Realm of Myths and Legends

A few seconds later, Izroth opened his eyes. While he succeeded in calming his Apparel of Insatiable Transcendence, it was still restless. However, it was much better than its previously agitated state.

Izroth was not sure why the Apparel of Insatiable Transcendence was interested in Aurelius' sword; however, since Aurelius was willing to separate him from his sword, should he not return the favor?

"Princess Ranazera, please come this way so that we can better ensure your safety. Rest assured, the young lord and those of us under him will do everything in our power to protect you," Vincent stated respectfully.

Ranazera glanced over at Izroth to see his reaction, but he did not even look her way despite Vincent's words.

But the sixth princess understood that it was far too naive to believe that he was not keeping track of her every move.

Ranazera remembered it clearly—how fast and effortlessly Izroth caught up to her after she attempted to escape from their first encounter.

While Ranazera was aware of Aurelius' strength, as long as she was powerless, she felt that it was too much of a risk to try anything that may encourage Izroth to keep his earlier promise.

However, Ranazera knew that such an excuse would not sit well with those who had come to her rescue. Therefore, she decided to point to another matter at hand.

Ranazera lifted her arm and displayed the black band around her wrist.

"As long as this thing is attached to me, it's too dangerous for me to do anything reckless. I will stay right here until this matter is concluded." Ranazera stated.

"That's..." Vincent had a puzzled look on his face as he tried to identify the black band's origins; however, he did not even detect any mana or energy flowing through the item.

Of course, this was to be expected, considering the item used ethos to function—an energy that was completely unknown to those from the Mortal Realm.

"Strange, judging from the lack of energy source, that item should not pose any direct threat to the princess... Could she have somehow been fooled by that man?" Vincent thought to himself with a frown.

"Relax, Vincent. It doesn't matter where our princess stands. It'll all be over soon enough." Aurelius said with an air of confidence.

"Yes, young lord," Vincent responded as he no longer pursued the matter.

Aurelius smirked as he stared down Izroth and said, "Daring to hold a sword before a member of the Windstorm family, heh, you really are an arrogant bastard. That, or you're just wholly ignorant. Either way, be it arrogance or ignorance, you only have yourself to blame for the consequences."

When one mentioned Tempest and weapons in the same sentence, the first thing that came to mind was the spear.

Tempest was well known for having some of the strongest and most painstakingly developed spear techniques throughout the kingdoms of the Mortal Realm.

But, when it came to the sword, there was one family name that always came up when speaking of Tempest, and that was Windstorm.

"Amusing. Though I happen to agree with your words. Whether it is arrogance or ignorance, the consequences cannot be ignored. As for your family's sword techniques, I have indeed heard of the outstanding swordsmanship of the Windstorm family. However, as I recall, in recent years, the strongest swordsman in Tempest has not come from your Windstorm family." Izroth said with a carefree expression.

When Aurelius heard Izroth's words and saw that carefree look on Izroth's face, his expression darkened.

The Windstorm's family sword techniques were ranked among the top 25 in not just Tempest but the entire Mortal Realm! It was not something one could casually look down on or afford to take lightly.

However, Izroth was correct in that they had been dethroned from having the undisputed strongest sword techniques in Tempest.

According to what Izroth knew, every year, Tempest would host a tournament that allowed any of its citizens to participate.

Of course, despite this open invitation format, typically, only those of noble bloodline joined.

To the nobles, the tournament was a way for them to show their power to other families and develop a pecking order of sorts.

Up until around four years ago, someone from the Windstorm family always took first place in this tournament. But, these past few years, the victor had always been a certain person from the Tempest kingdom. And, as if rubbing salt in the wounds of the Windstorm family, that person was a swordsman!

The first year, people merely viewed it as sheer luck that would likely never happen again in their lifetime. However, against their expectations, that person emerged victorious for consecutive years.

Because of this, news began to spread that the Windstorm family's swordsmanship was on the decline.

Needless to say, the Windstorm family was furious and did everything in their power to "handle" the situation. But, unfortunately for them, that person always seemed to vanish into thin air when the tournament came to an end. And, no matter how hard they searched for clues to that person's whereabouts, they always came up empty-handed.

For Izroth to bring up that person to Aurelius left the young lord of the Windstorm family overflowing with anger.

When was the last time anyone dared to talk to someone who held the Windstorm name in such an openly disrespectful manner?

No, rather, when did the Windstorm name mean so little in the eyes of others that even some arrogant bastard was willing to humiliate them without remorse?

Suddenly, out of nowhere, a sharp wave of sword intent rushed out at Izroth!

Without missing a step, Izroth reacted swiftly as he moved to narrowly evade the incoming sword intent.

Swoosh! Shiiiiing!

The earth where Izroth last stood split open as a long and deep sword mark was left on the ground that spanned several meters.

"I see you had a sudden change of heart," Izroth stated calmly.

The vicious strike just now was not the work of a bystander or third party—it came from Aurelius himself.

It was not long ago that Aurelius proudly announced that he would let Izroth have the first move; however, he actually struck out first.

While there were no such things as taking turns in combat, it was still seen as rather shameless to go back on one's words so fast.

Regardless, Izroth never lowered his vigilance against Aurelius for a single moment. Nor did he need to depend on something like an offered first move.

Not even half a second after Izroth made his remark, he swung his sword outward at the air before him.

At the same time, a surge of sword intent emerged from the tip of his Sword of the Storm and sped toward Aurelius.

Aurelius sensed the incoming sword intent and could not help but inwardly mock its presence. Compared to his strike just now, it was like a tame kitten trying to confront a mighty tiger!

"Such a weak sword spirit. Yet, you dare mock the Windstorm family's sword technique...!" Aurelius thought to himself as he tightened his grip on his sword.

The next moment, a thin layer of wind rotated rapidly around his blade.

"Windstorm First Style: Windy Edge," Aurelius said as he raised his sword upright.

Right after doing so, the wave of sword intent from Izroth's Fifth Sword Form: Receding Tides reached Aurelius. However, right before it was about to make contact with Aurelius' sword, a powerful gust of wind blew out in every direction and dispersed the sword intent in every direction.

Without pause, a small burst of wind gathered at Aurelius' feet as he shot forward at incredible speeds.

At the same time, the wind around his sword came to a standstill, but it was soon replaced by a chilling aura formed on the edge of his blade as he arrived within striking range of Izroth.

"Windstorm Second Style: Cold Draft."

Aurelius leaned inward and shifted his position to a lower stance before sweeping his sword upward at blinding speeds. To bystanders, this smooth set of actions seemed virtually instantaneous!

As Izroth was greeted by a cold and merciless aura, his figure vanished at the last moment.

Zeeeut!

In a flash, Izroth appeared behind Aurelius while the Prime Eques was still in the middle of his attack.

Simultaneously, Izroth's sword instantly swept downward at frightening speeds.

Just now, Izroth used a charge of his Primed Instantaneous Movement to evade Aurelius' strike. He quickly followed it up with the Returning Wave Sword Counter effect from his second sword form.

This left Aurelius with no time to react to his attack.