The Indomitable Martial King

Chapter 222

At the same time, in the city of Zeppelin.

Russ smiled faintly as he watched the panicked soldiers of Chatan.

“Anyway, we just have to keep moving according to the plan, right?”

He didn’t know exactly what was happening, but it seemed certain that reinforcements weren’t coming.

Buzzz!

A blue aura surged from Russ’ sword. Malroid also released his aura, enveloping his greatsword.

“Ugh…”

The faces of the once-relaxed Zeppelin Knights changed. They had heard there was only one aura user, but now another one had appeared. With two aura users, five Zeppelin Knights couldn’t possibly stand a chance!

‘Why aren’t they coming? Where are the reinforcements?’

Russ and Malroid stepped forward toward the increasingly pale Zeppelin Knights. Malroid sneered coldly.

“So, if we deal with these guys, no one will be left to stop us, right?”

At that moment.

“Honestly, this country… I’ve never seen it run properly!”

With a deep voice, someone flew through the night sky from the other side of the plaza. Soaring through the air like a bird, they gently landed in front of Repenhardt and Russ. In that instant, radiant light scorched the darkness, spreading in all directions.

A knight clad in thick armor that gleamed with a dazzling golden hue appeared, causing the soldiers of Chatan to cheer in excitement.

“He’s here!”

“The Sword of Tenes!”

“The Golden Knight of Graim!”

The expressions of the Zeppelin Knights also brightened. To these knights who prided themselves on being magical warriors, the most revered martial artist was not the famous Sword Saint Barnatel or even Gerard, who had now become the Fist Emperor. It was the Golden Knight, a magical swordsman who could stand against aura users on equal terms.

Russ’ expression hardened as he looked at his opponent.

“…Brother Eusus?”

Eusus scanned the area. His gaze slowly passed over the entire group of escaped slaves. Each time his cold eyes fell upon them, the slaves flinched and trembled. The Golden Knight of Graim—his illustrious reputation was well-known even among the slaves of Zeppelin.

After a brief pause, Eusus fixed his gaze. It landed on a young man with a striking resemblance to himself—his half-brother. In a frigid tone, Eusus spoke.

“It’s been a while, Russ…”

Russ stared back at Eusus with a rigid expression. The gazes of the two brothers clashed in the air.

Repenhardt frowned.

“How is that man here?”

It was impossible not to be taken aback, as someone he never expected to meet in this place had appeared. Moreover, Eusus’ arrival meant that Teslon had also come to Zeppelin…

Eusus looked at Repenhardt and smiled faintly.

“I couldn’t quite guess where you’d be hiding among this group of runaway slaves…”

Then, he turned his gaze back to Russ with a satisfied expression.

“To think, not only the Fist King but even that lowly scoundrel is here! Truly, this must be the blessing of Seiya. Hahaha!”

Repenhardt felt perplexed by Eusus’ confident laughter.

‘What’s with that overconfident attitude?’

Sure, Eusus’ appearance was surprising. However, at the moment, Eusus was alone. Well, technically, not entirely alone—five Zeppelin Knights and a hundred soldiers were lined up behind him. But the other companions who usually accompanied him were nowhere to be seen.

Meanwhile, Repenhardt’s side included not only Repenhardt himself but also Russ, an aura user, and Malroid, a Dwarf aura user who had been leading this group. Just a few months ago, Eusus had been utterly defeated by Russ alone. There was no reason for him to act so arrogant now.

‘Does he have something up his sleeve?’

Normally, Repenhardt would have attacked right away and moved on, but something about the strange situation made him hesitate to act.

Maintaining his guard, Repenhardt asked Eusus, “…Your presence here means Teslon is also in this city, doesn’t it?”

He was probing for information, but surprisingly, Eusus nodded without resistance.

“If you’re referring to Sir Teslon, he’s headed west of Zeppelin to find you.”

Then, with a meaningful smile, he added, “Of course, he assumes you’d be with that ‘Elf woman.’”

At that moment, a sharp glint flashed in Repenhardt’s eyes.

“Siris?”

Repenhardt turned his head toward the other side of the city.

‘Teslon is here? And he’s headed toward Siris?’

Currently, Siris was moving with Iniya. Considering Siris’ advanced mastery of spirit magic and Iniya, the most powerful Elf aura user, even the current Teslon wouldn’t be able to take them lightly. Logically, there wasn’t much to worry about.

However, Eusus’ oddly calm demeanor filled him with unease.

That’s no bluff.

The expression on his face showed that he was confident in something.

Repenhardt clenched both fists tightly and shouted to the ones behind him.

“Russ! Malroid! I’ll leave this place to you! I need to go check on Siris!”

He didn’t know what Eusus was relying on, but Russ and Malroid, both aura users, were here as well. Especially Russ, who had been continuously growing, had become an even stronger aura user than when he had fought Eusus months ago.

‘Even if there’s a trap, those two should be more than enough to handle it, right?’

Russ responded confidently, “Leave it to us, brother!”

Malroid gestured as if to reassure him. “Don’t worry and go ahead, savior!”

“I’m counting on you!”

With that short shout, Repenhardt kicked off the ground and soared into the sky. Leaving a trail of golden aura in the night sky, his large figure stepped across the rooftops and disappeared toward the other side of Zeppelin.

Surprisingly, Eusus didn’t chase after Repenhardt. He merely watched the fading silhouette with a sly smile on his lips.

“It’s a shame, but I’ll leave the Fist King to Sir Teslon.”

The reason Eusus had joined forces with Teslon in the first place was that he had lost in battle against Repenhardt. But now, Eusus no longer harbored much resentment over that defeat.

Since that day, Repenhardt had traveled across battlefields, continuously building his fame. The name of the Fist King Repenhardt had resounded throughout the entire continent for quite some time.

As a result, the fact that he had been defeated by Repenhardt no longer felt like such a disgrace. Though he still held some grudge, Eusus now had a far greater object of hatred.

Turning toward Russ, Eusus raised his demon sword Eldran, his eyes gleaming with murderous intent.

“For now, I have more important business.”

Russ, sensing Eusus’ killing intent, readied himself in response. Clasping his sword with both hands and raising it above his head, he took the signature downward strike stance of the House of Tenes.

Whiiiing!

A swirling vortex of murderous energy began to gather between the two brothers.

Eusus raised his massive golden sword, Eldran, and shouted with venomous rage.

“Prepare to die, you filthy bastard! This time, I will judge you once and for all!”

As the killing intent bore down on him, Russ took his first step forward.

“Judgment… I won’t bother arguing what crime I’ve committed or what right you have to judge me. It’s not like talking would do any good, anyway.”

Russ twisted his lips as he pointed his blade aura at Eusus.

“I’ll just end this right here, Eusus. I’m sick of seeing your face.”

* * *

Repenhardt leaped across the rooftops of Zeppelin, one after another, racing forward.

His expression remained rigid throughout, a strange sense of unease lingering in his chest.

‘Why do I feel like this? There shouldn’t be any real problems.’

Repenhardt had already faced Teslon once before. He had a decent grasp of Teslon’s strength.

Sure, Teslon was strong. But his abilities were no match for Iniya.

Despite Iniya’s current odd behavior, which made her seem absent-minded, she was still the strongest warrior and aura user among the elves, both in the past and present. She was as formidable as Kalken, Stalla, Attila, or even Tassid, the orc warlord.

In a real fight, Repenhardt’s unique Gym Unbreakable physique gave him an edge. But in a duel, even he couldn’t guarantee victory against Iniya’s skills.

Moreover, Siris, whose spirit magic had grown immensely powerful, was with her. Logically speaking, even if Teslon ambushed them, they should be more than capable of defending themselves.

Yet, Eusus’ overly confident attitude kept gnawing at his mind. Eusus wouldn’t act so calmly if he hadn’t prepared something to counter three aura users.

‘And if Eusus is up to something, Teslon might be involved in a similar scheme…’

It was then, while Repenhardt hurriedly vaulted over a rooftop, that a voice filled with hatred and twisted joy rang out from the street below.

“Re~pen~hardt!”

The voice was eerie, like the deranged howl of a madman, brimming with both malice and ecstasy. At the same time, a black aura surged towards the airborne Repenhardt.

“What’s this?”

Startled, Repenhardt twisted his body mid-air. The force behind that black flash wasn’t ordinary. It crackled with immense power, enough to make his back tingle with an ominous sensation as it rushed toward him!

“Haaaap!”

Half-consciously, Repenhardt summoned his aura. A golden aura enveloped his entire body, clashing with the black flash. A thunderous boom echoed, and Repenhardt’s body was flung backward.

Boom!

A massive impact struck him, sending a dull pain rising from his chest to his head, pounding his brain.

Repenhardt steadied himself as he landed, a surprised expression crossing his face.

“Urgh?”

He hadn’t executed a Spiral Guard, but even so, the golden aura of Gym Unbreakable boasted diamond-like defense. He had deployed his aura perfectly, absorbing most of the force, yet the black flash still managed to strike his chest directly with its remaining power.

‘Was there someone this strong left in Zeppelin?’

With a groan, Repenhardt turned his head. Standing where the flash had come from was a young man, clutching a jet-black sword, cackling maniacally.

“Finally! We’ve met! Hahahaha!”

With the black sword in hand, the young man kicked the ground. With effortless movements, he leaped onto the roof of a three-story building. Repenhardt furrowed his brow.

‘Hmm…’

The man’s movements were unusual, far beyond what a normal human could accomplish.

As the young man landed on the roof, he looked at Repenhardt and began laughing like a madman.

“Repenhardt! Damn it! I’ve met you! I finally met you! Yes! This is perfect!”

No, judging by the way he spoke, it seemed the man was truly mad.

Staring at the young man, Repenhardt narrowed his eyes. There was something familiar about him…

“…Who are you again?”

At that, the young man’s face twisted visibly. His facial muscles contorted like a demon’s, and he screamed at the top of his lungs.

“Repenhardt! Repenhardt! You don’t recognize me? You? YOU! AAAAAAAAH!”

The youth’s anguished scream echoed in all directions. It was so desperate that Repenhardt almost felt a pang of guilt.

“It doesn’t matter! You’ll remember me whether you want to or not after I cut you down!”

The young man stabbed his black sword into the roof.

“Come forth, my shadow!”

From the jet-black sword, darkness poured forth. Like a broken dam, the dark energy surged, engulfing the young man from head to toe.

Sensing the ominous energy within the darkness, Repenhardt instinctively clicked his tongue. Dark magic—and a particularly vile strain of it at that.

The young man, now cloaked in darkness, let out a desperate cry.

“Envelop me with the soul of madness!”

The darkness began to materialize, taking form in the physical world. The shadowy aura became a helmet, gauntlets, and plate armor, gradually covering the young man’s entire body.

In moments, the young man was gone, replaced entirely by the menacing figure of a black knight, his entire body radiating an ominous, black aura.

Seeing this, Repenhardt smacked his palm in realization.

“Ah, that armor.”

Now he remembered. It was the same berserker armor he had seen back when he encountered Teslon.

“Right, that guy was named Stefan, wasn’t he?”

He hadn’t recognized him by his face, but seeing the armor finally jogged his memory. This was a clear sign of how little Stefan had meant to Repenhardt.

Apparently, Stefan realized this too, as the murderous intent emanating from his entire body grew even more intense.

“Raaah! Repenhardt!”