Chapter 128 - Change

The black-haired man disappeared from Arlen's sight again, but despite that, the old man stopped his attack, even though he appeared behind him and aimed for his neck.

"Oh? You have good instincts for an old man," The black-haired man said. "What is your name, old man?"

"You need to tell your name first, before asking someone else's," Arlen said.

"Well said, it would be a pity to send you to the next world without telling you my name," The black-haired man said. "My name is Elmar, I am the commander of this army. So, if you manage to stop me, you can probably stop this attack altogether."

"You are pretty young for a commander, I should have expected no less from the leader of a band of mercenaries, you only seek leadership in those who have power, but no experience," Arlen said. "Regardless, my name is Arlen. I am sorry to say that even if you defeat me, this army won't fall. They won't stop until they keep causing problems to you a lot and ultimately fails at taking over the Northern base."

"It doesn't matter, it would be boring if things were to become even easier," Elmar said.

After that brief exchange of words, Elmar attacked Arlen with a flurry of thrusts. However, he failed at surpassing Arlen's defense. All of his attacks were completely blocked. That being said, he was totally on the defensive. 

Although it looked like he had the upper hand, Elmar furrowed his brown in annoyance when he noticed that something was off. The old man in front of him was on the defensive, but it didn't look like he was struggling. He was just trying to stall for time… while his soldiers slowly decreased the enemies' forces since most of the mercenaries couldn't join the battle due to the terrain.

Elman took a deep breath, and the expression on his face changed. He charged at Arlen in a straight line and then attacked the old man even more furiously than before. Those who took a peek at the fight barely could see the spear moving. Despite that, Arlen blocked all the attacks without moving a single inch. That being said, Arlen noticed that the mercenary in front of him was up to no good… but he only realized after a while what he was aiming at. Elmar was attacking Arlen's sword at the same spot.

Arlen stepped forward and made that big and fast move to split Elmar in two again. Still, he escaped once again by suddenly disappearing with an inhuman speed. Arlen checked his sword and confirmed that his sword was getting damaged, and if he tries to fight on the same as before, his weapon won't last long.

Arlen took a deep breath, and then the expression on his face changed as well. There was no time for either of them to pull their punches. Arlen assumed an offensive stance for the first time and then dashed toward the mercenary. Elmar thought of counterattacking after dodging the old man's attack. Still, then he felt a shiver and moved backward when Arlen began to swing his sword.

"Hehehe, you are too wild, old man," Elmar said with a nervous smile.

"Your confident façade is breaking," Arlen said. "If you only retreat, you will decrease the morale of your army."

Elmar looked around and noticed exactly that. Many of his men were watching the fight. The same was happening on the other side. When one assumed the offensive, their men would get excited and fight more fiercely, but their men would lose some fighting spirit when one was being pushed back. That was a useful but dangerous weapon.

Whenever Zaos finished an enemy, he looked around to confirm that he was safe, and then he would look at the battle. Arlen not only had a powerful presence, but he also had some crazy skills. Zaos never saw his father fighting seriously but imagined that both of them could show one heck of a fight, even if they use training swords.

"I understand your curiosity, but we don't have time to waste watching them," Verkan said.

Although he said that, Verkan also couldn't resist but took a peek now and then at the fight. Regardless, the battle remained at a standstill for a while, without neither sight obtaining the upper hand. However, Elmar got sick and tired of that fight. At first, he liked it, but now he was getting impatient.

Elmar dashed at Arlen again, and then he tried to stab the old man from behind. However, the old man turned around and swung his sword with lightning speed and then separated Elmar's upper and lower halves. However, something was off. His sword cut the enemy, but the enemy didn't move a single inch.

Zaos saw the very last moment when Elmar showed up on Arlen's left side and tried to stab his head. The old man reacted fast enough to block the attack, but that had been another afterimage… or illusion spell. Zaos nor anyone else could say what kind of ability that was.

Suddenly, a spear pierced Arlen's body. Then Elmar's figure finally showed in front of him with a condescending smile on his face… the entire battlefield froze when they realized that their duel was finally over, and yet, the soldiers that were fighting for the North couldn't understand what had happened.

"Oh, shit… this is…" Zaos said, and then he stopped when someone suddenly passed by him and dashed toward Arlen.

When Elmar noticed Verkan's approach, he tried to pull back his spear, but Arlen grabbed the weapon. The look of surprise in the old man's face disappeared and gave place to an expression of exhaustion and pain. The weapon pierced his body all the way to the other side, despite the fact that he was wearing full armor. That weapon wasn't normal, but he didn't let the mercenary pull it back despite that.

Verkan tried to slash his sword at the enemy, but he jumped back and escaped… Zaos noticed that… he noticed that something changed in the mercenary.