Chapter 317: Art (1/2)

King Arthur widened his stance, grasping his sword with both hands. His blond hair billowed beneath the falling rain. Even in this environment, he seemed completely untouched, a holy golden aura keeping him completely dry.

Leonel charged forward, his black spear resonating with the clapping thunder. His every step was entirely enveloped by a golden light, accelerating his speed several times over. At the same time, Bronze Runes etched themselves across his body, drawing a crown on his forehead and hovering a halo above his head.

Raging violet lights emitted from his body, directly suppressing Arthur's kingly might. It felt as though this was the true arrival of a King. A man who could hold his head even higher than the legendary King Arthur.

Such a feeling made the rage in Arthur's heart deepen.

This brat? Above him? It seemed that since his sword hadn't tasted blood in so long, his legend had been forgotten.

At that moment, spear and sword met.

The clash caused a violent wind to spread out with them as the center. Sword Force sliced the wind apart to one side and Spear Force billowed into the sky from the other.

The land around Leonel and Arthur shook and quaked, their gazes meeting across their weapons.

Leonel could see the unconcealed rage within Arthur's eyes.

Arthur could see the cold indifference in Leonel's.

At that moment, the completely forgot and were uncaring about Coyote. It seemed that the actions of the zombie Demon Lord was meaningless.

The five remaining Knights of the Round Table including Gawain watched on, hands on their weapons. There were certain battles they knew they shouldn't interfere in.

In the past, these battles were the ones Arthur fought to build his legend. And now, they felt that this battle was no less important.

Somewhere a long distance away, Queen Guinevere stepped out onto a terrace, looking up toward the rumbling skies. A deep sadness and complexity reflected within her eyes. Somehow, she felt that this battle would be important as well even without being present.

It wasn't a matter of winning or losing. It was deeper than that.

Leonel and Arthur separated, their weapons vibrating wildly.

Arthur's aura surged, Force climbing around his body to impossible heights. It had been too long since the King of Camelot had gone all out. Many had forgotten just how powerful he had once been, it seemed impossible that a child of not even 20 years old could face him.

But, the Leonel of now wasn't the Leonel of the past.

After receiving so many rewards, his Force had been crystallized to an elite degree. Even the Lamorak of the past couldn't match him and he was even faintly approaching Arthur's level.

If he could already hold his own to a certain extent before… What about now?

”[Holy Judgment]!”

”[Holy Judgment].”

Not caring for the thoughts of others, Leonel immediately cast the very same spell Arthur had. Today, he would prove a point. This arrogant King… He needed to learn that he couldn't be arrogant just before anyone.

Brilliant swords formed in the skies, however Leonel's formed several times faster. Before Arthur's spell was even complete, Leonel's golden swords had descended, shattering their Arts to nothing.

”[Saintly Light]!”

”[Saintly Light].” Leonel responded coldly.

A pillar of light descended toward Arthur before his spell completed, forcing him to dodge out of the way and cancel his own cast.

The ground shook and groaned, leaving a pit in the spot he had just once been.

”[Sacrificial Cross]!”

Arthur raised his sword, a blinding light forming at its tip. However, just when he was about to slash downward, a cold voice floated to his ears, tearing at his eardrums.

”[Sacrificial Cross].”

Leonel's spear slashed downward with a powerful momentum then across with an arrogant burst.

A cross of blinding golden light shot forward, tearing toward King Arthur. The King brandished his sword, hurriedly blocking, but he couldn't stop himself from sliding backward tens of meters, the web of his fingers tearing apart.

Leonel brandished his spear, taking a step forward. His hair billowed, seemingly untouched by the heavy rain. His halo hung above his head and his piercing violet eyes peered toward Arthur as though to question him.

Is this the product of your arrogance? Is this what you were so proud of?