Chapter 137

Chapter 137 So, one’s specific power determines their affiliation and rank? I haven’t considered that perspective before.

Leonard understood the selection method, but he also found it peculiar as it was very different from the workings in murim. Even if someone reached the Demigod Tier, they would probably have to change their affiliated knight order if their abilities didn’t match.

The White Dragon Commander Demian might have belonged to another knight order back when he was still at the Transcendence Tier.

“While classification generally starts when you become a commander, potential can be identified earlier than that. It’s common for those at the Transcendence Tier who show the potential for unique traits to be recruited early on.”

As they walked toward the distant fortress of Glitnir, Demian continued to elaborate, “That’s also why the Order of the Red Dragon has the most members.”

The Order of the Red Dragon’s jurisdiction, the Rifts and the Outer Gods, required sheer strength more than unique traits due to their vast diversity. Ideally, a unique trait adaptable to all sorts of situations was best, but if such abilities were common, there would be no need for any classification in the first place.

Thus, knights without prominent unique traits often belonged to the Order of the Red Dragon, and it was common for them to be transferred to other knight orders as they grew stronger and manifested their unique traits.

Listening until that point, Leonard had a realization. “So then the Red Dragon Commander is stronger than the other commanders?”

Demian chuckled bitterly and nodded. “That’s right. Old man Wade is the strongest among us commanders, except perhaps the Golden Dragon Commander.”

Unlike the other commanders, the Red Dragon Commander’s position depended solely on power. To become the commander of the Order of the Red Dragon, one had to be capable of overcoming any threat from the Rift and beyond with their power.

Because the Red Dragon Commander led the vanguard on the front lines, unlike the Golden Dragon Commander who rarely made a move, he was often seen as the de facto leader.

“Within the Divine Territory related to Asgard, you’ll typically encounter Einherjar, as well as divine beasts and spirits under the command of the Void Deities. It’s best to familiarize yourself with it.”

As they passed through the grandiose gates of Glitnir, the two men talked about the Divine Territory. Within the Order of the White Dragon, they made a point of teaching archaeology and theology. Knowing the myths and inherent powers associated with beings like the Void Deities significantly impacted the difficulty of defeating them.

However, there were also rare cases like Tyr, whose legends were scarce and offered few clues.

“Tyr is best known for sacrificing his right arm to the wolf Fenrir, which killed the Chief God during the God-Slaying War of the old era, effectively sealing the beast. Think of him as a God associated with swords, law, and seals,” Demian explained.

“Have you faced him before?”

Demian continued, “A couple of times. But since Void Deities can manifest different aspects, you shouldn’t assume a stereotype. Tyr can appear while manifesting either swords or seals.

Void Deities, known as the shells of Gods, were essentially fragments of Gods rather than degraded forms. For example, it was as if Leonard had created dozens of clones, each missing some of the Five Elements or skilled only in martial arts other than swordsmanship. The clones would naturally vary in power and abilities despite sharing the same origin.

With the Einherjar gone, no other entities blocked the path of the two Cardenas swordsmen. As they neared the center of Glitnir, the gathering light from the golden and silver roofs created an otherworldly scene. After several more minutes of walking, they finally reached their destination.

The Divine Throne.

There was a giant figure seated on a radiant throne. Tyr, the One-Armed Sword God, looked down upon them.

—It’s been a long time since I’ve had visitors.

The imposing voice echoed in their minds like a divine revelation. A weak-willed person might have fallen to their knees in worship, overcome by the majesty of the presence. If even the fragment of a God wielded such power, facing the true majesty of a God would be unimaginable.

And yet, neither Demian, the Demigod Tier knight, nor Leonard so much as flinched.

—I know why you’ve come.

Tyr slowly rose from his throne.

He’s huge.

By rough estimate, Tyr stood just under five meters tall. Although wrapped in light, the Dragon Eye could still discern his form with ease. A long beard flowed from beneath a helmet adorned with wing-like projections instead of horns, presenting an intellectual yet barbaric demeanor. His green eyes glinted amidst his dark brown hair and beard.

—You have come to erase the remnants of my fallen self.

Demian stepped forward to respond, “Precisely. If you offer your head, it’ll be over quickly.”

Expecting Tyr’s wrath, Leonard tensed up. Even as a Void Deity, Tyr’s nature wouldn’t differ greatly from the ancient era. The rage of a God belittled by humans would surely be unimaginable.

However...

—How brave, warriors. While your demand is undoubtedly just, as a God of War, yielding without a fight would betray my followers’ trust.

Behaving in a dignified manner, Tyr drew his sword from his waist. It was a Saks, a one-handed sword from the ancient era, perfectly suited for the one-armed Tyr. However, its colossal size made it appear twice as large and heavy as a human’s two-handed sword. Perhaps it was an ancient relic similar to Mimong, which would make it all the more daunting to recklessly clash with the blade.

“Leonard, stand back.”

As Demian readied himself, the surrounding air sharpened. His killing intent cut through the divine pressure exuded by the Void Deity.

Leonard had never witnessed this side of Demian during their sparring sessions. Chilled by his aura, he took a step back, awakening his Dragon Eyes and focusing on the two combatants. The battle he was about to witness could very well be beyond what his Dragon Eyes could fully grasp.

Satisfied, Tyr raised his sword.

—This battle makes my arm, which I lost to Fenrir, throb. Great! Come, warrior! Try to take my head!

“Man, arrogant or insane Void Deities are easier to deal with.”

Despite his complaint, Demian smiled widely. “Still, I like opponents like you.”

—Muahahahaha!

As Tyr’s sword shook with his laughter, Demian seized the moment and charged. Even with Leonard’s Dragon Eyes slowing down his perception by hundreds of times, Demian’s speed was so quick that he appeared like a streak of lightning. The Aura Blade extending from his sword thrust toward Tyr's heart.

And then...

Boom—!

A single downward slash from Tyr split the Aura Blade in half, narrowly missing Demian by half a step. The ground split open in a massive chasm, kilometers wide, which echoed a belated roar of destruction. If this battle had taken place in a volcanic area, magma would have erupted.

One slash followed another; thrusts and slashes were exchanged, tearing the world apart.

As expected! He truly is a sword god.

Demian’s thrust was impeccable, but Tyr’s slashes were equally perfect, each movement reaching the pinnacle of perfection.

This was a realm beyond Leonard’s comprehension, one he couldn’t judge by his own standards—a fight between a Demigod Tier knight and a Void Deity.

——!

The battle transcended sound. The air in the vicinity was obliterated, creating a zone of silence. The space, warped by heat and shock, repeatedly compressed and expanded, tearing the ground and clouds apart.

Slash against slash; thrust against slash; slash against thrust—they exchanged what could be considered basic sword techniques, but their speed and power were so immense that their swings approached the level of a natural disaster.

Despite the vast difference in their sizes, Demian and Tyr clashed relentlessly, sword against sword. The adornments on Tyr’s helmet shattered just as a piece of Demian’s shoulder armor crumbled to dust.

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Leonard, witnessing the fight, grasped a truth that someone below the Demigod Tier could hardly comprehend. It was so shocking he could hardly believe it himself.

This is a clash to check each other out...!

The blows they exchanged, capable of tearing their bodies apart, were merely to gauge each other’s abilities. Demian and Tyr, both seemingly composed, were measuring each other’s swordsmanship.

Techniques bound by physical laws had limits, and when those limits were reached, the fight would never conclude.

A flawless realm. They were probing for openings that might or might not exist in each other, and the heavens and earth were crumbling from the strain of the clash.

“Tch, guess it won’t be that easy.”

—Excellent, warrior. You have reached the pinnacle of a mortal.

Without a clear cue, the Demigod Tier knight and the Void Deity recognized each other’s capabilities, both lowering their swords and summoning their true powers. The air, briefly returning during their pause, was expelled again, swirling into a vortex.

From here on, their battle would transcend into the realm of concepts.

—I declare this...

Tyr was the first to impose his authority.

—In this land where the name of a god is not forgotten, all beings, regardless of their status, are forbidden to use their right arm.

With an incomprehensible declaration, the phenomenon occurred.

“...Huh?”

Leonard watched as all strength and feeling vanished from his right arm, causing his sword to slip from his grasp and bury itself in the ground.

The rule against using one’s right arm had come into effect.

Unlike Leonard, Demian immediately switched his sword to his left hand, glaring at the grinning Tyr before him.

“A Void Deity prioritizing law over swords? To be able to freely declare laws within the Divine Territory, you must be intermediate-rank or higher. You’re clever, too.”

The White Dragon Commander’s accumulated experience was not to be underestimated. Even a god of law couldn’t manipulate laws at will. Tyr would also be bound by his own decrees. However, unlike Demian and Leonard, he was unaffected by the one he had just issued because he was already missing his right arm.

The Void Deity tilted his head and raised an eyebrow.

—Your reaction is swift, warrior. It seems you’ve encountered my authority before.

“Why ask when you already know the answer?”

—Do be understanding. It’s been centuries since I had anyone to talk to.

Exchanging a brief banter, the Void Deity raised his sword.

—Now, let’s fight honorably, as one-armed opponents!

Tyr then charged before Demian could respond. A clash of strikes and parries with their left hands ensued. Returning the earlier surprise attack, Demian’s blade aimed at Tyr’s heart, only to be deflected by a side slash, bouncing upward.

For a Demigod Tier swordsman, there was no distinction between the right and left hand.

But the difference between dual-wielding and single-wielding is another matter.

If the right and left hands were like two sides of the same coin, then dual-wielding and single-wielding essentially meant having multiple coins. Dual-wielding offered more strength and options than single-wielding. Unable to use any techniques with his empty hand, Leonard unconsciously stepped forward, grasping his sword with his left hand.

However...

—...Hmm?

For the first time since the battle had begun, a strike landed. With Tyr’s helmet crest broken and a diagonal cut across his face, golden blood trickled down. Though the wound was superficial, it marked Tyr’s defeat in that exchange.

However, rather than pain and shock, puzzlement glinted in Tyr’s eyes. Leonard, seeing the same phenomenon, soon understood.

“How?”

Demian, with a nonchalant smile, waved his right hand.

“Is it so surprising that I can move it?”