening through the air, crashing through walls and flying outside the kingdom. The impact was so powerful that it forced the fusion of the rebel guards to break apart, scattering them as they plummeted to the ground.

As the dust settled, the three rebel guards lay unconscious, surrounded by a group of knights, hunters, and knight-hunters who quickly moved to secure the area.

Meanwhile, King Yusuke, Queen Naomi, Yoshi, and Lyra stood at a distance, stunned by the sudden turn of events.

On the other side of the battlefield, Ryujin watched with a mix of admiration and amusement as Yoshito defeated the three rebel guards with ease. Before he could voice his thoughts, Yoshito unleashed a powerful magical blast aimed directly at him. In a surprising display of skill, Ryujin effortlessly absorbed the attack, leaving Yoshito momentarily stunned by his impressive abilities.

"What's the matter, my prince?" Ryujin taunted, his voice echoing with a thousand demonic tones. "Are you scared of showing me your true strength? I can sense you're holding back." He leaned closer, his eyes glinting with anticipation. "Show me that incredible power you once used to reshape the universe. Reveal your true form—one that's incomprehensible to any being. Let me see that fire that ignites within you."

With a swift movement, Ryujin vanished and reappeared behind Yoshito, delivering a powerful jab that sent him crashing through the shattered wall. Yoshito was propelled into the air, tumbling uncontrollably before regaining his balance mid-flight. His fierce gaze sharpened as he steadied himself, and he felt his aura beginning to swell exponentially, a surge of energy coursing through him.

Ryujin hovered gracefully toward him, surrounded by a malevolent aura that pulsed with dark energy. The atmosphere crackled with tension as both combatants prepared for the next phase of their clash. As Yoshito's aura intensified, it illuminated the ruins around them, contrasting with Ryujin’s dark presence. They were poised for an epic confrontation, each determined to unleash their true power and settle the score once and for all.

However, their intense confrontation didn’t go unnoticed. The onlookers below, including King Yusuke and Queen Naomi, sensed the overwhelming malevolent aura emanating from Ryujin. Yoshi and Lyra shared the same unease, but Yoshi could also sense that his brother Yoshito was on the brink of losing control.

Ryujin, recognizing the presence of King Yusuke and Queen Naomi, understood that he was now outmatched and outnumbered. Though he could easily dispatch the knights, hunters, and knight-hunters surrounding him, the combined forces of the king and queen presented a formidable challenge. With a quick scan of the battlefield, he noted the unconscious rebel guards on the ground, then turned his attention back to Yoshito, whose aura was rapidly increasing.

"Perhaps we shall continue this some other time," Ryujin said, a sly grin spreading across his face. In an instant, he vanished into thin air, taking the three unconscious rebel guards with him.

Yoshito sighed in relief as his aura gradually returned to normal. He descended back to the ground, where the remnants of the battlefield still lay in disarray.

"Now we know who's behind the attack," Yoshi declared, breaking the tension. "Ryujin. But why?"

"Not only that, his aura level was different," Yoshito replied, a hint of concern in his voice.

"I sensed it too, brother," Yoshi confirmed, his brow furrowing. "How unfortunate for him to go to such lengths to acquire that power. It seems he has allies within the kingdom as well."

"Perhaps this has been a long-planned scheme, waiting for the right moment," Lyra chimed in, her expression serious. "My guess is it all ties back to Joseph."

"Joseph! Hmmm..." King Yusuke mused, his expression darkening. "There has been enough damage for one day. Perhaps this matter should be discussed inside."

The group nodded in agreement, their minds racing with the implications of Ryujin's attack and Joseph's potential involvement. As they made their way back to the safety of the castle, the weight of the battle hung heavily in the air, leaving a foreboding sense of uncertainty about what was to come.

Queen Naomi took charge of the situation as she ordered the guards, alongside the witches, archmages, shamans, and thaumaturges, to search for and treat any survivors from the recent attack. They lent their magic to scan for any lingering dangers and to repair the damages inflicted on the cities, casting spells to mend broken structures and heal the wounded.

Later, within the palace, a critical meeting of the high council convened to discuss their current predicament. The atmosphere was heavy with tension as council members presented their testimonies, ideas, and objections, all striving for a resolution. The royal family sat regally on their thrones, flanked by Lyra, their trusted and faithful royal witch and head of all mystical arcane, who stood beside them. A few royal guards maintained a vigilant watch, ensuring the meeting remained secure as discussions began.

“It is of no doubt that these so-called renegades, led by Ryujin, had waited for this moment—the savior's arrival,” declared a male council member, his voice grave.

“It’s uncertain to think that Joseph Benjamin Carmen is the prophesied savior after all,” countered another male council member, skepticism evident in his tone.

“That aside,” a female high council member interjected, her eyes sharp with concern, “it seems there are traitors among us, your majesty. These attacks were coordinated and precise; it’s no coincidence that they targeted the outsider. Perhaps word has spread among the residents about Joseph’s arrival.”

“Hmmm! That’s obviously true,” King Yusuke mused silently, attentively listening to the unfolding discussion.

“It is confirmed that some of our most powerful warriors have joined forces with Ryujin. Hikaru Yuzuki, one of our most powerful knight-hunters, has turned to the dark side alongside Ryujin. Kensuke Sasaki, a formidable archknight, has also joined their ranks,” announced another high council member, his voice thick with urgency.

“Miyu Haru, a skilled huntress, has also allied herself with them. How soon will our loyal guards follow suit and join their evil ranks to overthrow the kingdom, your majesty?” he added, grimly taking his seat, his expression grave.

As the discussion progressed, they debated the various objectives the renegades might have against Joseph. However, amidst the dire claims, a glimmer of hope emerged. An injured knight, now fully recovered, stood to testify about Joseph's selfless act during the chaos.

“He risked his life to save those trapped in the crumbling buildings,” the knight began, his voice steady despite the weight of his words. “I saw him push back debris, shield the injured, and rally us when fear threatened to take hold. His bravery was not just an act of a savior but a testament to his character.”

The council members exchanged glances, some looking contemplative, others still skeptical, as the knight continued recounting how Joseph had inspired them to fight back, urging them to stand firm against the invaders despite the overwhelming odds.

King Yusuke raised his hand, silencing the murmurs. “We must take this into consideration. Joseph may indeed be more than a mere outsider; he could be the ally we need in these dark times. But we cannot ignore the threats lurking among us. We need a plan.”

Queen Naomi, ever observant, added, “We must identify and eliminate the traitors within our ranks while fortifying our defenses. We cannot allow fear and doubt to fracture our kingdom any further.”

The maiden who usually brought food to Joseph's chambers stepped forward to testify about his heroic deeds. Her eyes glistened with admiration as she recounted how Joseph had risked his life to protect those around him during the chaos. But what left the council in stunned silence was her mention of Joseph's resurrection.

Most of the high council members exchanged bewildered glances, piecing together the implications of her words. They recalled the knight’s testimony about Joseph being stabbed and killed with a poisoned, cursed dagger. Those with heightened aura levels could sense the dark energy surrounding the dagger that had been presented before them, marveling at how Joseph had managed to survive such an insidious attack.

“Intriguing,” a scholar whispered, his mind racing with the possibilities.

After several testimonies, including insights from other council members, the discussion turned towards Joseph's technological prowess. Scholar Xiao Xiao spoke passionately about how Joseph’s advanced technology had aided her in defeating the enemies she had encountered, suggesting it could elevate their civilization and set them apart from other lands.

“His inventions could revolutionize our defenses,” she argued. “Imagine what we could achieve with his knowledge at our disposal.”

Emboldened by the testimonies, Yoshi rose to defend Joseph further. “We must give him a chance to prove his worth. Joseph can be trusted. Remember, he could have escaped twice, but he chose not to. That alone speaks volumes about his character.”

He paced thoughtfully before the council, his voice steady and persuasive. “If we keep him isolated in that chamber, how can we gain his trust? How can he understand us if we do not extend our hand to him? Trust is a risk, yes, but it is one that can yield great rewards. He possesses great potential, and whether he is the prophesied savior or not, only time will tell.”

Most of the gathering nodded in agreement, finding reason in Prince Yoshi’s words. They felt a glimmer of hope as they considered the possibilities Joseph’s presence could bring. However, just as the atmosphere began to shift, a high council member raised a skeptical hand, casting a shadow over the growing optimism.