Chapter 219

The King of the Dungeons (7)

Everyone in the audience was holding their breath before Dyke fought.

Right now, Ed Rothtaylor has the upper hand in this duel since it started. The desperate sight of Dyke Elphelan, who is somehow holding on with his teeth clenched, is almost pitiful.

Dyke, who had a brief conversation with Ed in the middle of the duel arena, began to move more lightly after that.

It was a repetition of raising the guard and swinging the heavy body around and rushing towards Ed, but being blocked and stopped by various magic and elemental magic. Each time, Dyke’s wounds increased in number, but Dyke himself showed no signs of paying attention.

Students and imperial combatants with an innate fighting sense were able to easily read Dyck’s age from his movements.

Dyke’s blow, which Ed effortlessly evades and uses magic to block, is truly powerful.

But that’s it.

No matter how powerful a cannon is, it is meaningless if it doesn’t hit.

By repeating the ducking and sway movements, he miraculously succeeded in catching Ed off guard once, but it was more of a fluke that only worked the first time.

As soon as he got the information that the opponent was not only fast but also approaching with proper evasive moves and fakes... Ed’s movements became noticeably cautious.

Even when a counterattack is suggested, it is not easy to counterattack. He reads every single movement of the opponent and delivers an attack at a time when the center of power is completely concentrated and he can never be countered.

Just like that, Dyke falls and rolls on the floor, increasing his wounds... but gritting his teeth, he gets up with one claw and lunges at Ed again.

But...

“Princess Selaha.”

Dest, the chief butler close to Princess Selaha, who was guarding her and watching the sparring, quietly approached her ear and whispered.

“Without further ado, it looks like the eldest son of the Elphelan family will be defeated.”

It may mean that you need to prepare your mind.

The Elphelan family has given full support to Princess Selaha for a long time. Satisfied with his loyalty, Princess Selaha also maintained a special relationship with him to the extent that she lent her voice and contributed in many ways to the revival of the Elphelan family. When the head of such a family proudly boasted of victory in the duel, Princess Selaha also smiled.

Selaha knew that Ed Rothtaylor was a very strong person. This is because he was at the scene of the catastrophe at the Ross Taylor mansion.

Having even seen Ed Rothtaylor personally summon some of the highest spirits, I had no choice but to admit that he was not an easy opponent.

However, there is no way that a weapon with so many restrictions, such as a high-ranking spirit, could be taken out in a place where so many people are gathered.

It was obvious that Ed Rosstaylor’s best power would be that wind wolf. This is because in Selaha’s mind, Ed Rosstaylor remained a stronger spiritist than others of his age.

When Ed came to a conclusion about the power he could produce, the head of the Elphelan family gave a rant to Princess Selaha.

Princess Selaha nodded in satisfaction at the story of Eshtel Elphelan, who confidently said that Dyke Elphelan could definitely break his arrogance.

And now it looks like this.

Doesn’t it attack high-level magic out of nowhere and avoid Dyke’s attacks in close combat?

Ed Rosstaylor’s fighting style was closer to that of an all-rounder with deep knowledge in all fields rather than that of a wizard. The man named Ed Rosstaylor was more accomplished than expected as a fighter.

‘Even the highest-ranking spirit I saw at that time... was just one of his secret weapons...?’

Princess Selaha narrowed her eyes and looked at the sparring scene. It seems like the conclusion has already been reached, but it’s just Dyke struggling.

Ed Rothtaylor is better than Dyke Elphelan in almost every area. It was a sight that not only Princess Selaha but most of the audience gathered in this sparring hall could not help but acknowledge.

“That student named Dyke is an excellent warrior. With his strong spirit and will, he can truly be called a role model for warriors. You’ve probably gone through years of training. But...”

Dyke digs in and punches Ed, but he falls once again due to ‘Blessing of the Storm’, whose cooldown has expired.

“I was hopelessly lacking in fighting sense. “Even if you train your body and your mind and refine yourself over and over again, there is bound to be an inherent upper limit to your growth rate.”

Princess Selaha frowned at Dest’s words.

Deacon Dest, who had once worked as a combat agent, was able to easily read Dyke’s innate limitations from his movements.

“Probably Dyke himself knows best. “I have reached the highest level where I can become stronger by investing effort.”

Dest spoke with his eyes closed.

“But this is a dead end. I too... know this well from experience. “In a duel with lower-grade students, you might have been able to beat them with just the results of their efforts, but in a duel between those aiming for the top... that alone is not enough.”

As if he sympathized with Dyke... Dest spoke in a whisper.

It’s a wall.

Standing in front of Dyke, who raised his guard, was a majestic and huge wall. It is a wall so large and strong that it cannot be broken down or bypassed.

Even if they throw the same fist, Dunjae’s fist and the genius’s fist are completely different.

A movement that instantly twists and breaks the central point of sensory power that catches everything from the slightest body movement to the enemy’s movement. The agility of moving by using even the inertia or gravity that restricts the body as a driving force.

The realm of training and the realm of sensation are completely separate.

That fleeting sense that characters like Clevious Ziggs, Taily Veros, and others are born with... Dyke wasn’t born with it in the first place.

Delays in mastering technology can be overcome.

If you learn the same kick twice as late as others, you need to practice it twice as long.

However, a declaration is just a declaration. Punch out as long as you have energy left. I’ve always lived that way. Ed also knows very well that Dyke is not going to end here, so he never lets down his defensive stance.

Because there is no way I can now reverse the way of life I have lived my whole life.

Hue-

sigh-

Dyke takes a deep breath and raises his fist.

– Woe!

– Quaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!

Ed, who used wind magic to change the trajectory of his movement, dodges Dyke’s fist without much effort.

While keeping his posture low, the ‘one-point explosion’ hits Dyke’s arms directly.

Dyke is in a state of complete disrepair, unable to raise his guard or prepare his mind, and has even run out of mana.

As it was, all the damage was shoved into Dyke’s body without being blocked or discharged.

– Quaaaaaaaa!

–

When the rising dust was scattered by the wind and disappeared, what was seen was Dyke’s body hanging down on his knees.

He was not conscious, but his expression seemed relaxed.

*- Waaaaaaa!

Cheers pour in for the winner.

Praise is pouring down on Ed Rothtaylor, who once again stood upright in the center of the sparring arena.

Flowers thrown from the audience were decorating the sky. One by one, they land on the floor of the sparring hall and pile up.

Ed bowed his head to Dyke, who was kneeling and bowing his head.

Together with the academic staff who came to help him, who had fainted, he was lifted onto a stretcher and bowed to the audience.

Then cheers erupted from the audience again. After applauding in the heat for a while, Ed Rothtaylor raised his finger and asked for silence.

The audience becomes quiet as if they had made a promise. First of all, it is time to briefly share my thoughts about the glorious victory.

Princess Selaha narrowed her eyes and pursed her lips.

If Dyke had won, he would have mentioned Selaha’s contribution here and thanked him.

As a warrior, I can smile proudly here because I helped a family in crisis with a compassionate heart.

All this glory goes to Princess Selaha.

By saying those words, Princess Selaha’s prestige will be further enhanced. In a place where so many nobles were watching and even Emperor Cloel was watching.

But all plans went awry. I tried to judge Ed Rosstaylor’s strength as conservatively as possible, but he turned out to be stronger than I expected. The speed of growth far exceeded expectations.

He who supports Princess Fenia will probably raise Fenia’s name even higher here.

Selaha closed her eyes and was about to sigh.

“This victory today is because of the great Princess Selaha, who calmly adjusted the situation even amidst the disaster at Ross Taylor Mansion and always tried to look at the world objectively.”

However, one story after another that made you doubt your ears.

“It is truly a great honor for me, Ed Rosstaylor, to have Princess Selaha here watching this duel. There was a time when people doubted me and looked at me with hostile eyes. However, it was a natural thing for a monarch who encompasses all things to do. “This is because there is no such thing as the Ross Taylor family’s original sin.”

The audience was all holding their breath and concentrating on Ed Rothtaylor’s words.

“But I know. Because Princess Selaha, who is always decisive and confident, took the center stage and led the crowd during the disaster at Ross Taylor Mansion, I am also able to stay alive here. Therefore, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Princess Selaha, who corrected the Ross Taylor family from going down the wrong path that day and guided them toward the right path through reprimand and criticism. “Today’s glory is all thanks to Princess Selaha!”

Among the falling flower petals, Ed Ross Taylor’s glorious words continued.

The crowd began to shout hurray and chant Selaha’s name. It really felt like Selaha had become the protagonist of this duel.

Emperor Cloel also patted the back of Selaha’s head with a satisfied smile, perhaps because he was proud of her. It was truly a proud sight.

‘what...?’

The only one who did not understand this situation was Princess Selaha.

There is absolutely no reason for Ed Rosstaylor to defend and praise Princess Selaha.

Nevertheless, Ed Rosstaylor, who gave all the credit to Princess Selaha with an expression that seemed to come from the heart... was standing applauding without a care in the world.

‘What on earth is this...?’

Only Princess Selaha had a stern face amidst the cheers of the crowd.

Selaha’s intuition is calling.

──That man is planning something.

The true intention... is not visible to Selaha’s eyes. It’s as if there is a thick fog.