The Second Son of The Marquis Runs Away from Home ~ Lacking Talent, He Abandons Everything and Becomes an Adventurer ~ - 85

Chapter 85: The Knight’s Sword

(Berg’s side)

“Rakul is going to be Ameli’s guard?”

“Yes, Ameli has been unstable, so I asked Rakul to watch over her and protect her without being noticed.”

Garma, while pulling the war chariot, explains the situation to Ameli. Aria and the others are riding on a chariot pulled by Souga, following them.

“But… is it really okay? Dougen’s strength is said to be on par with General Shion’s. For Rakul to fight alone…”

“Don’t worry.”

Berg says this to ease Hinowa’s concerns. He then gives the reason why he is so confident.

“Sure, if it’s about individual strength or defeating an opponent, I won’t lose… But when it comes to protecting, Rakul is better than me.”

(Dougen’s side)

(This guy…)

After a few exchanges, Dougen begins to sweat coldly from his forehead. He catches a horse-cutting sword coming from the side, but his hand tingles from the impact.

He reveals a blade hidden in the gauntlet on his left hand and thrusts it forward. The blade, coated with poison, is stopped when his wrist is grabbed, and Dougen swings his right-hand “Corpse Bone Eater” towards the abdomen.

Rakul dodges effortlessly, moving back as if the weight meant nothing, and swings his horse-cutting sword. The swing shatters the hidden blade.

“Tch!”

Dougen continues to swing “Corpse Bone Eater” rapidly. The quick strikes slice through the air as they close in on Rakul, but Rakul deflects each blow with precision.

At the last strike, they lock blades. At that moment, Dougen expels a hidden needle from his mouth. Rakul narrowly avoids it by turning his head, causing Dougen’s momentum to slacken for a brief moment. Dougen tries to push forward and break Rakul’s stance, but…

“Huh?”

It feels like he is pushing against a rock. His momentum stops immediately. Then, he is pushed back, losing his stance.

Dougen grits his teeth and blocks the next swing of Rakul’s horse-cutting sword. The weight and impact of the blow presses against his entire body, but before he can catch a break, the sword strikes again from different directions with relentless speed.

(This speed and power don’t match!)

Dougen can feel the power. But the speed with which Rakul is swinging the sword—after each strike, the sword moves with an impossible swiftness—is something that shouldn’t be possible with a horse-cutting sword of such size. Dougen can’t help but curse inwardly.

With a tongue click, Dougen slashes at the ground with “Corpse Bone Eater.” A huge crack forms, separating the two of them.

They both stop moving and stare at each other. But Rakul swings his sword towards the ground, and the earth is gouged, sending rocks flying toward Dougen.

Dougen jumps to the side to avoid the rocks, but Rakul closes in. Dougen steps forward and engages in a lock of blades, but his foot is stepped on.

“Ugh!?”

Dougen winces in pain from the pressure on his foot. In that moment, Rakul touches Dougen’s body. Suddenly, Dougen feels a heavy weight pressing down on him, slowing his movements just slightly.

(Sh1t!?)

Just as he realizes this, Rakul swings the horse-cutting sword diagonally, and the blade turns red.