Warhammer Divine Throne

The young knight faced the tightly knit long spear array of the barbarian soldiers and suddenly raised his warhammer with his right hand towards Bireg.

The barbarian soldiers instinctively pointed their long spears at him. The young knight then dismounted, and Bireg immediately understood his intention. The barbarian chieftain waved his hand to signal all the soldiers to make way, holding his war axe tightly as he walked forward alone.

A champion's duel, the most valued ritual of the Northern Barbarians. The victor will gain everything, while the defeated will lose his head.

"Young White Wolf Knight Laine, you are brave and strong. I've fought my way down from the north, and you are the most courageous knight I've encountered. Just for that, your head will become part of my collection," the barbarian chieftain sneered disdainfully, baring his teeth, some of which were gold: "To have advanced to the Legendary Initial Tier at your age is impressive, but I am a Legendary High-Tier, and you, only an initial tier. You know full well that if you could hold out for just one more day, the empire's reinforcements would arrive, yet you rush foolishly to your death. Have you not learned of 'glorious retreat'?"

Laine understood the words of the barbarian chieftain. If the defenders could retreat into Mijordenhaven, engaging in brutal street fighting and finally holding the count's castle, surviving for a day wouldn't be a problem.

"Heh~ yes, if we could retreat into the castle, we could surely hold out until sunrise. Or rather, if I met you in the wilderness, I would run without hesitation, for retreating when outmatched is nothing to be ashamed of."

"But here, it's different. Behind me is the city's people, and I am a kingdom knight."

"The responsibility of a knight is to guard my country and protect my people!"

"I could certainly hide inside the city and establish a new line of defense."

"But what about these citizens? What will their fate be?"

"I will not stand on the castle walls, watching you bring death to the people, because that is not what a knight does."

"Life is precious, yet some things are worth this sacrifice. It is not about costs. It is faith, honor, and responsibility. These have been the backbone of our enduring humanity over the millennia!"

"Come, Nord! Behind is Frost City!" The kingdom knight raised his warhammer.

Bireg's expression changed.

Since breaking through Storm Fortress and marching south, he had seen countless so-called knights and nobles flee in disgrace before his iron hooves. He had witnessed the self-proclaimed "high-class people" beg for their lives in his presence. His face no longer held ridicule, but seriousness. The barbarian chieftain nodded deeply, "Your head will become my most prized collection!"

Thus, the barbarian chieftain dismounted from the giant white bear before Laine, and Laine dismounted as well. The two opponents stood still, with only the sound of the cold wind blowing across the battlefield, filled with the intense scent of blood. Amidst numerous corpses, Laine and Bireg stood facing each other.

All surrounding combat ceased. Nord soldiers and barbarian warriors paused their fighting. An oppressive silence enveloped the battlefield, countless eyes fixed on the two standing off.

Everyone, whether Nord or barbarian, understood that this critical moment would decide the outcome of this battle. Both opposing figures were great warriors, representatives and epitomes of their respective races' strength.

On the city wall, Teresa realized why Laine had refused to return to Celestial Vault Castle with her. The female sorcerer covered her mouth with her hand, unable to stop the hot tears from streaming down her beautiful eyes. Amelia beside her was also in shock.

After a brief pause of a few seconds, Laine suddenly raised his hand. A very strong Light of Spiritual Power projected fully from his hand, shining on Bireg. The barbarian chieftain instinctively closed his eyes against the sudden brightness, and his skin sizzled from burning pain, forcing him to instinctively step back.

Laine took a deep breath and launched a charge, his warhammer flickering with electric light. The White Wolf Knight Badge on his chest shone like starlight. The kingdom knight seized the opportunity to charge fiercely at his foe, aiming for a lethal strike.

Years of rich battle experience saved the barbarian chieftain. He instinctively raised his shield to block, the heavy warhammer crashing into Bireg's shield. The pain of a broken wrist and the burning sensation of lightning made the barbarian chieftain scream in agony. Seizing the block as an opportunity, Bireg swung his war axe horizontally to counterattack, the sharp blade slicing through the cold air. Laine had to pull back his hammer as the fine iron warhammer handle clashed with the axe blade, sending out golden sparks.

Taking this chance, Bireg widened the gap between him and the young man, the latter's base tactics slightly disrupting his rhythm. The barbarian chieftain was adjusting his breath, preparing to launch another offensive.

Bireg was significantly taller than Laine. The over two-meter-tall barbarian chieftain wore only simple leather armor, looking like a mound of muscle, containing explosive energy. Laine knew that once the barbarian chieftain adjusted, he would face a dire fate, so he intended to give Bireg no time for adjustment. The kingdom knight, disregarding the cramps in his body, rushed at the barbarian chieftain again.

Bireg was certainly aware of the young knight's intentions. The barbarian chieftain adjusted his steps, exhaling deeply, steam-like mist puffing out from his nostrils. His war axe hungered for the knight's blood, his shield almost as tall as a person, ready.[

The warhammer crashed heavily against the shield, only to be forcefully deflected by Bireg. The barbarian chieftain was prepared to counterattack, but at that moment, the kingdom knight suddenly pulled a double-barrel fire cannon from beneath his cloak, aiming it directly at the lower part of the barbarian chieftain and pulled the trigger.

The barbarian chieftain was startled; he didn't want to lose his reproductive abilities and become neither male nor female, so Bireg had to break off his counterattack rhythm, barely raising his shield to block once more.

"Boom!"

The shield protected the vital spot, yet the barbarian chieftain's calf still bore a bullet hole, blood seeping from the wound. Laine discarded the fire cannon and launched a series of strikes.

The wound seemed to erase any traces of rational thought from Bireg, who reverted to his most primitive instincts, charging more ferociously than ever. The two clashed again, amidst a whirlwind of blows and parries, dodges and regrouping. The speed of the duel was so great that the surrounding soldiers could hardly see their silhouettes.[

Only the constant roar and clash of metal, the sparks flying through the air indicated: the city's last hope is engaged in a life-and-death battle with the barbarian chieftain.

......

Thirty minutes later, the young kingdom knight realized he was on the verge of defeat. His hands began to lose strength, his body slowly growing numb. He could feel the blood welling up from the depths of his throat, tasting of rust. His strength was waning, his legs growing stiff, yet his opponent continued to launch powerful offensives.

"Ah!!!" Laine retreated a couple of steps under Bireg's fierce assault, the numbness in his arm nearly making him drop the warhammer. A gush of blood spurted from his throat, but the White Wolf Knight forcibly swallowed it back down, commanding his hands to grip the hammer handle tightly once more.

"Nord's hero? Laine the Great Hammer? You are not my match~" Bireg showed no signs of fatigue, the towering figure of the barbarian chieftain advanced towards Laine, the barbarian's footfalls marking the death knell for Laine's impending doom.

The barbarian chieftain unleashed his signature move—the Tornado Slash, the rotating axe blade inching closer to Laine's defenses. As a Legendary High-Tier, the barbarian chieftain greatly surpassed Laine in arm strength and stamina. The White Wolf Knight was still too young, and Bireg was already in his fifties, more than double Laine's age. With rich and bloody combat experience and the empowerment of Divine Power from the Blood God Khorne, Laine felt each blow from the barbarian chieftain carried earth-shattering force. In a Legendary Level 1 battle, each tier difference was significant. While he could temporarily gain an edge through small tricks, over time, the gap in raw power meant Laine was destined to falter.

The White Wolf Knight retreated again and again, with shallow gashes on his shoulders and arms, his muscles spasming, his blood boiling.

The champion's duel failed! Am I going to lose?

Laine's vision gradually blurred; am I about to lose?

No, I cannot fall here!

I must not lose this duel!

Father, what should I do?!