Chapter 234 - Lightning

Zaos couldn't hope to hit the main mast while he was three kilometers away from Ferdinand's ship. His eyes weren't that good. So, he aimed to hit the back part of the ship. However, he couldn't help but frown after he fired the projectile. Basically, at the same time he fired it, the Thunder Sword hit the enemy ship. Zaos was surprised, but the others were astonished as they saw the part that got hit falling into the ocean while the rest was burning.

The other wind attacks that turned into electricity were pretty fast, but they couldn't be compared to that. For the first time in his life, Zaos learned the real meaning of lightning speed.

"Now it is our chance! Full speed ahead!" Erean shouted.

The enemy ship lost a lot of speed, so it was only a matter of time before they caught up with them. Once they did, though, they were caught by a weird sight… the crew of the ship was jumping into the ocean. Ferdinand's men certainly weren't loyal, but it seemed that they were an embarrassment even for cowards.

Zaos and the others turned around and then saw the remaining ships of the enemy fleet moving away in all directions. That sure was disappointing… Zaos's attack made them turn tail like that? That was quite convenient since Zaos was out of mana, but it was weird anyway.

The enemy ship stopped moving, but Zaos, Erean, and Drannor still jumped toward it when they were close enough with caution. There was no sight of any enemy in the ship, but there was no telling if Ferdinand would have any other trick up his sleeve. He was a pain in the ass, but he sure was resourceful.

In the end, the door of the Captain's cabin opened, and Ferdinand appeared. He was exactly like Orleand had mentioned, a man who was in his prime and had a whole life ahead of him. Although he was a merchant, he still has a well-built body, probably because now and then, he helped in the building of his ships. However, his most discerning characteristic was his eyes. One could see in his eyes a bottomless hunger for power. Given five more years, he probably would have become a merchant richer than even Orleand, but he just didn't want that. He wanted even more.

"I can't believe it… Crow actually was right," Ferdinand said with a smile on his face. "Two of you are kids who don't even have grown beards yet. Despite that, your pathetic group still managed to stop all my plans. I am honestly impressed."

Something seemed off. Zaos knew that Ferdinand wasn't a true fighter or had any soldier training. Still, he felt that he couldn't attack him carelessly. Since Drannor and Erean didn't do anything either, they probably shared the same feeling. That man was dangerous… he certainly had a few tricks up their sleeve.

"What are you looking at? Come on, attack me," Ferdinand said while smiling.

Neither of them fell for that obvious taunt. Anyone with half of a brain would understand that Ferdinand was plotting something. Although he wasn't an assassin, he was wearing a cape just like Crow, so he certainly was hiding something in there.

"I thought your kingdom trained soldiers, but I guess you are just a bunch of chicken," Ferdinand said. "How disappointing… Well, no matter."

After saying that, Ferdinand raised his right fist and as if the thunder clouds were answering to his movement, some lightning bolts fell in the distance. That wasn't good… Zaos could feel a lot of magic being gathered in Ferdinand's hand, and when Zaos paid attention to what he saw there, he saw a bone ring… a magic item that is created by using the bones of the followers of the demon god. 

"Retreat!" Zaos shouted.

"I don't think so," Ferdinand said.

Zaos didn't know why he did that, but he knew that his allies wouldn't be able to retreat on time, and the lightning bolts that fell in the distance probably awakened his instincts and forced him to do that. He threw his sword to the sky just at the right time a lightning bolt fell on the ship. Zaos's sword stopped the lightning bolt from hitting them directly. However, in the end, the energy passed through the weapon and divided into several branches that still hit the ship alongside Zaos, Drannor, and Erean.

Your Magic Resistance has reached level 12.

Your Magic Resistance has reached level 13.

Your Magic Resistance has reached level 14.

Your Magic Resistance has reached level 15.

Your Magic Resistance has reached level 16.

Zaos diverted some of the attacks, but he finally felt how it was to be hit by one of his attacks. The electricity hit his right arm and passed through the rest of his body, paralyzing every single muscle he had while it burned his flash. It only lasted for a moment, but Zaos felt like it had been an eternity.

The shock finally ended, but the pain didn't. Zaos couldn't even scream since he lost control over his body and just fell on the deck, and then his sword fell right on his left side. He got lucky that the blade hit the deck instead of him. 

When Zaos recovered consciousness, all he could see was the cold rain and some smoke leaving his body. Aside from the noise of the storm, he also could hear some steps approaching. He moved his head slightly to the front, and then he saw Ferdinand's boot fast approaching his head until it kicked his face.

"Not so tough now, huh?" Ferdinand asked. "You shitty, dirty brat! How dare you ruin my plans like this! How dare you?"

Killing that asshole at that distance would be so easy if Zaos had just a little bit of his mana, but in the end, he didn't have. Although the kick hurt like hell, it felt like a sting compared to the burning sensation that Zaos could feel all over his body.