The Divine Armor of the Old Century（Book 1）

Chapter 24

Like the return of hell itself, everywhere was filled with distortion and chaos. Under the influence of hallucinations, everything seemed to come alive, countless faces emerging from within, bearing expressions of myriad flavors, screaming aloud with agony.

A diminutive figure resembling a ghostly silhouette stretched tall, the straight rapier appearing contorted under the hallucination, like a revived white serpent.

This was once a dueling arena, gladiators standing in the gloomy underground, listening to the cheers from above ground. As the chains of the elevators tightened, they bathed in the first rays of light in the darkness.

Now everything here was so similar to those times. Two individuals were the iron-blooded fighters, with only one destined to survive.

Without any warning, the rapier darted forth, its swordsmanship resembling Saber himself, incomplete yet showing glimpses of skill, as if learning from a master and adding one's own artistry thereafter.

The blades clashed, a crisp sound reverberating through the eardrums. Lloyd clenched the hilt tightly and then slid his sword sideways.

This was a technique in swordsmanship known as "Deflection", changing the inclination of the sword during the clash to leverage the force, thereby altering the direction of the opponent's blade. Of course, the significance of this technique lay not in defense but in gathering momentum while defending.

As the opponent couldn't retract the force quickly enough, his defensive response was sluggish, leaving a fatal opening.

Lloyd caught sight of that fatal opening. The rapier swiped past his side, and Lloyd's cane sword swiftly rose, then descended with ferocity akin to a guillotine blade.

Sabre had no time to counter. His diminutive body twisted forcefully, raising the rapier in defense, sparking dazzling flashes.

With agile backward leap, Sabre watched Lloyd with some astonishment. His arm numbed by the tremendous force, he couldn't believe this detective possessed such power.

This time, the tide of battle turned in Lloyd's favor.

Sabre glanced down at his rapier, a conspicuous dent on its blade, courtesy of Lloyd. If Lloyd's cane sword had been a bit heavier, resembling a normal blade, that strike would have decapitated both Sabre and his rapier.

"A priest learning swordsmanship?" Sabre muttered, incredulous. Such skills were beyond the grasp of a detective, let alone a priest.

"In essence, a priest in Fécamp is just a class, like those sanctuary knights. Many of them were priests before being promoted to knights," Lloyd explained calmly.

Lifting his cane sword slowly, the tip lowered, assuming one of the stances in swordsmanship.

"Courage, strength, skill, and... guile!" These were the four principles of swordsmanship, rarely known. The courage to wield the sword, the strength to break steel, the deadly skill, and the cunning guile. Ultimately, it was the art of killing, and any notion of glory was merely a veil of self-consolation after murder.

With a sudden step forward, the sword thundered down.

It was a sound that cleaved the air, under the distorted hallucinations, resembling the wails of souls beneath the sword.

Sabre's diminutive figure elongated. He knew he couldn't parry this strike, but in that moment of consideration, a white light descended.

Red smoke burst forth as the sword fell, a treacherous rapier attack concealed within.

Lloyd's cane sword barely intercepted the assault, but the rapier twisted eerily like a snake, striking Lloyd after a bizarre contortion.

The two tangled in a melee within the chaotic hallucinations, roaring like wild beasts.