Chapter 213: Three Against One!

Chapter 213: Three Against One!



The intense and prolonged combat caused Wald's movements to gradually slow down, albeit slightly.

However, his opponent, Ren, keenly noticed this change in Wald's pace.

Wald, on the other hand, didn't seem to mind this change, as his stamina had significantly decreased, but so had his opponent's. In fact, Ren's stamina was declining at an even faster rate.

Ren had been tirelessly blocking Wald's blade tiger fingers with his dagger, requiring intense concentration to avoid any mistakes, while Wald had been swinging heavy dual-handed hammers and a great sword, exhausting his stamina as well.

Based on Ren's combat experience and logical reasoning, his assessment of the situation seemed accurate. However, the problem was that Ren had a trump card up his sleeve. Seeing Wald's stamina decline while his own was also diminishing, Ren didn't hesitate to allocate an attribute point to his Physique, boosting it from 27 to 28.

Instantly, a surging wave of heat pumped from his heart, rapidly spreading throughout his body.

Wald couldn't have had time to consume a potion or cast a spell, so how could he suddenly feel so invigorated?

The only possible glimmer of hope for Wald was Veronica, a Third-Level Wizard Apprentice, who might be able to cause some trouble for Ren with her wizard scrolls, allowing them both to escape.

In an instant, the speed of Ren's arm swings doubled, and the attack speed of his blade tiger fingers increased significantly.

"It all depends on whether Veronica can coordinate well with Baron Ren. If they can, they might buy us some time."

Wald, on the receiving end of the attack, felt as if he was being engulfed by the chilling glare of Ren's blade tiger fingers.

Captain Balon sighed and turned around, his tall figure immediately leaving the town hall.

The camera panned around, and then two men wearing special leather coats emerged from the sea.

Perhaps, if they were lucky, they might make it in time to help.

Could it be that Ren and Veronica had encountered the Skull Crusher, Wald?

"Hmm?" Captain Balon couldn't help but glance at his team member in surprise.

Ren, seeing no further issues, grabbed Wald's still-bleeding body and quickly made his way towards the boat.

Captain Balon soon learned that the highest-ranked member of the task force, Third-Level Wizard Apprentice Veronica, and the town's ruler, Ren, had both ventured to a distant island to capture a Talonbeak Eagle chick.

As Wald slowly slumped, Ren turned to Veronica, who had already been stunned, and said, "Let's get out of here first!"

"Captain, there are footprints here. They must be Wald's, heading in this direction."

Wald had been fully focused on blocking with his dagger, leaving him no opportunity to use any wizardry against Ren.

Ren's pupils constricted in surprise. Even in this state, he still intended to cast wizardry against him?

The Fish Dragon Squad had just arrived at the fishing port.

"It's highly likely that within those ruins lies the solution to the propulsion device that the Eagle Federation has been unable to conquer."

The two of them stared at the scene before them, which resembled a small-scale war zone, and exchanged glances.

"Veronica, you're fine, right?"

"Hmm?" Seeing the team member's expression, Balon felt a sense of foreboding. Could there be a new development? Balon followed the team member along the cliff for about twenty meters, and the scratches on the rock face had noticeably changed. The deep sword scars, several centimeters in depth, had transformed into four-fingered claw marks.

"That's true. For him to escape this time, he must be quite capable." The young man next to them pondered for a moment and agreed.

The two quickly followed Wald's footprints and found him near the cliff.

"No, you're a non-combatant. Stay here in the fishing port."

Unfortunately, from the moment Ren switched to his blade tiger fingers, Wald had not stopped attacking for a single moment.

"Sir Ren, what... What happened here?" A task force member glanced at Ren's damaged and dented high-grade plate armor suit and asked in shock.

Wald's body was covered in numerous wounds of various sizes and depths, oozing crimson blood.

Several times, Wald had attempted to push Ren back to create some space to drink a potion or cast a wizard scroll, but each time, Ren's close-range high-speed punches interrupted him.

"This is ridiculous!" He scolded, his face turning stern.

The only instant wizardry item Wald had, the Turbulent Impact-Enchanted Crystal Necklace, had already been used, but unfortunately, this rare wizardry item hadn't helped Wald secure victory.

Wald struggled with a contorted face, trying to free himself from the embedded rock, unwilling to admit defeat. However, his heavily injured limbs prevented him from moving freely.

'Skull Crusher' Wald, they had of course heard of him.

The middle-aged man beside them nodded with a smile, seemingly approving of the young man's analysis, but then he changed the topic, saying, "Although the Black Sail Pirate Fleet has been wiped out, Wald's personal strength is quite impressive. He's a Third-Level Wizard Apprentice and a High Knight, definitely worth recruiting."

No matter what Ren said, she would only nod in agreement.

"Haha, how long can they hold out? Even with our wizardry acceleration, it will take at least twenty minutes to reach that island, plus the time we've already wasted. Half an hour, do you think the two of them can last that long?"

"In other words, this must not be Wald's doing."

This captain of the Black Sail Pirate Fleet, a High Knight and a Third-Level Wizard Apprentice, was beaten to a pulp by Baron Ren in front of them? "Hey, what are you two staring at? Hurry up and get the ship moving," Veronica urged the two shocked members of the special task force.

Within half a second, Wald felt that something was amiss.

"I'll come too," Major Marika said anxiously.

"Swish, swish, swish!"

Oh my!

After all, the white giant owl that had just appeared was also a human's pet, and this albatross was most likely the same.

This made Veronica smile and pat Big White's head, saying, "You're quite smart."

"How could such a small probability event happen?"

"And on this side of the cliff, there are multiple claw marks and weapon traces, indicating the presence of another master-level expert."

Just from their formidable aura, they knew that Captain Balon was a seasoned veteran of the Imperial Navy.

Ren thought it would be better to turn him into a corpse that couldn't cast spells.

"Haha, he's the type who won't cry until he sees the coffin. Now, his value to our Federation has greatly diminished."

"Tsk! I wonder how this guy could be so confident about his own Archon?" one of the members scoffed.

Half an hour later, guided by the albatross, Captain Balon and the Fish-Dragon Squad arrived at the bottom of the cliff.

So, they didn't think the situation on the island would be as bad as they had imagined.

They saw him start to chant the Water Therapy spell in a low voice.

As for the spoils of war, he planned to search Wald's body back in the Fishing Port Town.

The Talonbeak Sea Eagles, upon seeing an unfamiliar albatross daring to intrude into their territory, were about to launch an attack. Suddenly, a group of humans with formidable auras appeared nearby.

Even in a battle between two High Knights of similar strength, it was rare for it to last more than fifteen minutes.

The blade of the Blade Tiger Finger was made from a rare mineral and belonged to General Parix of the Zalar Resistance Army. Under Ren's powerful slash, it could instantly cut four gashes into Wald's leather armor!

"If we don't come to their rescue, it won't be good."

So, the Talonbeak Sea Eagles flew high and circled above the cliff.

After communicating with Major Marika of the Navy Special Task Force.

Soon, the two of them arrived at the location indicated by the communication device, near the bonfire where Wald had been roasting fish earlier.

He carefully examined the dense claw marks on the cliff and the occasional small holes located at the finger bone positions.

"Is this... a beast?" Captain Balon's pupils constricted.

Yes!

The people at the scene looked at each other in shock! "Captain, is it possible that the young Baron Ren is also a master of fist technique?" one of the members asked weakly after deep thought. About an hour later, near the sea surface of the island where the Talonbeak Sea Eagles were located, a periscope-like object suddenly appeared.

In an instant, the feeling of soreness and fatigue in his muscles disappeared!

"The device is here, it should be right here, no mistake," the young man said after searching for Wald in vain, immediately expanding his search range.

So, for safety's sake, it would be better to leave this place first. After all, he and Veronica had successfully completed their mission of coming to this small island.

Additionally, Big White's beak held a white bone hammer that had fallen nearby, originally belonging to Wald. It flapped its wings and glided a short distance to Veronica's side, seeking praise.

When Ren and Veronica arrived at the landing point, the two members of the special task force who had been guarding the small boat were shocked to see the still-bleeding corpse in Ren's hand.

Major Marika's face turned pale, and she immediately thought of a possibility.

"Pfft!"

At that moment, her head was buzzing.

As Captain Balon and his group saw the scene before them, they couldn't help but show expressions of shock.

"That's why I came here personally," the middle-aged man revealed an important piece of information.

The ground was riddled with pits, as if a meteor shower had fallen, and the cliff face had deep and shallow slashes, clearly visible, as if various blades had been used to cut into it!

At that moment, Ren felt a surge of anger towards the 'ungrateful' captain of the Black Sail Pirate Fleet.

"So that's what happened!" The young man exclaimed, clearly surprised by the news.

"Yeah, one is the newly appointed town governor, and the other is the leader of a pirate crew that has been active at sea for over a decade. Not to mention, with just one spell, Wald could probably take down Baron Ren," another team member agreed.

In fact, in another squad of the special department 'Tidewalkers', Balon knew of a member with exceptional sword talent, and he estimated that this young Baron Ren was of a similar caliber.

Captain Balon was the first to regain his composure. He quickly stepped forward and touched the hard cliff wall, where a deep gash of several centimeters was visible. He spoke slowly, "This..."

In the next moment, Wald was struck by Ren's punch, hitting his neck right at the throat.

Veronica, standing nearby, held four young birds and a large purple egg, quickly following behind.

"This..." The young man immediately took out the stack of intelligence reports and began flipping through them. Finally, he stared at the age column, muttering, "Sixteen years old, how can he be only sixteen?"

Apparently, sensing the intense battle that had just taken place beneath the cliff, the two humans were incredibly powerful, causing the beasts to instinctively avoid them.

Encouraged by his superior's acknowledgment, the young man continued his analysis, "Over there on the cliff, there are multiple marks of a great sword being swung with both hands. It seems there's a master-level swordsman among the Imperial Capture Team."

The Iron Beak Sea Eagles, who had been fighting a giant white owl, had already retreated far away from Ren. They circled high in the air, too afraid to come down.

Before Ren could respond, Veronica spoke up, "We just encountered an ambush by the Black Sail Pirate Fleet's leader, 'Skull Crusher' Wald, but Lord Ren counter-killed him!"

"Well, Captain Balon, it seems we've made thorough and meticulous preparations." Major Marika explained.

At that moment, Big White proudly cawed a few times. After Ren killed Wald, he had proactively picked up Ren's great sword with his right claw and the warhammer with his left.

"Otherwise, there's no way to explain these cuts and the depth of the sword marks," Balon said, staring at the cliff wall and the sword marks that closely resembled the one he had made.

On the boat, the conversation continued.

Ren steadied his hands, and his speed and strength suddenly returned to the level they were at the start of the battle—steady, precise, and powerful.

Wald covered his neck with both hands, his eyes bulging as he coughed up mouthfuls of blood. Ren had intended to spare his life, as Wald, the leader of the Black Sail Pirates, could provide valuable intelligence under interrogation. But based on the situation, this guy was too dangerous.

At that moment, all the Fishman Squad members on the fast boat fell silent.

The Reman brothers quickly exchanged a glance, their expressions calm. Unlike the Fishman Squad and Marika, they weren't anxious or worried; they seemed to have an inexplicable confidence in Ren.

"Major Marika, perhaps the situation isn't as unfavorable as you think," older brother Curt Reman reassured.

"I hope these two can hold out a little longer."

The two brothers stood stunned for a full two seconds before quickly running over and taking Wald's body.

He knew the strength of Baron Ren, and the extensive damage to his expensive armor indicated that the enemy's power was extraordinary.

"Additionally, the most important thing is that, according to reliable information, Wald knew the location of an ancient Gnome ruin on a remote island."

Wald's eyes widened in disbelief as he stared at Ren.

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Obviously, these marks couldn't have been made by 'Skull Crusher' Wald, as he typically wielded a one-handed mace and, if memory serves, a short dagger as his off-hand weapon.

At that moment, a Fishman Squad member entered, his expression solemn. "Captain, my albatross just reported that there's a fight on the island where the Iron Beak Sea Eagles are, and it seems quite intense."

Balon touched the noticeable fist marks and muttered, "This punch couldn't have had such an effect without over a decade of hard training."

Captain Balon seemed to have a question. He furrowed his brows, looking puzzled, and turned to the young team member beside him, "Didn't you say that Baron Ren is young? How old is he?"

An hour ago...

Actually, this was because, during the previous period, the two brothers had been called by Ren for a test. Despite the two-on-one situation, the fully equipped brothers had been thoroughly defeated by Ren.

Wald's movements gradually slowed down. His eyes were bloodshot, and he was doing his best to block Ren's attacks, but the wounds on his body only increased.

As the battle unfolded, Ren had a good grasp of Waldod's strength.

"Captain, I think you need to take another look at this." A member of the Leviathan Squad, with a peculiar expression, glanced at Balon and the young man holding the documents.

Accordinging to their estimation, even with the best coordination between Baron Ren and Veronica, the odds were high that they would be defeated within a few minutes.

"No! These aren't beast claw marks. They're more like... Ah, these are traces of Blade Tiger Fingers!" Balon pondered for a moment and spoke in a low voice.

"Let's go, we're leaving right now!" Captain Balon decided after a brief moment of thought.

Captain Balon furrowed his brows, deep in thought, and after a while, he spoke, "Regardless, we should go and check it out. According to the Leeman brothers, their Governor Ren isn't someone who can be easily defeated."

This caused them to hesitate.

This statement startled him! As a seasoned Third-Level Wizard Apprentice, if the enemy's attacks weren't so swift, he would have at least had the chance to retrieve his wizard scrolls. If the opponent were slower, Waldod could have calmly recited incantations and cast spells.

A fast boat shot forward like an arrow, heading straight for the island where Iron Beak Sea Eagle was located.

"There's only one explanation. Baron Ren is a young man with exceptional sword talent."

"This is a master-level sword technique. It would take at least twenty years of hard practice to achieve this level of skill!"

Captain Balon immediately rejected the idea.

"Sixteen years old." Captain Balon stroked his stubble-covered chin and mused.

Especially this time, their mission was to act as a special task force, investigating the Sea God Cult and pirate strongholds in Maister County, and they had carefully read through the relevant information.

As time passed.

"Sir, I don't think you need to come in person." The younger man beside him spoke up.

The ground beneath Waldod's feet cracked, and the hard rocks on the surrounding cliffs shattered into dust. He kept retreating until he was embedded in the solid cliff, with no room left to retreat.

After hearing Veronica's words, the two task force members trembled slightly, as if struck by lightning, they stood frozen for a while before exchanging glances, seemingly seeking confirmation of what they had just heard. Was it true?

The middle-aged man nodded, agreeing with the young man's assessment.

"Hmm? Where is he?"

"He's fine, Lord Ren!" Veronica nodded immediately.

However, the Leeman brothers weren't foolish. They wouldn't openly argue with the middle-aged man who exuded an aura of iron and blood.

After a few seconds, Waldod's tough leather armor, made from an unknown animal hide, was torn to shreds by Ren's Kadalar Fist Technique 'Hundred Rift Strike Level 2'. At this moment, it hung on his body like tattered rags.

Meanwhile, the Leeman brothers wore a displeased expression, clearly feeling that this so-called captain didn't take them seriously.

"Captain Balon, we should go now," the team member hesitated, wanting to say more.

"Sir, it seems like the Imperial Navy's pursuit team discovered this Waldod fellow before us. Look at these footprints; they're the best proof."

People with sword talent were rare, but if you looked at the entire Minster Province, or even the entire Empire, they weren't that uncommon.

As for why they were in such a hurry to leave, Ren mainly considered that the commotion from his recent clash with Waldod was a bit too loud.

Oh, and this was when Ren was unarmed.

Secondly, the bloody smell on the opponent might attract unnecessary trouble.

Half an hour was too long.

"Yes, Captain, what if Waldod sets up an ambush and attacks Fishing Harbor Town?"

"With these two gone, the remaining defensive forces in Fishing Harbor Town are practically useless. If Waldod really lands in Fishing Harbor Town, there will be no one there to hinder his actions."

And so, the turning point of the entire battle arrived! "Hundred Rift Strike!"

After examining the scene, the young man pointed to a spot on the ground with multiple footprints and said,

"Waldod has always been ambiguous towards us. Now that the Black Sail Pirate Fleet has been completely destroyed by the Dragon Empire Navy, he finally remembers us."

But soon, he was once again filled with doubt.

In an instant, over a hundred swift blades sliced through the air with a piercing sound!

Waldod felt that Ren's attacks had suddenly become exceptionally swift and fierce. Blocking them became increasingly difficult, and if he wasn't careful, Ren would cut four more gashes into his body.

Under these circumstances, Ren's transformation was exceptionally noticeable to Waldod as his opponent.

"At the same time, there are dagger marks on the cliff, but there are no traces of Waldod's signature hammer imprints. That's very strange."

As the young man spoke, he searched the ground again and spotted marks resembling the impact of a heavy hammer.

"Found it! Here, this is the imprint of his Skull Hammer. Hmm, these are traces of a dual-handed hammer." The young man exclaimed with joy.

"I understand now. It's three against one!"

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end