Chapter 132: Stolen Thunder (2/2)
Just as slender, feminine arm reached out to accept Mike's offered hand, the vision ended, leaving her gasping on her knees.
[What was that about? And really? This is the vision you wanted me to see, after all this time? Not something about that noble idiot, or the attack we just barely survived, but one about Mike on some kind of romantic getaway?]
Grumbling to herself, she fought her way back onto her feet. In the depths of her anger at her abilities, she noticed an ache in her chest, which she couldn't quite describe.
She resolved to blame this on Mike as well, since it was surely his fault too.
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Landing on the deck of the ship, Mike resolved once again to get Red some kind of saddle. If riding the dragon was difficult before, trying to avoid being blown off in the middle of combat had been another thing entirely.
Still distracted by the fireworks, the soldiers on the deck of the airship were sitting ducks, as Mike began to scythe through them with ruthless efficiency. He was able to bring down three before they knew what was happening.
This was stopped by a short haired woman wearing heavy plate armor. Moving with a speed that that was astounding, she launched a series of devastating strikes with her mace that Mike was forced to defend against. Eventually, he caught a small opening in her attack routine, and was able to deliver a kick to her solar plexus.
Unfortunately, this merely forced her back against the railing of the airship. Even her armor remained unblemished by the blow, which would have been sufficient to crush a boulder. After regaining her balance, she moved in front of an aristocratic looking man who was standing next to the captured princess.
Taking a moment to survey the situation, Mike determined that he was surrounded by eight soldiers, who were warily maintaining a rough perimeter. Although they weren't particularly dangerous to him, they could distract him from the real threat.
”What is this? A fairy tale? The heroic knight conquers all odds to save the captured princess from the clutches of the villain?” The aristocratic man growled mockingly. His face was twisted into an angry mask.
It seemed that the man wanted to engage in banter. Mike decided to play along, hoping to give his mana time to regenerate. He mentally messaged Red to keep his distance for now. When the time was right, he would act.
”My lord, he's strong.” The armored woman spoke in calm, but worried tones.
”Can you take him?” Came the whispered reply.
The woman looked Mike over, appraisingly, then shook her head slightly.
Gritting his teeth, the lord calmed himself visibly. ”You are not a member of the royal guard, nor a servant of the crown. Judging from your frame you're still quite young....a student perhaps? Or maybe a bodyguard in service to some noble.”
Andrea laughed at his guesses, ”You are a fool, Wendel. You stand before a living legend. Surrender now, and your death will be quick.”
[...That's quite a haughty attitude for a hostage. Although, I suppose its part of being a member of the royal family.]
He used Appraise on the aristocrat.
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Wendel Authinel
Age: 37
Class: Binder
Title: Mastermind
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[Yep. Classic villain.]
The man called Wendel, frowned down at the princess. ”I refuse to believe that a real Dragonknight has seen fit to expose himself like this, just to save the descendant of the king that betrayed his order. But enough of this.” He shifted his gaze to Mike, ”You have been awfully silent. What do you have to say for yourself?”
Mike took measure of his mana reserves, and felt he had a sufficient amount for the next step. Summoning a portion of his strength, he channeled it into his limbs, causing a glowing nimbus of fire to coat his form.
”My identity is not important. I take action because I choose to. Nothing more.” He settled into the Roaring Flame stance.
The armored woman started, and ran forward while yelling. ”Get back, my lord!”
Almost as if her cry was a signal, the remaining soldiers attacked as one. Sinking a further portion of mana into his stance, he held his sword in the low ready, and coated it with a layer of flame. With blinding speed, he whipped the weapon in a circle around himself, a phantom lash of fire following the swing.
Taking two steps in rapid succession, he moved past the bisected bodies of the soldiers as they were in the process of falling to the ground.
The armored woman stepped up to stop him, bringing her mace up to block, but proved unable to withstand his enhanced strength. She was sent flying, leaving nothing between him and the aristocrat, or so he thought. A cloud of dark mist appeared in front of him, condensing into a vicious maw.
Mike dodged to the left, dispersing the cloud with a hasty swing. However, it started reforming almost immediately. Nevertheless, he path was now clear.
”Regardless of your identity, it seems you have bested me.” Wendel laughed as he grabbed Andrea by her bonds, ”This particular prize is no longer worth the cost, so I'll let you have it.”
With a flick of his arm he threw the woman over the side. She only had time for a brief, ”Huh?” before she vanished from sight. A scream followed soon afterwards.
Mike sighed internally, this was becoming increasingly troublesome. Dropping his enhancement, he launched himself overboard with a burst of Air Magic. He needed to move quickly to catch up.