After Retirement, Living a Stud Life in Another World - 59
Chapter 59: One-on-One Duel?
In the end, our formed isosceles triangle pierced through the elite enemy forces, completely dividing them. The command structure, already thrown into chaos by Liese’s mass slaughter magic, fell into complete dysfunction after being split, surrounded by the originally weaker Royal Army, gradually losing its strength.
And finally, Gretel spotted the enemy commander in her sight. Clad entirely in plate mail, even the horse was adorned with steel armor, presenting a heavy presence. While the physique might seem masculine at first glance, the long golden hair peeking out from the helm told the tale of a woman. Well, it’s hardly conceivable to appoint a man who can’t even use magic as a supreme commander.
“Well done, girl! I’ll commend you for breaking through this far. But your struggle ends here. Let the commanders settle this with a normal one-on-one duel!”
Even at this point, I couldn’t help but be astonished by the condescending attitude. With more than double the forces, having their absolute advantage dismantled by Liese’s magic and their finest heavy infantry broken through by Gretel’s fierce fighting, it was undoubtedly a defeat in the making for the Belsenbruck side. They had neither the merit nor the obligation to accept a one-on-one duel… if they were to seek a turnaround through such a duel, they should rather be the ones “begging”.
But our ace is unfortunately a combat *maniac*. With a prime prey roaring right in front of her, she wouldn’t let it slip away. Without hesitation, she turned to face the enemy commander and thrust her greatsword into the ground… a declaration of willingness for a one-on-one duel. The golden aura surrounding her body shone brighter, and her lips curled upwards. If her hair hadn’t been tied in pigtails, her strawberry blonde locks would have likely spread like flames in excitement.
“Watch closely, Lutz!”
The enemy commander, charging straight at the eager girl with a lance burning bright red, on horseback. Hey, challenging infantry to a one-on-one and yet riding a horse oneself? Needless to say, being on horseback gives a clear advantage in both speed and striking height, not to call it unfair, but isn’t it contrary to the chivalric code?… Such thoughts weren’t confined to me alone, as angry voices rose among the Royal soldiers.
However, my precious childhood friend seemed unconcerned about such matters. Effortlessly dodging the enemy commander’s all-out thrust with flowing movements, she smiled smugly. No doubt, Gretel was thoroughly enjoying this situation.
The opponent, having missed the decisive strike, quickly turned around and charged once again. This time, at the highest speed and shortest distance possible. With the added speed and weight of the horse, a direct hit would only result in being impaled, leaving her no choice but to evade incessantly. Though the soldiers of the Royal Army looked worriedly at Gretel, I wasn’t concerned… because a confident smile graced her lips.
It was meant to be a deadly thrust, but Gretel deftly maneuvered her greatsword, lightly brushing it from the side, causing the spearhead to graze her shoulder. Then, at hip height, she swung her greatsword… after the enemy commander seemed to have passed through, suddenly the horse’s body flopped onto the ground with a thud, or rather, only the horse’s limbs remained neatly where it stood. Of course, the legs of the commander’s heavy armored warhorse should have been firmly clad in steel plates… but against Gretel’s greatsword imbued with a light attribute aura, there was no choice but to be severed.
“Shall we call this duel mine?”
Looking down at the fallen enemy commander struggling on the ground, Gretel declared with a cheerful voice. Thrown from a galloping horse and slammed onto the ground, there’s no way they could continue the fight; as she confirmed the enemy’s body slackening with a slump, she turned back to our army… just at that moment, a thunderous roar erupted.
“Look out!”
The despicable enemy commander, showing no sign of repentance, clad his only free hand with flame magic and directed it towards Gretel. Upon hearing my shout, she swiftly turned around, looking slightly surprised, and in the next moment, the hand engulfed in flames was futilely dancing in the air.
“I didn’t expect such a cowardly move, so I let my guard down.”
With an expression that seemed to say “teehee,” Gretel stuck out her tongue, utterly adorable… or so I thought. I had underestimated her ruthless nature. The gaze emanating from her gray eyes as she turned to face the enemy commander was chilling, piercing through the enemy sharply.
“So you dared to underestimate me.”
“You little girl! Kill her in one go!”
“I won’t let you die so easily, will I? Disrespecting the kingdom and insulting me, those crimes will be repaid slowly in the capital. My lightning strikes are quite enjoyable, you know… I wonder how many times you can endure until your heart stops? Look, I’ll stop the bleeding just enough so you don’t die.”
As the aura-clad greatsword touched the severed wrist, there was a sizzling sound, and indeed, the bleeding stopped. It stopped, but… the pitiful enemy commander was writhing in pain. Well, they picked the wrong fight, so they must receive their due punishment.